LITMIR.BIZ

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The nervous deputy skidded to a halt in front of Galloway. “Sheriff, that Jane Doe from the hospital...someone just tried to strangle her.”

      * * *

      LIGHTS FLASHED THROUGH the night sky, and the siren rang out. The few people on the streets of Trouble turned their heads to stare as the sheriff’s car raced by. This time Daniel rode in the front seat.

      “You said she was safe,” Daniel accused, his biting words cold as he attempted to tamp down the fury building in his gut.

      “I didn’t expect someone to attack her in the middle of the emergency room,” Galloway snapped.

      “You’re paid to expect the worst. She should never have been left alone.”

      Galloway yanked the steering wheel hard to the right, and the car squealed into the parking lot.

      Daniel leaped out and ran toward the building, despite the pain in his leg. He raced inside the clinic, to the desk. “Where is she?” he demanded. “Where’s Jane Doe?”

      The shaking nurse pointed to the same examining room Raven had been in before. Daniel flung aside the wall of fabric, the squeal of the curtain rings barely registering this time. “Raven!”

      She lay on the bed, her eyes closed. Bruises encircled her neck.

      At the sight, rage erupted in his gut.

      He sat down next to her and gently touched her hand. “Oh, darlin’. I never should have let the sheriff take me.”

      Raven’s eyelids fluttered open, then her eyes widened. “Daniel.”

      He scarcely recognized the raw, hoarse voice she used.

      “Daniel, you’re here.” She clasped hold of his hand. “Don’t leave me, please. He almost killed me.”

      “I won’t,” he promised. “Not until you’re safe.” Whoever had attacked her had come too close to cracking her voice box. “I’ll be right by your side.”

      He glared at Sheriff Galloway, daring him to challenge Daniel’s vow.

      The man gave a slight nod and stepped behind the curtain.

      “Thank you. I’m sorry about before.” She closed her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here...” Her voice trailed off in sleep.

      Daniel positioned himself as best he could to watch over her until the shuddering left her and her breathing steadied into the rhythm of sleep. He eased the still-tight grip of her hand, then stalked to just beyond the curtain to where the sheriff stood checking his notes.

      Daniel crossed his arms, struggling to stay civil. “Well?”

      “No one saw him come in. From what Raven relayed to the staff, someone dressed as a doctor tried to choke her. He appeared to be acting alone. She fought back and must have hit him just right. She probably broke his nose, and he ran out. Nearly took out the doc and the crash cart.”

      “You get samples of his blood?” Daniel asked.

      “Yes, and I can send them to Midland for forensics, but unless the guy is in one of the government databases, we’re not going to be able to identify him. As it is, it’s gonna take a while for the results.”

      Daniel gave the sheriff a sidelong glance. “What if I told you I had contacts with serious forensic resources? Would you give me a blood specimen?”

      “These ‘contacts’ of yours could fast-track it?” Galloway’s brow arched.

      Daniel nodded. “They can hit all the federal databases a hell of a lot faster than your lab. And they’re certified. You can use the results for the court case.”

      The sheriff paused for a moment, his gaze settling on Raven’s bruised throat and head wound. “I’ll get you a second sample. We keep this between us.”

      Daniel agreed, then studied the small emergency department. Double doors leading to hospital rooms, a few cabinets and a second triage area. Only two or three staff members that he could see. “How’d the perp know Raven was here?”

      The sheriff grimaced. “Local news picked up the story after I called into the clinic to say we were on our way. We don’t get that many emergency calls around here. A few illegals who chose a bad stretch of border to cross, some domestic disturbances and the occasional drunk driver. Can’t sneeze in this town without someone knowing about it.”

      “Great.” Daniel swore again silently. “If this story has hit the news, you’ll need a guard on her 24/7. Right now whoever attacked her has all the advantages.”

      “I know you’re right, but no can do,” Galloway said. “I’m down one man already, with half the damn county to cover. That’s nearly two thousand square miles. Even if I could spare the deputy I have left, he can’t watch her nonstop.”

      “I wouldn’t let you put that prepubescent kid on her, anyway. He couldn’t protect her from a puppy, much less a killer.”

      Galloway crossed his arms. “I can stick her in jail for her own protection.”

      Daniel’s entire body tensed at the idea of Raven surrounded by bars. “She didn’t do anything wrong.”

      “At least she’d be safe.”

      “How do you know?” Daniel challenged. “If you can’t guard her in the clinic, how can you guard her in the jail? Someone wants her dead. All he’d have to do is create a diversion pulling you two away from the station, and you’d be leaving her vulnerable.”

      Galloway tilted his head. “So we’re at an impasse. I don’t have the manpower. I don’t have the money. Unless...” He stared at Daniel for a long moment.

      “Unless what?”

      “Unless you really are some whizbang hotshot military type. Sheriff Redmond said you’re handy with tools a lot more lethal than a hammer and nails. And you’re one of the best trackers and investigators money can buy.”

      “Blake Redmond should learn to keep his mouth shut.”

      “He was trying to save your butt from an attempted murder charge. Kissing his feet is the least you could do.” Galloway paused. “Seriously, as you so delicately pointed out, I could use the help on this one. The doctor said Raven has traumatic amnesia. Her memory may or may not return. Until we know better, we have nothing else to go on except whatever clues come out of that mine.”

      “And the blood sample from her attacker,” Daniel pointed out.

      “That, too,” the sheriff agreed. “But, like you said, she needs someone protecting her 24/7. How about it? I could deputize you.”

      “That’s a switch. An hour ago, you were running me out of town.”

      “Yeah, well, things change. I just need your signature on a form, and you have to take a quick oath.”

      Daniel looked back at the curtain behind which Raven slept. He’d promised he wouldn’t leave her until she was safe. He couldn’t let her fight this alone. Someone had tried to kill her twice. Daniel didn’t have a choice, and Galloway knew it. “I have your resources available to me?”

      “Whatever you need, though you may have more than I do.”

      “Your name makes the request more...official. And just so we’re clear, this isn’t a permanent assignment, Sheriff. You understand that? Once I find out who’s after Raven, I’m back on the road.”

      “You won’t hear me complaining. I want my quiet town back.”

      “If I need more help—more manpower from my contacts—can I make a few calls?”

      “Exactly what are you saying?”

      “I won’t get any flack for bringing outsiders into your county?”

      The sheriff

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