“Do you remember what happened?”
“Just that I was clearing the building. I turned to leave when something conked me over the head.”
“I saw a beam lying beside you,” Luke acknowledged. “I think it hit one of the temporary office walls, blunting the impact.”
“Good thing,” Amelia said. “Full impact definitely would’ve cracked your skull like an egg shell. Do you know how the fire started?”
Logan and Luke exchanged a glance. Logan spoke. “Someone flew a drone over the top of the building and basically firebombed the roof.”
“A drone? Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was,” Logan said.
“I don’t suppose we were able to retrieve it?” Dan asked.
Luke shook his head, confirming Dan’s statement.
“Wait a minute,” Kait said, as if just realizing something. “If it was a drone, that means the fire was intentional.” Her panicked gaze flew to Dan and she reached for his hand. “How can that be? Ralph Priddy is dead.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Kaitlyn was coming to the same conclusion Dan had right after the fire broke out. At the time, he didn’t have time to analyze the ramifications, but there was no denying it now. “Priddy wasn’t working alone.”
“Oh, God.”
She looked so rattled he squeezed her hand harder. His head was pounding and he really wanted to lapse back into unconsciousness, but she needed him. His brother or hers could take care of her but it was his job and he wasn’t giving it up. Besides, he was serious when he told Amelia it wasn’t as bad as the last time. His head hurt, but it wasn’t the same debilitating pain as before.
“Hurley’s already checking out connections Priddy might’ve had,” Logan told them. “We’ve got Pete and Tyler on it, too. They’ll uncover any link.”
“How can there be two people who want me dead?”
Kait sounded so despondent. Rachel hurried over and hugged her.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to go home and shower.” Logan looked at Amelia. “Is he free to go?” There was worry in his brother’s voice.
Amelia narrowed her gaze at him. “I wanted to keep him overnight for observation, but Kaitlyn offered to wake him every few hours.”
Logan’s brows raised as he gazed at Kaitlyn. She smiled shyly and blushed prettily. “I can watch over him. He lives with me.”
“Oh, well, I thought I’d take him back to the cast house,” she stammered.
“That’s probably a good idea,” Jade chimed in before her husband could speak. “Bella will be all over him and he doesn’t look like he’s up to her rambunctiousness.”
“But—”
Jade tugged her husband’s arm to silence him. Now it was Luke’s turn to narrow his gaze at Dan. What? Like he could do anything, even if he wanted to? His gaze drifted to her and oh yes, he definitely wanted.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to go back to the house?” Rachel asked.
“Probably the best place,” Dan said. “It’s secure and Mason’s there to handle any problems.”
“Let’s get these release papers inked so you can all be on your way…not that I’m hurrying you all along or anything.” Amelia signed a few forms and then handed the pen to Kait.
#
Kaitlyn couldn’t believe Ralph Priddy wasn’t working alone. If that were the case, then there was still someone out there who wanted her dead.
She’d worry about that later. Right now, her focus was on Dan. She knew his head hurt but he was trying to cover it. He couldn’t hide the pain in his eyes.
She hugged goodbye to Rachel and Ben and promised to call if she needed anything. Luke wrapped her in his arms.
“Thank you.”
He understood she was thanking him for saving Dan’s life and he squeezed her harder. When he pulled back, he asked, “You sure you know what you’re doing? He’s broken your heart before.”
Yes, he had, but she’d broken his, too. She didn’t know what the future held for them but she knew she wanted one with him. “I’m sure.”
“I’ll drive you to the house.”
“Do you know what happened to Ronald and the other contestants?”
“Mason and Abby took them back. Dante went along to make sure everything is secure.”
“Good.” She felt bad about leaving Ronald without telling him where she was going. Hopefully he figured it out and didn’t worry.
They stood to the side as Bimbo Nurse Barbie tried to force Dan into a wheelchair.
“It’s procedure,” she whined.
“Don’t care. I’ll walk. Besides, I need to stop by Alex’s room first.”
“We’ll all do that,” Luke agreed.
