Page 4 of Spock’s Snare

“Oh, I don't need to,” the paramedic replies. “From the look on your face, I think you've got that part covered.”

I walk them out and then stand beside my truck to watch the ambulance pull away. The flashing lights disappear beyond the gate, taking my father with them. Every instinct I have screams at me to climb into my truck and follow.

Dad is all I have left. The thought of him lying in a hospital bed with a head injury makes my stomach churn.

The construction site is slowly coming back to life around me. The sound of power tools drowns out the low hum of conversations amongst the workers. A few loud bangs and crashes sound even louder in the quiet aftermath. The familiar sounds should be comforting, but they only make me feel strangely disconnected.

"Chloe."

I look up to find Puma and Spock watching me closely,

"Who did this?" Puma asks.

I shake my head.

"I don't know."

Spock frowns. "The message makes it sound personal."

I shrug. “This was the first time they left a message.” The admission slips out before I can stop it.

Both men exchange a look.

"What do you mean?" Puma asks.

I sigh and rub my arms.

"We’ve been having trouble for a few months now. This was the first time they hurt anyone. It’s also the first time they left a message. We’ve had some graffiti. Mostly it's been sabotage. We’ve had tools broken or stolen. A whole load of drywall was busted up with a sledgehammer. So, I guess they’ve been escalating, but this was the first physical attack.”

The silence grows heavier.

"And you didn't tell us? Why?” Puma asks.

His question catches me off-guard. “Why would I tell you? This isn’t your project.”

"When did it start?" Spock asks.

I think back on all the incidents until I come up with a timeline. “The first instance occurred about four months ago, right after I won the Inferno Ridge contract.

Both men go still. They share a heavy glance and a silent conversation.

“What’s wrong?” I ask when they remain silent.

“You should have told us about the problems you were having,” Spock chides me.

“Why? You think someone is attacking me because I won the contract? I guess that’s possible, but the Inferno Ridge site hasn’t been vandalized. Only this site. Don’t you think that if someone wanted me to lose the contract, they’d attack the site itself? It would make more sense.”

“Only if they had a death wish,” Puma replies. “We have a guard at the gate twenty-four seven. If someone tried to access the property, our guys would see them. Attacking this site makes more sense if their purpose was to get you to forfeit the project.”

“You think someone is trying to gain access to Inferno Ridge?” I muse. “But how could they be certain that would work the way they want? They attacked my dad; wouldn’t it make more sense that they’re trying to hurt my company or me?”

Puma slowly nods.

“That’s probably true, but you don’t have to worry because you’re no longer alone in this,” Puma says. “You’re under our protection now. Whoever these assholes are, they’ll regret what they did here today.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask.

“First, we’re going to increase your security. We need cameras all over the site. We’re also going to make our presence known. Whoever is behind this will think twice before going up against the Demon Dawgs.”