“Do you mind if I manipulate the controls?” Dom didn’t wait for the clerk to respond as he took over the keyboard. He hit the fast-forward button until the headlights came onto the screen. Then he slowed the tape, watching as the large dark truck came into view.
“No front license plate,” Kendra murmured. “They’re not required, but I had hoped that there might be one.”
He continued watching the truck as it slowed to a crawl. Clearly, the truck had noticed the SUV parked along the building. If not for Kendra forcing them down out of sight, the guy may have opened fire. Then the truck increased its speed, continuing down the road. The angle wasn’t great, so he couldn’t see a rear license plate.
“It’s a GMC Sierra pickup truck.” He released the controls back to the gas station clerk. “I guess that’s more than what we knew before.”
“Yeah.” Kendra smiled at the clerk. “Thanks for sharing that with us.”
“No problem.” The guy furtively glanced around as if his boss might show up at any moment. Then he added, “Your brother Joel and his K9 helped find my cousin’s kid a few months ago. Your family does a lot for our community. I figure this is the least I can do in return.”
“We appreciate your help very much. Thanks again for allowing us to see the video.” Kendra turned toward Dominic. “Let’s get out of here and find a place to get breakfast. And we should probably let the Cody police know about the make and model of the truck. The officers on patrol can help keep an eye out for it.”
“Okay.” He gave the clerk a nod. “Thank you.”
Moments later, they were settled in the SUV. This time, Kendra placed Smoky in the crate area. It occurred to Dominic that if the dog had been back there earlier, the gunman may have realized they were hiding inside.
The near miss hit him hard. As if sensing his mood, Kendra reached over to touch his arm. “God is watching over us, Dom. We’ll be okay.”
“You really believe that.” It wasn’t a question. He could tell by the sincere and intense look in her eyes that she did. “If that’s the case, then why did your parents have to die in that plane crash?”
She started the car and pulled out of the gas station parking lot. “Losing my parents was difficult, but we always took heart in knowing they were together in heaven looking down on us. The truth is, they’re in a better place where there is no pain, fear, worry, or evil men with guns.” Kendra grimaced. “I’m not explaining this well, but God put us here on earth to follow His word. To help others, especially those in need. And maybe He brought you and I together to find the bad guys who took my parents and your father, bringing them to justice.”
He stared up at the dark sky. Maybe she was right, at least about their being together for justice.
Yet he also didn’t want anything bad to happen to Kendra. He opened his heart and prayed that whatever happened in the next day or two, that God would spare Kendra’s life.
No matter what happened to him.
Kendra wasn’t sure she’d convinced Dominic of God’s love and protection and hoped that maybe once this was over, she could bring Dominic to church with her family. Christmas was only a few weeks away, and she knew he didn’t have any other family to see over the holiday.
Did Dominic get lonely? She had never been alone in her entire life, having eight older siblings. Her life had always been full of chaos, but at the same time, she’d always known that any one of her siblings would have dropped everything to help her when needed.
Like now. As she drove through Cody, taking side streets to avoid the main thoroughfares, she knew it was time to call for reinforcements. She and Dom needed help, and heading to the ranch, putting pregnant women and children in danger, wasn’t an option.
She didn’t want to admit failure, yet she had promised Chase she’d ask for help if things got dicey. Seeing that truck on the gas station video slowing as it passed by the SUV where they’d been hiding was sobering.
“I don’t think we should return to the Hitching Post,” Dom said, breaking into her thoughts. “We need a different place to go.”
“I agree.” She forced a reassuring smile. “There’s a place called Sunny Side Up Café. I think they open early.”
“Works for me.” Dom glanced back to where Smoky sat in the crate area. “After we eat, we need to rent a fresh car. You’re right about the crate being noticeable.”
“I agree.” She glanced at him. “The only problem with renting a car is leaving a paper trail.”
“I know.” He shifted in the seat. “I was thinking I could contact my team lead, Jake. He can rent it under his name, listing me as the driver.”
Kendra frowned. “I’m not sure I want to drag other innocent people into this.”
“I don’t either, but if it helps keep us under the radar, then I’m willing to ask him.” Dominic peered out the window. “Is that the Sunny Side Up Café over there?”
“Yes.” She was relieved to see the lights were on inside. Still, she didn’t go directly to the café. Turning left, she headed into a well-established neighborhood. Considering how close they’d come to being found in the SUV earlier, she thought it better to park somewhere else and walk to the café.
Not that two people and a dog were invisible. She hoped Smoky’s light fur would blend in with the snow. And she doubted the gunmen would expect them to be on foot. She imagined they were still driving around, searching for the SUV.
Spying a familiar address, she quickly stopped.
“Do you know the family that lives here?” Dom frowned as she pulled up alongside the curb and backed into the driveway of a house that was completely dark.
