He waited a moment. Two. The hospital’s backup generator didn’t kick in. Probably because the explosion had taken it out. There was no way this was a coincidence. Grenade Man was back and either desperate or determined enough to make an attack on the hospital. Who was this guy?
He pulled out his cell and shot off a text to Austin and Deputy Kyle Hendricks. Both were in this hospital somewhere—Austin with Vivian, Kyle with Vernon—and Reed had to be sure they reacted accordingly. He also sent a text to his dispatch operator, asking for backup, before pocketing his phone.
Behind him, Emma’s breathing was rapid and shaky. She was whispering something. A prayer.
“Emma, listen to me, I’m taking you and Lily out of here.” He reached behind him with his free hand and squeezed her arm. “Follow closely behind me, keeping your hand on my shirt and Lily in between us. You got that?”
“But what about Vivian?” Her voice rose an octave. “She’s—”
“Austin will get her to safety. Don’t worry about Vivian right now. Your job is to stay safe for Lily.”
“Got it.” The words were followed by another quick prayer. It touched him to hear her whisper his name. He found himself sending up a prayer of his own.
Lord, please, help me protect this woman and her young child. I care about them. I don’t want them hurt.
He did care about them. More than he wanted to admit. Yet, those emotions were also dangerous. If he didn’t give the case everything he had, mistakes would be made. People could be killed.
His job was to protect Emma and Lily. He had every intention of doing just that.
Behind him, Emma’s breathing slowed slightly as she shored up her courage. Reed let go of her arm and eased forward. He reached for the door handle. It was cool to the touch. He swung it open, leading with his weapon.
The hall was in a state of pandemonium. Doctors and nurses scrambled while machines in various rooms beeped and a cacophony of voices came from patients and family members. Emergency lights glowed from the ceiling. The coverage was spotty and created long shadows big enough to hide an elephant in.
Reed didn’t like this. He didn’t like it at all. Leaving the room exposed them but staying was worse. Without knowing how many hitmen were on the killer’s payroll, Reed couldn’t be sure of their plan. No, it was better to get Emma and Lily to a secure location.
He scanned the hallway, but no one was focused on them. Reed lowered his gun slightly—no sense in terrifying people more than they already were—and moved toward the stairway at the end of the hall. It was the farthest away, but his vehicle was parked in the garage right next to it, making for a quicker escape.
Emma did as he asked. She was close enough he could feel Lily’s small body pressed against his back.
Faint pops echoed from somewhere in the building. Reed paused.
“Are those gunshots?” Emma breathed out.
“Yes.” Vernon was on the floor above him. Either he was making an escape attempt or he was being rescued.
Lord, if you’re listening, please also watch over my men. Help them do their jobs and give us the strength and courage to protect the innocent civilians depending on us.
Reed stopped a nurse passing by them, pointing to his sheriff’s badge. “Grab your staff and initiate the protocol for a shooter in the building.”
Her eyes widened for a moment and then she rushed to a nearby doctor. Reed stayed underneath an emergency light so he was visible. The doctor glanced at him, took in his badge and the gun in his hand, before quickly picking up a nearby phone.
An emergency code sounded over the PA system, alerting the rest of the hospital. The flurry of activity increased as staff started gathering patients and family members into rooms. Protocol was to lock them in.
More faint pops sounded. He needed to get Emma out of here. Now.
“Come on.” He quickened his steps toward the staircase. The door swung into the cavernous space. Empty. Reed tried to keep his footsteps soft, but the sound echoed off the concrete floor and walls. Five floors. That’s how far they had to go to access the parking lot.
He activated the light on his weapon. “Stay close.”
Emma gave a sharp nod. Her jaw was tight with fear, but her eyes reflected determination. Lily, thankfully, stayed sleeping against her mother’s shoulder. Reed steadied his breath and locked down his worry about them. It wouldn’t serve him. He moved as quickly as he could without tripping Emma. One floor down.
Faster. Faster.
The urgency in his gut was matched only by Emma’s breathing. Another floor down.
Below them, a door opened. Reed froze.
Emma’s heart leaped as the door slammed shut in the stairwell below them. Reed’s back went rigid before immediately relaxing. Not because the threat had passed. No, because danger was coming straight for them, and he wanted to be ready.
As if echoing her thoughts, Reed maneuvered her and Lily between him and the wall. The cool banister bit into her back. Reed’s wide shoulders cut off her view. The light from his gun allowed her only the faintest glimpse of his shirt.
He wasn’t wearing a vest.
The thought sliced through her. Panic threatened to well up and choke her. Only moments ago she’d nearly kissed this man. Now they were under attack. Reed might die protecting her and her daughter. She’d already lost her husband. Would she lose another man she was growing to care about? It seemed impossible but Emma tightened her hold on Reed’s shirt. The fabric cut into her fingers.
Please, Lord, keep us safe.
Silence echoed in the stairwell. The only sound was Emma’s heartbeat pounding in her ears. Where was the person who’d entered the stairwell? With every ticking moment, the intensity of their situation pulled her muscles tighter. Maybe it was another patient? Or
