Page 33 of Midnight Escape

A groan preceded the answer. “I left you a message.”

Danny pulled back his phone to check the message icon. Nothing. “I didn’t get it. What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry. I was in a major car accident a couple days ago and am still in the hospital.”

Pacing, Danny slid his fingers through his hair, over and over again. “How are you?”

“I’ll live.”

“Do you think it could be related?” Not that he’d had any intel that Moira was in danger. Last he knew, Boyle thought she was dead.

“I don’t think so since it was a drunk that hit me.”

“You’ll let me know if you need anything?”

“Of course I will. Listen, I tried to call Jax to cover for me.”

A smidge of relief hit him amidst the horrible situation. Silence for too long took away that relief.

“Dead. Self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

His gut sank at the blow. He’d thought Jax had improved. He never considered he’d commit suicide. Then again, how often did someone believe that of their friend? Spots danced before his eyes at the thought.

“I called everyone I knew. They all had a job for this weekend. I phoned to let you know no one was watching her.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Danny heaved out a breath. “It’s not your fault. I want you to rest and recuperate. Oh, Kelly, I’ll see what’s needed for Jax.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll call you when I’m released.”

Nodding even though Kelly couldn’t see, Danny, in a reassuring voice, thanked his friend and ended the call.

He wanted to throw his phone against the wall, but he barely restrained himself. In an effort to see if he did have a voice mail that didn’t show, he called, entered his pin, and was informed he had no new messages. He’d have to have a chat with the carrier.

Tapping his phone against his forehead, as if he could pound in the answer, a thought popped into his head. With more confidence, he made the next call. “Are you still at HQ?”

With a slight hesitation, Stone responded, “Just walked out the door. What do you need?”

Even though, as far as he knew, there was no threat to her, he couldn’t stop himself. “She’s gone. Would you go back inside, pull up the tracker in her purse, and let me know where she is?”

Cowboy’s loud declaration drowned out Stone’s reply. “Dude, even I know better than that.” He shook his head and chuckled as if enjoying himself. “You are so fucked.”

Chapter Thirteen

“Why can’t she stay where I put her? She has free rein in Fells Point, but is that good enough? Apparently not.”

Fear like he’d never known coiled in his gut, ready to strike, as the drive to the Timonium Fair Grounds tightened the knot in his stomach. The fact she hadn’t gone far set a drip of relief flowing through him. However, the fact she went at all pissed him off. Did she not care about her safety? Although they hadn’t heard of a threat, it didn’t mean it didn’t exist. He knew she felt safe since Boyle thought her dead. Which, technically, meant she was safe. But he had his own way to play the odds.

He didn’t have a choice about leaving her though. He had to work. Ken was due back soon, so he’d try to work something out. He wasn’t sure he really needed someone watching her. As things stood, Boyle believed her dead. Besides, he couldn’t afford to give her guards forever. Ultimately, he had to allow her to enjoy her life. However, tonight wasn’t the night.

And that’s why he put his foot farther down on the gas pedal.

Looking over at Cowboy, it became obvious they couldn’t afford to be pulled over since, in addition to their concealed carry weapons, they had more of their gear.

Cowboy must’ve had the same thoughts. “Dude, you got a case in here?”

He felt insulted at the question. “Of course I do. There are two open handgun spaces for the ones I’m carrying.” Danny glanced over at Cowboy. “Do you?” He knew the answer but felt he should ask.

His answer came quick. “Of course. But they’re in my truck.”

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