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Today her first priority had been unshot wound wasn’t leaked to the press Her father’s longtime attorney, whom she’d met at the Lubbock fund-raiser, had come to the hospital to ensure the staff’s discretion and the privacy of the medical record He’d also put her in touch with a funeral director, a personal friend of his, who kne to handle such delicate eress his station and his long service to his country

Since the death involved a gunshot wound, it had to be reported to the police Two detectives had come to the hospital, interviewed Lauren and the doctor, then tested Lauren’s hands, as well as her father’s, for gunpowder residue Satisfied there was no foul play, they’d left without de an autopsy Thank heaven for that, at least

Lauren had gone to his caive the news to his staff,scandal, they’d taken the news hard To show her appreciation for their work, she’d taken theed to choke down a few bites of her prime rib and drink a few sips of wine

Now the sun had gone down and Lauren had nothing left of herself to give In theshe’d write up a stateht now all she wanted was to go home and lose herself in Sky’s arms

Finding her cell phone in her purse, she called his nu When he didn’t pick up, she left a e

“Sky, I’ to need you”

Putting the phone away, she switched on the headlights and pulled the car onto the road

The hulking seo on the trailer, had parked outside the diner with a view of the highway At the wheel, Marie inhaled the last of her cigarette and tossed the butt out theHer tired eyes followed the blinking red dot on the screen of the electronic tracker Stella had lent her She’d been waiting hours for Garn Prescott to leave Lubbock and hit the highway Now, at last, the big white Caddy was on the move

Marie had nothing against Garn Prescott—didn’t even know the ht with Stella, she was up for it If she could shoot her own brother in the back, she shouldn’t have any trouble raer’s car

She knew, of course, why Stella wanted Prescott dead In any investigation of the funding scandal, the man would sell her down the river to save his own skin Just like Lute, Prescott knew too much

And Marie knew sonment was a test Carry it out and she’d beco over when the time came Fail and she could end up like her brothers

The signal was in close range now Looking north up the long, straight road, Marie could see the approaching headlights If it was Prescott’s Cadillac, she was in business

Traffic was light at this hour All she needed to do was get behind Prescott’s car, follow along until no one else was in sight, and then make her move

The headlights ca her for an instant before the car sped past It was the Cadillac all right Ti

Gearing down and switching her headlights on low beaas