Carolina Mac [Mac - Hole in the Heart

CHAPTER ONE

Friday, May 1 st .

University Hospital. New Orleans.

THE BED WAS EMPTY when he came back from grabbing a sandwich in the cafeteria. His heart stopped beating and blood drained from his head so fast it made him dizzy.

Did she die while I wasnt here?

Blaine gripped the end of the bed for a moment thinking he might pass out, then turned on his heel and ran to the nurses station, chains clanking on his Harley boots and his long black hair flying. Wheres Misty? he hollered without meaning to, and the nurse put her finger to her lips. Blaine lowered his voice. Did something happen while I was downstairs? Blaines hand went to his chest to feel if his heart was still pumping.

Calm down, Ranger Blackmore. Doctor Lee Chang ordered a brain function test and theyve taken her downstairs. Thats where she is. Shouldnt take more than another half hour.

Why does she need that? I thought all the tests had been done when she first arrived.

Ill have to let the doctor answer that question for you. Im sure he has a good reason for wanting an update.

Blaine nodded and tried to ignore the pounding in his ears. The dizziness in his head combined with the hospital smell pervading the air was a sure fire recipe for hurling. He gagged out the words. Sure. He probably knows what hes doing.

Hes supposed to be the best in his field and Im paying him thousands. He goddam well better know.

Blaine sank into an uncomfortable chair in the waiting room with Mistys mother, Claire LeJeune, a well-known physic beside him, and the wait seemed endless. Finally, Doctor Lee Chang appeared in the doorway and beckoned them. They followed like sheep down the corridor to his office, hardly more than an eight by ten cramped beige box. He pointed to the two chairs in front of his desk, and they sat. Blaine studied Lee Changs expression and figured the news wasnt good.

A short Asian man with slicked back black hair, Doctor Lee Chang rarely smiled. Blunt and to the point he delivered the facts with no sugar coating. Blaine had found that out already, and although the doctors approach mirrored Blaines own, it didnt make it any easier when he was talking about someone you loved.

The doctor tapped the end of his pen on the prescription pad in front of him. When Miss LeJeune wakes up she will not be as you remembered her. Several areas of her brain have been affected by her head injury.

Could you tell what her attacker hit her with? asked Blaine. Saying the words made him picture Matthias Rush hitting Misty with something huge and heavy and knocking her to the floor. He could barely stand to think about it.

Something heavy, said Lee Chang. A substantial blunt instrument.

Fuck. Ill kill that whacko.

Will she know us? asked Mrs. LeJeune.

Possibly, said the doctor, but in a lot of coma cases, temporary amnesia is present when the patient awakens.

What are you saying, doctor? asked Blaine. You usually spell it out more clearly than youre doing now.

Because the brain is complicated and unpredictable there are no guarantees. From the tests run today, I feel some of her motor skills may be affected, but to what degree its hard to tell. Lets wait and see if and when she wakes up.

What do you mean if ? asked Mrs. LeJeune. My daughter will wake up today.

Its always good to be positive, said the doctor.

Whats going to be wrong with her? He knows but hes not telling us.

My daughter has other talents. Will they be affected by her head injury?

What talents are you referring to, Mrs. LeJeune?

Umm she has strong psychic abilities and other gifts... like psychokinesis.

Uh huh. Doctor Lee Chang didnt seem convinced.

Blaine rolled his eyes.

Misty can move things with her mind? I never saw her do that.

I wanted you both to be prepared for any possibility. The rest is up to Miss LeJeune.

Thank you, said Blaine. He shook the doctors hand and went back to sit with Misty. Mrs. LeJeune favored sitting in the waiting area with her knitting. Shed spent so much time there, her third afghan was nearing completion. Blaine had promised to call her the moment there was any change.

Wondering what exact time Misty would wake, he sat down and checked the diamond Cartier on his wrist Annie had given him. Ten after three. When he looked back at Misty, her blue eyes were staring at him and he was so startled, he sucked in a little breath. Misty, youre awake.

The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

HEY, FARRELL, Lily, Blackys personal assistant, ran into the kitchen where Farrell usually hung out drinking gallons of coffee when he wasnt working. Got a call from a girl out in Bluebonnet and she wanted to talk to the boss, but I dont know when hell be back from New Orleans. Maybe you should call her. She seems pretty upset.

Upset about what?

About her sister gone missing.

Yeah, sure, I can call her, said Farrell, but we dont take cases from call-ins. Thats not how it works. People have local law enforcement for that.

Lil shrugged. A tall, slim blonde with impeccable grooming, Lily Duke was a black belt and much stronger than she appeared. Do what you want. Boss said you were in charge of the office decisions while he was gone. Lil turned in the doorway, Heard anything about Misty? This is the day shes supposed to wake up, isnt it?

Yep, said Farrell, Beltane. I had a hard time believing Blacky was buying into Mrs. LeJeunes prediction.

He had nothing else to hold on to, said Lil. It was something, at least.

Farrell nodded. Where is Bluebonnet anyway? Ive never heard of it.

I Googled it, and its south off 190 between Menard and Eldorado, said Lil. Didnt you come from San Angelo?

Yep. Born there, said Farrell. Havent been back since never mind. Lil went back to her office and Farrell refilled his mug. He sat down at the table by the window and stared at the message slip.