Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
I watched him walk toward the next person on his mental list, feeling an odd mix of pride that he’d actually listened and irritation because he hadn’t given any sign that he saw me differently from the other dispatchers and deputies he was grilling.
I did my best to ignore his deep voice over the next two hours, but I wasn’t very successful. When my dad came in and pulled Cipher aside a couple of hours later, I sighed in relief. But then I heard what Dad had to say.
“Nina’s been cleared for a short interview. I’m heading to the hospital now.”
I stood before he could finish. “I want to go with you.”
Dad’s brow furrowed. “Bex—”
“She already trusts my voice. I was the one on the line with her when she needed help,” I pointed out, already grabbing my things because I refused to let him talk me out of this.
“I’m not sure the doctors will allow more than two people at a time.”
“I’ve been training in victim advocacy. She’s more likely to open up to me than to two men she’s never met, no matter how careful you are.” I jerked my thumb at Cipher. “Especially when one of them looks like him.”
My dad snorted, then nodded. “Fine. But you follow my lead if she starts to shut down.”
Cipher fell into step with us as we left the building, without remarking on what I’d said.
The drive to the hospital was quiet. I sat in the passenger seat of my dad’s Tahoe and tried not to notice how aware I was of Cipher’s motorcycle behind us. Yet again, I failed spectacularly. But at least I managed to paste a professional expression on my face when I climbed out of my dad’s SUV and headed into the hospital.
Nina was in a private room on the second floor, one arm in a sling and bruises already darkening along her cheek and jaw.
When my dad introduced each of us, and I greeted her, Nina’s eyes filled with recognition. “You’re the one who answered.”
“I am.” I pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down so we were at eye level. “You’re safe now, Nina. We’re just here to ask a few questions if you’re up for it.”
She nodded, but her breathing had already started to climb.
Drawing on my victim-advocacy training, I murmured, “It’s okay. We can go as slow as you need. Can you try breathing with me for a second? In through your nose…that’s it. And now out through your mouth.”
I walked her through a few cycles until some of the tension eased from her shoulders. My dad stayed by the door, and Cipher leaned against the wall next to him.
“Can you tell us what happened before you called?” I asked.
Nina swallowed. “I saw Jeff outside. Through the living room window. He was just standing there, staring at the house. Then my phone started going off.”
When she paused, I gently prodded, “Was it Jeff?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t have known right away if I hadn’t spotted him because I had his phone number blocked. He must’ve gotten a new one.” She reached for the cell on the bedside table with her good hand and unlocked it with shaking fingers. “He sent these right before I hid.”
She turned the screen toward me.
Unknown caller
You really thought that a protected address would hide you?
I paid good money to find it.
The first texts were scary, but the next few shocked me.
Unknown caller
Don’t bother calling anyone else.
The cops aren’t coming.
They’ll be too busy with a supposed rollover.
The bastard knew exactly what was going to happen.
Nina sniffled, her eyes filling with tears. “He was so sure the police wouldn’t come in time. But you made sure they rescued me. Thank you.”
“I was only doing my job.” I reached out to squeeze her hand. “But you’re welcome.”
We chatted for a couple more minutes before the nurse came in. “Time’s up. She needs to rest now.”
My dad stepped forward. “We really need to secure those texts before he tries to wipe your device remotely. Do we have your permission to download the phone data so we can build our case?”
“Um, yeah. Whatever you need.” Her hand shook as she held her cell out to my dad. “Will I get it back soon?”
Cipher took the phone from my dad and nodded. “A few hours at most.”
“Okay.”
When we were out in the hallway, where Nina couldn’t overhear, I muttered, “The text about the rollover wasn’t a guess. Someone told him exactly what was going to happen.”
“You’re right.” Cipher looked up from the phone screen. “Someone with access fed him the information. And based on these time stamps, they did it before the call was ever erased.”
His focus returned to the device as we left the hospital, the automatic doors sliding shut behind us. My dad was on his phone a few paces ahead, but Cipher remained beside me.