Page 113 of Luck Be Mine
Had he cried? He didn’t recall. Shouldn’t he remember?
Ugly memories surged. Gunfire sounded in his head in a quick staccato. Baxter’s empty eyes stared at him. He backed out of the room, carefully shutting the door.
Breath choppy and hands shaking, he escaped.
The demons chased him all the way to the beach.
§§§§§§§§§§
◊ The Search and the Fury ◊
Medical evaluation process finished, Cait walked to her car. Night shift, hospital. Early morning hours, QM. The mid-day sun had begun to heat up the air. She unlocked her car with her fob, struggled into her seat, and slammed her door. The Hawaiian Sunset scent in her car washed over her. Tired mind, tired body, tired life.
Her phone rang.
Why did she have so many telephone conversations sitting in her car?
She answered. “Bets, please don’t tell me you need me.”
“No, I got a contract from QM. Hand delivered by the delightful Remy.”
The tall, dark, and quirky operative was easy on the eyes. “Don’t fall for his charms. He loses at poker regularly.”
Bets chuckled. “I’ll remember that. I wasn’t expecting such a high salary for part-time.”
“They take care of their people.”
“Is that who I’m about to become? Their people?”
“Yes, you won’t be sorry.”
“If I get to keep working with you, it’ll be all roses.”
“Aw, thanks, friend. I’m out. Done. Finished at both jobs. I’m going home.”
“You deserve a rest. See you next shift for more crazy.” Bets hung up laughing.
The nurse’s humor eased her mood. “Crazy at work and bonkers at home.”
The drive home was fraught with traffic, detours, and impatience. Safe Harbor welcomed her, and she turned into the driveway with a flourish.
Green and neat lawn. Lawn service had been here.
Flowerbeds beautiful. Brennan. The weed pile still needed put in the trash, though.
Porch swept. Brennan.
Was the driveway wet? Who had scrubbed their driveway?
Was Carter still in the family room?
What else had these musketeers found to do?
Doogie’s truck here. Brennan’s truck here. Carter’s car here.
Hunt’s truck wasn’t.
She checked the street. Nope.
