Page 50 of K-9 Prime Target

“Maybe because you saw him when he was running away.” He patted her arm. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

“Liam!”

“What’s wrong?” The sharpness of her voice startled him.

“I saw Derek today, before the parade. He told me you questioned him the other day. That you practically accused him of stalking me.”

“You saw him today? Before you were stabbed? What was he wearing?”

“Derek didn’t stab me,” she said.

“How do you know, if he was there right before you were stabbed?”

“He said he was headed to open the gyro truck. He couldn’t be both places at once.”

“That’s something that’s easy enough to check,” Liam said.

“No!” She took a deep breath, trying for calm. “It’s not your place to check up on him,” she said. “Leave that to the sheriff.”

“The sheriff isn’t taking this seriously.”

“Liam.” She spoke more gently and reached for him. He took her hand. “You’re my friend,” she said. “I appreciate all you’re doing, but you can help me most by being here with me, not by assuming everyone is out to get me.”

His chin had a stubborn set to it, and she sensed he wanted to argue, but before he could say anything, another knock sounded at the door. After a beat, Doug and Marlena entered the room. Doug’s leather coat had a fur collar, while Marlena was swathed in knee-length silver fox. “We came to see how you’re doing, Nina dear,” Marlena said as she swept past Liam and stood by the hospital bed.

“I’m going to be fine,” Nina said. “Where are you two headed, all dressed up?”

“Oh, we’re on our way to a fundraiser for the arts association,” Marlena said.

“I just wanted to tell you not to worry about anything,” Doug said.

“I’ll be back at work next week,” Nina said. “The doctor said there shouldn’t be any problem.”

Doug and Marlena exchanged glances. “You don’t have to concern yourself with that,” Marlena said.

“Starting today, you’re officially on leave of absence,” Doug said. “It’s for your own protection. Until your assailant is caught, it’s safer for everyone involved.”

“But ski patrol is already shorthanded,” she protested. “How will they manage if they lose me, too?”

“We’re going to handle it,” Doug said. “No arguments.” He turned to Marlena. “We’d better go or we’ll be late.”

She patted Nina’s shoulder, then followed Doug out of the room. When the door closed, Nina swore. “He doesn’t care two cents about me,” she said. “All he cares about is bad publicity for SkyCrest.”

“You may be right,” Liam said.

She blew out a breath. “Doug hasn’t heard the last of me, that’s for sure. But for now, all I can do is get past this and back on my feet.”

Liam sat on the side of the bed and took her hand. “Did the sheriff say anything about what he’s been doing to find Nicholson?”

“He said he found the mask people described seeing on the man who attacked me. It was lying on the ground near a trash can. At least, they think it’s the same mask. It could just be a similar one. They’re circulating Nicholson’s photograph, to try to find where he’s staying. Though I’m still not sure the sheriff is convinced Nicholson is responsible.”

“Could it be someone else?” Liam asked.

“Do you mean could it be Derek?”

“Derek. Or someone else we haven’t thought of.”

“I supposed anything is possible, but could I be unlucky enough to be targeted by two different men who use the exact same methods? That doesn’t seem very likely.”