B00CCYP714 EBOK by R. E. Bradshaw Page B

soon as possible. He was lucky he was in the hospital when his heart stopped.”
    “I’ll keep him in my thoughts, and you,” Molly said, with the sincere concern of a friend. Then, in a tone more in line with her role as Rainey’s lawyer, she added, “Leslie came in the office and told me turn on Cookie’s feed. You know, if you’re going to knock her lights out, just do it, but try to refrain from threatening her in public. It makes it harder for me to argue no premeditation, when you do finally lose it.”
    “Well, that might have been the last public threat, because I’m about to physically remove her from this hospital if I have to. She’s posting pictures from the waiting room on that blog now.”
    “Rainey, until we have proof, as much as I respect your instincts, we cannot accuse her of running that blog.”
    “I’ll have the proof,” Rainey argued, “if you will get a subpoena for the security tapes of the lobby and waiting room for the last couple of hours.”
    “Okay, I’ll work on that, but until we have the evidence, don’t do anything I can’t get you out of.”
    “I’ll take that under advisement, counselor,” Rainey said, now able to see Cookie at the end of the hallway.
    “Rainey, call Katie. Let her talk you down. I can hear it in your voice. You are about to make a monumental mistake,” Molly pleaded.
    “I’ve had enough, Molly. This stops now.”
    “All right. Just call me when they schedule the bail hearing. But you might want to think twice about making your public downfall on television with strained peas in your hair.”
    Rainey stopped walking and laughed. “How did you know what it was?”
    “Katie called Leslie.”
    Katie and Molly’s girlfriend, Leslie, were thick as thieves. They formed an instant bond upon meeting and spent a lot of time together. Leslie, a psychologist, volunteered at Katie’s women’s shelter, loved kids, and thought Molly and Rainey were way too serious, all things that endeared her to Rainey’s wife.
    “Katie didn’t mention the peas when I talked to her,” Rainey said, momentarily losing her desire to strangle Cookie.
    Molly chuckled. “Leslie said Katie didn’t have the heart to tell you that your menacing threat to Cookie was somehow diminished by the baby food in your hair, which was prominently framed in the shot.”
    Molly had accomplished her goal. She had calmed Rainey sufficiently.
    “I guess I should go home and take a shower.”
    Sounding relieved, Molly said, “Yes, I think that would be a good idea. I’ll work on getting access to the security data. I know it’s not as enticing as punching Cookie in the mouth, but it’s the best way. If she’s involved, we’ll get her, Rainey. Just be patient.”
    “Thanks, Molly. Always the voice of reason. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    “Good night, Rainey. Get some rest.”
    Rainey hung up the phone and slipped it back in her pocket. Junior, who had relaxed while Rainey talked on the phone, sprang back into defensive mode.
    “It’s okay, Junior. I’m not going to talk to her. Someone posted a picture of me with my stepfather on that damn blog, but they are probably gone now anyway. I’m going to find Gunny, see if she retrieved my weapon, and then I’m going to go home and wash the peas out of my hair.”
    “Is that what that is?” Junior asked, smiling and pleased she was under control.
    “That little girl of mine has quite the arm,” Rainey said with pride.
    “A natural athlete like her momma,” Junior said, slipping an arm around Rainey’s shoulder and ushering her in the opposite direction from Cookie, toward another exit. “Okay, you go home. I’ll stay here with Thelma and Ernie. Gunny left your Glock in the Escalade. She took the Expedition and the other guys back to the office. She said call if you need anything. I’ll walk out with you.”
    “I’ll be back after I help Katie with the kids’ breakfast. I’m not sure exactly what time that will be,