Page 110 of The SEAL and the Sheriff

“We’ll let you rest,” Sarah said.

Hudson opened the door, and Sarah stepped back into the corridor where Owen waited.

“He looks worse than I expected,” Owen said, peering through the window in the door.

Sarah kept her hand on the door handle for a moment. “I spoke to his doctor on the drive here. The cardiac event was significant.”

Owen’s attention shifted to Hudson. “I’ve got a name.”

Light reflected from the snow outside painted the linoleum between them. The corridor felt very quiet. Down the hall, an elevator opened and closed.

The creases around Hudson’s eyes deepened. “Go on.”

“Twelve hours ago, someone in Prisoner Operations flagged a request for Cord’s custody status and scheduled movement.” Owen lowered his voice. “Daniel Hale.”

Hudson swore under his breath.

Sarah looked between them. “I’m guessing I should know who that is?”

“Career CIA,” Hudson said. “Senior operations officer.”

A nurse passed by with a chart. Hudson waited until she’d rounded the corner. “Hale’s office supported weapons interdiction in the South China Sea. Adjacent to our operation.”

The connection landed for Sarah. “Cord’s operation?”

“Yeah.”

Sarah glanced through the narrow window in Cord’s door. The foot of his bed was visible. The IV pole. A sliver of Nora’s hand. “How did Hale know Cord was being moved?”

“It wasn’t common knowledge,” Hudson said. “The arrest is official, but I limited knowledge of his location and cooperation to the case team.”

“Because you thought the case was compromised.”

“I didn’t know.” His eyes met hers. “I wasn’t taking the chance.”

Sarah studied him. His stillness. Everything underneath moving fast. “And now Hale knows Cord is moving.”

Hudson nodded.

She pressed her fingers to her forehead for a moment. “Could Hale be the reason Cord ran?”

“Maybe,” Hudson said.

“That’s not much.”

Hudson pressed two fingers to his temple. “It’s more than we had yesterday.”

“Then we assume the transfer’s compromised.”

“Exactly,” Owen said.

Her stomach tightened. “Okay. What are the custody arrangements?”

“Us,” Owen said. “Hudson rides with Cord and Mercer. I’ll follow.”

Hudson with Cord. The back of her neck prickled. She ignored it. “Mercer?”

“Deputy U.S. Marshal. Anchorage office. He’s downstairs grabbing coffee.”