Page 119 of Mensa's Match

When the rider pulled to a halt, Mensa saw the Corrupt Chrome MC patch. He reached for his gun, but realized he didn’thave it on him. He’d taken it off and locked it in his saddlebag to go into the hospital to see Whitney. He hadn’t expected to need it for a simple food pick-up.

The sirens grew louder, and Mensa saw there were two police cruisers approaching.

“I’m startin’ to think you bring the trouble with you,” Dontrell said from beside him.

“Thinkin’ that works both ways, D,” Mensa muttered, keeping his eye on the rider who had swung a leg off his bike, but hadn’t turned around.

For a moment, Mensa wondered if it was Whitney’s brother. The rider took off their helmet, turned around, and Mensa recognized Rod reaching for his weapon.

The cruisers sped into the parking lot, both at angles to block Rod.

“We need to move,” Mensa said.

Dontrell turned and led the way to the counter. He told two men sitting on the far side of the dining room to move closer to the counter.

Mensa backed away slowly. As he drew farther away from the windows, he saw Rod raise his gun and point it at the police cruiser closest to him.

The officers were out of their cruisers and crouched with their guns drawn.

Even from such a distance, Rod’s resigned look couldn’t be missed.

One of the cops yelled at Rod to drop his weapon. Mensa couldn’t put his finger on it, but when Rod turned his head toward the street, he got the feeling Rod expected something – no, expected someone– to show up.

The officer yelled again at Rod, and rather than focus on the cops, Rod stared at the restaurant windows. He still had the gunraised, and Mensa shifted farther backward then crouched. The moment the shot rang out, two other shots followed.

A large windowpane shattered. Shards of glass scattered everywhere inside the dining area. Mensa rose and saw two officers crowded around the area where Rod had been standing.

Two more Biloxi PD cars showed up, blocking the parking lot entry. A minute later, an ambulance arrived.

Mensa wandered to the counter. “I don’t think Whitney’s getting that combo plate any time soon.”

“What are you doin’ here?” Wyatt asked when Mensa came out of DeeLight’s.

Mensa lifted a cellophane bag with Whitney’s food. “Dontrell heard about your sister and he insisted I get a to-go order for Whitney… only I got stuck inside the restaurant when Rod pulled into the parking lot.” Mensa looked Wyatt up and down and shrugged a shoulder. “I’d ask what you’re doing here, but obviously your assignment has wrapped up.”

Wyatt thumbed his Kevlar vest with the FBI patch across the chest. “This tends to give it away, if the arrest warrant doesn’t first. While we served the arrest warrant, Rod managed to bolt. We chased him, but I have no idea why he stopped here.”

Mensa tipped his head toward the ambulance. “Are they taking him to Merit?”

Wyatt nodded once. “He’s been officially arrested, so he’ll be under guard and cuffed to the bed once he’s out of surgery.”

Mensa ground his molars together.

Wyatt’s lips tipped up. “Yeah, I’m not thrilled about that since Whitney’s there, but I’ve let people know he’s a security risk.”

“Surprised you’re still here. Seems Biloxi PD has this under control.”

Wyatt nodded toward the restaurant. “I have to talk to Dontrell. There’s enough evidence now, that he’s no longer a person of interest in the arson investigation.”

“That’s good news. I won’t keep you.”

Wyatt stared at him for a long moment, then he lifted his chin and went inside the restaurant.

Mensa loaded the bag into a saddlebag, put on his helmet, and went back to the hospital.

Twenty minutes later, Mensa stopped in the middle of the hospital corridor at the sound of Whitney’s laughter. He’d made her laugh before, but this… it was different. Unadulterated, no holds barred.

No matter how much he knew not to do it, he edged closer to the room and eavesdropped.

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