Free Pure Dynamite by Lauren Bach Page A

any word on how Deputy Acton's doing?"
    She felt Adam's fingers press into her arm, knew he wasn't pleased with her query. Too bad she thought.
    Clarence frowned. "Last I heard, he was still in surgery. Bad stuff. It might be a good idea for me to see you to your car. Follow you home. Weather's supposed to get worse, too. Lord knows we don't need more rain."
    She felt a slight panic. "But I can't leave yet. I still have work to do."
    "Well, then, if the police come by, don't let it surprise you. They've started a street-by-street sweep. Of course, they may have already nabbed them by now.
    They got an APB out on the car; know exactly what they're driving."
    "That's encouraging," she said. "I'm sure they'll find them."
    "I have a few more pick-ups." Clarence checked his watch. "How about I swing back by in thirty minutes, walk you out then?"
    Adam squeezed her arm once again.
    "It might take a little longer," she said. "Why don't you give me your beeper number and I'll page you when I'm ready to leave."
    "Sounds good. I'm on duty till five."
    Grabbing a small notebook from her pocket, Renata pretended to write his number. Instead she scribbled: H-E-L-P.
    Adam's gun bit sharply into her side. She glanced sideways, noticed he had moved closer. With his height advantage he could see exactly what she wrote.
    She pocketed the notebook and nodded. "I'll call you."
    As soon as she closed the door, Adam forced her to face him. His eyes glittered perilously. She thought about screaming, to catch Clarence's attention, but if Adam harmed him...
    "You played the part perfectly," he gritted between clenched teeth. "Except for the note at the end. That was stupid."
    Shifting, Adam blocked her, pressed her back against the door reminding her that he was a foot taller. He let his full weight rest against her as he leisurely tucked the gun into his waistband behind him, freeing both his hands.
    If he meant to intimidate, he succeeded. She could feel every ounce of muscle, sensed the tension wound up within him. He placed a hand on either side of her head and leaned even closer. The gold flecks in his eyes sparked.
    "I know this isn't nice or fun," he said. "But if you cooperate, it will be a lot easier on you."
    Her right hand which was still clenched inside her pocket, brushed against plastic.
    The scalpel. Her fist closed over it like a lifeline.
    "What do you say?" he whispered.
    Her pulse pounded in her skull. Loud. Scary. She pretended to consider his words, while she summoned her courage.
    "Fine," she said at last. "I'll cooperate."
    But the moment Adam stepped away Renata yanked the scalpel from her pocket and raised it in the air. "When hell freezes over!"

Chapter Five

    Willy McEdwin had a look that would make God nervous. And right now that unholy gleam was directed at his twin sons.
    Tristin, older by eight minutes, looked nervously at his brother, Burt.
    "Don't kill the messenger, Pa," Tristin blurted.
    It was the second time that night Willy had been awakened with bad news. First an irate business associate had threatened to dump his C-4 in the ocean; make fish bait of his plastic explosives.
    Now this.
    Willy's fist hammered the table. "Just tell me the SOB who shot your little brother is dead."
    "The SOB's a deputy," Burt said.
    "Doesn't matter. Is he dead?"
    "Last we heard he was still in surgery."
    "Pray he doesn't survive," Willy said. "Where's Lyle now?"
    "Holed up in some emergency clinic in North Carolina. His partner forced some lady doctor to treat him. Lyle's pretty lucky."
    "Lucky? You mean stupid," Willy spat. "He goes off all brash-assed and gets himself shot. Damn impatient kid!"
    "It's not like he did it on purpose, Pa, he—"
    "Stop right there. I'm tired of excuses. Lyle's gotten too used to you boys cleaning up after him. Wiping his butt. I had hoped a little time behind bars would toughen him up. That's why I told him to stay put."
    That was one of the reasons anyway. Willy grabbed a bottle of antacid tablets,