“True.” He fixed a hard stare on her. “It’s not a chop ‘em up for money type place?”
She gasped, “Nooooooo.”
“May I have the location?”
Shelby already decided to give him the information before he’d asked. She went over to her shelf and grabbed a piece of paper, scribbling what he needed to know. Wasn’t an address per se, more of a turn right at the green dumpster kind of details, she handed it over as he held onto her hand. “Is there anyone I can call for you?”
She shook her head. “My family is gone. But thank you.”
“You need to know this isn’t the last you’ll see of me,” he declared.
“Duly noted.” She gave him a half-smile that still held so much sadness.
“Thank you for watching over her. You really are an angel.”
Shelby barked out a laugh that shocked even her. Her hand covered her mouth as surprised by it as Tar was. “Your Keeley called me that, too.”
“Then it must be true,” he said with sincerity.
She hobbled over to a crate and sat down. “You best be going now.”
Tar nodded, taking the hint as he walked away. He was good on his word, he’d be back. Shelby deserved a second chance at life. At love. At happiness. If he could help in any way, he owed it to her.
The directions weren’t hard to follow, but gaining access proved to be more difficult than Tar expected. He needed in the damn place, now. His training kicked into high gear telling him what was necessary, a liaison. Someone they trusted. Shelby could provide that, however, he had no desire to drag her down there. The dude taking on duties as security screamed military background. Tar took a chance and barked orders. “Stand down, soldier. I’m on a mission and you are prohibiting me.”
“Sir. Yes, Sir.” The security officer stood at attention.
“Is your superior on the premises?”
“Affirmative, Sir.”
“Take me to him.”
“Her, Sir. And I can’t leave my post.”
“Roger that. Point me where I need to go.” For a beat, Tar wasn’t sure he convinced the younger man. Shit!
The security guard radioed ahead, receiving clearance. “Go ahead, Sir. First left, there’s an office. She’s expecting you in the next two minutes.”
Tar didn’t hesitate and took the opening provided. He had half a mind to just blow past the office, but knew that would delay finding Keeley. So he decided to meet this woman and hope for the best, until he heard a scream. Fuck protocol. He took off at a dead run.
What greeted him was straight out of a nightmare. Keeley was up on the table, blood dripping down her legs and ripped stitches. He saw the scalpel in her hand. Worse…he locked eyes with the demon in control. “Who the hell gave her drugs?” he roared in absolute fury.
The doctor shot him an indignant glance. “She was in excruciating pain.”
“Yeah. Well, now, she’s out of her ever-lovin’ mind.”
“Damn. Addict.”
“Ah Captain Obvious, nice of you to show up.”
A metal bed pan went careening past the good doctor’s head as Tar jerked his arm, pulling him out of the line of fire. Something was off. She should’ve been in a blissful state, not crazed. “Was she given other drugs?”
“I-I don’t know. I just got here.”
“Wait a fuckin’ minute! You mean to tell me you gave her meds without checking her goddamn chart?” Incredulous at the gall this doctor had.
“We don’t have…” He never finished what he meant to say, at that particular moment, Keeley hit her target.
Doc was down for the count, leaving Tar to talk some sense into her. She might look like the woman he loved, but Tar wasn’t born yesterday. The person off her rocker before him wasn’t someone he could reason with. His brain quickly gave him the data necessary to subdue her. To the right were handcuffs, yet in her state, she’d have the strength of ten men. As much as he hated the next option, it was the only one that made sense. He needed to tranquilize her like a damn animal. Tar’s heart rebelled, but his head knew it was the only chance.
The moan from the floor told him he had only a couple of minutes at best. Studying what lay there in plain view, he recognized what he needed: chlorpromazine. He really didn’t relish giving her dopamine, however, his choices were limited. And yes, he was fully aware he could permanently damage her brain beyond repair. He stalked forward. Keeley cocked her head to one side as if she were attempting to solve a calculus equation. Tar never took another step, piercing pain shot through his neck as a needle dug deep and cruel.