Page 38 of Crosshairs

“I have no idea where you got that information, but it is not correct,” Ainsley said, her voice icy enough to chill even Sarah.

She gave Ainsley a quick smile and then looked into the camera. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to our viewers, Ranger Beaumont.”

Before Sarah could turn away, Ainsley said, “I would like to ask your viewers to contact me if they have any information on Hannah Dyson’s murder. They can call the Port Gibson ranger station and leave their number and I’ll return the call. Thank you for giving me a platform to ask for the public’s help in bringing Hannah’s murderer to justice.”

The camera cut away from Ainsley to the reporter. “You can also contact me at the news station. This is Sarah Tolliver in Natchez for WTMC, reporting the latest news on the murder investigation of Hannah Dyson.”

As soon as the camera shut down, Linc strode to Sarah. “Why in the world did you ask Ainsley about her aunt?” He should’ve nixed the interview.

Sarah palmed her hands. “It wasn’t anything personal. Just following up on information her grandmother gave me.”

“And you had to ask me about it on-air?” Ainsley demanded.

“It’s my job.” She handed the videographer the microphone. “Now if you will excuse me—”

“If you get a tip, I expect you to pass it on,” Ainsley said.

“Of course.” The reporter grinned.

Linc fumed. Probably not until she investigated it.

“I’m going to check on Cora,” Ainsley said over her shoulder.

Once the door closed behind her, Sarah said, “Are we still on for next Wednesday? I’ve already told Dad about the picnic.”

If he said no, it would hurt Ed Tolliver’s feelings, and Linc didn’t want more guilt. “Yeah. I’ll be in touch about the time.”

Linc entered the waiting room and joined Ainsley and her grandmother at the front desk. “How is she?” he asked.

“The nurse said we could see her for five minutes,” Rose replied. “Would you like to come with us? I know how fond you are of Cora.”

“I don’t want to intrude.” He glanced at Ainsley.

“You won’t,” the older woman said, patting his arm.

“She’ll be glad to know you’re here,” Ainsley said.

Her approval was what he’d been waiting for. “Okay, then.”

A nurse met them at the door and led them back to her room. Rose faltered at the door and Linc saw why. A line of staples closed the incision on the left side of Cora’s head, and above the staples was a drain tube.

“The nurse said she might wake up,” Ainsley said. “But she probably wouldn’t make much sense.”

Rose stood by the side of the bed, her hand covering her sister’s. Cora’s eyes fluttered open, and her gaze focused on her sister, then Ainsley, and she smiled before she closed them. Aminute later she opened her eyes again and scanned the room as if trying to place where she was before her gaze came back to rest on him. “Linc?”

He was surprised she recognized him. “You’re going to be fine,” he said.

“The diaries,” she whispered. “Don’t let him have ... keep them safe.”

The diaries again. “Where are they?” he asked.

“They’re...” Confusion filled her eyes. “I ... don’t know.”

“Who wants them?”

Her brows pinched together, then she grimaced. “I ... don’t know.”

The nurse appeared at the door. “I’m afraid your time is up, and she needs to rest. You can see her again at six this evening.”

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