The muscles in David’s back and neck tightened. He clenched his fist. The guy was a jerk. “Listen here, buddy!” David seethed.
Brandon rested a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from saying something that might get him in trouble. He’d have to remember to thank his partner later.
The guy mouthing off might be a jerk but had no way of knowing he’d just left a scene where a four-year-old’s father had done unspeakable things to the boy. One of the many things he wished people understood about his job. It might be a horrible moment in other people’s days, but often times he’d seen things ten times worse before responding to the accident.
He inhaled and said a quick prayer for patience and proceeded to take care of business.
Accident taken care of, David slipped back into his car.
“Well, he was a nice guy.” Brandon rolled his eyes and closed his door.
“A real peach.” He started the car and headed toward the station. “Time to take care of the paperwork. I have to pick up Jennie soon.”
“It’s nice you’re taking such an interest in her.”
David glanced at his partner. The man’s smirk lit up his face. “What’s that supposed to mean? The woman’s in danger. Am I just supposed to ignore her?”
Brandon chuckled. “No. But you’re going above and beyond the call.”
David gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“Relax. I think it’s nice you’ve taken an interest in a woman. Thought maybe your fiancé’s death had soured you for good.”
Whether David wanted to admit it or not, the man had a point. He liked Jennie a lot. It wasn’t as if he’d sworn off women. He just wasn’t sure he was competent enough to take care of one he loved.
“Okay. Okay. I admit it. I like her,” he grumbled.
“Now see, was that so hard?”
“You’re a pain you know that?”
“What are partners for?” Brandon chuckled.
“Unit 5, dispatch.”
Brandon picked up the mic. “Unit 5, go ahead, dispatch.”
“Tell Detective Whitman to head to the hospital.”
David flipped a U-turn. Gritting his teeth, he threw a glance at his partner. “Why?”
“Mind telling us why, dispatch?”
“There’s been another attempt on Jennie Nielson’s life.”
David flipped on the lights and siren and sped through town.
“Copy that. ETA…” Brandon glanced at the speedometer, “three minutes.”
“Or less if I can help it.”
Horns blared as he barreled through the intersection two blocks from the hospital.
Brandon braced a hand on the roof of the car. “I’d like to get there in one piece.”
“And I want Jennie safe. Guess we both might be disappointed.”
He jerked the wheel and pulled up next to the Emergency Room entrance. He slammed the car into Park, jumped out, and rushed through the door, with Brandon on his heels.
