“Hang on, I’m coming.” A moment later, she opened the door, peering at him owlishly. “Did the camera go off?”
“Yes, we have company. Back side of the house, closest to the barn.”
“I can’t believe it,” she muttered as she quickly laced up her shoes. Bear stretched and shook himself, his ears flopping from side to side. The dog’s antics made him smile. “I honestly didn’t think he’d try this again so soon,” she added, pocketing her phone. “Good thing you put those cameras up.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” Like him, she’d slept in her clothes.
Ten seconds later, they were both armed and heading outside with the dogs. He hadn’t wanted to bring Cutie, but was worried she’d make a mess in the house if he didn’t.
Bear was already sniffing the air with interest, and Jordan knew the dog would soon be hot on the intruder’s tail.
“Let’s split up,” Jordan whispered. “I know the land better than anyone. You go right, I’ll go left. We’ll meet in the back.”
Autumn hesitated, then nodded. “Okay, but be careful.”
“Will do.” He glanced at Cutie. “Come.”
To his surprise, the dog ran alongside him as he moved around to the left side of his home. Autumn would likely get there first, but that was okay.
He didn’t mind backing her up.
“Stay,” he whispered to Cutie as he slowed to peer around the corner. The dog sat, staring up at him as if unsure as to what game they were playing. Jordan swept his gaze over the area.
And frowned when he didn’t see anyone.
He hadn’t dreamed the figure in black moving through the yard, had he? No, the camera had chimed an alert upon sensing movement. The image had been displayed on the screen.
The intruder was out here, somewhere.
After a moment, he caught a glimpse of Autumn and Bear crossing from the house toward the barn. Even from here, he could tell Bear was sniffing along the ground as they covered the distance.
“Stay,” he reminded Cutie, then darted forward to follow Autumn. He trusted her cop instincts and her training, but couldn’t deny he didn’t like the thought of allowing her to take the lead on confronting the intruder.
Not when the dagger tattoo guy had already taken several shots at her.
“Stop! Police!” Autumn’s sharp command caught him off guard. He sprinted to catch up.
Crack! Crack!
Gunfire! Jordan brought his shotgun up as he ran, praying he wouldn’t be too late.
He slowed his step when he found Autumn standing along the side of the barn, holding her weapon in two hands. Bear was beside her in the heel position. Following her gaze, he tried to spot the assailant.
“Where is he?” he asked.
“Not sure, but I’m getting mighty sick of him shooting at me.” Autumn scowled. “I’d return fire if I could see him.”
Unfortunately, Jordan couldn’t see anyone either. After a moment, he asked, “What’s the plan?”
She hesitated, clearly torn. “I’m not sure. I don’t want to head into a trap.”
The idea of this guy luring her and Bear into a trap hadn’t occurred to him. Then he saw movement. “Over there!”
Autumn must have seen the figure running, too, because she sprinted forward. Bear followed at her side, not sniffing the ground this time, but simply keeping pace with her.
Jordan stayed with her, too. Running with a shotgun was awkward and he made a note to search for his dad’s old handgun in the morning.
“Stop! Police!” Autumn shouted again. Seconds later, gunfire echoed through the night.
