Key West Gone into the Night Elizabeth Hilleren (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

“I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thanks, doctor.”

Sloan finished the sandwich Kathy had brought and was just walking out of the room when Sharkey appeared.

“What did you find out about the accident?”

“I was right. The breaks were tampered with and the accelerator was stuck down.”

“If Alex hadn’t turned off the engine just before the car turning right came into their path it would have been worse, much worse.”

“You still think it was that couple that Alex fought with?”

“I’ve got no proof, yet, but I’m pretty sure. The officers got statements from other drivers and people on the sidewalk but I haven’t seen those yet.”

“I just asked to see Alex and Cynthia. Have you seen them yet?”

“No, but you go first. I need to wash up a little.”

“Thanks, see you soon.”

Sharkey headed upstairs to their rooms...Kathy White was at the front desk and smiled when she saw Sharkey.

“Hi, Kathy. One hell of a day. Can I see them?”

“Sure.  Visit Alex first and I’ll go see that Cynthia is ready for a visitor.”

Sharkey tapped on the door and Alex said, “Yeah?”

“Hey, man, how are you?”

“Been better.” Alex coughed and took a sip of water.

“I won’t keep you long. Can you tell me anything about the accident?”

“It wasn’t an accident. Somebody tried to kill us. Sharkey, it was planned.”

“Same people who tackled you and threw you in the bushes?”

“I didn’t see them. But it was them.”

“Okay, we have an APB out on the car as described by the driver behind you who almost hit them when they pulled back and made an abrupt right.”

“Bet you find it was stolen. Those guys are out for blood,” Alex said.

“You and Cynthia were lucky,” Sharkey said in agreement.

“I know that Sloan is outside waiting to see you, so I’ll get to work. Get better.”

“Okay, send the kid in.”

Sharkey saluted Sloan as he headed for the elevator.

“Dad, how are you?” Sloan said, pulling a chair up to the bed.  “You could have been killed, again.”

“That was the intent of all this.”

“You scared the hell out of me,” Sloan said, looking sternly at his dad.

“They said it was touch and go when they had to get my heart back in sync.”

“Must run in the family,” Sloan muttered.”

“I understand that Cynthia is stable.”

“That’s what the doc said.”

“I can’t believe that they came after me with her in the car.”

“They must be watching you. Sharkey said the brakes and the accelerator were tampered with. Cynthia has been working night shifts. The security in the parking has always been less than stellar.”

“Piper is at the office trying to hold down the fort, so I better get going. You stay safe.  I understand that there will be a guard on duty until they find those two. Love ya, Dad.”

“Love ya too, son.”

Sloan stopped next door at Cynthia’s room where the nurse was just leaving. “She’s all ready for company.”

Sloan’s heart stopped when he saw her. One side of her face was covered with gauze.

“Cynthia…”

She smiled. “It’s just glass cuts.  The bandages make it looks worse than it really is.”

Sloan took her hand in his. “Hey, I love you, you know?”

“You too. How’s your dad?”

“He’s much better.  He loves you.”

“He saved us by turning off the engine.  The car wouldn’t stop. It went faster and faster.”

“He’s still quick on his feet.”

“Yeah. You all right?”

“Better now that I know you and Dad are all right…yes.”

“I’m sleepy. Thanks for coming.”

“With you here, there’s nowhere else I’d be.”

She tried a smile again.

“Sleep.” He kissed her hand and tucked it under the covers.

    Friday  Morning

Clancy O’Brian came into the main office of the newspaper and headed to Barney’s office.  Barney looked up from his computer, irritated to see O’Brian standing there.

“Who let you out of the backroom, O’Brian?”

“Ah…sorry, Sir. I thought you should see this.”  He held papers in his hand.

Barney grabbed the papers out of O’Brian’s hands.

“What’s this about? The personals?”

“Well…read it,” he stammered.

“So what?”

“It…it’s like the other one.”

“I don’t know what you’re stammering about. Mckenzie,” he shouted. “Get him out of here.”

Mckenzie rose from her desk and glared at Connor.

“What did I do?” he asked.

“How am I supposed to think, let alone work, with him ordering me around? I’m busy.”

“I’ll get him.”  Connor strode out into the main office and over to Barney’s office door.

“Get him out of here,” Barney growled.

Connor looked at the young man and didn’t smile. “Come with me.”

O’Brian looked like he might faint. Connor walked the kid out of Barney’s office. “We’ll be back,” Connor said, “on a coffee run.”

Barney didn’t look up.

“It’s just that…this is like the other one,” O’Brian said. “He didn’t read it.”

“What other one? Walk. Now explain the problem,” he said as they turned the corner and headed for the coffee shop.

“You know when that woman was found dead earlier this week?”

“Yes.”

“Well, a few days ago a personal ad was put in my section of the paper. They put me in charge of the personal ads.”

Connor held the shop’s door open for O’Brian. “Wait here. Sit.”

The young man sat and watched Connor make his order. He also ordered a bear claw in a separate bag, with a large coffee. Then three more coffees in a tray.

“Here, give me a hand,” Connor said. O’Brian was handed the coffee and the white bag.

“That’s enough coffee and sugar to sweeten up the gang. People are a little growly back there.  We distribute this stuff, then you show me what you wanted to show Barney.”

O’Brian nodded.

As they walked back Connor questioned O’Brian. “This has something