Page 11 of Mountain Target

“Probably something about how happy you’d be to stab me?” Beau joked. He and Marie had had a run-in recently, when Hiro and Trista were in the hospital after a run-in with the murderous sons of her landlord.

Marie’s gaze softened.

“You know, this would be a hell of a lot easier if you just took the painkillers on offer.”

Beau shook his head. This wasn’t his first rodeo.

“Your painkillers make me drowsy and delay recovery.”

“You do know you’re meant to rest after the infiltration, right?”

Beau shrugged. He’d had these injections three times in the last fourteen months. Usually, the effects lasted between three and six months, allowing him to live, if not a pain-free life, then at least a normal life. He’d long ago resigned himself to the fact that his knee would hurt every single day of his life, had come to accept the stiffness and that awful grating sensation whenever he moved it. What he could not accept was a life where he could no longer do his job.

And if this technique, experimental or not, could delay that moment for a few more years, then he’d happily give a lot more of his blood than they were taking.

One of the doctors from the trauma team walked into the room. He was one of the younger ones—and they were getting younger every year. Beau couldn’t even remember his name.

“We’re just about ready here, Monsieur Fontaine. Anything we can do to make you more comfortable?”

Beau just about stopped himself from growling. Them getting on with it was about the only thing that would make this more comfortable. The doctor seemed to take the hint.

Beau settled back, averting his head as the doctor picked up the first long needle. He hated needles, but the pain was manageable if he didn’t look or think about it too hard.

A few minutes later, it was over. He knew from experience the throbbing would get worse for the next day or two until the platelet rich plasma did its magic inside his knee.

Hopefully.

“Okay. We’re done here. You need to rest here for half an hour. Marie here will take care of you if you need anything.”

Beau got out a gruff “Thank you, Doctor,” then closed his eyes again.

Marie stayed behind after the young doctor had departed. Her mouth was pursed in disapproval, but her dark brown eyes were kind. “Come on, I know that must be hurting. I can get you a fast-acting painkiller to take care of it.”

“I’m good, Marie. Don’t need anything.” He thought for a moment. This was his chance. “Except maybe some information.”

“Information? That’s a new one.” She took a step closer.

“Do you know a doctor whose first name is Valentina? She works in the hospital.”

Marie’s expression tightened.

She knows her.

“Doctor Valentina Carrel. What do you want with her, Beau?”

“I don’t want anything with her,” he said curtly.

“Val’s my friend. She works in the emergency room. Poor woman. She didn’t deserve what happened.”

Beau’s heart fluttered, but he managed to keep a straight face.

“What do you mean?”

“Is this about the girl?”

“The girl?”

“Val’s sister died in a car crash last month, leaving behind a thirteen-year-old daughter. So Val stepped up to take care of her.”