Her boss was breathing very fast and Jan watched her do that hair thing five more times. “I’ll have her for you in a week or so.” She put out her cigarette and immediately lit another. “I’ll find another way.”
The woman seemed furious. “What about Doug?”
“I’m meeting him in a few minutes. And I’ve already set things up with John Clarkson to take over the bar scene. I gave him the supply this morning. He’s done some work for my cousin in Little Rock and he’s reliable.”
The woman gulped the rest of her drink and slammed it down on her desk. She ran her fingers through the right side of her hair five more times and then slammed her fist again. “Make me another drink, then get the hell out of here and fix things.”
Jan put out her cigarette and washed out her ashtray. She made her boss another drink, centering it on the coaster. “I’ll call you tomorrow and give you an update.”
The woman merely grunted and turned to check her laptop to see if Toni had opened her e-mail yet. Jan left without saying anything else.
Once in her car she lit another cigarette. She’d seen her boss mad before, but this was new. Her obsession with Toni Barston was getting out of control and that hair thing was driving Jan nuts. If she’d just chill out a little, things would get back to normal in no time. This thing for Toni was going to be a problem and Jan wasn’t sure how she was going to handle it. But at the moment she had another chore to complete.
Jan turned into the alley behind the old candy factory and saw Doug sitting in Kevin’s Pontiac about halfway down. She pulled alongside him so the driver’s side windows faced each other.
“Hey, Jan.”
“Hi, Doug.” She grinned at him. “You did a great job. I’ve got a new phone number, so why don’t you hand me your cell so I can program it in for you?”
Doug handed her his phone. “Thanks.”
Jan looked at the phone. It was the untraceable throwaway phone she’d given him just a week ago. She put his phone on the passenger seat of her car and picked up her gun. Without saying another word, she leveled her nine millimeter at his head and fired. He was looking right at her when the bullet hit the center of his forehead. There was a look of disbelief on his face, and then he was gone. Jan placed her gun under her seat as she drove away. She was home in ten minutes. She fixed herself a rum and Coke and ordered a pizza. She flipped on the television while she waited for the delivery boy and wondered how she’d get her boss back on track.
Boggs was sitting next to Toni’s bed, still in the emergency room. She’d only left once to get a cup of coffee from the vending machine. She’d called everyone and was sick with worry.
Toni was still dozing when Vicky arrived at the hospital. She grabbed a chair and pulled it next to Boggs.
“How’s she doing?”
Boggs was holding Toni’s hand. “She’s been sleeping off and on. I had them run a tox screen.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s been almost an hour.”
“I’m going to find out what’s taking so long.” Vicky had just stood up to leave when the doctor and the nurse came in the room.
“We got the results,” the doctor said but stopped and looked at Vicky. She flashed her badge and he nodded. “There’s a mixture of gamma-hydroxybutyrate and methylenedioxymethamphetamine.”
“What the hell is that?” Boggs asked.
“It’s basically a blend of ecstasy and GHB, the date rape drug.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Boggs felt sick. She couldn’t stand the thought of someone taking advantage of Toni.
“It should wear off in about two or three more hours. She’ll probably have very little memory of what happened and might feel a bit of a hangover. The laceration on her forehead isn’t too bad. We put in five stitches. She should have those removed in a week.”
“Can we take her home now?” Boggs wanted to get her home and tucked into their own bed. She needed her to be safe.
The doctor nodded, wrote a prescription for pain medication and left the room. Sally, the nurse, remained. “She’ll be okay.” She got a wheelchair from the hallway and pushed it near the bed. “She’ll probably continue to doze off and on, but that’s okay. She’s in no danger.” She shook Toni gently. “Ms. Barston, time to wake up.”
Toni slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times. “Oh, hi.” Her deep blue eyes searched for Boggs. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“We’re just going to take you home, babe.” Boggs helped her sit up. “The nurse here is going to let you ride in a wheelchair.”
Toni seemed alarmed. “I’m in a hospital? What happened?” She looked at her slacks and touched the bloodstains on her pants. “I’m bleeding?”
