“Great to see you guys too!” Charley hurried across the room to Sully. Still sitting on the side of the bed, he pulled her into his arms and tucked her between his knees. As he held her to him, she asked, “Are you discharged?”
“Yes,” he replied. Charley’s smile warmed his heart. “What took you so long to get here? I was worried. Where have you been?”
“I’ll tell you all about it,” Charley said and eased back. “I have something in my purse that you won’t believe.”
“What?”
“I can’t show you here,” she whispered, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling. “I’m probably lucky hospital security didn’t detect it and confiscate it from me. But I couldn’t take a chance of leaving it in my car.”
“Is it your new puppy I heard about from Sully?” Owen teased.
“No, but Wyatt’s in my car.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it.” Sully gathered his discharge instructions, stood up, and grabbed her hand. Mere minutes ago, he’d been filled with dread, and now that her dainty hand was securely locked in his, he was on top of the world. He grinned. “Let’s go, city slicker.”
Owen was already heading out of the room. Sully and Charley followed him to the nearest elevator. Taking it down to the main level, they exited the hospital and started toward the parking garage. What a difference a day and a half could make. And if he could help it, Sully didn’t intend to let Charley out of his sight again.
“I got here shortly before you did, Charley,” Owen said as they reached the elevators to the parking garage. “I’m on the fourth level of the parking garage.”
“Me too,” she replied as they entered the elevator.
“So, what’s in your purse?” Sully asked as Owen pushed button four.
Before she could answer, a middle-aged couple joined them on the elevator. Charley kept quiet but grinned up at Sully as though she had the best secret in the world. He couldn’t imagine what it was. He narrowed his eyes in question and then he winked at her. When the couple exited the elevator on level three, they were alone again.
“A gun,” Charley said as soon as the elevator door closed.
“Yeah, Dad and I were just talking about your new gun,” Sully said and smiled down at her. “I’m glad you have it with you.”
“Actually, my gun is locked in the glove compartment of my car.”
“There’s my truck,” Owen said as the elevator door opened on four.
“What gun are you talking about?” Sully asked as they exited.
“Just you wait and see,” Charley said.
Owen led the way to his truck. They stopped on the driver’s side with Charley’s back to the truck door. When Sully and Owen stood in front of her, she was blocked from the vision of any passersby. Sully and his dad watched as she removed something wrapped in a dish towel from her purse. When Sully stuffed his hospital papers in his back pocket, she carefully placed theparcel in his hand. Being an El Paso County Sheriff’s son, he knew how to unwrap it. Without touching his fingers to the item, he revealed a gun. When it lay on top of the towel in full view, Sully looked at Charley. Eyes wide, she nodded.
“I know I’m not gonna like the story that goes with how you have this gun,” Sully said. “But this is Rod Vaughn’s poor excuse for a gun, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Charley said enthusiastically.
“Detective Groves and CSPD may have just caught the break we said they needed, Sully,” Owen said with a gleam in his eye.
“Yeah, just like when a suspect leaves a glass with fingerprints behind, the cops can use this gun which Vaughn left behind,” Sully said.
“And he left the gun behind in Charley’s house, no less. She has every right to turn it over to the police,” Owen said and smiled at Charley. “Excellent work.”
“Yay,” Charley said softly. “The bullets may not match, but at least we can find out one way or the other now.”
“About damn time,” Sully growled.
“If this Vaughn guy figures out where he lost his gun, he will come looking for Charley, Sully,” Owen said. “Speaking of which, I brought your gun, which was still in your holster when you reached the ER.”
“Yep, I’m thinking Vaughn will be looking for Charley.” Sully took his gun from Owen.
“Don’t let her out of your sight,” Owen said.
