Chapter Eight
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“Hi, Cassie,” Rydersaid, drawing her attention as Kerrigan closed the door behind them and took a chair off to the side of the room.“Doing okay?”
Oh, fantastic.“Yes.”Why was Tristan in here, and why had they called him in before her?
“Have a seat and we’ll get started.”
The only remaining chair was beside Tristan.She took it, crossing her ankles and placing her palms flat on her thighs to keep from fidgeting.Being so close to him while in front of management with her future on the line ratcheted her anxiety even higher.
“First off, we’re sorry you went through all this yesterday,” Callum said in his deep, commanding voice.
She had the utmost respect for all her bosses, but with him it was on another level.As an elite Delta operator, he’d conducted high-risk capture and hostage rescue missions in the most dangerous places on earth.The most recent one had been as a civilian when he’d gone into Afghanistan after the US withdrawal to pull out the woman who was now his wife.
“And we’re all glad you’re okay,” he added.
“Thanks.”She fought the urge to bounce her knee, wishing they’d just get down to it.Was she at fault for anything or not?“Is there any update on the investigation on the shooters?”She hadn’t heard anything from the police, not that she’d really expected them to update her during their investigation.
“The suspect vehicles were all rented using a fake ID.We don’t have any information on the suspects themselves yet, but we’re working closely with all law-enforcement parties involved,” Walker said, his calm, unflappable demeanor easing the sharpest edge off her nerves.
She nodded, glanced between Callum and Ryder.Might as well come right out and ask.“I assume you’ve reviewed the dashcam footage.May I see it?”
“Yes, of course,” Callum said.“Walker, pull it up.”
The flat screen mounted on the far wall came to life, showing the video footage from her company vehicle’s dashcam.Walker hit play.
Cassie’s hands curled into fists on her thighs.She’d already given her statement and answered questions at the station.It wasn’t any easier the second time.
While she’d expected CPS to show her the dashcam footage, having to watch it over again in front of an audience that would determine her future was jarring.She’d been so preoccupied with driving and decision making when everything had gone down.Seeing it unfold like this was entirely different.
She swallowed when the two suspect vehicles appeared up ahead in the distance, muscles tightening.But for the life of her, she still didn’t see anything suspicious.Nothing that should have tipped her off to the imminent danger about to occur.
“When did you first realize there could potentially be a problem?”Ryder asked her.
“A few seconds after this.When the vehicle speeding up behind me got closer.”
Tristan shifted beside her in his seat, the leather creaking slightly as he leaned his body toward her in silent support.She drew in a slow breath, inhaling his clean scent.
While she wished he wasn’t here to witness any of this, she had to admit his presence made her feel slightly less alone and vulnerable.
“Can you walk us through your thought process for the rest of it?”Callum asked.
“Sure.”
The video showed her hammering the brakes as soon as she realized what was happening.She explained it step by step as best she could.
Watching the shooters emerge from the vehicles in front of her moments later was surreal.She took evasive maneuvers immediately.
