Chapter Twenty

Rory watched as Dalen was handcuffed and hauled up the embankment. Two officers came to sit with her while they waited for the ambulance. “My boyfriend was back at the car crash. Is he dead?”

“No, ma'am,” said one of the cops. “There was an ambulance right behind us. I'm sure he's on his way to the hospital right now.”

Rory sagged with relief and whispered. “Dalen shot an officer.”

The other patrolman answered. “Yeah, but he just winged him. Jay was able to call for backup as soon as he regained control of the car. That's how we got here so quickly.”

“Thank god,” Rory said tearfully as the ambulance arrived. She laid there as two paramedics and two officers loaded her onto a gurney and lifted her up the embankment. The ride to the hospital passed in a daze for Rory, but she wasn't sure if it was because of her concussion or something they put in her IV.

She was taken into an emergency room and looked over by a team of doctors. She wasn't allowed to be unstrapped from the backboard and e-collar until a portable x-ray machine was brought in and she was x-rayed. A nurse came back an hour or so later and removed the collar and straps. He helped her use the bedpan since her leg hadn't been set yet.

A short while later she was approached by a young doctor with curly hair and a pretty smile. “Rory, that's a nasty break. We need to take you to OR and insert a pin. Are you up for that?” Rory nodded sickly and watched as a nurse injected something into her IV. By the time she'd completed the ride in the elevator and was wheeled into an operating room it was taking affect. She was out before they slipped the gas mask over her face.

***

When Rory awoke sometime later, she saw Carson sitting in a wheelchair beside her bed. “They let me sneak in for a few minutes,” he explained. “I told them such a story of true love thwarted they had tears in their eyes.”

“How are you?” she asked groggily. Her throat was scratchy, making it hard to talk.

“I'll live,” he replied with a grin. “I sure have said that a lot lately,” he teased. “I got a blood transfusion, and they had to put my knee in a new cast.” He pointed to his wrist, tightly bound in a bandage. “I also have a broken wrist but thankfully it's my left hand, so I can still play the guitar.”

“That's good,” she answered with a small smile. “How am I?”

Carson shook his head. “I'm afraid it's fatal.” Rory blanched. “Well, there is one cure...nah...” He broke off. She was glaring at him. “Okay I'm afraid you have to have a daily dose of Carson Winslow for the rest of your life or you'll fade away.”

“Hmm,” she cocked her head. “Well, if that's my only option I guess I can live with it.” Carson took her hand, and they sat there, basking in each other until a nurse came a few minutes later to return him to his own room. “I love you, Carson,” she croaked.

“Hey, I love you too,” he answered with a crooked grin. “Would I go through all this if I didn't?”

Rory watched him go with a big smile. Even though she was in a lot of pain, she felt good. She and Carson had made it through.

***

Dan, Leighanne, and Ricky arrived the next morning, all frantic with worry. Rory relayed as much as she could remember and ended with, “I'm not looking forward to the trial.”

Dan cleared his throat. “Early this morning, Shuler Hudson showed up with an attorney, requesting bail. Shuler plunked down five hundred thousand, and Dalen was released into his custody. Then he hustled Dalen out of the country, thereby removing him from the possibility of prosecution unless Dalen ever returns to the United States.”

Rory blinked owlishly. “He just walked away?” she asked in disbelief. “They just let him go in Shuler's custody, and he hopped a plane? He's still not going to be punished for what he's done?”

Leigh sighed. “Yes, I'm afraid so. But if he ever comes back, he'll have to face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and arson. I'm sure there's more, but I can't keep track.”

“Arson?” Rory asked, confused.

Ricky grunted. “He set Carson's apartment on fire. It burned down the garage and house, plus two houses nearby.” He shook his head. “Thank goodness it didn't spread across the street to Moriah's.”

“I doubt he'll ever be back,” Dan said bracingly. “He has too much to answer for if he does. I'm sure we've seen the last of Dalen Hudson.”

Rory wished she could be so certain. His obsession with her was so gripping that he'd repeatedly pursued her. He seemed to think he was immune from the law. Would a few criminal charges keep him from coming after her? Only time would tell.