Page 23 of Thin Ice

“I’m going to call headquarters and let them know what’s happening. We need the advice of everyone on Strike Force before we make this decision.”

Victor hesitated. “Good idea. Let’s speak with them now. Because as you are both aware, it won’t be long before they connect this farm with Kinsley. And they’ll come after us full force.”

???

“Be careful,” Cole cautioned his good friend, the president. “From everything I know about Doyle, he’s an honest man, but then, I thought the same thing about Kincaid and look where that got me.”

“I hear you. And I’m in the best hands possible. Abby and Brookes will keep me safe.”

“If they are able, they’ll do everything in their power, but if this is a ploy by Legion, they won’t be able to stand up against so many.”

“Understood. If we’re going to trust Deputy Doyle, then we should tell him everything. He needs to hear about Adam Sinclair’s true identity, and about how the plot began with framing Sidney,” Brookes told him. If they were making themselves vulnerable by meeting with this man, they’d only get one chance to persuade the FBI director they were telling the truth.

“What do you need?” Cole asked.

Brookes pulled in a breath. “For James to send everything we have on Legion to Abby’s burner. He’ll want to see the proof with his own eyes.”

Cole hesitated before answering. “I’ll have him do it right away. Just be careful who gets hold of the information. Call me paranoid, but I’d hate for Legion to find a way to twist the facts we have against us.”

Brookes understood Cole’s concerns. “We’ll guard it with our lives.”

“On another subject, James spoke to Fin again. He had no choice but to turn back because he said there’s no way he can get across the state line. James told me he’ll stay on it in case something changes.”

“Not good news. Hopefully, we’ll have better news once we’ve spoken to Doyle. Officer Newman told us he has a friend who has a plane, so we have that option, if the meeting with Doyle fails. I’ll keep you posted.” Brookes ended the call. “Looks like we’re a go.”

They went inside where Kinsley was curled up on the sofa with a blanket covering her against the chill of the place.

Abby crossed the room and felt Kinsley’s forehead. “You’re burning up.” She dropped the medical bag and dug around until she found some Ibuprofen. “Here, take these.”

Kinsley swallowed two pills and lay back against the sofa. Once Abby made sure she was comfortable, she and Brookes moved to the window.

“She really needs a doctor’s care. I’m doing everything I can but—”

Brookes glanced over his shoulder to where Joe tended to his sister. “I wish we had that option.”

“What about Hannah? Have you spoken to her since this morning?”

He shook his head. “No, and I’m worried. She doesn’t have our new numbers. But I’m afraid to reach out to her.”

“I don’t think you have a choice. Call her,” she urged. “Now that they know about the van, she could be in real trouble.”

“You’re right. She needs to be with us for her own well-being.” He pulled out his phone and called his sister. “Hello?” The connection dropped several times before Hannah picked up. “It’s me. Are you okay?”

The length of time it took for his sister to respond scared him.

“I’m not sure.” She hesitated. “People were here earlier from the National Security Guards. They were asking all sorts of questions about you and Abby. The president. They wanted to know how my van was connected.” She blew out a breath. “I told them it was stolen.”

“Good thinking. Hannah. It’s not safe for you to stay there any longer. I need you to come to us.”

He expected his strong and confident sister to push back. Instead, she blew out a breath. “I’m beginning to think that’s wise, but how? They’re watching the place. There are a couple of cars outside that have been here ever since those men were here earlier. If I take my car, I’m afraid they’ll be watching for it.”

Brookes’s mind flew in a dozen different directions. “What about your friend who got rid of our car? Can he get you out of there?”

“I can ask.”

“Do it. And call me back when you’re on your way. Bring as much medical supplies as you can. Hurry, Hannah.” He ended the call and told Abby about the men watching Hannah’s clinic. “I sure hope she gets out of there soon. If they ever figure out she’s my sister, they’ll arrest her.”

Abby touched his arm and he turned to her. The tenderness in her eyes made him long for things to be different between them. It was hard to accept that no matter how much he loved her, it wouldn’t be enough to change her mind. Instead, he tucked her into his arms and held her. He’d always love her. No matter what it cost him, Brookes couldn’t imagine spending his life with anyone else, so he’d take whatever crumbs she allowed him.

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