“We can’t just leave her here.”
“You grew a conscience?” I demanded. “Tell me when.”
“I’m getting sick of your bullshit and petty-ass comments!” Ellie shouted angrily. “You just let her die!”
“You want to switch places with her?” I asked, stalking toward her. “Because it was either you or her and in war you can’ have both.”
“We could have saved her.”
“You keep believing that.”
Ellie took a swing at me and I caught her wrist in a tight fist. “You’d better be prepared for going all in with that, Ellie. Because if you want to fight, we can fight—but I’d enjoy it.”
A soft sound escaped her slightly parted lips. I could see her chest rise and fall and I wondered if my threat had turned her on. I smirked and she yanked her arm away from me and placed some distance between us.
Ellie stomped her feet. “Why is this happening!” She screamed.
“It’s karma’s way of paying you back for the years of wanton freedom you’ve enjoyed.” I looked around. “Get in the car.”
For another hour, I sped from Big Timber and into Billings. I pulled into the parking lot after calling the garage and thankfully, Grim was still there.
“Ellie Sargent, meet Dante McWelland,” I introduced her to Grim.
“Grim,” he said, while shaking her hand.
“As in Reaper?” Ellie asked.
He laughed. “Nope. Just Grim.”
“Oh…” Ellie looked over at me then nodded.
“Come on in.” Grim told us.
My friend led us through the checkpoints and into the area where Jeffrey’s car was now parked. The first thing I noticed was that the front left tire was punctured. That would make sense as to why Jeffrey had pulled over where he had. Chances were, they’d used the sniper to take out the tire. He couldn’t have driven all the way into Big Timber with it the way it was.
Grim handed me a pair of gloves and I slipped my fingers into it so I could take a closer look at the car.
“I thought you were on vacation.” Grim pointed out.
“I thought so too.” I opened the door and hunched down by the vehicle. “But it seems no rest for the wicked.”
“Come on, Cobra.” Grim pushed. “How did you get drawn into this whole thing? I mean, it came over the radio that Mrs. Sargent was killed after her husband went missing. I thought you weren’t a fan of that family—no offense.”
“None taken.” Ellie’s voice was strained with control.
“Yeah well, when they gave me that badge—they took away the choice of picking and choosing.” I leaned over to sniff at the interior. “Do you smell that?”
Grim joined me at the door. “Smoke?” He sniffed again. “That’s smoke—that smell wasn’t there before.”
“Ellie, did Jeffrey smoke?” I asked.
“No.” She told me. “He didn’t.”
“Strange.” I rose and walked around to the driver’s side. I took stock of how the seat was set up. “Jeffrey was about—what? Six-foot, six foot two?”
“Sounds about right.” Ellie replied.
“Someone else was using the seat.” I pointed out. “Someone shorter. I’m guessing no prints?”
