Chapter 26 #2
“How do you know it’s Jeremy?” Knight asked.
“His cologne. I smelled it the night of the fire,” she said as he guided her with her dog out of the cabin and into his truck. Even blind, she knew the entire mountain appeared lit up.
“Leo, it seems Jeremy found his way onto the mountain. Scarlett says he’s our suspect,” Patch said, opening the back door for Ice and helping her inside. He took off his sweatshirt and covered her.
“I forgot my phone,” she said, panicked. “I’ll need to contact Rocker.”
“I picked it up. It’s broken,” Patch said, handing it to her. “We’re taking you to the ER, and you can use my phone if you want to call anyone.”
“How’s Sledge? I’m getting blood all over your truck,” she said, suddenly aware her hands were coated in her brother’s blood.
“You’re sitting on plastic for a reason,” Patch said. “We’re already at the hospital. Kassie’s waiting for you.”
He pulled into the entrance and waited for the ambulance to rush Sledge inside.
“Scarlett, it’s Kassie. I’ve got you. Allie and Lisa will take Ice with them,” she said, helping her out of the truck.
“I want him to stay with me,” she insisted.
“They’ll clean him up, and Jake will examine him. Then they’ll return him to you,” Kassie said gently, steering her into one of the rooms and shutting the door.
“Patch and Ragu have a few questions. I can stay here with you if it’ll make you feel more comfortable. Then we can clean you up.”
“Can you tell us what happened?” Ragu asked.
“Ty brought me home from the funeral reception. He kept me company while Sledge went into town with the kids. When Ty left, he told me to lock the door behind him. I didn’t, because Sledge called to ask if I needed anything before he headed back.
I called my friend, Rayne. I heard someone enter the cabin and went out to greet Sledge when Ice growled.
He moved in front of me like he did the night of the fire and refused to let me enter the kitchen.
I played dumb and acted as if I forgot to get something from my room.
I almost made it back before he grabbed me. ”
“She has bruises on her neck and arm. We need photos taken for evidence, Scarlett,” Patch informed her.
“I’ll take care of it once they leave the room,” Kassie assured her, cleaning the blood from Scarlett’s hands.
A soft knock on the door alerted them to Allie’s presence.
“Don’t worry, Scarlett. I’ll get him all cleaned up,” she said, kneeling to scan the dog for any serious injuries. “He has some blood on his coat, but I don’t see any injuries.”
“He protected me,” she said proudly.
Allie said. “Ice sensed the danger. He’s still an animal and will protect his person. He obviously felt threatened.”
“Did Jeremy say anything?” Patch asked.
Scarlett shook her head. “He never said a word. I didn’t know he planned to shoot me,” she said, shaking.
“Allie, take Ice. Ragu and Patch, I need to tend to my patient,” Kassie took charge.
When everyone left the room, Kassie turned on the water in the bathroom and returned to Scarlett’s side. “I’m bagging your clothes for evidence. I know Patch gave you a quick once-over until they brought you here, but do you hurt anywhere?”
“He grabbed my arm. It’s burning,” she said, recalling the pain from earlier.
“Can you rate your discomfort from one to ten?” she asked. “I’ll give you a shot for the pain, and help with your arm, but I prefer we get the blood off you first and get the pictures.”
“I’ll shower later. Kim must be notified,” Scarlett said, wrapping her arms about her waist. Her teeth chattered, and she felt like a block of ice.
“I’ve sent the private jet for her. Her parents will accompany her and help with the baby,” Kassie assured her, while removing the blood-soaked robe and placing it inside a plastic bag, along with her panties and pajamas.
“Do you know anything about Sledge yet?”
“The bullet hit him in the chest. My husband took him into surgery. After we finish, I’ll see if I can find out more,” Kassie said gently. “Do you want me to help you wash, or do you prefer to do it?”
“I’ll do it,” she said as Kassie covered her burns, took pictures of the bruises, and opened the shower curtain. “How does your neck feel?”
“Like someone tried to strangle me,” she said, stepping inside the hot water.
“I’ll send you for an X-ray for precautionary measures,” Kassie said, before giving her some privacy.