Boggs smoothed her hair and gently took her hand. “You’re okay, babe. You cut your head, but the doc fixed you up.”
Toni touched her forehead and the bandage. “It hurts.”
Both Boggs and the nurse helped Toni into the wheelchair. She looked a little confused but complied easily. As Boggs wheeled her out, Sally handed Toni’s blazer to Vicky. Boggs had already retrieved Toni’s wallet. Thank God nothing seemed to be missing. Her credit cards were there as well as forty-seven dollars.
Vicky dug in the pocket, finding the keys to Toni’s Bug. “I’ll call Patty and go pick her up,” she told Boggs. “Then we’ll swing by Homer’s and get the car. We’ll meet you at Toni’s place. And I’ll give Johnnie and Jessie a call too. Oh, and I’ll take care of the prescription.”
Grateful for the help, Boggs nodded and wheeled Toni out through the ER, Vicky following close behind. She was so mad at herself. She should have gone with Toni to that tavern. If she had, none of this would have happened. Maybe Johnnie was right, and she really couldn’t take care of Toni. She felt tears begin to well when she realized what could have happened to Toni and she quickly blinked them back. She needed to be strong now. Whoever was after Toni would have to get through her first. As they approached the automatic door, she double-checked her weapon. “Vicky, you stay here while I get the car. And don’t let anyone talk to her. Understand? No one.”
Vicky had just closed her cell phone. “I’ll be right here, hon. Don’t worry.”
Boggs hesitated. She wasn’t sure she could leave Toni there in the wheelchair.
Vicky must have noticed her apprehension, because she pulled the side of her blazer back and tucked it behind her holster. She put one hand on her gun and the other on the back of the wheelchair. “We’ll be fine. Go get the car,” she ordered.
Boggs did as she was told. Once through the automatic doors, she literally ran to her car, hitting the unlock button at ten feet away. She hopped in, slammed the door shut and promptly dropped the keys on the floor. After picking them up, she fumbled getting them in the ignition. Her hands were shaking. Damn it. She tried again and they slid in easily. She started her SUV and took a deep breath. Jeez. Get a hold of yourself, girl. Normally she was cool and calm in a crisis, but when it came to Toni, she was a mess. She’d never felt this way about anyone and she had an overwhelming need to protect her by taking her somewhere far away. She shook it off and tried to focus. Pulling up in front of the entrance, she threw the car into park and hopped out. Vicky was wheeling Toni toward her.
“I think she should ride in the backseat,” Vicky said. “She keeps dozing off.”
Boggs opened the back door and gently shook Toni. “Come on, babe. Time to go home.”
Toni opened her eyes and smiled, while Vicky and Boggs helped her into the backseat. Vicky buckled her in and Boggs got in the driver’s seat. By the time she closed her door, Toni was lying down.
“I’ll see you over there,” Boggs said through the open passenger window. She navigated slowly and carefully to Toni’s townhouse, her eyes darting from the road to the backseat, to the rearview mirror. Satisfied they hadn’t been followed, she pulled into a visitor’s spot and helped Toni to the front door.
Once inside, Boggs quickly closed the door, locked it and punched in the se
curity code. Mr. Rupert came running to greet them.
“Hiya, buddy.” Toni leaned down to pet him and almost fell.
Boggs steadied her. “Come on, babe. Let’s go upstairs and get you changed.” She guided Toni up the stairs with her arm around her waist for balance. “Okay, you take off your clothes and I’ll get you some shorts and a top.”
As Toni unbuttoned her blouse, Boggs again saw the bloodstains and her stomach turned. Why the hell would someone drug Toni? she wondered. And whoever it was, she was determined to find them and make them wish they’d never seen the light of day. She opened a drawer in the dresser and pulled out a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a white T-shirt. When she glanced back, Toni was standing next to the bed, completely nude, petting Mr. Rupert. Boggs chastised herself for the thoughts that immediately came to mind. This was not the time for that, she told herself.
“I think you can put your bra and underwear back on,” she said. “Unless you want to take a shower.” She noticed dried blood on her face and neck. “Yeah, I think maybe a shower would be good. Are you feeling up to that?”
