Dave made a fresh pot of coffee while I studied the three articles on missing children. All three were newborns snatched from hospitals in surrounding counties within the last year. Any trails at the hospitals would be cold now and a waste of time. Talking to the officers who’d investigated the cases was our best bet, but it was also the most dangerous since word might leak back to Park or, even worse, to Kurt. “I think someone should interview the parents and see if they’ve received any news.”
Dave plopped a cup of coffee in front of me. “When will we have time to do that?”
“I wasn’t thinking about us. The Wilsons want to help, and they’re smart. I think they could do it. We need to make sure no one is watching them.”
“Might work.” Dave opened a box of chocolate doughnuts and brought them to the table. “We spend a lot of time with them, and Lange will get suspicious.”
“If all goes like we planned on Monday, he won’t have time to get suspicious. I’ve got a few places in mind we can hit that should cause a real ruckus.”
“I’ve got a CI that owes me a favor. I’ll see what I can pull in tomorrow.” Dave yawned. “I think it’s time we called it a night.”
“You ate chocolate and made a pot of coffee.” His yawn was contagious, but I caught myself in time to stifle one. “It’s only ten o’clock, and it’s Saturday night.”
Dave raised an eyebrow. “And what do you normally do at ten o’clock on a Saturday night?”
“Popcorn and a movie.” I stifled another yawn. “Okay, you win. We’ll call it a night.”
Sunday morning arrived with a bang—literally. I jumped out of bed, grabbed my Glock, and rushed out of the bedroom. “Dave!”
Flames lit up the darkness outside, and I tore through the living room. “Dave!”
Seconds could make the difference in life and death. I wanted to run to Dave’s prone figure lying a few feet away from the burning car, but instead, I raced back inside, grabbed my phone, and hit the emergency number. “This is Detective Kacy Lang. Officer down, 408 Maston. We need an ambulance and a fire truck.” The operator was still talking, but I wasn’t listening. “I would hate to see anything happen to you, the Wilsons, or your partner.”
Kurt’s threat ran through my mind as I headed back to Dave. “You better hope he doesn’t die, you son of a bitch, because if he does, I’m coming after you.”
Nothing moves a police department, fire department, or emergency squad faster than the words officer down. Lights were flashing and sirens were blaring when I knelt beside Dave and felt for a pulse. I closed my eyes and whispered, “Thank you.” A gash along the right side of his head was streaming blood, and his clothes were scorched, but he was alive.
Officer Stevens arrived at the same time the paramedics did, and I stepped aside to let them work on Dave. “You all right, Kacy?” Stevens asked.
“Fine.” I watched as one paramedic staunched the flow of blood from Dave’s head wound while another took vitals. “You made it here quick.”
“Don’t shoot me, but Park has us patrolling your neighborhood at night. He didn’t want to hear you complain if he put a car outside your house.”
The humor in Stevens’s voice was a fair indication that most of the officers were aware of my stubbornness and the fact Park and I didn’t see eye to eye often. I liked Stevens, and his honesty was refreshing. Dave and I had worked a case with him before, and he was one of our sharper officers. And don’t forget he’s damned good-looking.
“Nice strong pulse. Let’s get him loaded.” The first paramedic stood up and motioned for the stretcher.
“Forget that.” Dave opened his eyes and tried to sit up. “Where’s Kacy?”
“Right here, Dave.” I knelt beside him again, and gently pushed him down. “Lie still. Can you tell us what happened?”
“Heard Kiser barking and remembered what you said. Looked out and saw a hooded figure getting ready to bash out my windows. By the time I got outside, he’d broken one and tossed something in the car. I yelled, and he took off. That’s all I remember.”
“We need to get him to the hospital, ma’am.”
Dave struggled to sit up again. “Don’t need a hospital. Help me up.”
I glanced at the paramedic and winked. “Give me a hand?”
