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From the grim looks on his fellow rangers' faces, they agreed with his assessment.
“I’ve read the reports, Ryker.” His boss met his gaze. “No one—including you—did an insufficient job. However—” She gestured to the images. “We also can’t ignore the evidence staring straight at us. The resemblance between Hannah’s attacker and the composite sketch is obvious. It would be foolish to ignore the possibility that Cash murdered Julie.”
“If that’s true, why go after Hannah?” Eli asked.
“The killer left a note stating he wants acknowledgement for the murder.” The lieutenant shrugged. “Hubris. Attention. A murderer’s mind can be a confusing thing. We don’t always understand why someone acts the way they do.”
Texas Ranger Weston Donovan crossed his arms over his broad chest. The man was built like a tank. A former football star turned lawman, he’d lost none of his physical strength since retiring from the game. A wedding ring encased the third finger on his left hand. Weston was married to a university police chief. The couple were expecting their first child later in the year.
“I’m not buying it.” Weston frowned. He’d assisted Ryker on the Anderson murder investigation and knew it well. “It seems very convenient that a killer shows up one week before Thomas’s trial and leaves a note claiming responsibility for Julie’s murder. How can we be sure Cash and Thomas didn’t know each other before any of this went down?”
“We don’t.” Lieutenant Rodriguez planted her hands on her hips. “Which is why we need to pursue every option and investigate every lead.”
Hannah closed her eyes and sagged against her chair. She lifted a hand to her forehead and rubbed it as if a headache was gathering. “We don’t have much time. Thomas’s trial starts in a week. I could drop the charges against him and then file them again at a later date…” She lowered her hand. “But I doubt my boss will allow that. Given the media's attention, it’s politically unwise for him to pursue this case a second time.”
Frustration tangled inside Ryker. He understood the delicate position Hannah was in. Justice should be a straightforward matter, but often, politics and individual agendas got in the way. “What do you want to do?”
“I want the truth. The evidence against Thomas is strong, but that doesn’t change the fact that the defense will use that man”—she gestured to the image of Cash on the wall—“against me in court. His attacks on me, along with the note, constitute reasonable doubt.”
Ryker wanted to argue with her but couldn’t. She was right. Doubt crept into the hard convictions he held about Thomas’s guilt, leaving his stomach churning. Had he missed something during the investigation? Had he accused the wrong man?
Charlotte fussed, and Hannah pushed away from the table. She started pacing. “We need to talk to Julie’s friends and family. Her neighbors. No one recognized the artist rendering, but the image from the surveillance video is better. Especially with that scar on his neck. Someone may remember Cash and connect him to Julie.”
Lieutenant Rodriguez nodded. “Agreed. Meanwhile, the rest of us will put our efforts toward uncovering Cash’s real identity as well as locating him. Something may shake loose there.”
There were a few more questions and assignments doled out. Then the meeting broke up. Ryker waited until he and Hannah were the only ones left in the room. She reached into the diaper bag for a blanket but couldn’t pull it out with Charlotte sleeping on her shoulder.
Ryker retrieved the knitted fabric for her. “We need to talk about Charlotte. Whoever is behind this—whether Cash is acting on his own or he’s been hired by Thomas—won’t stop. He’s also not interested in hurting the baby.”
Hannah sighed. “I know.” Tears filmed her eyes. “The safest place for her is somewhere far away from me, but I don’t have anyone who can watch her.”
Ryker’s heart broke for her. It was clear she didn’t want to be separated from the baby, but they couldn’t continue on this way. He’d been forming a plan since before the bombing and now it was time to implement it. “I have a solution that could work.”
TEN
“For the hundredth time, I’m fine, Pam.” Hannah shook a rattle to amuse Charlotte, who was strapped in her car seat. They were tucked in the back of Ryker’s SUV. Beyond the tinted windows, dusk was just beginning to darken the sky into a rich riot of colors.
Hannah breathed out. She needed to relax, otherwise the tension would bleed into her voice and her friend would worry. The doctors had convinced Pam to stay overnight in the hospital after all. “Charlotte and I are staying with Ryker’s family for the time being. We’ll be safe there.”
Pam’s sigh of relief was audible over the phone. “Thank goodness. His dad retired from the Marines. Did you know that?”
“He told me. The ranch also has a security system. Plus Ryker called his cousin to help guard the property. Nathan was a Green Beret and his wife, Hayley, works for the Knoxville Police Department. Before that, she was a military police officer.” Hannah met Ryker’s gaze in the rearview mirror. Her cheeks heated when he winked. “The ranch will be thoroughly fortified.”
“It sounds like Ryker has thought of everything. Not that I’m surprised, mind you. He’s always been smart. And his parents are lovely people. They’ll take good care of you and Charlotte.”
Hannah didn’t feel entirely comfortable staying with Ryker’s family. It blurred the lines of their relationship even more, and with her growing attraction, that didn’t seem wise. But her options were limited. The priority was Charlotte’s safety. This was the best solution.
She met Ryker’s gaze briefly as he glanced in the rearview mirror. Hannah had the sense he’d picked up on the mix of emotions swirling through her. It only deepened her confusion. They’d worked together for months, yet there’d always been a distinct boundary to their relationship. Spending the entire day together—along with the courthouse attack—had shifted something in their relationship. Suddenly, it was like they were in tune to each other in a way that was unique and disconcerting.
Hannah put her focus back on the conversation with her paralegal. “Enough about me. How are you feeling?”
“Oh, I’m fine. I tried to convince the doctors to send me home, but they insisted I stay, and my daughter was so upset I didn’t want to make things worse. Something about a concussion at my age. Old. That’s what they called me.”
Hannah’s lips lifted at the indignation in Pam’s voice. “I seriously doubt the doctor called you old.”
“Well, he didn’t use that word specifically, but that’s what he was getting at. Meanwhile, he didn’t look a day over twelve. I’m not even sure he graduated from a real medical school.” She huffed. “I’ll be back in the office tomorrow morning. That much I can promise.”
“Don’t you dare show your face tomorrow. If I see you, I’ll have the deputies drag you right back out.”
