The Super Spies and the High School Bomber by Lisa Orchard Page B

giggled. “About what?” She peered out the back window, expecting to see another hubcap rolling in the road.
    Lacey looked at Sarah. “What are you looking for?”
    â€œNothing.” Sarah grabbed her arm and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
    The worry line seemed to be a permanent feature on Aunt June’s face these days. It appeared again as she drove through the streets of Harrisburg. Sarah sighed as she realized her aunt was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. This is bad . Taking a deep breath, Sarah squelched the fear that was trying to take over her body.
    â€œWhat did the police say about Uncle Walt?” Sarah asked as she shifted her gaze back to the road.
    â€œNot much. They found him, he’s alive, and they’re taking him to the hospital.” Aunt June kept her eyes on the road, but she gripped the steering wheel even tighter and her lip trembled with suppressed emotion.
    â€œHe must be hurt.” Sarah gave her aunt a sideways glance.
    Tears welled in her aunt’s eyes. “That’s a good possibility.” She pulled into the parking lot and parked the car.
    As she climbed out of the vehicle, Sarah noticed that the gray hue in the sky was growing lighter. Morning was on the horizon.
    The anxious family walked into the hospital. Sarah was surprised to see the normally peaceful hallways teeming with people. They clogged the lobby, making it difficult for the family as they tried to make their way to the reception desk. When they reached the reception area, they were met by another line of people who were there for the same reason. Sarah was shocked by the bedlam. Groaning, she sagged against her sister.
    Lacey patted her arm. “It won’t be too long.”
    Aunt June finally reached the nurse. “I’m here to see Walter Bennett.”
    The nurse typed on her keyboard. “Ahhh, they’re prepping him for surgery. You need to go up to the second floor and go to the surgical waiting room. I’ll call and let the doctor know you’re here.”
    â€œSurgery?” Aunt June’s upper lip quivered. “Why is he being prepped for surgery?”
    â€œThe surgeon will explain everything.”
    Sarah grabbed her aunt’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”
    She allowed Sarah to pull her toward the stairwell, then she took the lead. Aunt June stumbled on the stairs. Sarah grabbed her arm and stabilized her. No one spoke as they climbed. It seemed to take forever to reach the second floor. Sarah’s stomach churned and she felt nauseous.
    Once they were on the second floor, a friendly nurse pointed them in the direction of the surgical waiting room. They walked in to find a surgeon pacing.
    â€œDoctor?” Aunt June asked.
    â€œYes…you must be Mrs. Bennett?” The doctor held out his hand for her aunt to shake.
    Aunt June shook his hand. “Yes, yes I am.”
    â€œYour husband is being prepped for surgery. He has had extensive head injuries and we need to stop the intracranial bleeding and relieve the pressure on his brain.”
    â€œI s-s-see.” Aunt June searched for a chair and slumped into it. “What does all this mean? Is he going to have brain damage?”
    â€œIt’s too soon to tell, but the sooner we get the bleeding stopped and the pressure relieved the better his chances. Do we have permission to proceed?”
    â€œYes, absolutely.”
    â€œGood. I’ll send someone down with some forms for you to sign.”
    â€œAll right.” Aunt June dropped her purse and put her head in her hands. Taking a deep breath, she jumped up and grabbed the doctor’s arm. “Doctor?”
    He stopped and pivoted toward her. “Yes?”
    â€œHow long is this surgery going to take?”
    â€œIt’s hard to say. I’ll send someone out in a couple of hours to give you an update.”
    â€œThank you, Doctor.”
    Aunt June sat back