“I’m all right, Macy!”
“Can you see Delray?”
Brad watched Jake and Ethan move up and down the bank, looking into the water. Taking a breath, he dived down again and waved his hands about; he couldn’t see anything in the dark. When his lungs were bursting, he swam back to the surface.
“I can’t find him.”
“Give me your hand. You won’t see anything now, it’s too dark.”
“I’m going under once more.”
He did before anyone tried to stop him, but soon his lungs were burning, and he could find no trace of Brian Delray. Once again he rose to the surface.
“No more, Brad. Macy is worried about you and needs you out here.”
He took the hand Ethan held out to him and let himself be pulled to the bank.
Macy was in his arms seconds later.
“I’m wet, baby.”
“I don’t care. I thought he’d shot you.”
He held her tight, feeling the shivers that shook her body.
“I was so scared he’d hurt you, Macy.”
“Is he dead?”
“I don’t know, honey. I couldn’t find him.”
Her body shuddered and burrowed into his. He felt Ethan's hand on his arm and heard Annabelle talking on the phone, but he never moved, just held Macy.
“Are you okay, did he hurt you?”
“I’m okay now I’m here with you.”
The approach of lights had him looking up, and he saw Cubby's cruiser.
“Let's go now.” Ethan squeezed his shoulder. “It's over.”
Brad changedinto Jake’s clothes and then held Macy's hand while he checked her over. Her face was pale in the places that weren't bruised. She was dirty, clothes torn, but she was alive and with him. He had to keep reminding himself of that.
“I'm all right, Brad.”
“You don't look all right.”
“She's fine. Nothing's broken, just bruised,” Jake assured him. “But you'll be sore for a while.”
She took the hot drink Branna handed her, and he made sure she drank every mouthful. When Cubby walked inside, the color she’d got back drained away again.
“He’s dead, Macy. One of my deputies found his body.”
Brad moved closer, wrapping an arm around her now.
“Thank you for telling me, and now I’d like to go home.”
They wanted her to stay right there where they could watch over her, but she was adamant about wanting to leave. So Brad borrowed Jake’s car and promised he’d watch over her.
