“I knew Shaw was Jeffries. I didn’t think he’d go after Ellie. He was a lazy drunk. All he had to do was sit in his office and let his people do the job. Occasionally, he had to kiss a baby, put a ribbon on a cow or horse, and walk through a carnival.”
“Then you were had, and you are a moron. Or you are involved. He stood by and watched his daddy whip Eleanor until the skin from her back was ripped from her body. He stood by and watched his daddy chain his other sister to her so they both would suffer and die, because Eleanor did the right thing and reported them.”
Starr squirmed in his seat. “I want protection for my family.”
“Start talking.”
Wes’s chest heaved with anger. “She trusted you, Starr. The Wests? You said the accident was suspicious. Who caused it?”
“I didn’t know until it was done.” Lance shook his head.
“I’m going to the clinic to sit with Ellie. I can’t listen to any more of this,” Wes said. The door slammed behind him.
He walked down the path toward the clinic. A horse neighed in the distance. Instead of going to the clinic, he headed to the stable. The dim lighting formed a restful environment for the horses. When Wes stepped inside, Linus leaned over his stall door.
“Hey, boy, how are you doing tonight?” He ran his hand through his mane. Next he checked on the two horses they rescued. Hepburn and Bogie stood side by side, sharing an occasional nuzzle. Seeing them together gave him a bit of reassurance.
Wes headed to the door and crossed the path to head to the clinic, then he stepped inside. “You can go on back, Mr. Crockett.” Hena buzzed him in.
Wes walked down the corridor, checking on the remaining injured from the explosion before making his way to Eleanor’s room. He was surprised no one was standing guard. He opened the door and entered.
Zach Wentworth was standing, the sole of his foot resting flat against the wall. But it was the other man who garnered his attention. Cord Wyatt, one of the therapists, sat at her side. Wes looked to Zach for answers.
“Cord Wyatt, real name Glenn Hayes, Criminal Investigator, United States Marshals Office,” Zach said.
Glenn Hayes rose from his seat. “Pleased to meet you for real. I’m sorry for the deception.” He extended his hand.
Wes’s hand stayed at his side. “There’s been a lot of deception tonight.” He glared through heavily hooded eyes.
Zach frowned. “We can’t discuss things here. Kieran and Kip are on their way to Arlington with Lance Starr in custody. Hayes and I will meet you up at the house. Spend some time with Ellie.”
Wes sat in the chair Hayes vacated. He lowered the rail and held Eleanor’s hand. “Hey, Curly. I’m so sorry you are suffering like this. I…I recorded you, not to betray your trust, but to help the other girls, including Belinda. And now I believe there are two children out there who deserve their mother.” He lifted her palm to his lips.
Five fingers pressed against his cheek. “Wes?”
“I’m here. Open your eyes.” He pressed the call bell.
Eleanor opened her eyes, the globes bright red, her lashes crusty. Her hand came up to rub them, and she groaned at her touch. “Don’t…go.”
“I’m not, Curly. I’m here all the way.” He squeezed her hand.
Tara Blanchard, a PA, walked in, a bored expression on her face. “You rang?”
“Ellie’s awake,” he said with urgency.
Tara turned to assess Eleanor. “Hi, Eleanor. How are you feeling?” The PA could not conceal her dismay at the sight of Eleanor’s eyes. Eleanor’s pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure were not too different from her previous readings, but her body temperature was now 102.6.
“Honey, I’ll be right back.” Tara forced a smile.
Wes opened a drawer and pulled out a washcloth. He soaked it in cold water, wrung it out and rested it on her forehead. “This will make you feel a little better.”
Tuck slipped inside the room. “Hey, darlin’, it’s Tuck. Welcome back. You scared this guy holding your hand.”
Wes watched Tuck examine Eleanor. Tuck usually maintained a poker face, rarely giving away his concern. This time, Tuck’s expression conveyed one thing—worry.
“Open your mouth for me, Ellie.” Tuck shined his flashlight inside and inserted a tongue depressor. After dropping the stick into the wastebasket, he changed his gloves. “One more thing, I need a more accurate temp. I’m going to roll you toward Wes.”
Wes crouched to look at her. Eleanor’s eyes swirled in her head, seemingly unaware of Tuck taking her core temperature. “Hey, Curly, I visited Bogie and Hepburn. They are so cute together. Hepburn is gaining weight. I think her foal will be healthy.” He kept his voice light, even after the thermometer beeped at 104.2. He crunched his brows. “Could her temp have spiked that fast?”
