“Suck it up, ya big pussy,” Judge ordered.
Quick flicked Judge off but the smile curving his lips was reassuring. His friend was fine. Thank goodness. That whole situation could’ve gone differently. Duke’s hands shook. He was scared, but it was all right. It was over. He walked behind Quick as they made their way back downstairs and outside. The neighborhood was lit up with red and blue lights, including an ambulance and a couple fire trucks.
Dana stood with the two brothers while they gave the police their bounty paperwork. One of the cops offered to transport their bounty for them but Duke refused. He let Judge load Aaron Williams into the back of his truck; he was taking the shithead in himself.
He walked around to the back of the ambulance where Quick was sitting on the stretcher and the young EMT was applying another bandage to the still-bleeding wound. Duke told Quick he’d meet him at the hospital after he dumped their bounty under the jail.
“I’m good, pal. I’ll get a ride home. Don’t worry about bringing me my truck” Quick’s eyes were drooping and Duke frowned at the paramedic.
“It’s just the adrenaline wearing off, sir. He’s fine. Vitals are good.”
Duke gave the paramedic the okay and turned to leave. He sent Vaughan a quick text that he’d be home shortly and everything was okay. He’d tell him about Quick’s little bullet graze after the man was home and resting. No need for Vaughan to be worried and race up to the hospital for nothing.
Duke shook his other guys’ hands, thanking them for the support. Ford walked up to Duke with his brother close behind. “We wanted to say we appreciate the opportunity to work with you. Judge keeps us pretty busy with recon, but my brother and I wanted to extend our services to your bounty hunting business. We’re damn good trackers. I think we’d be beneficial to you in your office here.”
Duke didn’t even have to think about. “Agreed. Now that I’ve seen you two in action. I can use a couple of guys like you. I think Judge said you were ex-SEALS?”
“Yes. When my brother was medically discharged five years ago, I left with him. I couldn’t stay there without him.”
Brian didn’t speak up, of course, but he looked like he agreed with what his brother was suggesting. “You want to work here in my office too?” Duke asked, looking at Brian.
The man simply nodded. Although he didn’t speak, Duke knew the man was capable. He’d seen it. “Okay, then. Be in my office on Monday at eight. We’ll go over some things, but I warn you, it’s going to be crazy. We’re getting ready to get back into full swing now and it’s gonna be long hours. Are you up for that?”
Ford smiled and it brightened the man’s face, making him look approachable and handsome. Brian stuck his hand out for Duke to shake, then turned and left. That was his goodbye. Ford added, “We’ll see you Monday. Have a good weekend, Duke.”
Oh I plan too.
Judge looked at Duke for a while before he pulled him in for another one-armed hug. Their unspoken words were enough. Judge had been right. Duke needed the closure of getting this bounty. He felt so much lighter and carefree. With Aaron and that woman loose on the streets, Duke would’ve continued to have nightmares. Now, he was at peace with it all.
He could go home and claim his reward. Duke smiled.
“Sir, it’s against policy,” the paramedic pleaded, trying to get Quick to stay on the stretcher.
“I can walk just fine. There’s nothing wrong with my legs.” Quick jumped down out of the ambulance, still holding the numerous gauzes the EMT put over his wound, and headed into the emergency room. He walked up to the counter and the nurse’s eyes practically bulged out of her head as she took in Quick’s appearance, probably due to the weapons. After she was done gawking, she ushered him into the triage room and started a chart on him.
“I’m afraid it may be a little while. We’re short-staffed and flooded with flu victims.”
“Great,” Quick murmured.
“You can sit here for now.” The round-faced nurse pointed to one of the many stretchers that were lined up in the busy hallway. “Unfortunately there’re no more rooms available. The doctor will get to you as soon as he can. We’ve called for more doctors to come down, but I can’t guarantee how long that will be.”
Quick waved her away. “It’s all good,” he said, and leaned back on the stretcher with one arm draped over his eyes, blocking the irritating fluorescent light directly over his head. He let his long legs drape over the sides, since he was too tall for the bed. People hustled back and forth in the hall but Quick was too tired to care.