One By One – 3
Even though she was weighting some very serious physical injuries of her own, C.J. knew Matt's damaged soul was of a lot more concern. In all the years she's known him, she had never seen him so genuinely sad.
"Hey," she said, reaching out and grabbing hold of his hand. "If I know you like I think I know you, the best thing for you to do is to get to work and find this creep. I'm fine. I'm in good hands here. Go do what you need to do. Don't worry about me."
He offered a slight smile.
"No thanks, C.J. I'd rather stay here with you."
She didn't expect that response! Not only was it unheard of for Matt to refuse investigating a crime with a strong personal connection, but his usually strong voice wavered when he spoke. It was obvious he was going to need his best friend more than ever.
"Okay. Wanna talk about it?"
He thought about her request a moment and shook his head. Then he changed his mind and nodded.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this, C.J. I don't know if I can keep putting the people I care about in danger … or losing them. This was what I was most worried about with Elizabeth... and it came true. I was right upstairs while she was being slaughtered like ... like some animal. And then you were attacked. A part of me wants to go after the scum that did this and another part just wants to ignore it, run away … or better yet, go to sleep and wake up hoping it's all some crazy nightmare."
She sympathized.
"I understand."
"And since we have no idea who this guy is, no leads to go on, well, my place is here for now. There's no telling when or how he'll try to finish the job."
She shuddered at the thought but hid her concern by squeezing Matt's hand, recalling a time a few years back when he relied on security to keep her safe. But seconds after he left her, she was attacked again. If he hadn't been close, she would have been killed.
"You've always made me feel safe."
"I'll be damned if I'll let anything else happen to you."
She melted at his words.
"I wish I could remember something about him."
"Maybe you will in time and if not, well maybe it's good you don't."
She looked at him quizzically.
He explained. "This kind of attack can be real difficult for someone to get over. Someone comes into your home, grabs you from behind and stabs you. Still not sure how you managed to survive … You're going to need assistance and support to recover from this. As you heal, you're going to have a lot of pain."
"The same could be said for you too."
He looked at her a bit startled at the statement. But as he thought about it, he realized it was true. The idea of recovering from his broken heart was undaunting to him. He'd have to go through long arduous motions to get passed it - if he could get passed it.
"Hey," she said tenderly, "I'll be fine. I don't want you worrying about me."
"Too late," he said with a mix of emotions.
She smiled, appreciating his attempt at humor and the sentiment behind it.
"Well would you at least do something for me?"
"Anything."
"You've been up all night, right?"
He nodded.
"Get something to eat. Get some rest too. Please take of yourself. You've had a hell of a day."
"You could say that agin."
Just then a nurse poked her head around the curtain.
"Excuse me, Mr. Houston?"
"Yes …"
"There's a Roy Houston here to see Ms. Parsons. Is it okay if he comes in?"
He looked at C.J. for her answer. She nodded her head towards the direction of the waiting room.
"See. Perfect timing. Go."
He sighed, "Okay," then rose to kiss her on the forehead. "I'll only be gone a few minutes."
"Mattlock, how is she?" Roy asked anxiously as soon as he saw Matt's face.
"She's okay, I think. She's being really brave - either that or it's the pain medication. It'd be naive to think she won't suffer some physical and mental repercussions, especially when it comes back to her."
"Oh, so she doesn't remember anything about her attacker?"
"No, she said it happened too fast."
"Well, maybe in time she'll recall some details. She's just out of surgery. Anesthesia can affect memory."
"Yes I suppose."
"How are you holding up? Have you had any rest? Anything to eat?"
"No, and save your lecture. I just promised C.J. I would get something to eat. Would you stay with her until I get back? I don't want her to be alone."
"No problem. Be glad to."
"I'm worried about him," she confessed.
"That makes two of us."
"I wish I could do more to help."
"You being alive is help enough. Do you have any idea how lost Mattlock would be if he had lost you too?"
She bit her lip. "This is a tough one. He really loved her. He's been through so much."
"So have you."
"I'll be fine. Well actually, I'll be fine as soon as we lock up this creep. How is Hoyt doing with this? Were there any fingerprints? Were they any clues left behind?"
"Nothing."
"So right now me and my shattered memory are all we've got."
"Don't be too hard on yourself. You just got out of surgery."
"Yes, but maybe there's something I can do in the meantime."
Roy looked at her the same way he looked at Matt once or twice in the past.
"What are you thinking?" he dared.
She took a deep breath.
"Well, if this guy's so hell bent on killing Houston's friends, let's make it easy for him, set a trap ... and ... use me as bait to flush him out."
His eyes practically doubled in size. "What?! Are you ... Use you as ... Do you know how ... Matt would never go for it!"
"I'll handle it. I'll talk to him."
"You're crazy! Do you know how risky it is ... especially in your condition!"
"But Roy ... it's the only way. We need to bring this creep to justice ... and fast. There's no telling who's next on his list."