She topped the hill, hearing girls’ voices, and she sprinted toward the group. There were screams and yells as she angled her body, just missing them. She intentionally tripped to the ground off the road. The woman in charge hurried over to see if she was okay, and AJ sat, head in hands, until she heard Frog’s voice and looked up into her face. Frowning fiercely, Frog stopped and her eyes widened. AJ held out a hand and Frog grabbed it, helping her to stand.
“I am so sorry.” She bent over, hands on hips, catching her breath. “I was out on a morning run. Everyone all right?”
“We’re fine,” the woman said, checking each of the girls. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
“Positive.” AJ held out her hand, introducing herself. “Anne James, room five-one-five at the resort.” She looked down the road. “Where are you from? I haven’t seen any houses out here.”
“We’re at the motel. That way.” The woman pointed behind them.
“I know that place. I work for Adams Delivery and make stops there.” AJ looked at the girls. Only Frog looked at ease. They appeared to be any age from ten to thirteen and not too clean. Their hair was not brushed, clothes didn’t fit, and they all looked afraid, clustering around the woman. Hungry and tired, AJ decided.
Mission accomplished, she thought, running back to the resort. Frog now knew she was here, what name she was using, and where she was. For that matter, Frog had probably recognized Grace last night despite her new hair color. She’d have Grace go over that video and watch Frog.
Back in her room, AJ showered, thinking of the number of times she’d trusted Frog’s instincts. Depended on them. Both she and the chief thought she’d make a great cop if they could ever find the time to develop her. But not yet. The kid was still reckless and needed more training.
Dressed in her delivery work clothes, she sent Grace a to-do list and reminded her of their meeting. She opened her door to leave just as Tag was about to knock.
“Have a minute?”
“Almost. Jeff helped me stage an accident down the road this morning. I ran myself into Frog’s group that walks every morning and got my location and name out there for the kid. It was amateur, but you do what you can. If I know Frog, she has Grace identified from last night. You’ll like her, Tag.” She picked up her bag. “What’s up?”
“That call I got last night was from Washington. They may need me to testify soon. They notified Maddie too.”
“Crap. Do you know when?”
“No, but they said soon. Maddie wasn’t too happy either.”
“It’ll sound better if you tell Grace and Sam when you know for certain. I might leave too many unanswered questions if they asked me.”
Tag nodded and leaned against the door. “Could we talk about Grace?”
“Not like I didn’t notice, but just not now. I’m late.” She shouldered the bag. “Keep me posted about the Washington thing. Sam says the new phones from Maddie are at Adams Delivery, so pick yours up on your way into town. I’ll deliver Jeff’s and Greg’s phones to them at Clint’s new place. They’re doing some finishing work on the building. Since Clint’s not in town I’d like to see if we can hide some cameras there. Any ideas about that?”
“I’ll talk Jay into a tour this afternoon when he’s in the office and let you know if he heard anything about the body last night.”
“I’m meeting Grace and her horse at the stable this afternoon. I’ll deliver her phone.” AJ shut the door behind them and they walked down the hall together.
“This is so slow and I’m used to moving fast. How are you doing?” Tag said.
“Same problem, but I have a feeling things are about to pick up.”
* * *
AJ parked the van in front of Clint’s lodge on the south side of Niagara. The building looked huge. A gigantic red neon eagle flew across the front of the lodge, and she stared at it for a moment. It would be seen for miles.
She carried the box with the phones and her clipboard inside. To her right, a grounds crew worked on new shrubs, and a truck with sod in the back was parked by the trees. It reminded her of the two men staying at the motel, the ones that had been at her house with Katie.
She went up the broad steps and backed through the stained-glass doors.
“Anne,” Jeff called and she looked up. He was hanging above her on some beams, holding a roll of tubing. “Stay right there. I’ll come down.”
She took in the beautiful plush lobby, all done in various reds, accented with blacks and browns. “Got time for a quick idea of the layout?” she said as Jeff opened the box and stuffed the phones in his cargo pants.
