Page 74 of Collateral

When she called the code black, they’d have evacuated the man in 6B. A few of her texts had been to confirm they were out, and then confirm when they got to the new safe house.

Clare had a lot of gift card thank-yous to send when this was done.

“We think Aaron’s plan was to sneak in a device,” Gage said. “Or maybe pay someone to plant something.”

She glanced at him. “Can we find out if Alex is awake?” The guy had extra police protection right now, but she needed to talk to him. “He’s the one who knows where those diamonds are.”

Gage pushed off the wall, touched her shoulder, and strode.

Ember let out awhoo.

Clare turned to her. “What?”

“Girl, he is fine times twelve.”

Clare rolled her eyes. “I want Selena found.”

“Fine, but after we get her back, we’re going out for girls night again and you’re gonna dish.”

“Who have you become?”

“I’m a mother to a newborn. I need adult conversation, preferably juicy.”

Clare sighed.

“I’m trusting God that He will keep Selena safe until we can find her. It would be a good idea if you do the same thing, too.”

“Like it’s a magic trick?” Clare asked.

“You know it’s not.” Ember lifted her brows. “But when we admit our need for Him, that’s when He can work. Until then He comes up against a wall of our stubbornness, and He’s not overbearing so He won’t break through it, even if I think He should sometimes. He’s gentler than that. He lets us make the choice.”

“Will it save her?”

“It could mean the difference between success and failure, yes,” Ember said. “But it’s more about your heart.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

The officer nodded. “Doc just came out. He’s awake.”

“You can take five,” Gage said. “I need to talk to him.”

“Thanks, Lieutenant.” He wandered off.

They’d moved Alex to a quieter end of the hallway, away from where Aaron Crenshaw had taken Selena and stabbed another officer. A place that was easier to guard and harder to access. Though, nowhere was impenetrable.

The moment you thought like that was when you got sloppy about security.

Gage stepped into the hospital room. Things had been emotionally charged with Clare. He didn’t think she would leave without him, but it was good he could do this himself. He had no stake in Selena’s kidnapping other than professionally. He didn’t care about her like Clare did, which meant he could ask questions without that concern lacing his tone.

“Alex, I’m Lieutenant Deluca.” He left the door cracked in case Clare came looking.

The young man had been shot in the shoulder. Survived the trauma and blood loss, and surgery, and been medicated into a coma. After that, the doctors had to follow a protocol to bring him out of it. The guy was pale but looked surprisingly alert for a guy who’d nearly died recently.

“Have you been brought up to speed about what’s happening?”

Alex turned to look at Gage. “I guess. He took Selena, he stabbed a cop. It’s on me if she dies because I’m part of his crew.” Alex’s jaw flexed. “Even though I hadnothingto do with anything after I decided to testify against him.”

Gage wondered if he’d been expecting witness protection as part of a deal. “Did you believe he might do something like this?”

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