Page 30 of Rescued Duty

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

“About that.” She could barely get the words out. “I think someone intentionally pushed me off the mountain today.”

Zack’s voice rose a notch. “What do you mean youthink?”

Naya grimaced. “I thought the person jogging just didn’t see me. They had their head to the ground, phone in hand. But when they brushed me, my phone fell. I—” The images came back, and Naya frowned. “I went to pick up my phone and they shoved me.”

“You were pushed?”

She opened her eyes. “I didn’t know who to tell.”

“This is serious, Nay. First the note. Now this.” Zack rubbed a hand over the back of his head. “You need to tell the police, not me.”

Naya shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like I have any evidence it was malicious. It’s like the note. Just a nuisance.”

Zack stepped away from the wall and closed the gap between them. “I meant what I said earlier. You’re my little sis.”

Right. It was a good thing she planned to keep her heart protected. Closed off.

Saying it like that drew a line between them.

One she wasn’t invited to step over.

A flicker of an expression crossed his face, but it disappeared before Naya could figure it out. “Call the police, Naya.” Zack pushed off the wall and went inside.

TEN

Before Naya could entangle herself in Zack’s life any more, she limped to the parking lot. She needed time alone to decompress from the day, and a yawn escaped from her lips. The last rays of the setting sun dipped behind the cloudy sky. The streetlights were her only guide.

Why had she shared her suspicions about the attack on the mountain with Zack? She had the story from her boss to focus on, and it was proving to bring more trouble with it than she’d bargained for.

She didn’t need to add any tension with Zack. He’d made it clear what he thought of her.

His little sister.

But how could she even be that to him after the way he responded? He’d basically shut her out, telling her to go to the police. Like he didn’t want to take on the role of big brother. She’d act cordial and professional around him, but that was the extent of their relationship. Especially when there was a greater issue at play.

A lack of trust.

When had it all gone wrong? How had their days of promises to one another turned into a series of qualms?

Right now, it didn’t matter. Naya had something else to focus on.

Working hard.

Just like her dad used to say.Hard work will pay off in the end if you keep at it, sweet pea. One foot in front of the other.

Except the life he’d fought to build for their family hadn’t panned out the way any of them had hoped.

Naya blinked several times to clear the haziness and scanned the parking lot. Where was her car?

She rummaged in her purse for her phone and came up empty-handed. It must still be on the trail.

With no way to contact Ingram to pick her up, she headed back to the hospital entrance. There had to be a pay phone or someone’s cell she could borrow. The last thing she wanted to do was bother Zack when he should be waiting for news on his partner.

The doors to the emergency room whooshed open, and another family rushed inside. “Excuse me. Sorry.” The dad held his young daughter in his arms. The mom refused to let go of the little girl’s hand.

Naya ducked to the side and made eye contact with Zack.

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