When Day Breaks(17)
“Do you know anything at this point?” Raid asked.
“You the cop?” Barnes asked.
Raid nodded.
“All we know is that the shots were fired at a downward trajectory, not street level. We dug one of the bullets out of the concrete and the angle puts it in the eight- to nine-story level, so we’re checking the hotel across the street and doing a sweep of floors five to eleven. So far nothing has turned up, but we’re reviewing the hotel records of all persons staying on those floors,” Barnes supplied.
“Sniper?” Ryker asked.
“Looks to be,” Gibbs said grimly. “There’s evidence that only four shots were fired, but we can’t be certain. We’ve done a thorough search of all the rooms that faced the street and found no casings, so it’s likely the shooter cleaned up after himself. We’re dusting for fingerprints but unless we get lucky, this will likely take some time.”
“Are you through with my daughter?” Eddie demanded. “She looks exhausted. Have you been questioning her all damn afternoon?”
Color scoured Barnes’s cheeks. “It’s procedure, sir.”
“I’m all right, Daddy,” Eden said in a low voice.
“No, you’re not,” Raid denied.
“They’ve been here several hours,” Micah said. “I’d say they’re done.”
Gibbs sighed. “We’ve got all we can get for now.”
“Is she free to go?” Eddie asked.
Barnes lifted an eyebrow. “You in a hurry?”
Eddie shot him a glare that would shrivel most men. It was a look Eden didn’t often see, but it would certainly intimidate her. Gibbs and Barnes weren’t unaffected. Barnes shifted uneasily before dropping his gaze.
“I have another shoot,” Eden said quietly. “Day after tomorrow. I have to leave tomorrow. It’s important. The biggest of my career.”
Her father and brothers exchanged uneasy glances but kept silent.
“Leave me your contact numbers in case we have further questions,” Gibbs said. “We’ll notify you if we make an arrest, of course.”
Eden supplied her cell number, as did Micah and David. Then the detectives took their leave with a promise to keep them updated on the progress.
When the door closed behind them, Eden sagged onto the couch and closed her eyes. Raid and her father immediately sat on either side of her, and her father pulled her into his arms again. He trembled against her and she realized just how terrified he’d been. That made two of them.
It hadn’t really sunk in just how close she’d come to death until afterward, when the detectives arrived close on the heels of Micah’s call to them. She’d shaken for the entire first hour of questioning.
“I’m so glad you came,” Eden said. “I was so scared, but you’re here now and I’m all right.”
Her father pulled away and framed her shoulders in his big hands. “I have some people coming, baby.”
Her brow furrowed. “What people and why?”
“They’re the best, or so Ryker informs me. I’m bringing them in to see to your protection for this next shoot.”
Her mouth dropped open. “But what about David and Micah? That’s what they’re here for. And they did. They got me out and to safety. Why do we need more?”
Her father’s features were implacable. “You almost died today, Eden. There will be no arguments. I want them around you at all times. David and Micah can take a well-earned break.”
“But, Daddy . . .”
“He’s right, Eden,” Raid chimed in.
Eden glanced up at Ryker, her eyes pleading, but he looked as resolved as Raid and her father.
“They’re the best at what they do,” Ryker said, his jaw tight. “There’s no way in hell you’re going to that shoot without them. I know it’s important to you, otherwise we’d have you home and under constant guard and fuck your career.”
Heat washed over her face and anger surged. They were ganging up on her. Making decisions for her. She was a grown woman and she certainly had a right to make her own choices.
“They’re right, Eden,” Micah said.
She groaned. “God, not you too.”
“You almost died today,” David said. “If these people your father is bringing in are the best, then that’s what you need. No one wants you dead.”
“You’re all making a pretty huge leap here,” she pointed out. “From all appearances this is some random shooting and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any one of those pedestrians could have been killed. Not just me.”