“Don’t ask Him for help. It’s you I want to see walkin’ in my door.”
Ash was still laughing when she disconnected.
* * *
Dylan was dressed for the weather as he got in the SUV, but when he turned the key to start the engine, noticed he was low on fuel. So instead of the hospital, he headed for the nearest gas station and pulled in at an open pump, pocketed a credit card and the keys as he got out, then started refueling.
He was standing with his back to the wind and waitingfor the pump to kick off when he happened to look up and saw two men coming out of a store across the street. One was a tall, thin redhead. The other a big, stocky blond. When they headed for the white Mustang parked at the curb, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and immediately grabbed his phone and started taking picture after picture after picture, making sure he got the tag number on the car, as well. If it hadn’t been for the gas still pumping in his car, he would have given chase. There was no way to know where they were holed up, but he had proof that the Brandt brothers were in Amarillo. The moment he screwed the gas cap back on, he got in the car and began sending picture after picture to Asher’s phone.
They’re in Amarillo. I was fueling up when I saw them. They were gone before I could get loose from the pump. But now we know that they’re here.
Chapter 10
Asher was frying bacon when he got Dylan’s text.
“It’s Dylan,” he said, then pulled up the message. “No way! What are the odds,” he said, and handed his phone to Gunner. “Take a look at this!”
“Oh crap! They’re in Amarillo! I’m running that tag right now,” Gunner said.
Asher sent a big smiley emoji to Dylan and a two-word response.
You rock!
Then he remembered the bacon, took the strips out of the skillet, and set it off the burner to cool a bit before he fried the eggs. The urge to dance was strong, but he was saving his urges for Nora.
He finished making breakfast, and they talked as they ate, while waiting for the info on that car tag to come up.
“I have to let Sheriff Reddick know the Brandt brothers are in Amarillo, but at an unknown address. And we still can’t pin the shooting on them without valid evidence,” Asher said.
Gunner nodded. “Pearl didn’t get a tag number. She didn’t see if there were two men in the car. Reddick has a DNA nightmare in progress because of too many people in the bar before the shooting. I can’t believe how much DNA was on Dad’s clothing.”
“Because he was crawling all over the floor trying to get his gun,” Asher said. “Makes me sick just thinking about it. How scared he must have been. And how helpless he must have felt. And there’s still no freaking motive.”
Gunner agreed. “We really don’t want Reddick trying to pick them up for questioning and have nothing concrete to link them beyond a conversation that would be Dad’s word against theirs. All that would do would be to make them run, then Dad would come home to nothing being resolved.”
“I’ll talk to the sheriff. He’ll likely agree with us,” Asher said, and began clearing off the table and loading the dishwasher. “I’m going over to see Nora sometime today, but if you need the truck, I’ll wait until you’re back to go.”
Gunner stowed the butter and jelly in the refrigerator. “I have no need to get my ass out into the cold, but I do need to do laundry. If you want anything washed, toss it out in the hall. I’ll throw it in with my load.”
“Yeah, I will, and thanks,” Asher said, then dried his hands and went to sort it out.
* * *
Dylan was walking up the hall to Jacob’s room when he saw their guard sitting in a chair outside the door.
“Morning,” he said. “I’m Dylan Kingston. Are you still Bill, or is Phil on duty now?”
The man stood. “I’m Phil. Nothing untoward to report, and I’m told your father is doing well.”
“Awesome,” Dylan said. “And, I have something to show you.” He pulled up the pictures he’d just taken and showed them to Phil. “These are the two men we suspect of the shooting. We don’t have enough proof for an arrest, but knowing what the enemy looks like is always a good thing.”
Phil eyed the photos, then nodded. “If you would be sokind as to send a couple of these to my phone, I will share them with Bill,” he said, then gave his phone number to Dylan.
“Will do,” Dylan said, picked out two pictures to send, and then went into Jacob’s room. He’d already made the decision not to say anything to Jacob. He didn’t need the stress. “Morning, Dad! How goes your world today?”
Jacob smiled. “It goes well, considering. Everything okay at the bar?”
“Yep. Asher and I replaced the broken glass in the front door of the bar. It will need new lettering on the front, but that could happen later. They’re deep into the investigation, and that’s about all the news I know. Oh…nearly forgot. Asher and Nora have made peace and renewed their relationship. You might wind up with two daughters-in-law after all.”
