Today’s excerpt is from How ‘bout Both, the third book in the Bader Trilogy.  Elmer tries to make a deal with a doctor on when he’ll leave the hospital after being involved in the terrorist bombing.  Then has the problem of who will drive for him and Maine solved.  Enjoy and have a wonderful day.

m.j.

 

The doctor nodded, “You’re not going anywhere, Lieutenant.  You’re here for observation for at least three days.  You took a good knock on your noggin.  I know that doesn’t sound doctor-like, but you get the message.  You almost surely have a concussion.  You are not leaving here until I’m sure you’re out of the woods.”

Elmer grumbled, “Never been in the woods in my life.  I’ll make you a deal, doc.  I’ll wait until morning, then I’m gone—with or without your blessing.”

Ruth shook her head.  “That’s my husband, the idiot, speaking.”

Just as the doctor started to say something, Helen’s cell phone rang.  She saw it was her station calling.  She answered, “Make it quick…I’m in Lieutenant Bader’s room at the hospital.  The doctor is trying to run us all out of here, as it is.”

Helen listened for a few moments, then nodded, “Get the information to Captain Wilcox at LAPD Homicide…pronto.”

She listened a bit more.  “Know just who to get for the job.  I’ll handle it—the station paying?”

She listened a bit more, and smiled, “Good.  Get it to Captain Wilcox.”

Off the call, she looked around the room.  “Someone—probably the killer, from the message he left—called.  Told the operator at my station to tell me he had only begun.  Also said my ‘boyfriend’ was on his short list of cops he was going to kill.  Mentioned he might just kill me, too…after my comments on the air earlier.  I’m assuming he meant you, Elmer.  In case you missed it—being knocked out and all—I had a few pointed words for this jackass, and also said nice things about you.”

Elmer looked hard at the doctor.  “Ten in the morning, I’m outta here.  Or do you want to risk this guy blowing up your hospital to get me?”

The doctor, now white as a sheet, nodded, “We’ll see how you are.”

Then he turned and left the room, passing FBI Special Agent Homer Spradling on the way in.  He exchanged greetings with everyone there.  The doctor just sighed, as he didn’t even bother making any more comments about the number of people in Elmer’s room.  After Homer finished saying hello to everyone, he looked at Elmer.  “Was in San Francisco when all this went down, pal.  Got back as fast as I could.  Just wanted to stop by to pay my respects to our wounded hero, before telling you we’re at your disposal on this deal.  Anything I can do?”

Elmer nodded.  “Yeah—check in with Alan and Reggie.  See where they’re at.  They might could use your computer to check a few things.  Our computer is good, but yours is better—sorry, Chief.  The City gives you more money—I’m sure ours would be updated to match theirs.  One thing you could do, Homer, is check out the possibility of this guy using the ‘I’m gonna kill cops’ stuff for cover, in case he’s actually a terrorist…or part of a terrorist cell.  Oh, wait—you weren’t here when we just got word he called Helen’s station.  Said he wasn’t done killing cops.  Mentioned I was on his short list—as was Helen…or something of the sort.  Anyhow, we should try to find out if we’re dealing with a guy with a hard-on for cops, or with a terrorist.”

Ruth asked, “How ‘bout both?  Guy could be all pissed at the police, but also be a terrorist—maybe the home-grown variety.”

Elmer looked at Ruth.  “That’s my honey…always a step ahead.  Good thought, Ruthie.  Thanks.  I’m sure Reggie and the guys are checking out recently released ex-cons with a grudge against LAPD.  Homer, how about checking out any who might have picked up the Muslim religion while in the joint…or were already Muslim’s when they went in.  Coordinate it with Reggie and Alan, until I get back in the shop tomorrow…about noon.”

Homer raised an eyebrow, “You gonna be okay to go so soon?”

Ruth grunted, “No, but you can bet if he can get out of that bed, he’ll be there.”

The Chief touched Gordon’s sleeve.  “Let’s get out of here to let the real cops do their work.  Damn guy’s flat in bed, solving the stinking case.  Should’ve made him Chief of Detectives.”

Gordon laughed.  “Yeah—you’re on to something, Chief.  Let’s go.”

After those two left, Elmer looked at Maine.  “Well, with me in the shape I’m in—you with a busted arm—we’ll have to find a driver.”

Ruth volunteered, “I’ll do it.”

 “No thanks, dear.”

Maine pouted, “I don’t think so.  You with us would knock off all the flirting.”

Ruth, with fake pout of her own in place, asked, “What flirting?”

“No flirting, dear.  Maine was just trying, without success, to be funny.  We’ll just have to get Maine a neckers knob.”

Maine asked, “What’s a neckers knob?”

Homer laughed.  “It’s a knob attached to the steering wheel of a car.  Swivels so you can drive one-handed, while necking with the other arm.  An uncle of mine had one.”

Elmer grinned.  “You’re older than I thought, Homer.”

Homer laughed again.  “Yeah, so it would seem.  Actually he was a great-uncle.  He only had one arm.  Man, could he drive good with his one arm.  What’s the deal with you knowing what one is, Elmer?”

“My dad bought a car with one when I was a kid.”

Maine shook her head.  “Never ends—the things I find out working with you, Elmer.  But failing us finding one for me to use, what are we gonna to do about a driver?”

Elmer laughed, “I’ll ask for a uniform to drive us around, like we were big shots—or I’ll manage somehow, until you get better, Maine.”

Just then two uniformed officer came into the room.  One nodded in Elmer’s direction.  “Hi, Lieutenant—got orders from the brass to babysit you until this deal is over.  Got two more outside the room.  We’re gonna rotate.”

Elmer grinned.  “See, Maine, how things have a way of working out?  Meet our new drivers.  Guys, it’s Elmer here in bed.  The one-armed gal is Maine…Bobbitt—but Maine is good enough.  You two are?”

 

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