Page 24 of Steel Trap
“You alive, Smith? Cos I’d hate for you to be dead before I get another chance to pound your ass.”
Smith scrambled clear of the corpse he was straddling. He realizedhe was still clutching the knife, its blade dripping with gore. He threw it away then made a dive for the wastepaper basket, which proved to be a handy receptacle for the contents of his stomach.
“I guess from the heaving that you’re still with me,” Hatchet said. “What the fuck just happened?”
“Someone tried to kill you.” Smith spat a couple of times in an attempt to get the evil taste of vomitout of his mouth.
“I worked out that much,” Hatchet said. “I was awake. Heard him at the door.”
“I don’t think he knew I was here. He’s dead.”
“You killed him? I’m impressed.”
“Wonderful. That’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for.” Smith got to his feet. He lurched toward the light switch, turned it on then leaned out of the door and shouted for help. Seconds later, the room was overflowingwith people. Smith retreated to the far side of Hatchet’s bed. He leaned against the windowsill and tried to stop his hands from shaking while doctors checked Hatchet over.
“I’m fine,” Hatchet grumbled. “You should be checking on the guy who saved my life.” He put up with the fussing for ten more seconds. “I swear, next person to touch me loses body parts. Smith, get these idiots away from me.”
Smith clenched his fist in an attempt to stop the trickle of blood dripping from his palm. “Icoulduse a bandage,” he said. “And maybe a triple shot of something strong.”
“Fuck, Montgomery. What have you done to yourself?” Hatchet was getting out of bed. Smith found time to wonder if Hatchet’s bottom half was as bare as the top, but Hatchet proved to be wearing underwear. Really snug underwear.
Smith gulped and his head swam. “I really need to call Trap…” He slid to the floor, then the lights went out.
