He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not

tight hug before sitting beside her. “Heard anything?”
    She shook her head. “Karen’s been in surgery for over two hours. No updates yet. Mike is getting another cup of coffee. I would have gotten it for him but I think he needed a few minutes alone.”
    “I’m surprised you’re the only one here.”
    “Oh, plenty of officers have been here, trust me. But every time someone tries to stay, Mike tells them they need to be out there catching the man who did this to Karen. I’m sure he’ll tell you the same thing.”
    “I had to come check on her.”
    “I know.”
    “I heard you were out of town when Karen and Amanda were attacked,” Madison said. “Mind sharing some details with your baby sister? All of your police officers are tight-lipped. They don’t like to share information with us civilians and I’m not about to ask Mike.”
    He glanced at her, noted the worry lines etched on her face. He took her hand and tucked it beneath his elbow. “I was tracking down a lead, a very good lead, as it turns out. We know who the killer is.” He realized he was crushing her hand and he forced himself to ease up on the pressure. He gave her a sanitized version of the attack, that a man ran up to the car and hit Karen over the head. “From what I hear, Amanda tried to warn Karen. She put up a good fight. But she was no match for a taser and a lead pipe.” His voice broke on the last word.
    Madison clutched his hand, her face a mask of misery. “I’m so sorry. I know how much you cared about Amanda.”
    He pulled his hand from hers, shaking his head. “Don’t say it in the past tense. She’s not . . . we’re going to find her in time.”
    Madison didn’t answer.
    Karen’s husband rounded the corner into the waiting room with a steaming cup of coffee in each hand. Madison jumped up and took the cups from him, setting them on one of the side tables.
    Logan rose and shook Mike’s hand. “Is there anything I can do, someone I can call?”
    Mike waved him back down and took the seat Madison had left open for him next to her. “There isn’t anyone to call, chief, but thank you just the same. I already told the other officers not to waste their time here with me either.” He patted Madison affectionately. “I’ve got this sweet girl if I need anything.”
    Madison smiled through the tears trickling down her face.
    “Chief,” Mike said. “I know you care about Karen and I appreciate the gesture, but you have a young lady of your own you should be searching for instead of sitting here with me.”
    “A young lady of my own?”
    Mike smiled, a gentle, sad smile. “Karen knew Amanda had feelings for you, and Karen was sure you felt the same.”
    Logan drew a ragged breath and scrubbed his face with his hands. Feelings? What a pathetic word. What he felt for Amanda was so much more than just “feelings.” When he tried to picture a world where she didn’t exist, all he could see was a black void.
    “You have responsibilities,” Mike continued. “I’m sure there are more important things you could be doing right now than trying to console an old man, like finding the man that hurt Karen, and making sure that whatever happens to her, it isn’t in vain. Karen cares about Amanda. She wouldn’t want you sitting here when you could be out there doing something to find that young lady.”
    A feeling of relief shot through Logan because he wanted to go help look for Amanda so desperately. But it was quickly washed away by the guilt that followed close on its heels.
    Mike gave him an understanding look and patted his shoulder. “You’re a good man. I don’t blame you for what happened. Karen is a cop. She knew the dangers. There’s only one thing I want from you right now and that’s a promise that you’ll catch the man who hurt her. Don’t let him do this to someone else. Go catch him.”
    Logan was humbled by the sincerity in Mike’s eyes. He meant what he’d said. He didn’t want Logan to sit there with him. He wanted him to go after the man who’d hurt his wife. Swallowing against the lump in his throat, Logan stood and shook Mike’s hand. “I promise I’ll do everything I can. Madison, call me if either of you need anything, or when you hear word about Karen, okay?”
    “Go. Do what you need to do.” She added an encouraging smile along with her words.
    Logan nodded, turned on his heel, and rushed from the waiting room.
    As soon as he cleared the doorway he broke into a run,