Page 36 of Serial Burn

“Yep.”

“Then I’ll spare you the lecture until after you’re discharged from the hospital.”

“Appreciate it.”

His friend’s sheet-white face betrayed his fear for Nathan. Nathan hated it, but if he hadn’t made the jump, Mr. Potential Arsonist might be dead. And if he wasn’t the arsonist, he might know who was. As well as who might be after Jesslyn and why.

Cole held up a wallet. “No ID.” He jerked the guy to his feet. “Let’s go, kid. You’ve got some questions to answer.”

“I want a lawyer.”

“I see you’re not a complete idiot. We’ll get you a lawyer.” He looked down at Nathan. “Get medical attention.”

“Planning on it.” He really prayed his hip was still in one piece.

Cole shook his head, his lips tight. “What made you do a dumb thing like that?”

“I was channeling my high school champion long jump days.”

“Dude...”

“I know. Dumb.”

“Sodumb.” Cole’s face softened. “But the guy’s alive and so are you, so we’ll focus on the positive.”

“Yeah. That’s a good idea. Let’s do that.”

“Can you get up?” Andrew asked him.

Time to find out. He started to rise and hissed at the stab of lightning. He stilled, then gathered a breath and held out a hand for Andrew to help him up.

“Well?” Andrew asked once he was on his feet.

“It hurts, but doesn’t have that ‘I’m going to puke from the pain’ feel.”

“Then it’s probably not broken.”

“Thank God.”

“Might have cracked something, though.”

He might have. “I’ll get it x-rayed and we’ll find out for sure.”

“James probably has Lainie on standby at the hospital.”

“Don’t tell Jesslyn about this.”

“Won’t have to.” Andrew pointed to the sky. A news chopper hovered, cameras aimed at them. “Time to wash your cape. I think your Superman impersonation is going to go viral.”

“Fabulous.”

NINE

Jesslyn had been otherwise occupied when she’d received word that Nathan had tried to leap a tall building in a single bound—and was on his way to the hospital. As soon as the ambulance left, she’d done what she needed at the site and informed Chief Laramie she’d be back once the fire was out at the gym. Then she climbed into her rental and headed to the hospital. She had to see for herself that Nathan was all right.

She entered the main emergency department doors and was taken aback by the absolute chaos. People and hospital workers everywhere. People in the hallways, and every possible spot. “What in the world?”

She spotted several people she and Nathan both knew, but no Lainie. Well, Nathan might not even be her patient. Then again, if she’d had a heads-up he was coming, she’d arrange for it to happen.

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