LeeAnn understood. The ambulance was coming from Franklin, the next town over, about 15 minutes in the opposite direction of Oak Valley from the Rocking T.
“I'm on my way.”
She went over to the coach of the high school football team, who happened to be her fellow officer. “Danny, I have to head up to the Taylor place. There's been an auto accident.”
Daniel Minco signaled for a timeout. “John, can you talk some sense into this defense?” he said to his assistant coach. Daniel stepped away and took Lianne by the arm. “Is it serious?”
“I don't know. The ambulance is on its way.”
“Do you need me to go?”
She smiled. “I've got it. You just make sure we put a W in the win column. I'll call you as soon as I get back to town.”
She made her way to the cruiser that they drove to the game. She realized she forgot to kiss Danny goodbye, and thought it was probably for the best. No need to embarrass all those high schoolers.
There was no one else on the road, so she made excellent time. As she reached the entrance to the ranch she saw a vehicle in the distance coming toward her. She parked on the side of the road, her lights still flashing.
The truck parked behind her. She got out of her car and approached the driver side. “Eddie,” she said by way of greeting. “Mrs. Taylor.”
He said, “Paolo’s in the back. He's busted up pretty good.”
She looked in the back of the truck and agreed. “Let's get them in the back of the cruiser,” Lianne said. “It’ll be cleaner and smoother than the back of that truck. We’ll meet the ambulance halfway.” She looked at Sandy for the first time. “Ma’am.”
Sandy said, “I'm afraid he's got a severe concussion, and the lacerations have all kinds of dirt in them.”
Eddie jumped over the side of the pickup into the cargo area. He helped Sandy sit Paolo up and slide him to the back of the truck. Mrs. Taylor and Lianne helped him gingerly off the tailgate and half walked, half dragged him to the back seat of the cruiser.
Sandy slid in beside him.
“You don’t have to go to the hospital,” Eddie said.
“He’s right,” said Carol, “you’ve done so much already. One of us will go.”
“I want to go.”
Eddie looked at Carol. “If you both go, I can go get Paolo’s parents. They’re working down at the vineyards.”
“Go.” Carol got in the passenger’s seat and Lianne raced down the highway, lights and siren on.
Paolo’s head was in Sandy’s lap. She was having trouble keeping him conscious.
After 20 minutes Lianne said, “There they are.”
The ambulance slowed and pulled over to the shoulder of the road. Lianne parked behind them.
The EMTs hopped out of the cab, opened the back doors, and approached the cruiser. “Teenage male,” Lianne said, opening the rear door. “Auto accident. Lacerations and probable concussion.”
“Nice bandage job,” one of the said. They lifted Paolo gently off Sandy’s lap and carried him to the ambulance. One strapped him to the gurney inside and prepared an IV. The other closed the door.
“We’re going to take him straight to Muskogee,” the other called as he swung up into the driver’s seat. He made a U-turn and flew down the highway.
The three ladies took a moment to catch their breath. Sandy saw Carol text Eddie with the ambulance’s destination.
“Is it always this exciting?” Sandy asked.
“No, thank God,” said Carol.
Lianne got into the cruiser. “I’ll take you home.”
The trip back was much more leisurely. After a few minutes, Lianne said, “I’m Lianne Ortega.”
Sandy smiled. “Sandy Nelson. I must look terrible.”
“I’d say you both did some great work.”
“Sandy is from San Francisco,” Carol offered.
“What brings you to Oak Valley?”
“I’m a wine consultant.”
Carol said, “She’s evaluating our operation for possible expansion.”
“I’m not an expert like you,” Lianne said, “but I enjoy a glass of Rockin’ T Moscato.”
“Thank you for saying so,” said Carol.
They drove through the ranch gate. “Where was the accident?”
“Just up ahead.”
“Do you mind if I take a look?”
She parked by the overturned truck. Eddie drove up as they got out of the police car.
“Did you find the Vasquez’s?” Carol asked.
“Yeah, they’re on their way. I got your text in time to send them to Muskogee. I’m going to go by their house and pick up some things in case they have to stay then I’ll head that way. Hello, Officer Ortega.”
“Eddie.”
Carol said to Sandy, “This is my son, Edward.”
“Your son? I thought…” she stopped.
“I was a hired hand? Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment.” He grinned, the first smile she’d seen from him during this serious afternoon.
Lianne was crouching beside the wrecked truck. Over her shoulder, she said, “Did Paolo say what happened?”
Sandy said, “He told me heard a couple of pops and a tire blew.”
“The tire had help,” Lianne said, standing.
They gathered around her and followed her finger as it pointed to a hole in the truck’s body over the wheel well. “That looks like a bullet hole,” Eddie said.
“There’s another one in the tire itself.”
Carol covered her mouth with her hand.
“Who would do that?” Sandy said.
“That’s the question of the day,” Lianne said.
“Can you find the bullets and run the ballistics?” Sandy asked.
Lianne gave a grim half-smile. “This isn’t the San Francisco Police Department. Besides, I’m 99% sure we’d find they were fired from a .22 rifle.”
“Doesn’t that help?”
“They’re pretty common.”
“They’re practically mandatory,” Eddie offered. “Mother, are you alright?”
He lowered the gate of his truck helped her sit. Sandy thought she looked shaky. Maybe the impact of the events of the afternoon were catching up to her.
“I’ll be OK,” Carol whispered. “It’s just that…seeing the wreck…and Paolo… reminded me of…” Her voice trailed off.
Eddie put his arm around her. “My sister was killed in a bad car crash a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry,” Sandy said.
Lianne said, “That was before my time in Oak Valley. It must be a terrible memory.”
Eddie nodded. “Mom, let me get you to the house.”
“We can do that, if you need to help Paolo’s family,” Lianne said.
“Yes, you go on,” Carol said. “Sandy, do you mind if we go to the vineyards tomorrow?”
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Sooner Dead Page 14