Read Silent Run for Free Online Page A

on the edge of the bed. Jake’s face began to blur, and she twisted her fingers in the blanket and sheet so she wouldn’t fall over.
    â€œAre you all right?” Jake put his hand on her shoulder to steady her, and then yanked it away, as if he couldn’t bear to touch her. His forehead drew into tight lines as he frowned. “Or is this another play in your game? Get me to feel sorry for you? Get me to go find the nurse or the doctor so you can leave?"
    â€œI... I just need to catch my breath."
    Jake’s eyes narrowed. “You’re white as a ghost. You look like you’re going to pass out. This had better not be an act, Sarah. I can’t take any more lies from you."
    â€œIt’s not an act,” she murmured, knowing that she couldn’t faint. She had to stay awake so she could deal with Jake, not that it wouldn’t be appealing to escape the fury in his eyes -- if only for a few minutes. His anger and accusations were burning a hole right through her heart.
    But some inner voice warned her not to assume that everything he said was the truth. She had to trust her own instincts. Words were just words, and Jake could have an agenda for wanting her to believe that she was a horrible person. He could be the one who was lying.
    Jake pushed the call button for the nurse. “Let’s get an objective opinion."
    â€œI’m okay,” she said. “It’s a lot of information to take in all at once."
    â€œOr you’re giving yourself a minute to think up another story."
    Before she could reply, the nurse entered the room, frowning when she saw Sarah dressed in her street clothes. “Now, where do you think you’re going?” Rosie asked.
    â€œTo find my daughter,” she said, even though she couldn’t summon up the strength to get back on her feet.
    â€œYou need to rest,” the nurse said. “Come on, now; lie down."
    â€œI don’t want to lie down,” Sarah protested, but knew she was too weak to win this battle. Seeing the resolve in the nurse’s face, she lay back on the pillows, stretching her legs out in front of her.
    â€œThat’s better.” The nurse untied Sarah’s shoes and pulled them off. “Your body has been through a lot. You need to give yourself time to recuperate. Why don’t I get you a sleeping pill?"
    â€œNo,” she said immediately, hating the idea of losing any more control over her life. “I don’t need a pill."
    â€œWell, if you find the pain gets worse and you can’t sleep, call me.” The nurse glanced over at Jake. “Maybe you should let her get some rest."
    Jake frowned but reluctantly nodded. “All right, but I want to talk to her doctor."
    â€œI’ll let Dr. Carmichael know you wish to speak to him,” the nurse replied. She moved over to the window and drew the curtains, then flipped off the overhead light as she left, leaving the room in shadows, only a small stream of light coming from the part in the curtains.
    Jake moved slowly toward the door. He paused, giving Sarah a long, speculative look. “I’ll be right outside. Don’t even think of leaving here without me."
    * * *
    Alone in the dark room, Sarah felt another wave of fear wash over her. Why couldn’t she remember anything about her life? She could feel the love for her child deep in her soul, but the only image she had of Caitlyn was the child in the photograph. And Jake -- she didn’t remember him at all. Why wouldn’t she recall a man with whom she’d been intimate, the father of her child? At the very least, why couldn’t she feel the same love for Jake that she felt for Caitlyn? Had she loved him? Or was that just what he wanted her to believe?
    Picking up the photograph of the two of them together at the carnival, she saw again the smile on her lips, the sparkle in her eyes. The emotion didn’t appear forced or fake. Jake looked happy, too. There was