* * * *
Shane felt uneasy allowing Belle to go inside Kip’s sister’s hospital room.
Ever since Cindy Trollinger’s arrival in town, his gut screamed that something was wrong, very wrong.
He still didn’t trust the woman.
There were several reasons why he had given in to Belle’s request, though he would have preferred she remain in the hallway with him as Paris went inside.
One, he’d already checked Kip’s sister’s purse when she was asleep. No weapons.
Two, he knew there were no exit windows or doors inside the room. Anyone who wanted to get to Belle would have to go through him.
Three, her damn gorgeous eyes.
Four, her delicious curves.
Five, her caring heart.
Six, her fire and sass.
And a ton more reasons that kept him from refusing her anything.
He heard footsteps headed his way. By the sounds of the footfalls he knew they came from three men. He placed his hand on his gun, bracing himself.
Once the trio came into view at the end of the hallway, he relaxed.
Jason walked up to him. “Everything okay?”
“Quiet so far.” Shane turned to his boss. “Belle and Paris are inside with her now. Sir, I am not sure we should trust Trollinger.”
Easton nodded. “At the moment, we don’t have any evidence to disprove anything she’s told us. For now, let’s just stay alert, Shane.”
“I’m going to be on guard duty with you, buddy. Black has assigned us eight-hour shifts. You should be able to enjoy some of Thanksgiving with Belle tomorrow.” Jason, like the entire town, knew he and Corey were dating her. One thing about Destiny, everyone here believed in love and romance.
“Shane, you said Paris was inside, too?” Doc asked.
He nodded.
“I don’t want my nurse alone with the patient until we know for sure that Trollinger’s story is proven to be true.”
“I agree.” Shane couldn’t shake the feeling that there was much more to Cindy’s arrival in town than any of them knew. “You know that Belle and Paris will think we’re all being overprotective.”
“So?” Doc turned to Easton. “I want them safe. Period.”
“You got it. There’s more news, Shane.” He told him about Kip breaking through the security and taking over the video transmission.
Shane’s frustration mounted. How were they going to catch the brilliant psychopath? “That means he’s been on to our every move.”
“The good news is Jena was able to narrow down the origination point of Kip’s transmission to the state of Washington.”
“Could he actually be in Seattle like the letter said?” Shane began to wonder if his first instinct about Cindy was wrong. Maybe she was completely innocent and telling the truth.
“As we speak there are agents going to check the box there and see what Kip left for his sister.” Easton sighed. “We’re going to go dark on all communications for now. ROCs are offline. Not ideal but necessary. Verbal only until Sean, Matt, and Jena come up with a new way to keep Lunceford out. Langley is heightening their security, too.” Easton turned back to Doc. “Will you be able to help us with this mission and keep Miss Trollinger here for a few more days?”
“Yes. I still want to run some tests on her.” Doc stared at the closed door. “None of us are sure that my patient is or is not telling the truth. Knowing what we do about Lunceford, he might’ve drugged her with something that made her pass out. I should be getting the results from the blood test any minute.”
Jason shook his head. “The woman says she’s never met her brother.”