Deadly Arrival (Hardy Brothers Security Book 16) (15 page)

“Where is she?” James asked, rushing into the hospital lobby and scanning the assembled faces.

“She’s in the bathroom washing up,” Peter replied, his demeanor calm despite the situation. “She insisted on tending to Sven’s wound and she’s covered in blood.”

James frowned. “Is she hurt?”

“She’s fine,” Judge MacIntosh said, standing. “Sven is the only one who got hurt.”

In his head, James knew his wife was safe. His heart wouldn’t let him relax until he saw her. “What do we know?”

“Pritchard attacked a flower delivery van on the south side of Mount Clemens about thirty minutes before approaching Mandy in the lobby,” Peter said. “He stabbed the driver, who is also here but expected to make a full recovery, and he stole the vehicle.

“He parked in the east lot of the hotel and waited until someone with a key let him in,” he continued. “He feigned unfamiliarity with the property and said he was new. He delivered flowers to the front desk and said they were for a woman at the conference.”

“What woman?” James asked, already knowing the answer.

“They were for Mandy,” Peter replied. “There was a note with the flowers. Rodrigo tried to see what it said, but the police confiscated it before he could. I apologize, but you’re going to have to get that information from Sheriff Morgan.”

“How did Pritchard get past Rodrigo and Sven?”

“Mandy and Heidi were in a computer training seminar right before lunch,” Peter replied. He recognized James’ tone and knew the man was close to exploding, but he refused to engage in a screaming match. “Rodrigo was on the far end of the hallway and Sven was in the lobby so he could watch the women make their way to the dining room for lunch.

“Pritchard was already in the building and approached from the hallway by the indoor pool,” he continued. “No one expected him to approach from that direction. Sven recognized him as he closed in. Pritchard then pushed Heidi into a wall and tried to grab Mandy.

“She smacked him across the face and screamed bloody murder to draw everyone’s attention,” Peter said, detailing the events with detached determination. “That’s when Sven went after Pritchard. Rodrigo then grabbed Mandy and shielded her, but the damage was already done.”

“What damage?” James asked, tugging on his limited patience.

“Mandy’s scream caused everyone to panic and someone shoved Sven as he grappled with Pritchard,” Peter answered. “Sven was pushed into the knife and Pritchard took advantage of everyone running and screaming to escape.”

“Then Mandy hopped on top of Sven and started treating his wound as she screamed for someone to call 911,” MacIntosh added. “She kept her head about her and never faltered. She was … amazing.”

“She’s always amazing,” James muttered, lifting his eyes when he saw Mandy walk out of the nearby bathroom. She scurried to his side when she saw him, and James pulled her in for a tight hug, ignoring her ruined clothing as he embraced her. “You’re going to be handcuffed to the bed for the foreseeable future.”

Mandy rewarded James with a harsh chuckle, but he knew it was entirely for his benefit. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry, baby,” James said, rubbing her back as he rocked her. “I heard you handled yourself like a pro.”

“She was very impressive,” Rodrigo said, joining the group. “Heidi is in the examination room. She claims she has a concussion from hitting the wall. I think she’s merely embarrassed about screeching the way she did in front of an audience.”

“She’ll be okay,” MacIntosh said. “She’s got an impressive rebound rate.”

James kissed Mandy’s forehead and reluctantly released her. “You can’t go back to work. You know that, right?”

“James … .”

James shook his head, cutting her off. “It’s not safe, baby. Are you going to forgive yourself if Heidi is hurt because you want to do your job? You have to take everyone else’s safety into consideration. I’m sorry.”

“He’s right,” MacIntosh said, patting Mandy’s shoulder. “It’s going to be better for everyone if you take the next few days off. If we’re lucky, Pritchard will be caught right away and everything can go back to normal.”

“What about work?”

“I can find someone to replace you quite easily,” MacIntosh replied.

