Page 217 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Four. Two boys and two girls.”

“How many grandchildren?”

Priscilla smiled. “Sixteen and one on the way.”

As the interview progressed, Addie was utterly amazed … floored. The last time she’d seen Priscilla, the poor woman was wearing a hospital gown, being spoon-fed applesauce. The Priscilla on the interview was nicely dressed, well spoken, completely lucid. She spoke of her career as a nurse, how much she missed her late husband, how she was looking forward to leaving the care center and going back to her home, where she planned to take up gardening. Addie looked down and realized she was still holding Maddox’s hand, squeezing it for all it was worth. “Sorry,” she stammered, releasing it. She looked at Piper. “H-how?”

Piper clicked the remote, turning off the TV. Her face had regained some of its color, her eyes shining with pride. “PZT.”

“Jordan gave this woman PZT?” Maddox asked.

“Yes,” Piper answered.

Disapproval sounded in Maddox’s voice. “But the drug hasn’t been submitted to the FDA, much less approved.”

Hamilton touched his glasses. “Hence the risk in showing you the video.”

Piper’s face glowed with an inner light. “Jordan knew what PZT could do. He knew the lives that could be changed by it. He felt like it was an atrocity to sit back and watch people waste away when the cure was right there.”

“So, he tested it on the patients at the care center,” Maddox inserted.

“Not all the patients,” Piper said, a touch of impatience in her voice. “Just those he felt would be good candidates.” Her voice grew tremulous. “I only wish he’d developed PZT in timeto save my mother.” Her eyes locked with Addie’s. “Or your grandmother.”

A rush of emotion rose in Addie’s chest. How many times had she prayed that Gram would be healed? To think that the cure was just around the corner. Sadly, not in time to help Gram. The irony carved through her like a scalding knife. Even though Gram’s life had been taken by cancer, it would have been miraculous if she could’ve known her family in the end. If she could’ve known how much she was loved.

Regret sounded in Piper’s voice. “To answer your question, I think Jordan asked you to forgive him because he wasn’t able to save your grandmother.”

Tears sprang to Addie’s eyes, and she was unable to stop them from spilling down her cheeks. Understanding flowed between her and Piper. Just like that, Addie realized what was driving Jordan—why he refused to wait until PZT could be put on the market. Even if one life could be saved, it was worth the risk.

“While I don’t agree with Jordan’s methods of trying to bypass the system,” Piper continued, “I also know the good PZT can do. That’s why I’m pushing so hard to get it on the market, so that it’ll be available to all people who suffer from this terrible disease.” She looked at Addie. “I’m just sorry that you got caught in the crossfire.”

Maddox let out a breath. “All right. That helps answer a lot of questions. We need to find what the key goes to, so we can put an end to this thing once and for all.” He held out his hand. “The key please.”

Addie realized then that she’d handed the key over to Piper for examination and hadn’t gotten it back.

“I’ll hold onto it for safe keeping,” he added.

For a second, Piper looked like she might argue but instead gave him a strained smile. “Of course.” She handed it over. Addiecould tell it was hard for Piper to trust Maddox, which was understandable considering they’d only just met.

“Maddox may look like your everyday piece of eye candy,” Addie joked, “but I can assure you, he’s very capable and can be trusted implicitly.”

Maddox jerked, a surprised smile creeping over his lips. “Wow, I don’t believe it. Addie Spencer just gave me a compliment.”

Addie laughed. “Don’t let it go to your head.” She saw the startled look on Hamilton’s face, which made the situation even funnier. His brows shot down like he was about to reprimand Addie for telling a joke. She had the ridiculous urge to burst out laughing. She looked sideways at Maddox. Amusement lit his eyes as they shared the moment.

Hamilton stood, offering a stiff bow. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting with the funeral director in an hour.” He looked at Addie and Maddox. “I trust you’ll be attending Jordan’s funeral next Wednesday?”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Addie said speaking for them both.

“Very well. Good day.” He turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

Addie felt sorry for him. He was so robotic and socially awkward.

Maddox brought his hands together, his tone becoming all business. “Okay, we need to find out what the key goes to.”

“I’ll get my computer,” Piper said, “and look up storage locations.”

His lips pressed together in a determined line. “All right. No time like the present.”

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