Page 91 of Security Breach

“What about yours?” Wells challenged. “Your law enforcement career is in jeopardy, too.”

“I have other options. Do you?” With that, he and Jon left the B & B.

When they reached the parking lot at the back of the business and neared the Fortress SUV, David pulled up short. “Blair, did Gigi call you?”

The Archer police chief pushed away from the side of her cruiser. She eyed Jon curiously before she focused on David. “Thought I’d make myself available faster by hanging out in the parking lot.” Blair inclined her head toward Jon’s vehicle. “Nice wheels.” She held her hand out to Jon. “Blair Hoffman.”

“Jon Smith.” At Blair’s skeptical look, the operative held up a hand. “Truth.”

With a snort, she turned to David. “How did it go?”

“No screams or visible injuries.”

“Good to know. Find out anything?”

“Enough to know that Emma’s life may never return to normal.”

“And neither will yours?”

He shrugged. Emma was his life. “Gigi doesn’t know Emma is back. It’s for her own safety.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing, my friend.” She circled the hood of her vehicle. “I’m here if you need me. Good to meet you, Jon. Keep an eye on this guy. I’d hate to lose a friend.” Blair climbed behind the wheel, gave a wave, and left the lot.

“Let’s get out of here.” David rubbed a knotted muscle in his neck. He wanted to see for himself that Emma was safe before calling Darren Whitehead.

Back at the cabin, he strode into the kitchen with Jon close behind. There she was. He drew in a deep breath as some of his tension dissipated at the sight of Emma, safe.

Eli gave a chin lift in greeting as he poured himself a mug of coffee.

Emma smiled at David. His heart turned over in his chest. Would he ever get used to seeing that look in her eyes, the one that said he was her whole world? “Hey.”

She came around the table and wrapped her arms around him. “I don’t see blood anywhere. I assume Agent Wells is still alive?”

David dropped a light kiss on her lips. “For the moment.”

“Did you learn anything useful?”

He debated how much to tell her. The last thing David wanted was to terrify Emma. She was already afraid. However, they couldn’t build the life they both wanted unless their relationship was founded on truth and trust. Sure, there would be times he couldn’t tell her everything. More of those instances were ahead if he agreed to work for Fortress and managed to keep his job as sheriff. Now, however, the most important case of his career involved Emma. She needed to know as much as possible to be prepared in case the worst happened. God willing, it wouldn’t. “The photo wasn’t of Wells. It was, however, a photo of his cousin, Marty Grisham.”

She frowned. “Do you have a photo of Marty?”

He glanced at Jon. The operative handed him the photo. David unfolded the picture and showed it to Emma.

Blood drained from her face.

“Baby?” David cupped her cheek. “Emma, talk to me.”

“It’s him.”

“Tell me.”

“He killed my family.” Her stricken gaze shifted from the paper to David. “I remember now. He’s the one, David.”

David gathered Emma close. At least now they had a positive identification. While holding her, he told her the rest of the information he and Jon learned from the agent.

“If Wells was suspended, why is he still in the area?” Eli asked.

“He feels responsible for what’s been happening because he helped create the hunting game in the first place.”

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