She nodded and disappeared into her house, locking the door behind her.

Back in his vehicle, Spencer called Laura’s number. The call went to voicemail. “This is Texas Ranger Carter Spencer. I’m looking for Laura. She needs to call me.” He left his contact information.

Laura was another needle in this growing haystack.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Wednesday, April 21

9:15 a.m.

It was release day. The doctors had held Jordan for almost an entire week, and she was glad to leave behind the parade of doctors and their examinations that had not provided her with any new answers.

The swelling in her brain had finally healed, and the dozen stitches in the back of her head had been removed. The nurse said the spot they’d shaved was easily covered with the long strands of hair above it. No one would know she had been hurt. Other than the fact that she still could not see. Shit, they could have shaved her whole head if she could get even half her sight back.

There had been a nice woman, Sally Taylor, who was an occupational therapist. Jordan had no idea what Sally looked like but judged her to be about her age and a few inches shorter, given the sound and direction of her voice.

A few days ago, Sally had talked to Jordan about getting around in her home. Jordan had assured her she would be fine. Sally wanted Jordan to begin practicing with a cane. Jordan refused. Sally, in her sweet southern voice, said she could not okay Jordan’s release until she at least tried. Sweet Sally was not above blackmail.

Only because the cane was a means to an end did Jordan agree to try it. It felt long and awkward in her hand. She hated it. Wanted to cry. But she sucked it up and made a show of giving it a go.

Jordan had showered with the nurses’ help this morning. The stitches were out of her head, and it would be a few more days before she could wash her hair, but just the idea of it felt like progress. Next, she changed into sweats, a T-shirt, and athletic shoes Avery had brought her yesterday.

Jordan could not see her face. However, her fingertips confirmed that the knot on the side of her forehead had gone down, though she had no way of knowing how much bruising remained.

A knock on the door had her shifting to the approximate location. Her sensitivity to sound was improving, and her senses of smell and touch were stepping up.

“Ready to hit the road?” Sally asked.

Jordan smiled. “More than ready.”

“Where’s Avery?”

“Bringing the car around.”

“Good.” Sally was always pleasant and direct. “Seriously, how are you doing?”

“I’m terrified,” she said. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Where is your cane?”

“In the chair across the room, I think.” She did not like having it close.