CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR – RIGHT ON THE MONEY

When Kayla's eyes finally fluttered open again, the harsh fluorescent glare of a hospital room assaulted her senses. Every muscle in her body ached, a dull throbbing centered on her heavily bandaged left shoulder. Blinking the cobwebs from her vision, she became aware of Detective Rawlins' grizzled form slumped in a chair beside her bed. His head snapped up as she stirred, lines of fatigue etched deeply into his craggy features. "Well well, the tough guy pulled through," he rasped, managing a lopsided grin. "You had us worried for a while there, Danvers." Licking her dry lips, Kayla struggled to push herself upright despite his protests. "What...what happened? Is everyone alright?" Rawlins' smile faded as he refilled her cup with water from a nearby pitcher. "Here, you're gonna need this." Kayla gulped it down greedily, feeling it soothe her ragged throat. "Please...just tell me. I need to know what's going on." The detective sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his jaw as he bega