Page 103 of Lost Hours
“No, you won’t.” She took a few steps closer. “You really aren’t a killer. You took an oath to save lives, not take them.”
“Some people just deserve to die. My cases as a medical examiner show me that.”
“Say that’s true,” she said to keep him focused on her. “Who gets to decide who should die? Should you? Should I? Should Becca over there?”
“Stop talking,” Dr. Osborne said. “You’re just trying to confuse me. I’m not a criminal, and I’m not going to prison.”
“But youarea criminal.” Mina firmed her stance. “You committed murder. Kidnapping. You need to pay for your crimes.”
“I’ve always respected you, Sheriff, and enjoyed working with you, but you’ve stuck your nose in where it doesn’t belong.” He shook his gun. “Get over there with Becca.”
She slowly moved forward, hoping when she reached him that she could disarm him, but as she approached, he backed away. She couldn’t reach him without taking a bullet. Her only hope at this point was to talk him down. If she couldn’t, then there was only one option. She would put herself between him and Becca.
Mina would likely take a bullet, but then Nolan would take Dr. Osborne out before he could kill Becca too.
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Nolan didn’t like what was happening in front of him. Didn’t like it one bit and his gut tightened. Osborne had moved out of his comfort zone for a sure shot with his handgun, and he had to get closer. He dashed from tree to tree until he was as close as he could get without alerting Osborne to his location. Mina had moved next to Becca and was whispering something to her.
“Stop that.” Osborne waved his gun again, this time wildly. He was skilled with a weapon and shouldn’t misfire, but it didn’t matter what his skill was right now. He was losing his grip on reality. “Since there are two of you, you can quickly get that tarp laid out.”
Nolan couldn’t wait until the tarp was down. That would be too late. He had to try a surprise attack now. He inched closer. Silently. Carefully placing his feet.
Mina caught sight of him and gave a slight shake of her head. Nearly imperceptible, Osborne didn’t pick up on it.
Nolan returned her shake with a stubborn one of his own. He wouldn’t stop and risk her life. He’d give his life first, if that was what it took to save her. Becca too.
Please don’t let Becca see me and react.
The women spread out the tarp, the sound and action serving as a distraction while he closed the final twenty feet to his target. He took a silent breath and let it out.
Mina held one corner of the tarp and Becca the other. They backed away from each other. The camouflage vinyl fluttered in the breeze.
Now! Go!
He took off, not caring about the sound his feet were making as he all but flew over the ground.
Five feet away, Dr. Osborne turned, his gun outstretched. His eyes flashed open. He fired.
Pain razored into Nolan’s upper arm, and he hit the ground.
The doctor advanced on him, gun pointed at him, and an angry glare in his eyes.
“Run,” he yelled at Mina and Becca.
Osborne raised his gun and spun.
He was going to shoot them.
“No!” Nolan wrapped his good arm around Osborne’s legs, taking him down. His gun fired, the report sounding like a cannon in Nolan’s ears.
He scrambled on top of the doctor and tried to wrestle the gun free. One hand alone didn’t work. He clawed at the man’s gun hand.
Osborne ripped it free and started to crawl away. Turned onto his back and lifted the gun, aiming the barrel at him.
Nolan had failed. Big time. He prepared himself for a fatal bullet.
Please keep Mina and Becca safe.
