Summer Rain (Lightning Strikes Book 3)

by Barbara Freethy

  "Why were you alone? Why did you stay behind?"

  "I wanted to spend time in the park after everyone left. The guy jumped me from behind."

  "Did he want money?"

  "He didn't ask for anything; he just started pounding me."

  "It was random?"

  He shrugged as if he didn't know, but she had a feeling he knew a lot more than he was saying.

  Three

  When they reached the hospital, Patrick was whisked away to an examining room, leaving Dani to wait in the lobby of the Emergency Department for the police. Now that the crisis was over, she felt a little lightheaded. She stumbled over to the nearest chair and sat down. It was then she saw the blood on her blouse—Patrick's blood.

  Drawing in several deep breaths, she tried to calm her racing pulse, but images from the last half hour spun through her head on a dizzying carousel. One minute she'd been sitting in her car, talking to her boss, and the next minute she'd been attacking a knife-wielding man with her handbag, and it was all because of the damn ring.

  She looked at her hand. The gold ring was back in its place, but there was blood on her fingers.

  The sight of it made her stomach roll. She had to fight not to throw up. The realization that she could have been killed tonight was starting to sink in. It was a staggering, unbelievable thought.

  "Dani?"

  The surprised female voice brought her head up. "Katherine," she said, relieved to see a familiar and friendly face. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law wore blue doctor scrubs, her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, her blue eyes worried.

  "Are you sick? Are you hurt? What's wrong? I couldn't believe it when I saw you sitting here, and you have blood on your hands."

  "I'm not hurt. It's not my blood." She started to get to her feet, then swayed.

  Katherine pushed her back into the chair and sat down next to her. "What happened? Is it your mom, someone else in the family? I didn't even know you were still in town."

  "It isn't my mom or anyone you know. I had to go to an event for Senator Dillon." She took another deep breath. "It was at a new park in a bad neighborhood. I went back to look for this damn ring." She held up her hand. "It had fallen off my finger, and I knew Alicia would kill me if I lost it, so I went to look for it. Everyone was gone. The storm had hit, and the park was empty, or so I thought. I suddenly found myself in the middle of a fight."

  "Oh, my God! What did you do?"

  "I knew one of the men. His father had built the park in honor of his mother. I knew he was a good guy, but the other man had a knife, and Patrick was in trouble. I didn't think. I just jumped into the middle of the fight. I swung my bag at the guy's head as hard as I could and then I pepper sprayed him. By that time, Patrick had gotten to the knife and his attacker ran away."

  "I can't believe you did that," Katherine said in amazement. "Where are the police?"

  "On their way. I called from the car. I didn't want to wait at the park for help so I brought Patrick in. I really hope he's all right. His shirt was covered in blood. I know he was stabbed at least once. Can you check on him?"

  "Of course. But I can assure you that he's being well taken care of; I'm more concerned about you right now, Dani."

  "I'm okay. I'm just a little shaken up, but I'll be fine."

  "You were so lucky. I'm glad the person didn't have a gun."

  "Me, too."

  "Have you called your mother?"

  "No," she said quickly. "And you can't tell her. She'll be down here in a quick minute, and I don't need that. I'm supposed to be flying back to DC tonight." She glanced down at her watch and realized her flight was leaving in forty minutes. "Damn, I'll never make my flight now."

  "So go in the morning."

  "I have to be at work tomorrow. I'll see if there's another one later tonight." She pulled out her phone, but before she could go shopping for flights, a man and a woman approached her. Both wore suits and badges from the police department.

  "Miss Monroe?" the man asked.

  "Yes." She got to her feet, happy to feel a little more stable now.

  "I'm Detective Hobbs," he replied. "And this is Detective Rodriguez. We'd like to talk to you about what happened in the park. You reported an assault?"

  "Yes. The man who was attacked is Patrick Kane. His family opened the new park on Freeborne Street this afternoon."

