Hazard Play by Janis McCurry Read Free Book Online Page A

practice the breathing pattern I showed you. I'll wait.” Tess’s focus on the call was unwavering. 
    Bailey didn’t think he could’ve gotten her attention if he’d stripped and sang the Star Spangled Banner at the top of his lungs. All business, she concentrated on helping her patient, as far removed as possible from the soft bundle of woman who’d warmed his body a few minutes earlier.
    “He’s better? Now try the inhaler again. And, Mrs. Douglas, the calmer you are, the safer Joey will feel.”
    Tess ran her fingers through her short curls. He wanted to sink his hands into them, mess them up. That nervous gesture was the only sign that showed she wasn’t as serene as she sounded on the phone.
    “You have to convince him he’ll be all right.” She paused. “Great, he’ll be tired after the episode. Sit with him until he falls asleep so he knows you’re with him. No, don’t ever hesitate to call me at home. Remember, I’m going on vacation for four weeks. Susan Miller will be taking my route. Yes, I’m looking forward to it. Good-night.” Tess hung up the receiver and heaved a shaky sigh.
    “You’re good, Contessa.” He meant it. He’d seen how skilled she was at nursing twice tonight.
    “Thanks, but asthma attacks still scare me. They can go wrong fast. Joey’s only nine years old. He still panics sometimes, even though he’s been diagnosed since age five.” Tess shrugged and moved to the couch. “His mom’s a trouper but he can sense her fear and it makes his attacks worse.” 
    “Asthma, huh. There’s no cure?” Bailey had his own interest in the topic. 
    “Kids grow out of it, sometimes. It depends. So far, we can manage the disease. With severe cases, we can’t even do that.” Tess yawned, barely covering her mouth. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. Do you mind if we call it a night?” She stood and walked to the door. “Thanks for bringing back the tire iron.”
    Bailey had learned how to work out details as they unfolded. The plan formulated in his brain at the speed of light. “You seem to know a lot about asthma.”
    “I studied up on it when I met Joey,” she explained.
    “Don’t some people fake attacks?” He had to play this right or he’d lose her.
    “What on earth are you talking about? What possible reason would anyone have to fake such a debilitating disease?”
    Bailey set the hook. “Well, this guy I’m looking for supposedly suffers from asthma. I figure he’s faking. After all, he’s embezzled over two million dollars from his company.” Now, he’d play out the line a little. “Sorry. You don’t want to hear about my business.”
    “If he isn’t faking it—and you’d better find out for sure—you have be careful. Stress and harsh treatment can bring on an episode very easily.” She stepped away from the door and moved closer.
    Good, she took the bait. Better not lay it on too thick. Bailey started reeling her in. “Oh, well, after I catch him, maybe I can find a doctor at one of our stops... if he really has asthma.” He started for the door; sure she would stop him.
    “Wait, shouldn’t you find out before you ‘catch’ him whether he’s sick? I mean, don’t you guys use computers to find things out? He must have doctor or pharmacy bills.”
    “I checked it out. But, if the crook can scam money electronically, he can forge a few documents. Maybe I can persuade him to tell the truth.” A little heavy-handed, but sometimes you had to give the hook a little yank.
    “I’m beginning to understand why Pyewacket scratched you. He can obviously see into your soul.”
    Uh-oh, time to retrench. “Contessa, I don’t want the guy hurt or sick. I'll take as good care of him as I can. My clients need to know where the money is. I’m not one of the bad guys and I don’t beat up people for fun. It’s just that...” Bailey paused for effect. “From what I heard tonight, there’s a lot I don’t know about asthma. I hope I don’t lose