Page 53 of Seized by the Lawman

Melly shifted on the seat. “He said he’d give me twenty-four hours. Should be tomorrow morning, but I don’t have it to give. That’s why I was hoping Brad could help.”

“Don’t worry about the money, Melly. We’ve handled cases like this before without having one dollar. There are ways around that. Either way, we’ll nail the bastard,” Nix growled. “He won’t get away when he has the Hawks and the Cade brothers searching for his ass.”

“Melly, I’m sorry. You should have felt comfortable coming to me and telling me you were threatened.” Carson looked like he’d aged ten years in ten minutes.

She saw how her father’s shoulders slumped and her heart twinged. Going to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Dad, I would have made this decision no matter what. Just as you want to protect me, I want to protect those I love.”

He looked at her and she realized how much she regretted that they’d drifted apart. He patted her hand. “Patty warned me if I didn’t lighten up I’d lose you.”

“You haven’t lost me. I’m here and so is your grandchild.” She placed a palm against her stomach. “This baby will need a grandpa to take him or her fishing and for rides, like we used to when I was little.”

An unexplainable sadness flashed over his expression. He gave her a weak smile and reached across the desk for his phone. He

dialed a number and said gruffly into the receiver, “Jamison…yeah…get me fifty grand in fake bills…the best. ASAP...Great.” he dropped the phone in its cradle. “Just in case we don’t find this guy before he calls, we’ll be prepared. He looked at Nix. “You stay clear of the ranch. Just in case we have someone working on the inside, we don’t want you giving away the fact that we know of this scheme. You look like you could bite a nail in half.”

Nix stood. “I think I should be there.”

Carson smiled. “And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t be. Feelings can get in the way and make us do stupid things. You’re my best guy to find clues that are buried. Find this bastard, Nix.”

After a lengthy hesitation, Nix nodded. “That I’ll do. You don’t have to worry.”

Although it seemed like he was answering Carson, Nix’s eyes were on Melly. Her knees weakened and she wanted to crawl into his embrace and ask him to never let go, but she needed to remain strong.

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