As the three of them and the two K-9s hurried to the cruiser, Lydia’s heart raced. She’d had so many disappointments since Elsie had been taken, she didn’t want to get her hopes up. Still, she sensed that she was getting close to being able to hold Elsie in her arms again.
Please, Lord, I want to chase butterflies with my daughter again and receive a million more dandelion bouquets from her. Please give me that chance.
* * *
The Ridge police officer dropped Maren, Lydia and River off at their vehicles. Eli must have already left by the time they got there. Maren loaded up Haven and sped away. The Ridge patrol officer lingered while River let Frankie do her business. The police officer pulled away as River moved to load Frankie. He had just settled Frankie into her kennel when a strange buzzing sound reached his ears.
Lydia’s hand was on the door handle. “What is that noise?”
The Ridge police officer had gone out of sight around a curve.
Gunshots from the air peppered the earth around them. River caught a glimpse of the drone above them right before he hit the ground. He rolled underneath his patrol car as more shots surrounded him. Lydia pressed in beside him.
With his heart pounding, he moved to the edge of the car and peered up. The drone was just making a turn to come back and fire at them again. “Get in the car!”
Lydia responded immediately. River rolled his body across the dirt. He had a momentary view of the sky before he flipped over on his stomach. The drone was getting closer. He reached for the door handle and flung it open. Bullets hit the top of the car.
As he turned the key in the ignition, he saw that the drone had dropped down so it could shoot through the windows of the patrol car. Lydia slumped down in her seat. He floored the accelerator, kicking up dirt as he headed toward the mountain road.
He heard the ping of a bullet hitting metal.
“He’s there. I saw him in the trees.” Either Gregory had run out of bullets for his rifle or the drone was a better way to guarantee a more accurate shot. Norm must have taught him about the drones, just like Gregory had probably loaned Norm a gun when they had been shot at from the front and back of his house.
He stopped the car but left it idling. River’s gaze jerked around, taking in segments of the evergreens on Lydia’s side of the road. He didn’t see anything. No sign of movement or color that didn’t blend into the trees. “You sure?”
“A face. I saw a face.” She pointed at an evergreen that looked like it had been split by lightning. “By that tree.”
The drone operator would have had to be close enough to operate with a view on its target, unless the drone had some sort of camera on it. He radioed the Ridge police officer, who would still be close, for backup.
River pressed the button that automatically opened Frankie’s kennel at the same time he pushed open the door. He didn’t need to tell Lydia to stay in the patrol car.
Frankie jumped down from the car and caught up with River, who had already drawn his gun and was running toward the trees. He couldn’t see or hear the drone anymore.
Fully aware that the man had a rifle, he sought shelter behind some brush. When no shots were fired, he sprinted forward to the next place that would provide cover. Maybe Gregory was out of bullets. Frankie pressed in close to his side. He studied the area by the split tree.
River stepped out into the open. Still no shots or sign of anyone lurking in the trees. Sunlight caught a glint of metal. The drone lying on the ground.
His heart squeezed tight. He raised his gun and moved in. Frankie turned slightly and let out a warning bark.
Off to the side, River heard a rustling noise. He’d only made a half turn when a rifle butt collided with his head. His knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground. The sound of Frankie’s frantic barking and someone’s retreating footsteps pummeled his ears.
Gregory was headed toward where Lydia sat in the car. It had been his intention all along to get at her.
As he fought not to pass out and get to his feet, River prayed that Gregory would not succeed in his mission.
EIGHTEEN
Lydia watched in horror as Gregory ran toward the patrol car. He held a rifle. She hadn’t yet buckled herself in. She fell on her stomach, out of view, bracing for the sonic boom that would shatter the windshield.
A tense silence coiled around her, but no shot was fired. She took in several ragged breaths before lifting her head above the dashboard. Frankie was running circles around Gregory, diving in and nipping at him while he tried to hit her with the rifle. River moved in with his gun drawn. She gasped when Gregory lifted the rifle to hit River. Frankie dove for Gregory’s pant leg and shook it so vigorously that it threw him off balance. He dropped the rifle and fell on his behind. Frankie moved in close to the fallen man and continued to bark.
River drew out his handcuffs and secured Gregory lifting him to his feet.
Once she was sure she wasn’t in danger, Lydia pushed open the door and ran to Gregory, grabbing his collar. “Where is Elsie? What have you done with her? Where is my daughter?”
With his hands cuffed behind his back, the man could only angle away from her.
“Lydia.” River wrapped his arm around her waist, lifted her up and pulled her back. “I’ll question him.”
