The dying wail of a siren announced the arrival of the ambulance.
A dog howled from somewhere deep within the house.
“Barkley,” Grace said. “I forgot all about him. He’s locked in the master bedroom.”
Two EMTs entered the house wearing trauma–jump bag backpacks. Evan gave a silent signal to let them know they could take care of the victim but couldn’t move anything.
Lieutenant Johnson entered the house right behind the medics. He met Evan’s eyes and gave a slight shake of his head. Suspect not apprehended.
Pulling Grace away from Chloe, Evan whispered, “Give them room to work.” He turned her to face him and jerked his head toward the hall. The sound of Chloe’s dog’s whimpering grew louder. “Why don’t you go check on Barkley?”
“But...” She looked from him to Chloe and back again, the internal struggle etched on her face.
“Go. You’re the vet. Make sure Barkley is okay.” He smiled. Encouraging her to trust him. “I’ll stay here. Chloe won’t leave my sight.”
The medics spoke in low tones behind them. Checking vitals. Making decisions.
Grace nodded, a wisp of blond hair falling in her face. His hand froze in midair. Another muscle memory. He let his hand drop to his side. He didn’t have the right to brush hair out of her face. And hadn’t in fifteen years, not since the day of high school graduation when she’d decided Evan and Blackberry Falls weren’t enough for her. “Go on. I’ll let you know when they’re ready to transport her.”
Grace wiped away a tear, offered him a shaky smile of thanks and then turned and went down the hall.
As soon as she was out of range, he snapped more photos with his cell phone and bagged the ski mask. Rage reverberated through him when he saw the image screen-printed on the fleece mask. Being attacked was brutal. Being attacked by someone looking like a black bear seemed extra cruel.
He nodded to the stocky, bald medic. Patterson, according to his name badge. “How bad is she?”
“Critical.”
“Please, save her.”
“That’s always our goal, man.” Patterson inclined his head toward the outdoors. “How well do you know this area? I need a place for my medical transport pilot to land.”
“There’s a hay field, past the barn, about a hundred and fifty feet behind the house.”
“That’ll work.”
“Two officers are arriving on scene now. I’ll have them park where their headlights illuminate the area.”
Evan radioed his officers as the EMTs worked to stabilize Chloe. Then he pulled Johnson aside.
“Where’d the guy go?”
“I’m not sure, boss. I chased him through the woods and across the creek that borders the Hamilton Thoroughbred Ranch before I lost him. He took off in an old black truck.”
“I can’t imagine the Hamiltons allowing just anyone to park on their property. You think he works for them?”
“I don’t know, but he knew the terrain, giving him an advantage over me.”
“Did you go up to the main house and talk to Ben?”
“I did. It took several minutes to get someone to the door. Ben said he and Mrs. Hamilton were watching a movie in the basement, so he hadn’t heard any vehicles leaving the property.”
“Surely you described the truck to him. Did he have any idea who it could belong to?”
His lieutenant shook his head. “He said, and I quote, ‘If I spent all my time trying to keep track of my employees’ vehicles, I wouldn’t have time to run my ranch.’”
Evan bit back a retort as Grace walked toward him. A massive fawn-colored Great Dane trailed behind her, the top of his head almost reaching her shoulder. The animal easily outweighed her by seventy pounds or more. It was a sight to behold.
“This must be Barkley,” Evan said.
The medic who was kneeling beside Chloe moved, and before anyone could stop the dog, he walked over to his mistress and put his nose to her chest. Grace whistled, and the animal ambled back to her side.
“I couldn’t keep him contained any longer. He needed to see her.” She shrugged. “So did I.”
“It’s okay,” Evan replied. “I was about to come get you. They’re getting ready to transport her to Denver Memorial.”
“Denver? That’s over two hours away.” She didn’t take her eyes off the medical team as they secured Chloe to a stretcher, an IV already pushing vital fluids through her veins. “Wouldn’t County be closer?”
“Denver Memorial is one of the best trauma hospitals in the state.” The house rumbled as the air ambulance helicopter flew overhead.
“I want to go with her. Make them take me with her.” She clutched his arm, her voice pleading.
Evan shook his head. His chest tightened at the pain in her eyes. “Gracie, they don’t have enough room to take passengers. Besides, we’ve got to take care of Barkley before we leave.”
“But...”
“I’ll get you to Denver. Fast. You’ll be the first person to see her after the doctors have run all their tests.”
“What if he gets to her first?” Her shoulders slumped.
Unable to resist, he pulled her into a tight embrace. He would regret it later. But she was hurting, and for now, he was the only one she had to lean on. “He won’t. I promise.”
“How can you promise that?” She spoke into his chest. “Denver is outside your jurisdiction.”
Evan pulled back and looked down at her. He didn’t care what it took. Even if he had to pay for a private security guard himself, he would not let her down. “I promise. She will have a guard twenty-four seven until her attacker has been caught.” And so will you.
Copyright © 2020 by Rhonda L. Starnes
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ISBN-13: 9781488061257
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