Page 4 of Covert Mission

“Is that the name of your friend?”

A slight nod. “Is he all right?”

Huh. Well, that was an interesting question. “I’m sorry. He’s dead.”

Seth started to roll to the side but flinched.

“Don’t move. You could have internal injuries and moving around might make things worse. I called 911. Help will be here soon.”

“You sure Pico is dead?”

“Positive. One shot to the heart.” Sirens sounded in the distance, moving closer by the second. “Talk to me. What do I need to know?”

“He was my CI. Someone killed him.”

“Not you?”

He blinked. “Of course not. I talked to him for a couple of minutes, then he ran off. I heard him yell. When I reached him, a man had him on his knees. Someone bashed me in the back of the head. That’s all I remember.”

Not good. She could already see where this would go, and it wasn’t good for Seth.

He sighed. “You should go. Dangerous to stay here.”

She snorted. “You couldn’t fight your way out of a wet paper bag right now. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Not the morning I had planned,” he murmured. “Hate hospitals.”

Teagan smiled. “Who doesn’t?”

“You armed?”

“Of course.”

“Cops will take your weapon.”

“I don’t think so.”

“If they do, I’ll make sure you get it back.”

“Don’t worry about it, Seth. I have more.”

His lips curved. “A dangerous woman of intrigue and mystery.”

Within minutes, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel filled the trail.

Amidst the chaos, a broad-shouldered man jogged to the scene and held up his badge. He crouched beside the gurney on which Seth lay. “Can’t leave you alone for two hours without you getting into trouble.”

“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, Noah.”

“What happened?”

“A CI wanted to meet. Before he told me much, he ran off and into trouble. I tried to stop it. Someone hit me from behind.”

Noah glanced at the body lying a few feet away and whistled softly. “Pico, huh? Sorry, man.” He turned back and sized up Teagan. “Who’s the pretty lady?”

“Meet Teagan. Teagan, this is Noah, my partner.”

The paramedic approached. “We need to take Detective Dixon to the hospital.”