Page 2 of Her Guilty Protector
“No. We do justice.”
He studies me a few moments then nods. “Our team picked her up yesterday, she’s being evaluated by our doctor now. Her ‘accident’ reeks of intent. The police witness reports and our initial evaluation led us to believe she was targeted.
“The notes of her first injury sent to us were sketchy and heavily redacted. No suspect name was listed.”
“Redacted? Why? By whom?”
“Knowing what you just told me, that’s a good question. We’ll be looking into it.”
Clenching a fist on my thigh, I nod. “Her brother and I informed the police the hit and run was a deliberate attack and the name of who we suspected. The hit was on a rural road where she habitually ran. No witnesses. There were tire marks in the gravel, but most were obliterated by passing vehicles. Allen Riven, the man who hit her, had a flimsy alibi. He’d already hurt her once that I knew of, but she didn’t report that one.
“I assume that her brother Frank gave you everything when he hired you.”
“Yes and no. He was with her at the hospital for two days but was shipping out. He sent what he had handy via courier.”
“I have copies of all the originals. You want me to upload it to you or the team?”
“Me.”
I steady my nerves before asking, “Her injuries this time?”
“Her attacker shoved her in a crowd. She fell down a flight of stairs at a mall. A couple guys stopped her fall halfway but missed catching the guy who pushed her. The critical camera that should have recorded the accident was out of order. The others only got distance shots from awkward angles. There was one face shot they were able to isolate but our forensic experts think he was wearing a prosthetic mask. If you have a photo of who you suspect, we can compare and get a better idea.
“I’ll be honest, I’m concerned that you’re too close to handle this.”
“No one else is going to take this case. And no one is hurting her again. Take me off the payroll if you want. She...this case is mine. I’m not leaving her side till it’s ended.”
“Study the official file and we’ll meet again at eighteen hundred. Send Porter in on your way out.”
Heading to one of the empty offices, I shut the door and sit at the desk. Opening the file, I study the bruised face that has haunted me for two years. She’s thinner and looks tired. Still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
She’s been in the hospital for the head injury for two weeks. Officially, PCS, post-concussion syndrome. Chronic headache, dizziness, severe fatigue, memory and concentration issues, anxiety, depression. Bruised and swollen elbow and her injured leg took a beating but no additional lasting injury. Just going to be sore and swollen for a while.
The doctor notes she’s anxious, restless and depressed. Who wouldn’t be after being attacked. Twice.
The second I saw her name every rule I’ve ever lived by snapped clean in half. I’ve tried to do right thing. I’ve spent years protecting strangers without hesitation or reaction.
This is my biggest fear come back to haunt me. I failed her before. I still can’t forgive myself for that. I’m going to find the bastard and end him before he can hurt her again.
Allen Riven knew who I was, but he’d never met her brother Frank. As a precaution so that Riven couldn’t find Delaney via me, I’ve stayed away from both of them. In effect, losing the only family I’d ever had. Although Frank and I keep in touch through burner phones, it’s not the same.
It hits me. Frank hired Halo City Protectors so I would know and get the case. I pull my burner phone.
Hawke:
Got it. On it. Will end it.
Frank:
Thumbs up.
I’ve been looking for Allen Riven the whole time. How the fuck did he find her when we thought we had her hidden?
Until I find the prick, I’m her shadow. He’ll never hurt her again.
CHAPTER 2
Delaney ‘Laney’ Carter
