Chapter 240: The UnthinkableAlex crawled between the cars to assess the driver of the sedan. Judd did what he could to stabilize the passenger, who appeared to have a nasty head laceration. A second paramedic team arrived and began working on the people in the minivan. It was decided that they'd need to extract Judd's patient in the passenger seat in order to access the driver, so the door was pried open, and Alex and Judd worked together to lower the patient onto a backboard, which they loaded onto their gurney.As Judd checked the patient's vitals once again, he glanced out over the scene. In slow motion, the crowd seemed to part, and Judd saw the pudgy guy from earlier. A creepy smile slashed across the man's face, and at the same time his arm came up. Gun, Judd realized belatedly. He has a gun.An anonymous bystander at the back of the crowd, Gary kept his eyes on his target as he raised his gun. The guy's eyes widened, almost like he saw it coming, and the idea delighte
Chapter 241: We've Been Looking for YouRoxy's was, quite possibly, the coolest bar Gary had ever been to. It looked for all the world like a castle, or like some fancy English manor or something. He'd found a booth way in the back corner and sat for an hour or longer, waiting for the hubbub to die down. He'd even decided to try a Guinness, but found it too bitter, so for his second round, he'd opted for his old standby, Bud.As he sat, he overheard a couple of servers talking about the roof bar. Now that was something he needed to see. He paid his tab and ambled up the staircase that led to the roof.Unbeknownst to Gary, Federal agents had picked up his trail in Tampa. They had store surveillance showing him shoplifting a box of hair dye. A clerk in the bus station recalled selling him a ticket to West Palm. When they notified the West Palm PD, they heard about the shooting and knew it was their guy. It would simply be a matter of checking security camera footage to see where
Chapter 242: On the NewsJessi and Sarah had brought home Chinese take-out for a late Monday night dinner. They'd worked tirelessly all day coordinating final details for the elegant wedding that would be held on Palm Beach at the end of the week. Pulling off a flawless event would ensure that Sea Star received a great many high-end referrals. Not helping matters, though, was the fact that the mother of the bride kept changing her mind about the arrangements.Although her house didn't officially close for another week, Jessi had agreed to let the new owners move in early. With the help of Sarah and her son Jason, she'd moved what little she took with her into a storage unit, and she had gratefully accepted Sarah's hospitality until she found a place of her own. Janice, the realtor, was already looking for the right spot. The friends settled in at Sarah's kitchen island over moo goo gai pan and crab Rangoon. Sarah clicked on the local news. Behind a reporter was a smashed stor
Chapter 243: All Bets Are OffEarly Saturday morning, Jessi drove to the office to load up what she'd be taking to the wedding. Sarah would be along later to retrieve her portion of what they'd need for the reception. Jessi wore an elegant sheath of black crepe, fitting for either a wedding or a funeral, which suited her mood just fine. Since reassuring herself that Judd would recover fully, she'd been punishing herself for having ruined what they'd had together. He deserved to be happy. And she deserved to be miserable. Which she was. But she was professional enough to put on a game face and do her job."Your chariot awaits," laughed Alex, as he pushed a wheelchair into Judd's hospital room.Judd grimaced incredulously. "Seriously?""Seriously, my man. Nurse Stacy will have my balls for a rearview mirror decoration if I let you walk out of here on your own steam.""Did I hear my name taken in vain?" Stacy popped into the room, discharge papers in hand."I was just saying th
Chapter 244: Having His SayThe processional music began, and Jessi breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was finally in place and the wedding would be starting on time. She watched as the mothers were seated, then she sent the twin flower girls down the aisle. She was just about to signal to the first bridesmaid when she heard his voice."Jessi. I need to talk to you."Whirling around, she saw Judd, still pale but looking better than he had that night in the hospital. He seemed out of breath, and he leaned heavily on a cane. "Judd, I—""Do I go now?" the bridesmaid whispered loudly.Jessi nodded. "Yes, yes, go now."She turned back to Judd. Alex was standing beside him, and Jessi frowned, confused. "Alex? Judd, I'm busy right now."The door opened behind Alex and Judd. Sarah came bustling in. "I've got this, Jessi. You go talk to Judd." She hustled over to the second bridesmaid and nodded to her. "Go, hon. Next?"Jessi took a step toward Judd.His eyes were dark, inten
Chapter 245: Another WeddingJessi went over the list in her hands. "Now, as soon as the ceremony is over, head out with trays of wine and appetizers." She scanned the faces of the servers congregated in the kitchen. "We'll save the champagne for the toast." Everyone nodded.Sarah put a hand on her shoulder. "I've got this, Jessi, seriously.""Yeah, Mom," Cara chimed in. "You don't have to work at your own wedding."Jessi took a deep, calming breath. "I know, I just…"Sarah smiled. "You just want everything to go right. Well, it is going right. And your groom is out there on the beach, waiting for you. Come on now, it's time. I'm going to go shoo everyone into position."Jessi turned to look out the floor to ceiling glass doors that comprised the back of the house she and Judd had purchased together. Beyond the doors was the covered lanai, which became a larger part of the den when the doors were opened and pushed to the side. On the pool deck beyond the lanai, wedding g
