Page 53 of Caught in the Crossfire

“I need a blood test completed on the patient just brought in by ambulance,” Rod said. “As fast as you can, Dr. Thomas.”

“DUI?” the physician asked.

“No,” Nicole said, hugging the clipboard to her chest. “He smells like someone poured a bottle of booze on him, but Mason hasn’t touched alcohol in years.”

“Alcoholics can have relapses,” Thomas said, his tone gentle.

“That’s not the case here.”

Although he nodded, the doctor obviously wasn’t taking her word in assessing Mason’s current state. He pushed open the door and walked inside.

Rod glowered at Nicole. “Still convinced Mason is alcohol free?”

“Yes. You will be as well when that blood work comes back. I know him. He wouldn’t lie to me. If he’d been tempted to drink, he would have told me so we could deal with it together.”

“No man wants to appear weak in front of his woman, Nicole. Alcoholics lie to everyone, especially themselves.”

“Stop saying that,” she snapped. “Mason is not an alcoholic. You’re going to eat your words, Kelter.”

“Believe it or not, I hope I do. I just know that particular habit is a daily battle to kick.”

Nicole blinked. Rod didn’t sound as though he spouted platitudes. “Personal experience?”

He gave a short nod. “It’s not a history I’m proud of.” Rod’s lips curved. “That part of my life is over and has been since I married Meg. Let’s just say that my wife won’t look the other way if I slip up and disappoint her.”

The newspaper editor would have some strong words to say to her husband if he fell off the wagon. Nicole would hate to make that woman mad. She was one tough lady.

In silence, Nicole worked on the forms and Rod watched the exam room door until Linc and Dawn joined them. “Any news?” Linc asked.

“The doc is in there with him now,” Rod said. “As soon as he wakes and I’m allowed in, I have to question him.” He glanced at Nicole. “I’ll give you two minutes first, but I have to be in the room.”

She strode to the desk to return the forms. What did she care if the detective listened to their conversation? What concerned her was the possibility that Mason might not remember what happened if he’d been drugged. Would the detective believe him? If not, Mason might be spending part of the night in jail.

She clenched her jaw. If he spent one minute in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, she’d have Ethan’s and Rod’s heads on a silver platter. Nicole looked at Linc. “We might need Andrea.”

“Already contacted her.”

Rod scowled. “Kincaid is not under arrest.”

Nicole folded her arms. “I want to keep it that way.”

Another employee went into the room and exited a few minutes later with vials of blood. He hurried down the hall.

Soon, Dr. Thomas opened the door and left the room followed by another member of the medical staff. The doctor nodded at Rod in greeting. “He’s coming around, but still groggy and disoriented.”

Rod straightened. “He’s in good enough shape for me to question him?”

“I don’t know how much help he’ll be. He’s in and out.”

“Did he tell you what happened?”

A frown. “Ask him your questions, Detective.”

Rod scowled. “Can you at least tell me if he’s intoxicated?”

“I won’t know for sure until I receive the results of the blood test, but I don’t believe he consumed alcohol.”

Relief swept through Nicole. Now maybe Mason would have a chance to stay out of jail. “He was drugged, wasn’t he?”

---