Page 51 of The Prey
The other man’s expression tightened.
Yes. He knew exactly who was screwing with him now.
Jason had one chance. He had to get out of there. Fast.
42
Gia spenta third of the break speaking with a clerk on the second floor. On her way back downstairs, she thought about how far she’d come. A month ago, she never would have imagined being in the courthouse with Jason Clarke and not being terrified out of her mind.
But now…she was handling herself just fine.
And she had an evening to plan. She wantedromantic.She wanted to celebrate.
She just had to figure out how to make it happen. She could text Hala, see if she’d keep Ryan for Hudson all night. Maybe she’d order dinner for them both from the diner. Then…she was getting him out of that blue suit and they were going to celebrate.
Her freedom from what Jason had tried to do to her was a good start. But mostly…they were going to celebrate each other.
She was humming when she stepped through the entryway from the stairway that led to the second floor. And slammed right into a man’s chest.
She looked up.
Into angry blue eyes. And into a face that had snuck into her nightmares far too many times for her to count.
43
Commander Rodriguez had questions.Hudson wasn’t certain he had the answers. All he knew was that there had been rumors that someone was making a deal with an attorney in Barratt County to cause a little trouble. That trouble had specifically mentionedMolotov cocktail.The Finley Creek forensics lab was still running the evidence from the fire at his home. Hudson suspected they’d tie that evidence to thegossipeventually. It was just a matter of time.
Charlie Fields was taking the arsonpersonally.He’d made that very clear—he’d known Gia her entire life. He wasn’t taking threats to Gia’s family in any way lightly.
“Why would this guy have it out for you? Case gone wrong?” Commander Rodriguez, head of the homicide division for the Finley Creek TSP, asked. “And supposedly the attorney is Barratt County. That is a limited list.”
Only one name truly came to mind. “Jason Clarke. He worked for my office three years ago. He has a history with Gia. He’s recently returned to the area and is working part-time for Walters. We’ve already had words this morning. He apparently has a problem with the personal relationship I have with Gia.”
Hudson looked for the man in question. He didn’t see him in the lobby—just Walters, with a pissed off expression on his face. It took a lot to get Walters angry. Hudson suspected Clarke had been managing that little trick just fine.
“In your opinion, is Clarke capable of hiring someone to do this?”
“In a heartbeat. He’s already targeted Gia verbally today. I wouldn’t put this past him at all.”
“If it lines up, we’ll be in touch. In the meantime, watch yourself. And watch your girl,” the commander said. Hudson had met with him a few times before, on previous cases. He greatly respected the man. Rodriguez did his job. “Don’t take any chances.”
“We won’t. I’m taking her home with me tonight. We won’t be leaving until tomorrow morning, when she will be back at her family’s home.”
“In my opinion—until we get this guy, take her back to the ranch as soon as you leave here. Her brothers will see that she’s safe,” Charlie Fields said. “Hell, my own brother will probably be there, too. Don’t take chances. It’s not worth the risk.”
Hudson thought about his words as the two men left. Don’t take chances.
Well, she should be back by now.
Something didn’t feel right.
It was time to go find his woman.
44
His arm wasaround her neck, his hand pushing on her injured shoulder. Somehow, before she could twist away, he pulled her through the door to the back hallway. The Barratt County courthouse was a labyrinth of twisted hallways and narrow nooks and crannies. She loved this courthouse—it was full of history and character and was the centerpiece of Value itself.
But there were also plenty of places someone could hide.
