by Angi Morgan
“What was he thinking?”
“I don’t believe it was his idea. But it’s just the distraction we needed while the fire department clears away my smoke. He’ll be okay, Alicia. Don’t worry.”
“Is Dev gone?”
“Can’t see any sign of the car, and the smoke seems to have gotten the police interested in real business instead of being ordered around by Patrick,” Brian said.
“The police may want to get a handle on the crowd’s rowdiness and not stand around watching the fight.” Alicia pushed her way through to the corral fence where several men had climbed for a better view. The horses were crowding each other, and if one of these men fell under them— Well, she knew who would be blamed for their injuries.
“We have to stop this before someone gets hurt.”
“Not so sure we can do that. John told me to get you out of here.”
“Well, come and get me,” she taunted, knowing he couldn’t come to her. They’d all go to jail if he did. But even if he could, Brian would have to drag her, kicking and screaming. She couldn’t run away and leave John. He’d never do that if she were in danger.
“It appears that two teams have formed—those for John and those against. If we’re not careful, there’s going to be a full-blown riot here.” No one could hear her talking to herself over the crowd noise. Or no one seemed to pay attention.
“Is it nice to know that so many people care about you and Lauren?” Brian asked.
“I hear them talking about you, too.”
“Humph.” She could see that Sloane brow rising, questioning if it actually mattered at this point or not. It did; they just didn’t have time to talk about it.
“How do we stop this fight?”
The auction had drawn ranchers from several cities, but there were still lots of Aubrey citizens around, egging on the beating of Brian Sloane. They wouldn’t have cared if it had been John. Those people believed both brothers were guilty of the death of a beloved teacher. When several opened the corral and shoved the fight into the middle of the already panicked horses, she knew it wasn’t going to end well.
If Gargantuan didn’t kill John, the horses would. And two-thirds of those in this crowd would let it happen.
“We can’t show our faces, Alicia. Think of Lauren’s safety.”
“But—”
“Stick to the plan. Your turn to leave.”
Stick to the plan. It was exactly like John issuing an order. “And then what?”
“Huh?” Brian wasn’t the only one paying attention. Those closest to her had given her an extra look or two to see if she was talking to them.
“And then what? We wait on him to be thrown in jail or worse?” She tapped the leg of the man sitting nearest her on the fence and recognized him. Dusty Phillips had bought several horses from Roy before. “Mr. Phillips, can’t you please do something to stop this?”
“Why would I want to?” he said before glancing down at her. “Is that you, Alicia? I thought you... What in the world are you wearing?”
The men had rolled and become more visible. The crowd was chanting and she could see that Gargantuan had his forearm across John’s larynx, choking him.
“Never mind me, can’t you help him? If he passes out, the horses will trample him.”
“Get out of there,” Brian yelled in her ear. “That guy knows you. John will do a lot worse to me if you’re caught.”
Dusty shook his head and gripped the white steel rail tighter. “The cops are right there, why not ask them?”
“You know they won’t help. Won’t somebody stop this?”
“I will, Alicia,” Dusty’s wife said. “Anyone who’s met you and seen you with your little girl knows there’s no way you’d do what they’re accusing you of. Good luck getting things straightened out. Come on, Dusty.”
The couple threw their legs over the fence and dropped in with the horses. Alicia wasn’t worried for them. Both Dusty and Carla had been around horses since birth. Carla was a champion barrel racer, and Dusty faced down bulls on a regular basis. Going through the pen was definitely quicker than through the crowd.
Alicia had no idea what Carla intended to do. John was a trained SEAL and hadn’t managed to break free.
“Time for this to end, guys,” Carla yelled at the police, then looked up at the onlookers. “Craig, David, Kerry, come on, this isn’t right. You going to let him choke to death?”
The three men jumped down to the soft dirt and joined Dusty. It took all four of them to pull at the giant to get him to budge.
“Are you really going to just stand there?” Carla shamed the police officer and security guard into helping. Men hopped off the gate and opened it for the two men.
“Remember this, Brian. They think it’s you out there.”
John had been right. Gargantuan was unbelievably strong, but he was also very intent on not giving up. John twisted, kicked and finally gasped for air.
Alicia’s insides seemed to bounce off her skin. Panic? She didn’t seem to have any air, either.
The men pulled and pried at the thick hand clasped in place. Then John was free, gulping air. And she could breathe again with him. She was light-headed from just holding her breath. What did John feel like? But he didn’t stop. He was on his feet, fists raised, waiting for a second round.
“Come on, Alicia. The cops can take care of the rest. We need to get out of here.”
“I’m sort of stuck here.”
Everyone wanted to see what was happening and kept pressing her closer and closer to the fencing. Four men could barely hold the giant who’d nearly killed John. She thought the police officer was trying to arrest the huge man.
As John backed up into the unsettled horses, he looked at her, pointed to his ear and shook his head. “I don’t think John can hear us anymore.”
“Do I need to come get you?” Brian asked.
