Cold Case Justice. Sharon Dunn

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СКАЧАТЬ pushed herself from the car and trailed behind Matthew. She watched him reach through the broken window of the thug’s car and touch the unconscious man’s neck to make sure he had a pulse.

      Concern filled his expression when he noticed her. “You should’ve stayed in the car.”

      “I was worried the guy might hurt you,” she said.

      “I’m not sure how much help you would have been. You’re in pretty rough shape.” The corner of his mouth turned up and a smile danced in his eyes. “We need to call for help.” He looked down at his belt. “I don’t suppose you have my phone?”

      “I dropped it when he grabbed me.” She peered inside the car. “His phone must be in there somewhere.” She went around to the passenger-side door and opened it to search.

      Blondie’s eyes shot open. He grabbed her hair and started pulling. “You.” His voice filled with rage. Her scalp burned.

      Matthew ran up behind her, wrapped his arm around her waist and wrestled her free. The thug crawled across the seat, reaching out for her, but Matthew pulled her back. The thug emerged from the wrecked car, swaying on his feet. His injuries from the accident had left him debilitated, and he stalked toward them slowly, stopping frequently. Matthew helped Rochelle sit down. After patting the thug down for a weapon, he led him back to the car where he tied him up. Weakened by the accident and his outburst with Rochelle, the thug resisted only once.

      After returning to Rochelle, Matthew glanced up at the road above them and then at the forest. “Follow me.” He raced over to his wrecked car and pulled a first-aid kit out of the backseat.

      She staggered toward him. Her side hurt every time she wheezed in air.

      He must have seen the pain in her expression. “You can’t keep running like this. It will mess you up more. You can’t walk back to town in your condition.” He stared up at the steep incline that led to the country road.

      “We have to at least try,” she said. “Someone should be along to pick us up.”

      She swayed, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. He glanced over his shoulder to where the thug remained slumped against the car. “Guess we don’t have a lot of options. We’ll call for someone to come and get him when we get to town. I’ve got you. Walk as fast as you can.”

      They made it only a short way up the hill before she stopped, breathing heavily and leaning against him. This wasn’t going to work. She could hardly walk, let alone climb a hill.

      “I don’t think we should stay out in the open long. Other people might be coming when that guy doesn’t show up with me,” she said.

      He walked parallel to the road, still supporting Rochelle. “Where was that guy taking you?”

      “He was taking me to a man, an evil man who I am pretty sure wants me dead.”

      “Why does he want you dead?” He continued to hold her up and plodded forward.

      “Because...I...witnessed him...kill a man. Jamie’s father.” Recalling the horror of ten years ago weakened her even more. Her knees buckled.

      He caught her in his arms and then looked directly at her. His hand touched her cheek. “You need to get your strength back up. You can’t walk anymore.”

      “Maybe it’s not such a good idea to go up there anyway.” She was having a hard time forming a complete thought. “They’ll be looking for us on that road when I don’t show up.”

      “We’ll have to come up with a different plan, then,” said Matthew. He pulled her into the shelter of some trees. He ripped open the first-aid kit and doled out two pills from a packet. “Take these. They’ll help somewhat with the pain.” His face was etched with concern. “What you need more than anything is rest. We’ll have to walk awhile on the flat ground, find a hiding place. Can you do that for me?” He shoved other items from the kit in his pockets.

      She nodded even as she felt herself growing light-headed. She peered over her shoulder wondering if the thug would be able to figure out which direction they’d gone and tell whoever showed up. The snow was patchy and their footprints faint. “I guess hiding is our best option for now.”

      With Matthew supporting her, they walked until they came to a place where the tree cover was fairly thick. He gathered tree branches and laid them on top of the snow. Using the branches as a chair, Matthew helped Rochelle to the ground.

      “You need to stay here and rest. I’m going to scout around and see if there is another more accessible road where we might be able to catch a ride into town.”

      “What if they come looking for me or that man in the car gets away?”

      Matthew knelt beside her. He touched her cheek with his palm. The warmth of his touch seeped through her skin. “I know this plan is not perfect, but I will do everything in my power to make sure you get back to the hospital and get well for your son.”

      “This is above and beyond your job description.”

      He hesitated. “It’s what I need to do.” He dug through his pockets and pulled out a granola bar. “In case you get hungry.” He removed his winter coat and placed it around her shoulders.

      “I won’t be gone for more than forty-five minutes. If anyone does come looking for you, you should be able to hear him coming. Find a place to hide. I’ll come back for you. I promise.”

      How long would it be before Elwood realized something had happened and he came looking for her? “Won’t you be cold?” The sweater Matthew wore looked like it was wool, but it couldn’t totally shut out the November chill.

      “You’re the one who needs to stay warm. Rest. Try to regain your strength. I’ll find a way to get you back to the hospital so you can get better.”

      “Thank you.” Though she doubted she’d be safe in that hospital, she was overwhelmed by the extent to which he had gone to help her.

      Matthew tilted his head. “It’s almost dark. That works in our favor.” He turned on a flashlight that was attached to his key chain and set off, his footsteps crunching in the snow. The noise slowly faded. Rochelle sat in the dark listening for the sound of approaching footsteps.

      Matthew wasn’t wrong. Both accidents had weakened her. She was in no condition to travel, but what choice did she have? She slipped into Matthew’s coat, surprised by how warm it was. The coat smelled like him, kind of a woodsy musk scent. Her heart was opening up to him in a way that hadn’t happened since Dylan’s death. Yet she didn’t trust her own feelings. These were desperate circumstances, and Matthew had made it clear that his concern was only for her physical health and a secure future for Jamie. She didn’t dare read more into his kindness than that.

      Despite her hypervigilance, exhaustion overtook her and she nodded off, grateful for the warmth of Matthew’s coat and for his help. She only hoped he was able to find a way back into town before Elwood Corben’s brand of trouble caught up with her again.

      * * *

      Matthew crossed his arms over his chest to stave off the evening cold. He’d be all right as long as he kept moving. His back muscles ached more than they should have. He’d probably strained them in the accident. He might be sore tomorrow, СКАЧАТЬ