Page 53 (1/2)

Ty nodded as he looked back down at Zane, not even catching that there wasa case," he answered distractedly as he pulled out his badge and showed it to her The action was completely habitual "Been a bad one," he e "So he’s your partner at work," she clarified

Ty looked over at her and blinked stupidly "What?" he asked in confusion

The woman smiled a little "I asked if he’s your partner at work

You’re looking a little wobbly yourself Why don’t you sit down, Special Agent…"

"Grady," Ty supplied as he frowned "Yes, he’s my partner at work,"

he echoed, still confused by her interest "I don’t need to sit down," he added stubbornly

"Okay," she said "I just thought you ht want to stick around He should be out for about thirty h He told ave him an even look "Who are you to him to countermand his decision?"

"I’ to bristle a little under the scrutiny "You kneell as I did that he wouldn’t be able to take it Common sense trumps alcoholism every day of the week, Sunshine

He’ll thank us later"

"But you know it’s ht?" she asked as she instructed another EMT to set Zane’s arm and wrap it up while he was out

"That’s why you’re so protective," she continued as she took Ty’s aretting annoyed and beginning to suspect that she could tell he hadn’t exactly made it out of the car without injuries either He could feel the urge to bark at the woet aithout being doctored "What’s your point, Princess?" he asked

The wo to decide if you care enough about hi to be a mess for a couple days, at least Broken bones all over, the sedative and his reactions to it Seeht be more than just a partner Maybe a friend?" She stood and straightened, not bothered at all that she was more than a foot shorter than Ty "Now Tellhi," she demanded as she pointed at his neck

"What do you want to hear?" Ty asked as he pulled the top of his shirt together to hide the bruising froher than it normally did

"Grady?" a soft voice called from amidst the crowd of police, fire his way precariously through the crowd

"Hold on," he said to theback at the wo to take care of him?" she asked bluntly "Or do I need to find so doctor? That’s what he needs, right?" Ty asked in exasperation

"What the hell happened?" Henninger asked as he jogged up to them

"Jesus Is he dead?" he asked as he looked down at Zane

The wo "Go take care of your business, Special Agent Grady" She turned away and joined the other para to Zane’sa preformed brace as the other wrapped his now-set are to reach out and throttle the infuriating woman He looked down at Zane and his features softened unconsciously as he watched the is he going to hurt?" he asked as Henninger stepped closer and peered down at Zane as well

Zane was jostled as the stretcher wasaent didn’t even protest as theywhen he should have been unconscious "He’s going to hurt for a while A week, at least Two is more likely I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s three or four He’s dislocated his shoulder, broken two bones in his forearm, cracked four ribs, had his brain rattled around in his skull, and his hip is badly bruised," she said grimly

"Looks like his knee may be out, too He’s a mess I don’t kno he expects to operate without painkillers"

"So he’s out of commission," Ty muttered with a defeated look at Zane as they er started, but glares from both Ty and the EMT shut him up

Ty was torn He’d already stepped over the line by forcing the anesthesia on Zane, though why the EMT hadn’t just done a local he couldn’t guess She obviously knew more about it all than he did

Should he call Burns and let him know Zane was out of service? He certainly wouldn’t be ood to the case now Perhaps Ty should have Burns send so on his own until Zane recovered, although he knew he couldn’t do this alone He wasn’t as smart as the killer He didn’t knohat to do, and the indecisiveness was as annoying to him as it was uncharacteristic

"Garrett can’t work like that You’re going to have to call in and have hier advised as he watched Ty think it over

"A case is the last thing Special Agent Garrett should be worrying about," the EMT offered

"Het here, anyway?" he asked the young agent with sudden annoyance

"I aiting to ot a bad feeling about it since you were late When you got later, I decided to drive up here just in case and I saw you standing by the wreck," Henninger answered defensively He glanced to the EMT uncertainly, and she rolled her eyes and walked the few steps to climb up into the truck with her patient

"Look, Grady," Henninger continued "Catching this serial isZane Garrett on the job"

Ty was shocked that he al with the sentiment He blinked at thewith the effects of the drugs "You ever been asked the question ‘Who would you choose to save? A hundred strangers or one faer drew back in surprise and a hint of concern "No," he said cautiously "But I’d answer a hundred strangers That’s our job"

"That is the noble answer, isn’t it?" Ty murmured as he looked back at Zane