Thompson’s reply was terse. “Ten-four.”
Setting her phone and the radio beside her on the bench seat, she tucked her chin to her chest in a vain attempt to ease the tension gathered there. It was no use. The knots forming in her shoulders only seemed to solidify the more she rolled them.
“Ma’am?”
Cassidy turned to see a fresh-faced young trooper in uniform hovering inside the cordoned area. He wore his hat pulled down to shade his eyes. Lifting a cardboard carryout container high with one hand, he took a step closer as she whirled back around.
“Captain Donovan told me to bring these to you,” he said, holding a bulging plastic bag dangling from his fingers aloft.
But she lost what he said as she circled away from him. “What?”
The minute she came back around, the trooper called out, “He said you needed food and water on hand.”
Cassidy stared at the younger man as she glided past. Jake sent someone to check on her in the middle of all this? The ride was moving slowly, but it was still enough to push her hair into her face. She brushed it away as she circled back to the officer.
“I, uh…” she stammered. “I don’t think I can eat,” she confessed. “I’m…” She made a vague circling gesture. “Yeah, probably not a good idea.”
“Manny at the corn dog stand said to tell you you’re better off with something in your stomach.” He took a tentative step closer, then slid the container onto the nonslip metal platform between the benches with the impeccable timing of a sharpshooter. “There’s some pretzel bites in here. You probably need the salt, too, ma’am.”
“Trooper, you’re sounding as bossy as Manny,” she warned as she whirled away.
The next time she came around, he slung the bag into the same opening. “Here’s the water, ma’am.”
Plastic bottles wet with condensation spilled from the sack. When one attempted to roll away, Cassidy lunged, blocking the wayward bottle’s escape with her foot. “Thanks. What’s the situation at the north gate?”
The young trooper’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t have enough time to get a good read on his expression before she spun away again. “I’m not sure, ma’am. I’ve been assigned to stay near you.”
“By your pal Donovan,” she said as she came around to the front again.
“Captain Donovan. Yes, ma’am.” He touched the brim of his hat like a cowboy in an old Western, then hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll be within shouting distance if you need anything.”
“I need information,” she retorted. Leaning down to collect the water bottle, Cassidy used the cool moisture to slick her hair from her overheated face. He took a step back, preparing for retreat. “Hey, what’s your name?”
“Rhodes, ma’am.”
“No word of anyone hurt, Trooper Rhodes?”
“All I know is the area seemed to be clear, ma’am. The device was outside the gate.”
“Damage?” she prompted.
“I can’t say, but I heard the ticket booth is a goner.”
She nodded as she cracked the seal on the bottle. She toasted him with her water. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
Cassidy took another sip of water, snatched up the food container, and turned resolutely back toward the center of the carousel. Manny wasn’t wrong. She’d either feel better with something in her stomach or have something to toss up if she didn’t. Either would be better than simply trying to tough this out. Besides, it sounded like they should plan for a long day and evening.
“God willing.”
She opened the box and the scent of fresh bread wafted up from the container, setting her salivary glands into overdrive. Her stomach gave an ominous gurgle, but she soldiered on. The pretzel bite was still warm and pillowy. The tang of salt on her tongue made her hum in appreciation.
“Good call, Manny,” she mumbled as she chewed a second nugget.
On the next rotation, she spotted Thompson speaking to the food vendor himself, both men staring worriedly at the carousel, their legs spread wide and arms crossed over their chests.
She picked up her radio. “I can see you, you know,” she said through a mouthful of dough. “Get Manny out of here.”
