Page 116 of Crosshairs

Very little was said as they ate lunch. The atmosphere wasn’t hostile, but neither was it exactly warm and friendly. When they finished, Linc gathered the wrappers and tossed them in the trash.

Sarah took out her notebook and turned to Ainsley. “Can I get a statement from you about last night?”

Linc turned to face Sarah. “What did I tell you about that?”

“I’m not asking you, I’m asking Ainsley. I understand the man you shot was Ronald McClain. What was he doing in your aunt’s house? Do you know what he was looking for?” Sarah asked.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to ask him that.”

“You haven’t heard?” Sarah asked. “He slipped into a coma. They don’t expect him to make it.”

“What? Why wasn’t I called?” She fumbled for her phone and stared at the screen. “I can’t believe I forgot to turn it on after I finished at the school.”

While she checked her missed voicemails, he did the same and listened to his message from the chief of police. McClain was in a coma and not expected to live. Evidently neither he nor Ainsley were firing on all cylinders today.

“I have to go to the hospital,” Ainsley said.

“Wait,” he said. “I want to go with you.”

Ainsley hesitated as she glanced toward Sarah.

The reporter stood. “I guess that’s my cue to leave,” she said, a hard edge to her voice as she picked up her backpack. “See you Wednesday?”

“Yeah, and thanks for the burger,” he said.

“Walk to my car with me?”

Sarah didn’t wait for him, and short of being rude, he had no choice but to follow. He didn’t miss the triumphant glance Sarah shot at Ainsley.

Maybe Wednesday he’d get a chance to talk to her about their nonrelationship.

His shoulders dropped. The anniversary of her brother’s death wasn’t the best day to disappoint her.

60

While Linc walked Sarah to her car, Ainsley called the chief. “Sorry I missed your calls. How is McClain?”

“I’m afraid he didn’t make it. I’m sorry.”

“Me too.” Her heart sank. No need to go to the hospital now. “Did he regain consciousness?”

“No, but we found two more diaries at his apartment above the coffee shop.”

“I’d like to look at them,” she said. “Can I pick them up later today?”

“They’re locked up in the evidence room. You’ll have to sign for them, although with him dead, there’s really no reason for you not to have them since they belong to Cora,” Pete said.

“Cora will be glad to get them back,” she said. “See you later today.”

When Ainsley disconnected, she glanced toward the parking lot. Sarah had Linc cornered at her car, talking animatedly with her hands. A text came through on her phone from her supervisor, asking for another update. Ainsley took a minute to collect her thoughts before calling Brent.

She had reported what had happened last night, and now she had to report the man had died. Ainsley hoped Brent didn’t wantto take her off the case. Reluctantly, she dialed her supervisor’s number and filled him in.

“I don’t have anyone else to send to Natchez or I would,” he said. “Maybe I need to call in the FBI.”

“I can handle this. Besides, Hugh Cortland, the FBI agent who would handle it, is tied up in a court case this week.” Her gaze followed Linc as he broke away from Sarah and walked toward Melrose. She wished she had time for him to take her through the beautiful old mansion.

“They could send someone else. And you need to see the psychologist.”

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