Page 45 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

“I’m at the Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville.”

Victoria’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Is everyone all right?” Please, please let her grandchildren be safe.

“Yes. Jamie is here. I’ve seen her. She and Amar followed the doctor from his house to the hospital. But I was careful that neither she nor Amar saw me.”

“Was going to the hospital part of the plan?”

“No, ma’am. Whatever happened, it was some sort of emergency. The doctor left the party and Jamie and Amar followed not far behind. There was a small incident en route with someone who was following them. I’ve sent the license plate information to Michaels in hopes we might learn who it was.”

More thumping in her chest. “What sort of incident?”

“The unidentified driver attempted to run them off the road. He might be someone who works for the doctor and who thought their following him from the party was suspicious, but I’m leaning more in the direction of another outside source.”

Dread congealed in Victoria’s belly. “Someone else who wants to, perhaps, kidnap the doctor.”

“I fear so,” he said. “I’m also concerned as to how this stacks up based on what you’ve learned about Dr. Case.”

The additional intelligence her people had collected certainly shed a bad light on Dr. Case, but there were always two sides to every story. At this point it was best to reserve judgment.

“Very well,” Victoria said, the next step clearing in her mind. “Given what we know, I believe it’s time for you to return to the team.”

“I agree. At this point I feel too removed from what’s happening to be useful.”

“Call me as soon as you’ve made contact with Jamie again.”

“Will do. Good night, Victoria.”

The call ended and she said a quick prayer for Jamie and Luke as well as Kenny and Amar. The smell of scorching milk shook her from the worrisome thoughts.

“You need some help in there?”

She shook off the troubling thoughts and emptied the milk, then started over. “Just giving you plenty of time to string those lights.”

“Ha ha!” he called back to her.

She looked out the window and this time she couldn’t help smiling. Why was she so worried about Jamie and Luke? They were Colbys. They would get through this and complete the mission too.

It was the Colby way.

Monday, December 24

One Day Before Christmas

Chapter Twelve

4:00 a.m.

“Your people have no idea who set this event in motion?” Jamie was having a difficult time getting past the notion that Abi and his backers had no idea how thismistakewent down.

He kept his focus on the dark highway as they drove back toward the Case home. The doctor and his entourage were half a mile ahead. Abi had carefully kept his distance since leaving the parking area at the hospital.

“If my people have intel on last night, they’re not sharing the information with me.” He glanced at her through the darkness. “Frankly, unless there’s a reason for me to know, I actually do not care to hear about it.”

Now that was a cop-out. “Please. Do not try to spin this for me. Remember who you’re talking to, friend. This is not my first rodeo.”

The entourage up ahead took the turn to Lionheart Court.

Abi slowed, giving them ample time to move farther along the private drive leading to the doctor’s home before they reached the intersection.

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