Taking the lead, I stop near the spot where my brother gutted his deer. Jeff rests his gun against a tree and I do the same. Safe for now, I open my thermos and pour a cup of hot, black liquid.
While I sip, a flock of chickadees squabble. A couple of squirrels scurry in circles, digging for buried nuts. Overhead, above the empty maple branches, the clouds sink low and dreary.
“We should head back soon. Snow’s coming.” The last drop of coffee gone, I toss the dregs, and screw the lid back on. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” He picks up his gun and follows me into a small gorge.
When we get to where the trails cross, a white tail flicks in my peripheral vision. Pitching my voice low, I point at a boulder. “There’s a deer right behind that rock.”
In my mind, venison is a done deal.
The professor raises his rifle, the animal comes into view, and I plug my ears.
“I can’t.” Shaking his head, Jeff lowers his weapon.
Dammit.There is no way this man killed Stacy. I’ve been barking up the wrong tree.
“No problem.” I’m about to suggest we start home when a shot echoes off a stone ridge. Kincaid falls at my feet, a bullet hole in his orange vest.
Diving to the muddy snow, I grab his collar, crawl on my belly, and yell as loud as I can. “Hey! You’re shooting at people! Stop!”
Op-op-op mocks me as another round hits the trunk where my head just was. This is no freak accident. Someone on the hill is trying to kill me, Jeff, or us both.
I roll on my back, load my weapon, and hold my breath as I scan the perimeter. Using the nick in the wood as my reference, I calculate the shooter’s position.
Fuck, we need to move to higher ground. Here in the gorge, we’re sitting ducks.
With one eye on where the bullet originated, I scoot to Jeff’s side. “Where are you hit?”
“Shoulder.” Moaning, he puts his hand to his clavicle and pushes harder.
“Keep pressure on it.”
Bang! The dirt explodes near my feet and I roll behind a tree. Praying for a miracle, I reach into my vest and pull out my cell phone. Deep in the mountain’s divot, I recall how there’s no coverage and yet I still check.
Nope, no bars. It seems like my luck has run out.
Chapter 17
Danni
After congratulating my offshore team in India, I set this week’s goals, respond to all their questions, and code for a couple of hours. When the time reads 7:00AM, I thank them, say goodbye and hang up.
On a short break, I stare at my cell phone where Cole’s icon reminds me I have yet to answer his text. I try to compose a response, a chill runs down my back, and my arm hairs stand on end.
I don’t believe in the supernatural but I am certain the subconscious sends subliminal signals to the cognizant part of the brain.
Me: Hey, are you OK?
My screen remains empty so I punch in his number but it goes straight to voicemail. I shouldn’t worry. It’s early. He might not even be up yet. Nevertheless, the urgent feeling persists. Finally, I throw a coat over my PJ’s, slip into my boots, and don my outer gear.
Outside, my new rental groans and almost doesn’t turn over. Once it starts, I switch off the heater blowing frigid air in my face. Praying no one recognizes me, I pull into Cole’s empty driveway and honk twice.
His dog barks as I exit the vehicle and even more so when I peer in the garage window.
Damn. His car is gone.I have absolutely no reason to be concerned and yet, here I am. He’s a deputy. Right? He’s bound to be out and about at all hours. No big deal.
I feel stupid leaving a voice mail with the sheriff’s office. “Hi, um, it’s Danielle Adams. Please don’t think this is weird but I had this premonition. Is Cole, okay? Ah, never mind. Sorry. Forget it.”
