“I’d like to hug you,” I said.

He frowned. “You already have but my wife will understand.”

“You’ve saved my life more than once.”

“Just doin’ my job.”

“Shouldn’t we follow the ambulances?”

“We’re staying right here. If you promise me you won’t move, I’ll talk to the law enforcement officers outside.”

“Go. I’m fine. This floor’s clean. I washed it, remember?” My intent to make light of the situation miserably failed.

“Want a pillow behind your back?”

“Yes, please.”

Isaac retrieved one from my bed, and I allowed the hum of the old fridge to soothe me. Exhaustion won out, and I drifted off to sleep.

The sound of the tank’s door squeaking prompted me to open my eyes. Isaac gave me a thin-lipped smile, a rarity in our hours together.

“Highway patrol officers are still here, but we’ve finished for the moment. Aaron’s being life-flighted to Houston.”

“Good. What about his family?”

“I talked to his wife, and she and their son are on their way to the hospital.”

“I prayed for him,” I said.

He squinted. “Not my thing. But if it comforts you, go for it.”

I wouldn’t push the subject. “What about the shooters?”

“One is dead of multiple gunshot wounds. Doesn’t look like all were Aaron’s.”

“You mean the man who drove off shot him too?”

“Dead men don’t talk. Fingerprint records show he has past convictions for robbery and assault.”

“Hired assassins?”

“I’m thinking so. But we have a leg up. This old trailer house had a tiny upgrade—a security camera.”

“You got his face on camera?”

“Yep. Because I’m retired, my access to info is normally on a need-to-know basis. But we now have a bonus.”

“When can we take a look?”

“We?” He tossed his familiar frown at me.

“I’m part of the Three Musketeers.”

“In that case, right now.” He rubbed his face. For sure the day had aged him. “Our position’s been compromised. Highway patrol is parked outside until we leave. But they know I’ll review the security camera first, then send a link to Houston FBI.”

“Where are we headed then?”

“Hotel near Valleysburg. One more thing. I have bad news.”

From the haggard look on Isaac’s face, I weighed one critical issue after another. My mother had passed? Another crime surfaced with my name on it? Denton got pulled back to Houston? What about Edie or Amy-Jo?

“Please—” I struggled from the kitchen floor to my feet—“what’s happened?”

“Denton’s been in an accident.”

I gasped.

Isaac shook his head. “Whoa. He’s at a hospital in Austin and in surgery. Initial report is a concussion and broken bones. Have no clue if there are internal injuries or if the medical procedure is to set a bone.”

I blinked back tears, which solved nothing. “Is he conscious?”

“No idea. If he gave a statement, I don’t have it. Most likely, an agent will take one when he’s out of surgery.”