Page 25 of Hunting Justice

Glock aimed with one hand and fingers of the other wrapped around the handle, she yanked opened the drawer.

A gasp sent her pulse skyrocketing.

“Jonah?” His hand shot up, and she grabbed it. “I’ve got you.”

“He s-surprised me. I c-couldn’t fight him off.” His teeth chattered.

“Someone attacked you?” She holstered her weapon and wrapped an arm around him, helping him to a seated position.

“No, I take naps in the cold storage all the time.” The words came out as a whisper. He folded his arms across his chest, shivering.

“Not funny.” She took in the scene around her. Acid-burnt bodies, a fire, Jonah locked inside a drawer, the missing phone cord next to him. “Wait. Jonah, look at me.”

He lifted his gaze to her.

There. On his neck. Red marks in the slightly curved pattern of a stretched telephone cord. The sight made her sick. “He tried to strangle you.”

Jonah nodded and winced.

“Hold on.” She made sure he didn’t topple over, then hurried to the desk. She grabbed the office chair and rolled it to him. “Let’s get you out of that drawer. Then I’ll find you a blanket and call the paramedics.”

Noelle assisted him onto the chair and moved him away from the cold storage. “Decia and Matt will be here soon. I’m sure they’ll want to hear what happened, as do I. But first, let’s get you warmed up.”

“I like that last part.”

She cringed, knowing the reason for the raspiness in his voice.

Noelle scanned the room, looking for anything to chase away his chill. She hurried to the opposite side and grabbed two lab coats hanging next to the supply cabinets. “Here. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do until I can find a blanket.” She draped them over his shoulders.

He pulled them tight, tucking his chin into the material. “Thanks.”

“Once you’re given the medical okay, I’m taking you to my place.” Noelle rubbed his arms to help increase the blood flow. “Jonah, we need to talk.”

Before he responded, Matt and Decia, along with Bonnie, ran into the room.

Bonnie took one look at Jonah and her eyes widened for a split second. “I’m notifying security to lock this place down. Then I’m getting you the biggest cup of coffee possible, Doc.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

The admin gave him a quick chin nod and rushed from the room.

Matt hung up his cell phone. “The paramedics are on the way.”

“I don’t?—”

Matt held up his hand and crouched beside Jonah. “Look, Doc. I know you don’t want the attention, but do me a favor. Let me look out for my friend.”

Jonah’s shoulders drooped. “Okay.”

His quick acquiesce had Noelle snapping her gaze to him. She hadn’t noticed earlier, and in her defense, her full attention had been focused on getting him out of that drawer, but fear clung to him like a second skin.

She knelt beside him, opposite Matt. “Jonah, we”—she gestured to Matt and Decia—“will protect you. That maniac will not get away with hurting you again.”

The tension eased from his features.

Bonnie hurried in. “I found this in the staff room.” She handed a wool blanket to Noelle, who exchanged it for the lab coats. “Doc, here’s that coffee I promised.” The woman held out the mug.

Jonah wrapped his hands around the cup and held the steaming liquid under his chin. “Thanks, Bonnie.”