  The two detectives exchanged a quick look, then the man said, "Tell us exactly what happened."

  "I will. I don't know much, though. Mr. Kane might be able to tell you more."

  "I'll check on him," Katherine said.

  "Thanks," she said. "I appreciate it."

  "No problem. I'm going to call Jake, too."

  "I don't need my older brother."

  "We'll see." Katherine left before Dani could offer another protest.

  She turned her attention back to the detectives. She told them exactly what had happened in the park and gave as clear of a description of the man as she could, acknowledging that she didn't get a good look at the attacker's face, and it was possible that she wouldn't recognize him if she saw him again.

  It bothered her that the man could probably recognize her, though. It made her feel vulnerable. But she told herself there was no reason to worry. In a few hours, she'd be back in DC and several states away.

  Jake came in as she was finishing up with the detectives. He had obviously rushed right over as soon as Katherine called him. As she gave him a hug, Katherine came back and told the detectives they could speak to Mr. Kane.

  After the officers left, Dani sought a more detailed answer from Katherine. "How is he doing?"

  "He's going to be fine. The knife wound wasn't deep and missed vital organs. He's been stitched up, and he's eager to be on his way. He did ask if you'd wait for him. He'd like to speak to you when he's done."

  She frowned. "I don't know if I can. I still need to see if I can catch another flight tonight."

  "Why don't you stay?" Jake asked. "If you don't want to go back to Mom's, we've got a nice couch you can sleep on."

  "It's a great offer, and I might take you up on it if I can't get on a plane in the next few hours."

  "Katherine told me you broke up a fight," he added. "What the hell were you thinking, Dani?" There was both annoyance and admiration in his tone.

  "I wasn't thinking; it was instinct." She held up her hand. "And this stupid ring. Right now, it feels like it won't come off no matter how hard I try to slide it over my knuckle. Earlier today, it was slipping around like it was way too big. In fact, I lost it in the park. I went back to look for it, and that's how I ended up in the middle of the fight."

  Jake stared back at her, a gleam in his eyes. "Well, that's interesting."

  "It's not a magic ring, Jake."

  "Are you sure? There was a lot of lightning tonight. It was rattling my nerves. I had the feeling something bad was happening, but I told myself you were on your way home and Alicia was on her honeymoon, and so far no one had called in with problems. Then the phone rang, and Katherine said you were in the ER, and I knew it was connected. I think something is starting again."

  A shiver ran down her spine at his eerie words. "Nothing is connected. Nothing is starting. If anything, it's ending. I'm going home tonight. I'm not going to see Patrick Kane again. And as soon as I can get this damn ring off my finger, I'm putting it away and never wearing it again."

  "Who is Patrick Kane?" Jake asked. "What's his story? How do you know him?"

  "I don't know him. His mother was a congresswoman. She died in a plane crash eight years ago with some other political officials."

  "I remember that crash. Senator Stuart was also on board. Why did you go to this event?"

  "Because Senator Dillon asked me to. He wanted me to pay his respects since I was already going to be here for Alicia's wedding. Don't make more of this than it is."

  "After what happened to Alicia, and then to me and Katherine, it's not crazy for us to think that someth
ing could happen to you, too, Dani. Mamich said it wasn't over, that you were the last piece of the puzzle. Now this happens."

  "Stop," she protested wearily. "I can't get into all that tonight. I'm going to drive to the airport and get on the next flight out of here. Once I'm home, I'll be safe." She hugged Katherine, then tried to hug Jake, but his body was stiff as a board.

  "I don't like you leaving like this," Jake said tensely, as she let him go. "And I don't know that changing locations will automatically make you safe. I feel like you should stay."

  "I'll be fine. Don't worry and don’t you dare tell Alicia any of this. I don't want her to be upset on her honeymoon."

  "I won't tell Alicia," he promised. "But you should tell Mom. She'll hear about it somehow."

  "I don't know how she would unless you tell her. So don't do that, okay?"