“Sure. Greg and I are finishing the neon drivers for the big signage on the front. How’d you do with Frog this morning?”
“Perfect. She has my name and room number.” They walked to the middle of the first floor. “Think it’s possible to install some cameras here? Tag will be in here this afternoon with Jay and she’ll have some ideas too. Compare notes.” AJ saw Greg walking toward them and nodded, turning to go.
A man in an expensive suit walked inside, holding hands with a young woman. As they went by, she stared down at her clipboard so the man wouldn’t get a clear look at her, but she got a solid look at the young woman.
He said a pleasant “Good morning” as they passed each other, and she responded in kind. Three steps later, her brain woke up. That wasn’t a woman. It was a young girl, possibly twelve or so, dressed to look older with makeup. “Holy shit,” she said under her breath and glanced over her shoulder. The man was talking to Jeff, gesturing at the ceiling.
She sat in the van for a moment, thinking. What was that? When she talked to Grace this afternoon, she’d ask her to surf the internet and see what could be found up here about young girls made up to appear older.
* * *
AJ parked beside Grace’s pickup at the stable and called Maddie on her new phone.
“Thanks for the quick phone turnaround. I’m just delivering Grace’s.”
“Ask her to put anything, any detail, she can remember from last night, especially names, on our computer thread. Also, Pete’s helping me with Jay Yardly. He always has a handle on that area. Have you seen the lighthouse on the lake where Jay is building?”
“Katie and I took a look at it when we were here.” AJ looked around the stable to see if anyone was outside. “Tag said Jay recognized Grace from our meeting in Milwaukee but believes we’re working for Clint. You and Tag talked about Washington?”
“Yes, but if she has to go we can’t do anything about it.”
“I agree. In other news, I contacted my CI up here this morning and also got a good look at Clint’s new lodge. We’re starting to get into the scene here.”
They ended the call, and AJ got out with her clipboard and box for Grace. She looked around the area and at the lake. Spring was Katie’s favorite season, and AJ felt a quick pass of loneliness. A door closed nearby and Grace walked toward her. AJ handed her the box and had her sign the paper just for show.
“Let’s go meet Crow.” Grace tossed the phone box in the bag she had slung over her shoulder. “Tag’s sister, Emma, is in the office, just an FYI.”
“How are you feeling? Anything left over from the concussion?”
“We’re meeting to discuss my health?” Grace said with a smile.
“No, but it’s important. Think about Tag and the helicopter.”
“Do you think that’s it, an injury?”
“Not necessarily an injury but I think it’s something she brought home with her, and we still don’t have her psych eval,” AJ said as they stopped at a large stall.
“Here’s Crow,” Grace said, picking up a saddle.
AJ touched the velvety nose, but the horse shied away.
“Hold still. Stubborn girl,” Grace said, pushing the horse with her shoulder. “I saw you leave on a run this morning.”
“I intentionally ran into Frog’s group as they took their morning walk, and it worked. I got
my name to her and where I am at the resort. Those girls are so young.” AJ went quiet as they walked to the arena. “They were afraid and didn’t look well taken care of.”
Grace looked away, a sad expression on her face. “Well, I’m sure. I watch them on the computer and they just trudge along, heads down.”
AJ couldn’t find the words to say more. Finally, she said, “How’s it going with Tag?”
Grace brightened and sagged against Crow, smiling. “Last night was special.” Her smile transformed into a dreamy look.
“What do you mean?”
“I kissed her. Or she kissed me.”
“Well that’s, um, are you—”
“It was wonderful. I loved it.”
“Just a kiss?”
“Just. A. Kiss?” Grace drew the words out with a happy sigh. “I feel like a teenager. It was spectacular.” She did a quick little dance. “I don’t know what this is, but it sure is fun. I’ve never had anyone look at me the way she does. She’s so steady. It’s like she’s inside me. I’m kind of floating right now—”
A sharp crack whooshed by them and Crow reared, then ran. AJ pulled Grace to the ground, and tried to crawl on top of her to protect her. The next shot came, and she could hear Crow’s hoofbeats racing away.
