THE CRADLE CONSPIRACY by Robin Perini Read Free Book Online Page A

that many emergency calls around here. A few illegals who chose a bad stretch of border to cross, some domestic disturbances and the occasional drunk driver. Can’t sneeze in this town without someone knowing about it.”
    “Great.” Daniel swore again silently. “If this story has hit the news, you’ll need a guard on her 24/7. Right now whoever attacked her has all the advantages.”
    “I know you’re right, but no can do,” Galloway said. “I’m down one man already, with half the damn county to cover. That’s nearly two thousand square miles. Even if I could spare the deputy I have left, he can’t watch her nonstop.”
    “I wouldn’t let you put that prepubescent kid on her, anyway. He couldn’t protect her from a puppy, much less a killer.”
    Galloway crossed his arms. “I can stick her in jail for her own protection.”
    Daniel’s entire body tensed at the idea of Raven surrounded by bars. “She didn’t do anything wrong.”
    “At least she’d be safe.”
    “How do you know?” Daniel challenged. “If you can’t guard her in the clinic, how can you guard her in the jail? Someone wants her dead. All he’d have to do is create a diversion pulling you two away from the station, and you’d be leaving her vulnerable.”
    Galloway tilted his head. “So we’re at an impasse. I don’t have the manpower. I don’t have the money. Unless...” He stared at Daniel for a long moment.
    “Unless what?”
    “Unless you really are some whizbang hotshot military type. Sheriff Redmond said you’re handy with tools a lot more lethal than a hammer and nails. And you’re one of the best trackers and investigators money can buy.”
    “Blake Redmond should learn to keep his mouth shut.”
    “He was trying to save your butt from an attempted murder charge. Kissing his feet is the least you could do.” Galloway paused. “Seriously, as you so delicately pointed out, I could use the help on this one. The doctor said Raven has traumatic amnesia. Her memory may or may not return. Until we know better, we have nothing else to go on except whatever clues come out of that mine.”
    “And the blood sample from her attacker,” Daniel pointed out.
    “That, too,” the sheriff agreed. “But, like you said, she needs someone protecting her 24/7. How about it? I could deputize you.”
    “That’s a switch. An hour ago, you were running me out of town.”
    “Yeah, well, things change. I just need your signature on a form, and you have to take a quick oath.”
    Daniel looked back at the curtain behind which Raven slept. He’d promised he wouldn’t leave her until she was safe. He couldn’t let her fight this alone. Someone had tried to kill her twice. Daniel didn’t have a choice, and Galloway knew it. “I have your resources available to me?”
    “Whatever you need, though you may have more than I do.”
    “Your name makes the request more...official. And just so we’re clear, this isn’t a permanent assignment, Sheriff. You understand that? Once I find out who’s after Raven, I’m back on the road.”
    “You won’t hear me complaining. I want my quiet town back.”
    “If I need more help—more manpower from my contacts—can I make a few calls?”
    “Exactly what are you saying?”
    “I won’t get any flack for bringing outsiders into your county?”
    The sheriff shot him a speculative glance. “Does Sheriff Redmond also know these mysterious resources? ”
    “Most definitely. Feel free to call him to check them out.”
    “Just what are these ‘outsiders’ going to do?”
    “I know people who can look in a lot of gray areas with finesse and speed,” Daniel replied easily. “Their only goal is justice.”
    The men’s gazes met. They understood each other.
    “I won’t look the other way, Adams, if you go beyond the law...that is, if I know about it,” Galloway said.
    Daniel rolled the sheriff’s comments around in his mind. So Galloway believed in justice more than rules. Daniel’s