Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

The cop turned his head to look at Malichai, a frown on his face. “What did you hit him with?”

“His fist,” Craig answered before Malichai could. “We all saw him.”

“We have recordings. Video,” one of the diners called out helpfully.

Malichai nodded and showed the cops his knuckles. “I just hit him with one punch. He’s a big man and I didn’t want him getting to Lorrie. He was threatening to beat her. He threatened all the women. He swung at Amaryllis. Maybe the adrenaline was rushing, I don’t know. More likely, whatever he was on, and he was higher than a kite, might have weakened his bones. I think his jaw broke when I hit him.”

“All of you stay right here in this room. I want to get your statements,” one of the cops said and directed the medical people into the room to take care of Tag, who was continuously groaning, the sound coming out more like that of an animal in distress.

Amaryllis slipped under Malichai’s shoulder, fitting tight, her arm circling his waist. “He was really jacked up on something. I know all the bodybuilders that work out around here. None of them act like that.”

One by one each occupant of the dining room gave their account of what had happened. Amaryllis was fearful Malichai would be arrested, but he knew, even if he was, Ezekiel would be there immediately, and a call would come in from Major General Tennessee Milton and he would be walking away a free man. Of course he might be ordered home and he’d have to leave, but he resolved that he wouldn’t leave without Amaryllis.

In the end, everyone in the dining room told similar stories, all included that they were afraid, not only for Lorrie but for all the women and even themselves. They maintained that both Amaryllis and Malichai had defended themselves as well as everyone else in the room.

They all slumped gratefully in seats around the largest table and Amaryllis and Marie brought out celebratory ice cream.

“I’ve never seen such a big man,” Burnell said. “And so mean. He didn’t have to be so mean to you, Lorrie.”

She’d been crying and her makeup made little tracks down her face. Lexie and Linda were trying to wipe it off. Stefani pulled makeup wipes from her purse and offered them to the three women.

“Thank you,” Lorrie said tearfully. “Thanks, all of you, so much for standing up for me. He won’t stop. I’ve done everything the police have told me to do, but he won’t stop.”

“He gave her a broken arm,” Lexie said.

“In two places,” Linda added. “He knocked out two teeth. Broke her jaw once. Gave her black eyes several times and a cut lip multiple times. He broke her ribs twice. She got away from him twice, but he’d always find her and drag her back. Then she came home to us and we got the restraining order against him. We knew he was still looking so we rented out the main house and couch surfed with friends for a few months. I don’t know how he keeps finding her, but every few weeks, he calls on a number she just got, letting her know he’s coming for her.”

“He’s going to have a very long stay in the hospital,” Malichai said. “And probably several surgeries. Hopefully, by the time he is out from under his now-major medical problems, he’ll forget all about you.”

“I never thought I’d say I wanted a man to forget about me,” Lorrie said, “but I totally do. I want him to forget he ever knew my name.” She reached over and patted Burnell’s hand. “You risked your life for me. All of you.” Tears welled up again and spilled over. “I can’t believe you did that for me. You don’t even know me and I’m not always a nice person.”

“Lorrie, stop crying,” Linda said. “You’re making your face all red and splotchy. Eat your ice cream.”

“There’s hot fudge to put on it, just use the dipper,” Marie added. She’d put a big pot filled with hot fudge in the middle of the table along with a bowl of chopped walnuts and two bowls of fresh whipped cream.

Amaryllis didn’t hesitate. She scooped up hot fudge with the dipper three times. “I don’t know what’s wrong with the rest of you, but I’m not taking a chance she takes this away from us.”

“Put like that,” Lexie said and poured fudge over her ice cream and then passed the dipper to Stefani. “I love your accent. Where are you from?”

“Finland,” Stefani said readily. “I am here for the peace convention, to represent my country. I’m meeting the others for the first time in person. We’ve worked hard to put this convention together. None of us had any idea that it would be so large we would have to have a place like the San Diego Convention Center.”