Page 48 of Lone Star Wanted
“I’m not going to press yet,” she said. “But it looks like we’ll need X-rays. Possibly fractured ribs.”
When Ginny nodded faintly, the nurse adjusted the gurney. “We’re taking her to imaging,” the nurse told Cassidy and Kincade. “You can follow, but I’ll need you to wait outside the room.”
Cassidy and Kincade followed silently as they moved through the corridor toward radiology. But once they reached the exam area, a tech stepped in and held up a hand, motioning for them to stay put. They did, and Cassidy watched Ginny disappear behind the double doors.
The moment they closed, Cassidy heard the approaching footsteps. Kincade and she turned just as Marlene entered the hallway. Her expression was tight, her eyes sweeping the area before landing on Cassidy and Kincade.
“What happened?” Marlene demanded. “How did you find her?”
Cassidy kept her tone calm and neutral, but it was hard to tamp down the storm of emotions brewing inside her. Emotions that included her uneasiness that Marlene might have had a part in this whole ordeal.
“We got a lead and followed it,” Cassidy replied.
“What lead?” Marlene snapped, but then she waved it off and looked toward the radiology doors. “Is she okay?”
“She’s banged up,” Kincade answered. “Hurt. But alive.”
Marlene exhaled and looked down, then quickly back up. She opened her mouth to say something, but Cassidy spoke first.
“Your mom told us that someone was sent to kill you,” Cassidy said, and then she studied Marlene’s reaction.
“What?” she blurted. Her brows shot up.
“She overheard the guy who was holding her,” Cassidy continued. “He said a team was on the way to eliminate you.”
Shock washed over Marlene’s face. Her eyes darted over her shoulder, scanning the hallway behind her like she half expected someone to step out of the shadows. Whether it was fear, guilt, or both… it was getting harder to tell.
The sound of more footsteps echoed down the corridor. Cassidy turned, alert, as a man in jeans, boots, and a tactical jacket approached with an easy stride and sharp eyes that missed nothing.
Kincade straightened slightly. “That’s Rafe Cross. Maverick Ops.”
Cassidy had heard the name. Marlene clearly had, too.
“Rafe,” she said, her tone drenched with nerves. She obviously wasn’t happy to see another Maverick Ops guy.
“Marlene,” Rafe replied with a small smile. “Good to see you in one piece.”
They exchanged a quick handshake, then Rafe shifted his attention back to Cassidy and Kincade. “Marlene and I worked together on a case a couple of years ago,” Rafe explained. “Parental abduction.”
Marlene didn’t respond. She was still eyeing Rafe and them as if trying to figure out what to do.
Rafe glanced at Cassidy, then Kincade. “Walk with me?” he asked, tipping his head to the other end of the hall.
Cassidy and Kincade followed, their footsteps quiet on the polished floor. Rafe stopped just shy of a bank of vending machines, far enough from Marlene that their conversation couldn’t be overheard, but close enough to keep the radiology doors in sight.
“Ruby and Jericho filled me in while I was en route,” Rafe explained in a low voice. “Sounds like you’ve had a hell of a day.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Kincade grumbled.
Rafe’s gaze flicked between them. “Here’s what I suggest. Let me handle Becker from here. I’ve worked with him before. Don’t exactly trust him, but I know how to keep him cooperative. He’ll play nice with me.”
Cassidy folded her arms, eyeing him. “You really think he’ll listen?”
“He will if I push the right buttons,” Rafe said. “But you two need to clear out. Ruby’s intel says Becker’s convinced you’re harboring Travis. He’s not looking to play nice.”
Kincade let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, I’d rather not end up waiting around the county office again.”
Rafe gave him a crooked grin. “Then now’s your chance. I’ll tell Becker you’ll come in first thing tomorrow and give your statements. I can keep the heat off you for tonight.”
