Page 95 of Fatal Witness

A tantalizing aroma filled the Stones’ kitchen as Dani paced the floor. “And that’s how we didn’t make it to the house and Mark ended up in the ER again.”

She quit pacing and sat in a chair across from her grandmother. Lizi rose from her place in the corner of the room and plopped down next to her chair.

“I’m just glad you’re safe. Do you know how Mark is?”

“No. He hasn’t let me know.” She’d debated whether to tell Nonny any of the details as Jenna Hart drove Dani to the Stones’ from the hospital. In the end, she didn’t have to—Nonny had heard about it by the time Dani and Jenna arrived.

What she didn’t tell her was how scared she’d been when they’d been running for their lives. Or even how relieved she’d been when the helicopter landed. Or how worried she was now that Mark hadn’t called her with an update. According to the last check of her watch, which must have been at least five minutes ago, it was close to six.

“You haven’t heard anything, have you, Jenna?” Dani casually lifted to her lips a steaming cup of Lady Grey that Judith had brewed. She resisted checking her watch again.

The deputy shook her head. “He’s going to be fine—he always is.”

Lizi raised her head as the back door opened, and Dani turned toward it, hoping it was Mark. No. Just Alex. “Do you know how Mark is?”

“He’s going to be fine.” Alex repeated Jenna’s words. “The doctor cleaned the wound, and Mark was waiting on an IV antibiotic when I left. But it’ll be a couple of hours before he’s released—you know they don’t get in any hurry there.”

“How about Gem?”

“The vet treated her for the graze and didn’t find anything else wrong. But, like Mark, she’ll have to take a round of antibiotics.”

She sagged against the chair. Dani had been terrified the vet might find a bullet lodged in the dog’s body somewhere. “Good. Where is she?”

“She’s still at the clinic and probably will stay the night for observation.”

A car door slammed, sending Dani’s heart through the roof. Lizi jumped to her feet, growling, while Alex and Jenna unsnapped the straps over their guns. Alex eased to the back door.

“It’s probably Kyle Peterson delivering the groceries I ordered,” Judith said as she came into the kitchen.

Tension in the room went down a notch even though the dog continued to growl.

“At ease, Lizi,” Dani said. The dog obeyed the command, but the look she gave Dani said the Puli wasn’t happy. Dani wasn’t either and wasn’t sure how much more yo-yoing of her emotions she could take.

“One of us could’ve picked them up.” Alex’s voice was tight—evidently Dani wasn’t the only one on the yo-yo string.

“It was after five when Jenna and Dani got here, and Kyle had already closed the store and left with the order.”

“I’m sorry, Gram. I’m just a little tense.”

There was a knock at the back door, and Dani grabbed Lizi’s collar when she went on alert again.

Judith hurried to the door. “Come on in, Kyle.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He set the groceries on the island and surveyed the room, his face flushing. “None of these folks could’ve picked these up?”

“They weren’t here when I called the order in. I tried to cancel the delivery, but you’d already closed,” Judith said. “I’m sorry if it inconvenienced you.”

“Didn’t mean no disrespect, but it just seemed strange.” Kyle handed Judith the bill.

“Oh dear,” she said. “I forgot my purse. I’ll be right back.”

“Here, I’ve got it.” It was the least Dani could do after all the Stones had done for her. She took the ticket from Judith and fished two twenties from her purse. “Keep the change.”

Kyle’s face turned even redder. “My grandfather would skin me if I took a penny more than what’s on the bill.” He pulled a roll of bills from his pocket, peeled off a ten, and handed it to Dani. “But then, you’d probably like that. Your uncle would’ve too.” Kyle’s eyes hardened. “I heard at the store he was dead, and I can’t say I’m sorry. He ruined my life.”

“You seem to have a lot of animosity toward Dani.” Alex crossed her arms. “Where were you this afternoon?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was running the store. I took Mrs. Judith’s order, and I waited on...” He shrugged. “I don’t know how many others stopped in to shop. Several paid with a credit card—I’ll get their names and you can check with them. They’ll tell you I was there.”

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