Thomas replies first, “As okay as we can be. Any update on Henry?”
“He’s in surgery. They’re optimistic. The bullet missed any major arteries, and looks like it missed bone, too. He should be okay.”
A heavy sense of relief settles in my body.
“We will interview you separately for now, okay?” Chief asks, and I nod, not sure of the usual procedures.
Thomas cringes, but doesn’t say anything. He squeezes my hand as I’m led into a separate room.
“Do you need anything, Han?” Thomas asks before he leaves. “They’ll bring you some water, but I can stay, if you need me?”
I shake my head. “I’m okay. I won’t be long, anyway. My story is much shorter than yours.”
Thomas grimaces. “If you need me, tell them and I’ll be there, no matter what. Okay?”
“Yeah,” I reply, and he pulls me into his embrace. I sink into the hug, focusing on the steady beat of his heart. He’s calm. I can do this.
He pulls back after a moment and leans down. His lips caress my forehead, and I feel the heat creeping up my cheeks.
“I’m right next door, freckles.”
15
THOMAS
“Is Hannah okay?” I ask for what seems like the millionth time. We’ve been separated now for an hour, and I’m worried about her. I cleaned up as much of the blood as I could in the bathroom before coming in here, but I haven’t left this room since.
Elena, nods. “She’s finishing up shortly, I think.” Elena got here with a crew from the FBI a bit ago, and they promptly announced that they’d be taking over the investigation.
“Then I can take her home?” I ask, ready to stand up from the chair.
Elena cringes, her dark brows furrowing. “Officer Cunningham,” she says slowly. “There’s something you need to know.”
My heart sinks with the change of her tone. Did something happen to Hannah? Did she have another panic attack? I rise from my chair, ready to stride out of this room to find her, consequences be damned. “What happened? Is Hannah okay? Is it Henry?”
“They’re both fine, but Thomas, please sit down.” She gestures to the uncomfortable chair I’ve been sitting in.
“What is it?” I press, my anxiety still heightened.
“We found a tracker on your personal vehicle. Do we have permission to do a sweep of your house?”
My stomach sinks. “Yes. Arson, my K9 is inside, but if you send one of our guys, he will be fine.”
Elena nods, picking up her phone and sending off a message. “You’ve been working on this case for a while, is that right?”
I nod, folding my hands in front of me. “Since day one. I was the one who made the connection that we were dealing with a trafficking situation.”
Elena takes notes, soaking up all of the information I offer her. I’ve been working on this for years now. I’ve been one of the most involved officers in the department. I begged for help until they finally sent Henry my way. We couldn’t find the link we’d been searching for. Anyone we interviewed knew the barest of information, or the friends of kids that passed away got the drugs from a friend of a friend, and the trail always ran dry.
I tell Elena all of this in depth, even going as far as having her pull files and cases that are pertinent to the investigation. After another hour, Elena steps out of the room to give the information I gave her to the other detectives.
When she comes back in, her eyes are downcast, and she can’t look me in the eye. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but with the information you’ve provided us and the circumstances, the FBI believes it would be best that you be placed in a safe house for the time being.”
My world spins, this already small room seeming toclose in on me. “No, you can’t. I need to stay here. I have to make sure my family and Hannah are okay.”
“They will be. At this time, we don’t have a reason to believe that your family or Hannah are in danger, of course we will monitor them closely, and should they need to be moved, we will,” Elena explains.
The thought of any member of my family, ofHannahbeing harmed because of me is enough to send a cold chill through my veins.