“Follow me,” Amelia said. “I want to check on him anyway.”
They navigated the halls, pausing every so often so Amelia could answer a question or sign a form a nurse handed her. They finally made it to Alex’s room. He was sitting up in the bed and as soon as he saw them, he ripped off the oxygen mask and tried to stand.
#
Alex couldn’t take it any longer. He had to get out of here. The walls were closing in on him. He was a fast healer. His lungs were fine. He could even take a deep breath. He did so and promptly coughed into the mask covering his face.
“Dammit,” he grumbled. How important were deep breaths anyway? He felt like he hadn’t taken one since Olivia Larrson left a few months ago. He was still alive, ergo, not that important.
The door opened and the cavalry arrived. He ripped off the mask. “About time,” he grumbled.
“Hey, stop that,” Dr. Howell chided. “You’re making the blood pressure machine go crazy.”
“I need out of here. Please guys, I can’t spend the night. Help me.” He tugged at the IV attached to his arm. “Dan?”
“Oh man, I’m sorry.”
Amelia swatted his hand as he tried to pull the needle out. She withdrew a roll of tape and refastened it. “Do I need to have you restrained?”
“Giving you trouble is he, Doc?” His best friend Dorian strode into the room. Saved! Demon would spring him loose. Kendall rushed to Alex’s bedside and hugged him. “I’m so sorry.”
He hugged her with the one arm not attached to machines and gadgets. “I’ll forgive you…if you get me out of here. Please Demon, I can’t stay another night in a hospital,” he implored.
Dorian turned to Amelia. “Is it really necessary? I’m warning you, he has a habit of checking himself out anyway.”
Alex pointed at Dorian. “That’s right.” He nodded. “I do that.”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Lord save me from alpha males. You’re not superhuman, you know.”
Alex wasn’t paying attention. He was already ripping off the blood pressure cuff. “At least let me do it,” Amelia chided. She slipped on gloves and unwound the tape securing the stent on his hand. She covered the hole with a cotton ball and taped it in place. “I’m not just letting you out. I need someone to take responsibility for you.”
“We can do it,” Dorian and Kendall offered simultaneously. They smiled at each other and made googly eyes. Alex wanted to barf. He was happy for his buddy, truly, but come-on. Now wasn’t the time to fawn all over your girlfriend. It was time to bust a move.
“Actually, I’m taking Dan back to the cast house. I can watch over Alex, too,” Kaitlyn offered. “They can convalesce together.”
“That’s a lot on your plate, Kait,” Amelia chuckled. “One is bad enough, but two?” She shook her head. “You’re a braver soul than I.”
Alex glanced at Dan. “Should we be offended?”
“Nah,” Dan said. “That’s just physician-speak for she loves us, right, Doc?”
Amelia firmed her lips, trying to fight a smile. She was beautiful in the classic sense. Tall, blonde with blue eyes, smart. But there was only one blue-eyed blonde that Alex wanted and she was the one he couldn’t have.
#
Dan was getting
restless. As Kait signed her name to one last form to spring Alex, he asked, “So we’re both out, right?”
“Against my better judgement, yes.” Amelia clicked her pen closed and slid it into a pocket on her jacket.
“Hooyah,” Logan said. Dorian repeated it and they bumped knuckles. He rolled his eyes. SEALs.
“Let’s go.” He turned for the door.
“Not so fast.”
Amelia stopped him in his tracks. He slowly turned around and flashed his most charming smile. “Yes?”
“I’m letting you go, but you’re leaving my way.” She brushed past him and motioned outside. Someone handed her two small white bags. “These are your prescriptions. Take them. I don’t care that you are both too manly for pills or whatever. You need to rest and heal.” Then she held the door open as two wheelchairs were rolled inside.
“No flipping way.”
“Forgettaboutit,” Alex said.
“Both of you, sit your asses down so we can get out of here,” Logan grumbled.
