Page 55 of Fatal Witness

“Mark—”

Alex stopped her with a raised hand. “He’s fine and should be here when we get back with Mae,” Alex said.

As she rode to the hospital, Dani couldn’t help but worry.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Alex said. “You aren’t the first to stay with my grandparents for safety reasons and you won’t be the last. And Mark was just doing his job. Danger comes with the territory.”

“Maybe I should just stay in Montana,” she said.

“I doubt that would make you or your grandmother any safer. Not that staying at my grandparents’ will guarantee your safety, but at least there you’ll have support.”

Dani didn’t want to leave, not after just meeting her grandmother. “All right, you’ve convinced me,” she said.

Alex grunted. “Now to convince your grandmother.”

Convincing her turned out easier than either of them expected but came with a condition. A condition her grandmother didn’t mention until they were pulling away from the hospital in Alex’s SUV. “I’ll stay with Judith and Carson three days, then I’m going to my home on Eagle Ridge.”

“But, Nonny.” The name came out before Dani had time to think. “That may not be long enough.”

“She’s right, Mae. It’s not like we have a suspect or anything. And you can’t stay up on the ridge by yourself.”

“Maybe we can lure him into a trap.”

“Using you and Dani for bait? I don’t think so.”

“Not Dani—just me,” she said firmly.

“Definitely not,” Dani said. “If this person killed Keith, he means business.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Mae replied. “I’m truly sorry about Keith. I was upset with him for a long time, but I finally realized he wouldn’t have done what he did if he hadn’t been afraid something would happen to you, Dani. I just wish he’d told us what happened that night.”

“But he didn’t.”

Mae turned to Alex. “Do you think you could spare a deputylong enough for me to see if anything is missing from my house?”

“That’s actually a good idea, but let’s give you a day or—”

“I was thinking right now. I feel fine.”

Dani started to say no when Alex glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “That might not be a bad idea.” She turned to Mae. “If you’re sure you’re up to it.”

“I’m sure.”

Dani had to admit her grandmother sounded strong. And it would be good to know if the person who broke in had actually stolen anything. Twenty minutes later, her Navigator came into view along with several deputies. “Is this where someone shot at Mark?”

Alex nodded and pulled over as Mark approached their vehicle. She lowered her window. “We’re going to Mae’s house to see if anything is missing.”

He glanced at Mae. “You up for that?”

“I’m good.”

Mark smiled. “You’d say that even if you weren’t. We’ll be through here soon, and I’ll see if I can borrow someone’s vehicle and join you.”

Alex nodded and pulled away from the scene. Soon, she turned into Mae’s drive and pulled the SUV close to her front porch. Her grandmother was out of the vehicle before Dani could climb out.

“I was going to help you,” Dani said.

“I’m not an invalid. Dr. Wexler said I could do whatever I felt like doing.”

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