They pulled up to GW Trauma where a swarm of reporters had gathered outside the E.R. Nick heard the paramedics radioing to the police, asking for help with the crowd. Even from inside the ambulance Nick could hear Gonzo screaming at the reporters to get the hell out of the way. For the first time in more than an hour, Nick smiled.

“We’re going to put this over your face to preserve your privacy,” one of the paramedics said, draping a clean white towel over Nick’s head.

“Make sure they do the same for Sam,” he said. “She’d hate to be photographed when she’s out cold.”

“Of course, Senator.”

“You could probably call me Nick at this point.” He hated the way everyone fawned over him these days. It was the one thing about his new life that didn’t sit well with him. It wasn’t like he’d run for office and won. No, his friend had been murdered, and he was just filling in for him. Maybe he’d feel differently if he won in November. Until then, it just seemed weird to be afforded respect he’d done nothing to earn.

The next couple of hours passed in a blur of pain, doctors, nurses, X-ray technicians and needles.

“How’re you feeling, Senator?” the doctor in charge asked.

“Like I got hit by a bus.” Nick wished he hadn’t been so obstinate about the pain meds. He hurt everywhere, and his chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it. Every breath required supreme effort.

“The X-rays show a broken clavicle and a fractured rib, both on the left side in case you didn’t already know that.”

“How’s Sam?”

“We’re talking about you.”

“I don’t care about me. Tell me what’s going on with her.”

“The plastic surgeon put forty stitches in her hairline. Remarkably, she doesn’t seem to have any other injuries besides a severe concussion.”

“Is she awake?”

“No.”

“Is that normal? Shouldn’t she be awake by now?”

“Head injuries are tough. It can take an hour or a day, but she should be fine.”

Should be wasn’t good enough for him. “I need to see her.”

“I’ll arrange that after orthopedics deals with your shoulder and wraps your ribs. I don’t want you to move around too much until then. The fractured rib is what caused your lung to collapse.”

Nick winced at the reminder of that painful ordeal. “You’re sure she’s okay?”

“Right now she’s stable. That’s all I can tell you.”

Nick studied the doctor’s face, trying to see what he wasn’t saying. “I need to call her dad.”

“I believe Detective Gonzales took care of that. There’s quite a crowd forming in the waiting room.”

“I’m sure the entire MPD is here.”