If he was in any way, shape, or form connected to Jeremy’s old commander and had even the slightest inkling that she knew anything about Jeremy’s death, he’d turn her in in a heartbeat. All the men in the military knew each other, they were the same heartless and cruel monsters. All of them except Jeremy. And maybeDiggs.
She had to get her brother’s belongings and find somewhere to hide. Somewhere no one could ever find her while she figured out how to get vengeance forJeremy.
But she had to get the hell out herefirst.
Audra leaned down as if to pet Trigger, studying Melissa through her lashes. Could she convince her to help herescape?
“I think it would be better if I took Trigger and we left. I don’t want to cause Diggs any more trouble,” Audra saidcarefully.
Melissa’s expression softened with sympathy. “Audra, I know Reaper looks scary, but he’s just worried. He’s not really going to do anything to harm anyone in this house. He wants to keep all of ussafe.”
Audra bit her tongue to keep from calling her a liar; instead she kept her head angled toward Trigger, thinking as fast as she could. “He didn’t sound like it, but I guess you know himbetter?”
“I owe him my life,” Melissa said just as quietly as before. “He means well. Just give him some time to figure out how to safely move you and yourdog.”
Audra knew she was acting like an insanely over protective mother. Not that she could help it. Trigger needed her as much as she needed him. If they were going to survive the situation, she had put on her big girl panties and think with her head instead of herheart.
“I’ve always had a soft spot fordogs.”
“Me too,” Melissa said with a small smile of understanding. “I understand why Diggs did what he did. And I’m sure Reaper will too after theytalk.”
“So, when we are able to move him, how am I going to take care of him? I mean, does it take a long time for fractured ribs to heal?” While she was here she needed to find out as much information as possible from the doctor about Trigger’s care taking. She could easily make it sound as though she were going to willingly stay until Melissa deemed him healthy enough to move and Reaper allowed her to leave. But once she had the information she needed, she was escapingtoday.
“You’ll need to get a cage, a really big one for an extra-large breed dog. He doesn’t need to be allowed to move around very much, at least for a couple of weeks. I’ll get you some meds together that you can take, some painkillers and anti-inflammatories as well as some sedatives if he gets too anxious.” Melissa began to pace back and forth on the other side of the table, focused now on Trigger’s medicalneeds.
Audra watched her carefully, trying to think one step ahead. She needed those drugs, and she needed them now, but how could she get them from Melissa without making her suspicious? “What kind of drugs? I didn’t know dogs could take that kind ofmedication.”
“Dogs can take almost all the same meds as humans. Just regular painkillers and anti-inflammatories, which I keep in our medicine cabinet down here.” Melissa keptpacing.
“How do you know how much to givehim?”
“It’s all based on weight. Trigger, I’m guessing, weighs about eighty-five or ninety pounds. It’s a healthy weight for a German Shepherd despite his injuries. He’ll take a pretty heavy dose—one ml for every thirty pounds ought to do it. I also want to keep him on some antibiotics for a couple of weeks too. His front leg looked worse than the rest of him did. It’s obvious that whoever had him before now didn’t even try to keep his woundclean.”
Another gut punch of pain. Her father had probably forced him to stay outside in the elements unprotected; she doubted he’d even fed him more than once every couple of days. Bastard. “You have all that stuff here? Is this like a hospital or something?” It was certainly set up like one. With the beds and monitors and a real live doctor walkingaround.
Melissa paused and finally turned to face her, “No, it’s not a hospital. But we do keep certain medical supplies on hand, so you can relax. I promise I will take care of Trigger and he will get better. Even if I have to sit with him twenty-four/seven, he’ll be okay.” Melissa drifted over to the table and ran a hand down Trigger’s body. “Poor guy has already done enough service for his country; he deserves to be taken careof.”
Melissa looked up at Audra then, her intense gaze boring into hers, and Audra got the distinct impression Melissa saw everything she was trying so desperately tohide.
“I will take care of him,” Audra said truthfully. “Trigger’s going to live like a king for the rest of his life. I swear on mylife.”
Melissa studied her silently for a moment longer. “Audra– “
Audra’s breath caught. Had Melissa figured out her plan toescape?
Shifting uncomfortably and needing to get free of Melissa’s penetrating stare, Audra picked up her own pacing alongside the table. “So, nothing against you or this place, but I really don’t want to stay here for two weeks. Would it be a problem to leave before then if he continues to healproperly?”
The cold hard tile seemed to bounce up between her sneakers, the lights overhead pressing down as if the full weight of the earth overhead wanted to keep herinside.
“Well, we’ll have to carry him out on one of those.” Melissa pointed to an oblong, blue-shaped thing that looked sort of like a surfboard propped against the far wall. Only it had cutouts along the edges and thick black straps hanging from itssides.
“What isthat?”
“It’s a mobile papoose we use to transport the injured. The straps are to keep them still so they don’t fall off or jar too much to reinjurethemselves.”
The board was as tall as she was. How the hell was she supposed to carry a hundred-pound dog on one of those out of this lab by herself? Even if she managed to drag it down the hall, dragging it up the stairs it would surely break Trigger’s ribs and possibly puncture his lungs. Hopelessness curled around her, slowing her steps, as she continued pacing back andforth.
Melissa continued as if completely unaware of Audra’s inner turmoil. “The guys can help carry it. I imagine Diggs will want to make sure you make it home safe. He can help you move the dog, no problem. How far from here do youlive?”
