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“Thank you,” Hanna finally said.
That caused Melissa to beam. She muttered something about reading some books to Evan before she carried the baby into the adjacent living room where there was a basket filled with books.
“Grayson’s been sending me updates,” Jesse said, shifting his attention to Noah. “But is there anything new on Marlene?”
Noah shook his head. “Still no signs of her, but we know it was her blood that they found in her house. Not a large amount,” he added and, considering he glanced at Hanna when he said that, it was likely meant for her benefit. Maybe to try to reassure her that the woman was still alive.
And perhaps she was. Bull could have plans to try to use her as a bargaining tool, and he wouldn’t be able to bargain with a dead woman.
“Grayson has the Texas Rangers looking for Marlene,” Noah went on. “SAPD, too. Sooner or later, she’ll surface.”
Hanna hoped that wasn’t wishful thinking. They needed to find Marlene because then they’d almost certainly find Bull. Added to that, Marlene could be hurt and terrified, so finding her was critical.
Her heart rate kicked up when she heard a vehicle come to a stop in front of the house. The sound came just as Jesse received another text.
“It’s Mason,” Jesse announced. His uncle and a reserve Silver Creek deputy. “Grayson’s tied up with an interview, so he had Mason bring over Agent Shaw.”
“We should be heading out,” Noah explained as they made their way to the door with Jesse following right behind them. Boone and he said their goodbyes, Boone stopping to give both his wife and Evan a kiss before leaving.
Hanna heard murmurs of the brief conversation on the porch and, several seconds later, Mason walked in. Even though he spent most of his time running the family ranch, he was still a police officer, and he made one of those sweeping cop glances around the living room and kitchen.
Mason definitely had the tall, dark and hot Ryland looks, but those features were harder on his face, and even though she’d run into him more than a half dozen times, she’d yet to see him smile. He reminded her of one of those Old West cowboys who was always braced and ready for a gunfight. One that he would win hands down. All the Ryland lawmen looked formidable, but Mason topped the heap when it came to that particular trait.
“Agent Ryan Shaw,” Mason said, hitching his thumb to the blond-haired man who stepped in behind him. He was a good six inches shorter than Mason and had a stocky build.
“Evan and I can finish our reading in the nursery,” Melissa commented, and she thankfully got the baby out of the room.
Jesse shut the front door, locked it and reengaged the security system.
This wasn’t a social visit, but Hanna was still about to offer coffee. However, Agent Shaw spoke before she could say anything.
“It wasn’t a good idea to delay this visit,” Shaw snarled.
Mason’s reaction was subtle. A slight lift of his gunmetal eyes to the ceiling. A barely audible huff.
“The agent thinks we should have broken protocol by bringing him to an active crime scene before we could even verify his credentials,” Mason responded. He snarled, too, and it was a lot better than Shaw’s. “They’ve been verified.” He glanced back at the agent. “I suggest you stop whining and use your time to inform Deputy Ryland and Miss Kendrick why it was all so hell-fired important that you come here.”
That caused the agent’s jaw to tighten, and it tightened even more when Mason tapped his watch. Obviously, Jesse’s uncle had made it clear to Agent Shaw not to waste their time.
“Like I told you on the phone last night,” Shaw said, “we have to talk.”
“You said a lot of things last night,” Jesse countered. “Paraphrasing here, but you insisted Bull didn’t set the fire and there was big trouble. You also mentioned someone wanted me dead, but you refused to tell me who or why.”
That didn’t ease the clamped muscles in Shaw’s face. “Because it was something I needed to tell you in person.”
“So you said.” Jesse’s tone was as iron-hard as Mason’s glare. “Well, you’re here, so tell me.”
Shaw certainly didn’t jump right in with an explanation. Instead, he slid a glance at Mason. “I need to divulge this info to as few people as possible.”
Mason gave him a flat look. “If you think that’ll get me to leave, think again. I’m a cop, and that’s my nephew and the mother of my great-nephew. I’m staying put unless Jesse or Hanna want me to go.”
“Stay,” Jesse insisted, and there was plenty of impatience in his expression when he turned back to Shaw. “Are you here to tell me you’re trying to work out a deal with Bull?”
Shaw dragged in a long, slow breath. “No, I’m here to tell you something that stays in this room. Bull is a deep cover ATF agent who infiltrated the militia three years ago in order to find its leader and suppliers.”
Hanna shook her head and mentally repeated each word. “An ATF agent tried to murder me?” she snapped.
“No,” Agent Shaw quickly answered. “Bull wasn’t the one who shot you. Arnie did, and Bull shot and killed him before he could fire a second shot that would have almost certainly left you dead.”
