Free No One Left to Tell by Karen Rose Page B

blocks west of the courthouse. Second floor, close to the stairwell.’
    ‘I’ve dispatched emergency services. Is she conscious?’
    ‘Yes.’ Thank God .
    She’d closed her eyes. Her hands clenched, relaxed, then clenched again. He freed the top buttons of her coat, checked her pulse. It had already slowed substantially.
    ‘Are you in a safe place?’ the operator asked.
    ‘I think so.’ Grayson’s breath still came in hard pants while the woman had hers evening out. ‘The man with the knife ran away.’
    ‘Can you describe him?’
    ‘He was six-four, two hundred thirty or forty pounds. He had on a black baseball cap, so I couldn’t see his hair color. He was wearing a black nylon jacket and black cargo pants. I only saw his back.’
    ‘Okay, stay on the line. Help is coming.’
    ‘I’m going to put the phone down to keep pressure on her neck,’ Grayson said. ‘I’ll put it on speaker.’ He set his phone aside and cradled the woman’s head, lifting her gently until her head rested on his thigh. His handkerchief was soaked through so he tugged his tie from his collar and pressed it to her neck instead.
    ‘I’m all right,’ she murmured and he let out a harsh breath. She opened her eyes, looking straight up at him, compelling him to answer her.
    Except he didn’t know what she wanted. ‘What’s your name?’ he asked.
    ‘Paige. Paige Holden. Thank you. You probably saved my life.’
    His lips twitched, relief rushing through him at her slightly arch tone. ‘Probably?’
    One side of her mouth lifted. ‘Gotta leave me a little dignity.’
    ‘I’d say you did more than okay, Miss Holden.’ Now that it was over he was amazed that she’d fought against a man nearly twice her weight. ‘That was one hell of a kick.’
    ‘That’s one hell of a briefcase.’ She struggled to sit, but he restrained her gently.
    ‘Don’t move. If you sit up you could start gushing again. Which would be bad since I don’t have any more ties or hankies. The ambulance is coming.’
    Her eyes flickered. ‘I lost my phone. I was talking to someone. He’ll be worried.’
    He? Emotion rose quickly, stunning him. Annoyance, anger. Jealousy? Yeah, all of the above . Which was crazy. ‘Who were you talking to?’ he asked, trying not to growl.
    ‘My business partner. He’s going to be out of his mind. Can you find my phone?’
    Her phone lay against the tire of the car in the next parking place. He stretched as far as he could, just able to scoop the phone up with his fingertips. Studying it, he frowned.
    It was the brand sold in convenience stores. ‘Exactly what business are you in?’
    She studied him for a long moment. ‘Private investigation. I’m still a newbie.’
    Oh . Elena Muñoz had hired a PI to help clear her husband. That made sense. Finally something does . He redialed the last call received, then handed her the phone.
    Her eyes never left his as she waited for the call to go through. Wary, she was.
    ‘I’m okay,’ she said into the phone without preamble, then winced. ‘Don’t shout at me. I said I’m okay.’ She winced again. ‘A guy attacked me with a knife, but I’m fine. Grayson Smith is here.’ She glanced up at Grayson uneasily. ‘Of course he wasn’t. He chased the guy with the knife away.’
    Grayson took the phone from her hand. ‘This is Smith. Who is this?’
    ‘Her partner, Clay Maynard.’ The man sounded frantic. ‘Is she really okay?’
    ‘No. The guy sliced her throat with his knife. An ambulance is on its way. She shouldn’t need more than stitches. I’ll let you know which ER.’
    ‘Thanks,’ Clay said gruffly. ‘She’ll fight you over going in the ambulance. Make her go. Please. And Smith? Don’t leave her till I get there, okay?’
    Grayson frowned. He recognized Maynard’s name but couldn’t remember from where. ‘Sure.’ He picked up his own cell. ‘I’m disconnecting,’ he said to the operator. ‘The medics are almost here. Thanks.’ He dropped