Bombshell

“Here’s what I think you should say when they start questioning you.”

Jana gulped and prepared herself to pay attention. This woman was trying to help her. “After he kidnapped you, he got stuck in the mud. He thought you were knocked out cold, so he left the gun on the seat while he tried to push the car out of the muck.”

Jana nodded. That was exactly how it had gone down.

“But you weren’t knocked out, so you took the opportunity and grabbed the gun. He tried to take it away, so you shot him in self-defense. But you don’t remember where you shot him, or how many times. You were too scared. Okay?”

She remembered exactly how many times and exactly where, but she nodded again.

Tony hissed. “Someone’s coming over.”

Several officers were walking towards them. The woman quickly leaned down and whispered into Jana’s hear. “Don’t worry about these yahoos, I’ll get rid of them,” she said.

As soon as the officers were within earshot, the woman spoke in a sharp authoritarian voice. “I’m taking this woman to the hospital,” she announced and helped Jana to her feet. Tony took Jana’s other side and they started moving towards one of the cars.

“Wait, just a minute,” the officer said. “We need to question this young lady. This is a crime scene. She doesn’t look that bad off.”

The woman in the suit, released Jana into Tony’s supportive hands. “Look, Officer—what’s your name?” she said as she peered at his badge. She reached into her coat and whipped out her own. “This is an FBI matter. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere.”

The officer’s face went from irritated to worried, then morphed into respectful. “Yes, ma’am,” he said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. But this is a crime scene, and that dead body back there is in my jurisdiction. I need to know what to file in

my report.”

“Isn’t it obvious? You know she was kidnapped, right?”

“Yeah, lots of witnesses testifying to that.”

“Well, clearly he got stuck in the mud, must have thought she was knocked out cold, so he left the gun on the seat when he went to try to push the car out, she grabbed it, and killed him in self-defense. Simple. Can we go now?”

The officer pressed his lips together, then said, “Yeah, I guess.”

And Tony and the FBI agent helped Jana to her car.

As soon as they were on the road, Jana let out a gasp. “Thank you,” she said. “Please take me to see Merrick.”

Chapter Thirty

When they got to the hospital, Jana refused to worry about herself. She had some bruises, and her whole body ached, but she was going to be just fine. She had one thought and only one thought on her mind. She had to see Merrick.

Merrick looked like hell lying on the hospital bed, with the center of his body wrapped and bandaged. When he looked up, his face broke into a pained smile. “Bombshell,” he said.

Jana rushed to his side, leaning over him, staring into his eyes, as her eyes teared with happiness. He was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay.

Merrick took her hands. “I love you, Bombshell. Please never leave me again.”

“I love you too, Merrick, I promise I’ll never leave you.”

A moment later, she had to break her promise as a nurse came in and shooed them both away. They didn’t have permission to be back in this part of the hospital, the nurse said as she scolded them outside his door.

“I love you, Bombshell,” Merrick shouted from inside the room.

“I love you,” Jana shouted back, as they left the restricted area. When they got into the waiting room, Holly almost tackled Jana.

“Jana, you’re alright, thank God,” hugging her so hard Jana lost her breath.

“Bombshell?” They all turned around. Jana was surprised to see her psychologist standing before them. “Doctor Garcia.”

“You missed your appointment, dear,” the shrink said in a mock serious tone.