AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And yet a sniper put a bullet in Bart,” Ross said through a clenched jaw. “In the middle of Haleswood.”
There was obviously much more going on and Carson’s mind darted back to the report he’d have to file as the first responder to the incident in her office. “So today’s shooterwasafter Bartholomew?”
“Doubtful,” Ross said. “If Bart was the real target, they could’ve taken him out in any number of places on the drive from Columbia to Haleswood.”
“Unless he wanted me to watch Bart die,” Eva murmured.
“No one knew you were here,” Ross disagreed. “Until now.”
Carson thought about it, trying to make the pieces he did have fit into some logical order but there were too many blanks. “How does today’s attempt support your previous intel that Eva was a target?”
“Yeah,” Eva turned on Ross. “Where isthatinformation?”
“You’ll get it. One of my contacts picked up chatter about a bounty for any information on the whereabouts of the American queen.”
“That’s all? Come on, even for Mr. Overprotective, that’s thin. ‘American queen’ could refer to anyone.” She threw her hands into the air. “We both know how teams use odd nicknames for their analysts.”
Carson didn’t believe her team had called her queen out of a warped sense of humor. Didn’t she realize her tendency to rule any room or situation with either a friendly or intimidating approach?
“Not so thin when we verified the bounty is offered by Bakr Morcos.”
Carson watched the color drain from Eva’s face. She froze, like someone had hit pause on a movie. If the mere mention of the man’s name did this, he knew there was more she wasn’t sharing. She just wasn’t that fragile.
Again, he felt the urge to shelter her, to hold her. If nothing else, a touch might jolt her out of the shock gripping her.
He couldn’t watch her suffer. He cleared his throat. “What do you need from me?”
Eva and Ross exchanged a long look full of meaning. Whatever discussion happened in the silence, she lost and her gaze fell to her clasped hands.
“Bart received an email a few hours ago. Eva will show it to you once you’re in a secure place. When you add that email to the previous chatter and today’s sniper attack I think it’s safe to say Morcos is out for Eva.”
“If I’m the target he must be new to wet work. I was in that window long enough for an experienced shooter to take my head off.”
Carson’s stomach rolled sickly at the thought.
“Regardless, the authorities want to contain Bakr and they know Eva is both the best possible bait and the person most likely to find him.”
They could start throwing out good news anytime now. “You think he’s here in town?”
“No, not personally.”
“Not yet,” Eva said it like a vow. “He likes to keep his hands clean,” she added, still studying her own. “They think he’ll make an exception for me.”
“Morris, you’ll be her personal security detail. I want her to sit tight, right here in Haleswood. Her singular task is to find Morcos before he takes her out. Do whatever you have to do to help her and keep her out of harm’s way.”
“It’s better if I leave town.” She smiled up at him with such an artificial sweetness, his teeth ached. “You can help me move someplace cool… like Florence.”
“No.” Sheriff Cochran shook his head. “Ross is right. You’ll stay in town.” He looked to Ross. “Deputy Morris is more than capable of protective detail, as you well know, but he’s entitled to support and back up from people he trusts.”
“But the sniper could—”
“Take out innocent citizens anywhere,” the sheriff finished for her. “Just because you wouldn’t know them personally in Florence or anywhere else, doesn’t mean their families wouldn’t suffer the loss.”
The admonishment set Eva’s cheeks aflame. “Of course, I didn’t mean to imply…”
“I know darlin’,” Sheriff Cochran said with his kind, fatherly voice.
Carson knew from experience it didn’t mean the man was done with his lecture or easing up on his position.
