Page 40 of Diagnosis Attraction

“Yeah.”

She picked up a framed diploma from the floor. And I have a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland.”

“Which might mean you grew up in the area—or not. It could be that they had the kind of program you were looking for.”

Matt walked into the closet area. When she heard him open the window, she poked her head around the filing cabinets.

“What are you doing?”

“What I learned to do in Africa. Making sure there’s an alternate exit if we need it.”

Gary Southwell looked at his watch. He and Hank Patterson had been staking out Elizabeth Forester’s house since he’d gotten his new orders from Mr. Lang. They were supposed to check in with each other every half hour, and Patterson hadn’t phoned. Which was unsettling because the man had been punctual as clockwork until now.

He clicked the phone one more time, trying to get his partner. Finally, he gave up and wondered what he should do. Not call Lang. His boss was already annoyed by their lack of progress in apprehending Elizabeth Forester. The woman had determination—and grit. He’d give her that. And apparently, she’d found a guy who wouldn’t leave her in the lurch.

Had they known each other before she’d landed in the hospital, or what? If not, it was shocking that the doctor was laying his life on the line for a woman he’d met only a few days ago. Gary sure wouldn’t do it. He laughed. Or for any other broad. They simply weren’t worth it.

He slipped out of the car where he’d been sitting for hours and looked around as he stretched, then started down the block, glancing back at the house before turning the corner. If Foresterand the doctor were in there, he would give them a chance to get out the front, but on balance, he had to risk it.

In the alley, he hurried to the back door, where Patterson was supposed to be stationed. He wasn’t there, but as Gary approached the house, he heard a muffled sound of distress in the bushes. When he cautiously approached, he found his partner lying on the ground, taped hand and foot.

Gary pulled the tape off his mouth. “What the hell happened to you?”

“They got the drop on me.”

“You mean Elizabeth and that doctor?”

“Yeah,” Patterson said as Gary freed his partner’s wrists and started working on his legs.

Patterson shook his hands and kicked his feet to get the circulation going.

“What happened, exactly?”

“I’m not sure. It was like …” he stopped and glanced at Gary. “Like they hurled a thunderbolt or something at me.”

“That’s impossible. Maybe they had a Taser.”

Patterson considered the idea. “I don’t know what it was. I’m just sayin,’ be damned careful if you get near them.”

“Were you unconscious?”

“Maybe for a little while.”

“Okay,” Gary muttered, wondering what they would do now and thinking about that five-minute window when he’d left his post and headed back here—to find Patterson.

Could they have gotten away while his partner was out?

“Did you see them leave?” Gary asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“Then we’d better assume they saw me out front, which means they wouldn’t go out that way.” Gary glanced at Patterson. “You steady on your feet?”

“Steady enough to kill those bastards.”

“Waste the guy. The boss wants to do the woman himself.”

“You mean do her—then kill her?”

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