Page 40 of Deception

“Sounds good,” he said. “But let’s take my SUV.”

“Why?” What was it with men wanting to be in control?

He raised an eyebrow. “Just thought it’d be easier since I’m familiar with Natchez and you’re—”

“I have GPS,” she said.

“But it doesn’t always work on the Trace.” He tilted his head, studying her. “Just like a cell phone doesn’t. It’d be easier for my people to get hold of me on my radio in the SUV.”

She didn’t know what was wrong with her. First, she’d accused him of bullying her when she was a kid, and now she’d taken offense at his suggestion that they use his vehicle, which was perfectly logical since he knew the area.

It had to be Hugh’s remark about his charms—that he hadn’t used on her. Her face flushed. Had she really just thought that? Madison immediately erased it. “Sorry. It’s just...”

He lifted an eyebrow. “You’re not one of those people whohaveto be in the driver’s seat, are you?”

She gave him a wry smile. “Your SUV is fine.”

“Good,” he said, grinning. “Let me find Rebecca and ask her to call if there’s any change in our patient.”

While Clayton went to find the nurse, Madison dialed the Jackson FBI office and asked for Allyson.

“Need something already, Madison?”

Apparently Allyson didn’t waste words. “Yes, but it doesn’t pertain to the case I’m working on with Hugh. Can you still help me?”

“Whatcha need?”

“A background check on a Lindsey Tremont.”

“I can do that. Do you have an address? Or date of birth?”

“No address. Ms. Tremont had no ID on her.” For DOB Madison hesitated, then impulsively gave her birth date. She’d read somewhere that twins happened in 3 percent of all births. And Lindsey Tremont appeared to be about Madison’s age, so it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that she and Lindsey were at least related and possibly twins. They certainly looked enough alikefor it to be true. “But get information on anyone within five years either way.”

“I’ll get right on this,” Allyson said. “If she’s in the system, I should have something by this afternoon.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome ... and Hugh told us about your grandfather. I’m really sorry.”

The sincerity in Allyson’s voice brought tears to Madison’s eyes. It was the unexpected kindnesses that undid her. “Thanks,” she choked out. “But he’s going to make it.” After she disconnected, Madison fished a tissue from her bag and blotted her eyes.

“You okay?” Clayton asked.

She whirled around. “I didn’t hear you come up.”

“I’m like Sylvester the cat.”

Madison blinked. “You watched Tweety Bird cartoons?”

He laughed. “Guilty as charged, and I still do—I have a six-year-old niece, and she loves Tweety Bird.”

“So do I.” She grinned, then asked, “Did you find the nurse?”

“I did. You want to leave your car here? Or would you rather drop it off at your grandfather’s house?”

“The hospital parking area is fine.” She would be coming back to the hospital anyway.

Madison grabbed her briefcase from the Impala and climbed into Clayton’s Ford Interceptor. While she fastened her seat belt, he phoned his field ranger to meet them at Coles Creek in an hour.

---