A shot echoed. "Shit." Martin stepped off the path and edged to one of the windows. Peeking inside, he saw Irvin Lamb prone on the ground, a handgun in his right hand. His father's shotgun was off to Lamb's side. Martin held up two fingers and pointed to his left. Henrietta and Indira were aiming guns at his mother. Julian nodded and headed to the back of the barn.
From where he stood, Martin could hear Henrietta screaming at his mother, "Your son and Beth Reed ruined everything. I was set for life until they screwed it up."
Fay Bailey remained silent. Indira shouted, "Where are they?"
"I haven't a clue. Did you check her home?" Fay's voice was an octave deeper than usual. Martin recognized the tone as the one she used when she was furious.
He moved toward the office door and turned the knob. It was unlocked. From there Martin had a visual of the barn's breezeway. His dad was slumped against the far wall, bleeding from his head. To his right, he could see his mother standing with her arms crossed. Henrietta and Indira were sitting on a hay bale, keeping Fay in their sights.
Forcing emotion from his head, he opened the inner door. A line of sunlight flashed down the center of the open area. The only way for the light to enter was for the rear door to open and close. Julian was inside. Martin stepped into view and moved between his mom and the two women. "Hello, ladies, heard you were looking for me. Mom, get out of here."
Henrietta pointed a gun at Martin. "Don't you dare."
"Mom, go," Martin snapped an order.
Indira raised her weapon. A shot echoed through the hollow area—her head exploding in a mist of blood and bone. Before Henrietta could shoot, Martin fired one bullet. Henrietta dropped backwards to the ground.
"Clear," Julian checked Lamb and pocketed his gun. He removed the weapons and checked the pulses on the other two.
Martin and Fay knelt beside Dennis. Closer examination of his head showed a jagged cut from being struck. "Dad." Martin held his hand.
Dennis moaned, "Your mom."
"I'm right here, you old goat."
Julian opened the barn doors in time for Ian and Kieran to arrive on the run with Bravo team. Ian took in the carnage. "Everyone else okay?"
Wes had his arms full wrangling a wildcat, Elizabeth. At the all clear, he released her.
Patrick knelt beside Dennis. "Walk him to the house. You need a couple of stitches, and then you need a CT scan."
Elizabeth raised her fists. "Ian, Kieran, you said he would follow instructions."
Both men mustered as much shame as they could, biting their cheeks at the angry sprite. Julian walked over to her and muttered something into her ear.
Kieran, Wes, and Bravo team remained in the barn to deal with the arriving authorities, while Ian led the group to the house.
Holding on to the banister for support, Martin made his way upstairs. After a quick stop in the bathroom to wash up, he stripped to his boxers and sat beside Elizabeth at the foot of the bed, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. He placed an arm around her, resting his palm against her belly. "Sunshine..."
"DO NOT SUNSHINE ME. Martin Aaron Bailey, you are the most exasperating man I know. How can I want to kick you and make love to you at the same time?" Elizabeth held his cheeks between her palms. "Ugh." She pulled his bruised face to hers and kissed him hard.
Epilogue
Sunday, September 10th
The sun glowed in the bright, cloudless blue sky over an air ambulance parked beside a Chase Group jet at the Silverton airport. After saying goodbyes and thank yous, Troy’s mother boarded the plane. The rear doors opened, and, in a coordinated effort, Patrick, Seth, Jonathan, and Judson removed the stretcher carrying Troy.
Seth monitored the transport ventilator controlling Troy's breathing. Elizabeth leaned over to kiss Troy's cheek. His fingers moved slowly to formTHANKS.
"Troy, promise me we will climb a real mountain together." Elizabeth teared up when he gave her a thumbs up.
"Mon ami, I promise I will see you soon." Julian pressed his lips to his friend's head.
Martin leaned down and hugged Troy. The previous week, both men spent time and shed some tears together. "You have one job to do, and that is to keep getting better. I love you, remember that."
Troy grabbed Martin's hand.SOON.The Denver PAs said their goodbyes and rolled Troy toward the plane.
Martin commanded, "Viper, you take care of him."
