Page 59 of Tough as Steele

She might assert her independence, but now wasn’t the time to do it. Not when it felt like this building could collapse in a strong wind.

Londyn took his hand and relished the feel of his rough skin. The strength of his arm. The knowledge that he had her back and would help her if she got into danger. She reluctantly let go and climbed down the ladder.

Nate followed. He hit the bottom rung. It gave way. His arms went out like a windmill, but he righted himself before he took a tumble.

She reached out to stop his fall. Their eyes met. Held. She didn’t want to be anywhere else with anyone else. Just there. With Nate. Looking into his eyes. Imagining what could be between them. Wanting it and knowing it was a bad idea.

The building shook, breaking her trance.

How could she let herself be pulled into such an intimate moment at a crime scene? Ridiculous. Even more crazy that Nate seemed equally engaged in the flood of emotions.

She bolted for the door, racing across uneven and damaged floorboards. She nearly caught her foot and had to hop to right herself. He had to know what she was doing. A blush crept over her face, and when she stepped out, Bristol would see it. But Londyn couldn’t remain in the barn with Nate.

She plunged out into the open, turning away from Bristol. Nate exited far more gracefully, looking completely unaffected by their shared moment as he rejoined Easton, who was just finishing a phone call.

Easton clenched his jaw and released a breath. “That was the ME. I told her that this was related to an abduction of an elderly woman and got her to agree to do the autopsy today. Dr. Albertson will be doing the cut. Know her?”

Nate, Londyn, and Bristol all nodded.

“She’s the best,” Londyn said. “If there’s anything off, she’ll find it.”

“Did you get a preliminary time of death from her?” Nate asked.

“Body temp says he died around ten p.m.”

Nate looked at Londyn. “Not long after Mimi went missing.”

“And about six hours before we first arrived here.” Londyn looked at Nate. “You think the shooter hung out that long or the guys who opened fire on us aren’t involved in the shooting?”

Easton shook his head. “I don’t know. It all seems odd. Especially since the body was moved. That fact makes it seem less likely that they planned to take Gaskin’s body with them. Six hours would be plenty of time to do that.”

Londyn looked at Easton. “We haven’t heard that the men who shot at us have been detained. Do you have an update on that?”

“They’re long gone. Our deputies had eyes on them, but they went cross-country on their big rig. Our men couldn’t follow. The alert remains active, and I’ve obtained a warrant for ALPR records.”

“Good thinking,” Nate said.

Londyn agreed, though she thought it was a long shot out here in the boonies.

“It’s a unique vehicle and loud with the custom mufflers,” Bristol said. “If the suspects keep using it, we’ll apprehend them.”

Londyn liked her sister’s confidence, but the county covered many miles, a lot of them rural, and ALPR worked better in the metro area than the rural part of the county, where fewer patrol cars were deployed. But Londyn wouldn’t say anything and taint the optimistic mood.

“Wigg could borrow a vehicle or even try to rent one,” Nate said. “We need a real-time banking and credit card alert for him.”

Easton rolled his eyes. “Like that will happen.”

“What about the Hotwatch Act?” Bristol asked. “Ryleigh’s a federal agent, and she could subpoena the information for us.”

“Ryleigh?” Easton asked. “Hotwatch?”

“She’s our cousin.” Bristol peered at Easton. “The act allows federal agents real-time access to things like credit and debit card transactions. Airline and hotel reservations. Even cell phone calls and rental car activities.”

“You think she’ll do it?” Nate asked.

“Of course,” Londyn said. “A woman’s life is in immediate danger.”

“Then let’s ask her,” Nate said, sounding desperate. “If we need to form a task force to legally loop her in, we will.”

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