Initially, she hadn’t thought that a hundred people in an open area could trample a person. But confined as she was in her “fat suit,” she was beginning to feel trapped. If she could take it off and squeeze through the fence rails, she could hide behind the horses and join John inside the building.
“Go. I’m okay, Brian. I’ll meet you there.”
Thank goodness she’d kept yoga pants and a tank on under the makeshift baggy clothes they’d filled with padding. Undressing took longer than she wanted, pressed where she was, but she managed. Even the hot metal of the railing touching her skin was cooler than being wrapped inside all those clothes had been. She could probably get out the way she’d come, but it would put her at greater risk than slipping in with the horses. The Phillipses had made such a quick trek through them.
Piece of cake, as Johnny said.
The lovely stock the Adamses had spent so many decades developing circled the paddock, still nervous, but calming as the smoke completely cleared.
Now was the perfect time. With all eyes on Gargantuan’s removal to the police car, she slipped through the fence rails, pulled all her clothing through and bundled it in her arms. Then she was off. She bent as far as she could, trying not to be seen above the horses’ backs.
She was close. She could see the door leading to the individual stalls. She’d almost made it when the horses stopped circling and all loped away toward the gate. Loud shouting she couldn’t understand could be heard over the horses’ frightened neighing and angry snorts. She was rooted to the ground, not knowing which way the horses would move next.
Gunshots. Two, then three pops.
The whinnying grew. The horses wanted away from the danger and would stampede any second. The mare next to her reared. Alicia froze, staring at its underbelly and lashing forelegs.
Chapter Twenty-Five
John’s voice was stuck somewhere other than
his throat. Maybe Gargantuan had broken the cords, because they wouldn’t work. No warning. No question. No nothing. Watching Alicia drop to the ground was the first time he’d ever frozen in fear.
He’d been in firefights in the middle of the Afghanistan desert and not been this frightened. Had the horse kicked her? Was she unconscious? Her arms covered her head while curled in a ball on the ground. She was covered with colorful sweaters and T-shirts and pajama bottoms. It didn’t look real, and if he hadn’t been paralyzed from the fright coursing through his veins, he might have wondered if it was a dream.
No, this was real. Dev and his dang jinx. Alicia hadn’t moved. If he yelled to see if she was conscious, the horses would just spook again. It would have been easier if he hadn’t lost the earbud in the fight.
A quick assessment of his surroundings showed the corral gate closed. Gargantuan was now secured inside the cop’s car. They were hauling Shauna away for some reason and she was fighting them tooth and nail, screaming obscenities about Weber. Lauren was safe—Dev had texted. He’d heard gunshots. No signs of anyone down or in pursuit.
The mare still pawed at the ground. Folks on the other side of the rail began pointing to the pile of clothes. Then he saw her fingers wiggle. So did the horse.
“Don’t move, sweetheart. I’m coming to you. Just stay calm.”
The horses continued to dance around. Some guys on the other side of the paddock were trying their best to settle the herd. But they couldn’t get to Alicia. He was her only chance.
His girl would move a little, but the colored clothing would move a lot. Then the horse would spook again. “Still, sweetie,” he sung to both Alicia and the mare. “Just sit tight...almost there.”
All the horses wore halters so they could be led easily in the arena. He just needed to grab... The mare reared her head and twisted out of his reach. “I’m close, hear me, hon? You okay?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I’m reaching for her halter. Now, when I get it, you know she may buck, so be prepared. Can you see her hooves?”
“I’m ready.”
“Great. One more step. And...got it.”
The mare danced, hooves prancing in all directions, but he was able to back her hindquarters to the rail and contain most of the pawing away from Alicia. “You’re clear. Stand up and let’s get out of here. Lauren’s safe. Time for her mom to be the same.”
She sat, a bright yellow sweater fell to the dark dirt and applause burst out. John finally noticed everyone watching him. And he noticed the two horse wranglers who were calming and removing the horses back to their stalls. One came and took the frightened mare.
John stretched out his arms and pulled Alicia straight to connect her lips to his. A kiss that soothed his soul and hopefully hers. He didn’t care if she was ready or not. He wouldn’t lose her. She needed to know she was his.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” He wanted to shake her until she swore, but instead he kissed her some more. And she definitely kissed him back.
There was more applause.
“Wow.”
“I agree. Maybe the crowd thinks I’m Brian, but I don’t care. Dev sent a message as soon as he arrived at the location with Lauren. Hey, you’re not putting any weight on your left foot.”
“No, the mare stepped—”
He swung her into his arms, leaving the sweaters and pajama pants in the dirt. Her arms were locked tightly around his neck as he strode inside. “Can you tell me what possessed you to stroll into a herd of half-spooked horses?”
His lips couldn’t resist touching her forehead, where a soft tendril of hair had escaped its bobby pin.
“I didn’t stroll anywhere. I was trying to get out of that crowd and follow you.”
“You’re lucky they only stepped on your ankle and not your skull.”
