AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He okay?” Marrs asked.
As if answering his question, the machine said, “Continue CPR.”
Danni positioned her hands back on his chest and completed the prescribed cycle of compressions. Once done, she checked for a pulse and thought she felt a faint one.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to ponder her next move. Paramedics stepped off the elevator.
Danni explained what had transpired and moved back as they took over.
Estella and the lawyer answered the questions they had about Russ. Medics found a weak pulse, and he was breathing. It wasn’t long before Russ Johnston was loaded up on a gurney. Danni wiped sweat from her brow and breathed a sigh of relief when the medics gave him oxygen, his breathing steady. Estella’s face was ashen with worry, and she left with the medics.
Danni stood back, folded her arms, and prayed for the man again, realizing that was the most powerful thing she could do at the moment.
“You okay?”
She turned to find Lieutenant Gomez there. She hadn’t realized he was part of the crowd.
Danni nodded, then wiped her brow. “It’s been a long time since I had to use my training on a real person.”
“Looks like you did okay, guy had a pulse.”
“Yes, thank God.”
Chief Estes appeared and wanted to know what happened. Danni told him.
“Thanks for acting so quickly, Danni. I’d just told them I did not believe Jess Ramos killed their son, and they were not happy.” He turned to Gomez. “Will you follow up at the hospital? I’ve got to go meet the press and give a statement.”
“Sure thing, Chief.” Gomez looked at Danni. “Do you want to reschedule our meeting?”
Danni stared at Gomez for a second as a shock of clarity hit. It was as if the AED had been used on her. In an instant she knew she wasn’t cut out to sell real estate. Maybe she couldn’t say it was her calling, but police work was where she belonged. Jumping into the fray and doing what she’d been trained to, she knew she wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. Watching Russ being rolled away on a gurney, life in the balance, knocked Danni off the fence as completely as a smack to the midsection with a two-by-four. Police work wasn’t only about crime or, as her father used to say, chasing away monsters. It was about helping people in a time of emergency—all manner of emergencies. Despite the hate and the protests, she couldn’t let go of that truth.
“What I have to say won’t take long.”
“Then let’s go to my office. I have to get a car key.” Gomez started toward his office and Danni fell into step with him. Several officers thanked her for her quick thinking.
She entered the lieutenant’s office, remembering her last visit here before she went to Hawaii. Anger and fear had dominated her then. She was still a little angry, but the fear was gone.
“Good job with the CPR. Your quick action may have tipped the scales in his favor.” He sat behind his desk and ran a hand through his thinning hair.
“I only did what I’ve been trained to do.”
“I guess it was our money well spent. Let’s start over. Good morning, Danni. It’s good to see you. Nice tan.”
“It’s good to see you too, LT. And I have missed everyone, even Matt. I saw him downstairs.”
“He’s been busy. You said you would be brief. Have you made up your mind?”
“When can I start back to work?”
