Unseen (Will Trent / Atlanta Series)

confidant, making a show of waiting for an answer.
    Branson equivocated. She told Amanda, “I’d rather not say on an open line, but I’ll take your people to him as soon as this is over.”
    Surprisingly, Amanda didn’t argue. “Denise, tell your paramedics to get ready for transport. We’ll keep it quiet, but we have to move that boy to Atlanta.”
    Branson’s inner cop took over. “Logistics might take a while. We’ll need to get an ambulance. My paramedics are working alternating shifts. Dr. Thomas will need to get him ready.”
    Amanda moved a split second ahead of Will. “Sara Linton’s still down there, right?”
    Faith looked at Will. She answered, “Right.”
    Amanda said, “Will, do whatever it takes to get Sara in that ambulance to Atlanta. If there really is a leak down there, we need to use our own people as much as we can.”
    His mouth went dry. He couldn’t swallow again.
    Amanda took his silence for agreement. “We still have an active manhunt for Tony Dell. Even if the boy won’t talk, we might be able to flip Dell. Again. Will, what time does your shift start?”
    Will had forgotten about Bill Black’s hospital job. “Eight.”
    “Don’t go in early. Maintain your cover. You’re a con. Dell is on the move. There’s a heavy police presence. It would make sense for you to start asking questions.”
    He said, “There’s a nurse I’ve been working. Dell’s stepsister. She knows I was sent up for assault. I think if I work it right, I can scare her into talking.”
    “Terrorize her if that’s what it takes.” Amanda seemed ready to get started. “Lonnie, I’ll be in touch.”
    “Thank you,” Gray said. “I appreciate your—”
    “Sir.” Nick was apologetic. “She already terminated the connection.”
    Chief Gray didn’t bother with formalities. He turned on Branson like a raging lion. “You have some nerve, lady. Make me come here in the middle of the night like I’m some goddamn schoolboy being called to the principal’s office. Make me look like a fool in front of one of the most respected peace officers in the state. And I gather you’ll still refuse to tell me the boy’s location?” He waited for her to answer. When it was clear she wouldn’t, he mumbled, “You worthless piece of shit. It sickens me to think you ever wore the uniform.”
    Tears came into Branson’s eyes as she tried, “Sir, with all due respect—”
    “You don’t know the meaning of the word.” Gray snatched his hat off the table. “Human Resources will be in touch. Don’t try to reach out to me or any of my officers. Don’t try to plead your case. Don’t even say my name. As far as I’m concerned, yourinvolvement with me and my department is over.” He stormed out of the room.
    Branson’s throat worked. She looked down, pressing her palms flat to the table like she needed a moment to collect herself.
    Faith didn’t give her the time. “You’re gay?”
    Will was surprised by the bluntness of the question. Branson seemed ashamed. She looked away, her head turned to the wall.
    Faith said, “Jared Long got a call from you on his cell phone a few minutes before he was attacked.”
    Branson seemed to understand. She wiped the tears from her eyes. “You thought I was two-timing with him.”
    “Why else would you be calling Lena’s husband in the middle of the night?”
    “I was worried about her. Something wasn’t right.”
    “Because of the raid?”
    “No, before that. She was just—” Branson tried to find the right words. “We’re friends. That’s
all
we are. But something’s been wrong with Lena for a while. She was happy, pumped about taking down Waller, and then when it all came together, she just got sad. She wouldn’t talk to me about it. I thought maybe Jared could tell me what was going on.”
    Will guessed that Lena hadn’t told Denise Branson about the baby.
    Faith quickly moved on. “Where are you keeping the boy?”
    Branson took a deep breath. She held it for a while. Will could see the turmoil in her face. Every second of her life for the last eight days had been devoted to keeping the boy safe. She’d risked alienating her friends, losing her job, pissing off her chief. No cop ever wanted to hand over a case, especially one that ripped at their heart.
    “Okay,” Branson finally said. “We’re keeping him at my girlfriend’s farm.”
    “The sheriff’s deputy?”
    “Yes. She works two counties over. We’ve been together about a year.