Tucker held me gently but firmly to the pillows. “Bethany came and picked him up, after Jolie called the clinic to make arrangements. He’s all right, Moje. The question is, are you all right?”

“No,” I said. I was sure of that much, at least. “Lillian—”

He smoothed my hair. “I know,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“It was murder, Tuck.”

“The report says natural causes,” Tucker told me carefully.

“Look at the sign-in sheet, at Sunset Villa—Geoff was there—he wrote—”

“Easy,” Tucker said.

I settled back, tried to breathe normally. Tried to get a grip. I wanted to stay conscious. I was also desperate to convince Tucker to get hold of the paperwork from the nursing home.

Tucker ran the backs of his fingers down my cheek. Somehow, that centered me.

“How did you know I was here?” I asked, after what seemed like a very long time.

“Scanner,” he said. “I’m a cop, remember?”

“Jolie and Greer?”

He smiled. “In the cafeteria, swilling bad coffee. They’re quite a pair, your sisters. Made me show a badge, and Jolie called in the number for verification.”

I strained for a smile, though I couldn’t quite reach.

“Did I dream it? That Geoff was in my room last night? That he tampered with my IV bag?”

Tucker’s eyes never left mine. “I don’t know, babe,” he said. “The bag’s been taken to the lab, so we’ll find out soon enough.”

“What lab? Tucker, if it’s here in this hospital, he could have access—”

“Phoenix P.D. has it,” Tucker insisted quietly.

“I need to get out of here. Lillian—”

“One thing at a time, Moje,” Tucker broke in. “Your sisters are taking care of the funeral arrangements. Allison’s got the dog. And for the time being, I’m in charge of Project Mojo. When they let you out of here, you’re coming to my place.”

“Tuck, he’s a nurse. He’ll try—”

“Listen, Moje, I can’t put an APB out on the guy for showing up in a nightmare. What I can do is make sure you’re protected—from yourself, if necessary. Meanwhile, the official wheels are turning, and you’re going to have to be patient.”

I began to get my bearings. “You must have things to do. You were on an assignment…”

“I’m off the assignment.” He grinned fetchingly. “In fact, I’m unemployed. Will that change our relationship?”

“We don’t have a relationship.” I paused, sifting through a lot of mental sludge. “Do we?”

“I’m not sure,” Tucker said. “But we’re going to find out.”

* * *

I WAS RELEASED from the hospital at four that afternoon.