Wayne tapped a rather large black deputy on the shoulder.
“Pete, you and Joe got the lobby. I’m gonna escort Captain Mendez to his car.” Motioning to a fourth deputy, Wayne positioned himself in front of Alex, off center, to Alex’s left. The other deputy stood almost next do Alex, to his right. Kellan and Janet took up positions just behind Alex, leaving the Texas Rangers to take up various flanking positions.
Entering the fray, Alex was immediately spat on and verbally assaulted like he’d never experienced in his life. Noting the raging crowd, the Rangers spread out, attempting to assist the deputies with crowd control. Despite the great police presence, the dark night – illuminated by little more than a couple of soft lavender bulbs, swallowed the approaching figure until he was almost on top of Alex. Three shots rang out before Alex knew what was happening. Struck, he fell to the ground, gripping his shoulder. Immediately, he felt a body on top of his. A familiar scent washed through his nose suggesting that Janet had thrown herself onto Alex, acting as a human shield. Five, six, innumerable shots rang out. Echoes made it difficult for Alex to count the actual shots, amid the pain and confusion.
As the gunfire subsided, Alex became keenly aware of blood dancing across his face. He’d scraped his cheek, or maybe his chin, in the fall to the ground. Though it was the throbbing shoulder that drew the majority of his attention.
“You’re hit!” Janet shrieked, raising her head. “Kellan! Alex is hit!”
Raising up, Janet turned around. Screamed.
Startled, Alex sprang to a seated position on the ground. The image swam in and out of focus. Around him, sound seemed muffled, as if his head was under water. Trying to stand, a shooting pain flashed through his knee. Finding himself on all fours, he was barely able to crawl toward the body of his fallen comrade.
Fighting for his senses, he searched for a pulse. Weak, but definite, Alex screamed for a doctor. To his right, he noticed a craggy, dirty man being taken into custody. He screamed obscenities and fought against the handcuffs and the officers restraining him, to no avail.
Turning his attention back to his fallen friend, Alex checked again for a pulse.
Nothing.
Moving his fingers, he searched frantically for a pulse. Nothing. Anger flashed white, mixed with the overwhelming sense of urgency. He searched for blood and couldn’t find any. He hadn’t been hit in the chest, nor the stomach. Scanning up and down, both visually and with his hands Alex – now joined by Janet and Wayne – searched to find the wound. Bending an ear down, Alex could detect no discernible breath sounds. As Janet began CPR, Alex could only watch as his friend’s lifeless body lurched, twitched but failed to respond. A team of doctors rushed out and, tearing the shirt open, shocked him once, then twice, barking orders at law enforcement members as a medic on a battlefield might when confronted with the platoon leader.
Just as quickly as they started CPR, they stopped. Still too weak to stand, being attended by another medical person, Alex began to feel dizzy. He heard her say something to him, but was too focused to recall what she’d said.
Must stay awake, he thought, suddenly unable to control his tongue. His head grew foggy. His vision fanned between darkness and light.
“Okay, that’s it,” he heard one of the doctors say, “Let’s get inside.”
Fading, he smelled Janet’s perfume. He thought perhaps her silhouette had materialized.
“You’re going to be okay, Alex,” she said, crying. “Alex, I’m so sorry.”
Sorry? Sorry for what? What happened? Wait. What—How is—Focus!
As he was lifted on the gurney, consciousness fading, Alex looked at his lifeless friend laying on a gurney next to him. Blinking back tears, he glanced at the sidewalk where his friend had fallen. Though it was dark, his vision still unsure, Alex caught sight of the pool of blood at what would have been about kidney level. His mind flashing with visions – he couldn’t tell real from dream – Alex tried to recall what had just transpired.
A sudden shout tore him from his imagery
“He’s getting away! Go!”
Kellan! No!
Chapter 28
Saturday, October 15
3:04 a.m.
