Page 46 of Silent Menace
“What happened to your leg?” He managed to keep his voice to a whisper, but inside he was shouting.
“One of the bullets grazed me. I don’t think it’s bad.”
“You should have told me.”
“So you could do what? Get shot because you were trying to baby me?” she snapped.
He pulled in a deep breath. She was right, getting away had been the most important thing. But he was not okay with the fact she’d been shot and had to run with a wounded leg.
“Sorry,” she murmured. “I’m really not upset at you.”
“I know. Don’t apologize.” He wasn’t upset with her either. But he was furious with whoever did this and with himself for letting it happen.
They waited in silence for several minutes. Gradually, normal nature sounds crept back in. The metallic trill of a red-winged blackbird. The maniacal laugh of the northern flicker. The jumbled gobble of a wild turkey. Then the faint scream of a siren drifted through the trees. A minute later, a text from Eric popped up on his screen.
Found your car. Where are you?
Northeast of there. Can hear the sirens, but barely. Hailey’s hurt.
Ambulance is on-site. Can you get back?
He glanced at Hailey. She’d been reading over his shoulder and nodded. He didn’t like how pale she was starting to look, but it would probably be faster to retrace their steps than for someone to find them and then get them back to the ambulance.
But the other problem was that he still had no idea if thegunman had come after them. If he had, there was a good chance he’d heard the sirens too. Which meant he could have gotten away. Or stationed himself where he could pick Peter and Hailey off when they tried to reach safety.
They couldn’t just stay out here though. Hailey needed medical attention. He texted Eric back.
We’ll head that way. No idea where the
shooter is.
We’re watching for him. Officers will try
to meet you partway.
He sent back a thumbs-up, then leaned close to Hailey. “Let me take a look around before you stand up.”
Again, she nodded.
Slowly, he got to his feet and surveyed the area. He saw no sign of anyone nearby, heard nothing except leaves rustling in the wind and the faint wails of emergency vehicles. Satisfied, he held back the branches and helped Hailey to her feet. She wobbled, and her face lost another shade of color. That wasn’t good.
He knelt beside her. “Hold on to my shoulder. I’m going to check your wound.”
“Really, I’m okay.” But she did as he asked.
She was right. It did appear to be a graze—no hole, just a deep gash. He didn’t like that she was still losing blood though. They needed to get that handled. He pulled out his pocketknife and cut a strip off the hem of his shirt. Hailey gasped when he tied it around her calf, but again, she didn’t complain. He shoved the knife back into his pocket, then lifted Hailey into his arms and started toward the road.
“What are you doing?” she hissed—more from pain than from irritation, he suspected.
“You’re in no shape to walk anymore.”
“And you’re still recuperating from a concussion.”
“I’m not using my head to carry you.”
“I can see that,” she muttered.
If they weren’t in such a precarious situation, he’d have laughed. As it was, he just smirked.
