"Sure thing, man. New Orleans will be trouble enough if he makes it that far."
"True. Let me know what you find as soon as you can," C.J. said.
Jonah agreed, and then ended the call.
Tiffany and the animal control officer strode past C.J. as he shoved his phone back into his pocket. The animal control guy carried a big plastic cat carrier and a long stick with a loop on the end. Not wanting to be in the vicinity of the angry cat when the guy attempted to corner it, C.J. headed over to the car to grab a swig of the soft drink he'd bought but never opened.
Lord knew, he needed something to get the taste of death out of his mouth.
*****
Sheriff Blaylock's hot glare burned into Keegan's back as she marched to the door. He was such an ass. How in hell had she ever thought he was attractive? She yanked open the door and ran headlong into a big, angry-looking man sporting a military buzz cut and a bad attitude.
"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" He narrowed his eyes and shoved a gun in her face. "Get back in there."
"What? No. I can't stay." Too startled to think straight, she gaped at him. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Shut. Up." He shoved her toward the partially open door.
She dropped her purse and stumbled backward into the door. "Stop it."
"Keegan?" The whir of a motor told her the sheriff was adjusting the height of the bed. "Are you okay? Why are you--"
"Hello, Sheriff." The man's low growl sliced into Keegan's dumfounded state. He kept his weapon trained on her as he snatched her purse off the floor and bullied his way into the room.
She came out of her stupor and focused on the pistol in his hand. If not for it, she'd lay him out with a roundhouse kick and go for help. As it was, she didn't dare move.
"Who in hell are you?" Blaylock's gaze fell on the gun. He went still. "Get out."
"No fucking way." The guy pressed the pistol to Keegan's neck, shoved her deeper into the room, and closed the door. He tossed her purse onto the chair she'd vacated only minutes ago, and then waved the gun at the sheriff. "Go over there and help him out of bed."
"What?" she croaked, jerking around to glare at him. "Why?"
"Because I said so." He gritted his teeth. "Do it now."
"All right." She lifted both hands and side-walked over to the bed. The railing prevented her from reaching the sheriff, who appeared just as perplexed as she was. She turned and stared at the hospital bed as if she'd never seen one before. "I-I don't know what I'm--"
"Come on, lady. Use your head and lower the damned railing." Keeping the gun trained on her, he pulled a wedge of wood out of his pocket, dropped it onto the floor, and kicked it beneath the door. Now no one could come in, at least not without using brute force.
Her heart pounded. With shaking hands, she gripped the metal bedrail. Took her three tries lower it, but she finally got it to collapse with a sharp clang. She jumped.
"Relax, Keegan, and do what he says," the sheriff murmured. "Even though I can probably get up without your help."
"You might hurt yourself," she blurted, all of her training and composure going out the window as she stared at his stoic face.
"Hurry up," their captor barked. "Pull down the blanket and take out his IV."
"What? No." Trepidation filled her. "I-I'm not a nurse. He's injured, and I might--"
"I don't give a damn. Get busy."
"Shh, Keegan. It's okay. Really." Blaylock gripped the railing on the other side of the bed and pulled himself into a sitting position. With a wince, he swung his legs over the edge of the mattress and just sat there for a moment, breathing hard. He pulled the oxygen monitor off his finger, and then held out his arm so she could reach the IV. "Go ahead. Pull off the tape, and then take out the needle. If you do it fast, it won't be too painful."
"I-I don't think I can do it." Her hands trembled as she removed the paper tape.
"Yes, you can," he rumbled. "I trust you."
"I don't know why."
"Me, either." A weak smile ghosted over his lips. "Now, just grab the needle and pull."
"It's going to hurt no matter how fast I do it."
"It's all right." He clenched his hand around the edge of the sling. "Go ahead."
"Stop talking and just yank the fucker out." The man with the gun edged closer to the bed. "Do it now, or I'll shoot both of you."
"All right. Just please... back off, okay?" Keegan steeled herself, gripped the sheriff's muscular forearm with her free hand, and pulled out the long needle. Blood spurted to the surface. Startled, she gasped.
