“Glad I was walking past. I just started a job at Harley’s Hardware. I was on my way home to my room at my buddy’s place. It looked like that guy got you pretty good. Can you let me see your hand?”
She held out the hand that was stinging. She realized it was dripping blood. She wasn’t sure how she’d cut it. Eddie pulled off his sweatshirt and wrapped it around the wound. He used the sleeves to tie it tightly.
“That oughta help until you can get stitches. I’m also an EMT…or used to be, back when I was a firefighter.”
A police car with lights flashing and siren sounding swung into the parking lot. The siren gave a final whoop as the vehicle stopped. Two officers jumped out and approached with their guns drawn. The older officer took charge, and Tess recognized him from his testimony in some court cases. Once they’d surveyed the situation, the two cops holstered their weapons.
“You’re Officer Rob Garcia. I’m Theresa Fairchild. We’ve met in my courtroom.”
“Yeah, I know who you are, Judge. Are you okay?”
“I will be. I was attacked as I was approaching my car. This is Eddie Patoone. He saved me.”
Officer Garcia turned to Eddie and smiled. “Hey. Good job, Eddie.” His radio sounded and he listened for a moment, then turned to look down at Tess. “The other unit in the area got a guy running from the scene, blood on his clothes, mask and knife in his pockets, and they’ve taken him to the precinct for questioning. I know Eddie. We worked a few arson scenes together some years back and shared a few beers. You’re luckyhe was nearby.”
Tess coughed as she attempted a snort. “Not feeling exactly lucky right now, but you’re right. Eddie saved me.”
The younger officer knelt down next to Tess. “Hi, I’m Officer Lindsay Feltman. Are you okay with the wrap you’ve got until you get to a medical facility?”
“Yes. I’ll go there as soon as we’re done here,” Tess answered.
“Do you want help standing up, or do you prefer to remain where you are?”
“I’d like to stand,” Tess replied.
Officer Feltman helped her up, and Officer Garcia asked, “Judge Fairchild, do you feel up to answering some questions right now? Just some basics—the rest can wait until you get that hand taken care of.”
Tess agreed.
When the officers finished interviewing Tess and Eddie, they left, having been assured by Tess that she would make her way to the ER.
Eddie was still there and studying Tess. “That guy had a knife. This could have been much worse than a cut hand.”
God, what had been the guy’s plan? Tess shoved that question aside for the moment because she didn’t want to consider it right now. She looked at Eddie. “I dropped my keys when he shoved me. Do you see them?”
They both scanned the area around their feet and didn’t locate them, but then Eddie looked under the car and pulled out the key fob attached to a ring with a few additional keys. “Here it is. But I don’t think you should drive until you’ve seen a doctor.”
Tess didn’t take the keys from him. “Do you have a driver’s license?”
He nodded at her. “Yeah, it’s still good.”
She nodded at the driver’s door. “Are you up to taking me to the ER for stitches and a quick checkup?”
“My pleasure.”
“And after I’m good to go, I want to stop and get us both a coffee and something to eat, if you’re game.” Tess knew she owed him so much more, but that was all she could manage tonight.
“You’ve got it, Judge.”
The Delicious Dozen was Corazon Cove’s twenty-four-hour doughnut shop and Eddie’s choice for a quick coffee and snack. Tess’s injuries had checked out as contusions and a palm laceration that required a dozen stitches, a sterile bandage, and antibiotics, but after that she’d been cleared to leave.
Eddie was now at the doughnut shop counter waiting to collect their order. Tess had missed dinner, but she wasn’t up for a full meal, so this was perfect.
As she waited for Eddie, her phone rang—the police chief. “Hi, Chief Myers. I was going to try to catch up with you tomorrow.”
“It’s time you call me Stella. We’ve had enough back and forth now for just first names. You sure know had to liven up a Friday night in this town. The guy the patrol cops picked up is the guy who attacked you in the parking lot. With a knife involved, he knows he’s in deep trouble. He waived his right to an attorney and is spilling his guts to my officers right now in the interrogation room. I think that he thinks things might go lighter for him if he cooperates—but probably not if he lands in your courtroom.”
“That might qualify as a conflict of interest,” Tess dryly noted.