He continued to the side door of the stables, intent on getting them as far away as possible. Everyone at the auction knew Alicia had been there. And it wouldn’t be too long before they confirmed that Lauren hadn’t been taken by CPS.
“I think you can put me down now.” She adjusted her head and cheek closer to the curve of his shoulder, giving every indication she was comfy resting in his arms.
Tired, physically exhausted, he was more than happy to hold her next to him. He ached to put her down and kiss her into oblivion and back again.
“Let’s go. After all we’ve been through, I don’t want you or Brian to be arrested. Or wait in a jail cell while the police sort everything out. After they connect his prints to the kidnapping house, Gargantuan will sing for a reduced sentence, connecting Weber to Tory’s murder. Then Weber will—”
“Weber will what?” the man in question asked, stopping John in his tracks. He leaned against the side of the stables, an unconscious auction worker at his feet, a 9 mm Glock pointed straight at them. “Weber might just blow your brains out in self-defense right now. Or he could wait. Do you know which he’ll choose, John?”
Weber was a killer who didn’t fit a profile. You couldn’t predict what he would do or when. He could pull the trigger without warning in the blink of an eye. It was the one type of profile that scared John more than those horses trying to stampede in the corral.
“What do you want, Patrick?” Alicia asked, tightening her grip around John’s neck.
“Me? I don’t want a thing. I’m here capturing the fugitives who’ve somehow fooled authorities, kidnapped my four-year-old step-granddaughter and caused my wife to shoot at the bodyguard.”
“That’s why they put her in handcuffs.” Alicia had a little wonder in her voice. “She fired the shots and then was arrested. Oh, my, how awful.”
John could tell she tried not to smile, but she was happy Shauna was in custody.
Weber rolled his eyes and casually waved his gun. “I can see you’re all broken up. No escape for you this time. Having a getaway car hidden somewhere like last night won’t help you today.”
“My car is in the lot next to the rest, keys are under the mat. That is, if you need a getaway car. I’m sure you’re worried about your giant cohort talking to the police.” Alicia dropped her arm, sliding it down his back.
Switching her gaze to John, she mouthed, Let me down. As he set her feet gently below her, her hand tugged at the tail of his shirt, slipped under it and lifted the SIG she’d brought to him earlier.
“Do you really think no one’s going to catch you, Patrick?” she asked when she faced Weber, keeping the gun pressed against John’s back. “There are an awful lot of people who know the truth now. You can’t shut all of them up.”
How were they going to get the SIG into his hand to defend them?
“You’re such a bore, Alicia. Drop the gun that you’re obviously trying to get and be done with it.”
Alicia let the SIG hit the ground before John could deny it was there, bouncing between his feet.
“Kick it and let’s get moving.”
He kicked the gun about two feet in front of himself. Only two feet. He could dive and get off several rounds, but not before the psycho pointing his weapon at Alicia would squeeze the trigger.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Talking is such a tiresome strategy. It won’t stop me from killing you.”
“I should hope not.”
“What?” John asked together with a surprised Weber.
“Well, um, it would indicate that we’re stupid, for one thing. And I don’t think any of us are stupid.” She faced John and mouthed, Play along, then pointed to her ear. “Bullheaded and stubborn, maybe. But not stupid.”
He didn’t understand her sudden desire to communicate with Weber.
“You know what, Patrick? I’m pretty tired and hot. I’m going to sit right here on this tack box until you make up your mi
nd where we’re supposed to go. Aren’t you tired, Brian?” She nodded her head and patted the wood next to her so dramatically John knew she was up to something. She tugged him with her, keeping the gun on the ground just out of his reach.
Then he got it. Her microphone and receiver were still working. Brian must be in the wings giving her instructions.
“Get up. Hands where I can see them, John. It is John. Don’t bother to deny it.”
“Who’s denying?” He shrugged and stayed put. “It feels good to sit and rest a minute. It’s so dang hot out here and my feet hurt. They aren’t used to the boots.”
“Get up. Both of you. Now!”
“I don’t think so, Patrick.” Alicia stared at Weber but tapped John’s leg, then pulled up on her black, stretchy tights. She pointed toward the ground. Stuck securely inside her socks, next to her anklebone, was a sweet snub-nosed pistol. She massaged her legs, coming up the last time palming the gun to where Patrick couldn’t see it.
“I love you,” he announced, not caring who heard—or threatened their lives. She smiled, looking confident that he’d handle the problem.
He slid his hand over hers and took the gun, pointing it at Weber as he spoke. “We’ll wait right here for the cops. Or you pull the trigger and run from the cops, who are most likely on their way already. You go ahead and run in this heat. I’m with my gal here, we’re sitting.”
Weber looked stunned, totally thrown off while he tried to determine what game they were playing. Then something darkened in his eyes. The confusion cleared and the sinister soul from last night looked at him.
“Stubborn fools.”
“Actually, Patrick, I told you we weren’t stupid. Why would we ever make killing us easy for you?”