Page 70 of Crow's Haven
Relief surges through my mind, leaving me momentarily lightheaded. But before I can catch my breath, Smoke continues, his voice rough and worried.
“But it’s like we thought. The DOJ guys think the IV bags being contaminated wasn’t just a one-off incident. They think it was deliberate or criminal malfeasance involved. They’ve been tracking deaths across the region, same pattern. The thing that links them is that they were all administered a glucose infusion from Salinas Pharmaceuticals.”
Rigs lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Shit. They’re gonna hit both the hospital and Salinas Pharmaceuticals hard.”
Smoke nods. “Looks that way.”
I sink down into one of the battered leather chairs, dragging a hand through my hair. Ladybug, my brave, stubborn old lady, right in the middle of something this dark. The thought puts me even more on edge. A fierce protectiveness surges up inside me, making me want to go to her.
“So where is Sharon now?” I ask, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.
Smoke shifts uncomfortably. “They insisted on protective custody. She didn’t get much choice in the matter. The agent in charge said too many people have already died, and they weren’t willing to take any chances with the life of their only cooperating witness.”
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly tight. “Protective custody? You mean she’s in some safe house surrounded by feds?”
Smoke nods again, his eyes sympathetic. “Yeah. Said it’s protocol when a whistleblower brings down something this serious to their attention.”
A sharp pain twists through my gut, mixing with frustration and rage. My old lady shouldn’t be going through this alone. She’s strong as hell, maybe stronger than anyone I know. But that doesn’t make her invincible. She deserves to have a support person looking out for her. I should be by her side. She needs me. Hell, if I’m being honest, I need her. The uncertainty about where she is, if she’s safe, gnaws relentlessly at my insides.
“Is she in danger, Smoke?” I manage to choke out, hating the raw vulnerability in my voice when I most want to be strong.
Smoke meets my gaze steadily, honesty stark in his expression. “The DOJ seems to think so. This ain’t small-time shit, Crow. We’re talking millions in damages, maybe criminal charges for the people in charge of two large multimillion-dollar corporations. When powerful people are taken down, there’s always an element of danger. They don’t wanna take any chances.”
“Fuck,” Rider mutters, finally lifting his head. His eyes are filled with the same kind of worry grinding on me right now. “Sharon’s tough, but this is deep water.”
“I should’ve been there,” I spit out, rising abruptly and pacing. Right now, the restless energy inside me is nearly impossible to contain. “What the hell am I supposed to do, just sit here and wait?”
Tank clears his throat, catching my attention. “We don’t just wait, brother. We make sure we get her back. Whatever it takes.”
Siege, silent until now, finally speaks, his voice low and decisive. “Smoke, any idea how fast DOJ will move on this?”
Smoke rubs the back of his neck thoughtfully. “From what I gathered, they ain’t wasting any time. Heard from our contact they’re planning to hit Twin Rivers and the Salinas Pharmaceuticals truck retrieving the IV bags at the same time. Probably in the next twenty-four hours.”
Rigs straightens up, his eyes narrowing. “Makes sense. They won’t wanna give either side a chance to destroy evidence.”
“Exactly,” Smoke confirms. “As we know, there’s already a Salinas Pharmaceuticals truck in the region, stealthily trying to pick up all the contaminated bags. DOJ wants that truck. They wanna catch Twin Rivers red-handed. The faster they strike, the better their chance at airtight cases.”
I stop pacing and lean against Siege’s desk, gripping its edge. “And Sharon stays locked away until this is all over?”
Smoke sighs deeply, clearly sympathetic to my worries. “I’m afraid so, brother. Probably until they’re sure the threat is neutralized. They’ll do everything in their power to protect her because she’s their star witness.”
A heavy silence settles over our little group, everyone struggling to absorb the magnitude of the situation. My mind races with scenarios, none comforting. My woman locked up somewhere I can’t reach, surrounded by strangers. I trust her courage, trust her strength, but the ache in my chest isrelentless. I want her here, safe, where I can keep eyes on her myself.
Tank finally breaks the silence, voice steady. “So, what’s the play, Prez? Do we ride this out or get involved?”
Siege’s gaze flicks around the room before landing firmly on me. “Crow, she’s your old lady. Your call.”
Pressure settles heavily on my shoulders, but there’s only one answer I can give. “Sharon knows what she was getting into taking that info to the feds. I don’t wanna risk fucking up whatever the feds have planned. Much as I hate it, I say we sit this one out and let law enforcement do their thing. But if Sharon calls us and tells us she needs backup, we ride. I don’t care what badges or suits get in the way. I’ll claw my way through all of ‘em to get her if she tells me she’s in trouble.”
Rider nods firmly. “Good call, brother.”
Smoke straightens up from the wall he’s been leaning on, determination in his tired eyes. “That’s the smart play here. Meanwhile, I’ll keep tabs with our DOJ contact. If anything pops off, we’ll be the first to know.”
Siege stands, signaling the end of our little get-together. “Good. We stay alert. Stay ready. And keep Crow’s old lady safe, no matter what.”
We wrap up the meeting and file out of Siege’s office. I linger in our meeting room, staring out the window into the night. Ladybug’s brave as hell, out there alone, facing threats we don’t fully understand yet. My only true fear right now is something happening to her when she’s beyond my reach. I walk out and sit on the back patio, trying to get my head together.
***
