Martin put his hands into his pockets. “Did the neighbor happen to see who shot him?”
Coop shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. According to the woman’s statement, she heard a gun go off. A minute or so later she heard Billy’s door slam shut. The woman was afraid whoever shot the gun would come back, so she waited several minutes longer before calling apartment security.”
“That still doesn’t answer my original question,” Martin challenged, his normal state of arrogance even stronger than usual. “How can you say with certainty you’ll find the guy who did this? The neighbor didn’t see anything. Do the police have another lead, or are you just assuming your team is that good?”
Coop stared back at Martin, his lips rolling inward. From what she’d seen, Sean was a very laid-back kind of guy. Currently, however, Brynnon could tell the guy was working hard to keep his demeanor as calm and professional as possible.
“Derek’s on his way here, now,” Coop finally answered. “He’s been working with apartment security to access the footage from the cameras in the building.”
Brynnon caught the look Coop gave Grant and understood perfectly. Derek would have no problem gaining full access to the building’s security footage...but he’d be doing it alone.
“That’s great and all.” Martin continued on. “But unless they got a good look at the guy’s face as he left the apartment, I don’t see how that will be of any help.”
“Martin, I’m sure Mr. Cooper and the rest of his teammates know what they’re doing.”
Coop smirked. “It’s okay, Senator.” He looked at Martin. “Derek West is the smartest man I’ve ever known. Trust me. If anyone can figure out who shot Billy, it’s him.”
Martin’s gaze slid to his injured friend then back to Coop. With his entitled chin in the air, he nodded, “Good. That’s really good news.”
“Martin, you don’t look too well,” Brynnon stated. “Are you okay?”
“What?” He looked back at Brynnon. “Oh, yeah. Sorry. I guess all of this is starting to sink in.”
In a rare form of affection toward the other man, Brynnon walked over to Martin and gave him a hug. “I know you’re scared, but Billy’s strong. He can still fight this, I know he can.”
Martin pulled back, giving her a tight smile. “You’re right. If anyone can beat this, it’s him.”
“First, someone puts a bomb in my daughter’s cabin and later that same night, my son is shot. That can’t be a coincidence.”
All eyes went to her father, who was staring expectantly at Grant.
“I agree,” Grant spoke for the first time since entering the room. “That’s why as soon as Derek gets here, I’d like to set up a command post.”
Brynnon’s stomach clenched. “You’re leaving again?”
Cursing under his breath, Grant ate up the distance between them. Uncaring of the audience around them, he cupped her face with his hands, his eyes locking with hers.
“I’m not leaving the building, Princess. I’m just talking about finding private office somewhere here in the hospital. A place for Derek to set up all his tech crap so we can have some privacy to work while you and your father spend time with your brother.”
“Oh.” Suddenly embarrassed by how needy she’d sounded, Brynnon looked away and whispered, “Sorry.”
“Hey.” He used his thumb and forefinger to tip her chin, gently forcing her to look at him again. “You’ve been through hell tonight, so no apologies. Got it?”
Biting her lip, she nodded as best she could. “Okay.”
With a quick kiss to her forehead, he released her chin and turned to her father. “Whoever did this is still out there, and I won’t stop until I find them. Now, every person on staff is a Homeland employee. Same with the guards standing outside this room. No one can get in or out of the building without clearance, so you’ll be safe. This way you and Bryn can remain here, with Billy, while we work to find the son of a bitch responsible.”
“I like the way you think, son.” Her father gave Grant a look of approval.
The door opened and Derek walked through. With a black bag hanging over each shoulder and two smaller ones in his fists, the shaggy-haired man scanned the room before looking to Grant.
“Hey, man.”
With a tip of his chin, Grant responded with, “I was just explaining how we’ll be in one of the other rooms so they can have some privacy.”
After glancing toward the bed, Derek looked at Brynnon with genuine sympathy. “Sorry to hear about your brother. How is he?”
“Not good.” More tears began to form but she pushed them back.