"Ow." The sheriff growled a curse through gritted teeth.
"He's bleeding." She glanced at their captor. "I-I need a Band-Aid."
"Sorry, but I'm fresh out. Leave it. He'll live."
"It's okay," Blaylock croaked. Sweat beaded on his brow.
Keegan blotted it away with the sheet, and then wiped the blood off his arm as best she could. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, it hurt but I'm okay." He gripped her hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Shut up, both of you. No talking." The gunman focused on the sheriff. "Now... where are your clothes?"
"I don't know." He frowned. "They knocked me out in the ER."
"Check the closet." Keegan wasn't eager to leave the hospital, if that's what the gunman had planned, but she certainly didn't want to anger him. Better to cooperate until she was in a better position to fight back.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "You do it -- and don't you dare try anything, or he'll pay."
"O-okay," she said in a shaky voice. She pulled her hand free and turned toward the gunman. The tiny closet was in the small foyer in front of the door.
The sheriff caught her arm. "Don't challenge him. I mean it."
"I won't." Keegan swallowed and scurried across the room. Sure enough, Blaylock's clothes and boots were in a big white plastic hospital bag inside the closet.
She dragged it out and hauled it over to the bed. The nurses in the ER had cut his bloody shirt and undershirt to shreds, but his dark slacks, while speckled with dried blood, were still intact. She also found his belt and socks, but no underwear, so she decided he must still have them on. The image that sprang to life inside her head made her blush.
"Help him dress," the gunman ordered, oblivious to her discomfort. "Hurry up."
"Why are you doing this?" She fired him a furious glare.
He raised the pistol. "None of your fucking business, lady. Get his damned clothes on."
"Come on, Keegan. Do what he says." The sheriff picked up his pants and indicated his injured shoulder. "As much as I hate it, I do need your help. My left arm is useless."
"Fine." She pressed her lips together and took the pants from him.
She got them over his feet okay, and then he stopped her. "Let me stand up."
"Sure." She nodded and backed away.
"Don't go too far. I'm kind of shaky." He lifted one corner of his mouth. "You'll have to pull up my pants while I hold on to the bed."
"Should I grab them now?"
"Yeah. I don't want to trip and fall on my face."
"Hang on." Heat suffused Keegan's face as she dropped to her haunches in front of him and grabbed the waistband of his dark slacks. Talk about a compromising position...
She did her best to keep her eyes averted from his hard body, but couldn't help but take in how masculine he was. Not even the tacky hospital gown could camouflage his sinewy muscles, and his hair-flecked thighs were no exception. She held her breath while he slowly got to his feet. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Just weak." He peered down at her. "Okay. Go ahead and pull 'em up."
"You two sure are gettin' awful chummy," their captor snapped. "Get a move on."
"We're trying." Keegan glared at him. "Be quiet and give us time."
"Keegan--" The sheriff sent her a warning look.
The gunman laughed. "You're a feisty little heifer, aren't you? Get his damned pants o
n."
"I'm working on it. I'd move faster if you'd back off." Anger vibrated through her bones as she jerked the pants over the sheriff's solid thighs and firm buttocks, careful to keep the hospital gown in place so she wouldn't get an eyeful. Thank goodness he still had it on, or she just might pass out.
Then without warning, he pulled up the gown. "Will you fasten the pants, too?"
"Seriously?" Surprised by his audacious move, she peeked down at the bulge he'd just revealed. Holy cow. He wasn't hard, but he definitely had a package no girl would turn down. Somehow, she had to get his zipper up without pinching anything vital. A groan spilled from her lips. "Sheriff, I-I don't know about this. What if I--"
"Call me Rick."
"Huh?" She looked up at him in surprise.
He met her eyes. "We're in a pretty awkward position, so shouldn't we at least be on a first name basis? You've already asked me to call you Keegan."
"Yes, but I really haven't--"
"Come on, damn it," the gunman said with a growl. "Shove his dick in his pants and zip 'em up. I ain't got all fucking day."
"Listen, you jackass--" Keegan rounded on him.
