Enemy Way Read Free

counselor,” Ella replied, forcing her tone to remain casual. She started tosay more, when she caught a glimpse of Officer Justine Goodluck standing just inside the door. Two years ago, her second cousin had been assigned to her crime team, and since that time, Ella had never had reason to regret it.
    Excusing herself, Ella sent Tache to check on hospital security while she met with her assistant in the hall. Justine’s handgun, holstered at her belt beside the open frontof a blue satin rodeo jacket, seemed disproportionately large for the slender young woman’s figure. But, despite her youthful appearance, Justine was all business.
    “Any more news on the two perps still at large?” Ella asked.
    “Not yet, but you know we had roadblocks up within five minutes of the call, and extra officers are out searching every mile of road in the area. Hopefully, those two shotsyou put in their engine block screwed up something. Even if they didn’t, there’s no way they’ll make it out of the county, much less the state. By now, I’m sure they know it, too.” Justine’s voice was confident.
    Ella considered the matter silently for several moments before speaking. “It’s possible they may not be trying to leave the Rez anyway. I’m certain that the woman who drove the getawaycar is Baker’s wife. She may yet decide to try and spring her husband. Have Tache stick close around here. He’s seen the photos, so he should be able to recognize Shepherd and the woman. If he spots either of them, tell him to call for backup if at all possible before taking action.”
    “I’ll have another guard posted here, too,” Justine said, “and coordinate things with Sergeant Tache.”
    As hercell phone beeped, Ella reached for the unit clipped to her belt. The reception was poor from her location, so she moved farther down the corridor until the static cleared.
    “The dispatcher asked me to notify you,” came the voice of the on-duty officer. “Sergeant Neskahi has been patrolling along the Colorado state line. A few minutes ago, he requested that Angel Hawk, the air ambulance, be sentto the site of an auto accident on a side road just south of the Colorado border, a half mile off of Highway Six-six-six.”
    “Understood. But what’s that got to do with me? That’s hospital business.”
    “There’s something fishy about the call. Neskahi has been with the department for years. It’s not like him to screw up a ten code. But he kept referring to a ten–thirty-one as a trauma victim pickup.”

    “Which it isn’t. That’s the code for a suspicious person,” Ella said mostly to herself, her mind racing.
    “Of course he had the flu last week, and he’s still feeling lousy.…”
    “Hold on for a moment.” Ella glanced at Justine. “Tell the hospital not to dispatch the air ambulance until I give the okay,” she said, then turned her attention back to the officer on the phone. “What else? Did the dispatcherpick up on any other indications of trouble?”
    “No. That’s why we figured you’d want to make the call on this one.”
    “Thanks. I’ll handle it from here.” Ella weighed the information carefully. Sergeant Neskahi was an old hand at police work, and had worked with her on several investigations recently. Everyone made mistakes, but it didn’t seem likely that the sergeant would make one of this nature.He’d worked dozens of accidents in his time as a patrol officer.
    Justine jogged back from the ER desk. “Better hurry. The pilot is really pissed off. He’s ready to fly and the medic is on board. The flyboy is demanding to know if we’re going to accept responsibility for a delay that could end up costing lives.”
    Ella frowned. She had no proof that there was a problem, but she also couldn’t senda civilian into a potentially dangerous situation. “I’m on my way.”
    Ella took a white coat from a hook by the nurse’s station. Seeing what Ella had done, a young nurse by the supply cabinet came