Page 142 of Broken Wheels

Dixon rumbled out a sigh. “Of course it is. God forbid we get a break, right?” he paused. “Okay, shoot.”

Josh ran through what Kathy had told them. When he finished, Dixon growled. “Just so we’re clear… putting a bullet in Spencer’s brain is a bad thing, right?”

“I wouldn’t say it was bad, but it doesn’t help clear me.” God, it was tempting, though.

“I saw Grady this morning, by the way. He looks like shit. And considering what you just told me, he asked an interesting question.”

“Oh?”

“He wanted to know if we’d heard anything on the grapevine about some threat.”

Josh stilled. “Now that is interesting. Has Grady heard something?”

“He told me his source at the news station called and asked about a threat, but Grady knew nothing about it. So he called Chalmers, who said he hadn’t been told anything either.” Dixon paused. “You wanna hear the best part? Apparently Spencer has called for a news conference tomorrow where he’s going to tell everyone about the attack he says is coming.”

“Tomorrow?” Panic bubbled up from someplace deep. Fuck.

“I’m sorry, but that makes no sense. Why would Spencer warn people before an attack? Surely his MO was to sweep in and save the day.”

Josh thought fast. “What about Chalmers? What’s he doing about this?”

Dixon let out another sigh. “He’s sitting by his boss’s bedside, waiting for him to wake up. He’s worn himself out, jumping at every little twitch of the man’s body.”

“Carson’s still out of it?” Josh groaned. “Damn it. His word would go a long way, but if he’s not awake yet….” It was time to do something. “Well, if I have to take one for the team?—”

“You shut it,” Dixon interjected. “You are not going down for this. In fact…. Hold on.” He fell silent, and Josh wondered what the hell he was doing. Then Dixon was back. “Doc, you still there?”

“Yeah.”

“I have Chalmers on the line. I gave him the down and dirty on what you told me.”

“Hey, Josh.” Chalmers’s voice was heavy with fatigue. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there, but?—”

“It’s fine,” Josh told him. “He’s your boss and your friend. That’s where you should be.”

“Friend. Sure. Anyway, I’m with Dixon on this. Shooting Spencer sounds like a really great idea.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “And again, much as I love that idea, it still doesn’t solve the long-term problem.”

“True, but it would make us all feel so much better.”

Despite his clenched stomach, Josh had to smile at that. “How’s Carson doing?”

Chalmers sighed. “Doctors say he should have woken up by now. They’re not sure what the problem is, but they’re doing all kinds of tests. Our bosses are demanding to know what the hell happened, but I can’t give them anything without solid proof. Right now, every single thing we have is hearsay and supposition.”

“So we’re fucked,” Dixon snapped. “Is that what you’re telling me?”

“I don’t know what the fuck I’m telling you!” Chalmers snarled. “It’s not like I can shake him and make him wake up.”

“Maybe if you shut the fuck up, I might be able to get some sleep,” an unknown voice cut in.

“Director Carson?” Chalmers gasped. “Oh my God, sir, you have no clue how happy I am to see you conscious. Let me call the doctors.”

“In a minute. I need answers first.”

Josh’s heart hammered. Maybe this was just the break they needed.

“My wife and kids,” Carson continued. “Tell me they’re okay.”

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