Page 33 of Lion’s Den

They quickly descended to the garage level, where Cam checked through the window before leading Sedona into the cavernous garage. A sheriff’s SUV waited for them. Wilkens would catch a ride with someone else when he was off duty.

Wrapping his arm around Sedona’s shoulders, he started the vehicle remotely and rushed her toward the passenger side. After helping her into the SUV, Cam slid behind the steering wheel.

They drove from the garage a minute later and headed toward the Morgan County Sheriff’s office.

They remained silent most of the way. When they were five minutes from the station, Sedona twisted in her seat to face him.

He glanced at her, then covered her hand with his. “What are you thinking?”

“I thought Maria and I were friends. But she would have physically tried to hurt me if you hadn’t stopped her.”

“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have let her do that.”

She waved that aside. “That wasn’t my concern. I’m disappointed that someone I counted as a friend could turn on me so easily without hearing my side of the story. Who does that?”

Cam snorted. “Everyone in my world.”

“Yeah? Well, they used to do that in my corner of the world. I thought I had escaped that part of my past.” She gave a sad smile. “People are the same no matter where you go.”

Cam parked in the lot at the back of the station. After unbuckling, he remained where he was, slowly scanning the area.

“Are we planning to have David interview us out here?”

“Might be more comfortable than the interrogation room.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m waiting to see if anything changes or moves out here. I think we’re safe. Let’s get you inside the station.”

Cam came around the SUV and opened her door. “Stay beside me every step of the way. Don’t stop for anything. If something happens, do exactly what I tell you without question. Ready?”

“Let’s do it.”

He helped her onto the asphalt, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and hurried toward the back door of the station. Ten feet from the building, a loud pop shattered the stillness. Shards of asphalt flew up to Cam’s right as the shots continued to come closer and closer.

With Sedona clamped to his side, he sprinted the last few feet to the door held open by Deputy Hanover.

David propped his sniper rifle in position to return fire once he located his target.

Cam’s lips curved at the corners. Good luck with that. He’d taken a couple of minutes to find a shooter and struck out. Then again, he didn’t have a scope to his eye either.

As they crossed the threshold, David pulled the trigger just once. And then the shots ceased.

“Did you get him?” Cam asked his boss.

He grunted. “I tagged him. He moved at the last second.”

“Where was he shooting from?”

“I’ve got a pretty good idea. We’ll see when I send Hanover and Carrington to check it out.” David turned back from the door. “You guys all right?”

Cam turned to Sedona and scanned her from head to toe. No blood anywhere. “Well, Tiger?”

“I’m fine except for the shakes.”

“Adrenaline dump. It will pass.”

“What about you, Cam?” David asked.

“I’m good, sir.”

A nod from David, then he motioned for them to follow him. Soon, they trailed the sheriff into his office where he locked his sniper rifle into his gun safe, then gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. “Take a seat.”