“Kamar’s gonna be pissed.”
“His decision. Also,” Auralia flicked on her windshield wipers. “I don’t think we were wrong about the clay and the mud bog. And I think as people start gunning their engines and churning the clay and water, that it’s going to be a damned mess in the next twenty minutes or so.” She turned her wheel and smoothly pulled out behind the second SUV. “Did you see that?” Auralia asked.
“Got it on tape. Mom in front, driving. Daughter in the passenger seat, and a coward lying down in the back seat. He must think that he was the target. Both the Mayor and Rep Braxton were sitting tall.”
“He’s using the women to keep him safe?” Auralia asked.
“When I heard the shot, I thought it came from the building back over there outside of the security ring Iniquus is monitoring,” Doli said as she watched her footage.
“Who told you about their security ring?”
“Blaze was walking by while you and Creed were talking to your brother, and I asked him.”
“Because you had a hunch?” Auralia asked.
“I’m wearing a goddammed bulletproof vest sent over by one swamp Gator with a third eye. I think it’s reasonable for me to know the edges of the damned parameters.”
“Yup.”
“Also, he’s single,” Doli added.
“He’s in a long-term relationship with Faith.”
“Long, long, long term, and he hasn’t put a ring on it is all I’m saying. Hey, this is kind of weird.”
“What’s that?” Auralia didn’t look over because the rain was falling in fat drops, but the sun was still shining, making prisms that were hard to focus through.
“The reaction from the stage. Morrison was damned calm. For that matter, so were Sheelah and—what’s her name?” Doli turned to Auralia.
“The daughter? Brandy. To be fair, if they were hearing about family number two for the first time, they might have been in shock.”
“True. Where’s Strike Force in this picture?” Doli asks. “Shouldn’t they be moving the mayor to safety?”
“The sheriff’s department was supposed to watch the mayor and the rep. No one was assigned to the Morrison family. Iniquus was here to lend a hand and make sure that damage to the venue is limited and there’s no bad publicity from things happening, like reporters getting beaten up.”
“Oh, okay. That went well,” Doli deadpanned. “Did they have someone watching us in particular? I mean, Iniquus is known for its fidelity to family. And I assume I’m family by proximity.”
“Deep was back a bit so he could cover all three of the news teams that stayed. He went forward to help KDRF because theirteam didn’t stand up. He was checking to make sure they weren’t shot when we ran for the tree.”
“You sure?” Doli asked.
“I’ve helped them out on some training evolutions, and that’s what it looked like to me. But it’s a guess, not a given.”
“How far are we going to follow?”
“I’m not so interested in the mayor and Rep Braxton. I’m planning on following the Morrisons until they park and get out. I have questions. But we’ll do this slow and smooth, so they don’t think that we’re the shooter on the hunt.”
“Yeah,” Doli said, “how about you hang back just a tad so if the shooter is still gunning for someone or has someone out ahead that we aren’t confused for being part of that posse.”
“Yeah, I don’t mind that suggestion,” Auralia said. “There’s nowhere to turn off until after the bridge. I’d like to know if they stay together. This whole thing is pretty curious, don’t you think?” Auralia bit at her lower lip. “Gator gave us bullet-resistant vests. It can’t be because a rifle was going to take out a speaker system.” She flicked a glance toward Doli. “Grab my phone out of my right leg cargo pocket and text Gator and Creed for me. Just tell them what we did and what we’re doing.”
“Did you see the text from Creed?” Doli asked.
“No, what did he say?”
“We should go before everyone races out. Good counsel.” The car was silent except for the faint tap of Doli’s thumbs on Auralia’s phone.
Auralia had a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel.
