Page 61 of Love At Peace

“Then what are you—” the woman didn’t finish her question.

Marty’s phone rang, and with a frown at his screen, he answered. “Todd? Now’s not a good time.”

“If I call you five times inna row, it’s time you answer!” the older man yelled via speakerphone. “We got shots fired on the ranch!”

I tensed, opening my eyes wide at this news.

Gunfire at the Grand River Ranch?

Where Roarke was working?

“Then call the emergency line,” Marty argued.

“I did. I called you! I can’t get a hold of Roarke. I can’t get a hold of Gavin. I ain’t standin’ ’round waitin’ for you to answer your phone. Git on out here and help me find whoever’s shootin’. Unless you want me to take matters in my own hands.”

“Oh, my goodness.” I covered my mouth with my hand, pressing the trembling fingers to my lips.

Marty didn’t delay. He was already walking out of the office space, barely looking at the county officials who’d clearly had him coming here. Todd disconnected, and Marty moved on to communicating on his radio piece, calling for backup.

“I—”

He pushed past me, hurrying to leave.

“This will have to wait,” he shouted over his shoulder as he left.

The pair of county officials gawked at each other. The man fumed. “But what about—”

“Later,” Janelle said, stepping up as the boss of this place. “It’s only speculation, but I imagine those shots will be linked to the man we were just discussing.”

“Hell, if you ask me, all you’re doing is speculating. Guessing this and guessing that.” The man smacked his fist to his other hand. “We’re here to get answers. To get evidence.”

“Like what?” Janelle said, narrowing her eyes at him. “You have the documents. The IT crew has been looking into it. With these new issues popping up that Heather couldn’t have done because she no longer had access to that document on the cloud, they’ll be collecting evidence elsewhere.”

They didn’t reply, likely embarrassed to be put in their places like that.

“I’ll take you out there,” Janelle said, turning her attention to me. “I know you’ve got to be worried about Roarke.”

“No. I’ll drive.” Nance held her hand up, showing her keys. “I’ll get us there faster. I’m driving my hubby’s truck today.”

The woman from the county’s office huffed, frowning at Janelle. “You can’t let her just go like this.”

Nance snorted a rude laugh and turned. “Come on, Heather.”

Everything was happening so fast, it felt like a blur that I couldn’t ever keep up with. Yet, I spun, following my coworker. I doubted that rushing to a crime scene was wise. It more likely fell into the realm of stupidity.

Just like Janelle and Nance seemed to be thinking, I feared that this shooter could only be David. If anyone was prone to escalating to more violence, it would be him.

Nance and I ran out to her truck.

“If Marty’s got evidence to get David for attacking Eric, he’s got to be feeling the pressure.”

I nodded, tense and trembling with worry and fear. A panic attack was not welcome, not now. No matter how much I tried to ignore and compartmentalize my reactions to anything to do with a violent and angry David, though, I struggled to stay level-headed.

“And Ashley’s video,” I said. “I bet she didn’t do as we’d agreed and she shared it early.”

Nance gunned the truck, peeling out of the lot to rush in the direction of the ranch. “Get that bad boy out from under the seat,” she instructed.

I furrowed my brow, reaching down until I felt a narrow cylinder of metal. Carefully, naïve and unused to handling a firearm, I brought her handgun out from hiding.