Chapter 28

“Nancy, can you hear me?”

Nancy’s eyelids fluttered open. The harsh overhead light of the hospital room made her squint. Her head throbbed—sharp, rhythmic pulses behind her eyes—and she winced as the pain registered.

Diana sat beside her, gently holding her hand. She leaned down and kissed the back of it before wrapping both of her own hands around it. Her voice was soft but steady.

“You’re going to be okay.”

Nancy blinked again, slower this time. Her thoughts felt scattered, like puzzle pieces tossed across a hardwood floor. Equal Opportunity. Footsteps. A blow to the head. That was all she could remember. Just fragments.

“Do you remember what happened?” Steve asked gently from her other side.

He scooted his chair closer to the bed, concern etched deeply into his features. Nancy turned her head slightly, trying to focus on him, though the movement made her nausea spike.

“I ... I think someone attacked me,” she said slowly, her voice hoarse. “Outside of Equal Opportunity. I didn’t see who it was. Everything just ... went black.”

Steve nodded. “You’ve got a pretty good goose egg on the side of your head, and a cut on your chin.”

Nancy instinctively raised her hand to her chin. Her fingers trembled as they brushed the tight, puffy skin around the stitches. She inhaled sharply. “Stitches?”

“Just a few,” Diana reassured her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “They did a great job. You’ll heal up fine.”

Just then, a figure appeared in the doorway.

A tall, broad-shouldered man in uniform stepped into the room. The badge on his chest gleamed under the sterile light. His presence was calm, professional—steadying.

“Good evening, ma’am. I’m Officer Matthew Reid with the Portland Police Department.” His voice was warm but authoritative. “The doctor says you’re going to be okay.”

He took a few steps closer, resting his hands on his duty belt.

“I’d like to ask you a few questions about what happened tonight.”

Nancy shifted slightly in the bed. “I didn’t see anything. I was just trying to get into my car ... and then I woke up here.”

Reid nodded sympathetically, then pulled a small spiral notepad from his shirt pocket.

“I understand. But I still need to take a basic report to begin our investigation. Anything you remember could help us catch the person who did this.”

Diana stood up and smiled kindly at the officer. “I know you’re just doing your job, but Nancy’s probably concussed and still in shock. Would it be okay if we came to the station later when she’s feeling better?”

Officer Reid paused, then gave a small nod. “That’s fair.” He reached into his pocket and handed Diana a business card. “Call me when she’s ready.”

Once he had left the room, Nancy sank back against the pillows with a sigh.

“Thank you,” she said to Diana, her voice laced with exhaustion. “My head’s pounding like a rock concert.”

Diana gave her a warm smile. “You’re welcome. Just focus on healing.”

“I’m so glad you’re going to be okay,” Steve added. His voice wavered slightly. “When Dean called me ... I thought—” He swallowed hard, unable to finish.

Diana placed a reassuring hand on his back. She knew exactly what he had feared.

Nancy’s eyes softened. “I’m so sorry you had to relive that, Steve. It must have been awful.”

He gave her a tight nod. “I just— We need to do better at keeping everyone safe. If we can’t, I’ll have no choice but to shut Equal Opportunity down.”

“No!” Diana’s voice rose slightly. “You can’t do that. Those kids need us. You know they do.”

Nancy nodded slowly, wincing. “We all knew the risks when we signed up to volunteer. We chose this. Because we want to make a difference.”

Steve stared at the floor, his jaw clenched. “First Peggy was killed, and now this. I keep wondering if helping those kids is worth risking our lives.”

Nancy reached out, resting her hand over his. “Maybe it’s time you step back for a bit. Just for a while. You’ve done so much already. Volunteering like this ... it takes everything out of you.”

Diana took both of Steve’s hands in hers. Her eyes searched his, steady and sincere.

“Just promise me you won’t make any rash decisions tonight,” she said softly.

Steve hesitated, then finally nodded. “I promise.”