  "Are you sure you won't at least wait and talk to Patrick Kane?" Katherine asked. "He really wanted to see you."

  "No, it's better this way."

  "Let me at least walk you to your car," Jake said.

  "Fine."

  They walked out of the hospital, and her brother didn't say another word until they reached her rental car. Then he said, "I know exactly what you're thinking, Dani, because I didn't believe in any of this until I crash-landed in Mexico six months ago. You don't have to believe in something for it to be true. It just is."

  She didn't want his words to bother her, but they did. "I can't imagine what danger I could be in."

  "Which is another reason for me to worry. You're so stubborn. Do you ever consider the fact that you might be wrong?"

  She had considered it; she just didn't want to believe it. "I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."

  "You'll call me if anything else happens?"

  "Nothing else is going to happen." She got into her car and shut the door. As she drove out of the hospital parking lot, she told herself everything would be fine once she got the hell out of Texas.

  * * *

  His father, aunt, and cousin were in the waiting room when Patrick was finally released. It was after ten, and a quick glance revealed no sign of his rescuer, the beautiful and surprising Dani Monroe. A wave of disappointment ran through him.

  But why would she have waited all this time? She'd already done more than most people would have done. She'd saved his life.

  He still couldn't believe she'd come to his aid the way she had. She'd been courageous and determined, and she was quite likely the reason he was still breathing.

  His attacker hadn't been after money; he'd been after him.

  He just didn't know why.

  His gut churned as a few thoughts ran through his head, but all seemed fairly ridiculous.

  Maybe he was imagining things. Perhaps it had just been random; a crazy, violent person who happened to cross his path at the wrong time.

  "Patrick," his father said, relief moving through his worried eyes. "Are you all right? The police said you were stabbed."

  "It was a flesh wound. They put in a few stitches. It's not a big deal." He got up from the wheelchair the nurse had wheeled him out in.

  "Not a big deal?" his father echoed. "There's a lot of blood on your shirt."

  "It looks worse than it is."

  "What happened?" his aunt asked, putting a concerned hand on his arm. "I thought you left the park with all of us when it started to thunder."

  "I wanted to walk around by myself for a minute, so I hung back."

  His father gave him an understanding look. "I thought about spending a few minutes there alone, too, but it was about to rain. I thought I'd come back another day. I wish now I'd stayed."

  "You still haven't told us what happened," Marcus said.

  "Some guy jumped me. I was looking at a text on my phone when it happened. He came up behind me. The next thing I knew, he was punching me in the face and the ribs, and then he pulled out a knife."

  His aunt put a hand to her mouth. "No. I can't believe it."

  "I'm all right. It's over now."

  "The police said some woman rescued you," Marcus put in.

  "Yes." He met his cousin's gaze. "It was the woman you told me I should meet; the one at the park."

  Surprise filled Marcus's eyes. "No way. The hot blonde?"

  He nodded. "She actually works for Senator Dillon. She'd lost her ring in the rose garden, and she came back to look for it. When the guy went after me with the knife, she hit him with her purse and then pepper-sprayed him. By that time, I was able to grab the knife, and he took off."

  "Thank God she was there," his father said.

  "And that she knew what to do," his aunt added.

  "And that she was willing to do it," Marcus put in. "A lot of people would have just called for help or run away."

  "I can't believe this happened in the park. It was supposed to be a safe oasis," his dad said, disappointment in his eyes. "I wonder if the neighborhood will ever feel safe there now. All the work we did, and someone does this."

  "I know. I'm sorry."

  "It's not your fault," his dad said quickly. "We should get you home. You'll stay with me tonight."

  "My condo will be fine."

  "You shouldn't be alone," his aunt protested.

  "I'll stay with him," Marcus said. He gave Patrick a pointed look. "Just in case you need something. Don’t argue."

  He supposed having his cousin at his home was better than spending the night at his dad's house. "All right. My car is still at the park, and I don't know where my keys are."

