Chapter 5: The Growing Suspicion
Anika watched Daniel Rowe closely as he walked with her down the sterile, brightly lit hallway of the hospital. His footsteps were measured, calm, but Anika couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. He seemed too calm, too composed for a father who had just learned his son had been found in such a traumatic state. The worry in his eyes didn’t match the smoothness of his voice.
As they neared Evan’s room, Rowe glanced at her briefly. “Is he going to be okay?” His voice was controlled, but there was a sharp edge to the question, as if he couldn’t quite hide the anxiety beneath.
“We’re doing everything we can,” Anika replied curtly, her professional demeanor firmly in place, though inside, her mind was racing. Rowe had insisted he had been searching for his son, but Anika had seen the inconsistencies. He hadn’t mentioned how he’d found out about Evan, nor had he reacted like most worried parents would. It was almost as if he expected everything to be under control. Too under control.
They reached Evan’s room, and Anika paused before opening the door. “I need to speak with you first,” she said, turning to face Rowe. “Please wait here.”
Rowe raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest. Anika closed the door behind her and immediately turned to the nurse on duty. “How’s he doing?”
The nurse, a young woman with a weary look, glanced at the boy, still unconscious and hooked up to various machines. “Vitals are stable for now. He’s not responding much yet, but we’re managing the sedation and the cooling. No fever, but he’s not fully out of danger either.”
Anika nodded, her mind moving quickly through the possibilities. Evan’s injuries, the bruising around his wrists, the sedatives in his system—they all pointed toward something dark. She had to be sure before she jumped to conclusions, but she couldn’t ignore the feeling that Daniel Rowe wasn’t just an innocent father.
Turning back to the door, she opened it to find Rowe standing by the window, looking out at the rain. He didn’t turn around as she entered, but he didn’t need to. Anika had the sense that he had been studying the situation carefully, watching every movement, every decision she made.
“I’m sure you’ve been told, but we still need to confirm a few things,” Anika said, her tone firm.
Rowe finally turned, his face a mask of concern. “I understand. I just want my son to be safe.” His eyes were wide, almost pleading, but Anika didn’t buy it. Something wasn’t adding up.
Before Anika could respond, the door to the room opened, and another nurse stepped in, her face pale.
“Dr. Sorel,” the nurse said breathlessly, “we’ve got a situation in the parking lot.”
Anika’s stomach tightened. She followed the nurse outside, and her gaze immediately went to the bear in the bay.
The animal was still there, but something had changed. The tension in the air was palpable. The bear was moving now, pacing in the rain.
And then it stopped, its gaze locked on the hospital doors.
It wasn’t waiting anymore. It was anticipating something.
To be continued…