I sighed, scrubbing a hand over my face. This was getting us nowhere fast. “Okay, where are we on ballistics?”
“Well, since the bullet is currently in your brother, I’m not sure how you want me to answer that.”
Fuck, I knew that. I was quickly losing my cool, questioning things that couldn’t be answered yet. Hell, I shouldn’t even be on this case, but we were short on staff and needed all the help we could get.
My parents strode through the lobby, searching for me. “Keep me informed on anything that comes in.”
“Will do.”
I hung up just as my Ma rushed into my arms, crying into my shoulder. “Any word yet?”
“No, he’s still in surgery,” I whispered.
Pulling back, she wiped the tears from her eyes. “What about Ellie? Have they heard anything about her?”
I shook my head, glancing over at Ryder, whose head hung in defeat. “We won’t know anything until Jeff wakes up.”
“Wyatt’s on his way over,” Pop said, wrapping his arm around Ma’s waist. “Says he has some information for you.”
“What kind of information?”
“He was called in to tow the Jeep to the station.”
Which meant he got a look at Ellie’s tire. It had to have something to do with that.
“Do you know how bad it is?” he asked.
“When he called…” I glanced at my Ma, seeing the hope in her eyes. I just couldn’t say this in front of her. Not when she was already hurting so much.
“Uh…he was pretty clear. In pain, but he knew the ambulance was on the way.”
Pop nodded, his eyes shifting to Ma in concern. “Honey, why don’t you sit with Ryder. I’m sure he’s a mess right now.”
“That’s a good idea,” Ma said, swiping at the stray tears on her cheeks. “Maybe I’ll call Josie and ask her to bring some ofthat tea she raves about. Lord knows we need something to settle our nerves right now.”
As she walked over, Pop moved closer, keeping his voice low. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“It wasn’t good. He was barely talking, could hardly get the words out. I’m not sure if they got to him in time.”
“Well, he’s still in surgery. If he was dead, we’d know it.”
That was about the only saving grace right now.
“What can I do to help?”
“Nothing,” I answered, feeling worn out from not being able to do a damn thing. “We can’t do anything until Jeff’s out of surgery. We have no leads.” I glanced over my shoulder at Ryder.
“His father should know.”
“He doesn’t get along with his old man,” I reminded him.
“Still…family is family.” Striding past me, he walked over to Ryder, sitting on the other side of him, squeezing his shoulder as he consoled him.
It made me desperately wish that Blake was here with me right now, that she could tell me everything was going to be alright. But this was no place for a baby or the chaos that was bound to ensue when Jeff woke up.
“Michael,” Wyatt called out as he walked through the emergency doors. Motioning me over, he hung out by the front door instead of coming any closer.
“What did you find?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
