Reality Hero (18 page)

“He does,” Ian confirmed.

Zane and Ella were only human, even if they could do some amazing stuff.

When Dina saw her exit sign, the city limits were a beautiful sight.

She parked in a loading zone in front of Ella’s apartment then ran up the stairs. Adrenaline fueled her flight. By the time she reached the fifth floor, she was sweaty and breathless. The door was locked, and there were no signs of a break-in, so that made Dina feel a little better. She stood knocking for fifteen minutes, and only roused a next-door neighbor, a cranky, old man named Herb.

“She isn’t home. Stop it,” he shouted.

“Herb, do you remember the last time she was here? It’s important. She could be hurt.” He was the nosiest person in the building and had lots of free time, so he was a good resource.

“With the crazy hours she keeps, you expect me to know when she was home last?”

Dina glared at him in annoyance. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll call the cops. I’ll tell them you keep track of the building and they’ll get a warrant to search your place.” She was bluffing.

He scowled. “I’ll get my book.”

She was glad the bluff had worked. Dina had always suspected he kept a record of the comings and goings of the other residents in the building and their visitors, but she was still a little creeped out when he confirmed it.

“Okay, that one was here on Tuesday morning. She left and then came home for a few hours, and left again Tuesday afternoon. She hasn’t been back since then.”

“Thanks, Herb. But you know that is really kind of creepy? Maybe you should look into starting a neighborhood watch, go out into the fresh air, and keep watch of the whole block instead of just these people.”

He grumbled something indistinguishable and went back inside his apartment. Dina looked at her watch and shouted, “Hey, Herb, mark me down as leaving at 6:31.”

He didn’t reply, but she hadn’t really expected him to.

When she returned to her car, a parking ticket waited for her. Biting her lip, she shoved it in her purse. “Great. When you need a cop, they’re never around, but leave your car some place posted as no-parking for a few minutes and you end up on
America’s Most Wanted
,” she grumbled to herself.

Fast Fry was the small diner Ella waitressed in. She’d worked there for years. Her boss, a scrawny, greasy little mouse of a man named Benny, always leered at Dina, making her feel dirty. Ella mentioned once that he had a very sick fantasy about twins.

“When was the last time Ella came into work?”

“Ain’t seen her. I’d hate to fire her. She’s never pulled a no-show for her shift. If she doesn’t find a replacement, she works sick. I kinda thought she found a different job. Damn, I’d hate to lose her ’round here. She’s one of the few good ones, plus she’s got a great ass.”

Yuck.

Clearly, he liked her sister because she was a good worker
and
he was a pervert. Dina left. The moment she was in the fresh air, she took a big breath, glad to be away from the smell of old cooking oil, and little rat-faced creep.

Her trip to Zane’s building was quick, because it was only a few blocks away. She circled his place trying to see any sign of him. She parked correctly, unable to afford a second ticket, and rushed upstairs with her heart beating a million miles an hour in her chest. No blood, gore, or broken doors, which was a good sign he was okay. Pounding furiously on his door, she waited, but there was no answer. Again she pounded on his door until her hand hurt, but there was no sound, and she knew there was no way he would’ve let her make that much noise if he was home. His sweet cat-lady neighbor, who always baked him the cat-hair cookies he didn’t really eat, opened her door.

“Sorry, Ms. Smyth, I hope I didn’t disturb you. I’m worried about Zane. Have you seen him?”

“Oh dear, no. He’s usually working in his home office all day, but he hasn’t been back to his apartment for quite some time. He was in and out and, then, just out. I think he might have found himself a girl.” She looked delighted as she said it. Her sweet little voice raised an octave. “Good for her, he’s such a nice boy. Those buns of his make me wish I was forty years younger.”

Dina covered her laughter with a delicate cough. “Thank you so much. I’m sure that must be what happened to him. If you see him, please tell him that he needs to finish the job he started for his friend Dina.”

“I will, dear. Goodbye.”

Dina gave her a quick wave. She hurried to her car, checking her messages as she went. Nothing but more email. Ervin was getting angry that she was ignoring him. Looking at her phone’s clock, she realized there was only an hour left before she needed to pick up her distraction, Manny or Maxwell, or something that started with an M. She was glad that she’d written it down in her planner. Miguel? Then she remembered Mateo. The name sounded exotic and sexy—perfect.

