Page 14 of Hunting Justice
“Nah, I like the possibility of getting run over.” She rolled her eyes, and he chuckled. Refusing to add to the pain of his injuries, she stood without his help and dialed Decia’s number.
“Detective Slaton.”
“Hey, Decia. It’s Noelle. We have a situation.” Noelle scanned the small crowd around them as she and Jonah made their way to the sidewalk.
“What happened?”
“Let’s just say you’ll want to come down to Ricky’s Café. And bring Matt with you.” She had no desire to air her concerns about the driver of the SUV targeting Jonah and her suspicion of why. But the detectives had to know. At least part of it.
When Noelle didn’t elaborate, Decia sighed. “Hang tight. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“We aren’t going anywhere.” Noelle hung up, stuffed the phone into her pocket, and faced Jonah.
“Are you okay?” Jonah placed his hand on the small of her back.
The warmth of his touch made her want things she couldn’t have. A relationship. A future. What was wrong with her? They’d almost died. She shoved away the absurd thoughts.
“Mostly.” She wouldn’t lie about her scrapes and bruises, but overall, no serious injuries.
The crease between his eyes, which marred his features, concerned Noelle. “Your head is killing you, isn’t it?”
He grimaced. “That obvious?”
“To me.” She’d spent a lot of time with Jonah and had learned his expressions. “Did I hurt you when I tackled you?”
He let out a humorless laugh. “I’m just happy to be alive.” He lowered his voice. “I owe you a huge thank you for saving my life.”
“Jonah. You don’t owe me anything.” Shocked at the emotion clogging her throat, she swallowed. “Please, answer my question. Did I hurt you?”
His fingers brushed her upper arm where her hidden scars lay. She fought the instinct to jerk away. The white lines had no feelings of pain, but his touch brought back memories of how she’d gotten them. A time in her life she’d like to forget, but the experience had been so horrible it would stay with her forever.
He narrowed his gaze and studied her before he spoke. “A few more bruises, but you protected my head. That’s the important thing. I’d prefer not to have scrambled eggs for a brain.”
“Good. I’m glad.” She squirmed under his scrutinizing stare. Maybe she hadn’t hidden her reaction as well as she’d thought.
Blue lights strobed around them, and officers worked to control the small crowd that had gathered.
“Noelle. Jonah.” A woman called out.
Noelle turned to the familiar voice. Decia and Matt strode toward her and Jonah. “Uh-oh, here comes Mom and Dad.”
Jonah choked on his laugh.
Stressful situations always had her sarcastic side making its presence known—something she’d developed out of desperation as a teen during the worst time of her life. Being abducted by a serial killer did not-so-funny things to a person.
She tugged on her shirt sleeves, making sure to keep the proof of her nightmare hidden, and returned her attention to the two detectives closing the distance.
A patrol officer headed in their direction, but Matt held up his badge and dismissed the young man. Once Matt stood in front of them, he looked them over head to toe. “What happened?”
Noelle opened her stance and crossed her arms. “Someone tried to run Jonah over.”
Jonah grimaced.
Okay, so maybe she should’ve toned down her response, but now that the shock had worn off, her irritation had taken over. No one messed with one of her friends—especially Jonah. He’d stayed by her side while she recovered from her concussion last summer. But more than anything, he’d witnessed her obsession with the cold cases and never—not once—told her she should let it go.
“Accident?” Decia placed her hands on her hips, matching Noelle’s intensity.
“Of course.”