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“Bull’s been vague about what led up to the escalation,” Jesse continued. “We do know from the security camera footage that Arnie first tried to get you into his truck, but he dropped his keys and apparently didn’t see them on the ground. They didn’t get in your car because Arnie’s truck was behind it, blocking it. That’s when Bull and Arnie seemed to have panicked and fled into the trees with you.”
Jesse stopped, took in another much-needed deep breath. None of this was new to Hanna. She’d heard and read about it heaven knew how many times. But she also knew these next few minutes were blind spots for all of them.
Except Bull, that is.
“It’s possible Bull just told us what he did to try to make up something to put himself in a better light,” Jesse reminded her.You need to ask yourself about what really took place that night Hanna was shot. “He’s desperate, and he probably wants us to believe he wasn’t responsible for what happened to you.”
He would have added to that, trying to soothe her while still spelling out the reality of the situation, but Jesse heard something that put him on full alert.
“I see somebody in the backyard,” Miguel Navarro shouted. He was one of the ranch hands patrolling the grounds.
Jesse didn’t waste a second. “Go to the nursery,” he told Hanna. “Take Evan into the bathroom. Lock the door and get in the tub with him.”
She didn’t waste time arguing. Hanna started running toward the hall, but did look over her shoulder at Jesse. “Be careful,” she uttered.
He would be, because he couldn’t risk doing something stupid, like going outside to confront the wanted man. It could end up causing Hanna and Evan harm. If Bull shot him, that’d be one less barrier against Bull getting into the house.
Since Grayson already had his hands full, Jesse sent a text to the dispatcher and requested immediate backup. This could turn out to be nothing, but considering everything else going on, Jesse figured it was the real deal. Some kind of threat or attack from Bull.
He hurried to the kitchen, where he’d be able to see the backyard, and turned off the lights so he wouldn’t be an easy target for Bull or anyone else who might wish to hurt them. Peering out into the darkness, he spotted Miguel, who’d taken cover on the side of a gardening shed. No sign of the other hand, Rex Corbin, but Jesse suspected he was moving in as well.
Jesse resisted the urge to text Miguel to find out exactly what he’d seen and where. The ranch hand didn’t need that kind of a distraction and, like the light in the kitchen, it might allow Bull to pinpoint the man’s location. Instead, Jesse tried to create his own distraction after he calculated that Hanna would have had time to get Evan into the tub. He also calculated the angle of any shots Bull might take. That particular bathroom wasn’t anywhere near the kitchen.
“Bull?” Jesse called out, shouting loud enough so his voice would carry into the backyard. “This is a good way to get yourself killed. Put down any weapons you have and surrender.”
No response. Not that Jesse had expected to get one, but he kept watching, trying to pick through the night and see the man. He didn’t see Bull, but he heard something else. A hissing sound, followed by a small pop. The kind of noise a firecracker would make.
“He’s running away,” Miguel yelled, moving out from the shed to take aim. He must not have had a clean shot because he didn’t pull the trigger.
Jesse didn’t have a shot, either, but that’s because he didn’t even get a glimpse of the intruder. However, he did get a glimpse of something else.
A fire.
Obviously ignited by some kind of accelerant, the flames shot up the side of Hanna’s studio. Hell. The small building might be a good ten yards from the house, but it was still possible for the fire to spread. Or worse. Maybe Bull or whoever was responsible had already set fire to the house as well.
Jesse made a quick call to the dispatcher to send the fire department and alert backup to the danger before he contacted Miguel. He watched as the ranch hand moved back behind cover and took out his phone to answer.
“I’ve already made the 9-1-1 call,” Jesse informed him. “Any sign of fire to the house?”
“None back here. Let me go to the side and I’ll have Rex Corbin do the same on his side.”
Jesse trusted both men, but he didn’t want them hurt. “Don’t leave cover if you think this SOB’s armed. Could you tell if it was Bull and if he had a gun?”
“Couldn’t tell on either count,” Miguel answered.
Jesse sighed. “Then stay put and tell Rex to do the same. Everything is locked down inside, but if that fire starts to spread, let me know. I’ll be with Hanna and the baby.”
He ended the call and took one last look around the yard, hoping he’d spot Bull or someone else. But he saw nothing. So, Jesse headed to the nursery. Hanna was no doubt terrified for Evan, and he wanted to be close by in case the fire starter had decided not to run after all and instead tried to break into the house.
The nursery door wasn’t locked but the one leading into the bathroom was, so Jesse tapped on it. “It’s me,” he said.
It only took her a couple of seconds to open the door. She wasn’t holding Evan but instead had left the sleeping baby wrapped in his blankets in the tub. Good. That would keep him as safe as possible, and it was an added bonus that there were no windows in here. No way for Bull to get in without coming through the door, which Jesse would make sure didn’t happen.
He stepped inside the small bathroom and motioned for her to get back in the tub. He would have launched into an explanation as to what was going on, but Hanna spoke first.
“I smell smoke,” she whispered.
Jesse nodded. “Someone set fire to your studio.”
