Page 24 of Cold Light of Day

Her two other officers—Craig and Angie. Pulse soaring, Autumn didn’t want to focus too hard on the man who just shot Officer Ross Miller, because she wasn’t sure she was in total control of her actions.

“Thanks, Hank.”

Sending a barrage of silent prayers to God, she stood guard over her prisoner but looked at Ross, wanting to be there by his side instead and help Hank staunch the flow. “Ross, how you doing?”

He didn’t respond. Face pale and lips blue, he was losing too much blood. Hank held her gaze and subtly shook his head. His efforts to slow the bleeding weren’t going to be enough while they waited for help to arrive.

I need my medical kit!

Autumn radioed dispatch and steadied her voice. “Tanya. How long for the helicopter?”

“Coming out of Haines. Fifteen minutes. Ambulance coming out of Shadow Gap, but also fifteen minutes out.”

She ended the communication and looked around, shaking her head in dismay as the rain soaked her hair, her face. Nausea ripped through her.

“I’ll take this guy and stash him in the Interceptor and come back with the kit.” She quickly removed her jacket and tossed it to Hank. “Use that to help slow the bleeding.”

Hank quickly went to work pressing her jacket over the wound.

To her prisoner, she said, “Get to your feet.” Though her insides quaked with fear for Ross, she injected authority into her tone.

“How am I supposed to do that with my hands cuffed behind my back?”

“You’ll figure it out. I’m sure you know that if this man dies, you’ll be charged with his murder.”

The man got to his knees, then stood. Getting him to her Interceptor would be tricky. She had no doubt he would give her trouble. He was just waiting for an opportunity to escape.

But with Ross’s life on the line, she’d take her chances. “Let’s go.” She gestured toward the northeast, and he started forward. Gripping her pistol in her right hand, Autumn kept a firm grip on his bulky bicep with her left.

When footsteps pounded through the forest, she tensed, ready for anything.

Except for Grier.

He emerged through the trees, carrying a medical supply kit. Confusion stunned her, but relief blew through her. Supplies in the kit could potentially buy Ross extra moments of life while they waited for the helicopter.

“What are you doing here, Grier?”

“You still need help with Ross?”

“Yes.”

He slowed as he looked from her to her prisoner, appearing to consider ifsheneeded help.

“Please, hurry,” she said.

Grier took off toward the cabin.

She steered her captive after Grier. She’d wait for Angie and Craig to escort him all the way to a jail cell.

“Get on the ground on your stomach.”

“What?”

“Do it,” she ordered him, and he got on the ground.

Grier dropped to his knees next to Ross and quickly pulled items from his orange bag. “I’ve got this.”

“What are you doing?” Hank asked.