Page 29 of Protecting the Newborn

No sigh this time but rather a soft groan. “The kind that can get her killed. Let’s see if we can prevent that from happening.”

Chapter Eight

Gracelyn was fully aware this wasn’t the safest thing to do. Meeting Devin meant leaving the ranch. Leaving Abigail. And Ruston and her going outside when there was a sniper still at large. But after talking it over with Ruston, they had decided it was a risk they had to take.

Because they needed to hear what Devin had to say.

And they didn’t want to do the interview at the ranch. Better to have some distance between Abigail and him, even if that distance meant more of a risk to Ruston and her. A risk, though, that didn’t compromise Abigail’s safety.

That was why Ruston and she had arranged for plenty of protection, with Slater, Luca and Joelle all staying with the baby while the armed ranch hands patrolled the grounds. A sniper could still return to fire more shots, but any gunfire was more likely to be aimed at Ruston and her. That was why they were all keeping watch as Duncan drove them to the sheriff’s office.

A drive that hopefully wouldn’t turn out to be a huge mistake.

Gracelyn needed to know what was going on with Allie, and Devin might be able to give her answers. And if she was to believe what Devin had said, they were answers that might help save Allie’s life. She wasn’t close to her sister, wasn’t even sure she could say she actually loved her, but Gracelyn certainly didn’t want Allie hurt or dead.

What she wanted, though, was to talk to Allie. That was critical. And Gracelyn hadn’t given up hope of that happening. It was the reason she’d brought the burner with her, and she’d also left a message for Allie on that private Facebook page. Since Allie didn’t have the burner Gracelyn had given her—Devin did—maybe Allie would use her regular phone, see the Facebook message and get in touch with her.

Because Ruston and she were in the back seat of the cruiser, Gracelyn had turned to keep watch behind them. To make sure they weren’t being followed. Ruston was watching the sides of the narrow road while Duncan focused on the driving and what was ahead. All of them were primed for an attack, and they stayed that way during the entire ten-minute drive, even though they didn’t see another vehicle until they were in town.

Duncan parked, and they used the side door to enter the building to get to his office. Gracelyn had been here before, too, when Ruston’s father was sheriff, and it appeared that Duncan had kept things exactly the same, down to the Texas landscape art on the walls.

His office front was all glass, so she had no trouble seeing into the large bullpen and reception area, where she immediately spotted two deputies. She was pretty sure they were Carmen Gonzales and Woodrow Leonard, and both were on the phone while Carmen was also using her computer. However, the moment she noticed Duncan, she ended the call and stood.

“Devin Blackburn’s not here yet,” she relayed to Duncan. “And we’re still waiting on those two officers to come down and pick up the prisoner.”

“What prisoner?” Ruston asked.

“A guy named Brent Litton,” Duncan supplied. “Woodrow pulled him over for speeding, and when he ran the plates, it came up there was an outstanding warrant on him for a string of burglaries in Austin. Austin PD is supposed to come and get him sometime today.” He looked at Gracelyn and must have seen the concern on her face. “This guy isn’t the sniper. He’s been behind bars since about ten last night.”

Gracelyn wished he had been the sniper so they could have questioned him. Additionally, he would have no longer been a threat.

“I need you to sign some reports,” Carmen continued, still speaking to Duncan.

The deputy picked up a folder and started toward him, but Duncan went to her in the bullpen. Again, Gracelyn thought he’d maybe done that to give Ruston and her a little privacy so she could settle her nerves. But there wasn’t any time for that because Ruston’s phone rang, and when he took it from his pocket, she saw Noah’s name on the screen.

“Devin’s not here yet,” Ruston told Noah the moment he answered. Ruston had already filled Noah in on Devin’s phone call, and Noah had to be just as anxious as they were to find out what the man had to say.

“I hope he hasn’t had second thoughts,” Noah muttered. “Up to now, he’s been dodging my calls and requests to come in for an interview. And I don’t have enough for a warrant. In fact, I don’t have anything on him except his involvement with Allie.”

Yes, and that was why they had to get more. Well, if there was more to get, that was. It was entirely possible that Devin had nothing to do with any of this.

“I’m about to email you the surveillance footage of Gracelyn’s sister,” Noah continued a moment later. “I wanted to take care of that because I think Tony’s trying to have me taken off Marty’s murder. He’s pissed off, Ruston, and he knows we’re friends.”

“He also knows you’re a good cop,” Ruston snarled. “Is he purposely trying to compromise the investigation?”

“I hope not, but the possibility has occurred to me. I don’t think he’ll succeed in getting me removed,” Noah added. “He’s having to deal with both the Rangers and Internal Affairs. This is gossip, but word is there are some inconsistencies in his finances and that he’ll be put on paid leave for a couple of days.”

That definitely wouldn’t make Tony happy, but Gracelyn was thankful this was being done. Because there were inconsistencies, and if they had anything to do with the murders and attacks, then that should come to light.

“What about Charla?” Gracelyn asked. “Is Internal Affairs looking at her, too?”

“Not that I know of, and she wasn’t in the meeting with the captain and the Rangers.” Noah paused. “Is Charla aware that the two of you know about her connection to Zimmer?”

“Not yet,” Ruston answered. “I wanted to confront her with that myself to see her reaction, and then I’ll pass the info along.”

Normally, the passing along meant her boss would be the one who got that info, but since her boss was Tony, that would likely be elevated to the captain.

The front door opened, and a dark-haired man came in. Devin. She recognized him from his photos.

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