Page 35 of Crosshairs

“It’s okay! It’s only a rock.”

“Looks like a bullet hole to me!”

If he hadn’t seen the rock coming, Linc would agree with her. The round hole with cracks spiderwebbing in every direction on the windshield did look like it was caused by a bullet. “Trust me, it’s not.”

He slowed and pulled over on the side of the road and put the flashers on. “You okay?”

She sat with her head braced against the back of the seat, her eyes closed. “Yeah. Or I will be after I get past thinking someone was trying to kill me again.” She sat up. “Sorry. Overreacted a little bit. Let’s see what the damage is.”

They got out and examined the hole and jagged cracks, which looked like they might run anytime. She narrowed her eyes. “You sure this isn’t a bullet hole?”

“I saw the pickup tire fling the rock. Happens sometimes, especially with those plus-sized tires on the truck. It’s safe enough to drive back to Natchez, but you’re going to need a new windshield.”

She groaned. “Another thing on my to-do list.”

“You ready to get on to the hospital?”

Ainsley nodded and climbed back in the passenger side. Once they were back on the road, he suggested she get some rest.

“I’m too wired,” she replied.

He was glad. Having someone to talk to would keep him alert. Linc’s thoughts kept returning to the attack in the church. “Did you call your supervisor in East Tennessee?”

“I thought I’d wait until I got closer to Natchez so service wouldn’t be interrupted.”

“Good idea. Have you come up with anyone?”

“There’s only one person who comes to mind—Troy Maddox,a guy who almost killed his ex-wife and did kill her new husband. They were spending their honeymoon near Cades Cove in the Smokies. I was the special agent in charge of the case, and somehow he blames me for ruining his life.”

“Sounds like he might be a little unbalanced,” Linc said.

“And you would be right.” She shook her head. “Maddox got twenty-five years without the possibility of parole so I’m pretty sure he’s incarcerated. After the threats he made against me, surely I would be notified if he wasn’t.”

“We need to make sure,” Linc said. “Do you have body armor with you?”

She jerked her thumb toward the back. “There’s one in the storage box in the bed of the truck.”

“When we get to the hospital, I’ll get it so you can put it on.”

Ainsley nodded. “I didn’t wear one this morning because I only expected to walk over the crime scene, maybe interview any campers who were at Rocky Springs Tuesday night. Never expected what happened at the church. I still wonder if I could’ve disturbed a druggie.”

“Nothing’s impossible. Maybe Sam found fingerprints. If it was a drug user or dealer, he might have a record.”

Still, Linc couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that hung over him. He was afraid they hadn’t seen the last of her attacker.

19

When they neared Mount Locust, a text dinged on Ainsley’s phone, and her heart stuttered. Cora’s surgery was over, but it would be a while before anyone could see her.

“From Rose?” Linc asked.

She nodded. “I hate that I’m not there.”

“It can’t be helped, and I’m sure your grandmother understands.”

“She always does.” Pattern of her life. Her grandmother needed her, and something always kept Ainsley from helping her.

After promising to text if a problem came up, Gran told her not to worry. Easier said than done. Ainsley concentrated on her breathing. If she didn’t, she’d be wringing her hands, not something she wanted Linc to see.

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