Wade wanted to convince Charlie of his innocence, but he had to deescalate the situation.“We have a tactical team in the building across the street.You might be able to get off one shot, but you won’t get two.”
Charlie squinted into the distance.
Wade inched back a step.“Keep your eyes on me,” he said, his palms still raised.“Let your wife go first.Then we can sit down together.We’ll have a nice conversation and sort everything out.”
Charlie ignored this suggestion.He had the unhinged look of a man who was going to follow through at any cost.Elvira must have thought the same thing, because she panicked.She yanked her arm free of her husband’s grasp and made a run for it.She tripped over a chair and went sprawling across the debris-strewn floor.
Wade wouldn’t get a better opening.He lowered his shoulder and tackled his opponent, denying him the chance to shoot.They went careening into a section of mirrored wall.It shattered behind Charlie’s back.
Unfortunately, Charlie didn’t fall down.Wade did.He bounced off the broken mirror, stumbled sideways, and took a hard dive into a pile of glass.From that prone position, he couldn’t do much to defend himself.
He covered his head with his arms as gunshots rang out.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Wade heard thegunfire but didn’t feel an impact.
Charlie jerked sideways, and the pistol flew from his hand.Shimmering bits of silver crashed to the floor.Elvira screamed her husband’s name.Wade wondered vaguely if two shattered mirrors canceled out the seven years of bad luck.
Sheriff Nava charged forward and kicked the gun away while Jackson wrestled Charlie into submission.The gunman was handcuffed roughly and jerked to his feet.His face appeared pale and doughy, and one of his arms hung limply at his side.Another officer went to assist Elvira, who was still cowering at the edge of the bar.
Sheriff Nava approached Wade and squatted next to him.“Are you hurt?”
Wade brushed off the broken glass.“I don’t think so.”
Jackson directed Charlie through the door with a shove.Blood dripped down the man’s arm and fell on the tile in red splats.
“Who shot him?”Wade asked.
“I did,” Nava replied.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”Nava helped Wade to his feet.
“Were you aiming at his right arm?”
“I was aiming for his chest.”
“You missed.”
Nava smiled and patted Wade on the back.They both knew he’d saved Wade’s life.“Take my advice, Hendricks.Don’t shoot anyone in the line of duty.There’s so much paperwork you’ll want to kill yourself by the time it’s over.”
Wade chuckled at his dark humor.
“Go get checked out by the EMTs,” Nava ordered.“You’re bleeding.”
He nodded, feeling the sting from multiple cuts.He had a gash on his elbow.Wade exited the bar with Nava and headed toward two ambulances parked outside the perimeter.Meredith was standing there, waiting for him.She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.
“Are you all right?”she whispered.
“I’m fine.”
“Your mother fainted when she heard the shot.”
Wade glanced into the back of the nearest ambulance.His mother was having her blood pressure taken.She gave Wade a look that was part relief, part anguish.“This is what happens when I stay sober.My heart can’t handle the stress.”
“She’s sober?”Wade asked Meredith.
