Pure Dynamite (23 page)

She shook her head. "That doesn't make it right."

"Granted. Just remember: You didn't steal it or cause it to be taken. So don't feel guilty for using it."

Adam had already gone through the remaining boxes. There were clothes, towels and toiletries, plus canned goods and soda.

He saw her eye the two boxes of ammunition that sat on the counter beside a fresh loaf of bread.

"Do you anticipate a need for all that?" she asked.

He grabbed the ammo, stuck it in a cabinet beyond her reach. He'd move them again later, when she wasn't watching. "I hope not."

"I wonder how many innocent people I could save by getting rid of those?"

Not enough,
he thought. "Don't even think about it."

He picked up the bread. "Grab the lunchmeat and cheese from the refrigerator. I'm heating a couple cans of stew before we take care of Lyle. I'm sure a little decent food will help the kid."

A knock sounded at the front door. A bold rapping.

That fast Adam clamped a hand over her mouth. He forced her into the living room as the knocking repeated. Had Calvin returned for some reason?

Moving to the door, Adam lowered his voice, disguising it. "Who's there?"

"Nevin."

Nevin McEdwin.
Dropping his hand to Renata's waist, keeping her close, Adam opened the door. "Got any ID?"

The other man grinned. "My baby brother will vouch for me. Where is he?"

"In the bedroom." Adam backed up, allowing Nevin to enter. "He's not doing real swift."

A frown flitted across Nevin's face. He started to say something else when he spotted Renata. The grin returned. He whistled, his eyes sliding over her more thoroughly than Adam liked.

"Lyle said she was hot but I figured a mama hog would look good after nine months in prison." Nevin's smile widened. "How about the doctor and I go in the bedroom? To, uh, check him out."

"She stays with me." Adam shifted closer to Renata, drawing her to his side with a possessive arm before pressing his lips to her temple. She stiffened, drew a sharp breath. He knew she didn't like it, but staking a claim was the best way to protect her right now.

"We were just getting ready to eat." Adam turned her out of the other man's line of vision. "But I wasn't expecting company."

"It works better that way. Besides, I wanted to see for myself how Lyle was doing."

"You? Or your old man?"

Nevin's jaw tensed. "Me. I'm sure Calvin's already given Willy a full report."

From the bedroom, Lyle called out, his voice weak. "Adam? I need some water."

"I'll get it." Nevin moved to retrieve a glass.

Adam nodded to the tray of food on the counter. "Perhaps you can convince him to eat, too."

Lyle's exclamation of surprise echoed through the cabin, confirming that he hadn't expected to see his brother either.

"Grab your supplies." Adam rushed Renata, wanting to hear as much of the brothers' conversation as possi
ble. Did Nevin's appearance mean they were even closer to being united with Willy?

Lyle was in the master bedroom, a large, well-appointed room. A love seat and chair sat in front of a big screen television equipped with a satellite receiver. A handful of remotes were scattered on the mattress next to Lyle.

Nevin sat sprawled in the love seat, his leg hooked over the arm as he entertained Lyle with stories about their escape. It was similar to what they'd heard from Calvin: more false sightings in New England. Except Nevin gave it a swashbuckling twist.

Lyle started to hand the tray to Renata, his food untouched. "Here. Take this."

"Uh-uh. You gotta eat, bro," Nevin said. "Trust me, you won't get better on that piss-water." He pointed to the bag of saline Renata set on the nightstand.

"Let me take these first." Lyle swallowed two painkillers then picked up the spoon and stirred the stew. "You talked to Pa, lately? He's pretty hot."

Nevin watched his younger brother, nodding in approval when he finally took a bite of food. "Yeah, but it's me he's ticked at, not you. I left Burt and Tristin to deal with him and both of them are ready to kick my ass, too."

Ignoring them as best she could Renata set out her supplies. She had to change the IV, as the site showed signs of infection. She was acutely aware of Nevin watching her. He gave her the creeps. While she hadn't liked Adam's little show of propriety earlier, she wouldn't hesitate to exploit it if it kept the McEdwins at bay.

"I'm done." Lyle shoved his food away and almost immediately fell asleep as the painkillers kicked in.

