We All Sleep Alone (Finley Creek #11) - Calle J. Brookes Page 0,117
bleeding a lot, and I really want to get out of this building right now. We both do.”
“We cleared the area, already. A unit was nearby when it happened and is in pursuit. It was a drive-by. We can get an ambulance in here.”
Izzie shook her head. “It’ll take time for that. Can we walk her over?”
“I’ll stay here with the detectives,” Margo said. “You go. Get Shelby taken care of.”
Izzie wasn’t letting Shelby out of her sight until she was absolutely certain Allen’s sister was going to be ok. “Let’s go. She’s lost quite a bit of blood.”
As she said it, Shelby swayed. Jake cursed, and before anyone else could react, he scooped Allen’s sister into his arms. “I’ll carry her. Let’s move.”
Shelby had hooked her arm behind Jake’s neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes were closed. That told Izzie all she needed to know. Shelby was hurting far more than she was letting on.
Jake looked down at Shelby briefly. There was something in his expression that caught Izzie’s attention. Then it was gone in an instant. “Come on. We need to get moving.”
“Thank you,” Shelby said in a whispered voice. “I don’t mean to be so much trouble. I can walk.”
“This is faster.” Jake carried her near the now-shattered front windows. He looked at the young deputy who’d accompanied him, Evers, and Callum. “Callahan! Is the parking lot secure?”
“As much as we’re able. Whoever did this didn’t stick around.”
Not exactly reassuring.
Izzie was jumpy most of the trek across the parking lot. It wasn’t even a large parking lot, but how exposed they were wasn’t lost to her. Right there, that was where she had fallen when she’d been attacked.
The shooter could have been right there. In any of the cars in the parking lot.
She shook every step of the way.
She’d probably never be fully comfortable in the hospital parking lot now.
Like she still had a bit of an anxiety attack every time she saw the familiar green-and-white sign for W4HAV. She probably always would.
Izzie ran ahead into the ER.
Straight into Allen and Nikkie Jean.
99
Allen took one look at Izzie and knew something had happened. He’d just finished in surgery. By the time he’d gotten to the ER, people were buzzing.
Shots fired.
Close.
Izzie was covered in blood.
“Izzie!” He stepped toward her instinctively, hands already reaching for her, not hesitating to think about the people watching them.
Then his gaze landed on the man behind her.
On a familiar woman held close to Jake’s chest. “What happened?”
Shelby lifted her head off Jake’s shoulder. “I’m ok, Allen. I-I could have walked.”
Annie was there, a wheelchair at the ready. “What happened?”
“Drive-by,” Izzie said quietly. “Shot out the front windows of W4HAV. Shelby was closest and was grazed. Plus, there’s glass imbedded. She’s lost a lot of blood, so Jake carried her here.”
Annie helped Shelby into the wheelchair even though Shelby was protesting that she could walk.
Shelby was embarrassed by all the attention. Overwhelmed.
At least Allen hadn’t totally freaked. Izzie followed behind Annie.
A hard arm around her waist stopped her. “Not you.”
She turned and looked into her uncle’s eyes. “Jake…”
“She’s got people with her. I want to talk to you. I have questions about what in the hell is going on over there.”
“You know someone else has to be the one to interview me. I’d prefer Callum. He has dreamy eyes.”
“I still want to know exactly what happened. Now.”
“There isn’t much to say, Jake. Shelby, Margo and I were finishing up. We were waiting for Tarra. She’s another attendant for W4HAV. I…Margo and I didn’t want to leave Shelby there alone yet. So we were waiting. Margo was getting supplies out of the side office. Shelby was near the windows, and I was closer to the desk.”
“What time were you supposed to leave? Who do you think was the target of this? You? Or her?”
“I don’t know. W4HAV, maybe? The charity manages to really piss people off sometimes. Are you sure this doesn’t have anything to do with your case?”
“I love you, kid. You have to stop scaring me like this; I didn’t raise you to have adventures. Remember?”
“I’m fine. Shelby was scared witless. Poor kid.” Izzie’s arm stung; she looked at it. She had glass in her own arm. She hadn’t realized that. It was above the cast.
There was even glass stuck in the cast. Great. She’d have to get someone to help her get it out. Or she’d end up ordering yet another cast for herself in the morning.