Page 53 of Lone Star Wanted
Jericho gave a slight shrug. “Guard went for his weapon. Didn’t have time to say much.”
That clearly didn’t sit well with Vance. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as if he was holding back another outburst. The man looked like a pressure cooker ready to blow.
Then, every phone in the room buzzed at once.
Kincade felt the knot in his gut tighten. Six phones chiming at the same time never meant good news.
Kincade pulled his from his pocket. A text from Ruby. He glanced at Cassidy. She was staring at her screen too, her expression hardening.
“Dispatcher,” she muttered. “Something’s happened.”
Jericho was already reading his message, eyes scanning fast. Vance fumbled with his phone. Becker and Moran both cursed under their breath.
Kincade didn’t know what the hell was coming next, but whatever it was—it had just blown the lid off the conversation.
Cassidy made a sharp sound in her throat, something between a gasp and a curse.
Kincade’s gaze dropped back to his screen. The message from Ruby was brief. A local ranch had just reported two bodies found near their fence line. County deputies were already en route.
Then he saw the last line.
One of the bodies is believed to be fugitive Travis Prescott.
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Chapter Fourteen
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The words blurred on her phone screen. Cassidy’s brain registered them, but her heart refused to accept what she was seeing.
One of the bodies is believed to be fugitive Travis Prescott.
Her breath stalled in her throat, and her chest felt as if it had collapsed in on itself. A wave of nausea rolled through her, chased by a storm of panic. No. Not Travis. Not her brother.
She tried to hold it together, tried to shove the rising emotions down deep where they couldn’t choke her, but it was no use. The room tilted slightly, and her fingers gripped the edge of the table to steady herself.
Kincade was out of his chair in a second. He moved to her side and took her arm gently but firmly. His voice was low but packed with steel.
“This interview’s over,” he snapped to the two sheriffs. “We’ll reschedule.”
She heard Becker sputter something, Vance curse, Moran clear his throat like he was going to object, but Kincade didn’t wait for anyone’s permission. He guided her out of the room,his touch steady and grounding. Jericho fell into step with them, already on the phone, his tone clipped and urgent as he talked to Ruby.
Cassidy didn’t look back to ask him what info he was getting. She couldn’t. Not yet.
Not when the world had just cracked open beneath her feet.
Kincade opened the passenger door and helped her in. Cassidy dropped down on the seat, her whole body trembling from the shock.
Jericho appeared at their side. He was still on the phone, and while he continued his muttered conversation, Cassidy’s own phone buzzed. She looked down, her heart catching in her throat.
The message was from Travis.
It’s not me. I’m alive. No clue who the bodies are or why they think one is me. Don’t respond. Stay out of sight. I’ll be in touch. T.
A sob of pure relief slipped past her lips. Her eyes stung, but this time it wasn’t from grief or fear. It was something closer to gratitude. She sucked in a breath and blinked fast, her pulse slowing.
She held the phone out toward Kincade and Jericho. “It’s not him,” she said, her voice still raw.
