Abby pulled back her hair, revealing the wound. I could tell she was surprised by Lauren’s sudden concern. “I’m fine. It’s just…minor.”

“It needs to be looked at,” Lauren said. “I can contact a doctor who will keep this quiet.”

“What do you mean ‘keep this quiet’?” I snapped back. It was the wrong tone to use. Lauren glared at me. Clearly, this was a woman unaccustomed to being contradicted.

“Professor, there are ways to handle things in Washington. If a man truly was targeting Abigail, I assume you don’t want to publicize her presence here.”

“No.”

“Then I suggest we proceed as I recommended.”

We followed her outside the terminal.

“Where did this happen?”

“In Fair Park in Dallas,” I answered.

“Do the police know about it?”

Lauren motioned toward her car. I put our luggage in the back, and we slid in. The car pulled away from the curb.

“We haven’t told anyone,” I answered. “But certainly they must know. There were people in the building.”

“Then they’ve informed the police, and the man has been apprehended. I’ll have my assistant verify that. For now, let’s get Abby looked at. Excuse me a moment.”

She went into VR. Abby leaned close to me. “Creighton, how did she know?” she whispered.

“I don’t know,” I whispered back. “Sabin must have alerted her.”

Abby glanced at Lauren in VR, then back at me. “Is this okay, going along with her?”

That was a good question. At this point I had no idea who could be trusted. “It’ll have to be. I don’t think we have any choice. Not at the moment.”

I reached out and squeezed Abby’s hand. A tap interrupted us. “Abby, excuse me a second.”

I found myself sitting in a VR living room a few feet away from Sabin. He appeared worried. “Creighton, Lauren is heading back to DC. She thinks Abby is on her way there. I’m…I’m not sure what her plans are. I know she contacted Abby to—”

“Yes, we’re in a car with her at this moment.”

“You are? She met you at the airport?”

“Did you tell her Abby was at my place?”

He looked taken aback. “No. Why would I do that?”

“Sabin, Abby was attacked in Dallas. A man tried to shoot her.”

“No! Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. A slight wound on her ear. Do you…” To what degree was it prudent to take him into our confidence? He was, after all, Lauren’s partner. But he seemed to be telling the truth. “Do you think Lauren informed Nichols where Abby was?”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t think she knew. She kept asking me if I knew. It’s more likely she found out from Nichols. Creighton, I wouldn’t trust him.”

That was an understatement.