By the time it stopped on the lobby level they both faced the doors, ready to escape the scene of the crime.
They walked silently to her car, her one step ahead. Got in simultaneously.
He wanted to say something. Wanted to revel in his victory.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do either. He’d beaten her at her own game.
There was just one sticking point ... at what cost to her?
To him?
His cell buzzed, breaking the choking tension.
He dragged it from his jacket pocket. “Tanner.”
It was Elizabeth. She wanted him to come over right away. She was frantically worried about her mother. The pain and grief in her voice tortured him.
There was no question now ... he was crazy. Stark raving.
“I’ll be right there.”
He backed out of the parking slot and rolled toward the street. “That was Elizabeth. She needs me. I can ask about Dane while I’m there.”
Annette didn’t respond.
She didn’t have to. He understood. He’d stripped away the tough veneer that protected the fragile woman beneath. A picture of her as a twelve-year-old child left alone and defenseless, beaten and abused, consumed him. Annette Baxter had been fighting her way through life ever since. Had been fighting for survival, most of the time against men.
He stopped at a red light. His mind did the same.
What did that make him?
37
5:30 p.m.
3202 Fernway Road, Mountain Brook
Drake Estate
Carson held Elizabeth for a long while. Her mother was sleeping now, but she’d been a wreck when he had first arrived.
At least Elizabeth and Patricia had each other. He’d had no one when his family was murdered.
Except his uncle Max. He didn’t count on so many levels that it didn’t seem appropriate to bother the attempt. But he’d been there as best he could.
“What can I do?” Carson asked, certain there was something. Luttrell might be assigned to the case and Carson might be on administrative leave, but that wasn’t going to stop him from doing what he could. Luttrell wasn’t nearly as good as him. And Carson intended to prove it.
Somehow, all of this was tied together. Carson was determined to get to the truth.
Elizabeth shook her head. “Thank you. Just being here is enough.” She cuddled deeper into his arms.
Guilt poked him at the idea of what he and Baxter had done in that elevator. It felt almost as if he’d cheated on Elizabeth. More crazy notions. “Have you notified the rest of your family?”
“There really isn’t anyone. Dane is never home. Who knows what’s going on with him?”
If Elizabeth only knew.
Time to broach the question. “Where is Dane?”
