“Hey, it’s not your fault.” Kendra’s low voice managed to penetrate his thoughts. He shifted his gaze to her.
“It feels like it.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Do you think Helen’s death was a random event?”
“No.” Kendra’s expression turned grim. “I think the fact that she took Stuart’s confession put her on the gunman’s radar.”
Dom wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or upset that his thoughts and Kendra’s were aligned. “Okay, but if that’s the case, how did the gunman get from here, to Denver, and back here so quickly?”
Her brow furrowed. “That would be impossible. Denver is seven hours from here. Round trip would be fourteen. There’s no way the same gunman is responsible for shooting at us and causing Helen’s crash.”
He grimaced. “That means there are several gunmen after us.”
“At least two of them,” Kendra agreed.
“I feel bad for Helen’s daughter.” He stopped talking when their server headed toward them with two plates of food. His appetite had been ruined, but he forced a smile as she placed their plates on the table. “Thank you.”
“Looks great.” Kendra’s smile didn’t reach her eyes either. “Thanks.”
He picked up his fork, then dropped it when Kendra stretched her hand across the table. Belatedly remembering she always said grace, he took her hand in his.
“Dear Lord Jesus, please bless this food we are about to eat. We ask You to keep Helen’s family in Your loving arms, offering them comfort despite their loss. And, Lord, please keep us safe in Your care. Amen.”
“Amen.” The response came without conscious thought, and he found himself thinking about what Kendra had said about her parents being together in heaven. He hadn’t thought much about his own death until recent events. Now that he had faced the gunman several times, he realized he wanted eternal life for himself too. He continued to hold Kendra’s hand for a long moment. “Thank you, Kendra. I know I have a lot to learn when it comes to prayer.”
Hope bloomed in her blue eyes. “I would be happy to help you with that, Dominic. Maybe once the danger is over, you’ll consider attending church services with my family.”
The distance between Billings and Cody was an hour and forty-five minutes on a good day, depending on the weather, yet that didn’t seem too insurmountable. He nodded and forced himself to release her hand. “Thanks. I’d like that.”
Kendra’s smile was genuine, and there was no denying her prayer had lightened his despair. If Helen Gingrass was a believer, she was in a better place now. Like Kendra’s parents.
And his own? He wasn’t sure but decided to remain hopeful that they were together again.
His omelet and breakfast potatoes tasted great. His appetite had returned, which was a good thing. He ate quickly, realizing he needed fuel to face whatever lay ahead.
He finished his coffee, glad when their server quickly came to provide a refill.
“I’d like to call my sister-in-law Raine and maybe talk to my brother-in-law Griff too,” Kendra said, once they were alone. “Helen’s unexpected death changes things. We need law enforcement’s help on this.”
He tried to read her expression. “You’re thinking these guys are getting desperate.”
“Yep. And that they’re getting rid of all the loose ends.” She cradled her mug in her hands. “You and I are the biggest loose ends of all.”
Dom had wanted her to go back to the safety of the ranch, but now that Helen was dead, he realized that wouldn’t work. If they were loose ends, Kendra would be targeted regardless of where she was.
“I agree it’s time to call Raine and Griff.” If a former US Marshal and current FBI agent couldn’t figure this out, they were sunk. “Maybe they can help put the puzzle pieces together.”
“It’s almost six now. Not too early, especially since Justin is usually the first one out to the stable each morning to care for the horses.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and made the call.
“Raine? It’s Kendra. We need your help, Griff’s too.” He listened as Kendra explained the events that had taken place over the past several hours. “I wish I knew how we were found at the rental property since we didn’t even pay to stay there. Dominic thinks maybe he didn’t reroute our ISP address as well as he’d thought.”
Dom grimaced, hating the fact that he’d failed to keep them safe. Thank goodness for Smoky who had alerted them to the danger. He leaned back to look at the K9 lying at their feet. The dog was so quiet he didn’t even know she was there.
“The only way we’ll meet with Andrew Levy is if someone is with us,” Kendra said firmly. “Whoever hired these guys has some major resources. Not only have we been dodging the gunman here in town, but we suspect the hospice nurse who took Stuart Ramsey’s confession was murdered last night in Denver too.”
Kendra listened for a long minute. Feeling his gaze, she sent him a reassuring smile.
“Okay, that sounds good. Please bring extra supplies for Smoky, okay? We’re at the Sunny Side Up Café. Oh, that reminds me. Ask Justin or Joel if we can stay at Grady McFarland’s place for the next several hours. We left our SUV parked in his driveway and walked to the café.”
Another pause as Kendra listened. Their server refilled their cups, then hurried away as customers began filling the restaurant. Even at this early hour, people were out and about. Dom scanned the faces of the newcomers, hoping the gunman wasn’t hiding in plain sight.
