25.
CASSIE
Cassie held Vikram's hand the entire way to the hospital. Finally by his side, fingers laced through his, she answered all the questions Krix put to her. She told him all about the assassin at Archie's funeral, and how he should check with Miranda's flight records and see if there was record of when she'd set off from the funeral. As much as she hated to admit it, Miranda was probably behind the whole thing.
Now she had to know why.
She needed to know why someone she thought was a friend, who had dedicated so many years to the foundation, would turn her back on her colleagues and her cause. It didn't make any sense.
"We'll get to the bottom of it," Krix promised.
Cassie scowled, though. "Just like you were always trying to get to the bottom of Archie's death, you mean?”
Krix didn't look away or give any ground, he simply replied, "I wasn't in charge of that investigation."
"It's all related, though. Don't you think you'll get shafted from this when you realize it was all part of the same conspiracy?"
"The conference is over now. I doubt the IU will be too interested in holding back the truth any longer." There was no missing the disdain in Krix's tone, and Cassie was relieved she at least seemed to have one officer on her side.
"Do you have any news on Miranda?" Cassie asked, flinching as she knocked her shot leg against the bed Vikram laid on. She'd refused to let anyone see her when he so obviously needed help. It was such a short flight to the hospital, she could be dealt with when they go there. "You don't… I didn't kill her, did I?"
Cassie had never taken a life before, not even in self-defense. She'd worked in some tough environments, but it had never gotten that far. She'd always thought she could do it if she needed to, had prepared herself mentally before she went to a war zone just in case someone got through their defenses, but she'd never considered she might be doing this to someone she considered a friend.
"She'll pull through. Her wound wasn't as serious as his," Krix assured her. "And then she'll be interrogated until she breaks."
"She must have been working for someone. I'll bet anything it was Prince Qugrom."
Krix raised an eyebrow at that. "That's very specific."
Cassie didn't bother to hold anything back now. He'd abandoned his promise at the conference, and she didn't want to hold onto the information anymore until it was the opportune moment, or to give to someone higher up to make the decision. She'd played her hand and it had failed—it had almost killed her. She wanted to wash her hands of the entire thing, no matter how ashamed Archie might be of her for it.
Krix watched with rapt attention as she told him everything. The purse she had on her shoulder had the video player, and she retrieved the undamaged memory card from Vikram’s knife, which had been put in an evidence bag, and showed him. "Do what you want with the information. I hope you can nail him with it."
"It might not be him."
"It has to be. I don't know how he knew, but it's the only thing that makes sense. He thought Miranda was going to get rid of me, so he didn't change his mind at the conference."
She'd already decided Krix was a good officer from the hour she'd spent with him, but the fact that he didn't immediately jump at her evidence settled it for her. He wasn’t going to get tunnel vision and ignore the facts, he wanted everything. He was doing his job properly. She decided that as long as he was given the resources and the authority, he could sort this case.
It was like a weight off her shoulders.
She was about to thank him when the ship came in to land and they were whisked into the hospital. She tried to keep up with the paramedics rushing Vikram into surgery, but her leg was in agony, and she couldn't hobble fast enough. Krix kept up easily and when doors slammed shut ahead of her, he rested a hand on her shoulder. "Get yourself seen. I'll make sure they inform you when he's out of surgery."
She dithered in the doorway, but she could see the red light and knew she'd only be a nuisance. "Okay," she finally allowed. There was nothing more she could do for Vikram now.
Krix quickly hailed a doctor for them and she was taken to a private room to be treated. He stayed with her the whole time, but didn't bother with any more questions. He still had the memory card in his pocket, and even though she'd never been able to feel it in her bra, everything felt easier without it there.
This chapter was closing, and she was determined to find happiness in the next one.