Robbie spun around. “It came from town.” Just as he took off running, he stopped when he heard the unmistakable, emotional cry of his brother.
“Oh, God, no.” Hal cried out. “No.”
Robbie’s heart dropped to his stomach and he ran as fast as he could. “Frank.”
“Someone get Dean! Someone get Dean!” Hal cried out.
“Uncle Hal, watch out.” Johnny was firm, “Watch out, I need to see, I can’t see.” He scooted next to Hal.
“He’s still alive.” Hal said. “I think.
Johnny examined him, two shots to the chest. One shot to the side of the head. That shot seemed to graze him, but Johnny couldn’t be sure in the dark.
Robbie came around the bend. “Oh my God.”
Frank pulled the phone from his ear. “Dean’s not answering,. Roy run to his house.”
Roy nodded and took off.
“Danny get these lights on now!” Frank ordered. “Robbie we have a shooter. He came from the school.”
Robbie eyes were transfixed on Elliott who lay in a pool of blood.
“Robbie.”
Robbie sadly looked at Frank. “Yeah.”
“Get Dad, call him.” Frank snapped. “Now. I’m getting all my men on this.”
Hal watched Johnny examine Elliott.
Elliott’s eyes fluttered and there was a twitch to his right arm.
“Is he alive.”
“Yeah. He is.” Johnny removed his shirt and placed it over Elliott Ryder’s chest. Holding it firm, “But we got to get him to the clinic or he won’t be for long.”
“I’ll carry him.” Every muscle in Hal’s face flinched in pain as he slid his arms under his friend. “I have you.”
“Captain.” Elliott spoke weakly. “It’s .. it’s been a pleasure serving with you.”
“You too.” Hal wanted to fold, he wanted to crumble right there. His voice quivered as he choked on his word. “But it’s not over yet, my friend. You hear. Not yet.” Hal lifted Elliott and Stood. “You hold on and you fight.” With Elliott in his arms, Hal took off to the clinic not far away.
Johnny followed,.
“John.” Frank called out. “How is he?”
Johnny stopped running, looked at his father, sadly shook his head and then followed Hal again.
It took all that Frank had not to whip his radio. The frustration the anger and emotion. One minute they were laughing, the next they were trying to figure who was on the school and why. The lights to the streets rolled back on. Click-shift-click and Frank, eyes on the clinic, watched his brother carry Elliott inside. It broke his heart.
There was nothing Frank could do but start searching for the shooter.
Whoever it was, didn’t get far and they wouldn’t. Immediately, Frank put in the call to shut down all perimeters and entrances. No one would get in or out.
They were in Beginnings. The shooter would stay in ‘f
And Frank would.
If it was the last thing he did, Frank would find the person who tragically shot Elliott Ryder.
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Next – Planet of the LEPS (I swear this time)
On Borrowed Time: Beginnings Series Book 26 Page 26