Page 27 of Hunting Justice

She glanced at Jonah and winced at the red marks on his neck. She tapped the speed dial for the EGA office to call an emergency meeting. Jonah didn’t know it yet, but he’d just gained full-time bodyguards.

FIVE

THURSDAY, 3:30 P.M.

The paramedics argued with Jonah before accepting his refusal of further treatment. He sat on the office chair in the cold storage room, wrestling with his thoughts while the crime scene techs scurried around collecting evidence. A hint of smoke lingered in the room, and the chill from his time in the refrigerated drawer had eased. But the bruising on his throat throbbed with a vengeance. Not to mention the terror from the flashbacks of his attack.

“Is there anything you want before we leave?”

Jonah jolted at Noelle’s question.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She rested her hand on his forearm. “What can I do?”

He shrugged. He had no idea what he needed. Over the last twenty-four hours, his world had collapsed and his life had turned upside down. A glance at the disfigured bodies had his mind pinging from one thought to another that included things nightmares were made from. “Drop me off at home so I can forget any of this ever happened.”

“You really think I’m going to leave you alone?” Noelle made a sweeping motion with her hand that encompassed the room.

“Right.” A multitude of snarky remarks came to mind, but he clamped his mouth shut. “I have a change of clothes in my office. The crime scene techs took mine and left me with these scrubs.” He pulled the front of his shirt out to make his point. “Plus, I want to search Ken’s office for his planner. I don’t know where else it might be. There has to be something in there that explains his actions.”

“Let’s get your things. The girls are meeting us at the EGA office to discuss your case.”

His gaze met hers. “My case?”

She tilted her head and arched a brow, as if daring him to challenge her.

“Fine.” Jonah pushed from the seat. His knees threatened to buckle, causing him to sway.

Noelle’s hand shot out and grasped his elbow, steadying him. “Easy.”

“Just the fade of adrenaline.”

She snorted. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“I don’t need you?—”

“All I’m saying is, your body requires a little downtime to recover. You’re a doctor. You know this stuff.”

“Yeah, I do.”

Once he gained his balance, she released his arm and gestured toward the door.

He strode out of the room and down the hall to his office. His attitude had everything to do with the day’s events. Claustrophobia hadn’t been an issue in the past, but Jonah had a feeling tight spaces and restrictive shirts around his neck had become his kryptonite.

He pushed open his office door and stepped in. Noelle followed on his heels. Why did he suddenly feel self-conscious about the disaster he called his office? She knew his faults. Most of them, anyway. But she doesn’t know you failed your wife.

“It’ll only take me a minute to gather my things. I have a duffel bag with a change of clothes and basic shave kit.” He motioned to the small closet on the far wall.

“Take your time. No need to hurry.” She moved to his “me” wall and examined his diplomas and certificates.

A lot of good those had done him when he’d failed at the most important time of his life. He huffed and headed toward the closet to gather his things. Taking a long look at the space, he tried to think of anything else he should collect before they left, but his brain refused to cooperate. The desire to flee was overwhelming. He wanted out of the building—now.

Jonah drummed his fingers on the outside of his thigh, forcing himself to stay in the moment. “All I have left to do is to find Ken’s planner, then we’re out of here.”

Noelle turned to face him. The scrutiny behind her gaze made him shiver. It was as if she could see into the deepest, darkest places of his life. After what seemed like forever, she nodded. “Lead the way.”

He hefted the duffel strap onto his shoulder and tamped down the urge to race to Ken’s office.

The voices of the crime scene techs drifted in the hall. Jonah wondered what they’d discovered, but he had a mission: figure out where Ken hid his planner and get out of there.