Page 140 of Ozzie

Two police cars pull up as the ambulance drives away.We explain to the officers how we found Piper and how we didn’t feel right ourselves inside the house. The police tape off the area around the house, and another officer is ordered to get the houses on either side to evacuate.

After the officer gets all of our contact information, he tells us to wait here, but we are growing impatient.

“My cousin was rushed to the hospital. We need to be with her,” Durango says.

The officer looks at his clipboard. “Yeah, we have your contact information. We’ll be in touch. Go ahead.”

I order an Uber, and we walk down the street to meet it.

“She has to be okay,” I say.

Durango grabs my shoulder. “She will be. She’s strong.”

I nod. “Durango, she’s been through so much. She was shot in the leg, kidnapped twice, and now this? It’s a lot to take.”

Lightning puts his hand on my shoulder. “It is. But she’ll be fine. She has to be.” His phone rings and he answers it. “Yeah, I can be there. Okay.” He pockets his phone. “Sorry guys but Reed needs me. I hate to leave you.”

“It’s all right. There’s nothing you can do now,” Durango says. “Thank you for helping us.”

Lightning nods. “Of course. I’m always here for you guys. Let me know when she wakes up, okay?”

“Okay.”

Durango and I are silent throughout the drive, lost in our own thoughts. Neither of us voice our concerns, but we’re both thinking the same thing. Serious carbon monoxide can lead to a lot of potential side effects andneurological damage. We have no idea how long she was in that house or how much she inhaled. Although the fact that she is still alive gives me hope.

Durango pulls out his phone and makes a call. “Where is John?”

A voice comes through, but I can’t make out the words.

“Okay, let me know.”

He ends the call. “John was arrested yesterday for shoplifting.”

“Shoplifting?” I stare at him in disbelief. “Why the hell would a man from a rich family shoplift when he’s out on bail?”

We both groan as the reason hits us. “It’s his alibi,” I say.

“Well, at least we know where to find him after we make sure Piper is all right. Why the hell was she wearing corduroy pants?”

What the hell is he thinking? I turn in my seat. “You care about her fashion right now?”

He frowns. “I know for a fact that she detests corduroy. The clothes she had on were not hers.”

John changed her clothes? Why? The thoughts running through my mind are too dark, and I can’t go there. I need to be with her now. Everything else can wait.

CHAPTER 39

Piper

“It’s all set up,”Durango says as he walks into the room. “Now we wait for John and his parents to take the bait.”

It’s been a few days since Ozzie and Durango found me at that house. The hospital kept me for observation longer than I’d wanted. And it turns out, under orders from the FBI because they wanted to make sure John and his parents were convinced that I’d actually died. I’ve never been part of an undercover investigation before and I’m liking it more than I’d expected. Plus, I’ll be happy to see them all finally get what they deserve. If it works.

“Do you really think this will work?” I ask.

I still can’t believe Durango and Ozzie convinced the hospital and police to tell John’s parents I’d died. They explained that everyone knew John and his family wereguilty, but we didn’t have enough evidence to connect them all. That’s what today will hopefully fix.

Durango sits on the couch next to me. I’m staying in an apartment they call a safe house until this is all over.

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