Page 31 of Going Once

“She needs to be anywhere but here. Doesn’t she have any family in the area?” Wade asked.

Tate shook his head. “Not since her mother died.”

“What about friends?”

He frowned. “We can’t foist her off on innocent people and take the chance of getting them killed. The downside of this whole thing is that she did see the murders, but without an ID on the killer, we’re helpless. And she’s a target simply because he would want to tie up loose ends.”

Tate started to leave, and then stopped.

“Wait. Did we get anything back on the info I gave you about that guy named Judd Allen? The one I ran into last night at the door?”

Wade dug through the faxes that had come in. “Nothing yet.”

“Something’s up with him, even if he’s not our guy,” Tate said.

Cameron stood up. “I arranged for film footage of the crowd, so I’ll go get that. Never can tell when we’ll see a familiar face from another location pop up, although at this point, there’s no way to tell a good Samaritan from the killer.”

Tate’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and frowned. “I have to take this. Hang on a minute.”

He tossed a couple of files onto the table and then sat down on the corner of it to talk.

“Hello? Yes, speaking. She did? Good. Is she conscious? Yes, okay. Thank you for letting me know.”

He disconnected, then dropped the phone in his pocket.

“Was that about your mom?” Cameron asked.

“Yes. She made it through the surgery, although she’s not conscious. I don’t know whether to be relieved, or sorry.” He took a deep, shaky breath. “Either way, it’s a hell of a way to feel.”

Wade thumped him on the shoulder. “I’m really sorry, man.”

“I know. Thanks. Okay, I’m going to find Nola,” Tate said. “When you come back, bring burgers, and get one for her with mayo and no onions.”

They both grinned at him. “When are you going to admit you still love her?” Cameron asked.

Tate shrugged. “I don’t deny that, and it was never the issue.”

The smiles slipped. “Then what the hell, buddy?” Wade asked.

Tate just shook his head. “I’m taking the SUV. If you want a ride later, give me a call.”

“We’ll be fine. Go take care of your girl,” Cameron said.

* * *

Hershel watched as Tate came out the door. He’d been lingering to see where Benton went when he finally emerged. Hershel was of the opinion that if there was more to that witness story than the Feds were willing to admit, Benton might lead him to her. When he saw the man heading for his government SUV, he got in his own truck and followed from a safe distance. He was disappointed to realize that Benton was only going back to the gym. He stayed back, waiting in his truck to make sure Benton was inside, before he pulled up and parked. The less eye contact he had with any of them, the easier it would be to stay under their radar.

* * *

The first thing Tate did when he got inside was look for Nola. It was almost noon, and when he didn’t see her lying down resting or visiting with any of the other people, he headed for the kitchen.

She was there. He paused for a moment, breathing easy that for the moment she was safe and most likely unaware that her poorly guarded secret was out. He stood, watching her laughing and talking, and remembered she’d once been that free and happy with him.

Then she turned her head and caught a glimpse of him in the doorway, and with a single nod of his head, he told her he wanted her to follow him.

He went out a side door without looking back, and the moment she exited, he pulled her around behind the gym, just like he used to do to sneak a kiss before her mama came to take her home. The trees were bigger now than they had been when they were in school, the shrubbery thicker, concealing their presence from anyone who might be passing by.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

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