“Crow,” Grace cried out and scrambled out of AJ’s grasp. The next shots hit the ground right behind Grace’s boots as she ran. People spilled outside, yelling and pointing to the hill. Something flashed behind the pines.
A slender blond woman led Crow down the aisle into the stall. The similarity to Tag was undeniable. She had to be Emma.
“I have her, Gabrial. Who the hell would shoot your horse or you?” She stared at AJ. “Or you? Is everyone okay?”
“Crow’s shot?” Grace stumbled, racing to the side of the veterinarian.
“Let’s look at the damage,” Emma said. She opened her doctor bag and pointed at Crow’s haunch and the blood.
At the sight of blood, AJ had to look away, her body still racing with adrenaline.
“Okay, Crow, okay,” Grace murmured, rubbing her neck, taking the reins from Emma. Eyes desperate and filled with tears, she looked at AJ. “What the…?”
AJ’s heart sank. She was positive the shots had been intended for Grace, not Crow.
“Emma, this is someone from the resort. Anne James.”
Emma tossed a glance at AJ. “I saw you drive up in your Adams van when Gabrial and I were talking about the little mix-up at the motel last night. She says you’re ex-military. So is my big sis.” She applied something to Crow’s skin that caused the horse to move quickly away, but Grace held Crow. Emma stepped back. “She’s just grazed,” she said with a relieved breath.
AJ placed her hand on her heart. “That scared me. Does this happen up here often?”
“No, thank God, but that was a pretty good tackle you performed out there,” Emma said with a little grin directed at AJ. “Police are on their way. You’ll have to talk to them. Did you see anything out here? The shooter?”
“I thought I saw something up by that double stand of pines.” AJ turned to Grace. “I heard about the stuff at the motel too. What were you doing down there?”
“Coming back from town. I should have minded my own business. My bad.”
Emma was shorter and curvier than Tag but had the same eyes. Even their voices sounded similar. “The sheriff didn’t charge you?” she said to Grace.
“No. Thank heavens for your sister. Tag got Jay to help me.”
Both of them worked through the charade of the story, and then the cops were there. After identifying herself, giving her statement, and answering all questions, AJ left and drove toward town, calling Tag on their group phone. This was going to be a problem in so many ways.
* * *
Tag was leaving Clint’s building when her new group phone rang. She saw it was AJ.
“Just leaving Clint’s,” she answered. “Greg gave us the tour. Jay has people coming for the grand opening, and he’s been there a lot. He also gave me some news on last night’s victim from the motel, a thirteen-year-old girl, but they haven’t done an autopsy yet. I’m going to contact my friend, the doctor.”
“Do what you can,” AJ said.
“I had breakfast at the local diner but heard nothing, so someone’s keeping it quiet.”
“Well, I may as well make your day.” AJ pulled in a breath. “I delivered Grace’s phone at the stable, and while we were out in the ring with the horse, someone took four shots at us. Grazed the horse, but your sister was there and was a big help. I wouldn’t have had a clue—”
“Is Grace okay?” Tag interrupted and pulled off to the side of the road.
“Only the horse was grazed. Emma said it was nothing serious. It was a pistol. Again. I had to talk with the local police. They let me leave right away because I’m just the delivery person, but they were still talking with Grace when I left. I told them I’d just delivered a package and asked to see her horse while I was there. Let Jay know because he’s her ‘lawyer’ and all that.”
“Did you and Grace manage the cover with Emma?” She gripped the steering wheel.
“We did fine, but I tackled Grace in the ring when she ran after the horse, trying to get her out of the line of fire.”
Tag toyed with her Dragon necklace, stomach tight. “I’ll avoid the stable. It’ll complicate things. I’ll cover myself with Emma over last night at the sheriff’s, but I need to talk with Grace first.”
