Page 127 of Counter Attack

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Two hours later Alex ground her molars as Nathan insisted on walking out of the emergency room under his own power.

She opened the passenger door to her SUV. “You’re stubborn, you know.”

“Pot calling the kettle black?”

Alex narrowed her eyes.

“The bullet just grazed me, and I didn’t lose enough blood to require a transfusion. There was absolutely no reason for me to stay.”

Once he had his seat belt secured, she walked around to the driver’s side. She wasn’t moving too swift herself, but she’d never admit it to him.

“Don’t you need to check out Kayla’s rental?” he asked once she pulled away from the hospital.

“Mark is taking care of it.”

“I’m glad you two put your differences behind you.”

“Me too. He’s a good man.”

Nathan’s phone chimed with a text. “It’s my CI.”

They hadn’t heard from J.R. in almost a week. “What does he say?”

He groaned. “The Russian drug dealers are coming to Pearl Springs tonight with a shipment of heroin. They’ll be handing it off to the Pearl Springs contact.”

“Where?”

“You’ll never guess—Harper’s Point.”

This time she groaned. Any other time and place. “What time?”

“He’ll let me know.”

She glanced at him. “Why don’t you sit this one out?”

“Same reason you won’t.”

He had her there. “When we get to my grandparents’ house, come in and rest until it’s time to go.”

“No can do. I wouldn’t be able to relax there. Drop me off at police headquarters. Once I take care of business, I’ll go to my house and catch some rest.”

“Okay.” She didn’t argue because she knew it wouldn’t do any good. And she was hovering, something she’d hate if he were doing it. But she’d almost lost him this afternoon. She was still processing and was pretty sure he was as well. Had to be the reason they hadn’t talked about what went down today.

“Or...” He opened his phone. “Why don’t I call and see if there’s anything I absolutely have to tend to right now? If there isn’t, let’s drive to Harper’s Point and make a plan.”

Her body tensed. “Now?” She shook her head. “That’s the last place I want to go.”

“I don’t want to go there either, but that’s where the drugs are coming in tonight. Until today I hadn’t been there in years, and I figure you haven’t either. We need to get the lay of the land to know how to position our officers.”

She clenched her fist and rubbed her thumb against her finger. Finally she took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right.”

Half an hour later they pulled onto the gravel road thatled to the lake. “The mayor plans to have this blacktopped,” Alex said.

“I know, and an influx of visitors like the mayor expects is going to be problematic. I hope he plans to come up with additional money for my department.”

“Same here. We’re stretched thin over the county as it is.” She pulled close to the lake and parked, and they climbed out of her SUV. They both were making small talk to avoid thinking about what happened earlier.

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