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Two
Kane gaped at her in disbelief, the offer of help frozen on his lips. Okay, what is going on here?
Blood oozed from her hairline but her small hand remained steady. She narrowed her dark gaze.
“Take the light out of my eyes. Step away from the car and get your hands where I can see them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kane laid the flashlight on the ground and raised his hands. He kept his manner calm and professional to avoid her splattering his brains all over the snow. “Do you want me to call this in and get the paramedics? You’re injured.”
As cool as a combat-trained field officer, she did not blink and spat out commands. “No, I don’t need medical assistance. It’s just a scratch. Give me your name.”
“I’m David Kane, Black Rock Falls’ new deputy sheriff. Can I show you my creds or license? They’re in my inside pocket and I’m carrying a revolver in a shoulder holster.” He stared into eyes as cold as ice. She wore the stark expression of a trained killer and one as familiar as his own reflection. “I don’t have a badge. I’m due to collect one and my uniform on arrival.”
“The creds they sent you will do just fine.” Her gaze moved over him but the Glock remained aimed at his forehead. “One hand on your head, leave the gun holstered then take out your ID real slow.”
Wondering what kind of place he had relocated to after his years in DC’s Special Forces Investigation Command, he complied then flipped open the wallet and turned it upside down to display his ID. “The Black Rock Falls County Sheriff’s Department is a small office—I’m sure you’ve heard about my appointment? I’m due to report at zero eight hundred on Monday to Sheriff Alton.”
“Put some light on that ID.” She blinked away the trickle of blood seeping into one eye. “No sudden moves.”
He held the wallet holding his photograph and creds as deputy sheriff in front of the flashlight. “Now you know who I am, can I help you, ma’am? Can I call someone to take a look at your head?”
She did not offer her name but gave him a curt nod then winced. “It’s nothing and I don’t require the paramedics.”
Moving his gaze over her ashen face, he leaned closer to push away black bangs from an inch-long scratch oozing blood at the hairline. The gun did not waver but her finger slid away from above the trigger and curled around the grip. He swallowed the command to insist she holster her weapon. “I’ll need to help you out of the car so I can dress the wound. Any other injuries?”
“No. I’m just peachy.” She gave him a sarcastic smile. “There’s a knife strapped to my right ankle. Grab it and cut through the seat belt.”
Kane went for his own knife and her eyes widened. He ignored her and punctured the airbag on the underside, away from her face. The deflated balloon allowed him more space to check her injuries. “Take the gun out of my face. If it misfires, we’ll both be toast. The gas tank is leaking.”
“Do you see my finger on the trigger? I’m not a rookie. Here, take it.” She dropped the muzzle of the weapon and offered it to him butt-first. “Get me out of here.”
He pushed the Glock into the back of his belt. “Okay, tell me if anything hurts when I move you.”
Sliding his left arm around her waist for support, he sliced through the seat belt then lifted her out of the car and placed her on the ground a safe distance away. He collected the flashlight then returned and offered his hand. “Can you stand?”
“Just a minute.” She touched her head gingerly, stared at her bloodstained fingers, then turned away and vomited.
“You’re showing signs of a concussion. I’m calling nine-one-one.”
She wiped her mouth with a handful of snow and glared at him.
“It’s not the head injury. It was the car spinning.” She gagged and crawled away from him on hands and knees. “I’ve had a concussion before and I’m lucid, my vision is fine. I’m not going into shock. Give me a second.”
She was not reacting like someone who had just had a near-death experience. She had gone on the offensive the moment he had arrived on scene, and remained in complete control. Why did she pull her weapon on a potential Good Samaritan unless she believed her life was in danger? He scratched his chin and caught the slight tremble of her gloved hands. Yeah, it was freezing but she seemed adept at blocking all signs of emotion. He had worked in the Special Forces Investigation Command long enough to recognize specialized training, and his mind reeled with the implications. Why would the SFIC put me slap bang in the middle of an ongoing undercover mission?
Kane moved back to the cruiser and kicked a pile of snow over the spreading patch of fuel. He pulled out his cellphone and took a few photographs of the scene then called nine-one-one. One of the other deputies would have to secure the scene. His priority was getting her to safety. When a dog
barking ringtone came from the female officer’s cellphone, he turned to stare at her.
“Yeah, that’s right, nine-one-one calls go straight to my cell. Consider the accident reported.” She pressed a handful of snow to the oozing cut on her head and winced. “I’ll get someone out here in the morning. Just secure the vehicle.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Rounding the vehicle, he went to the open door and peered inside. The interior was devoid of the usual take-away coffee lids and wrappers. He slid across the front seat and opened the glove compartment. Inside was a pile of blank summonses and a thermos. He collected the items, snatched the keys from the ignition and climbed out, shutting the door behind him with care. The beep from the key toggle sounded loud in the darkness. Wind blasted him, and a bone-numbing chill hit the metal plate in his head and sent a shiver across the back of his neck. A familiar throb set up a painful beat in his temple, spreading to the backs of his eyes. In the few minutes since the accident, the sleet had turned into a blizzard. The officer was on her knees puking her guts out. He needed to move her into his vehicle before she went into shock.
He tossed the items into the back seat of his SUV then returned to her side and crouched beside her. “Any weapons in the trunk?”
“No.” She did not look at him.
