Nathan forced Montez onto his stomach, put a knee into his back, and yanked Montez’s Windbreaker up. Using his Predator, he cut a twelve-inch strip from Montez’s black sweatshirt, rolled it into a rope, and forced it into Montez’s mouth. He tied the gag tight, nice and uncomfortable. He cut a four-inch strip to use on Montez’s bullet wound as a pressure bandage. Montez grunted when he wrapped it in position. He used a third strip to secure Montez’s hands behind his back.

He slid his Predator into its sheath, pocketed the two handguns, and hauled Montez to his feet. Montez refused to walk when prodded.

“Either you walk out of here, or I bash your skull and drag you by your ponytail. I’m good either way.”

Montez nodded.

“Good boy.”

He looked in both directions but saw no sign of the security guard. The stinging in his feet returned in force, the latest adrenaline rush having worn off. If he could just hang tough a little longer.

He visualized the park’s map in his mind and recalled that the most direct exit path from his current position followed the bumper car ride to the west and turned south along the building housing the giant indoor pool. He gave Montez a firm shove in that direction.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter 45

Chapter  45

Nathan and his captive were in roughly the same shape, barely able to walk. He needed a vehicle. Harv would probably be in an ambulance by now, unavailable. The idea of hot-wiring a car didn’t work either. Most automobiles couldn’t be hot-wired in the old-fashioned way, and many others employed obnoxious alarms and hidden tracking devices.

He cycled through his options again, then stopped.

Grangeland. She’d have Nichole Dalton in Dr. Reavie’s care by now.

He dragged Montez into the shadows of the building on his left and forced him to sit against the wall. He pulled out his cell.

“Nathan? Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine. What’s the status of Nichole Dalton?”

“She’s in surgery right now.”

“For how long?”

“I’m not sure. Probably a few hours. She needs hundreds of sutures.”

“I need you and your vehicle right away.”

“Where are you?”

“Belmont Park in Mission Beach. Know where it is?”

“Yes, it’s in the sedan’s nav. I’m on the I-five heading south. I just passed the Garnet exit.”

“How did you—” He answered his own question. “Harv.”

“He called right after you took off after Montez, thought you might need an extra gun. He also said he heard a shot and didn’t want to risk calling you.”

“Is Harv okay?”

“A retired nurse is helping him. He’s going to be fine. Do you have Montez in custody?”

He closed his eyes. “Yes.”

“Are you okay?”

“Montez needs medical attention.”

“You didn’t—”

“No. He’s got a bullet wound to the leg.”

“How will I find you?”