Read Online Pure Dynamite by Lauren Bach - Free Book Online Page B

innocent people along with his targeted objective. All in the name of vengeance for a wrong that could never be righted: the death of Willy's wife.
    "Don't forget she could also have value as a hostage," Nevin continued. "The cops always claim they won't negotiate, but it's a different ballgame when you're holding a gun to someone's head. Just be ready. I'll get back to you with details."
    The phone went dead. Adam looked at Lyle. "He's calling back. Chill out while I get supplies."
    Grasping Renata's arm, he dragged her out of the exam room and down the hall. "Do you have coffee?"
    The question surprised her. "What?"
    "Coffee? An employee kitchen?" It didn't sound like he'd get much sleep tonight. And Nevin's remark that they'd be miles from a hospital was telling. It was clear they were no longer headed toward Richmond.
    She pointed to an open doorway. "There's the employee break room."
    He made her enter first. "Make a pot. Extra strong."
    She opened a drawer and once again felt Adam peer over her shoulder. She grabbed two foil packages of coffee, held them up. "You're welcome to do this yourself."
    "Just checking." He turned away.
    While she drew water, he studied the photographs pinned on the bulletin board. A hand-written index card noted the photos were from a group hike the clinic staff had done at the start of summer.
    He pointed to a snapshot of her with three other people. "These are people you work with? Other doctors?"
    At her nod Adam re-examined the photo. They looked more like a band of gypsies than professionals. The group appeared to be laughing over some private joke. Renata wore a tank top, shorts and hiking boots, showing off legs that were muscular and tanned. Runner's legs.
    His eyes took in her figure. The shapeless white jacket she wore now hid a lot. In the photo, her hair was loose, a dark silky spill that hung just below her shoulders. She had big brown, expressive eyes that twinkled behind long lashes. He studied her mouth, her full lips. Very kissable lips, he recalled.
    He pointed to the background. "Is that the bridge at Laurel Fork Gorge?" Laurel Fork was on the Appalachian Trail. "That bridge was built using nothing but primitive skills and native material."
    Renata squinted at the picture. "I'm afraid to ask how you know that."
    He grunted. "Having a hard time imagining me hiking?"
    She nodded. "It seems a little wholesome. Unless of course you were burying a body."
    Adam moved to where the coffee had finished brewing, helped himself to a white foam cup. "Have you hiked much of the Trail?"
    "Some." His questions made Renata suspicious. "Why the small talk?"
    He took a sip of coffee, savored it, then shrugged. "Thought I'd get to know you since you'll be coming with us."
    "With you?" She shook her head and took a step backwards. Away from the man. Away from his words. "I am not going anywhere with you."
    "You'll be released unharmed, later."
    His unperturbed manner upset her even more. "You think I believe that? You're escaped convicts. You already shot one man." What was one woman?
    "I've kept my word. You haven't been hurt, have you?"
    Renata started to remind him of Lyle grabbing her wrist earlier. Except Adam had sort of rescued her then by knocking Lyle's hand away. She didn't want to hear him claim chivalry. Fugitives had no chivalry. They acted solely in self-preservation.
    She tried a different tact. "I'd be a hindrance. And you really don't need me. If he won't go to the hospital, there's not a lot I can do that you couldn't. You've obviously had some experience. You can change his dressings—"
    He cut her off. "We both know he'll need more fluid by IV What if he requires a blood transfusion?"
    "And no weasels are available as donors? Gee, you'll have to take him to the hospital. You don't need me for that either."
    He scowled. "There's plenty of other things that can go wrong: What if the needle dislodges again? Or he starts going into shock?"
    "He'll still require a hospital. Can't