“S-see. F-five things.” Hallie’s voice trembled, but it was something.
“That’s right. Five things. List them off for me.”
Her eyes lost a bit of their vacant look as she struggled to focus. “Wheel. Bumper.” She took a shaky breath. “Street.” Her gaze moved to me. “Uniform.” Those eyes lifted, locking with mine. “Blue.”
The vise around my rib cage loosened the smallest fraction. “There’s my girl.”
She launched herself at me.
I wrapped my arms around Hallie, holding her tightly as Luke and Nash watched. I got to my feet, Hallie still in my hold. “You’re okay.” I glanced at Luke. “What happened?”
He held out a piece of paper. I was about to take it when I saw the drawing. “Nash,” I clipped, inclining my head toward the note.
His jaw went hard as granite. “Be right back.”
Nash jogged toward the deli, and I turned back to Luke. “Keep holding the corner just like that but don’t touch anything else.”
Luke’s eyes widened. “I shouldn’t have touched it. I didn’t think.”
“It’s okay. You were trying to help.”
Hallie began to tremble again in my arms but tried her best to straighten. “I’m okay. I’m sorry—I—”
“No apologizing,” I said gently.
She turned to Luke. “I’m okay.”
Nash was back with a pair of prep gloves and a Ziploc bag from the deli.
“Quick thinking,” I muttered.
He shrugged and took the piece of paper from Luke, slipping it into the bag. “Should we print the vehicle?”
“Not a bad idea.”
The moment the note was free from Luke’s hand, he went straight for Hallie, his arms wrapping around her in a hug. She answered instantly in kind, rubbing her hand up and down his back. “I’m so sorry I scared you. These can happen sometimes…”
Hallie glanced at me. There was so much guilt in those beautiful gray eyes.
“No,” Luke said, hugging her tighter. “Dad’s right. You shouldn’t apologize for anything. I’m just sorry you were scared.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You’re the best kid ever. You know that, right?”
Luke released her. “You’re the best nanny ever. You know that, right?”
Hallie’s lips curved slightly, but I could still see her hands trembling—the aftermath of the panic attack.
I turned to Nash. “I need to get them home. Have the SUV’s windshield, hood, and side mirrors printed. Check and see if any of the businesses’ cameras reach this far. And tell Clint I want a call about his interview with Len Keller and the guy’s lawyer.”
Nash jerked his head in a nod and pulled out his phone. But he froze as he scanned the screen.
“What?” I growled.
Nash’s gaze locked with mine. “Len Keller was released from his 5150 hold this morning. Clint and the lawyer can’t find him anywhere.”
41
HALLIE