James recognized the hurt look as it washed over Mandy’s face. He was sure the judge didn’t mean anything negative by what he said, but Mandy was emotionally overwrought, so that’s how she took it. “Baby, I don’t think … .”

Mandy jerked away from James. “I’m fine,” she said. “You don’t need to treat me like a child. I get it. I’m not necessary at the office. It’s no big deal.”

“That’s not what I meant,” MacIntosh protested. “You’re a wonderful worker. It’s just … .”

“Everyone else’s safety comes before my needs,” Mandy said. “I get it.” She turned her back on the group and wordlessly stalked to the far side of the room. James moved to follow, but Peter stilled him with a hand on his arm.

“Give her a few moments to collect herself,” he said. “She was terrified Sven was going to die because he was trying to protect her. She’s … overwhelmed.”

“How is Sven?”

“He’s fine,” Peter said. “They might not even keep him overnight. The knife went into fleshy tissue on his chest, but it didn’t hit anything important. He’s been through much worse. Trust me.”

James watched Mandy pace, his heart rolling. “She’s angry, but she cannot go back to that courthouse,” he said. “If I have to start screaming tonight to get her to see that, I’m going to do it. I know she doesn’t like it when I get bossy, but enough is enough.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Peter said. “In a few minutes, I’m going to talk to her and everything will be fine.”

James arched a dubious eyebrow. “You’re going to talk to her and everything is going to be fine? Have you met my wife? She’s in a mood. She’s going to cause a scene if you’re not careful.”

Peter chuckled. “I think you’re too close to the situation,” he countered. “I believe Mandy will see logic when she’s approached from a place of information instead of emotion. Give her a few minutes to collect herself, and then I will handle our problem.”

“You must be a wizard or something,” James lamely quipped.

“I just know what she’s thinking and feeling,” Peter said. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.”

James could only hope Peter was correct.

“DID
James send you over here?” Mandy asked, glancing up at Peter as he approached. “Is he afraid my head is going to spin around like in
The Exorcist
?”

“Your husband loves you beyond reason,” Peter said, sitting on the couch in front of Mandy and patting the seat. “Sit.”

Mandy narrowed her eyes. “I’m not in the mood to be bossed around.”

“And I’m not in the mood for petulance,” Peter countered. “Sit.”

Mandy did as instructed, although she was bitter about it, and crossed her arms over her chest as she regarded Peter. “Is Sven okay? You’re not over here to tell me he died, are you?”

“Sven is perfectly fine,” Peter answered. “His wound is not serious and they’re sewing him up even as we speak. He won’t remain in the hospital overnight and will convalesce at my home. There is no need to worry about Sven.”

“Except for the fact that he was stabbed trying to protect me.”

“That is his job,” Peter countered. “You handled yourself well today. You took control of the situation, you did not let Pritchard get the upper hand, and you walked away unscathed. What more do you want?”

Mandy was taken aback by the question. “I want Pritchard back in prison.”

“We’re working on it.”

“I want … my life back to normal,” Mandy said.

“We are working on that as well,” Peter said. “Do you want to know what I think your problem is?”

“Not particularly.”

Peter ignored Mandy’s droll response. “I think you’re at a crossroad in your life and you’re struggling with new dreams as they overlap with old realities.”

“You sound like a fortune cookie.”

“And you sound like a woman who knows I’m right,” Peter shot back. “You’re upset because Judge MacIntosh said he could replace you.”

Mandy’s mouth dropped open. “I’m upset because Sven was stabbed.”

“That upsets you, too, but you’re more upset about your boss saying you’re not necessary to his operation,” Peter said. “Now, you should realize the judge thought he was doing you a kindness when he said that. He did not mean to upset you.

“That man loves you and he thinks you’re a good employee,” he continued. “He also knows you won’t be with him forever.”

Mandy lifted her chin, startled. “What do you mean?”