Stable. Kellan was stable according to the doctors that removed the bullet from his hip. In his brain fog, Alex had misjudged where Kellan’s body had fallen. He’d assumed Kellan had been shot in the kidney when in reality he’d been hit in the hip. Nicked a vein or artery, so he lost more blood than he might otherwise have lost, but he was going to be fine, they said. Surgery would be tenuous, but it should restore him to full health.
Alex was another story. Though the bullet that hit him had merely grazed his shoulder, to call him stable or steady would have been a serious overstatement of the facts. They’d almost let the shooter get away. Lucky for him, Tate’s quick thinking caused the guy to trip over his own feet, thereby halting his getaway. Alex fully intended on putting Tate up for a commendation once all of this was over.
Waiting in the corridor outside of ICU, Alex could only fight against the painkillers they’d given him to find that place of concentrated worry.
When Lisa walked – okay, ran – into the emergency area where he’d been stitched, Alex had been numb, both in body and mind. He’d been asked to report what happened but admitted to several officers not being clearheaded enough to give such a report. Still groggy, he now stood holding Lisa’s hand with his good hand.
“Kellan’s gonna be okay, Babe.” Lisa whispered, rubbing his elbow with her free hand.
“I know,” he said, his speech weak, somewhat slurred. “I called Andrea. She is trying to find someone to watch their son and then she will be up here. I really hate it for her. All she deals with already. And now this.”
“You need to sit down.”
“I’m fine,”
“You’re swaying. Your speech is slurred and you have one arm. You need to sit, Babe. Come on.”
“I’m not leaving this spot until they come out and tell us Kellan is okay.”
“Babe, he’s in there with an uncle, aunt and two nurses. Andrea’s on her way. The doctor told me on the way in that he’s in and out of consciousness, but he’s fine.”
“He took a bullet for me, you know. Same as Danny.”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what? Honey, I don’t belong on this force anymore. Danny took a bullet for me. Now Kellan. Moe’s laid up recovering from a—“
“Moe is right here, Son.”
Moe Sutton’s voice was all too loud for the eerily quiet corridor.
“Moe!” Lisa said. “What are you doing here!?”
Haggard, his hair an uncharacteristic mess, the Band-Aid on Moe’s left hand showed signs of blood that had only recently coagulated.
“You should be at the hospital yourself, Moe!” Alex said, releasing Lisa’s hand, seizing Moe’s with his good hand. How did you even drive?”
“I’m in better shape than you, Alex.” Moe laughed. “Son, you look like a drunk frat boy during a pledge week party game. Let’s go to the waiting area and sit down.”
“I’m not leaving th—“
“Was there something in that statement that seemed like a request, Son? Come on. Move it.”
Walking toward the waiting area, Alex reached out and playfully punched Moe’s shoulder.
“How’d you even drive over here?”
“Took a cab,” Moe said, winking.
“Okay, boys,” Lisa interjected. “You both need to sit down. And you? I’m calling Josh. You can take it up with him.”
“Tattletale.” Moe gruffed.
“Love you too, Moe.”
“Where the heck have you been?”
Josh’s anger was very real. Alex was grateful that it had been squarely directed at Moe.
“Well, it looks like I don’t have to call anyone afterall,” Lisa quipped.
“Hey Joshy.”
“Don’t ‘Joshy’ Me, Uncle Moe. You have a bed waiting fo
r you in a different hospital in a different part of town.”
“I checked myself out, Son. I’m good. Alex needed me.”
“I’m sorry,” Josh said, his frustration not waning. “Alex, how are you?”
“I’m groggy, Josh. Kellan got the worst of it.”
“I heard.” Josh admitted. “How is he?”
“Weak, but the docs seem to think he’ll pull through.”
“You think we need a hero?” Josh said, directing his attention back to Moe.
“Son, I was out risking my hide before you were a nugget in your mama’s belly. I know what I’m doing.”
“Boys,” Lisa said. “We’re all on the same side here.”
“Yes, Lisa.” Josh said, “I’m sorry. You’re right. How are you? Is Alyson with the kids?”
Lisa nodded.
“Alex, is there anything I can do?”
