Page 43 of Stilettos and Outlaws

Mom ran up and handed me an insulated bag. “This is for Dante. It’s steak fajitas.”

“His favorite. Thanks.”

Mom hugged me. “Don’t worry, I’ll bail you out.”

“You, I love.”

“Be careful. Eric Roberts is a sociopath,” Mom cautioned.

I caught a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. “Kinda like Grandpa, huh?”

“I heard that,” Grandpa growled.

Laughing, I got in my car and headed for the hospital. Just before I got on the freeway, I noticed headlights coming up fast behind me. Hmm. I bet they wanted to play bumper cars. Not tonight. Dante had tinkered with my engine and this baby could move. I hit the gas and swerved in and out of traffic.

My cellphone rang. I glanced at my dashboard. I had an incoming Bluetooth call from the Sheriff’s Office. I bet the officer working in this district had clocked me. I hit the answer button. “Hey, Frank.”

“Do you realize you’re doing 122mph?”

“Yep. I’m losing a tail.”

“Got a description?”

“A newer model Ford panel van. Possibly white or silver.”

“I’ll look for it and for God’s sake, slow the fuck down,” Frank snapped.

“Yes, sir.” I slowed down. “Better?”

“Somewhat. Heading for the hospital?”

“I am.”

“Be careful. The hospital is crawling with Feds,” Frank said.

“I’m always careful.”

Frank snorted. “I’ll hang in the area.”

“Thanks.” I disconnected and glanced at the rearview mirror. My tail was gone.

Twenty acres of orange groves surrounded the hospital. The powers that be had bought the groves with an eye to future growth. My headlights flashed over the lifeless trees. The wind whipped the skeletal branches into gruesome caricatures that seemed to emerge from some shadowy hell. I shuddered. Ever since I found a mutilated body hanging from an orange tree, the place had creeped me out. Tonight was a full moon and lucky me, I got to walk through the groves. Ugh.

I parked on the backside of the orange groves and got out. The wind blowing through the trees created a mournful melody. “Aw, c’mon. Give me a break. It’s not even Halloween.” If Julie could see me now, she would be laughing her ass off.

Grabbing my flashlight, and the insulated bag, I locked the car. I took a cautious look around. Huh? No sign of the Feds. You’d think they would have some guards posted out here. If I was a bad guy, I’d start the trees on fire and use the distraction to get into the hospital.

With a shrug, I walked into the groves. The next thing I knew, I was face down in the dirt. Crap. I had tripped over an exposed root.

Meow! Miss Kitty rubbed against my face.

“What the hell?” I picked her up. “Did you stow away in my car?”

Meow.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

My cellphone rang. “Hello? Calm down Mom, Miss Kitty is with me.” I rubbed my forehead. “I’m not bringing the kitten home until I see Dante.” I winced. “I know Doctor Halliday banned her. I’ll figure something out.”

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