It took three of us to get him on his feet. He wobbled as the third paramedic moved the stretcher into place, and we lowered Dave onto it. “You’re going to the hospital. You need stitches if nothing else.”
Dave grabbed my arm and jerked me down. “You gotta promise me you won’t do nothing stupid, or I ain’t going.”
“I promise.” I shook off his hand.
“I think he dropped the crowbar when he ran off.” Dave winced as he turned his head toward me. “Might be prints on it.”
“We’ll find it.” I pushed the stretcher toward the ambulance. “Get him out of here before he gets up again.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Stevens threw a warm blanket around my shoulders. “Let’s get you inside. My guys have got this one, and the bomb squad is on their way.” He placed a hand on my back and turned me toward the house. “It’s freezing out here.”
“Thanks, Officer Stevens.”
“Call me Greg.”
I suddenly realized I couldn’t feel my feet and glanced down. I normally slept nude, but with Dave sleeping over, I’d worn a tank top and pajama shorts to bed. My skin had a bluish-reddish tinge to it. “Damn.”
Stevens laughed. “I think Commander Park is on his way.” A huge grin lit up his face, and his dark-blue eyes twinkled. “Personally, I don’t mind what you’re wearing, but you might want to put some clothes on for him.”
“Make a pot of coffee. I’ll take a quick shower and get dressed. I want to get to the hospital before Dave punches out a doctor or nurse.”
Stevens nodded. “Should I call his wife?”
“No, she’s staying with family right now. We’ll let Dave make that call.”
Thoughts kept creeping in, and I kept shutting them out as the hot water slowly dissipated the chill that had sunk all the way to my bones. Not one to dawdle in the shower, I soaped up then rinsed off. Five minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, blow-dried my hair, then applied a light foundation to cover my raccoon eyes. Hearing voices in the kitchen, I rushed to dress. I need to thank Stevens later for the heads-up on Park. Anger kicked in as I yanked on a pair of heavy wool socks. He wouldn’t be here if Kurt Lange wasn’t my father. The bastard should have gone to the hospital to check on Dave.
I took a final look in the mirror. “Take a deep breath. Count to ten.” I’d promised Dave I wouldn’t do anything stupid, and jumping the commander’s case would be stupid.
The voices tapered off as I entered the kitchen. Park was seated at the head of my table.
I pulled out a chair and sat on the edge. I wanted to get out of there before my father arrived, and I was sure he’d been Park’s first call. “Commander Park.”
“Detective Lang.” He glanced at Stevens, who cleared his throat, placed a cup of coffee on the table, and headed for the front. Park waited until the door closed. “What happened?”
“I think Officer Stevens has Dave’s statement, sir. I’d like to get to the hospital.”
“How are you?”
The question, like the fact he had officers patrolling my neighborhood, was a surprise. “I’m fine, sir. I was inside when the car blew up.”
“Your arm?”
“A little sore, but it’s healing nicely.” Park didn’t make small talk and I studied his profile as he sipped his coffee. “Is there something on your mind, sir?”
“I received a call from your father last night. He’d like me to put you on another case.” Park smiled, an oddity that, for some reason, I found amusing. “He wants your brother’s case filed away.”
“Sir—”
“I’m not finished, Lang.”
I dug the nails of my left hand into my palm. It was better tha
n biting my tongue. “Sorry, sir.”
“I have no intention of filing your brother’s case away. These people killed one of my officers. I want to know who and why. Whether you stay on the case or not, I’ll leave up to you. You’re welcome to take some leave. You’ve earned it.”
I hoped the shock I was feeling didn’t show on my face. “I’d prefer to stay on the case, sir. Detective Capello and I have another angle we’d like to try, with your permission. We planned on bringing you up-to-date in the morning.”
“I’m open to suggestions.”
I outlined our plan of ramping up drug raids, bringing in the heads of some of the more prominent gangs, and questioning them about Kyle’s murder. “If we apply enough pressure, someone will talk. We believe there’s more to this than money and drugs, sir.”
