Natalie had no idea what it was, but Zach seemed to.
“Son of a bitch. A GPS tracker.”
“We figure they watched the cop shop after Quintana was brought in, waited for you to arrive, then popped it on your car. You led them right to you. All they needed then was a thumb.” She handed the device to one of the men. “And there’s more. Wulfe rented a condo in the Glass Tower under a false name the day prior to the attack. My guess is that’s where he was headed when Darcangelo stopped him. We found food, weapons, and cognac stockpiled there, along with Quintana’s jail uniform and cuffs. If things went wrong, Wulfe apparently planned to hide out there, while we searched heaven and earth trying to bring him in.”
Natalie could see Zach’s mind working, understanding dawning on his face. “That’s why he and Quintana appeared out of nowhere. And that’s why he was so cool when SWAT moved in. He didn’t need to get out of the building. He had a cozy hidey-hole waiting for him.”
“Exactly. So you see, McBride, I didn’t give you away. Oh, don’t try to deny you had your doubts about me. From the moment Quintana escaped, I knew you’d wonder if I was dirty. I can’t explain how they knew when we were moving Quintana, but before this is over, I will. Still, I can’t blame you for suspecting me.” Rowan met Natalie’s gaze. “It’s all in the report you’re about to request from my office, Ms. Benoit.”
Natalie smiled, liking this woman more by the minute. But she couldn’t stay. She leaned down and kissed Zach. “I’ll call to check on you. If you need anything, call me, okay? Don’t let them hassle you. See you tonight.”
Then she left the room and hurried down the hallway. She needed to go home, take a shower, then get to the office.
But first, there was someone else she needed to see.
SHE WENT TO Julian’s hospital room, only to find it crowded when she walked in. Tessa was there, of course, but so was almost everyone else—Sophie and Marc, Gabe, Joaquin, Kara and Reece.
“I hear the doc gave you a thumbs-up on your surgery,” Marc was saying.
“Sophie, your husband’s mouth is talking again.” Obviously on pain meds, but still alert and in good humor, Julian lay bare-chested in his bed, the head of his bed raised, multiple IVs in his right arm. There was a thick surgical dressing over his right shoulder and four dark bruises on his chest where bullets had struck his body armor. His left arm was heavily bandaged, his thumb in the extended position.
“Did they tell you how long you’ll have to stay in the hospital?” Gabe asked. “You’re not the kind who likes to lie around twiddling your thumbs.”
“But, hey, they’re saying you have a chance at full recovery,” Reece added. “That’s nothing to thumb your nose at.”
Julian rolled his eyes, apparently resigned to being teased.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, stop with the thumb jokes!” Tessa objected, the slight smile on her face proving she was as amused as she was irritated.
It was Julian who saw her first.
“Hey, Natalie, come on in. How’s McBride?”
“They just moved him out of ICU. It looks like he’s going to be okay.”
Natalie shared what the doctors had told her—that the shocks had basically shorted out the electrical impulses in Zach’s heart. Only Gabe’s intervention had saved his life. Fortunately, there seemed to be no permanent damage.
Sophie gave Natalie a hug. “Thank God! I’m so glad he’s going to be okay.”
“How are you?” Natalie asked Julian.
“Doing well, all things considered.” Then he looked at Marc and Gabe. “I told you double plating was worth the cost.”
Sophie looked sternly at Marc. “You’re getting double plating in your vest today. I don’t care how much it costs.”
They talked for a good half an hour, Julian explaining how he’d been shot, how he’d come to in the trunk of the car with his thumb missing, and how he’d managed to send Zach a warning by text message, knowing what must be about to happen.
“That message saved our lives, Julian.” Natalie gave his right hand a squeeze. “I don’t know how to thank you—any of you—for what you’ve done for me and Zach.”
Julian gave her a weak smile, his face pale. “Seems to me you just did.”
“I was happy to help.” Marc winked.
“You made it easy, Natalie.” Gabe grinned. “You’re one tough chick.”
“I hope the woman who shot my husband has a run-in with karma,” Tessa said.
Julian turned to Tessa. “Didn’t I tell you? She’s dead. When they started bagging the bodies, I saw her face. McBride must’ve gotten her in the first wave. And don’t worry—she wasn’t really pregnant.”