Page 64 of Wyoming Bodyguard
Lily sat beside her father’s bed with his hand in hers. She spoke softly, a sweet smile on her face as her words floated between them.
He hated interrupting but didn’t want her to be surprised if she found him missing. “Lily?”
She glanced over her shoulder and the fatigue in her eyes pulled at his heartstrings. “Do we need to leave?”
“No, take as much time as you’d like. Reid called, and he needs to show me some stuff. He’s on his way here. I’m going to step outside. I won’t be long.”
Her eyes went wide, and she started to stand. “I’ll come with you.”
He shot out his hands palms down and gestured for her to sit back down. “Don’t worry. A sheriff’s deputy is sitting outside. You’re safe.”
Gratitude lifted her lips. “Thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll let you know when I’m back.” The urge to storm across the room and kiss her was so strong, but he held back. He didn’t want to intrude even more on this moment she needed with her father.
Hurrying from the room, he sent Reid a text letting him know he’d meet him in the emergency room parking lot. The doors opened, and he settled his hat back on his head. Morning had come and gone, bringing the afternoon heat from the blinding sun. A light breeze stirred the lush leaves in the trees on the far side of the hospital.
Reid’s red truck turned into the parking lot, and Madden waved his arm high to gain his attention. Anticipation beat through him. Reid made it sound as if he’d found something of utmost importance.
The truck crawled toward him, stopping near the loading zone kept clear for emergency vehicles.
“Dude, you can’t park here.” Madden approached the driver’s side.
Reid waved away his concern. “I don’t plan on staying long. Thought I’d bring you this.” He extended a small pile of papers out the window. “I’d printed everything off before I left the office. It’ll give you something to look at while you’re here.”
Madden grabbed the sheets and briefly scanned the numbers on top. “This looks like the spreadsheet we found on Mr. Tremont’s computer. Why’s it so important I see this now?” A tug of disappointment pulled down his lips. He hoped for something to bring this investigation to an end, not data they already had.
“Flip through the rest. I highlighted amounts I received from ranchers with stolen cattle. Estimated figures of what they would have sold for, what rustlers can get on the black market. That kind of thing. I haven’t spoken with all the ranches yet, but enough of them match to paint a pretty damning picture.”
Quickly flipping through the pages, Madden’s stomach muscles tightened. “Shit.”
“Yeah, doesn’t look good. And there’s more.”
A black truck pulled into the lot and searched for a parking spot.
Madden hooked an elbow on the window. “Tell me.”
“I found an account connected to Kevin Tremont. Not a lot of money in there, but a lot of movement. Big deposits followed by big withdrawals.”
“How in the hell did you find that?”
Reid smirked. “I have my ways.”
He should demand to know what those ways were, but he’d do that later. Now he needed to speak with the sheriff’s department and see if they had any of the same information.
Information that could put Kevin Tremont behind bars.
The roar of an engine caught his attention, and Madden shifted just in time to spy the black truck gunning forward. His heart thundered in his ears. “What the hell?”
The truck stopped, the window lowered and the driver fired off three quick gunshots before charging toward the exit.
Madden fell to the ground and covered his head with his hands. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, threatening to explode from his body. Glass rained down on him. With the taillights in sight, he jumped to his feet. Fear slammed against his gut.
Reid slumped against the seat. Eyes wide, and blood trickling down the side of his face.
Chapter 24
“Reid! Holy shit. You’re shot.” Madden spun toward the now open doors to the emergency room. Two doctors ran out. “Help! My friend needs help. Now.”
