“Dylan… Honey… Wake up.”
He jerked, groaned. “Sorry. I thought I was dreaming it.”
The first thing he did was look at the time as he reached to answer. It was just after 4:00 a.m., and Ash’s name was on Caller ID. This couldn’t be good news.
“What’s wrong?” Dylan said.
Asher unloaded the info as abruptly as Dylan had answered the phone.
“Dad’s been shot. It happened just after midnight after he closed the bar. He was airlifted to a hospital in Amarillo. He lost a lot of blood. Sheriff Reddick said he’s in bad shape.I’ve already contacted the hangar. They’re getting the chopper ready. Just in case, pack enough clothes for a prolonged stay.”
“Oh my God… This is the exact kind of shit we were worried about. Yes, yes, clothes… I’ll pack clothes and meet you at the hangar. Does Gunner know?” Dylan asked as he threw back the covers and got up.
Ash swiped a shaky hand across his face. “I’m calling him next. Drive safe. See you soon,” and then disconnected.
Angie was already up and pulling a suitcase from the closet before she even knew what was wrong, but when Dylan turned around and she saw his face, she knew it couldn’t be good.
“Honey! What happened?”
“Dad’s been shot. It happened just after he closed the bar. They airlifted him to a hospital in Amarillo. He lost a lot of blood. It doesn’t look good. Ash said pack for a prolonged stay. I need clothes for at least a week, just in case.”
She nodded. “You go wash up and pack your shaving stuff. I’ll get your clothes. Do you have enough cash on you? I think there’s a couple of hundred dollars in my wallet. Take it too, just in case. I’ll look after the office. If there are major decisions to be made, I’ll let you know.”
Dylan hugged her. “Lady, you are my rock. Thank you for this.”
“Go!” she said. “I’ll get you packed.”
Within fifteen minutes, Dylan was dressed and heading to the garage with his suitcase. Angie was right behind him, handing him the cash from her purse.
“Just in case,” she said, and jammed it in the pocket of his coat.
One last hug and kiss, and then Dylan was gone. She couldn’t help him through this, but she knew his business backward and forward, and she knew everything about theongoing projects. That much she could do for him, and with his blessing.
* * *
Gunner Kingston was on his way to a crime scene when his cell phone rang. He answered via Bluetooth, to keep both hands on the wheel.
“This is Kingston.”
Ash winced. He could hear sirens and radio traffic in the background. Gunner was up and working.
“Gunner, it’s me, Ash. Sounds like you have a load on your plate already, but I’m adding more to it. Dad’s been shot. Happened just after midnight. He suffered serious blood loss. It’s not good. They airlifted him to a hospital in Amarillo. I’m flying Dylan and me out as soon as we get to the hangar. If you can get away, pack clothes for an extended stay. There’s no law in Crossroads outside of the county sheriff’s office half an hour away. Whether Dad lives or dies, I’m not leaving Crossroads until I find out who did this, and I’m gonna need backup.”
Gunner took a sharp turn up a dark alley. “Damn it! Just damn it! I’ve got to call in to the precinct to get another detective on-site. This has to do with that armored car robbery, doesn’t it? Somebody with a grudge and nobody left to blame but Dad.”
“I don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to find out. But we first need to be there for Dad, like he was there for us when our world crashed,” Ash said.
“Agreed, and on it,” Gunner said. “Text me the location. I’ll get there as soon as I can.” Then his voice broke. “If you get to talk to him, just tell him not to die.” Gunner disconnected, and then immediately called in to the precinct. After a hasty conversation with his superior, he wasgiven immediate permission and put on an indefinite leave of absence. The moment he got the okay, he turned around and headed back home, weaving his way through Dallas traffic. Once inside the house, he got online to get the fastest flight to Amarillo, rented an SUV to be picked up at the Amarillo airport, then began packing for an extended stay.
* * *
Asher was driving to the hangar when it dawned on him that Nora had to have known. With all the sirens and the helicopter that picked him up in the middle of the night, the whole town would have known. And he knew exactly why she hadn’t called. Because she would not have had the answers he so desperately would want. She would have no knowledge of Jacob’s condition, or anything to do with the actual scene. Only that it had happened. And he knew she would be torn about not being the one to call.
When he came to a red light, he called her, then put it on Bluetooth as he drove through the intersection. She answered on the second ring, and she was crying.
“You know, don’t you?” he said.
“Yes, but I had the good sense not to throw the news in your face with absolutely nothing else to say. I don’t know Jacob’s condition, or anything about what’s going on. I knew the sheriff would gather what he knew before notifying next of kin. I’m so sorry.”
