Scott slammed his hand against the wall and we all jumped. “That’s right! Poor girl, and it’s all your fault because you weren’t where you were supposed to be. I owed those drugs to my guy days ago, but you bailed, and the girl was useless, and then I had to go on the run.”
His agitation was a bad sign. I wasn’t sure whether he believed his own story, but if he did, his delusion might be indicative of disordered thinking from withdrawal, despite his denials. It was also possible he was trying to pit us against each other for some reason.
“The prescriptions were one thing, but then he told me he needed me to operate.” Doc stared down at his tremulous hands. “I didn’t want to hurt them. I tried, Cami, I tried. But my skills... They’re just gone.”
I fought hard to swallow down the vomit that burned up my esophagus as understanding dawned on me. Bella’s stitches hadn’t been done by an amateur. The work had been a little too good for that. But they hadn’t been sewn by a skilled practitioner, either. Doc, my mentor, my friend, had done that to her. He’d betrayed me, had betrayed our profession, and had betrayed the animals we were supposed to protect.
The prescription fraud alone could destroy the practice, but that paled in comparison to the nightmare he’d visited on helpless dogs. I didn’t understand it. I didn’t know who he was or how he could have done it
I couldn’t cry, I couldn’t scream, I couldn’t throw things in rage. I was numb. All I could do was utter that one word. “Why?”
“Because he was going to destroy you, Cami,” Doc answered. “With that video. He was going to humiliate you and destroy the business. I did it for you and for all of us.”
Scott had found a weak link and exploited it. I’d been terrified to have that video released, but I would have allowed that over choosing to help him abuse dogs or break controlled substance laws. But Doc was fragile, easily confused and influenced. And he’d been trying to protect me.
My heart broke for Doc. But it broke more for those helpless dogs. He’d had choices, no matter how difficult they’d seemed. Those animals had had no options.
I turned my back on him. Later, I knew I would break down, sob, spiral into grief. But right now, I had more important tasks at hand. First, I would deal with Scott. Then I would do everything I could for the dog.
“Gina, are we ready?”
“Ready.”
We ran through the pre-surgery checks. Working together was seamless. But we were pretending. I wouldn’t make a single incision until we were safe.
“Scott, if you come over here, I’ll hand you the packets as I remove them.”
That brought him right up into my personal space. I instinctively recoiled, then breathed through it. He wouldn’t be here for long.
“Gina, I’ll need these forceps.”
I reached out with my left hand, turning my body to the right, in Scott’s direction. I slid my hand into my pocket and eased out the syringe. I pivoted, thrusting my weight toward Scott, plunged the needle into his side, and felt the auto-injector engage.
38
KYLE
Riker’s eyes went wide. He gurgled, then crashed to the floor. Dead weight. The entire team froze.
“What did I just see?” Pasco asked.
Cami stepped away from Riker’s prone form and tossed a large, empty syringe into a medical waste receptacle. Gina pumped her fist in triumph, and Doc, sitting in a chair along the wall, stared blankly into space.
“She sedated him,” I said, grinning ear to ear. I’d never been prouder of anyone in my life.
“Wheeler, you’re with me,” Lang said. “We’ll deal with the hostages in the lobby. Hayes, go with Rogers and secure the room. Rogers, give your woman a hug from all of us.”
I was the first one through the door to the OR, with Hayes right behind me. Cami pulled off her gloves and mask and flew into my arms.
“Hi honey, I’m home.” I pulled her into my arms. “Sorry to be late. I see you had to take out the trash yourself.”
“I knew you’d come. You’re right on time, hero.” She stood up on her tiptoes to kiss me.
I enjoyed the kiss as long as I could. When she ended it,I corrected her. “I’m not the hero today, lady, you are. You and Bella.”
Her face softened. “She made it to you. I was so worried, but I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You did everything right.”
