Page 13 of Stilettos and Outlaws

“I burned them all,” Chuck spat. “My junk needs to be free.”

I rolled my eyes. “I have a jumpsuit that should fit him in the trunk, Frank.”

“Nope. Not wearing it,” Chuck yelled and wrestled with Frank.

Frank snarled, “Knock it off, I don’t want to hurt you.”

Mom held out a cookie. “Chuck! Want a chocolate chip cookie?”

“Okay.” Chuck snatched it out of her hand and stuffed it in his mouth.

I grimaced as crumbs rained down on his now perky man part and tried to slide off the gurney.”

Dante stopped me. “I’ll get the jumpsuit.”

“Bless you.”

Chuck bellowed, “Want more. Now! Now! Now!” He rushed Mom.

With one slick move, Mom had Chuck face down on the ground. “Behave.”

“Wanna cookie,” Chuck whined.

“After you put the jumpsuit on,” Dante said and held it out.

To my relief, Chuck obeyed.

Mom gave him another cookie.

“Dementia?” Jerry asked.

Mom nodded. “We’re trying to get hold of his family.”

“We’ll treat your deputies,” Jerry said and pointed to another paramedic unit parking behind a fire truck. “Frank, have Gonzales check out your prisoner. He has more experience dealing with dementia patients than I do.”

“Okay.” Frank led Chuck off.

Whump. Whump. Whump.

I glanced up. A slew of news choppers hovered overhead. I gave them the one-fingered salute. “Ha! You’re not getting a shot of me in my underwear this time.”

“I’ll take your gun belts and radios,” Dante said.

I reared back in horror. “Are you crazy? I’m not going to the hospital unarmed.”

Julie added, “Me neither.”

Dante stared at us for a long moment and pulled out two chocolate bars. “I’ll bring more later.”

I snatched it out of his hand. “The good stuff, okay.”

“Yeah, Cerreta’s,” Julie added, ripping off the wrapper.

“Delgado,” Dad shouted. “We need you over here.”

Mom patted his arm. “Go. I’ll watch over the girls.”

“Try not to shoot up the hospital again.”

---