“I’m not leaving him.” I pointed in Zane’s direction.
A few minutes later, Lieutenant Wellbourne strode up. “What’s going on?”
“She hit her head,” my traitorous paramedic offered. “I’ve recommended a hospital visit for a CT.”
“But I declined,” I cleared up, regretting being honest with her before. “I’m not going anywhere without my man.”
Wellbourne crossed his arms. “Lucas is worried about you, which means that I’m going to insist that you get checked out at the hospital first.”
I knew my rights. “No, thank you. I’ll wait.”
“Hmm.” He shook his head. “That’s not one of the options. Either you go with these paramedics now, or I’ll have Joe.” He motioned toward Mr. No. “and his partner detain you as a material witness and take you downtown for a night of questioning right after a stop at the hospital. Which will it be?”
“Since you asked so politely,” I said in my haughtiest tone, “I choose to go with this nice lady, but can’t I wait until Zane is done?”
Mindy shook her head.
Wellbourne issued his verdict. “You go now.”
Mindy patted the gurney. “Hop on.”
With a huff, I picked up my purse and lay down. I wanted to be with Zane, not hauled off.
CHAPTER 41
Zane
I motionedfor Constance to follow me and launched myself toward Lieutenant Wellbourne. It sucked that I’d have to wait to catch up with Peyton, but I’d been watching the bloody patch on the boss’s side.
“Lieutenant,” I said, getting his attention.
“Hey,” he answered tentatively. “Before you get started, we have to follow protocol when we have a shooting. That’s just the way it is.”
“It’s not that,” I explained as I turned to face Lucas and pointed. “He won’t listen to me, but I think the boss got shot and needs medical attention.”
He twisted around. “Shot?” He jogged over, and the shouting began. “Lucas, what the hell? You had me send the woman to the hospital, and you didn’t mention you got hurt?”
“It’s nothing,” Lucas countered.
Constance and I stayed back and watched.
For a moment it looked touch-and-go, but Wellbourne prevailed and the boss agreed to go to the hospital, saying, “Fifteen minutes and I’m out of there.”
“Thirty minutes minimum,” Wellbourne countered. “And Lucas, if I hear anything from the hospital about a lack of cooperation, I will personally chase you down and arrest your ass.”
The boss scowled.
The lieutenant waved over the idle pair of paramedics. “Get this man to the hospital immediately.”
“Did you see that?” Constance asked.
I nodded. Now that he was standing, the wet patch of blood on Lucas’s side was obvious.
“I’m calling the others,” Constance announced.
“Good plan.” I waved at the lieutenant. “I’ll ride along in the ambulance to make sure he gets there.”
Wellbourne nodded back.
