Chapter 15 - Chapter 15

Nolan walked down the hospital hallway toward Caylee's room. He'd been gone longer than he had planned. He'd been aimlessly walking the hallways when he came upon the hospital chapel.He opened the door and walked in. When the door gently closed behind him, he was left in an empty, dim, quiet room with a cross on the wall and several pews on either side facing the cross.He slid into the back pew and just stared at the cross for a long time."Son, is there anything I can help you with?"Nolan's attention jerked to a man who stood off to the side. He could tell by the collar on his shirt that he was the chaplain."I don't know."The man came and sat down in front of him but turned to face him. "Do you want to talk about it?"God, where did he start? "I have a woman I found. It's a long story, but she dropped into my lap and is perfect for me in every way. I think I fell in love with her within a few days. She is equal parts sweetness and courageous."He took a few breaths. "She was in danger from a human-trafficking organization, and I pledged I'd keep her safe no matter what. I failed.""How?""She was attacked in our home. He hit her head with the butt of his gun, bit her shoulder enough that she had to get stitches, and beat her before we could save her.""Is she here?""Yes.""How is she?""She's going to be fine physically eventually. Emotionally, I'm not sure.""You got the bad guy?""Yes. The ones who were a threat to her.""So, you're telling me you saved her from being taken, caught the bad guys, and you think you've failed."Hearing it like that, it didn't sound so bad."We all like to think we can control the world, but son, let me tell you. Only one spirit does that, and you could guess who that is.""Yes, God." Nolan tried to smile."That's right, and between you and me," the man whispered and looked around as if to see if anyone was there, "I think he might have made a mistake or two. What are wasps and mosquitos for? They don't do anything but bug us and make us uncomfortable, right? And the flat-billed platypus. I'm sorry, but I swear it's something that has a mixture of animals."Nolan laughed. "I see what you mean.""No one, not even me, is perfect."Nolan grinned at the pretend, disgruntled look on the man's face."What you can do now is be there for her as much as you can. She needs you more than ever."Nolan nodded. "You're right.""Ask my wife. I'm always right."Nolan snorted. "Thank you. You helped me more than you know."They shook hands."I'm here if you need to talk more.""That's good to know. Take care."Nolan walked out of the chapel, feeling like he didn't have the heaviness of guilt bogging him down.He hadn't noticed the lack of guards at her door because he just wanted to get to her. His first look at Caylee's room made him freeze in shock. Everything was clean, and the bed was made and empty. Where the hell was she?He raced to the nurses' station. "Can you tell me where Caylee, the woman in three-twelve, is?"A nurse looked it up. "Yes, sir. She was released."Nolan's mouth dropped open. "Released? I was told that wouldn't happen until this afternoon.""It's quiet on the floor, so the paperwork got done faster.""Mr. Hammond," another nurse called from down the hallway.He walked to her. "How long ago did she leave?""About an hour."He wiped a hand down his face. Fuck, he'd failed her again."Did that couple that was here before come and get her?" he asked."No. She wanted to take a taxi, but we wouldn't let her. She tried to call several people but couldn't get a hold of anyone." The nurse took a card out of her pocket and handed it to him. "The FBI agents came and got her. One of them handed me this to give to you."He stared down at the card. "Thank you.""You're welcome."Nolan turned and walked toward the elevator, texting Jonah. He hailed a taxi outside because his car was back at the building. Hey, I'm on my way. Tell my girl I'll be there shortly.She's not here. I thought she was with you.Nolan pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd assumed she'd want to go be with Holly.Long story. I'll get in touch with you later.Call if you need me, Jonah texted.He got the number from the card and called."Richards.""Hey, this is Nolan. I heard you guys picked up my girl?"There was a slight pause. "Yes. She had no one else to come get her.""Why in the hell didn't she call me?" Nolan asked."She doesn't have her phone, and I doubt she knows your number by heart.""She could have called The Safe Haven.""She did, man. She did everything she could think of. We were her last option.""Okay, so you picked her up. Where she is? Because she's not with her friend Holly.""We're back at the condo."Fuck. The place hadn't been cleaned yet. "Why didn't she go upstairs?""She said she didn't have the code for any other condo and didn't have their number. She wouldn't let us take her home with us because she said you would come here."It just kept getting worse. Jesus Christ. "Yes, I'm headed there now. Tell her I'm on my way.""She's asleep.""Okay.""I'll see you in a few minutes."Fuck, he had a lot to make up for, but he'd do whatever he needed to do to get her healed and make her happy.