Going to the Bad Read Online Free

as he embraced me, went rigid. “That’s right.”
    â€œDid you see anyone when you got home? Anyone suspicious you might have passed on the street?”
    Rod shook his head. “I wish I had.”
    A short burst of the ambulance’s siren got my attention. “I’m sorry. We need to go to the hospital. Can you send someone to take Rod’s statement there?”
    Handsome gestured to a man in a suit getting out of an unmarked police car. “Let me consult with the detective sergeant.”
    We followed him down to the sidewalk where Ted waited. “I’m really sorry about your uncle, Lilly. He was a cool old dude.”
    â€œHe’s strong. He’s going to make it.” A moment after I said the words, I realized that I didn’t believe them.
    The ambulance siren cranked up to full. As it pulled away, Callum was revealed shooting video on the other side of the street. For a moment I stared directly into the lens. The camera was mine. Callum must have got it out of my own van.
    He lowered the camera, then gestured down the street to our competitor’s live truck parked behind the police tape. “I figured you wouldn’t want us to get scooped on a shooting at your own house.”
    I was still trying to process that I was now a part of today’s lead story when Handsome returned.
    â€œMiss Hawkins, I’m sending you to the hospital in a patrol car.” He looked at Rod. “But, Mr. Strong, we’d prefer to take your full statement while the details are still fresh in your mind. Maybe you can even come to headquarters.”
    Rod shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I need to be with Lilly right now.”
    â€œYou’re our only witness. We need—”
    Rod cut him off with uncharacteristic aggression. “I told you already, I didn’t witness anything. I can’t help you.”
    Handsome took a breath and looked around. The gesture looked fake and I realized he was trying not to lose his temper. “It’s possible you were the intended target. You got a lot of attention covering the wildfires last summer. You could have a stalker.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous.” Rod’s voice was loud enough that other officers turned to look. “I don’t even work in front of the camera anymore. You’re deliberately trying to frighten me.”
    I was surprised by Rod’s tone. Usually, I’m the one getting angry at police officers while Rod counsels courtesy. “Rod, maybe you—”
    But Rod ignored me. “There’s nothing more I can say in my statement that you don’t already know. Bud was unconscious when I found him and I didn’t see anything.”
    Handsome nodded. “Regardless, I suggest you cooperate. It would be very unpleasant for everyone if we were forced to detain you.” He turned to me as if the matter were settled. “I’ll get an officer to drive you now.”
    He left before Rod could argue further.
    â€œDon’t worry about me,” I said. “Make a quick statement and get it over with.”
    I leaned in and kissed him. I hadn’t intended for it to be more than a peck on the lips, but the drama of the moment tumbled into something more passionate.
    â€œAt least you weren’t hurt,” I finally said. “If only the same were true for Bud.”

THREE
    Christmas Eve, 9:19 a.m.
    T he uniformed patrol officer driving me to the hospital had to take side streets to avoid the accident with the sludge spill. It took fifteen minutes to reach Bakersfield Medical Center. I filled the time by criticizing the officer’s route.
    In my defense, nobody knows city streets better than a shooter. Identifying the most direct way to reach a destination can be the difference between getting amazing video of breaking news or getting nothing at all.
    The officer escorted me into the ER and then suggested I sit in the crowded waiting room while he