Simon Says Die

Why would she care if he’d moved on?
    â€œAgent Buchanan.”
    He reluctantly turned back toward the young doctor who’d just stitched him up. Too young. Probably some boy genius who’d graduated from high school when he was thirteen. A boy genius who’d already taken far too much of his time. He needed to wrap up the case he was working on, and he still had a dozen questions to ask Madison about the shooting this morning.
    Like why she’d begged him not to tell Logan what had happened.
    â€œIf you won’t allow us to take X-rays, you’ll have to sign a form acknowledging you’re refusing treatment against medical advice.”
    â€œMy ribs aren’t broken. X-rays are a waste of time.”
    â€œYou have a medical degree and forgot to mention it?” The doctor grinned at his own joke.
    Pierce narrowed his eyes. “I don’t have a medical degree, but I’m pretty damned good with a gun.”
    Boy genius made a choking sound in his throat.
    â€œI’m sure Special Agent Buchanan will be happy to undergo any tests you think are necessary.” Pierce’s new boss, and longtime friend, stood in the curtained doorway.
    Pierce shook his head in defeat. So much for questioning Madison without any more delays.
    â€œSupervisory Special Agent Casey Matthews.” His boss stepped forward to shake the doctor’s hand. Then he held the curtain back. “And this lovely lady is his fiancée, Tessa James. I assure you, Doctor, Special Agent Buchanan will cooperate.”
    The doctor enthusiastically pumped Casey’s hand. “I appreciate your help. He’s been fighting to leave from the moment he got here.” He gave Pierce a smug grin.
    Pierce stared at him until his smile disappeared. The kid was so easy to intimidate; he almost felt guilty.
    Boy genius’s wide-eyed gaze darted around the room. “Someone will be back in a few minutes to take you to radiology.” He turned and fled.
    â€œDid you enjoy flustering that boy?” Tessa stepped to the examining table and clicked her red nails on the shiny stainless steel surface.
    â€œHe was wasting my time.” Pierce flattened his palms against the table to hop down, but Casey blocked his way.
    â€œYou haven’t been X-rayed yet,” Casey reminded him.
    â€œI need to talk to Madison.”
    â€œThe woman involved in the shooting?” Tessa asked.
    He nodded.
    â€œLieutenant Hamilton was leaving with her when we walked into the ER.”
    A feeling of dread curled inside Pierce. He hadn’t missed the suspicious glances Hamilton had aimed at Madison earlier. The lieutenant thought she was hiding something.
    So did Pierce.
    But he didn’t like the idea of her in the high-pressure atmosphere of an interrogation room. Not because she’d be scared—just the opposite. Her brother called her “trouble” for good reason. Madison’s temper could get her into a tight spot if the police got her riled up. She was a firecracker with a short fuse, and when she went off, she was usually the one who got burned.
    â€œShe twisted her ankle earlier,” Pierce said. “Did she seem okay?”
    â€œShe was favoring her right leg a bit,” Casey said. “But she seemed fine. No cast or crutches.” He rapped his knuckles on the table. “You should have called me. When one of my agents is involved in a shooting, I shouldn’t have to hear about it from Savannah-Chatham Metro PD.”
    â€œIt was a flesh wound, no big deal.”
    Tessa placed her hand on top of his. “Possible broken ribs is definitely a big deal.”
    He eased his hand away. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œWhere else would your doting fiancée be?” She grinned.
    â€œShe was with me when Hamilton called.” Casey’s voice held a note of impatience. “I want answers. Who is this Madison woman? Why were you at her house this morning?”
    â€œHer brother, Logan Richards, is a friend of mine. He’s out of the country on his honeymoon and asked me to check on her. That’s all there is to it. There’s nothing federal about this.”
    â€œThis became federal the moment a federal agent got shot.” Casey frowned. “Wait, Madison—that name sounds familiar.” His eyes widened. “Is she the same Madison who—”
    â€œTessa,” Pierce interrupted, giving Casey a hard look,