Rick caught her arm. "No, Keegan. Just do what he says. Please."
"Fine." Her heart stutter-stepped as she turned back to face him. She took a deep breath, then gripped his waistband with both hands and jerked the sides of his zipper together. Even though she fastened the button easily enough, she still couldn't zip the pants. The bulge in his briefs was in the way. Her face burned, and she couldn't meet his eyes. "I-I can't... you're just so damn... Will you please just... adjust yourself so I can pull up the zipper?"
"Okay." With an embarrassed chuckle, he let go of the bed and attempted to tuck the bulge inside his pants with one hand, but even though it worked temporarily, he couldn't pull up the zipper at the same time. He touched her arm. "Sorry. I can't. You're gonna have to do it."
"I don't believe this," she murmured with another heartfelt groan. A streak of fire slid though her as she used both hands to simultaneously push the growing bulge inside his slacks and yank up the zipper. His heat seared her, and the loud rasp echoed inside the room.
Just as she got the zipper closed, someone bumped into the door.
"Sheriff Blaylock?" a woman called out. She pushed on the door again, then shook the doorknob. It didn't budge. "Sheriff, what's going on in there? This is Beverly, your nurse. I can't get in. Please... if you can get up, open the door."
"Tell her to go away." The gunman's face flushed bright red.
"Open up, Sheriff!" a man shouted as he rattled the door. "You okay?"
"No, Deputy, nine-one-one!" the sheriff yelled, grabbing Keegan's arm and dragging her behind him. "A white male with a gun is holding Keegan Riley and me hostage. We need help!"
"You stupid son of a bitch." Their captor snarled and raised his pistol. "You just made a huge mistake."
Chapter Seven
"Hey, you!" Keegan grabbed the sheriff's belt out of the plastic sack and slung it across the room at the gunman. The metal buckle caught him under his left eye. Blood spurted.
He shouted a vicious curse, dropped the gun, and grabbed his bleeding cheek.
"Hang on, Sheriff!" The deputy rammed the door. Wood splintered.
"Get the gun, Keegan," Rick yelled. "Just like you did yesterday. Hurry!"
She hit the floor and scrambled after the spinning pistol. Before she could grab it, the door burst open and the deputy stumbled inside, his weapon at the ready.
"Freeze!" He leveled the pistol at the gunman. "Lemme see your hands!"
"Hell, no." His bloody face defiant, the man gritted his teeth, ran across the room, and dived through the window. He disappeared outside amid a glittering shower of shattered glass. Warm, humid air funneled into the room.
"Jesus." The deputy ran over and peered out into the parking lot, but didn't fire. "The bastard's gone. Must've landed in the bushes, and then high-tailed it. Who in hell was he?"
"I don't have any idea." Rick swayed on his feet and grabbed the edge of the bed. His face paled. "He burst in just as Keegan was leaving and... and held us at gunpoint. If she hadn't--"
"Are you okay, Rick?" Keegan leapt to her feet and raced over to him. He looked as if he were about to fall over.
He met her gaze. "Yeah. Except... I'm getting really tired, and my shoulder's on fire."
"You need to sit down." She grabbed his arm and urged him to turn around so he could lower himself onto the edge of the bed. He grimaced as he did so, and her heart flip-flopped. "Take it easy. That's it."
"Thanks." He winced again and eyed the broken window. "I don't want to get too comfortable, because I'll have to move to another room. Those clouds look ominous."
"Yeah, we're due for some storms." The deputy holstered his gun, keyed up his radio, and asked dispatch to send CSU and a detective to their location. Once he was done, he focused on the sheriff. "That should help move things along."
"Thanks, Deputy. I... damn, it hurts." Rick drew in a shaky breath and pressed his good hand to his injured shoulder. He turned back to face the concerned young lawman. "Where's the nurse? I heard her out in the hall right before you burst in."
"I sent her to the nurse's station so she wouldn't get hurt."
"I'm glad you did, but she needs to check you out." Eager to help, Keegan scurried around the bed and pressed the call button. "I'll ask her to come back."
