Page 15 of Targeted in Silver Creek

Again, Shaw seemed to have another mental debate before he finally turned his gaze back to Jesse.

“Our prime suspect is Marlene, Bull’s sister.”

Chapter Five

Marlene.

Jesse had to admit he hadn’t seen that particular accusation coming, and he reminded himself that it might be just that.

An accusation.

He didn’t know Agent Shaw that well, and the agent might be handing him a load of lies to throw suspicion off himself. Jesse didn’t think he had that much in common with Bull but, at the moment, it appeared they shared a mutual distrust of Shaw and the ATF.

“What evidence do you have that Marlene might be the militia leader?” Jesse demanded.

“Evidence that I’m not at liberty to share with you. I’m sorry,” Shaw quickly tacked on, “but it involves intel from informants.”

“Criminal informants?” Jesse questioned, and even though Shaw didn’t confirm or deny that, his steely expression was enough of a confirmation as far as Jesse was concerned.

The info had likely come from one of the jailed militia members who might or might not be telling the truth. Jesse was going to go with themight notin this case because Marlene certainly hadn’t been arrested for any crime in Silver Creek. That didn’t mean Jesse wouldn’t check to make sure she was clean, but for the moment, he would consider her a missing person. One who might be dead or in danger from her brother, a supposed dirty agent.

Yeah, he had plenty of questions.

“Since I’m not sure of Bull’s intentions,” Shaw continued while he turned to Hanna, “it’d be best for you and your son to be in protective custody. I can arrange for that.”

A burst of air left Hanna’s mouth. Part laugh, part huff, and with a whole lot of “no thanks” that made Jesse proud of her for standing up to the agent. This danger and fear had to be taking a serious toll on her, but she wasn’t just going to run for cover in what could be the wrong place.

“We’re already in protective custody,” Hanna assured the man. “Jesse’s. I think he’ll do a much more thorough job of protecting his son than whatever agent you can assign to the task.”

“Fine,” Shaw grumbled. “Suit yourself. But you might want to remember that Jesse’s the target here.”

“The possible target,” Hanna corrected before Jesse could. “It’s also possible that someone planted the info about Jesse being a target to separate him from Evan and me so we’d be easier to take or kill.” She tapped her head. “I’m the one who could confirm or dispute Bull’s claims.”

Shaw’s eyes widened. “Your memory’s coming back?”

“No.” Jesse couldn’t say that fast enough. He didn’t want Bull or someone else going after Hanna even if it was true.

Or rather, true-ish.

Yeah, she had recalled at least bits and pieces about him being in her kitchen the morning after they’d had sex. Judging from the heat Jesse had also seen in her eyes, she’d maybe recalled the sex, too, but Bull or even Shaw might want to ensure she stayed silent.

“No,” Hanna echoed when Shaw just kept that hard stare on her. “My memory isn’t coming back. It might never come back, and from what you said, it seems as if your now-rogue agent is responsible for that. You as well.”

“Me?” Shaw snarled.

“You,” she verified. Her voice was not only stronger, but she also took a step toward Shaw. “Because I don’t need to learn all the details of your investigation to know that you should have kept a better leash on Bull. You should have known he was accompanying a desperate, violent militia member to the Silver Creek Ranch and that bystanders, like me and my baby, could have been hurt or killed.”

Shaw didn’t deny any of that. Couldn’t. Because Hanna was right. Even if Bull claimed he had no idea what Arnie was going to do that night, he should have requested some kind of backup from Shaw to deal with Arnie, who’d obviously gotten out of control.

“Mistakes were made,” Shaw finally said, clearly not personally taking any blame. “But remember that Bull saved your life.”

Hanna took another step closer to the agent, and even though Jesse could see her hand trembling, she was staying strong. “I don’t have a memory of that because Arnie took it away from me. All I have is the word of a deep cover agent who might or might not be dirty. A deep cover agent who might or might not have told the truth. Excuse me if I don’t jump on theBull did me a favorbandwagon because, as far as I know, he could have been the one who shot me.”

Jesse had to force himself not to smile. This was the Hanna he’d known before the shooting, and it was good to see her fighting back.

Shaw didn’t acknowledge what she’d just said, not verbally anyway, but he stayed quiet, obviously stewing for a couple of long moments. He was still in “glare” mode when he shifted back to Jesse.

“I read your report that Bull called you last night,” Shaw said. “Has he contacted you again?”

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