“That’s not the point of this conversation.”
“I’m afraid it is, since I fail to understand what constitutes a woman like me.”
“You know.” He waved a hand. “A woman in your occupation. A model.” He smiled. “No offense, but models aren’t always known for making the best decisions.”
What was this? 1972? She briefly considered arguing with him about his stereotypes, but she decided to keep that to herself. “Instead of worrying about my reputation, I’d appreciate it if you would focus on the person who attacked me.”
“It’s been my experience that a lot of these attacks don’t happen randomly. Because of that, we need to go over your history once again.”
Just as she was about to answer, two of the best faces in her world peeked in the doorway. Gunnar Law and her sister, Traci. Ignoring the cop’s latest irritating comment, she smiled at them both. “Gunnar! Traci! I can’t believe it. What are you two doing here?”
Gunnar came right to her side. “Did you really think I would be anywhere else?” He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “There’s no way I was going to let you be alone another day.” Reaching for her hand, he tucked it in between his. “No way.”
“You didn’t need to do this, but I’m so glad to see you.” Reaching out her other hand, she said, “You too, Trace.”
Traci walked to Kimber’s side, sidling in the space between her bed and the cop. “That’s what sisters are for, right?” she asked, carefully holding her hand around her sister’s IV tube.
And . . . now she was choked up. “Right,” she murmured. “Thanks for being here.”
“Don’t thank me. You okay?”
“I don’t know.”
“Excuse me,” the cop said. “I need to know who you both are . . . and then you can leave. I’m asking some questions here.”
“I want them here,” Kimber said. “This is my sister and my . . . my boyfriend.”
The cop’s expression didn’t soften one bit. “Where were you both last night?”
Traci turned on him like a Doberman. “We were both back in Ohio. Why? Do you really think that either of us had anything to do with Kimber’s attack?”
“Watch your tone, Miss.”
“And you need to watch your attitude, Officer . . .”
“Benson.”
Kimber felt like closing her eyes. Even though she couldn’t see Traci’s expression, she knew by her tone that she was fighting mad. She looked over at Gunnar and raised her eyebrows.
He did too, just as Traci went on a new tirade. “I’m a cop myself, Officer Benson.”
“In your small town?” His voice oozed with sarcasm.
“Yep. When I’m not saving kittens I’m serving the public just like you are. And what we both know is that your victim has been hospitalized and needs rest. Not you interrogating her or her family. You’re going to have to come back tomorrow.”
“We are not done.”
This time Gunnar stood up. “Yeah, we are. My girl here can hardly keep her eyes open. Sorry, but you’re going to have to come back when she has her lawyer.”
Officer Benson got to his feet. “You two are making a mistake.”
“I was about to tell you the same thing.” Gunnar’s voice was calm and low-key but had the same amount of ice in it as Traci’s.
“I’ll be in touch, Miss Klein,” Officer Benson said before walking out of the room.
Traci closed Kimber’s door and then turned back to her. “How long was he here?”
“I don’t know. Fifteen minutes?”
“Fifteen minutes too long, I think.” She took a deep breath and stared at her sister hard. “So . . . for being such a pretty thing, you currently look like crap.”
“Thanks.”
“Were you done with your fancy photo shoot?”
Kimber loved Traci for getting right down to business. “For the most part. I was supposed to go back today but obviously that couldn’t happen. Brett called them and explained why.”
“Brett, your agent? Gunnar asked.
“Yes.”
“What else has he done? Has he been by?” Gunnar asked.
“No.” Not wanting to talk about Brett, she said, “How did you two find me?”
“It wasn’t easy,” Gunnar replied. “At first we went to the Lexington. You told me you were staying there when you were lying on the sidewalk.”
“But they wouldn’t have known . . .”
“That’s where my profession helped us out. I called a buddy in NYPD. After a couple minutes of checking, he found out you were here.”
Gunnar sighed. “I just wish we got here before that cop arrived.”
“Don’t worry about that. I was fine.”
“Now, how are you?” he asked. “Traci and I tried to talk to someone on our way in here but the nurses wouldn’t give us any information other than your doc was going to be coming back around here within the hour.”
After filling them in on her injuries, Kimber frowned. “The nurse told me that she has a feeling that they’re going to make me stay one more night.”
“Good,” Traci and Gunnar said, practically in unison.
“You two are bossy.”
Traci pushed a lock of hair off her cheek. “Yep.”
Kimber might have argued about their heavy-handed ways but she was too tired. She leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes.
Gunnar immediately rearranged the sheets around her. “Are you warm enough, honey?”
“Yes. I’m okay. Just resting my eyes for a moment. How did you two end up coming in here together?”
“I called her to get information and filled her in.”
“After we spoke, I decided that I had to come out too. Shannon and Jennifer said to tell you that they were sorry they couldn’t make it.”
“I’m glad they didn’t come. I’m sorry you spent the money.”
“Don’t say things like that,” Traci said.
“Do you have a place to stay?”
Gunnar shook his head. “Not yet. Don’t worry about that none. We’ll find someplace.”
“Kimber!”