Kate strode down the hallway of the hospital toward Emma's room consumed with anxiety. She wasn't surprised to see Esposito occupying a chair outside her room. He seemed deep in thought, but leapt to his feet when he noticed her and exhaled in relief.
"Beckett…" He breathed and pulled her into an uncharacteristic embrace.
"Everything's alright, Javi. I'm fine."
"You're sure?"
"Yes, I just have to sport this glamorous stitches for a while." She assured with forced sarcasm and a pensive smile then cast her eyes into the room.
"Lanie's looking over her chart with her right now." Esposito answered as though he read her mind.
"Where's Ryan?" Her shift in topic was more to ease her worry than anything.
"He's trying to locate any family she might have."
"Any luck?"
"No. Not so far."
The more Kate discovered about Emma, the more everything made sense. Emma had meant every word of what she said to Kelly amid her water torture. With Wyatt's death everything she loved was gone.
"Where's Castle?" Esposito interjected her thoughts.
"Oh, he's working on getting Martha and Alexis back home now that everything is safe."
"Kate!" Lanie shouted and moved to embrace her friend. "I was so worried about you."
"I'm okay, Lanie. I promise."
Lanie's eyes thinned into skeptical slits. "Girl, Imma smack you. You were almost killed and your forehead says otherwise."
"How is she?" Kate countered eager for a topic change.
Lanie paused for a moment unsure of how to approach the discussion. Unfiltered honesty was what Kate wanted and needed to hear and that's what Lanie was going to give. She knew it would be difficult.
"Not great. She hasn't regained consciousness since she blacked out in the woods." Before going into the raw details of Emma's condition Lanie asked, "Kate, are you sure that you want to hear this now? We can wait if you -"
"Lanie, I wouldn't be here in the shape that I'm in if it weren't for her. Who knows what they would have done to me. Now please, tell me." Kate interrupted.
Lanie released a burdened sigh. "Okay, but I need to warn you, it's not going to be a lot to take in."
Kate nodded to signify her understanding.
"The torture she endured was extensive, most of it hidden beneath her clothes. There are close to a hundred burns scattered on her back as if Nieman lit matches then extinguished them on her skin. By the inflammation and appearance of them it's safe to assume they've been there for at least five days. The seared skin had fused to her shirt while trying to heal… When we removed her shirt it pulled the skin off with it. We had to put her on some heavy antibiotics to counter the infection. "
Lanie's blunt explanation tore Kate apart. She allowed herself to sink into the chair beside her as she worked to process the information about Emma's condition. Her mind reflected on her initial meeting with Emma, the burns would have already been present. This meant that Emma fought to conceal her agony from Kate.
"The tendons and ligaments in her hands and wrists have micro tears from the strain of her weight. With some physical therapy her ability to use will go uncompromised long term, but her wrists will scar."
"In the woods… I saw what looked like signs of internal bleeding."
"Yes, she had some cracked ribs and internal bleeding of which are conducive to enduring beatings. In her case the bleeding was slow, but she's lucky you were able to get ahold of that phone. Another day and the bleeding would have likely killed her."
"I'm sure she'd been wishing for death for days." Kate mumbled, her words constricted by emotion.
"During her water torture she aspirated some water. She doesn't have full-blown pneumonia, but she was close. Her throat and lungs have ice burns, though minor. Now, this is only the physical torture. We won't know anything about the extent of the psychological until she's coherent."
"And her chances of survival?"
"Making it through the night will be critical. If she makes it through the night the outlook will be more promising. But I want you to know that that's a big if, Kate. Her body has taken as much as it can."
Kate nodded in understanding, endeavoring to stay her tears. Aware that Lanie could read her better than she would admit to herself, it was only a matter of time before her little secret was out. Exhaustion swept over her and she yearned for her warm bed, her frame secured in Castle's arms. Guilt consumed her at her nerve to wish for such a thing as Emma fought for her life.
"Go, you need you've been through a lot. You need your rest." Esposito almost begged while he placed a warm hand on her shoulder.
"But -"
"I'll stay here and call you if anything changes."
"Thanks, Javi." Kate managed, her emotions mounting.
"I'll walk you out, Kate." Lanie offered.
"Lane, it's okay. I have Castle."
"I insist." She coerced shooting Kate an expectant look.
Once out of Esposito's sight Lanie pulled Kate into an empty room and closed the door. Kate didn't need to guess what this involved and hadn't the energy to protest. She took a seat on the bed and waited for Lanie to speak.
"Katherine Beckett Castle, do you have something you'd like to tell me?" Lanie inquired with her planted firmly on her hips.
"It would seem that anything I'd have to tell you, you already know." Kate answered facetiously.
"Don't you dare think for a second that I wouldn't read your chart too!" Her stern demeanor soon melted into obvious excitement. "Oh girl, I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks, Lanie, but I'd prefer to keep it a secret for a while longer." Kate said struggling out of her friend's embrace. "Somehow I have the feeling that's not the only reason you lured me in here."
"Kate, there's one other detail about Emma that I think you should know. Because in time you'll find out anyway…" The hesitation in Lanie's voice made Kate's heart sink.
"What?" She almost didn't want to know.
"I don't think Nieman intended for Wyatt to be home that night."
"Why do you say that?" So far all Lanie had managed to do was further confuse Kate.
"Because both doctors had shifts scheduled at the hospital, but something happened. The night before Wyatt's murder Emma called in and Wyatt left his shift early."