Page 95 of Her Guarded Hero

“The out buildings are about two acres back behind the training arena. They’re two big corrugated buildings that are secure. They’re locked tight. There are some horses out there, so Aurora would be interested.”

“When was this?”

“I’m not sure. A couple of hours ago?” Dennis said helplessly.

“That’s where we start. Gunnar can you sit on both of them?” Dalton eyed the big Norwegian who was a head taller than Dennis.

“You give me that gun, and I’ll keep them from sounding the alarm,” Gunnar said. “Becky, move to the couch over there,” Gunnar ordered.

Dalton agreed with the old man’s plan. Better to have the two of them sitting together. He shoved Dennis down on the couch beside Becky, then handed his pistol over to Gunnar. He went over and turned the sign in the window to closed, shut the drapes, and locked the front door.

“You okay?” Dalton asked Gunnar one last time before he left.

“I’m fine. I’m going to call the others and tell them about the out buildings, just go get my granddaughters.”

* * *

“Don’t think I’m doing this for you,” Mort said as he the door opened. “I can’t stand the thought of piss stinking up my car for hours on end, so you’re getting your bathroom break.” The big man took two steps into the gloom of the cavernous building. “What-?”

Lindy jabbed her knife into his neck. Blood sprayed so far and wide that Aurora felt splashes hit her face and hair.

With the knife lodged in his throat, one of his hands went to the knife and his other hand reached forward like Frankenstein, attempting to grab Lindy, but she ducked and then shoved him.

“Come on,” she grabbed Aurora’s hand. “He’s not dead yet.”

Aurora tried to block the gurgling sound coming from Mort who was now slumped against the wall. When they got out into the early evening air, Aurora got a good look at Lindy. She looked ready to fall down. Her face was covered with blood, not just Mort’s.

“We need to get back to the ranch house,” Lindy said determinedly. “Are you okay to walk?”

Her cousin was damn near staggering, and she was asking about her? Aurora was incredulous.

“Do you think Frankenstein is dead yet?” Aurora asked.

“Huh?”

“I want his car keys.”

Lindy was bent over with her hands on her knees. “We should check the driver’s side visor. Dumbass probably put them there.” Her voice was so slurred it took a moment for Aurora to comprehend what she’d said.

Aurora guided Lindy to the SUV and Lindy crossed her arms on top of the hood of the vehicle then laid her head on them. Aurora hit pay dirt when she found the keys exactly where Lindy had said.

Sh-Shoot. Lindy hadn’t moved. Aurora lumbered out of the driver’s seat. “Come on Honey, let’s get you into the car.” Aurora looked around. It was getting darker. What if Chuck was coming?

“I’m fine,” Lindy waved her off. Then she turned and doubled over, throwing up. Aurora saw bits of graham cracker. She swallowed convulsively, sweat sheeting her body. No way, they weren’t going to have two of them puking.

“Lindy, you have a concussion. We need to get you to a hospital.”

Apparently, her cousin had only been able to keep it together long enough to stab Mort, now it was up to Aurora. She pulled a trembling Lindy into the passenger seat and ran around the front of the car to the driver’s side.

“What an idiot!” she said as she pounded the wheel of the car.

“What?” Lindy asked. Blood from Mort and vomit covered the front of Lindy’s blouse. Aurora rolled down the window to let in fresh air, then she fished out her phone from the front of her jeans. She almost screamed when she saw it was dead.

“Lindy give me your phone,” she begged.

Lindy lifted up off the seat and pulled it out of her back pocket. It was cracked. “Must have happened when they hit me,” she said weakly.

Aurora started the SUV. She needed to get Lindy to a hospital. She needed to avoid Chuck, Elsa and whoever else was willing to kill them. They didn’t have cell phones. Think!