Judy Christenberry - Randall On The Run

Jessica decided it might be better to go to her sister’s house. Tori was married to Jon, Caroline’s partner. Maybe Jessica and Tori could gang up on Jon and convince him to delay reporting the wound for a day or two.

It wasn’t as if Steve had done anything wrong. At least, she hoped not. She’d believed him when he’d said he’d discovered some bad things about his partners and was trying to prove it. Sure, she could have examined the contents of the manila envelope, looking for proof, but he’d trusted her with it, and she didn’t want to betray that trust.

It was almost two in the morning when she pulled into the short driveway to her sister’s house. She didn’t remember to turn off her lights until after they’d hit the house. Jessica hurriedly shut them off and killed the engine, coasting down the drive.

Taking a deep breath, she expelled it slowly, trying to relax after the strain of driving so long. She looked over at Steve, sleeping soundly. She’d need him awake and coherent to get him into the house.

A knock on her side window almost made her jump straight up and bang her head on the ceiling of the car. Her heart slowed down a little when she identified Jon, her brother-in-law, peering in the window.

She unlocked the door and opened it. “Jon! Did I awaken you? I’m sorry.”

“No problem. We’re both up with Jamie’s 2:00 a.m. feeding.”

“Oh. Uh, Jon, I…have someone with me.”

“You mean Murphy?” Jon asked, but his eyes were searching the darkness in the SUV.

“No. He’s a friend.”

“Well, wake him up and come on in.”

“Okay, but he may need some help.”

“Why? Is he sick?”

“Sort of.” Jessica turned to her passenger, pushing against him. “Steve.”

“What?” he growled.

“We’re at my sister’s house. We need to go inside.”

“’Kay.”

Jon said, “Should I go around and help him? Does he have the flu?”

“No, he’s been shot,” Jessica said, knowing she wouldn’t be able to keep it secret for long, even if she tried.

“What? Has he seen a doctor?”

“No. I’ll explain when we get inside.”

“I’m counting on that,” Jon said in a determined voice. He circled the vehicle and pulled open the door. “Here, lean on me,” he said as Steve slipped from the SUV to the ground.

Murphy, suddenly aroused, jumped into the front and followed Jessica out into the snow. He bounded beside her, seemingly thrilled with the events.

“No, Murphy, we’re not going to play. We’re going inside,” Jessica informed her dog, who seemed to understand because he raced ahead of her to the front door.

Tori was standing at the door, anxiously watching. When Jessica came in, she hugged her sister. “Sorry for disturbing you,” Jessica said. “But I didn’t know where else to go.”

Her sister was already looking past her, to the man her husband was helping to the door. “Who’s this?”

“Um, it’s Steve,” Jessica replied.

“Who is Steve?”

“It’s a long story. Oh! I forgot something. I’ll be right back.” Jessica ran back out to her vehicle and got the manila envelope out from under the driver’s seat. If it contained the evidence Steve said it did, she knew he’d want it safely with him.

Back in the house, Jon had put Steve on the sofa and opened his shirt. He was removing the bandage when Jessica got back.

“Does it look bad? I did the best I could.”

“Looks like the bullet is still in there. Why didn’t you take him to a doctor?” Jon asked sternly.

“Because he refused. He said he was a DEA agent and he had evidence that his partners had gone bad. If I took him to a doctor or called the police, he was sure he’d be killed.”

Jon frowned. “You know I have to report the wound, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I thought— I hoped maybe you wouldn’t have to report it right away. I want him to be able to protect himself.”

“First things first. I need to get that bullet out.”

“Are you going to take him to the clinic?” Tori asked.

“But you can’t!” Jessica protested. “Someone might see him.” She moved closer to Steve, wanting to protect him.

“There’s only one nurse on duty right now, and I know her well. She doesn’t gossip about what happens in the hospital,” Jon said.

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure, Jess. But even if I delay telling Mike, that will have to happen. You understand that, don’t you?”

She nodded. “Yes, I know. Where can we hide him after you take out the bullet?”

“He’d be safe at the clinic.”

“That would cause a lot of talk. Isn’t there somewhere I could take care of him and no one would notice?”

“How about Mike’s old apartment over the sheriff’s office?” Tori suggested. “We could tell everyone Jessica is back, but she wants to stay in town instead of out at the ranch.”

Horrified, Jessica said, “We can’t tell Mom and Dad that!”

“No, they can be trusted,” Tori reassured her. “You know that, Jess.”

She did. “Then let’s use the apartment. I can take care of him, can’t I, Jon?”

“Sure. And if your sister and her husband come see you every once in a while, no one will think anything of it,” Jon said as he left the room.

“Where’s he going?”

“Probably to get a coat. It’s cold outside. Do you have one?”

“Not unpacked. When I left California, it didn’t occur to me it would be snowing here,” Jessica said with a rueful smile. “Hard to believe I could’ve forgotten, isn’t it?”

“You were gone a long time, sis,” Tori said with a smile. “Borrow my coat. I have to stay here with the kids, so I won’t need it until morning.”

“Thanks, Tori. And do you mind if Murphy stays with you, too?”

Before Tori could answer, Jon came back wearing his coat. He moved to the sofa and shook Steve, who had fallen asleep. “Come on, man. We’re going to take that bullet out of you.”

“No! No doctors,” Steve protested, his voice groggy.

Jon ignored the remark. “Right. Just come with me. It’s going to be all right.”

“Where is she?” Steve asked.

“Who?”

“The redhead. Where is she?”

Jessica stepped to his side. “I’m here, Steve. It’s all right. Jon is going to help you.”

“You’ll come with me?”

“Yes, I’ll be there with you. I promise.”

Jon sent a look toward his wife as he helped Steve to his feet.

“Wait!” Jessica called, turning back to get the manila envelope.

“What is that?” Jon asked.

“It’s the proof Steve has about his partners’ activities. I promised him I’d keep it safe.”

“Maybe you should leave that here. I’ll put it away.”

“I’m afraid someone might’ve followed us, or will come looking for us tomorrow.”

“All the more reason not to take it with you. They won’t come here looking for it.”

“I don’t want to put you in any danger, Tori,” Jessica protested.

“I won’t be. They won’t even know we’re kin.”

“All they have to do is ask anyone in town.”

“Who will send them out to the ranch, not to my house. This way will be safer.”

“Okay. Thanks, sis.” She hugged Tori and followed Jon and Steve out to her SUV.

Jon helped Steve into the front seat. Jessica could hear Murphy protesting her disappearance. She slipped behind the wheel, hoping to get out of there quickly, so Murphy would settle down.

“I’ll follow you to the clinic,” Jon said.

When Jessica parked in back of the clinic, she roused Steve again. “Can you walk if I help you?”

“Where are we?”

“At the hospital in Rawhide. My brother-in-law is going to help you.”