“I’m not feeling great, but I think a shower would make me feel a little better.” She smiled weakly.
Boggs glanced at her watch and figured that the drug would be wearing off in about an hour. She thought that Toni would feel both better and worse. “Just don’t wash your hair,” she offered. “And if that bandage gets a little wet, we’ll just put a fresh one on, okay?” Sally had given her extra gauze and a roll of white tape.
Toni looked confused. “Bandage?”
Boggs led her into the bathroom and showed her in the mirror.
“Oh, God,” Toni exclaimed when she saw her reflection. “That’s attractive.” She touched the area around the bandage and winced. “How bad is it?”
“They put in five stitches,” Boggs said. “But the nurse told me the doc is really good.” She smiled as her gaze trailed up and down Toni’s body. “And I must say, you’re looking pretty hot right now.”
Toni blushed. “Well, thank you very much. And I’ll be happy to go to the eye doctor with you so you can get glasses.” It was the first time she smiled like her old self.
Boggs started the shower for her and waited while the water warmed up.
Toni stepped into the shower, holding onto the wall to steady herself. “Will you stay up here with me?”
Boggs could tell that she was frightened, the gravity of the events just beginning to sink in. “Of course, babe. In fact, I’ll get in with you.” Boggs quickly disrobed and joined her. She turned the showerhead and let the warm water cascade over them. She soaped up a washcloth and gently washed the blood off Toni’s face and neck. Toni was still unsteady on her feet. “Just hold on to the bar, babe.”
Toni did as instructed as Boggs continued. She loved her more than she’d ever loved anyone and the urge to protect and comfort her was overwhelming. When Toni was clean, she turned off the shower and grabbed a towel, patting her dry where they stood. Then she got out and placed a fresh towel on the lid of the toilet.
“Just sit here for a minute, babe.” She helped Toni out of the shower and sat her down.
Boggs quickly dried herself and dressed. She retrieved Toni’s clothing and helped her get dressed.
Toni again saw herself in the mirror and she reached up to touch the bandage. “What happened to me?”
Boggs checked the bandage and noticed it was wet. She sat Toni back down and gingerly replaced it. “You cut your head.”
“But why can’t I remember? Did I get knocked out?” She looked at her feet. “I need shoes.”
Boggs helped her into the bedroom. “Are you feeling better after your shower?”
“Yeah, a little. My brain seems a little less foggy, but my head is pounding.”
“Vicky’s going to fill the prescription and bring it over,” Boggs said. “That should help.”
Toni sat at her desk and put on her shoes. She glanced at her laptop. “Let me check my e-mail and then you can tell me what the hell happened.” Boggs watched her scroll through the list, ignoring most. “Hey, I got an e-mail from that place that helps pets of people with AIDS.” She opened it. “It’s just a thank you for your interest. It says they’ll send more information later. There’s a cute picture of a kitten.”
“That’s great,” Boggs said. “I think that’s a wonderful thing. And speaking of pets, I was browsing the Web site of Stray Rescue this morning and I saw this great little guy.” She was grinning.
“Let’s go downstairs and you can tell me all about him. I’m parched.”
Boggs got them both a diet Dew and they sat on the couch. “He’s only ten weeks old and he’s mostly gray with white on his chest and all four paws.”
“I thought we were going to wait until we moved.”
“I know, but he’s adorable. And here’s the clincher. He’s a Cinderella cat.”
“A Cinderella cat? What the hell is that?”
“He was adopted originally from the humane society, but the people brought him to Stray Rescue with some stupid excuse. Allergies or something. His tail was broken and the doc had to amputate it. Now his tail is only about two inches long.”
“Oh, my God,” Toni said. “That’s horrible.” She was shaking her head. “Hey, wait a minute. Was all that information on the Web site?”
Feeling only a bit sneaky, Boggs grinned but said nothing.
“I didn’t think so.” Toni laughed. “You already called them, didn’t you?”
“Just to get more information,” Boggs admitted, recalling the conversation with the lady at Stray Rescue. “But I’d never do anything without talking to you first.”
