“Sheriff, do you mind?” She gestured toward the clinic, the urgency and need to discover the truth returning. “I have to find out if Opal is alive. I need to see her.”
Empathy darkened his gaze. “Not at all. I know where to find you if I need you.”
“Come, Haven, we have a job to do.”
As she approached the door, from inside the clinic lobby, the DEA agent called out, “Watch your step. The glass is tricky.”
Making a face at his retreating back, she called back, “I’m aware.”
No way would she admit that she’d been distracted by her annoyance and might have charged into the building with Haven at her side without considering the danger to her dog’s paws until it was too late.
She needed to do better. Be better.
Taking a breath to prepare, she picked Haven up and carried her across the broken glass. With each step, Maren tried to ignore the fact that the handsome and irritating agent had been looking out for her partner. She didn’t need him or any man looking out for her or Haven. They were doing just fine on their own.
Her heart thudded within her chest at the possibility of finding her presumed dead sister inside this clinic. If it even was Opal, was she okay?
* * *
Colt stepped inside the clinic that appeared empty. No one manned the reception desk, no patients sat in the waiting area. Most likely everyone had taken care and found safe places to lie low, fearing the gunman would come inside. Empathy spread through his chest. His gaze went to the back door of the clinic, which stood open. Had someone fled out the back? Had Opal?
Maren, carrying her Doberman, entered the lobby. He was impressed by her strength since he had no doubt that dog was heavy.
When it was safe, she set the dog down and they moved to stand beside him.
“Everyone must be hiding,” she said and turned to walk down the hallway leading to empty exam rooms and offices.
He had to admit to himself, as they fell into step, that he was intrigued by the K-9 officer and her connection to the suspect. Sisters. No, twins.
Why hadn’t he known there was a sibling? A twin, no less.
A twin who was a cop.
He’d been too focused on finding Shadow to do a deep dive on Opal, even when he’d arrested her for drug possession on numerous occasions.
He wouldn’t admit, however, that he’d been upset to see Maren in danger. Not her specifically, he told himself. Anyone in danger. It scratched at an old scar. Reminded him of the one life he hadn’t been able to save.
They found a group of staff and patients huddled behind an overturned round table in the break room.
“It’s safe,” he said, using a gentle tone. “The shooter is gone.”
Several pregnant women were helped to their feet by nurses and doctors.
“What happened?” A formidable woman strode forward.
“Dr. Newton,” Maren said. “We’re not sure why someone was shooting at the clinic.”
Colt gave the officer a sidelong glance. “Or who the intended target was. It could have been Opal, but she’d already entered the building by the time the shooting started.”
The displeased glare Maren shot at him made him press his lips together to keep from allowing a snarky remark to pass. Maren obviously didn’t want to think of herself as being the target. But what other explanation could there be for the shooting?
“Excuse me, Doctor, we’re looking for a woman who looks like her—” He pointed a thumb at Maren. “Do you know where she is?”
The doctor shook her head. “Fran?”
An older woman with trendy glasses and the sides of her dark, salted hair shaved, stepped forward and stared at Maren. “Weren’t you here earlier?”
“I was,” Maren confirmed.
