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“You think you’re something? FBI, all tall, strong, and noble. Well, you can die too, and that jerk you were with can die and that woman, well...no one is invulnerable!”
Mark exited the room, thanking the guard again.
He looked at Ragnar and Colleen, who had witnessed the whole thing.
“Well, I do believe he is The Embracer,” Mark said. “And that now he has at least one fan trying to follow in his footsteps.”
Colleen was silent.
“What do you think?” he asked her.
“I don’t know,” she said. “He was certainly angry enough when we suggested he wasn’t The Embracer, but I don’t know... I guess I veer toward him being the killer. The original killer, at any rate.”
“Maybe Sally and Dierdre can tell us something,” Mark said grimly. “We can hope.”
“Maybe,” Ragnar agreed. “I’ve spoken to Jackson; he said we’re clear to go in now. He stopped by and spoke with the doctors. It’s fine if we question them, just so long as we are gentle and quick.”
“Let’s do it,” Mark said.
As they thanked the guard again and turned to leave, Red—who usually stayed right at Mark’s heels—pulled back. He looked at the door to the interrogation room and growled.
“Red,” Mark said softly.
The dog let out one more growl, a sound that was something like a dog’s way of voicing disgust, and then followed Mark obediently.
They retrieved their weapons and signed out.
“Meet you at the hospital,” Ragnar said, waving as they headed to the parking lot.
“See you there,” Mark agreed.
Colleen and Red followed silently as they walked to his car. Red hopped into the back. Colleen slid into the passenger’s seat. There was a strange look on her face.
“What?” he asked.
“Thank you.”
“For?”
She glanced at him. Her expression was rueful.
“Telling him I could kick his ass.”
Mark grinned. “You probably could.” He sobered. “He did say one thing that was true. A bullet can bring down a dog, a woman, or a man. We’re all vulnerable.”
She was quiet just a second. “Trust me to have your back,” she said softly. “I may be new, but I can still have your back.”
He nodded. “Right. I believe you.”
“More,” she said. “Don’t just believe me. Trust me.”
He smiled. “Yeah. Yeah, I believe you and trust you. So, we’re solid. And we have Red.”
“I’ll have his back too,” she promised solemnly.
Red barked as if he understood every word.
They’d reached the hospital. As they exited the car, Mark was surprised to realize he’d told her the truth.
She was new, she was raw.
And they’d only worked together for a night and a morning.
But he found himself thinking she was the real deal. And he had to admit, her talent was an exceptional one. He also had to admit he was glad she was working with them.
“Let’s see what else we can find out,” he said, and they walked toward the lobby.
