Page 37 of Storm Warning

She shook her head. Lifted her hands, showing her palms. “I’m good. I promise. Even got the cuff off my ankle. I just got a little cold in that bunker, but I’m all warm now. Glad you didn’t waste an ambulance on me.”

“In the bunker?” The deputy’s eyes widened.

Someone knocked on the office door that led into the lodge.

“I’ll get it.” Hawk held his handgun to his side and opened the door.

A disheveled man wearing coveralls under his coat stepped inside. “Jo?”

“Pop!” Jo shouted and ran into his arms, then sobbed on his shoulder.

Deputy Hunter eyed Hawk, her gaze zeroing in on his head wound. “What happened to you?”

Hawk touched the wound, then winced. “It’s a long story.”

If the deputy was unhappy with Hawk’s answer, her expression gave nothing away. “Youneed medical attention, and I’ll get you that as soon as possible. Looks like all the gang is here, so I’ll get right to the point. Without going into the details, I’ll just say we’re stretched real thin tonight. Let me get your statements. We’ll put out the warnings and whatnot and search for this guy as the weather permits. Now, we’ll get your statements and be quick about it.”

Over the next few minutes Remi, Hawk, and Jo gave their statements. Hunter made them all wait just outside the door, so she could take the statements in private, as if she thought she might catch someone telling a different story.

Deputy Hunter got her coat back on. “I’ll take Mr. Beckett to get his head examined.”

“I can drive myself.” He sent Remi a pleading look.

“I’ll take him,” Remi said. “The storm’s dying down a bit.”

“The break will only last a few hours until the next one blows in, so you’d better get to it,” Jo’s dad said. “I’ll hang out here at the lodge and help with whatever tasks are needed.” He glanced at his daughter with a protective look. “We’ll take care of the lodge, Remi.”

“But Jo should see a doctor too,” Remi insisted. “If for no other reason than she was drugged.”

“Okay, here’s what we’ll do,” Jo said. “Pop and I will square things away with Dylan and the remaining staff, and then he’ll take me to the clinic. If it’s crowded, we’re coming back. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”

“I’d advise you to go to the hospital instead,” Deputy Hunter said. “Tell them you want a toxicology report. I’ll check in with the hospital and follow up with you. You should go as soon as possible. Besides, at this hour, the clinic in Forestview is closed.”

Jo nodded at the deputy. “Works for me.”

Her father smiled at her, but Remi could see the severe pain he tried to hide, pain and anger at what had been done to his daughter, and from the sounds of it, not for the first time, though her previous experience could have been entirely different.

“Deputy Hunter, what about the guests and making sure they’re safe?” Remi asked. “I was expecting you to come with more deputies.”

“Deputy Carlson is en route. We’ll check things out.”

“Not if you’re taking Hawk to the hospital. Plus you’d have to give him a ride back,” Remi said. “I’ll make sure he gets the attention he needs.”

Deputy Hunter’s radio squawked with an indecipherable message, but she seemed to understand. “Carlson’s outside. I’m heading out and we’ll search the area, starting with the lodge. None of you had a description of him, except you, Hawk. He’s about five eleven, has thick brown hair, and brown eyes. Thirty-five.”

That news surprised Remi. So, he’d gotten the man’s mask off. Finally, a description.

“After we either apprehend him or make sure he’s out of the area, one of us will stick around until morning,” Deputy Hunter said.

Remi prayed it would be enough. It was all they could do.

“Come on, Hawk,” she said. “Let’s get you to the hospital.” Since the clinic was closed now, they’d have to drive to Woodhaven, almost an hour away.

Shawna entered with a tray of coffees to go.

“You’re working late.” Remi glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearing ten thirty.

“It’s been a long night. The guests are back in their rooms, and I was going home,” Shawna said. “But Erika sent me in with the coffee and to get an update. What’s happening?”

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