Huck dropped to his feet and punched Jason once in the face, and then struck him several times in the torso, propelling the killer back toward the flowers. He finished with an uppercut that threw the man up and then down to smash several dahlia plants. His body jerked once and more petals wafted to the dirt floor. Huck brushed snow off his face and then grabbed Jason’s shoulder and turned him over, quickly securing him with zip-ties he withdrew from his back pocket.

Laurel sat on the dolly, dropping her now bloody gun to the side to put pressure on her wound.

Sirens echoed in the distance.

Huck scanned the interior of the greenhouse and then hurried to her, crouching. “How bad?”

“I’m uncertain.” She let her head loll on her shoulders.

“You’re okay.” He grasped her good shoulder and leaned over to check for Haylee’s pulse. “Was she shot?”

“Just unconscious,” Abigail said, dusting off her hands.

State and local police officers came through the door first, and once they’d made sure the scene was secure, they let the paramedics in.

Officer Zello yanked Jason up and shoved him toward the door. The killer was sniffling as he went by.

Laurel lifted her head. “By the way, you are so fired from working on my barndominium.” She tried to focus on Huck, but her eyes wouldn’t cooperate. “I need to find a new architect.” She started to pitch sideways.

“I’ll start asking around.” Huck caught her, holding her upright. Then he lifted her to a gurney and set her down. She grabbed his coat with her good hand and drew his ear to her mouth so she could whisper. “Get a warrant for Abigail’s office and lab at the university. I want everything.” Then she finally let the bliss of unconsciousness take away the pain.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Laurel sat in the hospital bed as her mother once again fluffed her pillows. “I’m fine.” The surgery the day before to remove the bullet from her shoulder had been successful, and she’d had a good night with decent sleep. The pain meds were helping, and it was almost lunch time. She’d already seen both her uncles, her aunt, and Kate with her girls. “I’m tiring a mite, Mom.”

“Oh.” Deidre leaned over and kissed her forehead. “All right. Just keep the radio off, okay? That silly Rachel Raprenzi is all over this story, and she acts like she knows you.”

Laurel sighed. “Let’s worry about her later.”

Deidre nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll go home and check on the new teas that came in yesterday. I’ll bring you some in a few hours and read to you.”