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In fact, aside from the fact that his lungs still burned, his muscles continued to shake in the wake of sudden, fierce exertion, and he was definitely going to have a new collection of scrapes and bruises, he actually felt…all right.

Better than he had in a long time.

Well, let’s not get carried away. But, yeah, there was definitely something energizing about surviving a close call.

Granted, he was going to feel less energized in a couple of hours when this new set of aches and pains made themselves felt.

But right now…

Right now, the evening was alive with the smell of cool, damp earth and mown grass, of distant spicy evergreens. The soothing sounds of crickets surrounded him, the rustle of leaves overhead, chimes from a nearby porch, and distantly the engine of a passing car several streets over.

He stared up at the glittering stars and was grateful, even glad, to be alive.

It had been a while since he’d been conscious of that fact.

Abruptly, it occurred to him that what he did not hear—had not heard for some minutes—was a siren.

No sirens.

Was that good news or bad?

At a guess, their offender was in the wind. Whoever he was, though, he was going to be limping. He, too, was going to be wearing some bumps and bruises.

That could be useful.

Archie did not have to wait long for an answer.

Beau’s SUV—no flashers, no siren—pulled into the driveway and Beau got out. His boots scraped on cement as he walked over to where Archie was now sitting on the curb.

“How are you doing?” Beau gazed down, his own face a pale glimmer in the gloom.

Archie offered a thumbs up.

“Yeah? You sure? Because you just got hit by a car.”

“Not really.”

“Yeah, really. I heard the thump.”

“That was my guy.”

“Your guy was the first thump. You were the second thump. What in the hell were you thinking chasing him?”

Archie stared up. Even in the gloom, Beau’s eyes were very blue. “I was thinking I didn’t want him to get away.”

“Y—” Beau spluttered. “Did you think about what would happen if you caught him?”

Archie grimaced.

Beau shook his head. “Well, I hate to disappoint you, but I lost him. He cut across someone’s back yard, and when I climbed the fence, the homeowner let their German shepherd out.” Beau grimaced. “I barely made it back over the fence in time.”

Archie gave a short laugh.

Beau also made a sound of amusement, though it was more of a snort than a laugh.

“Did you get a good look at him?” he asked.

Archie admitted, “Probably the same look you got. Tall, lean, dressed in black. Ski mask, gloves, watch cap. Definitely male. Definitely Caucasian. I caught a glimpse of his wrist when he threw a chair at me. Light, maybe blue, eyes. I never saw his hair color. Never saw any distinguishing…anything.”