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to tremble. “Denton, why are you talking like that?”
    “Just do what I say, okay? Lock the doors when I get out.”
    “You’re scaring me. Can’t you just stay in the car? Call the police?”
    He locked gazes with her. “Everything’s going to be okay. I just need to check things out.”
    She nodded, even though all her instincts told her to do just the opposite.
    “Did you hear me, Elle?”
    She started to nod again, but instead cleared her throat. “Yes, I hear you.”
    Denton climbed from the vehicle and Elle hit the lock button almost before he was even out. Her heart raced as she watched him approach the guard station. Where was Jimmy? Why wasn’t he at the gate like he always was?
    Lord, I don’t even have the words for the situation. My heart is just crying out to You. You know my prayers even when I don’t.
    With the skill of someone who had done this a million times before, Denton checked his surroundings, moving swiftly but purposefully.
    Capable. Denton was capable, Elle reminded herself. It would be different if it were her out there looking for Jimmy while trying to keep one eye out for the bad guys.
    As he disappeared inside the guard house, she held her breath. Minutes ticked by. Or perhaps it was actually seconds that felt like minutes.
    Was Denton okay? Was Jimmy inside? And was Jimmy okay? Questions raced through her head so fast she could hardly keep up.
    She didn’t release her breath until she saw Denton emerge. He strode over to the SUV and tapped on the window until she unlocked the door. He slid inside.
    “Well?” She tried to read his gaze but couldn’t.
    “Jimmy’s been shot. I called the police. They’re on their way.”
    “Shot? Will he be all right?”
    “He’s dead, Elle.”
    * * *
    Elle’s parents’ lawn became a jungle of emergency response vehicles, trolling firefighters and police officers and dizzying flashing lights. The police had already questioned both Denton and Elle, and now the crime scene unit was collecting evidence. Elle’s father and his entourage had arrived and now milled around, only adding to the confusion.
    Elle looked pale as she stood on the massive porch, her arms wrapped over her chest and a dazed look in her eyes. Denton wrapped up a conversation with her father and hurried across the darkened lawn toward her. She was a sight to see, that was certain. Even in the middle of the terrible circumstances he’d already seen her experience, she maintained a certain dignity and strength that Denton had to admire.
    She didn’t turn his way as he strode up the stairs and to her side. Her eyes had that faraway look still. Denton put a hand at her elbow, trying not to jar her. “Elle, I need your help.” He needed to distract her from her thoughts, also.
    Some of the focus returned to her gaze as she angled toward him. The tight hold of her arms over her chest loosened slightly, but her eyes still looked strained. “Of course. What do you need?”
    “To start with, I need a list of your father’s staff, his interns, his campaign volunteers—everyone.”
    “Do you plan on checking out all those people? Because we have hundreds of volunteers right now. The election is only three weeks away.”
    “We’ll vet them all if we have to.”
    She stared at him a moment before nodding, shades of blue and red from the police cruiser in the distance lighting her face. “I’ll get a list for you if you think it will help.”
    He nodded toward the front door. “I’ll also need a tour of the house and a list of anyone staying there.”
    She blinked. “A tour?”
    “It’s going to be your temporary home and mine until we know you’re safe. I’m bringing in another agent to guard the perimeter at night and someone else to shadow your father. We can’t take any chances.”
    She swallowed, still appearing stiff. The shock of finding Jimmy hadn’t worn off yet. The death of a loved one sometimes never wore off. Denton knew all about that.
    Elle stepped