Page 321 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Emily was assisting Austin as he tended to an injured owl when he received a phone call. He dismissed the call and concentrated on getting the bird safely into the crate so they could transport it to the wildlife rehabilitator. Before he could secure the crate shut, his phone was ringing again. “I’d better take this. Do you think you can take it from here?”

She nodded and locked the crate shut. The owl was majestic and beautiful, but at dusk it swooped down to grab its meal in front of a park visitor’s vehicle. It didn’t look too terrible. Thankfully, their posted speed limit signs kept injuries to the wildlife to a minimum. Except when people ignored the signs.

Austin disconnected his cell. “That was my pap’s nurse. She left after she fed him his lunch, and when she came back to give him dinner, he was gone.”

“Doesn’t your grandfather have dementia?”

“Yes. That’s why he has a nurse.”

“He lives alone?”

“We’ve been looking at assisted living places for Pap, but nothing’s been finalized.”

She frowned. “What are you going to do?”

“Teresa, his nurse, already called 911. I’m going to go looking for him. Will you be all right here?”

“Absolutely. Go.”

“I don’t know. After that threatening note you got, I’m not sure about leaving you alone.”

“My bodyguard is right over there.” She turned her head to where Sandra stood leaning against her car with her arms folded over her chest.

Relief shone in Austin’s eyes. “You’re sure.”

“Yes. Go.”

“Can you get this bird to the rehabilitation center?”

“Of course.”

“Take Pete with you.”

“Call as soon as you find him.”

He nodded. “I will.”

Five minutes later,she loaded the bird into her SUV and Pete slid into the driver’s seat.

“I’m driving,” Emily said.

“I know where it is, so it’s better if I drive.”

“Do you honestly think I don’t know how to get there?”

“Just let me drive, will you, babe?”

“I’m not your babe.”

“I’m driving.”

“Fine. Drive.” It wasn’t worth arguing over. She climbed in beside him and looked back at Sandra to make sure she was paying attention. They chatted about meaningless nonsense as they made their way closer to the rehab center. Pete kept checking the rear-view mirror, so she turned in her seat and saw Sandra following. “Don’t worry about her. She’s my bodyguard.”

“Why do you need a bodyguard? You’re trained in self-defense same as the rest of us.”

“Wade seemed to think it was a good idea to hire additional security.”

---