Page 32 of Deception

“Tell him I’ve sealed the room until morning—I know him, and he has his own way of doing things.”

She nodded. The FBI and US Marshals would work together on the case, with the FBI taking lead because that’s what the FBI did—investigate. Both offices would work with Chief Nelson and his team, but after tonight, she’d be out of the loop.

Madison walked across the room for privacy as she dialed Hugh Cortland’s number. He answered on the first ring. “I’m sorry about Judge Anderson.”

“Thanks.” Madison hated the way her voice hitched.

“I know how close you are to him.” He was quiet for a second. “What’s his condition?”

“Critical. He’s in surgery now to remove the bullet.”

“Chief Nelson indicated it was self-inflicted, so he’ll—”

“The chief was wrong. Whoever tried to make it look like suicide put the gun in the wrong hand.”

She filled him in on the details.

“That makes quite a difference. How about the marshals? Have they been called in?”

“Chief Nelson is notifying them now, and he’s sealed the house and is shutting down the investigation for tonight.”

A tapping sound came through the phone. Hugh was already typing out a memo. “It’ll take a couple of hours in the morning to put together an evidence response team and get down there,” he said. “I’ll let Nelson know we should be there by noon. In the meantime, is there anything I can do?”

The shock was beginning to wear off, and his offer brought a response she didn’t expect. Tears. Blinking them back, she swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”

“I doubt that,” he said. “Madison ... it’s okay to not be fine.”

No, it wasn’t. Gregory Thorn’s daughter had to suck it up and not show emotion—that had been ingrained in her every time she didn’t finish in first place, whether it was a riding competition or martial arts.

When Madison didn’t say anything, Hugh blew out a breath. “I’ll see you by noon. You’re not staying at the house, are you?”

“No. When I leave here, I’m going to the hospital.”

“Good. And we’ll reschedule our next meeting with Paul and Deon. You do plan to take off the next few days, don’t you?”

Madison hadn’t thought that far ahead. “No. If I just sit around, I’ll go crazy. I received a text from Paul earlier that they had the rest of the financial records ready for me to pick up at Paul’s office. I’ll do that in the morning and get started on reviewing them.”

When they finished, she disconnected and returned to the others, where she passed on the information from Hugh. Then she turned and gave Nadine a gentle smile. “You look tired. Come on, and I’ll walk you to your apartment before I go to the hospital.”

“Thank you, chére. Will you call when you find out how your grandfather is?”

“Yes, and I’ll probably stay with you tomorrow night, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. Having you here will be a comfort, but do you mean tonight?”

Madison glanced at the kitchen clock. Past midnight. It was Thursday already. “Yes. I’ll grab my clothes from my room after I get you settled.”

Nadine squeezed Madison’s hand as they walked out the back door. “Your grandfather is very proud of you.”

“What if he dies?” She hadn’t meant to just blurt that out.

“Then it is God’s will, but...” The older woman held up her finger. “Don’t get ahead of him.”

Madison didn’t think she could bear that. Grandfather had been her rock. He’d told her often how much he loved her. Tears burned her eyes, and she swiped her face with the back of her hand.

It was only a few feet to the apartment, and when they reached Nadine’s door, Madison flushed under the older woman’s steady gaze.

“Who is this woman who looks like you?”

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