Chapter 246: I'm Getting Too Old for This ShitVOLUME 4: WARRIOR MINE"Fuck you, man! I'm not coming down. And you can't make me."Scott Nielsen closed his eyes and slowly drew a deep, cleansing breath. I'm getting too old for this shit.Mentally adjusting his professional 'I have this under control' game face as six other campers looked on curiously, he tilted his head to look up into the thirty-foot pine."Suit yourself, Sowder," he replied calmly. "The rest of us are going to the mess hall for dinner." He turned to gaze out across the lake, then flicked his light blue eyes back to the teenager in the tree. "It's going to be dark soon, and it's supposed to be a cold one tonight. But you do what you need to do.""Fuck you, man," came the sullen reply.Scott shook his head. "Now you're just repeating yourself."To the others, he said, "Come on, gentlemen. It's chili night." Reluctantly, the group made their way toward the trail that would lead them from the lake to the mess h
Chapter 247: On VacationJackie Walker Fox glanced over at her children peering eagerly out the window as their Air Canada flight touched down in Tampa. Eight-year-old Grant and six-year-old Emma had chattered excitedly during the entire three-hour flight from Toronto. Seeing them so happy thrilled Jackie. Grant and Emma were generally happy children, truthfully, despite the fact that their father had left the three of them a few years earlier. David Fox hadn't appreciated the remoteness of Lake Miranda Lodge, the family-run northern Ontario guest lodge where Jackie and her brother Blake had been raised. Of course, both Jackie and Blake had grown up and left Lake Miranda, going their own ways. But when their father Jim had suffered a stroke, Jackie had volunteered to return to run the place, so their parents could retire to Florida. She and her now-ex-husband David had made it work for a while, but he'd missed his suburban life…and his girlfriend, she'd found out later.Fierce
Chapter 328: Epilogue"Just one more push, you're doing great," the doctor said."How are you holding up, Dad?"Bleary-eyed, he nodded to the pink scrubs-clad nurse. He was ready for this long night to be over.He felt her starting to squeeze his hand again. "You've got this, babe," he murmured, kissing her forehead.Eyes closed and teeth clenched, she bore down, releasing a grunting squeal with the effort."Stop! There we are, Mom. The head is out. Now don't push, just breathe for a moment."Still holding her hand, he leaned over to see the back of the baby's head. His heart was in his throat and tears streamed down his face."Now this is it. On the next contraction, go ahead and push."He turned back to her. Eyes wide, she panted, gripping his hand for dear life."Oh, God, here it comes," she cried."You're doing great, I'm so proud of you," he murmured, turning to watch as their child was born.Fifteen minutes later, he strode down the hospital corridor to the family waiting
Chapter 327: No Time Like the Present"You should go home and get some rest, Jackie."Without taking her eyes off Scott, asleep in his hospital bed, she reached for Blake's hand. "I can't. I need to be here when he wakes up.""You're sure?"She nodded, then looked to her brother. "Can you take care of the kids? I hate to impose, but…""No worries, Jackie. Now that the storm's over, we'll take them back to our house. Amy's more comfortable there, anyway. We'll have a sleepover party."Jackie sighed. "I know they're ready to be back in their own beds. But I'll be home tomorrow, for sure, at least overnight.""Okay, sis." He kissed Jackie on the cheek. "Keep us posted."In the quiet of the hospital room, Jackie pulled a chair beside Scott's bed. As soon as they'd arrived back at the lodge, Blake and some of the others had carried Scott to the battered Suburban, laying him on the back seat.At Amy's insistence, Blake had driven Jackie and Scott to town. By the time they reache
Chapter 326: Dream Versus RealityHe was staring up at an azure sky. A warm summer breeze caressed his face. He turned his head and Jackie smiled at him, her deep blue eyes sparkling. "Where were you?" she asked.Scott shrugged. "I don't know.""Well, you're back now. That's what counts." She took his hand and led him to a bed in the middle of a sun-drenched field full of flowers. The bed's sheer white canopy billowed in the breeze. Kissing his hand, she released it, reaching up to slide first one, then the other spaghetti strap of her filmy white dress, allowing it to slide down her body and pool at her bare feet. His gaze slid from her sapphire eyes to her succulent lips. Then it traveled over the firm globes of her breasts with their pert pink nipples, to the flair of her hips, to the junction between her thighs where tight black curls were neatly trimmed. When he met her eyes again, she smiled knowingly and sank to her knees, bowing her head and resting her hands palm
