Page 19 of Close Quarters

Another bullet pinged off the car, digging into the asphalt inches from her. She let out another surprised shout. “Alex!” Strong hands wrapped around her arms and pulled her behind another vehicle. The window shattered over their heads.

“Who’s shooting at us?”

He wrapped her in his arms and hunched over her. “I don’t know.”

She clutched him as two more shots rang out. Tires squealed, then she heard people yelling as they ran out of the hospital and the police station next door to investigate.

He eased his hold on her, rising slightly to peek over the car. “I think it’s safe now. Whoever it was drove off.” He stood, pulling her up, but kept his arms around her. “Are you all right?”

Hands shaking, she brushed her hair back from her face. “I think so. Are you?”

He nodded.

The sound of boots on the pavement made them turn. They saw Deputy Reeves approaching.

“Dr. Randall? Ms. Mitchum? Are you two okay?”

Alex nodded. “We’re fine.”

“What happened?”

“Someone shot at us. But I didn’t get a look at the shooter.” He looked down at Katie. “Did you?”

She shook her head. “No. All I saw was glass flying.”

“Same here.” He glanced at the deputy. “Did anyone see the car? We heard tires squealing.”

“I’m not sure. We’ll check the security footage. Why would someone want to shoot you two?”

“I’m guessing it has something to do with the Paulson case,” Katie said. Her eyes met Alex’s, and she telegraphed who she thought was involved.

He frowned, catching her meaning. “No. She wouldn’t. What would taking the two of us out accomplish?”

“Well, we did give her an ultimatum. Maybe she decided she doesn’t want to tell us why she’s so obsessed and thinks removing us will keep her on the case.”

Alex let go of her then to pace away several steps and rake his hands through his hair. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Reeves stepped forward. “What doesn’t make sense? Who are you talking about?”

“Dr. Pressley,” Katie said.

“The forensic anthropologist working with you?”

She nodded. “Yeah. We need to talk to the sheriff.”

“He’s probably on his way. I imagine Wilder called him the moment she heard the shots.”

Katie sighed. Her stomach growled again. Looked like her pizza was going to have to wait.

The door to the conference room in the police station opened, and Katie glanced over to see Seb and Jace walk through. Seb carried a box, two plates, and two plastic forks, which he set on the table in front of them, then flipped open the lid.

“London sent some munchies,” he said, sitting down.

Katie hooked a finger in the box and pulled it closer. She was starving. Two giant cinnamon rolls covered in cream cheese icing greeted her. Her mouth watered. She picked up a fork and stabbed one, lifting it out onto a plate before pushing the box toward Alex.

She bit into her roll and moaned as the flavors exploded on her tongue.

“Oh my God,” Alex muttered around a mouthful of the sweet treat. “Tell your wife thank you. This is amazing. We haven’t eaten since lunch.”

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