“His timing was impeccable, though. Sophia disappeared from the hospital this morning, right about the time Krupin was here…” Salena continued her monologue, adding more stuff about everything that had happened and how he’d pulled it off.
But Ellery was watching Logan. He definitely wasn’t his usual self. He’d arrived quietly, not interrupting the questioning. She’d spied a haunted look in his eyes before he’d averted them, and he hadn’t so much as glanced her way since. The usual Logan would’ve been furious, barely controlling his temper. Maybe this new subdued Logan was simply another step in his steady withdrawal.
“Dan kept telling us Alexander Krupin likes to kill people,” said Jake, standing over Salena’s shoulder, frowning at the pages. “Isn’t it weird that he used non-lethal methods on the guard and didn’t kill Ellery when he had the chance? Are we absolutely positive the guy that showed up here was Alexander?”
Ellery blinked, finding both Jake and Salena staring with expectant expressions. “I’m sorry… what did you ask me?”
“Are you positive the guy you saw was Alexander Krupin?” Jake repeated.
“I’ll never forget those eyes.” She held out the photo she still had clasped in her hand. “The guy in my room was definitely this guy.”
“Is it possible he’s not the evil killer Dan painted him to be?” Jake asked.
“Not that I’m an expert on killers,” Ellery said with a shudder, “but I got the impression the only reason he didn’t kill me was because Sophia asked him not to.”
Ellery fell into a coughing fit that brought tears to her eyes. Logan appeared at her side and handed her a cup of chipped ice.
“That’s enough.” Though Logan’s tone was deadly even, it gave the impression of a low rumble in the throat of an attack dog. “I think she’s told you everything she knows. It’s time to let her rest.”
Though warmed by his renewed protectiveness, Ellery knew not to put much stock in it.
“Logan’s right,” Salena said. “You’ve been so much help, Ellery. And the way you handled Krupin… nothing short of amazing.”
“I promise I didn’t do anything,” Ellery said. “I’m pretty sure I’m alive because it suited his purposes.”
Logan’s hand came to rest on her shoulder. It felt so natural she almost imagined everything was back to normal between them. But when he jerked it away, mumbling something she couldn’t hear, it slashed a new wound in her heart.
As miserable as Ellery was, it had to be worse for Logan. He was so tenderhearted. He was probably determined to keep up the pretense of feelings until he was certain Ellery had fully recovered. She was beginning to realize it might be best if she were the one to end the relationship. She could only pray she would have the strength to do it, without falling apart.
When Jake and Salena left them alone in the room, Logan stayed standing at her bedside, staring out the window, hands stuffed in his pockets. His body language told Ellery everything she needed to know. Now was the time to make the break.
As she used the bed controls to sit straight and lift up as high as possible, almost to eye level, Logan’s gaze remained fixed on something outside.
Ellery swallowed a few more ice chips and took a slow breath. “Logan, I’m going to make this easy on you.”
His eyes flitted to hers, wide with alarm. “What do you mean?”
“I want you to know I appreciate all you’ve done—watching out for me, staying with me round-the-clock. I think you’ve done more than enough, and I don’t want you to feel obligated to me anymore.”
“Obligated?”
“Yes. You have to recognize none of this was your fault.”
“Of course it was my fault—” he began.
“No it wasn’t!” she said. “No more than it was my dad’s fault he chose to drive our family down that particular highway the night of the wreck.”
Logan’s nostrils flared, but he couldn’t argue with the logic of her personal tragedy.
“So like I said, none of this was your fault, yet you’ve been sweet and supportive.” She fought her clenching chest to take a breath. “But I’m well now, so I don’t need you anymore.”
“You don’t need me?” His brow furrowed. “Or you don’t want me?”
What could she say and still be truthful?
“I want love, Logan… real love.” With her fists so tight her fingernails bit into her palms, she kept her tears at bay. “And we don’t have it.”
“Are you saying you don’t love me anymore?”
She was surprised to hear hurt in his voice rather than relief. Didn’t he realize she was giving him an out?
“Logan, you’re an amazing guy. And someday you’re going to find the right woman, and you’ll both love each other. You’ll have it all—love, marriage, a picket fence, two-point-five kids. But it has to be the right woman.”
Saying the words made her chest ache, and not because of her inflamed air passages.
“But you’re not the right woman?” Logan asked.
She shook her head, so close to tears she didn’t dare speak.
“Because you don’t love me?” His voice cracked with pain. Either she hadn’t done a good job alleviating his guilt, or his ego was crushed. But she’d used up every last bit of her energy to hide her emotions. If she didn’t get him out of the room fast, he was going to see her fall apart.
“I think you should go now,” she rasped, squeezing her eyes shut.
“Can I kiss you?”
She sucked in a surprised breath, wincing at the rawness. Shock at his suggestion overrode her grief, at least temporarily.
“Kiss me?” she squeaked.
