Burn (Steel Brothers Saga 5)

“Look at me. Look at my hands. They were bound, and I got loose by cutting the duct tape with some sharp edges of metal shelving. See the injuries I’ve sustained on my hands and forearms?”

“Please turn around, ma’am.”

I shook my head and turned around slowly. Was this truly happening? Why didn’t he believe me? If only Jonah were here. He would protect me.

The officer frisked me quickly. I was still wearing the loose gray sweats, and I was barefoot. Where would I hide anything? If he still didn’t believe me, I didn’t want to think about where he might look next.

“You seem to be clean. You say you need medical attention? I’ll call the emergency vehicle.”

“Why? We’re close to Grand Junction. I’m a doctor, and I have privileges at Valleycrest Hospital. Someone will be able to identify me if you just take me there. Please.”

“I’m afraid not, ma’am. Policy is if a criminal requests medical attention—”

“Criminal? Are you arresting me?”

“This is a stolen car, ma’am.”

“Oh, for the love of… Even if you arrest me, I’m innocent until proven guilty. I’m not a criminal!” My feet folded under me, and I collapsed against the wrecked car.

“Ma’am, ma’am! Are you all right?”

“Of course I’m not all right. I’ve been through a nightmare, and I need medical attention.” My hands fell from my head. Some of the shallower cuts had clotted up. “All right, then. Follow your procedure. Call the ambulance. I inhaled a lot of carbon monoxide, and I need a blood test. Maybe oxygen.”

“I’ll cuff you, and you can sit in the back of my car.”

Handcuffs? On my bloody wrists? Sounded like torture, but I had no more fight left in me. The paramedics would be here quickly as we were close to the city. He took my hands and forced them behind my back.

“No, no, please. Not behind me like that.”

“Ma’am—”

“Please. The man who kidnapped me tied my hands behind my back like that. He bound my ankles too and then left me in a garage with a running car to die. Please. Just keep my hands in front of me.”

The officer sighed. “It’s not standard procedure.”

“Do I really look like a flight risk to you? Look at my hands.” I turned to face him. “I can barely stand on my ankle anymore.”

His stern eyes finally softened a bit. “All right. In front.” He clasped the cuffs around my sore wrists. “So you’re telling the truth?”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, I am. I know this isn’t my car, but I didn’t steal it. The person who left me in that garage did. I just used it to escape.”

“I’ll take your report later, when we get to the hospital.” He led me to the back seat of his car and opened the door. “Make

yourself comfortable in here for the time being.”

Comfortable? Well, it was a sight better than a concrete floor with my hands and ankles bound, breathing in poison. Still, I couldn’t get into the car.

“Can I stay out here? I don’t want to be…closed in. I need fresh air.”

“I’ve already bent the rules for you, ma’am. In the car you go.”

I trembled, my skin tightening around me. “You believe me, don’t you? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“It’s not up to me to make that assessment.”

“Look at me, for God’s sake. I have no ID. I have…” No fight left in me. I sighed.

“You’re in possession of a stolen car, ma’am. That’s all I know for sure at the moment. Now get on in.”