“I know you plan on leaving the courthouse in September,” Peter replied. “Sophie told me. Even before that, though, I knew you wouldn’t remain there. That’s not the life you and James are building. It’s not part of it.”

Mandy licked her lips, conflicted. “I feel guilty,” she admitted after a moment. “He hired me when I was fresh out of college and had no experience. He mentored me and showed me so much kindness I can never repay him. Now I’m planning on walking away.”

“Do you think he’ll resent you for it?”

“Right before Pritchard approached me, I realized I was sleepwalking through my job,” Mandy said. “I’m already mentally checked out. When he said he wouldn’t miss me, it was like a slap in the face. Life will go on there without me.”

“Everyone wants to think they’re irreplaceable,” Peter said. “You are a good worker, but you’re not meant to be in that courthouse. You’re meant to be an artist. You’re meant to travel with your husband. This position is holding you back.

“One of the things I respect most about you is your loyalty,” he continued. “That’s what’s really bothering you. You’re loyal to Judge MacIntosh. You’re more loyal to your husband, though. You two have built the life you’ve always dreamed about. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying it.”

“James called me spoiled the other day,” Mandy said. “Do you think I’m spoiled?”

Peter chuckled. “Yes.”

“Don’t hold back on my account,” Mandy grumbled.

“I think you’re all spoiled in some fashion … although Emma probably isn’t,” Peter clarified. “James enjoys spoiling you. He’s not wrong now, though. You have to put your family first. You have to put your friends first. You also have to put the random people Pritchard might hurt to get to you first. That is your job right now thanks to our current predicament.”

“How come when you talk down to me like I’m a child I don’t have a problem listening?”

Peter’s face split with a wide grin. “Because I’m not your father,” he answered. “You saw how Sophie chafed when I did the exact same thing to her. It’s always harder when you’re close with the person doing it.”

“I like to think we’re close,” Mandy protested.

“We are,” Peter confirmed. “I’m not your father, though. I’m not your husband. I’m the friend who finds your whims delightful. You still have to do what’s right in this situation.”

Mandy impulsively leaned forward and hugged Peter, taking the man by surprise. “Sophie is lucky that you’re the one who found her.”

Peter patted Mandy’s back. “Sophie is also lucky that she found you and the Hardy family,” he said. “I used to worry that Sophie would be alone when I passed. I don’t worry about that now. She has a family that will last a lifetime.”

“I take it Grady’s growing on you,” Mandy joked.

“I hated him on sight, and then I grew to love him because I saw the way he loved Sophie,” Peter said. “He’s still a mouthy thing, but he’s also loyal and funny. Sophie needs levity, and Grady provides that. You all provide that.”

“What’s going to happen with Pritchard now?” Mandy asked. “He’s still going to be coming.”

“Yes, but he’s getting desperate,” Peter pointed out. “Approaching you today was all kinds of stupid. He knows he’s running out of time. As he gets bolder, his mistakes will get bigger. That is how we will catch him.”

“I hope you’re right,” Mandy said. “I would like to get my house and husband back.”

“You will never lose your husband,” Peter chided. “I can’t help you with the house. I keep picturing an out-of-control slumber party with Ally serving as the hostess.”

Mandy snickered. “She’s bossy, too. I think it’s a Hardy thing.”

“Are you saying you’re not bossy?” Peter asked, fighting to hide his smile and failing. “If that’s the case, my dear, you’re in denial. You’re just as bossy as your husband.”

“I guess I should go back to him,” Mandy mused, her eyes landing on him as he paced next to the judge. “He looks upset.”

“That’s what happens when the person you love most is in danger,” Peter said. “He’ll be fine once he knows you’re fine.”

“Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” Peter clarified. “You just need to do the right thing for everyone and stick close to home for the next few days. You may chafe under house arrest, but you’ll never forgive yourself if someone dies because you wanted your own way.”

Mandy knew he was right, but the words still irked her. “You’re bossy, too. You know that, right?”