“All right. I’ll call Maddie’s office and get this on the record.”
“Who were they shooting at? You don’t look anything like you did in Milwaukee.” She wiped her sweaty hands on her pants. “Damn. It was Grace, wasn’t it?”
“I thought so, and it was probably connected to last night. I did run into that group of girls this morning, but I’d lay odds it was Grace they were after.”
Tag drove back to the resort and changed into a faded UW Badgers T-shirt, well-worn jeans, and some thick socks. It was quiet next door, and she assumed Grace was still at the stable. Just as she slid into her boots, there was a loud whack against the wall that separated the rooms, followed by some loud curses. She cracked the door and peeked into the large middle room.
Grace was knocking things off the desk and table, and swearing. Tag inched into the room.
“Are you okay?”
Grace whirled on her. “You heard what happened with Crow?”
“AJ called me on the way home.”
“Those cops weren’t the least bit concerned that Crow got hit. Emma was a big help.” Paper scattered around Tag like a handful of snow.
“That’s not what I asked, Grace. Are you okay?” Tag stood deliberately in front of her.
“I’m fine. Thank God they’re the worst shots in the world.”
“Good enough to hit AJ in Milwaukee.” Tag knew Grace was in shock, and she gathered Grace’s shaking body against her. She soon realized Grace was crying. She brushed tears off her face and held her tight again. “Hold on. I’ve got you.”
Grace drew in a big breath. “I guess it’s only fair you get to see my first temper tantrum in years.” Grace wrapped her arms around Tag with a deep breath. Someone knocked on the door. Grace stepped back impatiently, calling out, “Come in.”
Sam walked inside but stopped when he saw the mess on the floor. “AJ said to stop here first,” he said and picked his way through the debris. “She’s changing clothes.” He took a long look at Grace. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, but Crow’s not so good. I know it’s just a scrape, but damn it all to hell.” She began to pick up the papers on the floor.
“I don’t know if you should be at the stable now.” He sat on the couch.
Tag sat beside him. Thank God he’d said it. Now she didn’t have to.
Grace turned, angry again. “You don’t get to say that. I’m not staying away because some dummy has a gun. Everybody in this country has a gun, even kids, and I’m not—�
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“But this is the third shooting,” he interrupted as AJ came through the door. “Not that I’d argue with you about guns.”
“That’s enough,” AJ said, rummaging in the bar for a bottle of water. “Arguing doesn’t get us anywhere, and we all agree on the gun issue. What did the cops say, Grace?” She surveyed the room and cocked an eyebrow at her.
Grace stared at her for a long moment and then took a deep breath. “They called just before Tag got here. I have to be in Niagara at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. That’s all I know.”
AJ nodded. “Tag, did you talk to Jay? After the business with the sheriff last night the cops will know something about Gabrial, and we don’t want to blindside him.”
“I called him after you and I talked,” Tag said, watching Grace stack papers on the desk. A dark feeling crept through her. Before she could stop it, the image of Jane, her next in command Dragon, flooded her mind, running toward her in a hail of gunfire. She went down. Tag closed her eyes with an inner groan and got up for water. “Jay wants to go with you in the morning, Grace,” she said. “The local police contacted him about the shooting.” She turned to AJ. “Did you talk to Maddie?”
“No, just her team, and I gave them all the information.” AJ rubbed her eyes. “Call Emma now and see what she has to say.”
Tag dialed her sister on her personal phone. Emma was still at the stable, checking on Crow.
“I ran into Gabrial when I got home,” Tag said. “I heard what happened out there.”
Emma recounted the story but hadn’t seen anything outside. She didn’t have a clue why anyone had shot into the arena.
All the time she talked, Tag watched Grace put the room back together. Her face was calm and empty, her temper gone. Or hidden.
“Okay, I need some food,” AJ said when Tag was done. “Sam, why don’t you and I go down to the dining room and get something? Give these two a breather.” She touched Grace’s shoulder. “Order from room service. You need food too.”
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