Dan mumbled under his breath but he obeyed Logan’s order. Alex did, too. He knew who signed the paychecks. The rest of the group fell into step behind them as they rolled down the hallway. The nurse piloting his chair stopped abruptly as they pushed through the doors, causing a chain reaction of people bumping into each other. Dan’s mouth gaped open. The lobby was packed with COBRA Securities employees and their families, each one lining up to greet him and Alex. Apparently everyone not on assignment was here. His secretary Janet and her husband hurried forward and she enveloped him in a warm hug. Peter and April Dennis were there, along with Tyler Redmond, Jake Kincaid and his wife Violet, Maggie and Carter McQueen, Maggie’s two brothers, as well as the big Aussie, Wyatt Hollister. Several of the assistants and secretaries were waiting with their families. Even Sawyer Oldham was in attendance, even though the former FBI man wasn’t cleared for active duty yet. Dan narrowed his eyes. He liked the guy, respected him even, but he’d been a little too friendly with Kaitlyn once and Dan was like an elephant…he didn’t forget.
“It was just a bump on the head, people,” he called out. Jokes were made about his tough noggin. They surrounded his and Alex’s wheelchairs, expressing concern and worry.
Kai Costa ran up to him. “Dan.”
“Hey, Little C, what are you doing here?” He scanned the room. “I thought your dad was taking care of things at the cast house.”
“He is.” He pointed behind him with this thumb. “I made Maggie and Thunder bring me,” he said, using the nickname Maggie’s husband earned in Delta Force. “Are you okay?”
The concern on Kai’s face zinged his heart. “Hey, takes more than a whack on the old melon to take me down.”
“Whack on the melon, that’s a good one,” he sniggered. “I’ve got one for you. Knock, knock.”
Dan smiled. Kai was such a sweet kid. “I’m not sad, buddy. You don’t need to tell jokes.”
“I know, but this one’s appropriate for the circumstances.”
“Those are some big words. Are you sure you’re only eight?”
Kai narrowed his eyes. “Nine. Knock, knock, darn it.”
Dan laughed. “Who’s there.”
“Needle.”
Now it was Dan’s turn to narrow his eyes. “Needle jokes aren’t funny, kid, especially in a hospital.”
“This one is.” Kai rolled his hand for Dan to continue with his part of the joke.
Dan sighed. “Fine. Needle who?”
“Needle little money for the candy machine.” Kai doubled over in laughter, his hand slapping his knee.
Maggie walked over and hugged Dan. “The needle joke?”
He chuckled. “Yeah.”
“He practiced that on the car ride over. Kid cracks himself up.”
He laughed and glanced to see Kai now telling the joke to Alex.
An electric wheelchair zipped up beside him. “My ride’s a little nicer than yours,” BeBe Davis said, making her chair lurch left then right. BeBe, or Bethany Beulah, was the new COBRA Securities office manager. Maggie hired and trained her and the girl was, pun intended, hell on wheels. Dan adored her, as did everyone in the office.
She’d been hit when training on her bike for the Olympics. The car that struck her never stopped. She’d broken her C5 vertebrae, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. She admitted to dark days after the accident where she seriously considered suicide. She’d pulled herself up, finished school to earn her degree and she was COBRA Securities latest hire. Dante was training her so she could achieve her goal and compete in the Olympics—the para version.
Kai returned and begged a ride on Dan’s lap. He couldn’t deny the kid anything, even if the painkillers were wearing off and his head was starting to throb. Once Kai was settled—and giving the nurse orders to, quote, “blow this popsicle stand”—they finally made their way to the parking lot. Luke jogged off to get his SUV while the others said their goodbyes.
He stood and had to force his body not to sway. Maybe that hit had been a little harder than he thought.
“You sure you’re okay?” Logan asked, his eagle eye missing nothing.
“I’m fine and Logan—thank you for you know, saving my life.”
Logan pulled him into a hug. “Anytime baby brother.” He pulled back and Jade took his place, giving him a big hug. “Call if you need anything,” she said.
Kendall walked over to them. “Jade, I’m calling an emergency meeting at the house tonight. You don’t have to be there if you need to rest.”
