AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He walks over to the corner of the conference room and calls in for units to drive by Brownie's and Kenny's house again.
"I'm going to head over to Golden Meadow and do a security sweep. I know that the state police said that they were going to check in on and off tonight, too."
Hamilton heads out for Golden Meadow, but I have an overwhelming sinking feeling in my stomach. "I need to check on Aunt Trudy."
Mack reaches for my hand. "Come on, I'll take you."
"Get Aunt Trudy and bring everyone back to Brocker Lodge tonight." He shrugs. "Like Hamilton said, it's better to be safe than sorry."
Mack can't drive fast enough back to Golden Meadow.
I hold my breath as I call Aunt Trudy on the way.
"What's up, Brookie-bru?"
I press a hand to my chest and sigh with relief. "Oh, thank God you're all right. Okay, Aunt Trudy, now's not the time for questions, but I need you to pack an overnight bag and get your portable oxygen."
She scoffs. "Brooke, my portable oxygen lasts for about two, maybe three hours. I'd have to take my entire oxygen tank. What's going on?"
Mack pulls into the entrance of Golden Meadow. I hold on to the front dash to study myself. "I'll be there in a minute. Do me a favor and go get your portable oxygen. I'll pack everything else."
Mack pulls into the drive of the manager's cottage. He reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. "It's going to be okay, honeybee. Let's go get Trudy. I'll ask Brocker if he can leave an empty room between hers and ours."
I laugh and for the first time all day feel like things are okay. "You're so ridiculous. But I don't think it's a bad idea."
"I knew it!" Mack teases.
I push open the passenger side door, and a shot in the distance rings out. My eyes immediately snap to Mack's.
His face turns grim. "Go get Aunt Trudy packed, and I'll be back."
My heart starts to gallop, and my pulse races. "No, Mack, where are you going? Stay with me."
He winks. "I doubt there is anything to be too worried about. Now hurry inside and get packed. I'm going to do a security sweep and check on Hamilton."
I jump down from the truck and burst through the front door. "Aunt Trudy, I'm home. We're going to get packed, and Mack is going to take us to the Brocker lodge for tonight."
Both Trudy and Duncan turn their heads. She has a spoonful of ice cream halfway to her open mouth, and Duncan is surrounded by torn-up treats.
"Oh my God, what is going on here? No wonder Duncan has stomach issues."
Trudy frowns and drops her spoon back into her dish of ice cream. "I told you that I don't want to go anywhere tonight. I'm old and tired, and so is Duncan."
I work my way through the house, room to room, throwing items in a big duffle bag that we'll need tonight. Toothbrush, undergarments, medicine, oxygen tubing, oxygen tank, and dog treats.
It's been over ten minutes. I poke my head in the living room. Aunt Trudy has resumed eating her ice cream, and Duncan is asleep on the floor at her feet.
"Okay Aunt Trudy, it's time."
Her eyes not leaving the television, she just shakes her head no. "I'm in my nightgown."
I roll my eyes but smile. "Let's go back to your bedroom. We'll find your favorite robe. No one's going to care what you're wearing."
Trudy slants to look at me. "Does this have anything to do with the car that they pulled out of the pond?"
"Yes."
She presses her hands together in a prayer position. "You do know that that was thirty years ago, right?"
