Page 74 of Solid as Steele
“Exactly.” He shoved his hands into his pockets as the wall tempted him again. “I’m glad the sheriff agreed to bring Sierra back to process the scene in the morning and the ballistic guy too. What’s his name again?”
“Grady Houston. He has the slug Sierra located in the desert and will be able to compare them.”
Owen had considered this but figured he had to be reaching. “You think whoever killed Cassie is still using the same rifle?”
She shrugged then winced in pain and stopped. “I’ve seen criminals do dumber things than that.”
“Me too.”
The nurse rushed back in, carrying cleaning and bandaging supplies. “Let’s get that cleaned out, so you can be on your way. Pay attention to my procedure as you’ll need to follow it twice a day.”
“Thank you,” Mackenzie said cheerfully but reached out for Owen’s hand and clenched it tightly.
He would do just about anything at the moment to take her pain away. To be the one lying in that bed.
Please, let her pain diminish and don’t let the wound become infected.
The nurse irrigated the wound, and Mackenzie’s whole body tensed as if in a complete body muscle spasm. She tightened her grip with an iron force and looked up at him.
He couldn’t stand by and not comfort her. He stroked her head, loving her silky hair. “It’ll be over soon.”
Her mouth trembled and tears came to her eyes. He bent closer. “Breathe. In. Out. Deep. Repeat.”
He started breathing in a deep pattern, and she soon copied him. Her body relaxed.
“All clean,” the nurse announced. “Let’s get that bandage in place.”
She pressed the remote, and the bed motor whirred to life, the head of the bed rising. Mackenzie continued to hold his hand, but he took a step back.
The nurse efficiently packed the gauze and wrapped the wound. “We’ll send you home with a few days’ supplies, but then you’ll need to get some at the pharmacy.”
The doctor poked his head into the room. “All finished in here?”
“She’s good to go except for removing the IV,” the nurse said.
“Be sure you keep the wound dry for three days,” Patterson said. “Come back if there’s any sign of infection such as redness, swelling, increased pain, or fever.”
“Will do.”
He backed from the room.
The nurse removed the IV. What a waste, but Owen knew it was protocol. Mackenzie had to be frustrated that the IV was coming out less than thirty minutes since the nurse put it in, but on the bright side, the ER staff were working fast to get her released.
“Go ahead and get dressed, and I’ll get your discharge paperwork going.” She stepped outside.
“Want to reverse dress with my help?”
“Yes, please.”
He stepped to her and hated putting on the blood-soaked shirt, but they had no option. They worked together, and when the nurse returned with discharge instructions, Mackenzie only needed to put on her jacket.
The nurse explained everything in detail then put the paperwork and bandages in a plastic bag. “Any questions?”
Mackenzie shook her head.
“Then you’re free to go.” The nurse smiled and exited the room.
He grabbed Mackenzie’s jacket.
