Armed With Steele Read Online Free PDF

factors to consider. Weather. Road conditions. Traffic density. Obstacles. Things like that.”
    We set off again, him with his long strides, me with my short legs doing double-time to keep up. “Makes sense, I suppose. So, now which of those—”
    “Officer Steele?”
    My eyes darted to a new voice. One that belonged to the flirty nurse my companion had been engaged in conversation with the day prior before I’d interrupted. I hadn’t seen her approaching, but sure enough, there she was.
    My blood started to boil. How many freaking interruptions were we going to have?
    “Yes?”
    Her gaze fell upon me, darkened slightly, then lightened as her eyes shifted back to Officer Steele. “Mr. Speck is still in the ER. His injuries were pretty minor, so they should release him yet this morning. You’re welcome to go back and speak with him now.”
    Officer Steele’s face lit up. “Thanks, Sam. Don’t know how you do it, but you always seem to be one step ahead of me.”
    “It’s my pleasure,” she said.
    And I had no doubt she meant it, in more ways than one.
    Nurse Sam sashayed on down the hall, and I turned back to Officer Steele. But before I could ask him anything else, he beat me to the punch. “I’m sorry, Miss Hartley, but I need to catch this guy before he leaves. If I have time, I’ll swing up and see if Miss Sullivan is awake. Maybe I’ll see you then?”
    So much for my interrogation. I squinted down the hall at a whole lot of nothing. “Um, yeah. I understand. Maybe I’ll see you later.”
    With a sigh, I turned to go. But he snagged my arm. My gaze flashed up to his face and became trapped in the snare of his brilliant blues.
    “You found something.”
    He released me and I took a step back, the skin on my arm still tingling from his touch.
    “Well, sort of. Maybe. But it’s probably nothing.” I resisted telling him about the purse, afraid he’d react like Matt and blow off my idea. And then what would I be left with?
    Nothing, that’s what. And I couldn’t bear the thought.
    He looked over my head at the ER entrance, then leaned down to put his face on level with mine. “Look, I need to see Mr. Speck. But I promise, when I’m done with him, I’ll do my best to swing by and check on you and Miss Sullivan. Will you tell me then what you found?”
    I searched his face, desperate to find an ally. In his eyes I found sincerity, intrigue. What choice did I have but to trust him? “Yes.”
    “Okay.” He straightened up, face still serious. “If for some reason I get sent on another call and we don’t reconnect, you still have my card?”
    The card he’d given me yesterday? The one I’d turned over and over in my hands last night, wondering if I’d ever see its handsome owner again? I’d say the likelihood was about one hundred percent.
    “Yeah, I might still have it somewhere.”
    “Good. If you don’t see me before you go, call me.”
    I watched him walk away. Enjoyed the view until he pushed through a set of double doors leading to the ER wing. Then I turned and headed for the hospital’s main lobby. It was time to see if today’s reception desk warlord would allow me passage to see Grace.
    * * * *
    I stood outside room 312 ten minutes later, torn. Part of me wanted to burst in and rush to Grace’s bedside. The other part wanted to run away. Seeing Grace, actually taking in the sight of her still, silent body, would force me to accept that the surreal events of the past sixteen hours were all true. Denial was so much easier.
    But I knew I couldn’t do that. Couldn’t turn my back on my bestie. I took a deep breath and knocked. A moment later the door opened a crack.
    “Jessica!” Sharon opened the door wide and pulled me into a gentle bear hug. “I’m so glad you came.”
    “Me, too.”
    “Did Norm send you up? I’ve been trying to call you all morning, but I keep getting this strange screeching noise.”
    “No, the receptionist gave me the room number.” I dug into my