Page 89 of Heat of Justice

“Just yes. I’m sure she’ll be—” Ellie stopped, narrowed her eyes, and flashed a bright smile. “Here. She’s here, look!”

As she pointed over her shoulder, Ellie spun around to catch sight of her partner slowly making her way toward them. Relief at seeing her only partly alleviated her concern.Oh, Jesus!Cody looked like she had been run over by a truck. Her clothes were burnt and torn in places, her hair grey from dust and debris, and her bottom lip was not the only part of her bleeding. Kim spotted a large cut on the side of her forehead. Scratches and dark bruises covered her face. A breathing mask dangled from around her neck, and she seemed to be favoring her right leg. In spite of all this, she was smiling. Looking straight at her, and smiling.

“Cody.” Kim rushed forward to catch her in her arms. “Oh my God. Babe!”

“It’s okay.” Cody held her tight. “It’s over.”

“Are you alright? I mean, I see you’re not, but… Talk to me, please.”

“Yeah. I’m… all good.”

“You look like someone beat the crap out of you, partner,” Ellie stated. “But man, it’s good to see you on your feet!”

Cody flashed them both another exhausted but, at least as far as Kim was concerned, totally sexy smile.

“A bomb did kick my ass some, yeah. But I’ll live.”

“Yes.” Kim pulled her back into her embrace. “You will.”

???

Cody experienced an instant of pure magic when she closed her arms around her, rested a protective hand on the back of her head, and gently massaged her hair.Even better than pure oxygen,she decided. She exhaled, closed her eyes, and allowed herself to be held. Quinn put an abrupt end to this moment of relaxation.

“Miller.”

Cody snapped her eyes open. Quinn’s blue gaze glinted in a mix of relief, concern, and sheer authority.

“Still in one piece?” she prompted.

“Just about, Lieutenant.”

“You okay?”

“Yes, fine.”

“She needs a doctor,” Kim declared.

“Status,” Quinn demanded as if she had not heard.

“I saw the bomber. Blond hair, blue eyes. Swastika tattoo on the side of his neck. He wears glasses—”

“In custody,” Ellie announced.

“Really? Wow.” Cody blinked in surprise. “You do kick ass, kid.”

“Don’t call me kid,” Ellie grinned. “Also, Kim gets credit for this one. She’s the one who identified him.”

“How did—” Cody started to ask, then realized. She looked into her partner’s eyes. “Oh. You had a vision?”

“Yeah, sort of. I’ll tell you all about it but for now, we need to get you to a hospital.”

“Are you okay?” Cody insisted.

“Yes, surprisingly fine, actually.” Kim laid a soothing hand on her cheek. “Don’t worry about me, babe. You look like you’re about to crash; we need to get you seen, okay?”

“Was the bomber on his own?” Quinn inquired, undeterred and urgent.

Of course, it was a crucial question.

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