What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

you. He said to get over there as soon as possible, and I told him to let me get you settled first.”
Bo nodded. “Turn around. I’m going with you.”
“Bo—”
“Don’t argue. Let’s go.”
Sam sighed. “Come on, Bo, you just got out of the hospital fifteen minutes ago. Let me take you home to rest. I swear I’ll tell you everything.”
“Absolutely not.” Crossing his arms, Bo gave Sam a determined look. “I feel fine, and I’d much rather hear what Dr. Trent has to say than hang around your apartment all by myself waiting and wondering. Turn around and go to the University.”
His resistance crumbling, Sam shook his head and picked up the phone again. “You hear all that, Dean?”
“Yeah.” Dean laughed. “You can’t possibly be surprised he said that.”
“No, I’m not.” Pulling into an empty driveway, Sam turned the truck around and headed back the way they’d come. “Did you let David, Cecile and Andre know?”
“They were at the office with me when I got the call. We’re on our way right now. Laura’s office is in the science building, you know where that is?”
“No. Give me directions from the main entrance to the campus.”
Dean rattled off the directions. Fishing a piece of paper and pen out of the glove compartment, Bo scribbled them down as Sam repeated them to him.
“Okay, got it,” Sam said. “We’ll see y’all there in a little bit.”
“Great, see you there.”
Sam broke the connection and clicked the phone closed. He shot a half-irritated, half-amused glance at Bo as he made the turn back onto Airport, heading toward the college. “Don’t make me regret taking you.”
“Yes, Dad,” Bo answered dryly. “Seriously, Sam, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“Sorry. I just…” Sam stared out the window, concentrating on the traffic. “I keep seeing you lying in that hospital bed, Bo. I was so scared I was going to lose you. I’m having a little trouble getting past that, I guess.”
For a moment Bo was silent. “I promise I’ll tell you if I get too tired, or start feeling bad. Okay?”
“Okay.” Sam smiled at him. “Thanks.”
“Sure.” Leaning closer, Bo caressed Sam’s cheek. “I’m so glad we’re together, Sam. You’re exactly what I need in my life.”
Warmth bloomed in Sam’s chest. Reaching across the seat, he took Bo’s hand, winding their fingers together. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. They understood each other just fine.
Ten minutes later, Sam parked the truck in a miraculously empty spot right in front of the science building at the University of South Alabama. He hopped out, slammed the driver’s side door, and jogged around to the other side just in time to help Bo step down onto the pavement.
“How’s the leg?” Sam asked, closing Bo’s door and locking the truck. “Is it hurting?”
“A little.” Grimacing, Bo stepped gingerly onto the curb. He clung to Sam’s arm as they headed for the door. “It’s a lot better than it was, though.”
“Good. Oh, and that reminds me, we need to stop at the drugstore and get some dressing supplies.”
“They gave me some at the hospital before I left.”
“I know, but it’s only enough for a week. We might need more.” Sam opened the door and held it open with his foot while Bo limped inside. “Besides, I want to get a different kind of tape. That stuff they gave you hurts like a bitch coming off.”
Bo laughed. “Okay, Nurse Sam.”
“Nurse Sam, huh?” Sam grinned. “I hope you don’t expect me to wear a white dress.”
“Now there’s an interesting visual.” Casting a quick glance around the empty hallway, Bo leaned over and planted a light kiss on Sam’s neck. “I think I prefer you as yourself, though.”
“Good. I could get into some roleplaying occasionally, but I draw the line at costumes.” Sam slowed, perusing the room numbers as they made their way down the hall. “Here it is, 175.”
Sam pushed the door open, and they walked into a large room that smelled like formaldehyde. A counter with several sinks in it ran the full length of the room, underneath a bank of windows that let in the late November sunshine. Two rows of lab tables took up most of the room. An open doorway to their right led to a small, cluttered office.
David, Dean, Cecile and Andre huddled at a table in the corner, along with a middle-aged woman Sam assumed was Dr. Trent. Dean looked up and grinned as they made their way across the room. “Hi y’all. C’mon over. This