He considered doing it anyway.
“You need to get that dog out of here, and you need that head wound examined.”
“The dog’s hurt. He’s been shot, for God’s sake.”
“I’ll give you the number for an emergency veterinary clinic. But you have to”
“You’re going to take care of this dog.”
“That’s exactly right.” Mason, face set, strode up, his ID held out. “The bullet is evidence, and needs to be removed. The dog is a material witness, and needs to be treated immediately.”
“He’s a fucking hero.”
“That’s right. I suggest you get a doctor, get this dog prepped for surgery, or I swear, I’ll arrest you for obstructing a federal investigation.”
They wouldn’t let him in with Naomi, but loosened up enough to let him sit with the dog while they removed the bullet, treated the wound. And while they cleaned his own wound, stitched up his scalp.
“He’s going to be fine.”
The surgeon who’d volunteered for the procedure neatly closed Tag’s wound.
“It’s going to be sore, and he’ll limp for a few days. I’ve given him some antibiotics, and I’ll write up a report for your vet. She should do a follow-up.”
“Thanks.”
“He’ll sleep another hour, I’d say. He looks like a good dog.”
“He’s a damn good dog. Please, God, somebody find out about Naomi. Naomi Carson. Justshit!”
“I need you to hold still.” The intern doing the scalp stitching looked at the surgeon.
“She’s doing a good job, just give her a few more minutes. I’ll check on Ms. Carson.”
Before he could, Mason came in. “How’s it going?”
“Both patients are doing well. One more cooperative than the other.”
“Where is she? How is she? Fuck! Are you mining for gold in my scalp?”
“They’re working on her. But she’s going to be fine. It was through-and-through. Through her, into Tag.”
“Your evidence, Special Agent.”
“Thanks.” Mason took the dish with the spent bullet.
“She lost a lot of blood, and a bullet never does you a favor, but it didn’t hit any organs. Just the meat. They’re going to want to keep her overnight. Probably want to do the same with you.”
Xander readied for battle if need be, because his mind was set. “I’m staying with her. So’s the dog.”
“Already arranged. Are you up to giving me a statement? It can wait.”
“I’m okay. Just tell me, where’s this Chaffins now?”
“In a cell in Sunrise Cove, but officially in federal custody. He’s been examined by a doctor, and his injuries treated. Among other things, you broke his nose, knocked out three of his teeth, cracked a couple ribs.”
“Did I?” Xander looked down at his hand, flexed his aching fingers, his raw and swollen knuckles.
“Thanks. I know you love her, but I loved her first, so thanks for saving my sister’s life.”
“No problem.”
Mason pulled up a stool. “Okay, tell me what happened.”
He ran it through.
“I should’ve seen it coming. I did see it, but too late. I actually bought the little-Bobby-in-the-backseat bullshit. And when I came to, I knew he’d gone after her. I called you while I drove back. Pulled in behind his damn camper, ran for the house. I heard the gunshot.”
He stopped, closed his eyes. “I heard the shot. I heard her scream. When I ran in he was standing over her, ranting, had the gun pointed at her head. I pulled him off, beat him unconscious. She and the dog were lying there, bleeding. So much blood. I grabbed a couple of dish towels and put pressure on her sidelike they always say you’re supposed to. It hurt her. I hurt her.”
“He hurt her,” Mason corrected.
She dreamed she swam, slow and lazy, through the palest of pale blue water. Surfaced and floated, skimmed under to glide. Up and down, in and out, with everything warm and watery.
Once in the dream, beavers cut down trees with chain saws, deep, rhythmic buzzing. She surfaced, thought she saw the dog snoring away on a cot beside her.
She laughed in her sleepheard Xander’s voice. Wouldn’t mind some of whatever they gave you.
And smiling, slid under again.
She thought of moonlight falling in slants over the bed, how it felt to make love with him over and under those moonlit slants.
Opening her eyes, she saw it was sunlight, sliding through the slats over the window.
“There she is. Are you staying with me this time around?”
She turned her head, met Xander’s eyes.
He looked so tired, she thought, and pale under the scruff. Bruisedbadlyon the temple.