Looking in the direction of the hospital, she bit her lip. It felt both terrifying and embarrassing to go in and ask after her sister and the man she loved, but she was running out of options and getting scared.

Dina picked up the phone and dialed her friend who produced the news at the studio.

“Hello,” Beth said.

“Hey, lady, I just need to check something with you. Was there anything big that happened recently, any heroes saving the city stuff?”

“Nada, it’s been a slow news week. Why?”

“It’s nothing, just don’t tell the old man I checked in with you.”

“Gotcha. How’s the filming going? You never did tell me how the hell you know Mind Man.”

“I don’t have time to talk right now. I need to go. Thanks for helping me out. When everything cools down, maybe I’ll tell you the story.” Dina knew she wouldn’t but the promise would buy her some time.

“Take care. I’ll text you if there’s any news like that.”

“You’re
my
superhero. Thanks, and I’ll see you in a few weeks.” Dina hung up.

If I find them alive, I’m going to punch first and ask questions later. How can they do this to me?

Dina hurried into the emergency room and pulled out a picture of the group of them taken only a couple of months before at Bridget’s birthday party.

“How can I help you?” The question came from a very young-looking woman sitting behind the admittance desk.

Dina showed her the picture and pointed out Zane and Ella. “I know that this sounds strange, but my sister and friend are missing, and I wanted to know if you’ve seen this woman or this man here.”

“I haven’t seen anyone matching those pictures, but I only work part-time. There’s someone here earlier and someone here later. Leave me your number, and if I see them, I’ll call you. I’d go to the police. If they haven’t just forgotten to check in with someone, the police will help you find them. If you give me their names, I can run them through the admissions roster.”

“My sister’s name is Ella Dell, and her friend is Zane Blair. Are they listed?” She waited anxiously.

The woman’s fast fingers typed away at the keyboard. She paused, then typed some more. The woman gave her a little half smile and shook her head. “Well, that’s a good sign that they’re all right. They aren’t listed here. Our critical cases go upstate to Mercy General, so you could check there too. Go see the police and fill out a report. I think it’ll make you feel better.” Bonnie pushed a pad and pen to Dina.

Dina left her number on the pad of paper advertising medication for erectile dysfunction and handed the woman back her matching pen. She thanked her and left, using the hand sanitizer in her purse on her way out. A man sitting in the waiting area sounded like he had the plague as he coughed his head off. She hoped he was there for himself and not just waiting for someone else, because he sounded terrible.

The well-meaning young woman could have no idea that Dina wouldn’t follow her concerned advice. There was no way Dina would go to the police. What her sister and Zane did after hours was actually illegal, and she didn’t want to attract unwanted attention to the heroes or their secret identities.

She went around the building to the hospital entrance and checked in at the front desk. “I’d like to visit Bridget Anderson, could you tell me what room she’s in?”

The woman used an iPad to look up the information. She glanced up and smiled at Dina. “Room 1047. The gift shop has a special on roses today.”

“Thanks, I’ll check that out.” Dina went around the desk and saw the sign indicating the gift shop. She should bring Bridget something cheerful. Dina was going to buy the flowers, but then she noticed crossword puzzles and chocolates. She knew Bridget would enjoy those more, so she bought them, along with a big bag of popcorn.

Dina checked her phone. She had to hurry. The extra time she’d allotted herself was running out. She pressed the up button at the elevators and nodded politely to an elderly couple waiting. The older woman smiled. “I get to meet my grandbaby today,” she said proudly.

Dina had one of those faces that made strangers talk to her. She grinned. “Congratulations. Is it a boy or a girl?”

“Girl.”

The elevator dinged and they all got in. The woman began to talk about the newborn’s mother, and what a good baby she’d been. Dina smiled politely, but was happy when the elevator reached her floor and she could get out. Hearing people talk about family always made her feel the loss of her own acutely. If she ever had a child, there’d be no proud grandmother to remise about her own childhood. Her parents were both dead.

