Page 23 of Deadly Attraction
“I doubt she drove or pulled the trigger. She wanted you to see her face so all the ‘resistance’ fighters would know she was involved in the rescue when the video was released to the media, but she’s not one to do the dirty work, even if she claims to be a resistance fighter. That much I have ascertained from studying her social media habits.”
“That so?” Mitch pulled up the text from Dupé he’d received earlier and held it out for her to read.
Second armed guard, severely injured. Reports Brown shot driver point blank.
Her body language didn’t change, yet he sensed she was controlling it on purpose. “I’d like to see the footage.”
She tried to take his phone and tap the video clip attached to the text but Mitch held tight. She didn’t need to see the camera catching the driver’s calls for help. He’d been pinned by the steering wheel, unable to do more than pull his gun from its holster as Brown busted in the door, pronounced some of her TV show mumbo-jumbo, and shot him point blank.
Emma’s fingers were warm against his and her eyes rose up to meet his gaze. Something sizzled between them. For a second, they stood like that, each vying for the phone without actually moving a muscle. Underneath the conquest of the phone was something else. Raw. Sensual.
Power of will was a funny thing. Mitch had learned that in the field, seeing injured soldiers ignore busted knees, broken wrists, and gunshot wounds in order to save one of their own. Hell, he’d carried a few men himself across enemy lines to safety, willpower the only thing keeping his injured body moving.
But not Mac. There’d been nothing left of Mac to carry home.
Emma released the phone and broke eye contact. Cleared her throat. “Linda is no doubt enjoying Chris’s company and not worrying about me, other than to throw out threats. It empowers her. Makes her feel in control.”
“He’s with her right now, isn’t he? So if we hunt down Linda Brown, we’ll find Goodsman.”
“It’s possible.”
Mitch pulled his cell out and dialed Cooper. The call went nowhere. “Dammit, the cell tower’s out again.”
“Try this.” Emma scooted the desk phone toward him. “The landlines were out yesterday, but they’re obviously working today.”
Mitch picked up the handset and started to dial, dropped it back into the cradle. “No dial tone.”
“It will come back.”
“Do you have any idea where Linda might hang out? Where she might hide Goodsman?”
“No clue, but maybe something will be said in the fan forums. She’ll want to gloat about rescuing Chris.”
“I didn’t see anything last night when I was researching, but I’ll check out more in-depth stuff while you write up your notes.”
Mitch grabbed his laptop and plunked on the couch. Emma stared at him. “What?” he said.
“I dictate my notes. You’ll need to go downstairs.”
“Sorry, Doc, not gonna happen. Where you are, I am.”
“Patient confidentiality requires—”
“Protectingyourequires I stay within five feet of your physical presence.”
“Since when?”
He gave her a snarky smile. “Since I deemed it necessary five minutes ago. You have two potential stalkers at this point who’ve both made threats against your life. I’m not going anywhere, and no offense, but I couldn’t care less about your patient, so suck it up.”
“You don’t need to be in the same room with me. At least step out into the hall and give me some privacy.”
Pepper came and laid down at his feet. Salt stayed by Emma. Both of them watched her as Mitch opened his laptop and searched for the satellite connection. “Nope.”
The dogs looked at him.
So did Emma, giving him a penetrating stare as she drew out her chair and sat. “Why are you being difficult about this?”
Back the dogs’ heads went to look at her.
