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Grumbling, the driver sat forward and drove away. For the first half mile, Rye watched out the rear window, but didn’t detect a tail.
“Are we being followed?”
“I don’t think so. But I could be wrong.”
Brynn pushed back her hood. Passing headlights gave him fleeting glimpses of her face. He couldn’t tell if the watery streaks on her cheeks were tears, rainwater, or reflections of trickles on the windows. Regardless, her expression was telling. She was devastated.
“They knew all along that I would attempt to steal the drug for Violet,” she said. “As proved by the timing of that grotesque display. They staged it while we were making the drive back from Howardville.”
“Even before you ran out on Lambert, the Hunts had hedged their bet by getting Violet out of reach.”
“Worse, they made sure I can’t get to her. Her homecoming will be televised. Which means more media in Tennessee. Lig
hts, cameras.” She placed her fingers against her temples and pressed hard. “I was mentally prepared to cross the line of ethics. I knew the risks and was willing to take them. But I would rather not have a spotlight on me when I did.”
“You could call Mr. and Mrs. Griffin.” Brynn had never revealed to him Violet’s surname, but there was no need for confidentiality any longer. Following the news story, everybody knew their name. The Hunts had made sure of it.
“Call, tell them that you have the GX-42,” he said. “If you got up there before eight p.m. tomorrow, they would send Elsa packing and let you carry on.”
“Would they, Rye? Now? With the spotlight shone on them? I’m not so sure. The risks would be greater for them, too.”
“What if it was your kid?”
She gave a rueful smile over his repetition of her question. “I would send Elsa packing.”
“I’m betting they would, too.”
“But even if they did, there’s a medical team on high alert. With Violet’s welfare being the senator’s ‘top priority,’ she will be closely monitored.” Looking defeated, she said, “The Hunts covered all the bases.”
“Do you think Lambert was behind it?”
She considered it, then shook her head. “If Nate had known about the televised spectacle they had planned, he would have been at the center of it. More than likely he’s irked over being excluded.” She lapsed into thought, then said, “This has her stamp on it.”
“The wife with shoes to die for?”
“She’s the senator’s mama bear. She’s also an excellent promoter. A winner.” She laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. “They fought dirty, but they won. As a physician, I can’t let this dose go to waste. I’ll deliver them the vial tonight. Humble myself and admit to a temporary loss of reason. Something. I’ll make nice. Uphold my Hippocratic oath. My conscience will be clear, and I’ll no longer be looking over my shoulder for Goliad and Timmy.”
“They’re not the only ones on your tail.”
His tone brought her eyes open. She gave him her full attention.
“I had a call from Dash.”
He related the conversation. Even knowing that her brain was sluggish with exhaustion and desolation, he didn’t spare her the details. She needed to be made aware of everything she was up against.
“He didn’t elaborate on Brady’s condition?”
“‘Heart’s gone wonky.’ That’s all Wilson could tell him.” He paused. “Did you hear the rest of it, Brynn?”
“Goliad and Timmy. Wilson and Rawlins. All after little ol’ me. I never wanted to be this popular.”
“The deputies are on the wrong track, but at least they’re doing their job. Everybody else is after the drug.” He resettled, turning toward her slightly. “Can I toss out one thought?”
“Will it be helpful?”
“It might crystalize your thinking.”
“Then, please.”
