“3 men, at least 3 guns, with their boss, Bob Nelson, on his way w his posse. No idea how many men will be arriving.
“NOW IS TIME.
“If something goes wrong, please tell Maddie I loved her.
“Dear Maddie’s father, she read me your story about how you met her mom, and I’m sorry your heart was broke by Lisa, but know this: You and Lisa made someone special. Maddie is everything. She’s perfect. Good job. And no, don’t be angry, because I know I’m to old, so I said no. It was hard, but I stood strong. Right now I wish I didn’t, because I think I’m gonna die so you can’t kill me twice. Ha ha, but no. I love her, so I protected her even from me. Please love her twice as much if I die.
“She acts like she doesn’t care but she does. Lisa not perfect, you know this. Life was hard but Maddie love her mom so much and still so sad, missing her. Give her time. Be gentle and kind.
“I know best case means I probably go to jail. That’s ok.
“I love her.
“Please come now to help me save her.”
“Text him back,” Pete said.“Hang on, on my way.”
“No! It didn’t go through,” Shay reported. “He blocked you.” She tried with her phone. “Me, too. Damnit!” She looked up. “Although it makes sense. He’s in there with them—three armed men—probably doesn’t want anOn our waytext message to pop up and give him away.”
Pete nodded. Dingo had risked a lot just to send those texts. “I’m going in from this end,” he said. He pulled off the street into a pitted gravel lot in front of a boarded-up gas station, so he could quickly change out of his bright white uniform while Shay drove.
She was not happy. “I thought the plan was to wait for Izzy and the nicknamed Johns. Who, by the way, are allcowboyed up, as per your command. That means they have weapons, right?”
“Yes. And I do, too,” he told her. “A Glock, nine millimeter. It’s in a lockbox under…well, here. Switch seats with me.” He got out and went around to the passenger side as she slid behind the wheel. “Drive,” he ordered as he closed the door. “Please. Head back to the main road—to that gas station with the convenience store. I want you to wait there. Please.”
She shook her head and didn’t put the truck into gear. “Are you going to drop me there?”
His lockbox was under his seat, and he quickly keyed in the combination and pulled out the Glock. “No, I want you to have the truck. I’ll run back here.”
She made a vaguely laughter-like noise as they still sat there. “That’s a mile away. At least. Also? You’re not exactly dressed for running.”
“I’m changing,” he said.
“Into what?”
“I keep BDUs and a pair of boots in a go-bag, so I’m always ready, you know, to go.”
“It still looks military. You’re going to catch attention. Maybe not as much asmerunning, but…”
He inserted the magazine, and set the spare in the cupholder. “You ever use one of these?” he asked.
“I’m a writer,” she said.
“Yeah, but you write about men—and women—who carry, usually concealed. Everything I’ve read—so far, at least—is correct, so I’d hoped—”
“Research,” Shay admitted. “And fact-checking via experts. I went to a gun range with a group of writers, so yes, I’ve fired one. Once. I know the basics. Point and squeeze; never point the barrel at anything you don’t want to accidentally kill.”
He smiled. “Thosearethe basics. I’m putting it into your handbag; it’ll be right here on the floor.”
“Wait,” she said as he began to unbutton his shirt. “What? You’re not taking it with you?”
“I’m just going for a quick sneak-and-peek.” Pete stripped off his shirt and reached for his go-bag. He pulled on an olive drab T-shirt and then unfastened and pulled off his white uniform pants as he told her, “That’s SEAL for surveillance—looking in the windows, seeing what’s up. I’m going to trust you to drive over to that convenience store after I get out. Wait there for me to call. Do you understand?”
Her beautiful brown eyes were wide in her expressive face as she nodded. He fastened his cargo pants and reached for his boots, stashing his white shoes in the back.
“I’m trusting you,” he said again as he tied his boot laces. “Please note, I am notputtingyou anywhere. But Iamtrusting you to keep to your skill set, okay? If something goes wrong, if you don’t hear from me in, say, twenty minutes, call the police. When they arrive, put the weapon back in the lockbox and make sure the latch clicks.”
She nodded, but then asked, “And we’re not calling the police right now, because…?”
