Page 22 of Witness Security Breach

“She’s going to make it, isn’t she?”

“We’re doing everything we can for her.”

Aiden called Sullivan Logistics and passed on the tragic news to the receptionist, who assured him that she’d call her children immediately. Then he filled out what he could on the forms and returned them. “Her children are on the way. They’ll have the rest of her information.”

He paced in front of Sharon’s room, watching the medical staff work on her.

Once the frenetic energy simmered down inside, the doctor stepped into the hall as Charlie came back from the bathroom.

“I’m Dr. Patel,” the woman wearing green scrubs said.

“How is she?” Aiden asked.

“We’ve finally got her stabilized. The bleeding from the femoral artery is under control. She also suffered a severe head injury and has some broken ribs. I understand she was thrown from a moving vehicle at high speed?”

“Yes,” Charlie said, her hands clenching to fists at her sides.

“She has swelling on her brain. The major head trauma has put her in a coma.”

Aiden swallowed hard, his anger swelling.

“Is she going to recover?” Charlie asked, her expression tight.

“She’s no longer in critical condition, but there’s no way of telling how long the coma will last or if she’ll wake up. We’re going to send her for an MRI. Her family should get here as soon as possible. Excuse me.” The doctor left.

One vicious act of cruelty and Sharon with her kind face, earnest eyes and fierce love for her family might never wake up. It was beyond unfair.

Two years ago, Aiden’s mother had died after a painful battle with cancer. Where his father was the backbone of their large family, his mother had been the heart. With five kids, she always made each of them feel special and loved. Her last wish had been to die outside, under the sky. Not to be mourned, but to be honored, and for her children to live a full life.

Losing a parent wasn’t easy, but to have them taken away by violence was unspeakable.

They’d failed to protect Sharon. This was their burden to bear, but that strike team had been a formidable force. Charlie tended to carry around guilt like sandbags. He didn’t want that for her.

Aiden put a hand on her shoulder.

Charlie pulled away from his touch, pounding her fists against her thighs. “Bad things shouldn’t happen to good people. I want to kill those men.” She stalked off down the hall, storming through a set of double doors.

They’d get back out there, find Edgar and make those men pay for what they’d done. With any luck, the police already had them in custody.

Aiden went after Charlie, pushing through the doors. He walked down another hall, past vending machines and through another set of doors into the waiting room near the main entrance. The handful of people seated inside gave them a once-over, dismissing their weapons after noticing their badges.

Charlie stood still as stone, staring at the television mounted on the wall. He followed her gaze to the screen. Both of their pictures were featured on the breaking news.

“Two US marshals aided and abetted gunmen,” the anchorwoman said, “in kidnapping a high-profile witness. In the process, they shot and killed a fellow marshal as well as a local police officer.”

The bulletin was a punch to the throat.

Charlie muttered a curse. “This isn’t good.”

“That’s the understatement of the century.” Aiden grimaced at the television. “But I don’t understand. We haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Not according to that.” Charlie gestured to the screen.

“US Marshals Killinger and Yazzie,” the anchorwoman said, “should be considered armed and dangerous.”

What was happening?

Painful shock made Aiden’s legs feel wooden. To have their names and faces splashed across the news was a gross violation of protocol.