“Would you care to expound on that?” Park toyed with his cup, but his eyes were deadlocked on my face.
“Until we have more information, no, sir.”
He nodded. “Your father won’t like this.” Park stood. “I hope you’ll stand behind me when the shit hits the fan.”
I smiled, rose, and stuck out my hand. “Frankly, sir, I don’t give a damn what Kurt Lange likes, and I’ll be beside you, not behind you.”
He gripped my hand in a firm shake. “I’ll organize teams for tomorrow’s raids. I assume you have tips on where they’re to take place?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. I’ll assign an officer to take you to the hospital and bring you back home.” He moved toward the front. “Call me and let me know how Detective Capello is doing. If he’s admitted, I’ll visit him later today.”
“Thank you, sir.” I felt rooted to the spot, a goofy smile plastered to my face, until I remembered Dave. I checked my Glock, slipped on my coat, and headed outside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Mr. Capello!”
“It’s Detective Capello, and if you don’t give me my pants, I’ll walk out of here buck naked.”
I shot a glance at Officer Stevens and grinned. “I’ve seen a lot of Dave, but that’s one image I’d rather not have fixed in my mind.”
He chuckled, and I pushed open the door to Dave’s room. He was in a tug-of-war with an exasperated older nurse. I’d already talked to the doctor who had stitched up Dave’s head. His last words were “Take him home and good riddance.”
“I think you need to take a deep breath and count to fifty, Detective Capello.”
“Kacy. Thank God. Would you tell this old biddy to give me my clothes?”
With a final tug, the nurse retrieved the pants and tossed them across the room. “He can’t leave until I take his vital signs, and he shouldn’t leave then.” She pushed back her hair then placed her hands on her ample hips. “And I can’t do that until the stubborn old fool settles down.”
“He does have a stubborn streak.” I approached the bed. “Why don’t you give us a few minutes”—I took a quick look at her name tag—“Nurse Stinson?”
“Humph.” She scuttled from the room, mumbling under her breath. “It’s not like I don’t have a thousand other patients to take care of.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I touched the bandage on the side of Dave’s head.
“Ouch.”
“Doctor says you should stay today for observation.”
“Give me my pants.”
“Not until you calm down and let that sweet nurse take your vital signs. If those are good, I’ll let Greg… Officer Stevens help you get dressed. Otherwise, I’ll sit right here the rest of the day and tonight.”
Dave lay back on the pillow and grumbled. “Did you find the crowbar?”
“Yes, and the bomb squad has gone over your car. We’ll have a report from them later on today or first thing in the morning.”
He closed his eyes, his face pale.
I hoped my news would add a little color. “Commander Park came by, and I updated him on our plans.”
“What’d he say?”
“He’s organizing strike teams for us tomorrow. I have to call him and let him know how you’re doing.” I lowered my voice, a touch of guilt beneath my words. “We haven’t called Martha yet.”
“Don’t. She’ll just worry, or worse, come home to take care of me and drive me crazy.” He opened his eyes and stared into mine. “Hate these places. Can we get out of here now?”
“If you promise to be good, I’ll go retrieve Nurse Stinson.”
“With all the pretty nurses hanging around out there, I don’t know why they had to send her.”
“Because she’s the best, and you deserve that.” I squeezed his hand and rose. “I’ll take care of getting your discharge papers started, grab Nurse Stinson, and be right back.” I nodded to Stevens on the way out. “Make sure he stays put.”
Nurse Stinson was coming out of a room down the hall as I approached the station. “I think he’s calm enough now. Could we chat for a moment? I’d like to go over his discharge papers.”
“Will you be taking care of him?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Her face creased in a smile. “You have my sympathy.” She retrieved a chart from the desk. “He has a possible concussion. If he experiences any extreme headaches, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting you should bring him back at once.”
“Should I let him sleep or keep him awake?”
