In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

alarm in his head. Dick eased himself out of the bedroom without turning on a light. Bright moonlight illuminated someone prying at the lock on the sliding door. He stepped back into the shadow and watched the door ease open. A massive rush of adrenalin flushed through his body.

He slammed into the dark figure, forcing him against the metal patio railing. He hadn’t seen the knife before he felt the blade penetrate his buttock. The assassin’s arm pinned against the railing had prevented a mortal wound. He heaved the heavy man up and over the railing, knocking the knife away. He leaned out over the railing for a look below, sensed someone behind him, and spun around quickly.

Samantha stood there with the light on behind her. “Dick, there’s blood dripping out of your underwear. What happened?

“Call 911, honey. I’m going down to see how our assassin is doing after a fall from the third floor.” He pulled on casual shorts over the bloody underwear and rushed out to the elevator.

The man’s body lay spreadeagle on the tiled apron. Dick studied the scene. The bastard had landed head first, crushing the skull. His head was driven deep in between heavy shoulders, brain matter, mixed with blood, oozed out where his face had been. He heard a door open behind him. He turned to see Samantha walking toward him. She had her medical bag. “Dick! We must do something about that injury. You’re still bleeding.”

“I can’t drop my pants here, someone’s coming out to investigate the noise.”

“Yes, we can! Drop your pants, they’re soaked. She opened her bag and pulled out a pair of scissors. “You’d better hurry or I’ll do it for you.”

He looked for an out-of-the-way place to strip down. She’s right, I’m losing blood. He saw a picnic table farther out in the shadows, near the dark pool, and motioned for her to follow.

“Dick! It’s a deep puncture. You need stitches, now. I’ll have to do it up in our room.” She ripped off a long strip of adhesive and pressed the wound closed.

Dick pulled his bloody shorts up, keeping an eye on Samantha. She walked past a middle-aged couple, standing on their first-floor patio. The man held a cell phone. The woman stared at the body, with her mouth open. She might start screaming, at any minute.

Samantha spoke in a hushed voice. “The sheriff’s deputy will be here in a few minutes. Please remain quiet. He will explain everything.”

The heavy-set man said, “What happened to that poor bastard?” He pointed to the body.

Dick said, “He fell from somewhere up above.” So much for sympathy. “You folks should return to your bedroom before the sheriff gets here or you’ll be dragged into court as witnesses to a horrible incident. The man you see there was attempting to break into a unit upstairs when he fell to his death. That’s all we can give you. Please return to your room.”

Deputy Bennett removed his gloves and tossed them into the trash. “It’s in the hands of the coroner now. I can’t believe you’re not more seriously hurt. I know you’re a big man, but this guy weighs more than you. We know him as a badass. He’s known for cutting up his friends as well as his enemies. This will likely turn out like the last one; a hired trouble maker.”

“We’re taking it more seriously than just trouble-making, Jonathan. Samantha’s been attacked twice. Her life’s in danger. Have you talked with DEA Agent Hunt recently about what’s happening here?”

“The Feds are playing everything close to their vest right now, for some reason. The chief says they’re just overworked with Drug Enforcement. Why do you ask?”

“I thought maybe you would have information connecting this to their other investigations.” He didn’t want to divulge something Hunt would object to.

“Hunt asked us to follow up on this attack and fill him in after our investigation. He’s tied up across country, a meeting in DC. You and Samantha attract trouble and dead bodies like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’m not sure what you can do to protect yourselves any more than you are now. Maybe you should pack up and take Samantha with you to some place away from here until things settle down.” He looked at Samantha, “You’d better take him inside and get that wound taken care of.”

He sounds cranky, or frustrated, Dick thought. “We appreciate your help, Jonathan. If more turns up on this guy, let us know about it as quickly as possible.”

Dick left the shower, dried himself off and attempted to do as she had suggested. He grinned at her serious look. “I’m all bent over, honey. Just drive it home.”

“This stab wound isn’t funny. It’ll be a little painful. You’d better be in a comfortable position because once I start stitching, I can’t stop until I’m finished. Remember now, big boys don’t cry.” Dick laughed.

Samantha finished stitching and cleaned the area with alcohol. “A doctor will put you on antibiotics for a few days. Blood loss wasn’t as bad as it could have been.” She slapped his uninjured buttock and moved away. “Six stitches, not too bad. Another one of your nine lives all used up.”

Chapter 27

Dick stared at himself in the mirror. He needed to shave and dress for their meeting with Hunt. He wondered what Hunt had in store this time. It couldn’t be good. Hunt had encouraged Samantha to ask for a leave of absence until things straightened out. She had refused. Grant was tucked away some place safe, according to Hunt. DEA had turned over every rock in Southern California. More than twenty low level arrests had been made the week after the attack on Samantha and three delivery vans had been seized. Marino himself had not been seen in public for days.

Hunt locked his fingers together and