Page 57 of Holding On to a Hero
Malcolm gestured at the blond guy, then the dark-haired one. “This is Craig. That’s Foster. Don’t introduce yourself.” I shut my mouth since I’d been about to do just that. “Foster can know who you are later because he’s a detective, but Craig here is a civilian.” Wow. Craig left clothes in Malcolm’s bedroom and Malcolm snubbed him like that? Craig put his hands on his hips.
“Malcolm, you know I’d never—”
“This is my op, my rules. I have to get this guy out of here. We’ll see you around.” He started crutching toward the door.
I managed, “Sorry. And, uh, thanks for the shirt,” before I followed him.
“Wait a minute!” Foster reached out to catch Malcolm’s arm. “I thought you weren’t cleared for field work yet.”
“I’m just escorting him to his next stop. My boss is out of town and everyone else is on jobs. There won’t be any physical activity required.”
“Oh, yeah?” Foster gestured at Malcolm’s cast. “How are you going to get there? You can’t drive.”
Malcolm jerked away. “Like I said, this isn’t dangerous.”
“Then I’ll take you,” Craig stepped forward. “Then you won’t have to wait on a Lyft.”
“No, Craig,” Foster objected. “It’s too—”
“Malcolm just said it won’t be dangerous.” Foster looked like he wanted to kill Malcolm. Malcolm looked like he regretted several life choices.
Craig put his hand on Foster’s arm. “We’ll be fine. I’m heading to work right after, and I’ll text you when I get there.”
They stared each other down for a long moment, then Foster looked away. “Fuck.”
He turned back and pulled Craig in for a kiss. Wait a minute. Who was sleeping with who here? Were they in a triad? That would be helpful. Maybe they’d have some tips for me if Jason and Cole ever came back.
Then Foster turned to Malcolm, and Malcolm put up a hand. “I know. If he ends up in danger I’ll let you kick my ass.”
“Let’s go then.” Craig grabbed me by the upper arm and started walking us toward the door. Malcolm stuck one of his crutches in front of us.
“I’m going out first, just in case.”
“After you.” Craig swept his arm out and Malcolm shouldered through the door. I caught it before it closed so Craig and I could go through. As we exited, Craig said loudly enough for those inside to hear, “Malcolm, can we pretend we’re being tailed? I want to learn some evasive maneuvers.”
Malcolm shook his head as he swung on his crutches across the parking lot. “We were going to do that anyway.”
Malcolm stopped at a white SUV and waited until Craig unlocked it.
“Get in the back seat,” Malcolm barked at me. After I was safetly inside Malcolm opened the front passenger door and did a complicated dance with his crutches to lever himself into the seat. I thought about offering to help but I could guess his reaction. Once inside, he kept the crutches with him, braced against the floorboard.
Craig turned around and gave me a little wave. “We didn’t really get introduced, so hi, I’m Craig. I’m Malcolm’s landlord.”
What? Malcolm shook his head. Craig smirked at him and said, “It’s a true statement.” He turned back to me. “I’m also co-owner of the Bent Oak Bark and Purr.” He gestured at our shirts.
“Oh, that’s interesting. I love animals. I’m actually a wildlife photographer.” Malcolm slapped his hand over his face.Oops. “Sorry,” I mumbled.
Malcolm heaved a big sigh, and said, “It’s okay. But you’re going to have to remember not everyone can be trusted. We don’t know who this asshole is who’s trying to kill you, so you need to act like it’s every person you meet.”
Well, that sounded awful. Fortunately Malcolm’s attention was redirected by talking Craig through a series of sharp, last-minute turns and one hair-raising U-turn. Finally he must have deemed us safe because he told Craig to head for the freeway.
My back was starting to twinge and I shifted in my seat. I didn’t bother asking where we were going. It looked like Craig and I would find out at the same time.
I tried to close my eyes, but without the distraction of the scenery my worries and guilt kept spinning around in my head. Lisa would not be pleased, I told myself. You’re supposed to replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. I drew a blank. Maybe after I’d had some real sleep. I opened my eyes instead.
That didn’t help anymore. I started seeing Cole running from the bullets. Bullets that weren’t meant for him. I put him in danger. Me.
When we finally exited at the airport, I was starting to hyperventilate. I leaned over in my seat and tried to focus on my breathing. I was so tired.
