Crime & Counterpoint by M.S. Daniel Read Free Book Online Page A

shock. But as he took a breath, he started coughing. Like a 200-year-old chain-smoker.
    “Whoah! Hold on.” Jared rushed over, leaving his clipboard on the end of the bed, and went to help Zach take some pressure off his chest. He grabbed the man’s muscle-tight bicep and helped him up to sitting while he pressed and held a button to get the upper part of the bed to elevate.
    “Thanks,” Zach replied with a pathetic grimace, sounding hoarse. He leaned back and found the adjustment was almost right. Chest aching but less so now, he heaved some shallow breaths, clavicle rising and falling with the action. “How long do I have to be here?”
    Jared grinned. “Always your first question. You’re a fast healer, but it’s gonna take a few more days.”
    “I’d rather not.”
    “Okay,” Jared said with a slow nod. “But FYI, we had to patch up your left lung. Dr. Ramesh – you know him right, from the last time you got shot? He says you’re probably gonna die anyway. So. Up to you.”
    Zach groaned again. “Fine.”
    “Great.” Jared grinned. He clicked his pen and tucked it back into his white coat pocket. He did a thorough check on Zach’s wounds next. “Do you remember anything? What happened that night?”
    Zach winced. “No. Not much.”
    “Well, you’re lucky Carter and Rick found you when they did. You were barely breathing. And by the time you got here…” Jared shook his head, subtly aggrieved. “Anyway, whoever tried to kill you actually saved your life by throwing you in the river. The salt sterilized everything. And the water was so damn cold, it effectively cauterized the bullet holes. Kept you from bleeding out.”
    Zach exhaled painfully as Jared redressed the wound on his chest.
    “Shoulder?” Jared asked.
    Feeling it out, Zach replied, “Can’t really move it.”
    “Hm. Might’ve torn your rotator cuff. I’ll schedule some X-rays,” Jared said, taking out his pen and making a note in Zach’s chart. Expending a breath, he checked the time, turning around to look at the clock above the door. “I have a personal favor to ask. I know this might be an odd request, but chalk it up to that time in third grade when I saved your dog and ended up with my arm in a cast.”
    Zach’s mouth quirked. “Okay.”
    “Think you can avoid getting shot again until after my wedding? You know, cause then I’ll have four groomsmen instead of five and it’s just not a good number.”
    “Is that supposed to be funny?”
    “No. I’m serious.” Replacing his pen, he eyed Zach solemnly. “I don’t know how many more of these incidents you have left in you. I mean” – he shook his head at Zach’s chart – “you’re still holding out, but at some point, the camel’s back is gonna break.”
    “Spare me the lecture, Jared.”
    “Alright.” Jared pointed to a container Zach hadn’t noticed before. Looked like soup. “When you get the strength, you should have some of that. Your grandmother came by with it earlier.”
    “What’d you tell her?”
    Jared toyed with the chart. “The usual spiel.” He adjusted the water jug for no apparent reason. “We’re, uh, moving her to her new place this weekend.”
    “Who’s we?”
    “I’m doing some. But mostly the Mitchel brothers. I hear, it’s their side gig now,” he joked. “Mitchel, Weston and Sons. Get a free consultation and moving quote.” He chuckled.  You still talk to those guys?”
    Zach exhaled carefully and shook his head.
    “Maybe you should.” Jared glanced at the chart in his hand like he had more to say. But – “I’ll let her know you’re okay. If you need anything, call. Carter said he’d be by later.” He started towards the door but paused with his hand on the knob. “Oh, and Rick wanted me to tell you you’re a fucking idiot, although I’m sure he’ll be by to convey those sentiments to you himself.” He smiled thinly.
    Zach suppressed his displeasure and stared at the ceiling. As he lay there slipping