Steeplechase by James Patterson & Scott Slaven

Author:James Patterson & Scott Slaven [Patterson, James & Slaven, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Thrillers, Crime, Historical, Psychological, Suspense, General
ISBN: 9780316438858
Google: SvEmDwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 34669262
Publisher: BookShots
Published: 2017-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“Stand up when someone’s talkin’ to ya!”

The hood pulled Corrigan up off the ground, only to slam him across the face again—this time with his fist. Katie grabbed for the baseball bat in his other hand and yanked it hard. The man let go, causing Katie to fall backward onto Corrigan. They both went down onto the dirty boardwalk. Using the bat, Katie swung at the attacker’s leg, cuffing him in the shin. He let out a yelp of pain and then kicked upward, slamming the wooden weapon against Katie’s face. The bat noisily clattered out of her reach as the limping hood’s footsteps took off in the opposite direction.

Corrigan was bleeding from his forehead, but his first instinct was to reach over to Katie, who was pressing her hand against her nose.

“Do you think it’s broken?” she asked in a shaky and muffled nasal tone.

“Wiggle it,” Corrigan said.

Katie worked her bloody nose back and forth.

“You’ll be all right. Though you’re going to have to stock up on at least a pint of face powder to cover the black-and-blue you’ll be showing tomorrow morning.”

They both struggled to their feet and dusted off their clothes.

“Why didn’t he rob us?” Katie wondered aloud.

“That was purely a social call, a warning,” Corrigan observed. “I should have told ya before ya signed up that there might be a price to pay for sticking your nose in other people’s business.”

“I understand. How’s your head?” She lifted his hand to view the nasty gash across his hairline.

“Probably better than his shin. You learn quickly, partner.”

“If I do, it’s because I’m learning from a master,” she replied. “Now you can walk me home. And we’ll clean up that cut of yours.”

Katie turned to start walking away, but Corrigan hung back, gazing at her with an uncharacteristic look in his eye.

“What?” she asked.

Corrigan hesitated. “This ain’t really the time or the place, but…”

He stepped forward and, taking her chin in his hands, slowly leaned in and kissed her. Katie tensed and started to push away but then felt herself give in. Corrigan stepped back and looked at her.

“That heartbreakin’ smile…looks even better with a bloody nose,” he said.

“Oh!” Katie’s hand flew up to her injury. “I completely forgot! I must look a fright!”

“I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Bet you say the same to all your ‘partners,’” Katie said pointedly.

Before Corrigan could reply, they heard footsteps running toward them in the darkness ahead.

“Sounds like our friend wants his slugger back,” Corrigan said as he reached into his jacket for his gun.

A dark figure jogged toward them. Corrigan raised his gun but then, sighing, lowered it as the man’s face came into view.

“Jeez, Frankie,” he said. “This isn’t the kinda neighborhood where it’s a good idea to rush people,” he exclaimed.

The bushy-haired young cop trotted to a stop and put his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

“Sorry, Jake, but there’s been trouble and I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Corrigan and Katie exchanged a worried look.

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