Page 103 of Daybreak

“Gunner Kingston, and who’s the lovely lady you have with you?”

“Holly Dillon, my soon-to-be wife. Holly, this is Dr. Benjamin Raines. For my sins, I have been his patient ever since joining the force.”

“A pleasure to meet you, and best wishes for the both of you.” Then he took a look at Gunner and shook his head. “I knew when I saw that video that you would soon be gracing my clinic. And the word is, you did this one as a civilian. Did you really quit the force?”

“I did. Having a bounty put on my head and a dozen hit men after the money can ruin a whole lot of things,” Gunner said.

“Good lord! The public knew nothing about that!”

Gunner nodded. “Yet another reason the bubble burst for me. It’s hard to work in a department knowing there’s a dirty cop somewhere in the bunch, and no one wanted to hear the words or consider the possibility. Bad look for the department, and all that.”

“So, that guy on the Harley…?”

“Wanted by the FBI. His face was all over the news. I just happened to see him,” Gunner said.

Raines frowned. He’d known Kingston long enough to recognize he was being redirected to a different subject, so he got down to business.

“I’ve read the ER report on these injuries. Let’s get these bandages off so I can see where we’re at.”

With his nurse assisting, Raines began on the lower part of the arm. The bandaging was stuck in a couple of places, but he got it off without causing any scabbing to break loose and start bleeding.

“Is this painful?” Raines asked.

“Somewhat. Mostly. Is it at the point where I can get it wet?” Gunner asked.

Raines frowned. “You could let warm water run over it and gently wash it with soap on the palm of your hand, but not on a washcloth. Pat it dry, lightly apply Neosporin, then use nonstick gauze pads to cover it, and keep them in place with a wrap like an Ace bandage. We’ll reapply a fresh bandage here for now. The rest will be up to you.”

“I’ll take that as progress,” Gunner said.

“Let’s take a look at the stitches,” Raines said as he removed the large patch on Gunner’s shoulder and checked that out. “These are healing properly. I don’t see any undue inflammation. You can leave the bandage off here. It will heal faster without it, but you will still need to finish the prescription of antibiotics, and pain pills as needed. Of course, if you think it’s become infected, don’t waste time getting back to a doctor, wherever you are.” Then he tapped lightly on the bruise on Gunner’s jaw. “Did that hurt?”

Gunner nodded.

“Then don’t do that,” Raines said and grinned. “It’s a heck of a bruise. Ice is the best medicine for that.”

Gunner grinned. “You’re still a wiseass.”

“And you’re still a badass,” Raines said. “The real deal. I think we’re done here.” He glanced at Holly. “You’ve got your hands full with this one.”

“I’ve known him for as long as I’ve been alive. I already knew he was pure gold.”

Gunner winked. “Right now, she’s my bodyguard, and I’m smart enough not to argue.”

“Sit tight. My nurse will be back to rebandage the lower arm and bring the info I mentioned about wound care. There’s one refill on those antibiotics. I suggest you refill it and finish it out. The stitches will heal faster than the injury on your lower arm.”

They both left, leaving Holly to help him get dressed. When they were ready to leave, the same nurse who’d walked them in returned to walk them back to their exit. It was almost noon.

“I’m buying lunch,” Gunner said as they got back in her car. “What’s your pleasure? Food Truck? Fast food drive-in? Pick up an order to go? I know you have to work this afternoon, and I don’t want you fussing around about trying to feed me,” Gunner said.

“Anything pasta!” Holly said. “Like spaghetti with meatballs, and you can eat pasta without hurting your jaw. If you know a good Italian place close to home, you order it as I drive, and we’ll pick it up on the way.”

“Deal, and I’ll let you know when we need to divert the route,” he said as she headed for an on-ramp. Less than five minutes on the Loop and they witnessed a fender bender, and a mile further down, a fistfight happening on the shoulder of the road.

“Hell of a place to have a disagreement,” Gunner said as they drove past.

Holly laughed. “You are the king of understatement.”

He grinned, and as soon as they exited the Loop, he directed her to the Italian restaurant.