I narrow my eyes on the driver of the truck in my rearview mirror and watch as he slowly raises his hand and wiggles his fingers.
“You son of a bitch.You could’ve given me a heads-up,” I grumble.
Roy laughs.“I did, but apparently you don’t check your messages.If you had, you’d also know one of my guys in a silver RAV will tag up at the base of Elm Street and follow you the rest of the way to the hospital.I’m going to stay a couple of vehicles behind once he tags in.The point is, you can relax, we’ve got your back.”
The line goes dead and Bess breathes out a sigh of relief.
Good, I don’t want her to worry.
But there’s no way I’m letting go of my gun.
Chapter25
Hugo
With my leftarm tightly around Bess’s shoulders and my heart in my throat, I walk across the parking lot and into the hospital.
I’m not used to having to trust others, but the objective is to get inside the hospital as inconspicuously as we can, and I can’t do that with a gun in my hand.
We get a few curious glances as I walk us briskly through the lobby, to the elevators off the hallway at the other end.Savvy made sure Ken was moved from the recovery room after his surgery, to a room at the far end of the second floor, making it easier to keep him secure.Savvy said she’d keep the hallway clear so we could slip inside Ken’s room unnoticed.
What we hadn’t accounted for was the goddamn mayor picking that moment to tour the hospital with his investor buddy.Trust Don Merrick to fuck up our attempt to stay under the radar.
“Ah, Chief Deputy Alexander!”his voice booms through the lobby, turning heads.“What a coincidence.I had planned to stop by the station later for an introduction, but you’ve saved us a trip.”
On the other side I catch a glimpse of Savvy poking her head out of the hallway before she ducks back out of sight.She’s probably avoiding Merrick.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I pull Bess in tighter and turn us around.I’d only draw more attention to us if I tried to avoid the mayor.
“Mayor Merrick,” I bite off between clenched teeth.
It’s the first glimpse I get of his guest; a large, rotund man, I’d guess about sixty, decked out in dressy western gear, complete with snakeskin boots and bolo tie, wearing the largest fucking Stetson I’ve seen in my life.I’d say more flash than substance, except the guy has got to tip the scales over three hundred pounds.
“Arlo, I’d like you to meet Silence’s finest, Chief Deputy Hugo Alexander.”
Merrick smiles wide, completely fucking ignoring Bess, who I’m keeping plastered to my side.
The guy holds out a meaty hand I can’t ignore.
“Arlo, is none other than Arlo Hudson, of Hudson Developments.He’s thinking about building a deluxe senior living community here in Silence, putting our little town on the map.I’m showing him all our town’s amenities.”
“Pleased to meet you,” I mutter under my breath, taking back my hand.
I’d like to know where he’s planning on putting that development, but that’s for later concern.Right now, I’d like to get Bess out of the open.
“It’s the old country charm that drew me here,” the man drawls in a thick Texan accent.“Hard to find that genuine character these days.”
Then his eyes drop to Bess.“And who’s this lovely?—”
“We actually have an appointment we’re late for,” I quickly intercede, already turning us in the opposite direction.“Sorry to run.Nice meeting you,” I add over my shoulder as I rush Bess across the lobby.
Savvy is waiting and pulls us into a supply closet.
“What the hell was that all about?”she hisses, shutting the door and closing us into a space barely big enough to hold the three of us.
“Merrick’s big investor is a Texas developer wanting to put Silence on the map,” I share with a hefty dose of sarcasm.“The idiot might as well have put a spotlight on us, for fuck’s sake.”
I’m riled up, my hand rubbing Bess’s shoulder restlessly.
