“We got them boss.” Stephanie answered.
“Good work.” I breathed a sigh of relief. I walked outside to check on Logan. Paramedics were arriving.
“You okay?” I asked him.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said as he did a self-assessment.
“You know your head is bleeding.” I informed him.
Logan reached up to check. “Must have cut it on some glass.”
“Probably when you jumped out the window.” I said, stating the obvious.
“Yeah that was probably it.” He laughed.
I walked him over to let a paramedic look him over. The hard part was over now. All that was left was the paperwork. Lt. Bradford walked over and clapped me on the back.
“Congratulations Agent Craddock.”
“Thank you for all your help.” We shook hands and parted ways.
I walked over to Stephanie and Jared. “You guys did great work, congratulations on saving her life.” I nodded in the direction of the ambulance where the teacher was being prepped for transport to the hospital.
“Thank you.” They each said.
“Whose going with her to the hospital?” I asked looking at the pair of them.
“I am.” Stephanie answered.
“Okay, good.”
Stephanie smiled and took the keys from Jared to the SUV to follow the ambulance to the hospital.
“Guess I’m riding with you.” Jared shrugged.
“Come on, there is plenty of room.”
“Shotgun!” Jared laughed.
“You go ahead.” I said to Logan. “I’ll wait for the forensic unit so come get me later.”
He nodded and pulled away from the curb. I pulled a pair of latex gloves from my pocket and headed back in the house to look around until the team got there.
Chapter Eleven
Kay
I worked the next couple of days to the point of exhaustion. I had a trip that would take me out of town for a few days and I needed to focus on convincing Bethesda Naval Hospital that my idea for an implant was a viable one. This trip was also going to allow me to see my grandfather. It had been far too long since I had seen him, and it was a rarity that we would both be in town at the same time. I was looking forward to having dinner with him.
This was one time I was going to take advantage of my position and use my driver, car and the company plane. I was packed and ready to go. Sherry made sure of that.
“Now I put your laptop and an extra charger in your bag. I know how you always lose them.” She said handing me my messenger bag. I refused to adhere to the normal conventions of the business world. I didn’t wear skirts or pumps on a regular basis. I didn’t carry a fancy leather briefcase. Anyone who didn’t like could it take their business elsewhere. honesty than how much my suit cost.
I was wearing loafers, pinstriped slacks and a white blouse. I was more Katheryn Hepburn than Audrey Hepburn. Plus, I wasn’t fond of showing off the scar on my leg. I was happy to have my leg, but it was a hideous scar and I didn’t want the pity looks from people or the questions that would be inevitable.
“Sherry, I wish I could take you with me.”
Sherry smiled.
“Then who would send you a replacement cable?”
“True enough, is there anything I can bring back for you? Anything you want from Maryland or Virginia?”
“A tall, handsome, rich man with a kind heart?” She asked.
“Girl, if I knew where to get one of those, we’d both have one.” I laughed.
Sherry laughed too and hugged me. “You be careful in the big city.”
“Sherry, Gates Point is a big city too.”
“I know, but not like DC.”
“No, not like DC.” I agreed quietly. I grabbed the handle of my rolling suitcase and headed for the elevator.
“Ms. Dandridge.”
Eddie my driver was waiting for me when I got off the elevator and took my suitcase.
“Hi Eddie, you are going with me to DC?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You ever been here before?”
“Many times.”
“Okay, good. You’ll know more about how to get around than I will.”
“Yes ma’am.”
We drove to the Maguire Field airport.
“Ms. Dandridge, we’ll be ready to leave in about fifteen minutes.” Dennis Roach my pilot informed me as I exited the car.
“Thank you, Dennis. May we board?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Eddie and I got settled on the company jet while Dennis, the pilot, finished his pre-flight routine.
Eddie sat off by himself and I pulled out my phone. I sent my grandfather a text message and let him know I’d be arriving this evening. Although we weren’t scheduled until Sunday for dinner, I thought I’d touch base in case he had some extra free time.
I could hear Dennis talking in the cockpit before he closed the door and we began taxing to the runway.
Flying wasn’t my favorite thing, but Dennis did his best to make it a smooth as possible.
I laid my head back and closed my eyes. I could feel Eddie watching me.
When we leveled off, I opened them again and Eddie smiled. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I said pulling out my laptop to do some work.
He nodded and turned to look out the window.
When we touched down at Regan National Airport, Eddie stood up first. “You wait with the plane while I go get the car.”
“I can come with you.” I protested half teasing.
Eddie just gave me his impatient look and nodded to Dennis as he descended the stairs of the plane. I sighed. I didn’t like being handled.
Dennis smiled and ducked back into the cockpit.
I packed up my laptop and headed down the steps.
Eddie pulled up with a black town car with tinted windows. I smiled to myself. I still felt uncomfortable being chauffeured in cars like some kind of rock star. If Eddie had his way the thing was probably bulletproof too.
We drove off the airport property and onto the beltway. I was booked into a hotel in DC as it was central to everywhere, I planned to go this weekend. My appointment at Bethesda wasn’t until
