“And still is.” Mary patted the woman’s arm. “I’ll drop by the hospital later.”
Before Betty had taken two steps toward the exit, Nick laid a hand on her shoulder. “Ms. Reedy, if you need someone to talk to or you need assistance, you can count on us. We’re here to help Santa. If he’s in any kind of trouble, we want to get to the bottom of it.”
Betty’s gaze narrowed and she opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She snapped her lips shut and shook her head. “I sure wish I knew where he was. He’s got us all worried half to death.”
Nick nodded. “I’d hate for what happened to Reuben to happen to Santa. Just remember, we’re here.”
Betty nodded, a flush rising in her cheeks. “Well, uh, thanks. I suppose I’d better get going. I want to make sure they’re treating Reuben right at that hospital.” She walked away still muttering to herself. “Hard to believe a killer could just walk right in...”
After Betty left, Mary planted a hand on Nick’s chest and guided him back into the room. “What was that all about?”
Nick captured her hand and, before he could think, turned it palm upward, pressing a kiss to the smooth, warm skin. “I think Betty knows more about your father’s disappearance than she’s letting on.”
“Just because she made that comment about my father wanting me to know?” Mary stared at the closed door leading to the hallway. “Do you really think she does?” She turned as if to follow the older woman.
Nick stopped her by tugging on the hand he still held. “Don’t push her. I’ll have Kat keep an eye on her. If Ms. Reedy knows anything, Kat will find out. In the meantime...” He strode across the room and touched the trackpad on the laptop. He brought up the e-mail Royce had sent.
“In the meantime what?” Mary moved up behind him, her body warm, the scent of her hair and skin sending miniature shock waves through him, reminding him how good it had been between them the night before. He turned, not realizing just how close she stood, and found himself bumping into her, body to body. He reached out to steady her, his fingers gripping her shoulders. The urge to pull her into his arms was so strong, he ached with the need.
A soft knock sounded on his door, followed by Kat’s voice. “Nick?”
“We need to talk.” Nick stared down into Mary’s smoky blue eyes. “Just not now.” He dropped his hold.
Mary stepped back, wrapping her arms around her middle. “You better get the door.” Her gaze didn’t meet his, instead she stared at the door. She’d already backed away physically and now mentally.
Good. At least one of them had sense enough to know a relationship between them was destined to fail. Nick yanked the door open.
Kat stood on the other side balancing a cardboard tray containing three foam cups and a newspaper. Her glance skimmed past Nick to Mary. “Oh, good, I hoped you’d be here, seeing as the folks at the diner gave me three coffees instead of two.”
Mary’s face flushed. “Good morning, Kat.”
Nick took the tray and pulled her through the door.
Kat’s brow furrowed. “What’s going on?”
“Someone tried to kill Reuben Tyler at the Fairbanks hospital, and I have info from headquarters.” He set the coffee on the table next to the laptop.
“Is Taylor going to make it?” Kat asked.
“Tyler,” Mary corrected. “And yes, so far. They’ve got him in the cardiac unit with a police guard.” Mary’s eyes widened. “Taylor. Oh my God.”
Kat gave Mary a half smile. “I meant Tyler.”
“Reuben Tyler.” Mary’s head lifted and she stared up at Nick. “Taylor Rayburn. That’s why I know him. They’re the same. Reuben Tyler is Taylor Rayburn.”
“Did I miss something?” Kat glanced from Nick to Mary and back to Nick.
“Are you sure?” Nick’s gaze never left Mary’s face.
“Positive. Sometimes I’d go with Dad on poker night at Rueben’s house. Mr. Tyler had a photograph on his mantel of himself as a young soldier.” She lifted the photograph and pointed at the man in the picture identified as Taylor Rayburn. Her eyes narrowed. “But that doesn’t make sense.”
“What doesn’t make sense?”
“The article we found in the trunk. The one about illegal arms sales involving Taylor Rayburn.”
“Why?”
“The man I know as Reuben Tyler would never do anything wrong, never commit treason.”
