“That’s speculation, Sheriff, and I vehemently deny any involvement from my clients. It is my understanding after speaking with them that all members of the Falkirk party left the scene after their discussion with your people.”
Cubby’s look wasn’t a pleasant one, and Brad got his first glimpse of the man who served and protected his town. A town that it seemed he was now classed as part of. It was a nice feeling, Brad had to admit, to belong somewhere, even if he would be leaving soon.
“It's my belief someone stayed behind, Mr. Alexander, and then got picked up later.”
“Do you have proof to back these wild allegations up, Sheriff?”
This time it was Mr. Ryan who spoke. His voice was equally as slick and calm. Brad liked him even less than Mr. Alexander. He had that smug look of a person who believed himself better than most.
“None,” the sheriff said, “but then I'm still looking, and I'm sure I'll get round to the point I want to reach in time.”
The locals nodded to back their sheriff up, and a few even voiced their agreement.
“He's thorough.”
“The best there is, so don't go underestimating our sheriff.”
Cubby kept his expression calm, and beside him Newman was smiling at the show of support. Annabelle was still snarling.
“Well, perhaps when you have we can continue this discussion. For now I suggest we shelve that matter, as I'm equally sure that given time, it will be cleared up as a misunderstanding.”
“How do you figure that?” Brad drawled, pushing off the wall. “Seeing as I was one of the people shot at, I'll clear up that little misunderstanding for you right now.”
All eyes switched to him. He found Macy briefly, and she gave him a smile of encouragement, following it up with a nod for him to continue.
“Come on out here, Miss Reynolds.” He held out a hand to her as he made his way to the front.
“Oh—I….”
He'd put her on the spot, but if he did one thing before he left Howling, it was to show her she was stronger than she believed.
“Come on, honey.” He kept his eyes on hers as she made her way into the aisle, and then up to stand beside him. Brad rested a hand on her shoulder, and felt the tension in her lovely body.
“Miss Reynolds was the other person shot at. Tell these gentlemen what happened, Macy?”
“I thought you would,” she whispered.
“You got this,” he whispered back. “You're strong, remember?”
Her shoulders shot back with his words, and she drew in a breath.
“Mr. Gelderman had just left in his helicopter to pick up the other members of our party, and this Mr. Gelderman”—she pointed at Brad—“and I were waiting, when the first bullet was fired.”
Actually, what they were doing was making out, but he kept that nice little memory to himself.
“We ran and tried to hide, but the shots kept coming, so we kept running until eventually we managed to hide, until the other Mr. Gelderman could fly his helicopter back and pick us up.”
“I'm sure there's a perfectly good—”
“Don't you push this aside,” Macy yelled down the church, and Brad saw the looks of surprise on faces in the crowd, and especially Macy's friends. They weren’t used to loud displays of emotion from her. “I was terrified, damn you! I feared for our lives, and I've been in that place before, and vowed never to do so again.” She was into it now. Eyes blazing, body twitching. “I was never in doubt someone wanted to harm us.”
“The incidents may not be related, Miss Reynolds.”
“Quite some coincidence wouldn't you say, considering we were just threatened by your consortium.”
“Miss Reynolds,” Mr. Ryan said in a tone that had Brad’s hackles rising. “My understanding is that in fact you were aggressive to Miss Buchanan, who was one of the party on Buchanan land that day. I was told your attack was vicious and unprovoked, your behavior bordering on crazed. Miss Buchanan received significant damage to her cheek. She is at present considering pressing charges, but has conceded that in light of your past—”
“Oh hell no!”
