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Mathews’s jaw clenched "One of them died on the scene The other is in bad shape, but he could still pull through"

Grant couldn’t help but grieve for the man who’d died in the line of duty If it weren’t for hiht still be out there with Wyatt "I wish I’d have let them know sooner about Wyatt’s weapon"

Mathews rubbed his eyes in a gesture sloith fatigue "They were both wearing a vest, but it doesn’t do a bit of good against a skull fracture Or a lucky shot to the neck"

"Wish that made me feel better," said Grant

"You and I both know that’s not the way it works The only thing that will et your family home, safely tucked in their own beds, and watch theht until you start to believe that they really are safe"

Man, that sounded good Too bad that wasn’t part of his reality As soon as everyone was truly safe, he had no reason to stay He couldn’t be theto stick around and watch while she found one

"They’re nota jolt of painful loss he didn’t understand

"Maybe not on paper, but you treat them like their your own They probably feel like that, too"

Grant had no idea It had been so long since he’d been part of a family that he wasn’t sure if he even remembered what it was like All he knew that whatever he was feeling right now sucked, and if that’s what itenough o see Isabelle Let her knohat’s going on"

Mathews lifted a dark brow "Are you sure about that? I mean, wouldn’t it be better to wait until Dale is hoer I wait to tell her, the worse it will be for both of us"

"Good luck You’re going to need it," said Mathews "And when you see her, will you tell her that I questioned Melissa Norton and she told ive it to Isabelle The kid had no idea it was poisoned"

Grant’s phone rang Caller ID showed the number was private, but he didn’t dare not answer it, in case it had so to do with Dale "Hello"

Keith’s voice wavered nervously in Grant’s ear "Isabelle found out about Dale and left"

Panic slammed down hard on Grant "Left?" he shouted "What the hell do you mean she left? Where is she?"

"She was so upset I went to get a nurse to see if they could sedate her She was gone when I got back I have no idea where she ht be" He sounded frantic, but not half as frantic as Grant felt

"How long ago?"

"I was only gone a fewhis decision to take her clothes A wooould have drawn a lot et away "She won’t get far without her car I’ll have them seal the hospital"

"I’ up the phone

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Wyatt needed a place to hide so he could clean the blood off He hated being on foot, but he’d be harder to find this way than in his car, especially with the highway patrol on his trail At least he hoped that was the case

The nearest neighborhood wasn’t going to work The houses here were new They’d have decent locks, h trees to hide hihborhood--one with old locks and loose s Maybe he could even find soured he had only a fewall over this develop away One of them had left his ancient truck unlocked with an open toolbox in the back That’s all Wyatt needed to make his escape

A minute later, the truck rattled to life and he rolled away as casually as his racing heart would allow The noise of the work going on etaway, because no one followed hiive up on his son What Dale had done today proved he had a backbone He wasn’t a lost cause Wyatt would have to punish him for his defiance, but after that, they could ain But for that to happen, he had to get Dale back

Kidnapping hi to work He needed to find a way to ly If Dale knew she didn’t really want him, maybe he’d decide life was better with his oldhe could think of that would ive him Dale He needed an even trade--soain for--and he was pretty sure he knew exactly who to pick He’d been watching her house long enough to know there was one little girl she was close to, one little girl whose h to tell him she knew her place in the world

He’d followed her hoht be able to use her to get closer to his son

His instincts had been alhter

Isabelle made it as far as the door to the hospital when she realized she had no car Hers was in a crumpled heap somewhere She didn’t even knohere

Grant had been thoughtful enough to bring her purse She checked her wallet for cash so she could call a cab, but all she had was a five The ATM by the gift shop was out of order She had no clue if cabs took plastic and didn’t want to ask any of the hospital staff for help, because they’d see the ID band around her wrist and try to stop her froet the stupid thing off