Page 75 of Shielding Instinct

“Yup, you went and involved me.”

“There’s no crime,” Petra pointed out. “There’s only a path I made up in my head.”

“Still. I’m going to share this with Frost and see if she wants us to look into the passport situation.”

“Sorry. Thank you.”

“No problem.” There was the slam of a door. “Avery’s back and waving for the phone. Any other theories you wanted to share?”

“Nope. That’s it. Could you just tell Avery about Jenny for me?” Petra asked.

“Will do. And Petra?”

“Yes.”

“You’re supposed to be on vacation, so maybe leave the badge in the room’s safe and have fun.”

Petra reached her hand into her pocket to finger the necklace. “That’s the dream.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Hawkeye

Hawkeye knew Petra was pushing through the hospital exit by the change in Cooper’s posture.

It was still hard to see her in her ripped sundress, looking like she’d escaped through a briar patch with a killer at her heels.

A square of white paper was in her hand, and he hoped it was a prescription. He’d already found a pharmacy on the way back to the hotel.

“Good?” he called out as the team opened a space in their circle for her.

“I was about to ask you the same.” Her face looked worried and exhausted. “Any word on Ash?”

“They’ve moved him to a room,” Hawkeye said, digging the vehicle fob from his pocket. “He’s going to see the respiratory therapist and should be released this evening.”

“That’s good news.” She looked back toward the hospital. “Between Terry and the others, you all hauled out of the ocean, it would be nice to have an update. I mean, I understand privacy and HIPAA. But it would be reassuring to know the prognosis or to have an opportunity to give a hug.”

“Maybe not the hug part,” Levi said, “but we’ll keep an eye on the newspaper to see if there are any reports.”

“There were so many emergencies today, though.” Halo shook his head. “They won’t all be reported on. Probably just the deaths.”

“Were there many deaths?” Petra asked, standing close enough to Hawkeye that he had to fight his instinct to put an arm around her.

“This affected the whole region. Sixteen confirmed deaths on St. Croix alone was the last count I heard,” Reaper said. “There are a lot of people still missing out on the water.”

Hawkeye caught Petra’s gaze. “Iniquus Command ordered Team Charlie to rest and recover. In the morning, we’ll check in with emergency services and see where we can lend a hand.”

“Joining the search?” Petra sent her gaze to the dogs.

Cooper came over and nudged his head under her hand. When he did, her body relaxed a bit.

“There was a second seismic event,” Reaper said. “The authorities are asking people to stay out of the water to give them an opportunity to assess. There are people on watercraft who haven’t checked in. The Coast Guard is trying to follow up on mayday calls. My understanding is that a bunch of boats capsized before the calls could go out.”

“Rescue has a few more hours of daylight,” Halo said.

“But they’re low in manpower,” Levi said.

“Are they bringing in support from the mainland?” Petra asked.

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