Page 36 of Storm Warning

“I’m fine! Don’t treat me like an invalid. You think that I’m going to let being chained to a wall all day in that cold, dank bunker debilitate me? Put me out of commission? I’m not that mentally fragile. I’ve been through things ... before.”

Before what? Had Jo come to Cedar Trails to hide? To feel safe?

Jo shook her head as if shrugging it off. “Remi, you can’t look for Hawk. You’re the one that jerk is after. Just wait, okay? Hawk Beckett looks like a big boy who can take care of himself. Don’t you think?” She stared at Remi like she should know about Hawk.

And she did, sort of. “I guess so. I mean, if you count that he was a helicopter pilot in the Army and then a deputy who flew a helicopter for the King County Sheriff’s Department. If you count his background, then sure, he can take care of himself. On the other hand, Jo, skilled people still die, and he could be hurt out there and need help.” Remi hated that she’d just gone off on Jo. “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“No, it’s okay. You’re worried about him and I get it.” Jo’s brown eyes grew huge. “Oh. Now I know where I’ve seen him before.” She snapped her fingers. “He’s that deputy who got fired. Something to do with a crash and someone died. It was all over the news a few weeks ago. You didn’t see it?”

For once, Remi regretted not watching the news. “No. Hawk Beckett was fired? Are you sure?”

“Yes. But I think ... I think—”

Remi snatched her gun from the desk and holstered it, then grabbed her coat. She wouldn’t wait to hear more. It didn’t matter.

“Remi, no.” Jo stepped forward.

A knock came at the door. Remi’s heart pounded and she pulled her handgun out, then waved Jo back. Jo moved over by the other door, and Remi pressed against the wall. She was about to peer through the window.

“It’s me.”

Hawk!Relief rushed through her as she unlocked then opened the door.

“Where have you been?” Maybe she sounded a little too demanding. “I was worried about you.”

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Tugged off his coat and dripped water on the entry mat. He turned to hang the jacket up, looking unsteady on his feet. His movements were slow. His hands shook. And...

Remi gasped.What in the world?“Hawk? Why do you have blood on your head?”

When he faced her, his eyes were dark and grave. She’d never seen him like this. She didn’t know him all that well, but the look on his face scared her.

He stared into space. Stunned? He was hurt.Oh ... Lord...

“What happened?” Had he fallen? Or had a branch hit him in the head? Or worse ... “He was out there again. He attacked you, didn’t he?”

Hawk nodded, his face crinkling into severe distress. “Yeah.”

“You need to sit down for a minute while I grab my stuff. I’m driving both you and Jo to the hospital.” She tried to usher him to the sofa, but he was granite, just standing there.

Lord, what do I do?Remi’s heart palpitated, beating fast and irregular. Her limbs shook. This was no time to be weak. Before she could try again to persuade Hawk to at least sit down, another knock came at the door. Without hesitation, Hawk opened it as though he knew who was on the other side. Maybe that’s why he hadn’t moved from the door.

Deputy Hunter entered the office. Hawk closed the door.

“Who else is with you?” Remi asked.

“You’re looking at it.” The deputy had come alone.

“Ambulances have been called out to other locations. We have to prioritize those who are in life-threatening situations.”

Hunter’s eyes scanned the room, then she scrutinized each of them until her gaze landed on Jo and softened. “Are you the one who was abducted?”

“Yes,” both Hawk and Remi said.

“I’m Jo Cattrel, yes.”

“Do you need medical attention? If so, I can drive you to the hospital.”

Hello. Remi and Hawk could have done that, but Jo refused.

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