Chapter 325: Warrior Princess"Jacks, you can't go out there." Blake's face twisted with concern."He won't come back until he finds Pierce. But he won't find Pierce, because Pierce is here. You can't leave Amy. I'd never even ask. And if Ned Hart won't go out there, I have no other choice." Her voice was deadly calm.She grabbed her grey coat, then put it back on its hook, heading into the dining room. Blake followed. "Jackie, seriously, I don't want you going out there." He grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Scott wouldn't want you going out there.""He can tell me that when I find him. Can I borrow Amy's pink parka? It's brighter than mine, easier to see."Blake exhaled sharply, his tone resigned. "I've known you long enough to know that once you've set your mind on something, that's it. At least let me put together a pack for you."While Blake scavenged from the survival students, Jackie put on Amy's parka and spoke to Grant and Emma. "I'm going out to let Scott know
Chapter 324: From Bad to WorseAway from the wide-open expanse of the lake, the trees blocked a certain amount of the wind, but plenty of snow filtered down. Try as he might, Scott couldn't make out any tracks left by Pierce. He continued up the trail, slipping and sliding as he made his way up a steep ridge. The designated campsite was the clearing at the top, but once he arrived, the area was empty. Even the snow was thin, having been blown into drifts against the bases of the trees surrounding the clearing. Where are you, you little shit? Scott turned in a circle, considering the most likely way Pierce might have gone. The clearing was exposed. He'd have wanted to find a spot that afforded more shelter. Which meant he would have gone lower. But in which direction?Rolling the dice, Scott headed west, where the clearing dropped off in a bluff about thirty meters above a ravine created by a now-frozen creek. He peered down into the gully, willing Pierce not to be there at
Chapter 323: Who's Missing?An hour later, Scott sipped his coffee and gazed out over the room. A handful of his campers had volunteered to help with lunch, and they'd all enjoyed potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Now, a group of guests was working on chili for dinner.Out of habit, he mentally counted his group. Tom and Patty Payton, who'd headed up lunch, were playing cards with Justin Sapp and Paula Martinez. Dan Spinelli was talking fishing with the father and sons from Cherub Lake. Not finding Pierce, Adams, or Bennet, he frowned slightly. A trip to the restaurant kitchen revealed Brian Bennett and Keely Adams working on cornbread to go with the chili.That leaves one. Scott returned to the dining room. Jackie was across the room checking on Amy. He cruised by the table where Dan was swapping fish stories. "Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Pierce?"The younger man frowned. "Not since we ate. But you know, now that you mention it, his backpack is gone." H
Chapter 322: Everyone Shelter at the LodgeAs Jackie and the children hiked toward the main lodge, they heard the snowmobile returning from the island. Jackie sent Emma and Grant ahead with their backpacks, Max galumphing along behind them, while she waited for Scott to secure the snowmobile."How'd it go?"Scott's lips were a grim line. "About how you'd expect. There's nothing we can do about it with the storm coming. Everybody understood, really. Except for Pierce. He's such an asswipe."Jackie's eyes widened but her lips curled impishly. "Oh my, Sire. Language."He popped her ass lightly. "And now my Princess requests a spanking. My day is complete."They both laughed as the entered the lodge. Trina had a huge fire going in the dining room's fireplace, and she'd already been to the cabins to invite guests to gather in the main lodge, where there would be food and heat."Hi, guys," she greeted Jackie and Scott. "I called the crew to let them know to stay home today. Then
Chapter 321: Blizzard WarningFrowning, Scott watched the latest weather report on the early morning local news, his mouth set in a grim line. Beside him, Jackie stirred. "What is it?" she murmured."It's alright," he answered softly. "Go back to sleep. It's not even 5:00 yet."She sniffed loudly and yawned. "I'm awake now. What's the matter?" She pushed up on an elbow and rested her head against his shoulder.He shook his head derisively. "The blizzard. They're predicting the storm to hit by this afternoon.""I thought it was supposed to skirt us to the south.""I hoped it would. But now we're under a blizzard warning." He kissed her temple and slid out of bed."What are you going to do?"He stepped into a pair of fleece-lined jeans and shrugged into a grey thermal Henley. "I'm heading to the island to let the campers know. Obviously, we're postponing the solo outings. I'll offer them the chance to return for free to finish their second week of this session." He glanced
Chapter 320: Winter SessionPulling the hood of his black parka lower over his head, Scott ducked behind the windscreen of his snowmobile and headed back to the lodge. At the bunkhouse cabin, he'd just welcomed Tom and Patty Payton, the only married couple he'd had thus far in his wilderness school.Having checked in with Jackie in the reception area of the lodge, the pair had made their way on foot across the ice to the island where they joined fellow survival students Justin Sapp, a stocky young man with an infectious sense of humor, and Paula Martinez, an attractive thirty-something Latina who wrote a Spanish-language adventure blog.Everyone in this session had broad outdoor survival experience, including the Paytons, who had once spent a year in the Amazon cataloging wildlife. They'd told Scott they were excited to learn winter survival skills in the wilderness of Ontario.That leaves four more clients yet to arrive, Scott mused as he pulled up the slope to park beneath the lodg