What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

staring at the petite white-haired lady in the green smock. “What is it?”
“The ICU called. You may see your friend now.” Moving to the big window overlooking the hospital lobby, she beckoned Sam over. He stood, his knees shaking, and walked over to her. She pointed at the hallway on the other side of the lobby. “Take that hallway to the B elevators. They’re on your right about halfway down. Go up to the second floor and turn left from the elevator. The ICU is at the end of the hall. Just ring on the intercom, tell them your name and that you’re there to see Dr. Broussard. They’ll let you in and take you to his room.”
Sam nodded, hoping he wouldn’t forget her directions the minute he left the waiting room. “Thanks.”
She patted his arm, faded blue eyes crinkling at the corners behind her glasses. “Don’t worry. If you get lost, just follow the signs, or ask any of the hospital staff. They’ll be happy to help you.”
“Thank you,” Sam repeated, forcing an anemic smile. Turning around, he met David and Andre’s worried gazes. “I’ll tell him y’all are here.”
They didn’t answer, but he knew how they felt. Wiping his sweating palms on his shirt, he walked out of the waiting room and began the journey to the ICU.
To his surprise, he found it without any trouble. The hospital was huge, the largest in the county, and he’d been certain he’d get lost on the way, but the volunteer’s directions led him straight to the intensive care unit where Bo waited. Sam stood staring at the wide double doors, suddenly terrified of what he might see inside.
“You’ve only got a few minutes, dumb-ass,” he muttered. “Don’t waste even a second you could be spending with him.”
Nodding to himself, Sam pressed the intercom button beside the door. “Yes? Can I help you?” a tinny voice responded.
Sam cleared his throat. “I…I’m Sam Raintree. I’m here to see Dr. Broussard.”
“Oh yes. Come on in.” The intercom cut off and the doors swung slowly open.
Drawing a deep breath, Sam forced his legs to move, taking him into the bright, busy room. His feet felt heavy and his chest tight. Following the directions on the sign beside the door, he stopped and washed his hands at a large sink, then went to the nurse’s desk. A nurse with short graying hair and a kind smile met him there.
“Mr. Raintree? I’m Marlene, Bo’s nurse.” Laying a hand on Sam’s elbow, she steered him toward a glassenclosed cubicle on the far side of the round room. “Bo’s kind of groggy from the pain meds, but he’s awake and pretty lucid right now. He keeps asking to see you.”
“Oh.” Sam swallowed. His heart raced, making him feel dizzy and weak. “Can…can I just go in?”
“Sure. You have five minutes, I’ll let you know when it’s up.” She frowned. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Sam tried to smile at her and failed utterly. “Just worried, is all. Bo’s a…a good friend.”
Marlene gave a sympathetic look. “Of course. I’m right outside if you need me, Sam.” Giving his arm a light squeeze, she walked over to the desk, leaving Sam alone in front of the curtained glass door.
“You can do this,” Sam whispered. Steeling himself, he pushed the door open and walked in.
Bo lay with the head of the bed slightly raised, his eyes closed. White wires snaked out of the top of his hospital gown, connecting to a machine tracing the rhythm of Bo’s heartbeat. It seemed abnormally fast to Sam. IV tubings dripped three different fluids into both of Bo’s arms. The machines clustered around Bo’s bed beeped and hummed.
Approaching the bed, Sam stared at Bo. His face was ashen and beaded with sweat, his hair damp and tangled where it had come loose from his braid. Beneath the thin sheet, Bo’s chest rose and fell in rapid, shallow breaths. He didn’t look any better than he had when Sam had last seen him.
Unable to help himself, Sam bent and kissed Bo’s brow. The skin was damp and burning hot under his lips. “I’m here, Bo.”
Bo’s eyelids fluttered open. “Sam,” he murmured, fingers clamping onto Sam’s wrist. “Don’t wanna die, Sam.”
Shit. “You’re not going to die. I’m not letting you go.”
“’S poisoning me. They can’t stop it.” Bo stared up at Sam, eyes bright and feverish. “Just found you, Sam. Don’t want to lose this.”
Choking back the threatening tears, Sam pressed Bo’s palm to his cheek. “Don’t talk that way. You’re going to be