“We’re fine, Josh. You might want to go check on Cade and your boys. We left Janet Busby in charge at the station. She’s probably driving Cade crazy by now”
Chuckling, Josh shook his head. “Nah, Cade’s a good guy. Pretty patient, really. Much better with people than I am, to be sure.”
“You get that from me, Josh.” Moe said, winking.
“Well, I know one guy who needs to go home and get his rest.” Lisa said, tugging playfully on Alex’s good arm.
“I’m fine, Lisa.” Alex said. “I just need to get some caffeine in me till this medication wears off.”
“You need to sleep it off, Babe. You know it and I know it.”
“Where’s Reggie?” Alex asked.
“I imagine he’s at home, Babe.”
“I need to get with Reggie. I’ll need to catch him up to speed. I need Danny. Danny would know what to do.”
“Honey, we can go see Danny in the morning if you want. You’re getting a little loopy again. Here. There’s a couch over there. Lay down and nod off a while. I promise, if they come out with word on Kellan, I’ll wake you up. You rest. Clear your head.”
Nodding, Alex submitted to his wife’s wishes. Standing to walk over to the couch, pushing against the wall that had been supporting him, Alex was keenly aware that the room began to swim. He assumed he was probably swaying as he tried to approach the couch that swam in and out of focus. As he faded into some semblance of a drug-induced sleep, he heard Lisa directing Moe toward a similar state of rest.
Chapter 29
Saturday, October 15
7:26 a.m.
Alex could name a great number of ways to wake with a smile. Moe Sutton rapping on his cheeks, toxic morning breath dripping into his nose was nowhere on that list.
As he licked his sandpaper tongue across his dry lips, he could only imagine what his own breath smelled like.
“Here,” Moe said, as Alex sat up, “Dr. Pepper. Fresh out of the machine. Just for you.”
“Good man,” Alex said, twisting the bottle open, guzzling it half empty.
His eyes watered by carbonation, Alex blinked, shook his head, not unlike a dog fresh out of a bath. Scanning the hospital waiting room, he found it to be remarkably empty.
“Where’s Lisa? How’s Kellan? Where’d Josh go? And why are you not back in the hospital yourself, Moe?”
“One question at a time, Alex.” Moe laughed. “Lisa went home to be with the kids. She just left a minute ago. Told you goodbye, but said she knew you wouldn’t remember.”
“Kellan?”
“Fine,” Moe said, half smiling. “Bullet tore right through some muscles. He’s going to have some trouble walking but he’ll be fine. Probably use a cane for a while. Crutches. I don’t know. But the docs said he came through real well. They’ve moved him to a room by now. We can find out where and go see him.”
“Let’s do that.” Alex agreed, standing, a little too quick. Catching himself on the wall behind the couch, he continued. “After I get my sea legs under me.”
Over the intercom, a voice paged several medical personnel to various departments. One immediately following directed others to dial this or that extension. In the hallway immediately joining the waiting area, Alex saw several people walk by. Some visitors headed past the waiting area, perhaps on their way to see a loved one. Some hospital personnel passed, headed in the opposite direction. As a janitor passed by, Alex’s cell phone rang.
Looking at the number, he flipped it closed.
“Wrong number. Let’s go find Kellan. Is Andrea still here?”
“No, she had to leave. Had to get home to get her little boy taken care of.”
“Well, Kellan must have been in good shape for her to leave. Let’s go.”
“Alex, before we do that,” Moe said, grabbing his shoulder. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something that Tate boy was going to tell you before all heck broke loose.”
“Okay, well, don’t keep me in suspense. We’re not going to commercial, Moe.”
Reaching into his back pocket, Moe produced an evidence baggy.
“Tate found this where that Greyson lady was attacked. Said it was a bible verse. Alex, you do know what this means?”
Opening the sealed evidence bag, Alex carefully pulled the slip of paper out and read it.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:18.
“Yeah, Moe. Our serial killer is branching out.”
“And you’ve got a new fan,” Moe chuckled.
“Shut up.” Alex whispered, just loud enough for Moe to hear.
“What was that?”
“Good to have you back, Moe.”
