Page 81 of Hudson
“She always does.” Creed’s eyes went back to his wife and stayed there.
Hud stood. “I’ll let you rest. I’ll see you once they spring you.”
“Thanks for coming, Hud.”
“You’re welcome.”
He slipped out and found Blair in the hallway. She looked at him and he gave her a small nod that saidwhat he didn’t want to say out loud just yet. She exhaled and took his hand as they walked toward the elevator.
His phone buzzed. He pulled it from his shirt pocket and read the message from Beau.
No Whittingham in the group. Is he someone we need to pursue?
Hud typed back.He’s mine. I want to look him in the eye when I put the cuffs on.
Need backup?
Wouldn’t hurt.
Say the word. Take care of yourself.
He pocketed the phone and looked at Blair.
“I have to go back to Whitefish.”
“Today?”
“No. I need to talk to Dave first. Tomorrow at the earliest.”
She nodded slowly. “I was hoping you might take a few days.”
“I know. I can’t yet. There’s one man still out there who thinks he walked away clean.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m going to make sure he doesn’t.”
Blair looked at him for a moment, then nodded again, more settled this time. “Okay. Be careful.”
“Always.”
The elevator doors opened and they stepped in. Blair looked at him. “Why wasn’t this man there last night with the others?”
“Because I think he’s the one who was running the whole operation from a distance. Something felt off when I talked to him and his wife. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but it stayed with me.”
“Trusting your gut?”
“Always. Sometimes I’m wrong.” The doors opened and they walked out into the lobby. “Most times I’mnot.”
She slipped her hand back into his as they pushed through the main doors into the morning air.
“You won’t go alone.”
“No. Beau will go with me. He was out there last night and he knows the case.”
Blair nodded and he could see her processing it, filing it away in whatever place she was learning to keep his work. Not easy, but she was doing it.
“Okay,” she said finally.
He stopped beside his truck and turned to face her. “I know it’s not simple, what I do.”
“No.” She looked up at him. “But it’s who you are.” She reached up and touched his face briefly. “Just come back in one piece.”
