Erin scrambled to a sitting position. “What is it?”
“A note. Handwritten.”
“What’s it say?” Mike asked.
“‘Leave him alone,’” Sam said.
Erin wrinkled her nose. “Him who?”
“That’s the thousand-dollar question.” Sam sounded as frustrated as the rest of them.
“Someone’s telling me to leave him alone. That’s further confirmation we’re dealing with a woman, right?” Erin glanced at Cole, her confusion clear in her tight expression and troubled eyes.
He nodded. “On the roadkill, yes. On the shooting? I’m not so sure.” Something felt so off about this whole thing. It could be because the person was unstable—
“Are you suggesting it’s two people after me?” Erin asked, sounding more panicked by the second.
Cole kept a firm hand on her leg. “It’s possible, that’s all. Mike?” He looked to her brother for confirmation. They’d gone through similar training and they’d both been undercover. Both been given the same behavioral courses.
“Rifle shooting doesn’t sound like a woman,” Mike agreed. “This does. But like I said, could just be an accomplice or someone doing something on their own, not listening to the woman.”
“My head hurts,” Erin muttered.
“Look, let’s get this processed, see if we can pull any prints. You two didn’t touch anything?” Sam asked.
Cole shook his head.
“Are you insane?” Erin asked, obviously doing her best not to gag again. “I want answers,” she said. “I hope the lab can work faster than they’ve been doing on the gun.”
“They will.” Cole agreed and he’d already taken steps to ensure it. “I have a call in to my people along with a promise to get things moving. We should know something soon.” He’d given everyone involved time to work without stepping on toes, but he’d gotten tired of waiting and he was finished tiptoeing around her brothers’ egos. While Mike had contacts high up in Manhattan, Cole had people who owed him more recent favors, both federal and state. Erin was worth pulling them in for.
Mike looked ready to argue but obviously thought better. “Thank you,” he said begrudgingly.
“No problem.”
Mike rose from his seat and walked over to Erin. “You okay, sis?”
She nodded. “I thought morning sickness was over, but that just . . .” She closed her eyes against the memory.
“Yeah. But I didn’t mean just that.”
“He meant with me being here,” Cole clarified for her.
Erin let out a long sigh. “I’m fine. If I wasn’t, Cole wouldn’t be here. End of discussion.” She folded her arms across her chest, a sign she was digging in her heels.
Cole had come to know that about her at least.
“Fine.” Mike raised both hands in a gesture of defeat. “Just know—”
“You’re here for me. I know. And I love you for it.” Her voice softened. “But if you want me calm through this, I suggest you accept that Cole’s part of my life—my baby’s life now. Whatever we work out between us will have to be okay with you too.”
Mike inclined his head, then leaned over and kissed Erin’s cheek. “I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”
She nodded.
“You.” Mike stood and Cole did as well. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“They’ll have to go through me to get to her,” Cole told the other man. They might not agree on everything, but when it came to Erin’s safety, they were one hundred percent in accord.