Page 236 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Uncertainty clouded over Maddox. He’d come here hoping to resolve this matter. Maybe Brent Barrett was guilty as sin, but there were still too many loose ends, such as the whereabouts ofBlanche Richey. Had Brent killed her too to silence her? Maybe Brent Barrett was a psychopath, so justified in his own reasoning that he came across as being truthful. At any rate, after the authorities and Sutton’s interrogators got through with Brent, the truth would come out.

Brent’s secretary stuck her head in the door. “Um, Mr. Barrett. I’m sorry to interrupt, but the police are here.”

Brent’s face drained. “Why?” Anxiety filled his eyes as he looked at Maddox. “W-what’s this all about?”

Maddox and Addie stood.

“I didn’t kill Jordan Phelps.” His lower lip went limp like spaghetti noodles as he looked at Addie. “I certainly didn’t hire anyone to kidnap you.” A crazed look came into his eyes. “You have to believe me. I’m innocent. Please.” He clutched the arms of his chair.

“Do you think he’s telling the truth?” Addie asked in a low tone, her eyes radiating concern.

“Yes! I’m telling the truth,” Brent cried.

“Tell it to the police,” Maddox said tonelessly, leading Addie out the office. “He’s all yours,” he said to the police officers waiting outside.

When they got back into the limousine, Addie turned to Maddox. “Do you think he’s guilty. He seemed so shocked by our accusations.”

Maddox wanted to be able to answer a resoundingyes, but he wasn’t sure. “The evidence certainly points to him. He had motive, opportunity.”

“Yes, it was convenient that he let Blanche go.”

“That she’s nowhere to be found.” Maddox made a mental note to ask Sutton have his guys try to locate Blanche. Her testimony could put closure to the whole situation, if she were still alive, that is. He offered a reassuring smile, but could tell it did little to ease Addie’s concern. “The good news is that it’sin the hands of the authorities now.” Maddox didn’t add that Sutton was working closely with them to uncover the truth. The idea of interrogation didn’t sit well with Addie. No sense adding fuel to that fire. Things were tense enough between them as it was.

She leaned back against her seat with a weary sigh. “Is it really over?”

“It would seem to be the case.”

She balled her fist. “I just wish we could’ve gotten Brent Barrett to admit to killing Jordan and stealing the hard drive. Or that we could’ve spoken to Blanche Richey.”

“Me too,” he agreed.

Addie’s phone rang. She pulled it from her purse. “It’s Corbin, probably wanting to know how it went. Hello?”

Maddox cringed at the stricken look on her face.

“What?” she gasped. “When? Okay, we’ll get there as soon as possible.” She ended the call. Her lower lip trembled, tears filling her eyes.

Maddox’s stomach twisted. “What’s wrong?”

“Delaney’s blood pressure spiked. She’s being rushed into emergency surgery. Corbin asked us to keep her and the baby in our prayers.” Her voice quivered. “Corbin didn’t sound good.” Tears spilled down Addie’s cheeks as Maddox gathered her into his arms. “If anything goes wrong…with Delaney or the baby…Corbin will be devastated.”

“Take us to the airfield,” Maddox instructed the limo driver. “Hurry!”

Chapter Seventeen

All sorts of horrible scenarios ran through Addie’s mind on the plane ride to San Diego. What if something bad happened to Delaney? Or the baby? Or both? By the time she and Maddox arrived at the hospital, she was a nervous wreck. Her body shook like Jell-O, her heart pounding out a ragged beat as she rushed into the family waiting area with Maddox by her side. It was empty except for Pops. He was sitting in a chair against the back wall with his hands clasped in his lap, head leaned back against the wall, and mouth open, snoring loudly.

Addie halted in her tracks, looking sideways at Maddox.

He shrugged, an amused smile tugging at his lips. “Everything must be going okay if he’s relaxed enough to sleep.”

“Pops can sleep anywhere,” she retorted, scrunching her hair.

She hurried across the room and sat down in the chair next to Pops, touching his arm. “Pops,” she said loudly, “wake up.”

He jerked, then snorted.

She shook his arm. “Hey, it’s me.” Her emotions bubbled to the surface, and she had to fight the tears pressed against her eyes.

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