Page 34 of North

FIVE

The truck owner is dead?

The words of the gun holder—Frank Hendrickson—circled Selah’s brain as she stood in the family room of the Hendrickson home.

Hands raised.

Rain hammered the wraparound porch, turning the late afternoon as dark as dusk. Wind rattled the windows of the old house. Felt like it might be her bones knocking together.

What is going on?

“Grandpa?” Tommy’s voice cracked. He had gotten down from his stool.

“Miriam, take the kids into the other room.” This from Frank, his voice unwavering.

Beside Selah, a muscle pulled in James’s jaw. “This isn’t necessary.”

Amy appeared behind her brother, clutching her teddy bear. “Grandpa, don’t hurt them. They helped us.”

“Frank.” Miriam Hendrickson’s hand settled on her husband’s shoulder. “Please. They’re not criminals. They took care of the kids.”

“Tell that to Butch.” His mouth tightened. “I called him after the news report. He saw the entire thing—the derailment, and even some thugs who attacked the train⁠—”

“The train was attacked?” Miriam backed up, picked Amy up onto her hip. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

Frank turned his gaze hard on James. “Nor does the fact that Butch was just sitting in his truck trying to figure out what to do, when up comes…well, maybe this guy…” He gestured to James with his chin. “He grabbed him out of the driver’s seat and stole the old Ford right out from under him.”

Selah couldn’t help but shoot a glance at James.

He appeared appropriately appalled. “I didn’t—that’s not how⁠—”

“Stop talking.”

James drew in a breath and his expression shifted. Hardened.

The same sort of look he’d given her on the porch.

A fist tightened in her gut.

“He said that he was on the ground, sort of dazed, when the train lit up. Nearly got toasted.”

The story pieces clicked together in Selah’s mind. Yesterday, James had left to “get help” and then…

The explosion.

He’d returned with the truck right after.

But Anderson had been alive after that, so…

James shifted beside her, and something in his movement made Frank’s finger tighten on the trigger.

“Miriam, I said take the kids into the other room.” Frank’s voice turned hard. “Then call the sheriff.”

“Mr. Hendrickson.” Selah forced steadiness into her voice even as her mind raced. “We’re not trying to hurt anyone. Those kids⁠—”

“Those kids are my grandchildren.” Steel threaded his words. “And you brought trouble to my door.”

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Again? But she glanced at it, and maybe Frank did too⁠—