Page 36 of Deception

He and a woman stood not twenty feet from her, scanning the room. Surprise flashed in his face when he saw her. “Madison?”

“What are you doing here?”

They’d spoken in unison and Steven said, “You go first.”

“My grandfather is here. What’s your reason?”

“I think I told you yesterday I have friends here. Terri and I were just finishing up breakfast ... I told you about her too.” He nodded to the woman standing next to him. “Anyway, I got a call that one of my friends had been brought to the hospital. The person who called told me he was in ICU and some of the family should be in the waiting room, but I don’t see anyone I know. Except you.”

Terri nodded toward the desk. “Why don’t you ask the receptionist?”

“Good idea. Be right back.”

A wave of exhaustion swept through Madison, but she managed a smile at Terri. There was something very familiar about Steven’s friend. “Do you mind if we sit?”

Silence fell between them after she settled in one of the chairsand Terri on the opposite sofa. “Is the person in the hospital your friend as well?”

Terri shook her head. “I wouldn’t have come with him, but he practically insisted, saying he needed the moral support. I’m sorry about your grandfather.”

“Thank you.”

Terri glanced at the cup Madison held. “I didn’t get to finish my coffee at the restaurant. Think I’ll grab a cup.”

“The machine is in the corner.”

“Can I bring you another one?”

“I’m good.” Madison took a sip and made a face. The coffee was cold. “On second thought, please.”

The way Terri stood and strode toward the coffee machine reminded Madison that she was a Delta Force G squadron operator. When she returned with the coffee, Madison said, “Your first time in Natchez?”

“No.” She didn’t offer any other information, instead sipped her coffee. “We were going to drive out to Rodney and see the ghost town before it gets too hot.”

Madison had never been to the town that had almost become Mississippi’s first capital only to die when the Mississippi River changed course, taking away the profitable port at Rodney. “If you’re into that sort of thing, be sure to go by the Old Jail here in Natchez.”

“A jail? I don’t think I want to visit that one,” Terri said as Steven rejoined them. “Did you find him?”

“The receptionist said there was no record of him being here. I called the guy who said he was. Turns out he was taken to Jackson.” Steven scowled. “How much trouble would it have been for him to call and let me know?”

“I’m sorry,” Madison said.

“It’s not all bad,” Steven said. “At least I ran into you. How is your grandfather? Was it a heart attack?”

For a brief few minutes, Madison had put aside why she wassitting in the ICU waiting room. She didn’t want to go into the details, though. “Not a heart attack, but he is critical. I haven’t been back to see him yet.”

She looked up as the doors to the waiting room opened, and Clayton strode in. He stopped and scanned the room. “Over here,” she called, raising her hand.

He approached, giving Steven a once-over before shifting his gaze to Terri, and a light frown creased his brow. Madison introduced them, apologizing when she didn’t remember Terri’s last name.

“It’s Davis,” she said. “Terri Davis.”

“We were in Delta Force together,” Steven said, shaking the hand Clayton extended.

Clayton turned to Terri. “Did I see you at Coffee and More yesterday?”

“It’s possible—they have great coffee.”

“So, how did you two know where to find Madison?”

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