“I’m fine. We’ll meet you there?” She looked at Logan for confirmation and he nodded.
“See you soon.”
#
Kaitlyn was exhausted. The day had been one of the longest of her life. Thank goodness Dan and Alex were okay. And Luke and Logan. It could’ve been so much worse than a mild concussion and smoke inhalation.
She’d texted François to let him know what happened and to not come to the studio today. He was worried for her and frankly, she was, too. Luke was just driving up when Kendall approached her.
“I’m calling an emergency meeting tonight at the cast house.”
“Is everything okay?”
Kendall sighed. “I’m afraid the fire might’ve been the last straw with the network.”
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Kendall.” She wasn’t surprised. Who would want to be associated with a show that already had four fatalities, including one of the canine variety, and a destroyed set?
Kendall waved her apology away. “It wasn’t your fault. The show has been snake bit from the beginning. I guess that’s what I get for naming it Killer Cuisine, huh?” She laughed but it wasn’t a happy sound. “Who knew the name would be so prophetic?”
“If it’s any consolation, you did an amazing job. You’re a born leader. I have a feeling TKO Productions will be in huge demand.”
Kendall shrugged off the praise. “I did my best. The network almost pulled the plug after Shandee’s death but I convinced them to give us one more shot. I didn’t count on the perp being so diabolical. I mean, a drone? What the hell?”
“That does take diabolical to a whole new level,” Kait agreed.
Kendall grasped Kait’s hands. “I know you were counting on this show, and frankly, I was, too. But Kait, the network honchos loved your tape. You come across so natural and likable. I have no doubt you would’ve won if this hadn’t happened. If a cooking show is something you’d like to pursue, I’d be willing to go to bat for you with the network.”
Kait gasped. She figured the only hope she would have would be winning the competition. “I don’t know what to say. That’s exactly what I want.”
Kendall hugged her. “Let me see what I can do. I can’t make any promises. I’m pretty much numero uno persona non grata at the moment. Three people, one canine and a studio set all died on my watch.”
“I totally understand and I don’t expect anything, really. I honestly didn’t think I’d win so even hav
ing the opportunity has been a dream come true.”
“The network needs a show about healthy cooking. I plan to make them realize that.”
Kait smiled. “Would you produce it?”
“If you want me to, and,” she laughed, “if the network doesn’t cut all ties with me.” She shrugged. “Could happen.”
Kait said a quick goodbye with plans to meet later and then hurried forward to help Dan into the SUV before Bimbo Nurse Barbie could do the job. She opened the back passenger door and he climbed inside. Once he was belted securely, she closed him in and then made sure Alex was seated in the front. She took her job as responsible adult seriously. As soon as he fastened his belt, she jogged around the hood to slide in behind Luke.
“Kendall called a meeting tonight?” Dan asked.
Kait sighed. “Yeah, this will probably be the last night at the cast house. She’s pretty sure the network is cancelling the show.”
“Not totally unexpected,” Luke murmured. “But I’m so damn sorry, Kait.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Alex echoed.
Dan reached over and grasped her hand. “Me, too.” She smiled sadly at him.
“Thank you…all of you. I’m disappointed but I’m more upset for Kendall. She worked really hard to pull this off.”
“She did a hell of a job,” Dan said. “I’ve never seen anyone so organized.”
Luke flipped on the blinker and turned down the road leading to the house. As soon as he pulled up to the door, Kait jumped out and ran around to help Dan out, then Alex. They both grumbled at her but she didn’t care. “I’m going to park and then I’ll be back to listen to what Kendall has to say,” Luke told her.
As soon as they entered, Ronald came running. “Oh Kaitlyn, I’ve been so worried.”
She hugged him. “I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you I was going to the hospital.”
“I figured as much. Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, thank goodness.”
“Did you hear about the meeting?” At her nod of confirmation, he added, “It isn’t good, is it?” She shook her head.
He inhaled and his shoulders slumped on the exhale. “I’m not surprised. Disappointed, though.”
Killer Cuisine Page 22