“That’s what I thought you said.”
Chapter 30
Saturday, October 15
7:59 a.m.
“You mean to tell me this guy is on our side?”
“No, Kel. But I think he thinks he’s on the same side. I think it’s clear there’s some misguided sense of justice. Vigilante justice, I guess. But more than that. I’ve read the FBI profiles on this guy that Josh had made up a while back. This guy seems to really think he’s a warrior for God. Maybe he just likes the game and all the players the way it is. Maybe he is getting rid of an uninvited player. I don’t know. But I don’t think Greyson fits his usual profile. She’s a lot of things, but stripper and prostitute she’s not.”
“This the same God that protected the prostitute from being stoned to death?” Moe asked.
“Well, if we’re being technical, Jesus did that, but yeah. Son of God. God. Two parts of the same being.”
Kellan grabbed his hip, winced.
“Get you anything, Kel? Need a nurse, Bud?”
“I’m fine, Alex,” he said, through gritted teeth. “Hurts like crazy but I’m fine. Forrest got his million dollar wound.”
“Moe, see if you can find a nurse. Get him a pain pill or something.”
Nodding, Moe headed toward the door.
“I’m fine, Alex. Moe, I’m fine.”
Ignoring him, Moe headed into the busy hallway. Alex walked to the far side of the bed.
“I’m real sorry about this, Kel.”
“Yeah, well, we need bulletproof pants I guess. How are you? Heard they got you in the shoulder.”
“Grazed.” Alex said. “Doesn’t even hurt much.”
“Lucky you,” Kellan said, moving his leg, wincing in pain, growling.
“I’m sorry,” Alex repeated, this time weak.
“They get the guy that did it?”
“Yeah, I haven’t been to see him yet. But when I do, you can bet—“
“When you do, you’ll do your job and will not do anything to jeopardize your position. Or this guy being punished. We need you, Alex. I know that look in your eye. I’m not stupid. But neither are you. Stay focused and get the person that’s killing these girls. Whoever shot us thought they were defending Greyson against a bully. Small time compared to the guy we’re chasing.”
“Sure about that?” Alex ask
ed.
“I’m willing to bet my life on it. And I nearly did. Stay focused. Get the guy that’s killing these girls, Alex.”
“What’s next then?”
“Well, I dunno what’s next for you, but next on my agenda is healing and getting out of here. They said I can probably go home tomorrow. I won’t be walking very well for a bit, but I got plenty of desk work anyway.”
“You gonna be able to sit with that wound?” Alex said, unable to stifle his laughter.
Moe came back in followed by two nurses.
“Lt. Arthur,” the tall, blonde announced, “I hear you’re in a little pain.”
“Yes Ma’am,” he confirmed, holding a slight begrudging in his tone as he passed a look to Moe and Alex that was a mixture of pride, panic, anger and relief.
“Well, I think we can fix you right up. Nancy, you got the—Oh there it is.”
She grabbed an IV bag with blue writing, hooked it to the stand next to the bed. Unscrewing the empty bag, she connected the full bag. Grabbing a small rubber inlet in one hand, the tall, blonde nurse pulled out a syringe from her scrub shirt pocket. Perhaps purposely trying not to appear too menacing, she offered a reassuring smile to Kellan.
“This is gonna make you feel pretty loopy. Probably won’t take too long to take effect.”
Handing him the call button, which she tied to the bedrail, the shorter brunette nurse smiled.
“This is Nancy,” The tall blonde said, “I’m Sabrina. If you need anything else, just press that button, okay? I’m about to be finished with my shift, but Nance will fix you right up.”
Kellan nodded, smiled. Waved.
Acknowledging Moe and Alex on their way out, the nurses departed.
“Well, it looks like you’re in good hands, so I think it’s time I get this one checked out,” Alex said, motioning to Moe.
“Alex,” Kellan said, “If you get this guy, don’t kill him, okay? Don’t kill him unless you have to. I mean it.”
“Kel, I have a job to do. I have to protect the citizens I serve.”
Connection Terminated Page 14
