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"Where are they taking her?" he demanded

The traffic cop looked up fro "Most likely Providence It’s the closest"

"Can you find out for sure?"

"No" He see

"Then I’ the medics She’s new in town and only knows a few people" He wasn’t sure where this protective attitude was co from, but it consumed him For whatever reason, he felt it was important that Beth not be alone Conscious or not

"Is there someone you can call for her? A relative? A friend?"

Of course Nichole He hadn’t thought of her until that very moment He reached for his phone and hit the nu

"Okay, Sa to say--"

"There’s been a car accident," he said, cutting off the other "

"What?" Rocco asked, seely stunned

"Beth was in a car accident," he repeated "So into Beth, hitting her broadside She’s hurt, Rocco, badly She’s being rushed to the hospital … cop thinks Providence"

Rocco didn’t answer hiency, and Nichole must have, too, because Sam heard her ask, "What is it?" This was folloith a few short, sharp sentences as Rocco repeated what Sam had just told hi to the hospital Nichole is contacting Leanne to see if she can coet there as quickly as we can"

"I’ll meet you there," Sam said, his voice filled with resolve

Rocco hesitated "You sure you want to do that? You barely know Beth"

"Yes," he shouted, hardly understanding it himself "I’ll see you soon" With that, he disconnected the line

The investigating officer held him up for an additional twenty e He’d already told the officer everything he knew For reasons he would be hard pressed to explain, he felt this coet to Beth At this rate Rocco and Nichole would make it to the hospital before he did

When he was finally able to break free, he raced to theten miles above the speed limit If he wasn’t careful he’d be in an accident hie on the sixth floor By the ti area, he was breathless

He didn’t see Rocco or Nichole, so he hurried to the front desk, hungry for information

"I’m here to find out about the car accident victio"

The wo identified her as Susan McNeil asked, "Name?"

"Sa about Beth "Sorry I’ht here by paramedics--the victim of a car crash--her na a few colanced up

Sam was no help For the life of him, he couldn’t remember Nichole had mentioned it when she made the introduction but it was completely out of his mind now Fact was, Sam hadn’t paid that ain "Sorry, I don’t know"

"You’re not a relative?"

"No" Thatto the police officer all over again He got little information while he was repeatedly asked questions he found difficult to answer

The sliding glass doors leading in fro into the waiting area They i for Beth’s last name," Sam said

Nichole supplied it

"Are you a relative?" Susan McNeil asked