Page 96 of Ancient Obsession

“I think we should postpone the wedding,” Dave said, his voice flat as he stared at Amenmose’s remains.

Oliver huffed a soft laugh. “I love you.”

Dave managed a quirk of his lips before leaning in for a gentle kiss. “I love you, too. Thought I’d lost you.”

“Never.”

Supporting each other, they followed the group out into the hall and back to the gardens. No one spoke. Dave leaned heavily against him.

Inside the gardens, people were milling about and talking. Event staff had righted tables and chairs, moving them aside to allow Zenona, campus security, and EMTs to tend the wounded. Several patrol officers were assisting, and Carter gathered them all together a short distance down the path.

Zenona came over when she saw them all coming down the path. With practiced efficiency, she examined each of them.

“Sit.”

She gently guided Oliver and Dave toward a table where a plastic box of medical supplies stood open before she turned away to give Jugs’s throat a more thorough check. Oliver stared around the room. He still didn’t have his glasses, so most people were blurry shapes in motion.

Zenona directed Agatha to take Jugs to an EMT, then rummaged through the medical supplies, selecting a few things and setting them on the table nearby.

Dave rubbed a hand up and down Oliver’s back. “How are you?”

Oliver dropped his eyes to the floor. When the staff had done their clean up, they’d missed a fork. The gray light coming through the glass roof was a dull reflection along the tines. “I don’t know. I’m kind of numb.”

With a brief squeeze, Dave released him. He always seemed to know when to give Oliver a bit of space.

Zenona pulled a chair up in front of them. “I love a dress with pockets.” She reached into one and produced Oliver’s glasses. “Looking for these?”

“Oh, thank you.” Oliver checked the lenses, grateful to find them intact. He used the end of a napkin to clean them, then slipped them on. “A lot better. Thanks.”

She checked Dave first, shining a light in his eyes and checking range of motion for his arms and neck. His glasses sat crooked on his nose, and his eyes were wide as he stared into the middle distance, his expression slack.

“You need a CT scan to check for more serious injury, but from what I can tell, you may have a concussion. They’ll be able to do a more thorough exam at the hospital.”

“Thanks,” Dave said, momentarily taking her hand. “I’m really glad you’re here, but I wish it could have been just to celebrate with us.”

“Next time.”

Just as Zenona turned her attention to Oliver, Cody and Demetrius walked up. Dave was on his feet, swaying a bit before grabbing his brother in a strong hug. Cody grunted in pain, but awkwardly hugged him back. Oliver shared a sad, tired look with Demetrius before slowly standing. Every muscle ached and seemed to weigh at least a hundred pounds, but he managed to hug Demetrius.

When Dave stepped back, Oliver was able to see Cody’s condition. His suit jacket hung loose on his shoulders, the left sleeve and front torn to shreds. His shirt, tattered and bloody, was unbuttoned, revealing two wide, white bandages secured across his chest. Blood had soaked through in parallel lines.

Cody’s grin looked worn out. “Hell of a party, Ollie.”

Oliver hugged him, trying to be careful of his injuries. “Thank you.”

“Didn’t help much,” Cody said with a grunt. “Just got myself beat up.”

Oliver stepped back. “A for effort.”

Cody glanced down at himself. “Think Carlos will give me back my deposit on the tux?”

“Come on, big guy,” Demetrius said, taking his elbow. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”

“You going here in Glenmont?” Dave asked.

“No, I’m taking him to Memorial so he’ll be closer to home.”

Cody winced and adjusted his stance. “Notice I got no say in this decision at all.”