Page 73 of Justice Delayed

“I’m calling 911,” a different voice said.

“Melender Harman is certainly a pretty little thing. Or at least she was.” His assailant said before delivering another punch to Brogan’s stomach. Then the man was gone, leaving Brogan to slump to the floor.

“Hey, are you okay?” Seth touched his shoulder, his breathing hard and fast. Blood oozed from a cut on his lip.

Brogan nodded, still trying to catch his breath. Two teenage boys stood a few feet away.

“Man, those dudes were scary,” said the taller one.

“Did you call 911?” Seth asked the boys.

“Yeah, ambulance and police on their way.” The other boy peered closely at Brogan. “I thought he was going to choke you to death.”

The other teen held up his phone. “I got it all on video.”

Brogan recovered enough to pull his own phone out of his pocket. “Would you send me the video?”

“Sure.” The teen keyed in the info as Brogan recited his number.

Seth leaned closer to Brogan. “What did he say to you?”

“He warned me away from investigating further.” Then Brogan remembered what else his assailant had said. “I’ve got to check in on Melender.”

Without waiting for Seth to respond, he held up his phone to check the reception. Two bars glowed. Ought to be enough to connect with the outside world. After hitting redial, he put the phone to his ear and braced his aching ribs with his other hand.

“Brogan, what happened?” The concern in Melender’s voice went a long way to soothing his aches and pains.

“We ran into a little trouble.” Brogan succinctly related what happened. “The police should be here soon. How are you?”

“I have a cut on my cheek that the nurse said would need a few stitches. I’m waiting for the doctor now.”

“What happened?” Brogan’s heart hammered as his assailant’s words about Melender’s face came back to him.

“Two men attacked me in the parking lot on my way to the office. They warned me off continuing to investigate Jesse’s disappearance.”

Footsteps clattered on the stairs below and someone called up, “Police!”

One of the teens replied, “Up here.”

“The police are here, so I’ve got to go. You’re not going into work, are you?” Brogan hoped she would head back to his aunt and uncle’s. He desperately wanted to see she was in one piece with his own eyes.

“No, I took the night off.” Melender sighed. “Will you come to the Trents after you get checked out at the hospital?”

“Yes, I’ll see you there soon.” Brogan ended the call as a pair of cops rounded the bend. Despite the soreness in his ribs and throat, a flash of excitement coursed through him. Someone didn’t want them to find out what really happened to Jesse, which meant they were on the right track.

ChapterTwenty-Nine

Although the prescription strength ibuprofen had taken the edge off, Melender’s cheek still ached. She climbed from her car at the Trents’ and scanned the assortment of vehicles parked along the curb. Brogan’s SUV wasn’t among them.

After unlocking the front door, she nearly stumbled over a package wedged between the storm and front door. With the small cardboard box, she entered the quiet house, remembering Mr. and Mrs. Trent volunteered at a recovery meeting every Monday evening. Normally, the emptiness would be welcome, but tonight, she was glad Brogan would be arriving soon. A desire to feel his strong arms wrapped around her nearly overwhelmed her senses.Get it together. Don’t throw yourself at him like a lovesick puppy.

Setting the package on the kitchen counter, she spotted her name written in thick black letters on the outside. No return address or other information appeared on the plain brown surface. Had Brogan said something about dropping off a package for her? She couldn’t recall for certain. Using the kitchen scissors, she slit the tape and opened the flaps.

A knock at the front door distracted her from investigating further. Crossing to the door, she opened it to see Brogan standing there, a puffy pink mark on his cheek. “You’re hurt.” She stepped aside to allow him to enter the house.

“Not as bad as you.” Brogan raised a hand as if to touch her cheek, then dropped it to his side. “Are you okay?”

She tried to smile but winced as the skin pulled at her stitches. “Four stitches, but the doctor thinks it will heal without a noticeable scar.”

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