Page 172 of It Runs in the Family

I didn’t have to wait for the single stall bathroom to be available, but when I opened the door to leave, a man in jeans and a T-shirt was waiting in the hall. He was leaning against the wall like he was waiting to use the restroom, but when he saw me, he stood upright.

“Iris Gardner?”

I froze, ready to scream for Garrett if necessary.

The man, who looked like he was in his late thirties or early forties, pulled out his wallet and flipped it open, showing me a badge and an ID with the letters DEA across the top and the name Eric Crawford and a badge number printed underneath.

My heart leaped into my throat. How had he tracked me here? “I already gave statements to the Dalton Sheriff’s Department and a Texas Ranger.”

He flipped his wallet closed and stuffed it back into his pocket. “So I heard. I also heard you let Rollins believe Callahan didn’t tell you he was a Ranger.”

Was he trying to trip me up?

“Agent Crawford,” I said with an exaggerated sigh. “If you’re wantin’ to ask me questions about Boone, then you’ll need to set up an interview. I’m not doing this in the hall.”

“I don’t need an interview,” he said, then glanced back into the dining room to make sure no one was watching before he leaned closer and lowered his voice. “It’s a good thing you didn’t tell them. He’s already in enough trouble.”

“Why’s he in trouble? What did he do?”

“He didn’t follow procedure. He turned rogue. But he’s doin’ important work, so thank you for not tellin’ them everything.”

Was this guy Boone’s DEA contact? Or was he trying to entrap me? “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. I told them what I know.”

He nodded. “Good. Perfect. Keep tellin’ them that.”

“So you’re tellin’ me Boone’s a good guy?” I asked, wondering if my question would come back to bite me.

A tight grin stretched his lips. “He is. But he’s workin’ outside the rules.”

So maybe he hadn’t tricked me after all.

“You still need to watch your back, Iris,” he said quietly. “I think you’re off the hook with the Dalton Sheriff’s Department, but Rollins doesn’t fully believe you.”

My breath caught. “Will he try to question me again?”

“Maybe, but he’s not after you. It’s Boone he wants.”

I wasn’t sure what to do with that. Especially since I was quite sure I’d never see Boone again.

“But you also need to watch your back in Mesquite County,” he said.

I frowned. “You mean with Cal Pruett? I know he’s up to no good. He was supposed to file my kidnapping report for his brother, but he said he forgot.”

“He’s dirty.” He frowned. “And he’s not the only one. There are others outside of the sheriff’s department who aren’t happy you were part of the bust.”

My heart began to race. “Are they comin’ after me?”

“No. I think you’re safe, especially if you lie low and let things die down. But if you start to feel otherwise, give me a call.” He slipped a card from out of his pocket and held it out to me. “But Iris, you can’t tell your cousin.”

“Garrett?”

An apologetic look filled his eyes. “Yeah. He might tell the wrong person, which could be catastrophic for you.”

“He won’t tell anyone.”

He gave me a sad smile. “You can’t risk it.” He held the card out again. “Take it.”

I took it, feeling like a traitor. Taking it felt like I’d agreed to keep this from Garrett. But I hadn’t promised. I could tell him if I wanted.