Page 37 of Crosshairs

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll see if I can get rid of them.”

“No. Let’s get this over with unless I can visit Cora right away.”

“Don’t breathe a word to her about the attempt on your life at the church.”

“I’ve dealt with reporters like Sarah before, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

Ainsley didn’t know Sarah. The girl could smell a story a mile away.

The reporter’s broad grin faded when her gaze slid over Linc’s shoulder to Ainsley. “I thought I might catch Ainsley here,” she said. “But I didn’t expect you to be with her.”

“He’s helping with the investigation,” Ainsley replied, then she turned to Rose. “How is Cora?”

“She’s back in her ICU room, and the doctor said we could go in, probably in about thirty minutes,” Rose said. “Not that I expect her to be awake.”

“I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“I told you not to worry about that. This young lady has been kind enough to sit with me.” She turned to Linc. “Sarah said she was your very good friend. And she’s been entertaining me with some of her stories. Did you know she broke the recent gambling scandal?”

Linc masked his irritation. Sarah had traded on their friendship to worm her way into Rose’s good graces, probably to get personal information about Ainsley.

“So,” Sarah said, “do you think we could do that interview now? That way it’ll run on the five o’clock news.”

“On one condition,” Ainsley replied. “That I can ask people to contact me if they have any information on the murder.”

The reporter waved her hand. “No prob. How about we step outside in the hallway?”

Linc followed them out the door and leaned against the wall as Sarah set up for the interview. When her videographer was ready, she spoke into her microphone, framing the interview with the murder details, and then turned to Ainsley. “ISB Ranger Ainsley Beaumont is heading up the investigation in the death of Hannah Dyson, the teenager found murdered at Rocky Springs. Do you have any suspects in her murder?” she asked. “Or persons of interest?”

“This is an active investigation, and those are details I can’t reveal,” Ainsley replied. “Besides, it’s early in the investigation.”

“So that means you’ll talk to me later, when you have more evidence?”

“I didn’t say that, but perhaps.”

Sarah’s smug expression indicated she’d get the second interview. “Are you looking at her boyfriend as the possible murderer? I understand that—”

“We’re not even certain she had a boyfriend,” Ainsley said, cutting her off. “We’re looking at everyone who has a connection to Hannah.”

Good answer, and he released the breath he held. But how did Sarah learn about the Kingston boy? Or was she just fishing?

Sarah didn’t try to hide her irritation. “Can you reveal how she was murdered?”

“I’m sorry, but no.”

“Well, then could you explain to our audience exactly what an ISB ranger is?”

Ainsley switched directions seamlessly. “ISB stands for the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service. We’re sort of the FBI for the park service.”

“I understand there are only thirty-three ISB investigators. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

Ainsley’s short answer didn’t deter the reporter. “So why did your field office send you?”

“Partly because I’m familiar with the area since I grew up here, and why not me?”

Sarah ignored Ainsley’s question. “I understand your great-aunt, Cora Chamberlain, fell last night and you suspect foul play.”

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