Page 45 of Devoted

Clark and I walk out of thehospital.

"You've been up all night?" heasks.

"I think I might have dozed off a few minutes here and there. I'll be fine. Let's just get to that bridge so I can get back here toMaddox."

26

Angie

There's far lesschaos at the scene than I anticipate. Then I realize it makes sense. We are out of the city and in a small town. His small town. Officer Greene, a woman who looks like she could bust a few heads with one hand tied behind her back, fills us in on the way to the bridge. I'm in the backseat and Greene glances at me in the mirror a lot as she drives. It seems she's very curious about the detective Freestone insisted on seeing before he surrendered. I wonder if Clark filled her in on the connection but quickly push it from my head. I'm past caring what anyone knows or thinks anymore. Dr. Hoffman has helped me past that hurdle and it's been damnfreeing.

Greene glances up at me one more time before focusing on the road. It's a quiet, rural road with no traffic, unless you count the occasional squirrel darting from side to side. "Freestone showed up at a local motel last night and boldly used a credit card with the name Kane Freestone," Greenesays.

"So he wanted to be caught," Clark says. "Maybe he was just tired ofrunning."

I know it can't be as simple as that. Kane doesn't dosimple.

"It's what we thought too but by the time officers arrived at the motel, Freestone was gone. He was spotted at the local diner eating breakfast with a young woman who seemed to just be passing through town. She had a backpack. The diner owner saw her getting off at the bus stop this morning." She glances at me again. Greene has small eyes for her big face. "Ironically enough, the girl has copper red hair likeyours."

I'm not sure how to take the comment so I ignore it. "Is she the hostage?" Iask.

"Yes. Police found Freestone on the Delta Bridge with her. That's when he made the demand to see you." Greene looks up in the mirroragain.

I turn away from the reflection of her scrutinizing gaze and stare out at the scenery. It's nice down south but the northern half of the state gets much more rain. The landscape and grass is bright green. Not a trace of the southerndrought.

Clark turns back to look at me with his fatherly brow. "How are you feeling, Tennyson? Remember, do not put yourself in danger. We'll get thisguy."

"I won't be in danger." I'm not even the slightest bit tense or nervous. But I'm highly curious about what Kane is upto.

The roads are blocked off by local law enforcement. We drive past and park at the start of the bridge. The Delta Bridge, the site that ten-year-old Turner Vossnik led investigators to with his letter, the letter that sent his dad to death row and eventually his own seat in hell, is a hundred foot stretch of steel triangles, or trusses. It's not the most picturesque bridge but it serves its purpose connecting two sides of a town separated by a wide, deepriver.

It's mid-morning. The sky is bright blue. Lush green foliage lines both sides of the river. If it weren't for the patrol cars and uniformed officers, it would be a picturesque scene. The hour nap on the plane did little to help me regain my bearings but the fresh air wafting off the river and through the fragrant landscape revivesme.

Several state police officers are standing in a half circle on the bridge. I can see the dark head of hair just above theothers.

Clark stands next to me. "Are youready?"

"As I'll ever be." I look over at him. "Get that worried look off your face. Like I said before, I'm not in anydanger."

Officer Greene is at least six feet tall. She leads us to the half circle of officers on the bridge. I get a brazen round of scrutiny from the group as Greene introduces me as Detective Tennyson. It makes sense that I'd be the center of curiosity. I nod politely to everyone and glance between them to the metal railing on the bridge where Kane is leaning rather casually for someone who is surrounded by police. A young woman, a girl in her late teens or early twenties is standing in front of him. Her cumbersome backpack is sitting next to her feet. Her dark red hair is pulled up in a ponytail. She's dressed in cut-offs, a tank shirt and hiking boots. Her eyes flick my direction. I stare at her face and can't find much terror. I've been in enough hostage situations to know that, in general, the people being used as shields are terrified. She has pink in her cheeks as if she's just out for a stroll. Nothing about her posture saysfear.

"Excuse me." I make my way through the circle and step out in front of them. As always, Kane's blue gaze lands on me and stays there like iron on amagnet.

Kane is only fifty yards away but an officer behind me speaks through a megaphone. "Mr. Freestone, we've fulfilled your request. Detective Tennyson has arrived," he says even though I'm standing plain as day in front of Kane. "Please let the hostagego."

Kane shoots an amused expression my way and motions slightly with his head for me to move closer. I take a few steps and hear shifting and even some weapons locking behindme.

I turn back and make my irritation clear. Greene yells at everyone to standdown.

The girl watches me approach and seems to look me over with the same curiosity as the officers. I'm getting somewhat annoyed by the judgmental scrutiny from allsides.

I walk toward Kane and hishostage. I stop just a few feet from them. Kane has let his hair grow longer. There's heavy stubble on his chin. He looks tired. Maybe tired of running. I sure as hell wouldbe.

"Do you want to switch one ginger for another?" Iask.

Kane leans forward and whispers something in the girl's ear that makes her blush and smile. I'm stunned when a jealous pang shoots through me. He's flirting with another woman. I'm not thrilled to stand by and watch. Her reaction also solidifies my earlier observation that she isn't the least bit afraid ofhim.

I step forward and hold out my arm. His warm fingers wrap around my wrist as he releases his hold on the girl. She casually grabs her backpack and blows a kiss at him before walking toward theofficers.

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