Toni leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “So when do we meet this little guy?”
“How about Saturday after we go to the range? I, um, already filled out the online application form.”
“Perfect,” Toni said. She looked over at Mr. Rupert, who was sitting on the coffee table. “I think you’re about to get your very own cat. Would you like that, buddy?”
He meowed once and then yawned.
“Now tell me what the hell happened today.”
Boggs had just finished telling Toni what she knew when the doorbell rang and she let in Vicky and Patty.
Vicky draped Toni’s blazer over one of the dining room chairs. “I don’t know if your cleaner can get the blood out of this,” she said. “And I’ve got your pain meds.” She held up the small white sack. “Are you ready for one of these?”
Toni nodded and Vicky tossed her the bag.
“Do you need more to drink?” Vicky was already in the kitchen with the refrigerator open. With Toni’s reply in the negative, Vicky got a beer for herself and one for Patty. She came back into the living room. “I hope nobody minds, but I ordered pizza again. We can start talking as soon as Johnnie and Jessie get here.” She plopped down on the couch next to Toni. “How are you feeling? Still woozy?”
Toni smiled. “Not nearly as bad as before. Now it’s mostly just this.” She lightly touched the bandage and took one of the pain meds. “But why don’t I remember?”
“It’s the drug, babe, but you’re okay now,” Boggs said.
Patty opened her beer and sat on the other side of the huge couch. She took a healthy swallow. “I brought your Bug over and I stopped by your office and got your briefcase.” She pointed to the dining room table where she’d placed it.
“Thank you so much,” Toni said. “To all of you. Thank you.”
The doorbell rang again and this time Patty answered it. It was the pizza delivery guy with Johnnie and Jessie standing behind him.
“I’ve got it,” Boggs said as she headed to the door. She paid and carried the four large boxes to the coffee table. “Jeez, Vic. Hungry?”
“Shut up and get us some plates,” Vicky said, chuckling. “I couldn’t decide,” she added. “Anyway, I’m hormonal.”
Boggs gathered the paper plates and napkins as well as beer for Johnni
e and Jessie. She noticed that Johnnie had taken her spot on the couch next to Toni, and Jessie was sitting on the other side. She glared at Johnnie but kept her mouth shut. This wasn’t the time or place, she thought. But jeez, why did she think it was okay to plop her butt next to Toni? Johnnie thought she was God’s gift to the FBI and to all women. Boggs knew she still had it bad for Toni. Boggs shook her head. It pissed her off. She sat next to Patty on the other side, putting the plates and napkins on the coffee table. As everyone grabbed slices of their favorite kind, she tried to let her anger go. Maybe she wasn’t doing that great of a job protecting Toni. Look at what had happened today. What if that guy had taken advantage of her? Shit. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the task at hand.
Boggs glanced over at Vicky and laughed. “Why do you pluck off the pepperoni? I’ve been watching you do that for years.”
“It’s all about the process,” Vicky said. “So shut up. It’s one of my best qualities.”
The woman sat at her desk, staring at her laptop. She’d already checked her bank balance and occasionally she’d play a game of solitaire or perhaps mah-jong, but mostly she was waiting for that window to pop up indicating that Toni had opened the e-mail and the attachment. Frustrated, she made herself a drink and slowly went back to her desk. She set the heavy glass tumbler on the center of the coaster and stared at it for several minutes. Finally she stirred the Scotch three times with her left index finger, tapped it twice on the rim and slowly licked the drops. She sighed deeply and took a healthy swallow, feeling the wonderful burn inch down her throat. She needed to see Toni, to feel her, to know her inside and out. After a second sip, she let her gaze drift back to her laptop and her pulse quickened. There it was. A small window on the screen notifying her that Toni had opened that special piece of mail. She was so close now. She grabbed her cell phone, trembling as she dialed Davey’s number. Her excitement was quickly turning to anger when she heard his phone ring for the fourth time. Where the hell is he? She needed him right now. He answered on the fifth ring, right before it would have gone to voice mail.
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