Read Pure Dynamite for Free Online
Authors: Lauren Bach
realize Lyle had taken a bullet and anticipated his showing up at a hospital?
Somewhere along the way, probably while switching cars a second time, they'd lost the police scanner and Lyle's handgun. As bad as Adam wanted to retrieve both, they didn't dare go look for them.
"Though you damn sure deserve it, I wasn't planning to dump you." It wasn't exactly the truth. While Adam shared the younger man's opinion of returning to prison—he couldn't stand by and let the kid die.
"I had hoped to find a doctor or nurse hanging around outside," he continued. "Someone I could coerce into helping."
"We ain't that lucky." Lyle grimaced at the cell phone he had clutched in one hand. "Damn it, if I can just get a hold of my brother. Nevin will know what to do."
"Provided you haven't bled to death by the time he calls back." Adam checked the wound. "It's stopped bleeding for the moment. But it's critical you don't move until I return."
"Where are you going?"
Standing, Adam tucked his gun beneath his shirt. "I'll see if I can slip in the ER, at least get some clean gauze and bandages."
"Something for pain, too."
Adam grunted. He'd been shot before, knew it hurt like hell. "We also need another car."
They had abandoned the shot-up Toyota, but the one they'd stolen was overheating. The owner had probably left the key in it on purpose, praying someone would take the piece of shit.
Careful not to trigger any alarms, he hurried along a dark row of parked cars, checking for unlocked doors as he went. He paused beside an old rusted Volkswagen, did a double take. He wasn't interested in the car as transportation; however, on the passenger's seat was a white lab coat.
He backed up. The rear window, a pop-out vent, had been left ajar. He forced it open and reached in to unlock the door.
Snatching the coat, he slipped it on. It was snug across the shoulders. If he moved the wrong way it would rip. He ran his hands through his hair, tucked the length beneath the collar before checking his reflection in the side mirror. In bad light, he could pass for a grungy med student.
An employee badge hung from the pocket. Turning it so the photo didn't show, he grabbed the foam coffee cup from the drink holder and strode toward the emergency room entrance, whistling. Acting as if he belonged.
The lobby was jammed. He paused inside the glass anteroom, pretending to sip coffee while feigning interest in the paper-covered bulletin board. Twisting his head slightly, he scanned the waiting room. Two uniformed police officers huddled near the reception desk, their backs to the door.
Adam stepped away and quickly searched the opposite side of the lobby, looking for an alternate way in. He saw none. Now what? Should he check for another entrance? Try another hospital? Surrender? Whatever his choice, he had to act quickly.
He turned to leave. A sheet of paper taped haphazardly to the door caught his attention.
BAY MEADOW URGENT CARE CLINIC
OPEN UNTIL 10 P.M.
NON-LIFE THREATENING CASES ONLY
A map detailed the clinic's location. Adam glanced at the clock in the lobby: 9:45.
He tore the note down and stuffed it in his pocket. Perhaps their luck was improving, after all.
Chapter Three
Renata's mother lived in Denver. With the two-hour time difference, it was only eight o'clock there.
Her mother answered on the first ring. "Thank God! I've been worried."
"What's wrong?" She pressed the phone closer. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I was just surprised to get the answering machine at the clinic."
"We've been short-handed, Mama. The roads are still flooded from the big storm and most of our staff couldn't get in."
"Then what are you doing there?"
"A few roads are still navigable. And the clinic's one of the few locations that's accessible on this side of town."
"Oh." Her mother grew silent, then, "David asked if you were still working there."
Renata released a puff of air. She should have guessed. "You talked to David?"
"He was having trouble
Somewhere along the way, probably while switching cars a second time, they'd lost the police scanner and Lyle's handgun. As bad as Adam wanted to retrieve both, they didn't dare go look for them.
"Though you damn sure deserve it, I wasn't planning to dump you." It wasn't exactly the truth. While Adam shared the younger man's opinion of returning to prison—he couldn't stand by and let the kid die.
"I had hoped to find a doctor or nurse hanging around outside," he continued. "Someone I could coerce into helping."
"We ain't that lucky." Lyle grimaced at the cell phone he had clutched in one hand. "Damn it, if I can just get a hold of my brother. Nevin will know what to do."
"Provided you haven't bled to death by the time he calls back." Adam checked the wound. "It's stopped bleeding for the moment. But it's critical you don't move until I return."
"Where are you going?"
Standing, Adam tucked his gun beneath his shirt. "I'll see if I can slip in the ER, at least get some clean gauze and bandages."
"Something for pain, too."
Adam grunted. He'd been shot before, knew it hurt like hell. "We also need another car."
They had abandoned the shot-up Toyota, but the one they'd stolen was overheating. The owner had probably left the key in it on purpose, praying someone would take the piece of shit.
Careful not to trigger any alarms, he hurried along a dark row of parked cars, checking for unlocked doors as he went. He paused beside an old rusted Volkswagen, did a double take. He wasn't interested in the car as transportation; however, on the passenger's seat was a white lab coat.
He backed up. The rear window, a pop-out vent, had been left ajar. He forced it open and reached in to unlock the door.
Snatching the coat, he slipped it on. It was snug across the shoulders. If he moved the wrong way it would rip. He ran his hands through his hair, tucked the length beneath the collar before checking his reflection in the side mirror. In bad light, he could pass for a grungy med student.
An employee badge hung from the pocket. Turning it so the photo didn't show, he grabbed the foam coffee cup from the drink holder and strode toward the emergency room entrance, whistling. Acting as if he belonged.
The lobby was jammed. He paused inside the glass anteroom, pretending to sip coffee while feigning interest in the paper-covered bulletin board. Twisting his head slightly, he scanned the waiting room. Two uniformed police officers huddled near the reception desk, their backs to the door.
Adam stepped away and quickly searched the opposite side of the lobby, looking for an alternate way in. He saw none. Now what? Should he check for another entrance? Try another hospital? Surrender? Whatever his choice, he had to act quickly.
He turned to leave. A sheet of paper taped haphazardly to the door caught his attention.
BAY MEADOW URGENT CARE CLINIC
OPEN UNTIL 10 P.M.
NON-LIFE THREATENING CASES ONLY
A map detailed the clinic's location. Adam glanced at the clock in the lobby: 9:45.
He tore the note down and stuffed it in his pocket. Perhaps their luck was improving, after all.
Chapter Three
Renata's mother lived in Denver. With the two-hour time difference, it was only eight o'clock there.
Her mother answered on the first ring. "Thank God! I've been worried."
"What's wrong?" She pressed the phone closer. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I was just surprised to get the answering machine at the clinic."
"We've been short-handed, Mama. The roads are still flooded from the big storm and most of our staff couldn't get in."
"Then what are you doing there?"
"A few roads are still navigable. And the clinic's one of the few locations that's accessible on this side of town."
"Oh." Her mother grew silent, then, "David asked if you were still working there."
Renata released a puff of air. She should have guessed. "You talked to David?"
"He was having trouble
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