“Oh God, oh God.” Her legs began to shake. Morgan! He’ll know what to— “He’s at the golf course,” Debbie moaned softly to herself. Waiting was impossible. She knew where she had to be. She turned and ran.

“Buddy!”

The shock on his face matched the pain in her voice as the door banged against the wall. He leaped and grabbed her just before she dropped.

“Get me to South Coast Medical Hospital. I don’t know where it is and I have to—”

“Are you sick?” Panic etched his face. This was not in his usual list of things to do and venturing away from his list was frightening, especially since Buddy was a man who needed to always be in control of his schedule.

Her chin quivered. Tears blurred her vision, but her grip on his arms was strong, and so was her voice.

“There was a bulletin on television. An officer from Narcotics was hurt during a shoot-out! They wouldn’t give a name but it might have been—”

“I’ll get the keys,” Buddy announced. “You get in the car.”

Debbie nodded, calming a bit with the knowledge that they were doing something besides waiting.

Buddy drove as if someone had just announced a sale at his favorite computer store. He turned corners at high speed and ran yellow warning lights, almost daring the Fates to slow him down. Debbie stared in amazement at the look of purposeful intent on his face. It was a complete turnaround from the vague expression he usually wore, and for the first time, she saw the resemblance between him and his brother, Cole. His hand briefly touched her shoulder in a gesture of understanding, and then they roared through the next traffic light just before it turned red.

The hospital stood tall against the skyline, and her heart accelerated as they parked and began to run. When called upon, Robert Allen Brownfield had proved himself worthy.

They emerged from the elevator at a fast walk. A knot of people stood at the end of the hall. Someone was crying. Debbie began to shake all over again. Buddy slipped his hand beneath her elbow for support as they approached the group.

And then they walked into the waiting area and stopped. It was Tina Garza crying. Tears poured down her face as family and friends comforted her. Tina looked up and saw the pair who’d just entered the room. For just one moment, woman to woman, an understanding passed between them.

Buddy’s hand on her shoulder refocused her attention. “It’s Cole,” he said quietly. “Over there.”

Debbie took a deep shaky breath. “Thank God! Go tell Morgan he’s all right. I’m staying with him. When we need to come home, we’ll catch a cab.”

Buddy nodded and started to walk away, his own relief making his legs a bit wobbly.