Noah gave a weary nod. “We’ve got people on it. His name’s out to every contact we have, and we’re working his digital trail.”
Eli leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “What about the institute? How soon before the search starts?”
“It’s already begun,” Noah assured him. “We got the full warrant which means no areas are restricted from being searched.”
That was good about every part of the facility being searched because there could be patients in distress on the grounds.
“Where’s Hale?” Eli asked.
Noah’s jaw flexed, and more of that weariness crept into his expression. “Missing.”
Eli muttered a curse under his breath. “Then he’s on the run.”
“Maybe,” Noah replied. “Or maybe he thinks he covered himself so well he doesn’t need to run. Could be lying low somewhere, waiting for the heat to die down. Or he could show up as if nothing is wrong.”
Delaney shook her head in disgust becauseany one of those possibilities could be true. “Between what Olivia and Ava said, there has to be enough for a full investigation into Hale and his institute.”
“Oh, there will be,” Noah confirmed. “But if Hale’s as careful as we think he is, he may have buried anything that could tie him to the worst of it.”
Delaney looked away, her stomach tight. She hated the idea that someone like Hale could hide behind protocol and paperwork. That someone like Ava had been trapped, manipulated. Used.
“I want him found,” she said.
“We all do,” Noah agreed. “And we’re not stopping until we get there.”
Noah rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, his eyes scanning the hallway before landing on Delaney and Eli again. “Wade’s clammed up,” he continued. “Stopped talking the minute his lawyer showed up. But he’s still getting charged with two counts of attempted murder.”
Delaney followed his glance to the bandage on her arm. She shifted slightly, the dull ache reminding her the wound was still fresh.
Noah’s expression softened. “How’s it holding up?”
“It’s sore, but I’m fine.” She managed what she hoped was a reassuring smile. However, she failed.
Noah didn’t look the least bit convinced. “Go home,” he stated, and it sounded like an order. “Both of you. I don’t want to hear from either ofyou until morning. Maybe this time, you’ll actually get some rest.”
Delaney looked at Eli. His eyes met hers, and she could tell they were both thinking the same thing.
They’d try, but getting that rest was easier said than done when the pieces of the puzzle were still shifting.
Delaney followed Eli through the sliding hospital doors and outside where it was surprisingly quiet. The quiet felt surreal after everything that had happened, but she welcomed it. She needed just to catch her breath. Had to have a moment or two to try to settle the tangle of nerves.
They crossed the lot without saying much, both of them moving like their limbs were heavier than they should be. By the time they climbed into the SUV, Delaney was sinking fast. The exhaustion hit her deep in her bones. Eli didn’t ask where they were going. He just drove, taking them back to her cabin.
The trees passed in a blur, shadows stretching long across the road. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, only for a moment.
“You need to eat something,” Eli said softly.
She opened her eyes, ready to argue. But the words never came. He was right. The adrenaline that had kept her sharp all day was gone, leaving her worn and hollowed out. Still, when sheglanced at him, she saw the same fatigue etched into his features.
“You look worse than I do,” she said.
“Probably,” he replied, a small curve to his mouth. “But I’m still feeding you.”
At the cabin, the porch light cast a soft glow over the steps. Inside, it was quiet and warm. Familiar. Delaney let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
They moved around each other in the kitchen without speaking much. Eli grabbed the container of chili from the fridge, and she pulled bowls and spoons from the cabinet. She wanted to tell him to sit, that she could handle it, but he gave her a look that saidNot now.
When the microwave hummed to life, Delaney finally turned to him. He was leaning on the counter, head bowed slightly, eyes dark with something more than just exhaustion.
