“Thank you.” She disconnected the call. “We’re in here alone.”
“Okay, open the door slowly.”
She stood and unlocked the door, then slowly opened it. Three armed officers stood on the other side, weapons pointed down.
Her body trembled as she raised her hands.
Liam slid the CD containing the outlet-mall footage into his work computer. The footage outside the sandwich shop popped up on screen. He watched as their group left the sandwich shop, then followed their steps to the first store and waited to see when Aiden would show up. He fast-forwarded the footage ten minutes and stopped when they all walked out of the store.
The guy didn’t enter the store after them.
He restarted the footage. A few beats passed, then Aiden slunk out of the store and turned the same direction the girls went. He’d already been in the store when they got there. Without seeing all of the footage, it looked like a coincidence turned into an opportunity.
The phone in his hand vibrated, followed by the generic ringtone. He looked at the caller ID. Sam.
His stomach clenched, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. “Sam?”
“Is this Deputy US Marshal Liam Roberts?” an unfamiliar male voice asked.
“It is. Who is this?” He paused the video.
“This is Corporal Johnson with the Renegade Police Department.”
Liam hit the door in a full sprint, racing to his car. “What’s going on?”
“Everyone is okay, and no one is injured. But there has been a shooting. Samantha Williams asked me to call you.”
“Tell her I’m on my way there now.” He disconnected the call and tossed it in the passenger seat as he started the SUV. He slammed it in gear and activated the lights and sirens.
Lord, I know he said no one was hurt, but please keep them safe.
Police cars lined the street he’d left an hour ago. He turned off his lights and sirens, jammed the SUV into Park, and hopped out.
He ripped his badge from his belt and flashed it at the nearest officer. “Where are the woman and two teenagers that were in the house?”
“They’re in my unit.” She turned and pointed to a unit in the middle of the melee.
He jogged to the cruiser and pulled open the door.
Sophia jumped at the suddenness. “Uncle Liam!”
She scrambled out and threw her arms around him. He crushed her to him. “Sophia. Thank God you’re all right.” He pulled back and looked her over, then hugged her again.
Sam slowly climbed from the unit, Isabella behind her. He gathered the two of them into the hug as well.
“Thank You, God, for Your protection,” he whispered into the huddle. He pulled his head back. “Is everyone okay?” He made eye contact with each of the girls in his arms.
Isabella’s and Sophia’s faces were splotchy, and their eyes were rimmed with red. The paleness of Sam’s face only made the bags under her eyes more pronounced.
She said, “We’re good.”
“Sam!” Someone yelled from over behind the barricade.
They all looked to the commotion. Dean was standing next to an officer, pointing at their huddle.
Sam pulled from Liam’s embrace and jogged to her friend, who grabbed her in a bear hug, practically lifting her off her feet.
The officer let him through the perimeter. Dean immediately pulled Isabella to him. “Oh, kiddo.” She hugged him back.