She carried her gifts into the room. Bridget’s arms, which were bandaged from wrist to elbow, lay at her sides. Dina bit her lip. She sat down next to her friend, setting the gifts on a table next to the bed. She reached out to smooth one of Bridget’s red locks of hair away from her cheek. Bridget gasped and opened her eyes.

“Sorry,” Dina muttered.

“It’s you? I didn’t think you’d come. Aren’t you busy ruining Zane’s life right now?”

She’d never heard Bridget sound so bitter. “He’s missing. I’ve come up with a way to repair the damage I’ve done. I’ve been an idiot. I’ve stayed away to protect him, but I’ve only hurt him. I…oh, Bridget, I’m so goddamn sorry about everything,” Dina said miserably.

“You should be, but hell, we all make mistakes. I was mad at all of you when Aaron died, but since I’ve been lying here, I—he made his choice. He loved being who he was. He liked the high of being a hero. I wouldn’t have wanted to take that away from him, and if I tried to I would have lost him. I miss him, a lot. He was part of me. I feel like I’ve lost half my soul.”

Dina’s heart ached for her friend. “I can’t imagine. I miss him too, but he was your husband.”

“The worst part is that we never had a child. With the danger I—I just didn’t want us to die and leave an orphaned kid who could end up like we did. Now all I want is a piece of him to hold onto.”

There was a knock at the door. A man wearing a white lab coat came in. “Mrs. Anderson, can I speak to you about your condition?” He gave Dina a small smile. She noticed his ID said Dr. Richard Moore.

“She can stay. This is my friend—sister, Dina. When can I leave? I think the medication is working. I feel better than I have in weeks.”

“That’s good to hear, but other than the abnormalities we discussed in your blood work there was something else that I’ve found. Mrs. Anderson, Bridget, you’re pregnant.”

Dina’s heart leapt. She looked at her friend. Bridget was white. Her mouth formed a small “o”.

“That’s not possible.” She said the words quietly and without emotion.

“Yes, it is, you’re about six weeks along. Did you want to talk about your options at this junction? It’s still very early.”

Bridget gave the man a scathing look. “I’ve just lost my husband. Are you really asking me if I want to end the life of his child?”

The man flushed. “In your current condition, I didn’t know how you’d view this. You do have options, but your window of time is closing. There’s also a chance that you could lose the child. If we work together on getting you well, then you may be able to make it to term, but with the blood loss, it puts you at an early disadvantage.”

“I’ll do everything I can, doctor. Thank you.”

He smiled warmly and patted Bridget’s hand. He glanced at Dina. “She’ll need her friends and family to keep a close eye on her.”

Dina gave the man a quick nod and he left. When she looked at Bridget, the woman had tears in her eyes.

“I haven’t lost all of him yet. I—I did forget to take my pills for a couple of days, but I’ve been on them for years. This—baby—it must have been conceived the morning he died.”

“You deserve a miracle, Bridget. I’m so happy for you. I’m here for you, and the baby. I’m not shutting you all out again.”

“Good, now you said Zane is missing? Is Ella okay?”

“I can’t find Zane or Ella. When was the last time you saw them?”

“I saw Ella yesterday. Zane hasn’t been here. I think he’s waiting for Ella to tell him I’m willing to see him. Men. You know how they are. Hospitals aren’t a favorite place to visit for any of us, but I think Zane has more a phobia than the rest of us.”

Dina nodded. As far as she knew, he’d never been to see a doctor since the escape.

“I’m sorry to worry you, just focus on the baby. I’m going to take off. Do you need anything? I will be back to see you, either here or at home. I’m going to fix this thing between Zane and me.”

“Good. I’m going to take a nap. I’m so tired. It was good to see you again, Dina. You’ve been missing too long.”

She hugged Bridget, being careful of her arms, and left. Her time to search was over. Now she had to go save her job, her relationship with Zane, and the feelings of nine women.

Chapter 12

Dina made it to the modeling agency, only a few minutes late, and quickly looked at her notes to remember the model’s name. Mateo.

The man stood on the sidewalk next to the curb in front of the building. He was gorgeous. He looked nervous. She got out of the car and extended her hand. He shook it nervously.