Page 88 of Fatal Intent

“I should ask you that question. Where were you hit?”

“How do you know I was?”

She snorted. “Please. You work with my husband. You have almost a sixth sense for danger, and I know you didn’t tackle me for no reason.” Teagan’s gaze dropped to his right side. “Shirt’s torn. Looks like he hit you in the side. Is it a flesh wound or a through-and-through?”

“Don’t know. Haven’t had time to look. Where is he, T?”

“Probably behind the outcropping of rocks to the right. If the shooter’s smart, he’s long gone by now.”

No option but to check it out. He couldn’t leave a threat behind them to strike at will. “Stay here.”

When he started to get up, Teagan grabbed his forearm. “Hold it, buddy. You’ve been shot.”

“The bullet just kissed me.”

“How would you know? You haven’t examined the injury. Look, this is my area of expertise, Grant. Let me do my job, especially since I’m not sporting an injury that could slow me down.”

She was right. He knew it and still hated to send Teagan into a potential ambush. Finally, he gave a slight nod. “Be careful.”

Teagan flashed him a grin. “I’ll be back soon.” Between one heartbeat and the next, she melted into the shadows of the trees and disappeared from his sight.

Grant scanned the area, looking for any signs of movement near the trees and rocks, but saw nothing. The sun was also beginning to set, creating more of a challenge. He remained alert while he waited for Teagan to reappear.

Twenty minutes later, his teammate returned. “He’s gone.”

“Did he leave us anything to work with?”

“Two more shell casings. Same as the first one we found.” She smiled and showed him a bullet casing that she’d dropped in a small plastic bag. “Since the cops will have two to work with, I liberated this third one. Yes, I used gloves and was careful not to smudge any fingerprints our shooter might have left behind.”

The cop in him balked at her removing evidence from a crime scene. The operative, however, was glad to have at least one bullet casing to send to a private lab. Since he no longer had to follow law enforcement protocol, this might be the break they needed to move this investigation along faster. “Let’s go. The shooter’s in the wind. I don’t want to leave Seth, Andre, and Riley alone to protect my family by themselves.” He swallowed hard. “I also want an update on Dad.”

“What? No protest over my removing a piece of evidence from a crime scene?”

“I don’t carry a badge these days. I’m happy to cut through red tape to reach a conclusion faster if it will save more people from being injured or killed.”

“Glad you see things my way for once.” Teagan set off for the Bowen home. As they walked, she glanced at Grant. “Something is going on between you and Rayne.”

His lips curved. Something big. He loved Rayne Weatherly more than he could express. “Yeah. Problem?”

“Oh, no. I love it. Just haven’t seen you dating, that’s all. She’s a special woman.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“Serious?”

“Very.”

She stopped walking abruptly. “What does that mean, Grant?”

“I answered your question.”

“Come on. Are you implying something bigger than dating?”

“Would that be a problem for you?”

“Of course not. You couldn’t find a better woman. She’s amazing.” She remained silent for a minute. “How serious are we talking?”

Despite the growing pain in his side, Grant chuckled. “Nosy thing, aren’t you?”