Free In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9] by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

as new.” He handed Jennifer a prescription. “This is for pain pills, if he needs them."
    Jennifer tucked it into her purse. “Thank you.” She hung onto Hawkman's arm as they moved into the hallway. “Why don't you wait here while I run up and tell Rita goodbye."
    "I'm fine. I'll go with you."
    "Are you sure? You're staggering."
    He put a hand to his forehead. “Okay, I think you're right,” and he flopped into a chair against the wall.
    "Don't move. I'll be right back."
    Jennifer hurried up to the second floor and started to enter Rita's room, but found herself stopped by the strong arm of the officer guarding the door.
    "Just a moment, I need to see some identification. And may I ask why you're here?"
    "I'm a friend,” she said, showing her driver's license.
    He poked his head into the room. “You know a Jennifer Casey?"
    "Yes, yes. Let her in, please,” Rita called out.
    Jennifer moved briskly to her bedside. “I can only stay a minute. Hawkman's waiting for me downstairs."
    She looked puzzled. “You keep calling your husband ‘Hawkman'."
    "It's a nickname and I'll explain it to you at another time; right now I have to hurry. Just wanted you to know he's okay and I'm taking him home. Call me tomorrow when you get out of here.” She headed for the door, then turned. “By the way, who's picking you up?"
    "One of my bridge buddies. Glad your hubby's okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
    Jennifer dashed out the door and down the steps. She didn't know what her better half might do if she didn't get back to him. When she arrived by his side, she found him bent over, holding his head in his hands.
    "Man, I've got a terrific headache. And they've shaved off a big swatch of my hair. Where's my hat?"
    "Do you want me to get the pain pills?"
    "No."
    "Williams has your hat at the police station. I think it's ruined, so you'll have to shape another one. Do you feel like walking to the car or do you want me to bring it around."
    He stood up and swayed a little. “I think I can make it okay."
    When they got outside, it was pouring rain.
    "You wait here so you don't get wet,” Jennifer said. “I'll get the car."
    Hawkman leaned against the side of the building without an argument and she ran into the cloud burst. She soon had the SUV at the door and he climbed inside. He pushed against the seat and lowered the back rest. Before Jennifer drove out of the parking lot, he'd closed his eyes, breathing in a soft rhythm. She smiled to herself.
    The storm eased as she approached Copco Lake and had diminished to a sprinkle by the time she pulled into their driveway. She jumped out, ran to the entry, deactivated the alarm and opened the front door. When she reached the passenger side of the vehicle, Hawkman had awakened and glanced around.
    "We home already? Boy, you must have broken the sound barrier."
    "No, dear, I drove the speed limit. Let's get you into bed; then I'll move the 4X4 into the garage."
    She got him tucked in, put the car away, then went to the bathroom to let Miss Marple out for a run. When Jennifer opened the door, she burst into laughter. “Oh, no, you've been one busy little cat."
    "What'd she do?” Hawkman called from the bedroom.
    "Hope you don't mind a big roll of toilet paper. She's unrolled the whole thing and it's draped all over the tub, the toilet and the sink. Our little kitten has had a heyday."
    "She's probably mad at you for leaving her so long."
    "I wouldn't doubt it."
    Miss Marple launched out of the room like a rocket, passed Jennifer, and headed straight to where Hawkman lay on the bed. After leaping up on the end of the mattress, she sat down on her haunches and stared at him.
    Jennifer rolled up the paper the best she could, giggling as she worked. Then she crept into the room and watched the feline from a distance. Miss Marple inched herself closer to Hawkman's leg and snuggled as close as possible without disturbing him. It fascinated Jennifer how the animal had taken to her