Scarlett scrubbed her body vigorously, trying to rid herself of the metallic scent, reminding her of her brother, whose life hung in the balance for protecting her. Leaning against the shower wall, she sobbed her heartache. Sledge might die because of her.
Twenty minutes later, she shut the water off and dried off with the towel hanging on the wall. Kassie knocked.
“I put your clothes to the right of the sink and extra towels on the left. If you need any help, I’m right outside the door.”
“Thank you,” she called out, wrapping one around her and reaching for another to bind up her hair.
She dressed slowly, and the weight of the evening made her feel sluggish. Scarlett returned to the room and Kassie took her hand, leading her to the bed.
“I sent one of the aides to pack your things. They’re cleaning the cabin, and Leo asked me to find you a place to stay. Until they find Jeremy, they want you safe. I’m sorry you’ve experienced such a stay with us,” Kassie said, distressed.
“It’s not a total loss,” Scarlett said, attempting to make her feel better. “I have a sweet dog, met some wonderful friends, and you’re teaching me how to navigate this world.”
“I don’t understand how Jeremy made it on the mountain.
We have a security system in place. The team has followed him discreetly.
Michael said his truck never left the driveway.
He only noticed Ben doing all the farmwork.
I’m sure once he turns eighteen, this town will never see him again,” Kassie said, pushing a wheelchair out from the corner.
“I’m having you sit, while I give you the pain meds, rewrap your hands, and take you to X-ray. While they do the slides, I’ll check on Sledge,” she informed her.
Kassie must’ve set up the supplies while she waited for Scarlett, because she gave her something before working on her injury. She snapped a few more photos, added ointment to the burns, and then pushed her down the hallway.
“Where will I go? Do I need to return home?” Scarlett asked.
“I’ve found the perfect place. We’re working on the details now.
I’ll know more soon,” Kassie assured her as they entered the radiology department.
A young woman greeted Kassie and Scarlett before pushing Scarlett into the room.
The technician took the images and wheeled her out into the waiting room.
Kassie knelt before her. “Sledge will be in surgery for quite a while. The bullet pierced his spleen and Doc will have to remove it to control the bleeding. Because he received prompt medical attention, he’s doing better than expected.
Now, I have someone who will keep you safe until the team or the sheriff has Jeremy in custody.
Kim will arrive early in the morning, and we have a cabin ready for her and her parents.
Your X-ray shows no damage, but you might experience some pain, and as the swelling continues, you might lose your voice. ”
“Rocker and Sledge will pay good money for me to be unable to talk,” Scarlett snorted. “Where am I going if I can’t stay on the mountain? Will you call me with any updates on Sledge?”
“You’re listed on his HIPAA, along with Kim and Rocker. I can give you updates. Right now, please go and get some sleep before you fall over,” Kassie pleaded.
“I don’t know if I can sleep right now,” Scarlett said, her voice cracking.
Kassie patted her hand and stood. Ty’s scent filled her nose.
“Hey, Sparky,” he said, taking Kassie’s place before her. “Leo thinks it’s a good idea if you stay on the ranch with me. Since they don’t know how Jeremy breached the mountain, you’ll stay with me until he’s arrested.”
“Ty,” she uttered, unable to say anything else.
His thumb stroked her cheek. “Remember what I said about wanting to be your safe space? Let’s get you home and comfortable.”
She nodded as she held his wrist. He kissed her forehead, rose, and pushed her from the room.
“Thank you, Kassie,” she said as he rolled her away.
“She left once I arrived,” Ty informed her. He stopped at the emergency doors and covered her with his jacket. Taking her to his truck, he helped her into the seat.
“What about Ice?” she asked.
“We’re picking him up now,” Ty reassured her. “We can’t go home without him.”
Scarlett lay her head against the headrest, and Ty took her hand as he drove out of the parking lot.
The weariness started to take hold, but with him beside her, she stopped fighting it.
Thinking of Ty as her safe place filled her with a sense of peace, and she wondered if, when he said it, Ty included her heart.
Her eyes drifted shut, praying he’d protect it, too.