Page 28 of Fear of Flames
Michelle’s voice was surprisingly strong. “Don’t move. I’ll shoot.”
She blinked once and then twice. There was something familiar about the man standing before her. She tried to reason. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. She struggled to breathe, fearing that she might faint. The shadow moved closer. “Fletch.” His name came in a shocked whisper.
“Shelly, you’re safe. Put down the gun.”
His voice was a relief, until it wasn’t. She kept the gun elevated. “What are you doing in my house?”
“Please put down the gun.”
“Were you going to hurt me?” Michelle’s eyes had adjusted to the dim bedroom.
His hands were raised in front of him. “Give me the gun.” He took a step closer.
All at once her body gave out. Her arms became too heavy to lift as they fell to each side. Slowly, Fletch came closer and eased the gun from her hand. A smile spread across his face. “Next time, release the safety.”
Michelle spun, facing the bed, or more exactly, staring at the unconscious man on the bed. “Who is he?”
Ignoring her question, Fletch seized her shoulders, turned her toward him, and steadied her. “Are you all right?” He moved his hand, ran his thumb over her swollen lips. “Fucker. I should kill him.”
A tear slid down her cheek. Fletch pulled her closer.
Her tense muscles relaxed in his embrace. For a moment, Michelle listened to the steady beat of his heart before taking a step back. She wiped her cheek and looked down. Her bare feet were on the carpet. She was still standing, despite her trembling knees. With a sigh, she met Fletch’s dark stare. “I think so. You saved me again.”
A gleam sparkled in his black orbs. “I didn’t expect you to go all Annie Oakley on him and me. I’m proud of you.” His expression sobered. “You aren’t safe here.”
She turned again toward the stranger lying on her bed. “Who is he?”
Fletch turned on the lamp on the bedside stand before going toward the man and flipping him onto his back. First, Fletch removed a revolver from the man’s waistband and placed it in the pocket of his hoodie. The man’s closed eyes fluttered. Spittle and drool dangled from his open lips and tobacco-stained teeth.
Michelle took a step back, sickened by what she could see in the light. “He’s not dead. Is he?” She’d read how sometimes involuntary muscle movements can happen with a corpse.
“No.”
“What did you do to him?”
“Vulcan neck pinch.” When Michelle didn’t respond, Fletch added, “Dim Mak. I momentarily restricted his carotid arteries. There’s no guarantee on how long he’ll be out.” Fletch’s eyes widened at something on the floor. “This will help.” He reached down, lifting a syringe that had fallen to the floor. His lips curled as he met Michelle’s gaze. “I hope he wasn’t trying to kill you. Either way, he’s about to get a dose of his own medicine.”
“Wait, what if that’s deadly?”
“Better him than you.”
Her hands were suddenly cold and trembling. Michelle hugged her midsection. Silently, she watched as Fletch moved with efficiency, lifting the man’s leg up and removing the man’s boot and sock.
Her stomach rolled as Fletch spread the man’s toes. She winced when he injected the contents of the syringe between the intruder’s second and third toe. After a moment, Fletch checked the man’s carotid and hummed. “Still pumping. Not sure how long he’ll be out.”
“What the hell is happening?” Michelle asked, letting out a breath as Fletch slipped the man’s sock and boot onto his foot.
Fletch patted the man down, retrieving a car fob, a pack of Marlboros, and a lighter. “No wallet or ID.” He looked up at Michelle. “I don’t know who he is or who he works for. Ten bucks says that he’s connected to Perkins or someone associated with him.” Fletch pulled out his phone and took a picture of the intruder. “When I have a chance, I’ll see if he comes up on facial recognition.”
Michelle shook her head and scrunched her nose. “This is insane. We should call the police.” She remembered the card Officer McCoy gave her. “I only have the phone you gave me.” She watched as Fletch stood. It wasn’t that she hadn’t realized his height and breadth or his strength while they were on the run. In her home, her bedroom, he seemed larger than before.
Fletch lifted the car fob. “No police.”
The recent events had Michelle unnerved. “Why not call the police?” She furrowed her forehead. “Wait a minute, how did you get in?” She pointed. “How did he get in. The doors were locked.”
“First, Perkins is the police. I’m saying you don’t know who he’s working with. Could be cops around here.” He tipped his chin toward the man. “I’d bet he’s either on the Iron Falls force or he’s one of Perkins’s bulldogs. Second, I didn’t see him until he was inside. He left the front door unlocked.”
Michelle inhaled, trying to fill her lungs. “It was locked.” She looked at the unconscious man and back to Fletch. “If not the police, what am I supposed to do?”
