Page 70 of Silent Road

Sheila studied her father's face—the new lines around his eyes, the way his hands wouldn't stay still in his lap.She told him everything: the investigation, Wells' murders, the confrontation at the facility.When she got to Tommy's betrayal, Gabriel's face went completely still.

"Tommy Forster," she finished."Ring any bells?"

Gabriel was quiet for a long moment, his eyes distant."The name sounds familiar..."He straightened suddenly."Wait.Hank Dawson's nephew?"

"That's what he claimed.Still don't know whether that's true or not, but either way..."She leaned forward despite her body's protests."He was planted, Dad.Someone sent him here to find out how much I knew about Mom's murder.How much you might have told me."

Gabriel's face went ashen."They know you've been talking to Eddie Mills.And they know they can't buy you off.Once you start unspooling that thread…"

He stood abruptly, pacing the small room."This is my fault.I should have told you everything right from the start instead of trying to protect you."

Sheila said nothing.Her father was right—he should have told her the truth, whatever it might be.Protecting her with silence had clearly failed: She'd become a target even though she hardly knew anything about why her mother had been killed.

Gabriel sighed heavily."I've known for years there were some bad apples in the department, people willing to do just about anything to pad their pockets.But I could never prove who was involved."He ran a hand through his silver hair."Could it be Hank?God, I don't want to believe that.He was my friend."

"Was he?Or was he placed to keep an eye on you after Mom's death?"

Gabriel sank back into the chair."It would explain some things.Conversations that ended when I entered rooms.Files that went missing.The way certain cases were quietly buried."

"Like Mom's case?"

"Yeah."Gabriel met her eyes."I'm done hiding things from you, Sheila.Whatever's going on, we face it together from now on.No more secrets."

Sheila felt tears threatening."I'd like that."Her voice was barely a whisper.She couldn't recall the last time she had ever felt this close to her father.Watching her father's face in the harsh hospital lighting, she saw his own eyes glistening.

"I've missed you," Gabriel said softly."Even when you were right in front of me, I missed you.Keeping secrets...it changes you.Makes you hold part of yourself back, even from the people you love most."

"I know."Sheila thought of all the times she'd wanted to ask him about her mother's case, all the moments she'd held back."I used to watch you in your study, staring at those old case files.I wanted so badly to help you carry that weight."

Gabriel reached out, taking her hand in both of his.His fingers were warm and calloused, just as they'd been when she was small, and he'd bandaged her scraped knees or guided her hands on her first target practice.

"You were always so much like her," he said."Your mother, I mean.That same fire, that need to find the truth no matter what."He squeezed her hand."I thought I was protecting you, but maybe I was just afraid of losing you the same way."

"You won't lose me, Dad."Sheila gripped his hand tighter."But I need you to trust me.Trust that I'm strong enough to handle whatever's coming."

Gabriel nodded, and in that moment he looked somehow lighter, as if sharing this burden had lifted years from his shoulders."Together then," he said."No more walls between us."

A knock interrupted them.It was Deputy Barnes again, this time looking excited."Sheriff, sorry, but we've got something.Tommy Forster's credit card was just used at a gas station in New Mexico."

Sheila sat up straighter."New Mexico?"

"Heading for the border, maybe," Gabriel said.

"And if he gets there, we'll probably never get another chance to question him."She swallowed hard and shook her head bitterly.Then, coming to a decision, Sheila threw back the blankets and began detaching the IV from her arm.

"What are you doing?"Gabriel asked, rising to stop her.

"I'm going after him," she said.

"You're in no shape to do that, not after what you just went through."

She met her father's gaze."That's why I need you to go with me."

He stared at her in silence for a few moments.He seemed to be trying to come up with some reason to deny her request.

"Okay," he said slowly."We'll go together.But make me one promise, first."

"What's that?"

"Promise you'll bring him to justice.Promise you won't stain your hands like he stained his by leaving you for dead."

"I promise," Sheila said.She pulled the IV free, then bandaged the cut.As the monitor beeped a warning and footsteps approached down the corridor, her father studied her eyes.

Finally, he nodded."It's settled, then.We'll go after Tommy together.And we're going to figure out just how deep this corruption goes—no matter where the truth leads us."