“You can let him sleep, but wake him up every twenty minutes to a half hour. If you have too much trouble waking him, then you should call an ambulance. He has three stitches. Make sure he keeps the bandage dry and change it twice a day. The doctor prescribed some antibiotic cream.”
“Wish I could take you home with me.”
“If wishes were money, I’d be rich and wouldn’t have to put up with the likes of him.” Nurse Stinson walked toward Dave’s room.
Dave’s vital signs were good, and in a little less than an hour, we were on our way home. “Your house or mine?”
“Arlene’s. I’m starving.”
“I’ll cook you something when we get home.”
“What I’m craving can’t be nuked.” Dave sat forward in the seat and placed a hand on Stevens’s shoulder. “Do you know where Arlene’s is?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then take me there.”
Stevens raised an eyebrow and glanced my way.
I shrugged. “He’s the boss.”
“Ouch. Darn it, Kacy, don’t make me laugh. It hurts. And don’t believe a word she’s saying. If she’s letting me be the boss, it’s because she’s planning something on her own and trying to throw me off guard. I’ve got the jump on her this time, though.”
I turned around in the seat to scrutinize him. He looked okay, but something was wrong with him. “What drugs did they give you at the hospital? You’re not making any sense at all.”
“You tell her, Greg. I’m hungry, and all this talking is making my head hurt.”
Dave and Stevens had gotten chummy in a short amount of time. “Tell me what, Greg?”
“Detective Capello spoke with Commander Park, and I’ve been assigned to the two of you until he’s back on his feet. For the next few days or however long it takes, I’ll be your partner.”
Stevens pulled to the front of Arlene’s and parked while I fumed silently.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, but you shouldn’t have.” I took the heavy dish, closed the door, and leaned against it. The afternoon and evening had been filled with visitors dropping by to make sure we were okay.
“That looks good.” Dave sniffed as I passed him on my way to the kitchen.
“Your favorite. Roast beef, potatoes, and baby carrots.” He started to rise, and I shook my head. “It’s a quarter to nine, and you’ve had enough for one day. I’m putting this in the refrigerator for tomorrow, and we’re all going to get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us.” I shifted things around and stuffed the platter on the second shelf. “Officer Stevens, what are your o
rders?”
“Ma’am?”
“Are you supposed to stay, sit outside in your car and guard us, pick us up in the morning, or what?”
“I’m supposed to stay. Inside or out is your choice, ma’am.”
“Stop calling me ma’am.” I emptied the coffee pot and readied it for morning. “There’s a blow-up mattress in the garage. You can set it up in the living room.” I tossed him the garage opener. “Left-hand side, far corner. The mattress is automatic when you plug it in.” I grabbed a pillow, extra sheets, and blankets from the hall closet and tossed them on the couch.
Contrary to what the nurse had told me to expect, Dave had not fallen asleep all day. He doesn’t have a concussion. Too damn hardheaded. “Do you need anything before I go to bed, Dave?”
“No, ma’am.”
If looks could kill, he would have been dead. I stomped to the bedroom. Putting up with one man in my house was bad enough. Now I’ve got two of them. I stopped myself from slamming the door. I wasn’t going to give Dave the satisfaction of knowing just how upset I was. Closing it softly, I clicked the lock.
I didn’t expect to sleep much, and when the alarm woke me at five in the morning, I was shocked to find I’d slept the entire night. By five thirty, I was showered, dressed, and ready to go. I quickly made the bed and placed Dave’s suitcase, which we’d picked up the day before, on it.
He surprised me again by being fully awake and already in the kitchen, pouring cups of coffee.
“The shower is all yours, partner. Clean towels on the rack, and a fresh-pressed suit in the closet.” I glanced in the living room. “Where’s Stevens?”
“He left to get ready. Said he’d pick us up at six thirty. Guess I’d better hustle.”
“How’s your head? And don’t lie.”
“Sore.” He gulped down the remainder of his coffee and placed the cup in the sink. “Don’t worry. I plan on letting you young pups do the heavy work today.”
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