Inside Out

29

Sean's lip was split open and bloody. Winter took a tissue from a box on the coffee table and handed it to her.

“Should get some ice on that,” he said.

“I thought he was going to kill you,” Sean said.

“It crossed my mind,” Winter admitted.

“Thank you for stopping him. He would have killed me,” she said.

“Did you see Dylan move?” Greg said incredulously.

“He's faster than he looks,” Winter said.

“You okay?” Greg asked him.

Winter straightened and Sean saw him wince. “I'm fine.”

Martinez knelt to help Beck sit up. “I think I can get up,” Beck said, dismissing her assistance.

Winter caught his eye and shook his head. Don't be an idiot!

“Maybe I could use a hand,” Beck capitulated. “That Taser hurt like hell.”

“Come to the kitchen,” Winter told Sean, taking her arm until she was seated at the table.

She watched as Winter filled a sandwich bag with crushed ice. When he placed it against her numb lip, tears flooded her eyes-tears of anger, not pain.

She held the bag against her lip. “He is utterly and totally insane.”

“What's his military training?” Winter asked.

Sean looked baffled. “He was in marketing and public relations. He never said anything about being in the military.”

“He didn't learn those moves at an ad agency.”

“I think he ran track in high school,” she said.

“That would explain it.”

“Was that sarcasm, Deputy Massey?” she asked, trying to smile.

“Absolutely.”

Greg entered the room, pocketing his Palm organizer.

“The boat is here. I want you to walk Jet over to the dock.”

“Sure.”

“I've just reported what happened between you and Devlin. I'm not taking you out with us. You and Martinez'll stay here with Ms. Devlin. After what happened between you and him, I can't risk an incident in transit. You'll make Rush's birthday. Word of honor.”

“If I were you, I'd take him out of here in a straitjacket.”

“I only wish I could,” Greg said.

Sean could see from his expression he was telling the truth.