Page 43 of Too Hot to Sleep
Ken seemed amused. She was sure her cheeks were scarlet as she added, "He's a friend of Rob's."
"I was handling traffic for the church," Ken offered. "I take it you know this guy?"
They nodded, their faces grim. "Darren Haney and I dated two years ago," Stacey said.
"I still love you, Stacey," the man moaned, his eyes barely open.
"There's a restraining order on him," Neil said, his mouth twisting, his hold on Stacey tight.
"I'll take care of him," Ken said. "You might have to fill out some paperwork later, but I wouldn't let this creep ruin your day. Can you stand?" he asked the man.
"Don't know," the guy moaned.
"Try," Ken said, pulling him to his feet. He glanced at Georgia, then nodded toward the vestibule. "Let's take this out in the hall." He walked the man ahead of him.
She turned to Stacey and gave her an encouraging smile. "Ken's right. If you allow this jerk to ruin your wedding, he'll win."
The bride exchanged questioning glances with her groom, then smiled and nodded. "We'll wait for you to come back in."
"No," Georgia said, shaking her head. "This could take a while. I'll see you at the reception."
"Did Rob make it?" Stacey asked.
"I'm afraid not."
"So bring Officer Medlock. We'll save him a bottle of champagne as a small token of thanks." Neil echoed the invitation.
She hesitated, looking over her shoulder. "I'll ask, but he seems to be a very busy man." Ken Medlock would probably have to return to the Bat Cave or something.
"Thanks for helping out with this mess," Stacey said. "We'll look for you both at the country club."
Georgia conjured up a reassuring smile and backed out of the chapel, closing the doors behind her. She stared at the knife sheheld, still incredulous. At the sound of a moan behind her, she turned, donning her professional face.
Ken had deposited the man on a padded bench, lying on his side. She handed the wrapped knife to Ken, then knelt to check the man's pulse, alertness and the extent of the wound.
"He's going to need a few stitches," she said, straightening. "And his vision seems clear, but he probably should have a CT scan and spend the night under psych observation."
"What the hell did you drop on my head?" the man mumbled.
"A ton of bricks," Ken snapped, "which is apparently what it takes to get the point across that your old girlfriend doesn't want you in her life." He recited the man his rights, then pulled him to his feet. "I'll take the guy to County Hospital—it's the closest facility."
"I'll come with you." Georgia blinked. Had she really said that? "I can help arrange a psych consultation once we get there."
"But you'll miss the wedding."
"I told Stacey and Neil that we'd... that I'd catch up with them later," she said with a shrug, astonished to realize that she'd rather ride in a squad car with this man to a place where she already spent too much time, than attend a wedding for which she'd bought a special outfit.
"Won't your boyfriend miss you?"
"He... couldn't make it." Georgia swallowed. Was it immoral to have a pseudo-date with a man before she'd officially broken off with her boyfriend if the only thing preventing her from breaking off with her boyfriend was that he hadn't shown up?
Ken's smile sent a stab of desire to her midsection that banished her thoughts of Rob, guilty or otherwise. "That's too bad," he said, but his decidedly unsympathetic tone gave her a little thrill.
She followed him to his squad car and waited while he deposited Haney in the back seat. When the man was secured, Ken opened the front passenger door for her. As she slid past him she could feel the pull of his body on hers. She chided herself for the inappropriate response under the circumstances, although she conceded that her encounters with Ken had all been unusual.
After he took the driver's seat, he radioed an apparent partner on the church grounds and informed him of the situation, then called in his arrest of the man and reported his intention to take him to County. She watched him, fascinated by his efficient speech and his professionalism. Her body fairly hummed with awareness of his proximity, the images of the fantasy shower show she'd given him last night playing in her mind. The man would be shocked if he knew her thoughts.
He replaced the radio handset and started the engine. "I'll drop you off at the reception as soon as we're through. With any luck, you'll be there by the time they cut the cake."
