Page 134 of Crosshairs

“Oh yeah,” he said, visibly relaxing. “I was afraid you were...”

“Who? The person who shot you?”

“M-maybe.”

“Do you know who your assailant was?”

He didn’t say anything.

“Don’t you want the person who shot you to pay for what they did?”

He shrugged and raised the head of the bed. “I told my dad I didn’t remember anything. He’ll be mad if I talk to you.”

She had to get him to tell her who the shooter was and tried a different tactic. “We caught the person responsible for Hannah’s death.”

“Really?” He licked his lips. “Could you hand me that cup of water?” When she gave it to him, he asked, “Was it Colton?”

Ainsley shook her head. “His dad. Seems he discovered Colton had given her a package of marijuana, and he wanted her to pay for it. Instead she ran, and they had an altercation and her heart got out of rhythm. That’s why she died.”

He was silent for a moment. “Thanks. Does her mom know?”

“Yes. Sam Ryker, the Natchez Trace ranger, told her,” she said. “What were you going to tell us Saturday?”

He twisted a corner of the bedsheet. “She kept saying she was sorry. That I made her do it. That I shouldn’t have been at Hannah’s house that night.”

“Who is she?”

He pressed his lips together and refused to look at Ainsley.

“You won’t be safe as long as this person is running around loose.”

“She came to the hospital ... said she’d kill me if I talked.”

“Whoever it is can’t hurt you if she’s in jail.”

He closed his eyes, his lashes dark against his white face. “It was that reporter.”

“What?” Her knees threatened to buckle. “S-Sarah Tolliver?”

He nodded. “She was going to shoot me again, and suddenly it was like I was someone else. Somebody called Blake.”

Ainsley’s thoughts looped through her head like tangled fishing lines as she studied his face. Drew did resemble a teenaged Blake. Same blond hair and square jaw.

Suddenly Ainsley froze.Linc. He was with Sarah. Today was the anniversary of Blake’s death ... What if Sarah blamed Linc for his suicide and intended to hurt him?

“Thanks, Drew. And don’t be afraid. I’ll have security post a guard at your door,” she said and rushed from the room.

Ainsley called for security outside Drew’s door and then tried Linc’s number. It went straight to voicemail. Was she already too late? No! She had to find him. Get him away from Sarah ...

Where were they going on the picnic? Had he told her?Think!

If he had, she didn’t remember the location. Who would know? She remembered Blake and Sarah’s mother died when they were in grade school. Their dad. Tolliver ... oh what was his first name? Ed, maybe?

She put his name in an app on her phone that provided addresses and background information. A few minutes later she was driving toward Mr. Edward Tolliver’s house. What if he was with them?Lord, I need help.

When she lost her voice, God had been silent. She had to believe he would answer her today.

Ainsley parked on the street and bounded up the steps to the front door. She pounded on it. Her heart felt like a hammer in her chest. She pounded again. “Mr. Tolliver! Are you in there?”

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