"Hey, Joe." Rick motioned for the deputy to step closer to the bed. "If you hadn't been here, I'm not sure what would've happened. Why are you here?"
"Guess you haven't talked to Jonah yet." The young deputy frowned. "Once they located the shooter's nest, they sent me to keep an eye on you in case the guy found out you survived and came back to finish the job. I didn't expect the son of a bitch to already be inside."
"He forced Keegan back in here the second she opened the door to leave. I couldn't do a damned thing, because I'm weak as a kitten right now."
"You shoved me behind you when he was about to shoot." Keegan strode back around the bed. "That's something."
"You didn't stay there."
"No, I went for your belt instead." Her heart still pounding, she eyed the leather contraption curled on the floor like a snake, ready to strike. "If I hadn't--"
"You and I would both be dead." A sheepish look crossed his handsome face." That's twice you've saved my life in as many days."
"Exactly." She crossed her arms. "So do you still believe I paid that jerk to shoot you?"
"No."
"Good, because I didn't."
"Oh, my goodness." The nurse hurried in and gaped in dismay at the damaged door and broken window. "What in heaven's name happened in here?"
"It's a long story, Beverly," Rick said. "Let's just say a visitor who's no longer here committed a crime. I need you to move me to another room so the Crime Scene Unit can get to work in here as soon as they arrive."
"Certainly." She scowled at the IV line dangling off the side of the bed. "We need to get you hooked back up as soon as possible, too."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," he croaked, wincing as he massaged on his wounded shoulder again. "I could really use a jolt of that morphine about now."
"You need to get back into bed, but if you're okay right there we can wait until we move you." She eyed the destruction again. "I'll arrange to switch you to another room, then call transportation to help you get settled. Don't know if you'll still be on this hall, but I'll make sure you get the proper medication as soon as possible."
"Thank you." Rick blew out a sigh. "I also need to speak with your head of security and the person responsible for calculating the damage to this room."
"That can wait until we get you all fixed up."
"She's right." Keegan edged closer. "Let them move you and get you hooked up to the IV again. You'll feel more like talking."
"Sheriff?" The deputy pointed toward the door. "I'll be in the hall waiting on CSU."
"I ap
preciate it, Joe." He bobbed his head.
"I'll be back in a few minutes." The nurse followed Joe out into the hall.
Keegan picked up her purse and sank onto the chair she'd claimed when she'd first entered the room. Felt like hours ago now, but only about thirty minutes or so had passed.
Rick stared at her. "Thank you for saving my life. Again."
"I didn't do it just for you," she said, the realization shaming her. "I didn't want to die, either. If he'd ever pulled that trigger..."
"I know."
"Do you have any idea who he is?"
"No." He scowled. "We'll get CSU in here to scour the place, but I don't know if we'll find any answers. I never saw him touch anything."
"What about the gun?" She pointed beneath her chair. "It's still in here."
"Oh, yeah." A weary grin took up residence on Rick's face, but faded when he bent his head to peer at the lone weapon. "Damn. It's got a textured grip."
"Sheriff?" Joe poked his head back in the door. "CSU is here."
"Tell 'em to wait out there until they move me, then they can get to work."
"No problem, sir." He disappeared.
Keegan rose. "I should go."
"I know you need to get to the courthouse, but you might want to give your statement first." He met her eyes. "Unless, of course, you'd prefer to go down to the station."
"No." She hugged her purse. "I just really don't have a lot of time."
"You can be first in line."
"Well..." She stared at him, and his weary grin undid her. Why did he make her want to tell the truth when she should run the other way? She slumped her shoulders in defeat. "Damn it, Rick. I lied to you. I don't really have to go right now."
"What do you mean?" His grin disappeared, and he drew his brows together.
She gnawed her lip. "Court doesn't reconvene until tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. I only told you I had to be there tonight because I wanted to get out of here."
"So you could avoid my questions. Again."
"Yes." She swallowed. "I-I'm sorry. It's just that... you make me nervous."
Keller County Cops Book Seven: Code of Vengeance Page 13
