Cut and Run(90)

“Brogan’s inside. He’s got it under control.” Hayden tried to take the baby from her.

Her grip tightened around the small bundle. “I have her.”

“You’re unsteady. Let me have her.”

She pushed back the towel and stared at the squalling infant and then handed the little girl to him. He cradled her like a football.

She looked over at the man lying on the ground. “His name is Kevin. I’ve met him before. He didn’t want Kat, Paige, or the baby, but used them to lure me to him. He was going to use me to get to Macy and whatever he thought Jack Crow had left her.”

“What would Crow leave Macy?” Hayden asked.

“She thinks her father had evidence against Garnet and he mailed it to Macy.”

“How do you know?”

“She’s awake. She told me.” A sob caught in her throat. “Jesus, Hayden, who would hire a monster like that?”

“I don’t know. But we’ll find out.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “I’m just so damn glad you’re okay. I wouldn’t have made it if I lost you.”

Instead of answering, she kissed him softly on the lips as the first of the paramedics stepped in to administer first aid.





Kathy Saunders, 1989

Josie and Olivia are dead. I know it. He says they are not. He says they’ve gone on to better lives. But he lies. He always lies. And I will be dead soon, too.

Things I like. Country music. High-waist, stonewashed jeans. My teddy bear, Boo. Starry nights.

Things I hate. This room. Not seeing my sister, Diane, again. This pen running out of ink.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Friday, June 29, 9:00 p.m.

Faith had spent several hours in the emergency room with Kat, Paige, and the baby. Doctors had also done an MRI and determined Faith did not have a concussion. The gash in her forehead hadn’t required stitches, just a couple of butterfly bandages.

Once Hayden had heard from the doctors she was going to be fine, she had insisted he return to the crime scene. It had taken her several tries to convince him to go, and finally, he had left.

She’d been able to wash the blood from her hands and face, but her blouse had been a total loss, so the staff had lent her a pair of scrubs and flip-flops.

Now as she sat in the exam cubicle, she pushed back her hair and straightened her shoulders. All she could do was mull over the unanswered questions that still lingered. Hayden had discovered that Kevin was Mark Canada and had done jail time for assault. It was assumed Canada had been hired, but the question was, By whom? What was in the package that he was so willing to torture and kill for?

“Where’s Faith McIntyre?” Kat’s loud, unsteady voice cut through the buzz of the emergency exam cubicles.

Faith pushed off the gurney and drew back the curtain. Kat was standing in the center of the room, dressed in a hospital gown, her pregnant belly protruding, and pulling her IV pole with her.

“Kat. You should be in your exam room.”

The girl’s face crumpled, and tears streamed down her cheeks as she rushed toward Faith, still pulling her IV. “No one would tell me where you were.”

Faith smoothed back the girl’s hair and smiled. “I’m right here. We’re all fine.”

She sobbed. “When I got here, my head was spiraling and I couldn’t think. But when I shook off those drugs, all I could remember was that man taking you away.”

“I’m fine.” She glanced past the girl to see several nurses moving toward her. One was pushing a wheelchair.

Kat gently touched the bandages on Faith’s forehead. “You’re hurt.”

“No. I’m really no worse for the wear. But you need to get back into your room and rest. They’re going to have to take you to the maternity ward and check out you and the baby.”

“It’s kicking the crap out of me,” Kat said.

“Good.” Faith helped the girl lower into the wheelchair.

“Where is that Paige girl?” Kat asked.

“She’s in the maternity ward with her baby.”

“Can I see her?” Kat asked.

“Her parents are with her now, but I don’t see why not. If it weren’t for you, we might not have ever found her.”

Kat wiped away several tears. “He said he was going to use me as bait.”

“I know.” Faith laid her hands on Kat’s shoulders. “But it didn’t work. We’re all okay, and he’s dead.”

“The Ranger got him, didn’t he?” Kat asked.

“Yes, he did.”

Kat sniffed. “He’s pretty cool. You should keep him.”

Faith laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“What are you doing? Can you come with me to maternity?”

“I’ll visit you as soon as I can. I have a few other things I have to take care of first. Don’t worry; the nurses will take good care of you.”

Kat gripped her fingers. “You promise?”

“I surely do, kid.”

Faith stood and watched as the nurses wheeled Kat away, and when she turned to figure out how the hell she was going to get out of this place, Hayden stepped into view.

He strode toward her, his hat in his hand. Without a word, he gripped her arm in a firm but gentle hold. “You’re like that kid. You don’t listen.”