Page 23 of Rogue Survivor
This floor is almost empty compared to the critical care unit, and in under ten minutes, she’s secure in a private room with a keypad on the door and an empty bed for Isabel. Only the nurses’ station, Isabel, and I know the code.
“I should call Leah,” she says. “The police haven’t told her anything—”
Guiding her over to the second bed, I pull back the blanket. “You can’t, darlin’. If this Reggie dickwad finds out Veronica talked, he won’t have any reason to keep Mitzi alive.”
“Oh, God. No.” Isabel fists my shirt with both hands. “Connor, Mitzi and Veronica are like sisters, and Leah’s one of my only close friends. I can’t keep this from her.”
“You can.” Holding her gaze, I lower my voice. “I’ll take care of this, darlin’. Legally, the FBI doesn’t have jurisdiction unless we know Mitzi’s been taken across state lines, but the Ranger Division can investigate without involving Austin PD. In an hour, I’ll have two Rangers outside this door and send someone I trust to take Leah into protective custody. By tomorrow, we’ll have a safe house set up for y’all.”
“A safe house?” Isabel sinks down onto the bed, her shoulders slumping and defeat swimming in her eyes. “We have to go home.” She doesn’t make a move to lie down, so I slide an arm under her knees and ease her legs up so I can remove her shoes.
“Home isn’t a good idea right now.” Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I wait for her to curl onto her side. “Get some sleep. I’ll be sittin’ in that corner all night. When you wake up in the morning, we’ll have a plan.”
She’s asleep before I can tuck the blanket around her, and I lean down to brush my lips to her forehead. Time to get to work. That chair ain’t gonna do me any favors, but I can’t sleep until I know Isabel and Veronica are protected.
Chapter Nine
Connor
I don’t knowwhat possessed me to grab my Bluetooth earbuds when I left my apartment, but I offer up a quick thanks to the Universe for the assist. I don’t want to wake Isabel or Veronica, but I need to call Brent and my contact with the Texas Ranger Division—AJ Stone.
After flashing my ID around all over Hell’s half acre, Brent has to be first.
“Connor? It’s after ten. What are you doin’ callin’ me this late?” His voice is raspy and thick, and I cringe when I realize I woke him up.
“Are you eighty? Don’t tell me. You love those early bird specials and senior discounts.”
“Fuck you. What’s so important?” He’s all business now, and a door closes in the background.
“You might get a call about me. Had to pull rank with Austin Mercy Hospital’s staff to stop them from calling the police after an assault and attempted murder of one of their patients.”
“Are you out of your damn mind?Attempted murder?”
Shit.Think before you speak next time, idjit.
I know that tone. He’s pissed as hell, and if I’m not careful, I’ll be the one behind bars. By the time I finish explaining the situation, he’s calmer, but I need his word he’ll let me handle this.
“Brent, I got two options. I can call my contact in the Ranger Division, but I’d feel a hell of a lot better if the Bureau could take this case.”
Silence. This ain’t good. Neither is the sigh that carries over the line. “Unless you know the missing girl was transported over state lines, we can’t touch it. And even if she was, we’re stretched so thin, I have agents working sixty- to seventy-hour weeks. The new guy—out of Atlanta—starts tomorrow, but even that’s not enough.”
If I thought it would do any good, I’d beg, but since I’m part of the reason Brent’s in this position, I can’t say a damn thing. “You know anything about the guy who helped find me? AJ Stone? He’s a Captain with the Rangers.”
“Nope. Other than readin’ his name on the official reports. But he got pulled in because of that mercenary group out in Seattle connected to your brother, right? Askthemif he’s trustworthy. I gotta get some sleep. Keep your ID in your fucking pocket for a while, will you?”
The call ends, and I’m left staring at my phone wondering why I didn’t think to ask Quinton—or Graham, his guy—about AJ in the first place.
Because you’re exhausted. And you never wanted to hear the details about your rescue.
It’s early enough out in Seattle I don’t worry about waking my brother with a quick text.
Can you ask Graham how much he trusts AJ Stone with the Texas Rangers? Got a case that can’t involve the police. Need an answer quick if you can.
The electronic keypad beeps, and I’m up and out of my chair so fast, the room starts to spin and I have to brace my hand on the wall so I don’t fall over.
“Hi hon,” the nurse says as she slips through the door. “How’s our patient?” She pauses, narrows her eyes at me, and frowns. “You look like death warmed over yourself.”
“Post-concussion syndrome. Tryin’ to stave off a migraine. I’m used to it. You don’t have to wake Veronica up, do you?” Limping awkwardly after the nurse—her ID says her name is Rebecca—I try to loosen my tight muscles. Some protector I am. If I had to fight anyone right now, I’d probably topple over trying to throw a punch.