  "We'll get your car tomorrow," Marcus said. "And I have keys to your place."

  "I'll see you in the morning," his father said, as they walked out to the parking lot. "Call me if you need anything."

  "Don't worry about me."

  "Easy to say, harder to do," his father said with a tight smile, as he and his aunt headed to their car.

  He got into Marcus's car, wincing a little at the pain in his chest as he settled into his seat. The knife wound wasn't that bad, but he also had some bruised ribs from the beat-down he'd gotten. He was pissed that he hadn't had a chance to inflict the same kind of damage on his attacker. If he hadn't been taken by surprise, he would have done just that.

  "So what's the real story?" Marcus asked as he started the car.

  "I told you."

  "That this was a random attack? I'm not buying it. You've pissed off people in recent months, like the entire pharmaceutical industry, some of whom have companies right here in Corpus Christi."

  He'd thought about that fact, too, but it had been months since his book had come out. "I don't think this was connected to that story."

  "Then what is it connected to? Your renewed interest in your mother's plane crash?"

  "Maybe. It seems unlikely. I've asked a few questions, but that's about it. And most people I've tried to talk to have successfully avoided me."

  "But not all."

  "Not all," he agreed, keeping his answer vague. He'd told Marcus that he'd heard some rumors about his mom having a more than business relationship with Senator Stuart, but he hadn't gotten into any details. Nor had he told him how many more questions he had after reading the public accounts of the accident. Marcus was very close to his mother, who was his mom's sister, and the last thing he wanted to do was make his aunt unhappy or uncomfortable. So until he had some definitive information, he was going to try to keep the family out of it.

  "You can't discount scare tactics. It was a low-tech assault," Marcus commented. "There was no gun, no hint that it was anything more than a mugging unless, of course, that was the way it was meant to look."

  "It's possible."

  "Or maybe it wasn't about your mom at all; perhaps it was about the park. There were people in the neighborhood who didn't want that park to get built. It cut into their drug territory. There has been gang violence in that area for decades. They could have been waiting for someone to linger behind after the ceremony and then make a statement. You were just the unfor
tunate one."

  "The detective said the same thing to me," Patrick admitted. "He suggested someone wanted to give notice that the park wasn't going to be a safe place to hang out in."

  "Well, hopefully the police will find your attacker."

  "I don't have a lot of hope. I couldn't come up with a great description, but we'll see."

  "So, let's get back to your beautiful rescuer…it's amazing that she would be the one to come to your aid."

  It was amazing but it didn't feel that random to him. From the first second he'd seen Dani in the park, he'd had the strange feeling that she was important in some way. That feeling had intensified when he'd taken her hand and held on way too long.

  "Do you think you'll see her again?" Marcus asked.

  "I'm going to make sure of it."

  Four

  Dani arrived in DC after midnight. She was only able to grab about four hours of sleep before her alarm went off at six on Monday morning. Despite being exhausted from the weekend, she was happy to get back into her usual routine. She put on a sleeveless sheath dress since DC was also experiencing a heat wave and then headed out for coffee and a muffin at her favorite coffeehouse.

  After picking up both, she walked down the street, feeling very much in her element with the other workers on their way to jobs in the nation's Capitol. This was her city. This was her life. She could almost forget about everything that had happened back in Texas—almost.

  Patrick kept coming back into her head. She really hoped he would be all right and that whoever attacked him would be caught and punished. But as far as she was concerned, that was the end of it. She was never going to see him again. So it would be a really good thing if she could stop thinking about him.

  A few minutes later, she entered the Russell Senate Office Building. Senator Dillon's suite of offices was located on the third floor. An intern greeted her from the reception desk. She smiled and said hello, then proceeded down the hall to the legislative center.

  She'd been promoted from a staff assistant to a legislative assistant when she'd come to DC, and while she still had high hopes of having an impact on policy changes, so far she'd spent most of her time doing research and writing policy papers that only a few people read—make that skimmed.