“I have a computer genius standing in my office. He found out how Garth got into my system and can send a program back that will help us identify who he used to hack in and where he is.”
There was a long pause. “Skye, don’t ask me this. I’m serious. I love you, but I’m not breaking the law for you. And I’m not helping you do it, either. So just stop. We’ll get Garth another way.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that. Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”
Dana hung up and Skye did the same.
“Leonard, I can’t ask you to do this. It’s illegal and I have no idea how much trouble we’d be in. You don’t want to be a part of that.”
He looked disappointed. “Yes, ma’am,” he said. “If you change your mind, let me know.”
“I will.”
He left.
Skye sat at her desk and wished they didn’t have to be the good guys. Life would be much easier to handle if they had the same lack of concern for the law Garth showed.
Her phone rang. “Dana, tell me you’ve had a change of heart,” she said as she picked up the receiver.
“Skye Titan?” a man asked.
She could barely hear him. There was a horrible loud rushing sound in the background. “Yes.”
“This is Daryl Green. I work with Izzy on the rig. There’s been an explosion. Izzy’s hurt. She’s in a helicopter right now, heading for Dallas.”
Skye stopped breathing. “Hurt? What happened?”
“We don’t know what happened yet. There was a flash and then it all went to hell. She’s alive. I know that much.” He gave her the name of the hospital and then hung up.
Skye felt sick and scared and frantic. Izzy hurt? An explosion? That had to be bad. What if it was serious? What if she died?
Her fingers shook as she reached for her purse and keys. She had to get to the hospital so she was there when Izzy arrived. She had to tell Lexi and their father. She had to ask Fidela to pick up Erin at the bus stop.
Izzy, she thought as she hurried to the door. Izzy who had believed she was safe from Garth. That she had nothing to lose.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
LEXI WAS ALREADY at the hospital when Skye arrived. They hugged in the hallway.
“What do you know?” Skye asked.
“Nothing. She’s in surgery. I can’t get anyone to talk to me.” Lexi looked pale and upset. “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe she’s hurt.”
Skye held her close. She wanted to cry, but there weren’t any tears. Just guilt. Somehow this was her fault. If she hadn’t fought with Izzy over something totally ridiculous, none of this would have happened.
The familiar hospital smells reminded her of Ray’s last days, and standing there was too much like the endless waiting she’d endured.
“She can’t die,” Skye breathed. Not Izzy. Not like this.
Rapid footsteps made her look up. Dana hurried toward them.
“How is she?” she demanded. “What are they doing?”
Both Lexi and Skye looked at her. “We don’t know,” Lexi said. “The doctors aren’t-”
“Fine. I’ll get information. You two sit down. What about Jed. Has anyone told him?”
“I left a message on his cell and with his assistant,” Skye said, feeling stunned by everything. She couldn’t think. Too much had happened too fast. She couldn’t catch her breath. “I’ll keep calling.”
Dana led them to chairs. “Sit,” she instructed. “I’ll be right back.”
Skye and Lexi sank down, then Skye sprang up and started to pace. “We have to do something. It’s Izzy.”
“I know.” Lexi’s eyes filled with tears. “What if she…”
“No!” Skye said. “She’ll be fine. She’s our sister and she’ll be fine.” If she wasn’t, Skye would take out Garth. She didn’t know when or how, but she would leave him broken and bleeding on the side of the road. Nobody messed with her sister.
Dana returned a few minutes later. “She’s still in surgery. They should be finished within the hour. Her vitals are strong and she doesn’t appear to have any internal injuries. There are a few burns from the explosion. We’ll know more when they’re done.”
Lexi stared at her. “How did you get them to talk to you?”
Dana pointed to herself. “The uniform helps.”
Skye hadn’t even noticed Dana was dressed for work.
“Whatever it takes,” Lexi murmured.
“Is Cruz coming?” Dana asked.
Lexi nodded.
“Good. We’re going to check to see if he’s here,” Dana said. “Lexi, sit here and rest. We’ll be right back.”
Skye glanced back at her sister as they made their way down the hallway. “Do you think she’s all right, with the baby and all? This is a shock and that can’t be good.”
“Lexi is strong. Once Cruz gets here, he’ll fuss and that will help. How are you holding up?”
“I’m not. This is my fault.”
Dana rolled her eyes. “Don’t be an idiot. Garth paid some asshole to blow up an oil rig. Nothing about that is your fault.”
“We fought.”
“And if you hadn’t fought Garth wouldn’t have made this happen?”
Skye rubbed her temples. “Oh, sure. Use logic. That’s fair. Okay. Technically, this isn’t my fault, but I feel guilty. How’s that?”
“Better.” Dana glanced around, as if making sure they were alone. “Do you have the name and number of the computer guy? The one who could get into Garth’s system?”
“Sure. Leonard. I have his number at work. Why?”
“As soon as Cruz gets here to take care of Lexi, I want you to give me the number.” Dana’s eyes blazed with fury. “No one hurts one of my friends and gets away with it. Garth crossed the line with this and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn’t hurt you guys again.”
Skye felt weary. “Dana, no. You’re a deputy. You can’t break the law.”
“Why not?”
“Because you have more to lose.”
“Izzy is like a sister to me. I could have lost her today. It doesn’t get worse than that. Give me the number. If anyone asks, tell them I thought he was hot and wanted to ask him out.”
Skye hugged her friend. Dana held on tight.
“We’ll get through this,” Skye murmured. “I swear we will.”
“I know. And when Izzy’s all better, we’ll make Garth sorry he was ever born.”
“I can’t wait.”
“I swear to you, Skye, I will personally arrest Garth Duncan and throw his ass in jail.”
“I believe you.”
IT WAS NEARLY TWO in the morning when Skye left the hospital. She drove to the Cassidy Ranch to collect Erin. Earlier, she’d spoken briefly with her daughter, who was concerned about her aunt but also having lots of fun with Fidela, Arturo and Mitch.
She parked in front of the house. The porch light was on, as was a lamp in the front room. The door opened before she’d made it to the porch.
Mitch stood there, looking strong and capable. She’d been unable to cry at the hospital but the second she saw him, she felt the tears on her cheeks. She flew across the grass and launched herself at him.
He caught her and held on as if he would never let go.
