Shiver(111)
“We got Genie. She’s being booked for kidnapping, two counts of attempted murder, and the murder of your uncle.”
“How’d the hell did you find her?”
“When you radioed in we could hear you but you couldn’t hear us. We followed where you said you’d picked up Fox’s trail and found Genie tied to a tree. Pretty smart leaving her there secured with your coat strings.”
“Too bad the wolves didn’t get to her.”
“A meaner pack of wolves will get her in prison. She isn’t going anywhere for a long time. But we didn’t find any sign of the gold.”
“I never thought there was any. How’s Lana?”
“Peter’s with her. She’s upset but resigned. She knew what kind of man her father was. I’m sure it came as no surprise that he’d meet a bad end.”
Aidan nodded. “Roland?”
“At the morgue on ice. Troopers are all over everything in Chatanika.”
“Yeah, they sent some of their buddies here. I’ve already talked to them.”
Sonya walked up to them. “Hey, guys. Do you know where Lynx is?”
“He should’ve beaten me here.” Garrett checked his watch. “Why, what’s going on?”
Sonya worried her bottom lip. “Eva’s in labor.”
Aidan and Garrett swiveled to stare at Eva. She was sitting in a chair bent at the waist with both arms wrapped around her belly, her face a mask of agony.
“Has she tried his cell?” Garrett asked, his tone rising from calm, cool, collected lawman to the nervous soon-to-be-in-the-same-situation-expectant-father.
“Yeah. Goes right to voicemail.”
“When is she due?” Aidan asked.
“Two weeks. She’s called her doctor and he’s on the way, but she wants Lynx.”
“I’ll go and find him,” Garrett said, turning to leave just as the doors whooshed opened again.
Lynx was wheeled into the ER on a gurney flanked by two EMTs. A bloody bandage was wrapped around Lynx’s head and dried blood was all over his face.
“What the hell happened to you?” Garrett asked.
“Got hit by a damn moose,” Lynx muttered. “Hey, babe.” Lynx looked up at Eva who’d wobbled her way across the foyer when she’d seen him enter. “I’m sorry, babe, but the truck didn’t make it.”
“Lynx Maiski, don’t you dare think of upstaging me.”
“Huh?”
“I’m in labor, you idiot.” Her words ended on a worried screech. “What do you mean ‘you hit a moose’?”
“No, babe. The moose hit me.”
Eva glanced at the EMT’s. “How hard did he hit his head?”
“Uh…well, he took the windshield out with it.” The EMT stepped back from the little dynamo when she glared at him and then started dolling out information. “He’s got a possible concussion. Definitely in need of stitches….broken nose, possible broken leg.”
“Shit.” Eva pursed her lips. “Anything else?”
“Uh…he’s going to need to see a dentist.”
Lynx smiled and showed the hole where his two front teeth should have been.
“You look like a damn redneck.” Suddenly she bent over and gave a long dreadful moan.
Lynx’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I told you,” Eva said through clenched teeth, “I’m in labor.”
“You serious? Now?”
“Yes, now.” She slapped him. “Shit this hurts.”
“Babe.” Lynx reached for her. “Honey, what can I do?”
“Find me some drugs.”
“I thought you wanted to do this natural.”
Eva gave him a look that had the power to skin him alive.
“Right. You want drugs, drugs you will have.” He looked at the EMT guy. “Can you hook us up?”
An observant nurse at the ER station was already bringing a wheelchair. Eva thanked her and gratefully took a seat. She arrowed a look toward Aidan. “Fill me in as soon as you know something.” Then both Lynx and Eva entered the ER, one on a gurney, the other in a wheelchair, clutching each other’s hand.
“I wouldn’t go near that woman until she’s delivered that baby,” Garrett said under his breath.
Sonya elbowed him in the ribs. “Are you going to be like this when I go into labor?”
“You gotta admit she’s over the top.”
“You have no idea what we women go through bringing children into the world.” Sonya turned on her heel and marched back to her chair.
The ER doors breezed open again. Aidan and Garrett turned to see Tern fly into the room, her long black coat slapping around her slayer black boots. “What in the hell has been happening in Chatanika?”