Page 107 of Lost Cause
Abby slapped it on her palm. In a split second, she lurched up and went for Estelle’s gun. They clashed. Struggled.
A shot rang.
“No-o-o-o!” Burke cried out and waved Gabe on.
Sidearm in hand, he charged past Burke and down the steps while Burke got to his feet and bolted after his partner.
In the basement, Estelle and Abby were struggling over the gun. Gabe clamped his hands on Estelle’s shoulders and ripped her free as if she were a rag doll.
Burke raced to Abby, trying to ignore the blood on the floor. He dropped down in front of her and scanned her body for obvious injury. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Estelle took the bullet.”
Burke glanced over his shoulder.
Moaning, Estelle was stretched out on the floor, already handcuffed. Gabe leaned over her, applying pressure to a wound on her leg.
“Ouch!” she complained. “Not so rough. I’m not one of those peasant girls you’re used to dealing with.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Her Royal Highness isn’t going to die from this, but we should call 911.”
Burke turned his attention back to Abby and took out his phone. “You’re sure you’re all right?”
She nodded. “A bit shaken up, but no injuries thanks to you and Gabe.”
Dispatch came on the line. He gave his badge number along with the details. The dispatcher promised an ambulance was on the way.
He stowed his phone. “Ambulance will be here soon.”
“Thanks.” Gabe looked up from his first aid duties. “I’m certain I can keep her alive until then.” He laughed.
Burke chuckled. He’d actually come to appreciate this guy’s humor in the face of difficult situations, but right now all he could think about was Abby. He took her hands. They were trembling and icy cold, sending waves of anger rushing through him. Not only anger for her discomfort, but anger for the way she’d been treated. Anger for not being there to stop her abduction before it happened. Anger for failing her.
“What is it?” She leaned closer, looking deep into his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t want to tell her, but if they were going to have a future together, he needed to let her in. “I failed you,” he choked out. “If I’d stayed in Seaside Harbor with you, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I don’t see how you could’ve stopped it. If you’d been here, it would’ve happened to both of us. If so, we might not have been rescued.”
“Hey, I resemble that.” Gabe laughed. “I was the one doing the rescuing.”
“Because I told you to move in,” Burke fired back, but ended with a grin.
“You doubt I could’ve done this myself, Mr. Big Shot detective?” Gabe lifted his chin in a playful challenge.
Burke laughed, thankful they could be lighthearted to help ease Abby’s tension, but she didn’t smile. He sat on the cold concrete beside her and drew her close to him.
She rested her head on his chest, her body shaking. His anger grew, but he swallowed it. The last thing she needed was to see him lose control.
She suddenly sat up. “Call Hayden. Tell him where we are, and that I’m okay.”
Burke held up a hand to ease her stress. “Don’t worry. He already knows you’re here. He’s the one who found this location, and he’s waiting down the road with the rest of the team.”
“Then call him, please.” She gave him a wobbly smile. “I don’t want him to worry any longer than necessary.”
Burke got out his phone and shared the good news with Hayden.
The team wanted to see her for themselves, but they couldn’t risk contaminating forensics needed to put Estelle away, so the team waited outside.
