Page 96 of Rescued Dreams

“So they can tell me what I already know?” Ridge dropped the shirt on the table. “They’re not broken. Just cracked.”

Kane ducked his head to Ridge’s side.

If the twins found out he’d been admitted, they’d be more freaked out than they probably already were about everything that had been going on. As freaked out as he was not knowing what had happened to Amelia.

Where is she, Lord?

Kane wrapped his ribs. Ridge gritted his teeth through the whole painful process, but when his cousin was done, he said, “That actually feels better, thanks.”

“I’ve had the same injury a time or two.” Kane grabbed Ridge’s shirt and tossed it back at him, followed by a bottle of over-the-counter pain pills to take once he’d put his shirt back on. That would take the edge off.

“You could always go home to the twins. Let Maria and me find Amelia and bring her back to you.”

Ridge put the pills on his tongue and ducked his head to the faucet at the small sink. Some glorious person had put a fresh pot of coffee on, and the scent of it hung in the air while the carafe popped and sizzled as the dark brew dripped into the glass container.

He turned to his cousin. “Is that what you would do? Sit back and let someone else find her?”

Ridge knew the answer already, because it had only been a matter of months since Maria had gone up against dangerous men who would have torn this country apart with a terror attack. Kane had a personal interest in justice, along with the rest of his former Delta Force team. All of them had stopped the threat and saved a whole lot of people who would never know they’d even been in danger.

“No.” Kane’s expression didn’t lose any of its shadows. “But Maria doesn’t like being cooped up any more than the rest of us.”

“And she’s trained but I’m not.”

“But Amelia isyourwoman.” Kane lifted his chin.

“I’m glad we have that figured out.” He spotted Olivia in the doorway.

“You guys need anything?” She glanced between them, now in her street clothes where she’d been in her uniform just a moment ago. “I just clocked off.”

Ridge said, “How do you feel about private protection detail?”

“Can you afford me?” Her eyes gleamed. “Actually, don’t worry about it. The twins? I heard they came to the firehouse. They’re probably worried about your people, and Amelia.”

All Ridge had done when he’d shown up here twenty minutes ago was ask her about Elam. It choked him up a bit to know she cared about them. She wanted to help.

Kane said, “I’ll tell Maria you’re relieving her.”

“Sure, but I have her number.” Olivia shrugged. “I’ll give her a call. See if they want any dinner on my way over.”

“Thanks, Liv.” Ridge swallowed against the lump in his throat.

She nodded. “Find your girl.”

Ridge poured two mugs of coffee while Kane made his call and explained to Maria what was happening. He handed Kane’s over, and they went back to the main PD office, pretty quiet and almost empty except for Sergeant Donaldson at his desk over in the corner.

“You guys want to listen to the interview?” Aiden got out of his seat, smoothing down his tie as he moved.

“Is that allowed?” Ridge asked.

Kane nudged him. “He offered.”

Aiden tipped his head. “This way.”

The back hall between the bullpen and the rear entrance had doors all down it. Holding was downstairs, and the city was working on plans to expand the whole building or even move it to a different location, considering the cops were crammed in here on a slow day.

Aiden opened a door that said VIEWING. “You were never here.”

“Thanks.” Ridge ducked in.