When Renata removed the bandages, Nevin stood, leaned closer to the bed.

"Gross! It's worse than I thought. He'll survive, right?"

She started cleaning the wound. "I don't know."

"Course he will. He's a McEdwin." Dismissing her, and grabbing the remote, Nevin turned to Adam. "You caught any news lately?"

Adam shook his head. "Just what we could tune in on the car radio."

"Me, too." Nevin flipped channels, pausing frequently. "Here's something." He punched up the volume.

Renata glanced sideways at the television, recognizing the logo for one of the twenty-four hour news stations. The bold graphic read:
manhunt.

"The nationwide hunt for two North Carolina escapees intensified today," the reporter said. "The men are believed to be in the Elmira, New York, area after a car they were driving was found abandoned at a shopping mall."

A photograph of the white Buick surrounded by yellow crime scene tape flashed on the screen.

"Sources close to the case said the fugitives are most likely headed toward Canada. Still no word on the missing prison guard or the Durham doctor authorities believe were abducted by the men."

Renata's heart sank. The news that police had indeed tied her disappearance to the men was eclipsed by reports they were headed to Canada. They weren't even warm. She started to turn away when a photograph of Jim Acton appeared on the screen. She hadn't heard anything about her friend since they left the clinic two days ago.

"Also today, formal charges of murder were filed against the fugitives in the shooting of Sheriff's Deputy Jim Acton. Police have vowed to step up efforts to bring these alleged cop killers to justice. Funeral arrangements—"

The roll of tape dropped from Renata's hands. She drew a sharp breath. Murder? "He's ... dead?"

Nevin glanced at her. "They said his funeral is tomorrow. That usually means they're dead."

Renata felt a hand cup her elbow. She looked up, surprised to find Adam right in front of her. For a moment she'd lost attentiveness.

"I'm sorry about your friend."

His words burst the bubble of grief welling inside her, leaving her feeling bitter. Angry. She balled her fist against the urge to strike out.

Very early in medical school, she had learned that illness and injury had no sense of fairness, no sense of right or wrong. Same with death. She accepted that, dealt with it daily. This yearning for revenge, however, was foreign. And she did not like the way it made her feel: fallible. Vulnerable. Guilty.

She narrowed her eyes at the man on the bed. It hurt to see Lyle sleeping peacefully, knowing that back in Durham, the family and friends of Jim Acton mourned. An eye for an eye had never been her credo, but all of a sudden she understood it.

There was now another reason to make sure Lyle lived: to see him brought to justice. She couldn't bring Jim back, but she'd do everything in her power to make sure these men were tried.

"Let me help you finish up," Adam said.

"That's not necessary." Shaking off his hand, she knelt down to search for the tape she dropped.

It had rolled under the bed beyond her reach. She went to stand and caught a glimpse of the adjoining bathroom. Was it her imagination or had the edge of the curtain fluttered slightly? The pale yellow chiffon moved again.
An open window.

"Did you find it?" Adam asked.

Brushing off her hands, she climbed to her feet. "I can't reach it. And I'll need a new roll since it's been on the dusty floor."

"Stay here. Nevin and I will get more." Adam reached behind her, collecting the scissors she'd used earlier. "Do you need us to bring back anything else?"

Renata's pulse accelerated as she realized both men were leaving the room. She bent over Lyle and began fastening a bandage using the strips of tape she'd cut before dropping the roll.

"Yes. I need a box of large square pads and a bottle of Betadine solution."

"We'll be right back."

Nevin followed Adam out of the room. As soon as they disappeared she hurried to the bathroom, knowing she didn't have much time. There was no Betadine in the boxes, but she hoped his searching for it gained her a few minutes

The window was slightly ajar. She eyed the opening. It would be tight, but she could squeeze through.

She pushed against the sash, found it raised easily, without the slightest noise. Heartened, she poked her head out and looked down.

"Blast it!" Dismay slapped her as she realized why Adam had not worried about leaving her alone. The cabin was built on a steep slope, which placed the windows at the back of the house nearly two stories up.

She peered out again, tried to see what was below but the shadows were too deep.

Would she let that stop her?

She recalled Adam's warning from when she'd pulled the scalpel on him.
Don't hesitate.
She had to chance it.