Chapter 48
Ididn’t know if she was high on something, but she clearly wasn’t in her right mind. Kenzie pulled a pistol from her purse.
I squeezed the trigger.
The pistol hammered my palm, and smoke wafted from the barrel. The tangy scent of gunpowder filled my nostrils.
My bullet raced across the lobby and drilled her in the shoulder before she took a shot.
Blood spewed, and the impact twisted her around.
She spun to the ground, and the weapon clattered to the tile.
I advanced and shouted to the concierge, "Call 911!"
Mortified, the concierge dialed as fast as she could.
My foot kicked Kenzie’s weapon away as I approached. I knelt down and put pressure on the wound. Warm blood oozed through my fingers.
The shoulder is full of nerves and blood vessels that feed the arm and hand. She'd be lucky if she ever used that arm again.
Kenzie wailed and moaned in agony as I tried to stem the tide of blood. It was the second time in less than an hour that I had to keep someone from dying.
Sirens drew near, and soon EMTs and paramedics flooded into the lobby, along with the fire department. Deputies weren’t far behind.
I backed away, let them take over, and stood guard over her pistol until the forensic investigators arrived to bag and tag it.
Once the scene was secured, I stepped into the bathroom and washed the blood from my hands.
EMTs stabilized Kenzie and transferred her to a gurney. She was rolled out of the lobby and stuffed into the back of the ambulance.
This time, Paris got her money shot.
I returned to the Porsche.
Daphne still sat in the passenger seat where I left her. “Are you okay?”
I nodded and slipped behind the wheel. I called Kenzie’s mother and informed her of the situation.
She was not thrilled. "I'm on my way to the hospital now."
I was 99% sure Kenzie would live. I wasn't so sure about Levi.
We returned to the station. I surrendered my duty weapon and filled out an after-action report in the conference room.
The sheriff poked his head into the room. “You’re on leave until further notice.”
“I still have a prisoner,” I said, nodding to Daphne. She sat in a chair next to me.
“I’ll assign her to that nitwit partner of yours. Where is he?”
“Infiltrating the Greek system on campus.”
The sheriff groaned.
He told me to see the head shrinker. Standard protocol. I had no intention of doing so.
“How often do you shoot somebody?” Daphne asked.
“Only when necessary.”
“Is that a lot?”
I nodded.
It was after 2:00 AM by the time we got back to the party at the Kappa house. Jack was on stage with the band in the backyard, cranking out classic covers along with some Wild Fury tunes.
The crowd loved it, and Jack had endeared himself to a new class of undergraduates. When he came off stage, the Kappa president came up to him and said, "Dude, the Fury has to play another show here! How about the Halloween bash?"
Jack pointed to me. "That's my manager. Talk to him."
I took the guy’s contact information and said I’d look at the calendar.
Of course, Jack was swarmed with lovely ladies, all wanting a piece of the would-be rockstar. Jack had his charm. It's amazing what a little stage time will do.
Once he'd appeased his fans with selfies, autographs, and handshakes, I caught him up to speed.
His brow lifted with surprise. "Had I known you were going to have that much fun, I’d have gone with you.” Then he added, “Is my car still in one piece?”
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
He gave me a look.
“You’re supposed to be keeping tabs on Rachel,” I said.
“I am,” Jack said, pointing to her. “She’s right there.”
Indeed, she was standing by the pool with Lance. He’d obviously taken Lauren home and returned to the party. The two had gotten pretty close as the evening progressed. Locked at the lips, they didn’t seem to care who was around.
I snapped a few photos on my phone for good measure. We followed the two as Lance led her inside the frat house and upstairs to his bedroom. It was late, and I’m sure the festivities would continue till sunrise. These two were going to have a private party.
I snapped a few more photos. Enough to start a rift between Rachel and Lauren.
We decided to call it a night.
Adrenaline still coursed through my veins. Nothing like a little gun battle to make you feel alive. The three of us left the frat house and made our way back to the Porsche. I drove since Jack had indulged at the party.
I texted Isabella and asked her if she could figure out where Rachel's and Lauren’s phones were the night Cheyenne drowned.
We returned to the Avventura, and I took Buddy out for a late-night stroll.
He did his business, and we returned to the boat.
I crawled into bed, and Fluffy curled up beside me with Buddy sleeping at the foot of the bed.
It was a rare display of affection from the aloof white cat, but sometimes she craved attention.
I didn’t bother to handcuff Daphne. It wouldn’t have done any good.
There was a soft knock at the door, then it pushed open. She slipped into the room wearing a big T-shirt that barely covered her pert bottom. I don’t think she had anything else on besides the ankle bracelet.