Page 31 of Callahan

“What?Who?”

“I don’t know. He was wearing a mask.”

“What did he look like?”

Brian and I chuckled at the same time, then I repeated. “I’m not sure. He was wearing a mask.”

“Oh, you said that. Sorry. I’m just so stunned this happened to you right here in Haven Springs.”

“I was thinking the exact same thing as it was happening.”

She looked up at Brian. “You’re going to catch who did this, right?”

“I need to talk to the witnesses. Someone got part of it on video; maybe there are some identifying characteristics of the suspect.”

I snarled, “I want a copy of that video.”

The ambulance pulled up, their lights flashing and siren blaring. Brian closed his eyes, as if he was asking for patience, and shook his head.

The young EMT hopped out, but before he made it two feet, Brian commanded, “Turn your siren off!”

“Oh, right!”

The kid darted back inside the cab and killed the blaring noise.

“Jesus Christ,” Brian grumbled under his breath, and I couldn’t help but grin.

“You sound like me whenever we got someone fresh out of bootcamp.”

The young kid and his partner came over with their medic bag, and I waved them off and stood, with Lainey’s help, before they could even squat down to examine me.

“I know I need stitches.”

“And probably an MRI,” Brian added. “At least a CT scan.”

“You a doctor now, too?” I groused as I started toward the waiting ambulance.

The asshole grinned in return. “Nope. But if the situation was reversed, what would you think?”

“I can meet you at the emergency room,” Lainey called.

I gingerly shook my head. “You’ve got to open the bakery.”

“I’ll be with him,” Brian volunteered.

“You guys don’t need to do that. I’ll be fine.”

The sergeant crossed his arms over his chest, and replied, “Too bad, I’m going,” like that was the end of the discussion.

Which it was, I reluctantly concluded. I knew I wasn’t going to win that argument.

“See you there.”

I heard Lainey tell Brian, “Let me know the second you know anything.”

Before they closed the ambulance doors, I saw him kiss her forehead and reply. “Of course.”

Then we were off. Lights flashing and siren going full blast as we slowly made our way to the emergency entrance at Haven Springs General, the town’s small hospital.

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