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“Son, tell me where you want me. I want to make this right and do the best so we can save Noelle.”
Damien’s father seemed sincere, and in the situation, Brandon acknowledged he might be of use to convince Erin to surrender. “Stay close. I don’t know what to expect, or the premises. Stay safe. Only shoot if it’s a matter of life and death and only if youhave a clear shot. Don’t risk Noelle under any circumstances. Am I clear?”
The men surrounding him nodded before setting their comm system and split to cover every angle on the small house that could more accurately be described as a shack.
Reinhard stayed by his side, silent and ready as they approached the back porch. Tall grass and bushes hid them, but only temporarily.
Everyone was soon in place, awaiting his orders. At least, there wasn’t any way for Erin to escape. Brandon didn’t care about Erin Stait, she could rot in hell for all he cared, but Brandon knew in his gut he wouldn’t survive without Noelle. He’d almost lost it when Damien died and knew he wouldn’t be able to draw another breath if anything happened to her.
Head back in the game, Brandon’s body remembered all the moves he’d honed during his time in the military, and before he knew it, he plastered his back against the wall and covered for Reinhard as he took his position. One nod, and they moved in.
The first few steps were tentative under the creaking porch, and a twist on the door told Brandon that the old wood under their feet would announce their presence and that door, locked or not, wouldn’t stand a chance if he pushed on it.
So Brandon didn’t push but rammed into the door, gun out, only to be welcomed by a mirror image. Erin stood on the other side of a table with a shotgun aimed at his head. “One move and you’re dead.”
Brandon didn’t move an inch, making sure he aimed his own weapon at her heart. “We’re the police. You’re under arrest for the kidnapping and unlawful detention of Noelle Breaux.”
His only answer was a half-laugh. “You take one more step, and you’re a dead man!”
His finger itching against the trigger, Brandon was a split second from ending the woman’s life when a voice came from behind him.
“Erin, honey?” Reinhard stepped inside and stood beside Brandon. Gun in hand but down, his pose was alert yet relaxed. “It’s me.”
Erin cast a quick glance at Reinhard, her aim still on Brandon. “Baby! I’m so sorry you’re seeing me like this. I wanted to give you a surprise when it was all finished. I never intended for you to find out without me explaining.”
Reinhard sighed. “I know, baby. Let’s talk about it. I want to know everything. But we need to do it the proper way. You need to come with me to the station.”
Erin shook her head. “No need. Nothing I’ve done is illegal. It’s an act of love, Reinhard. One for you to soothe your heart. You’ve been looking out for everyone else. It was time for me to be there for you, to protect you, to right all the wrongs that were done to you. I love you.”
Brandon felt lost, as he struggled to find both patience and understanding, biding his time before he could make his move to get to Noelle.
“Honey, lower your weapon. We’re not here for you. We just want Noelle.”
Erin stepped back, fire back in her eyes. “No, I have to complete this for you. In a couple of hours, it will be done, and you’ll be able to grieve and move on. With me.”
With her attention solely on Reinhard as she declared her love, Erin didn’t notice as Brandon shifted to the side. All he needed was a single second to make his move and bring her down.
A creaking floorboard ruined his plans. Everything happened so quickly; it was like flashes of light. Erin pivoted, ready to shoot him and the room vibrated with the thunderous sound ofa shotgun being fired. The only thing he knew was that he wasn’t the one who fired.
He heard Erin gasp and saw her fall, red blooming on her chest as if in slow motion.
Reinhard had been the quickest to act, and in doing so, saved his life. The sound alerted the rest of the crew who barged in, but Brandon was already on the move, scanning every room to no avail.
“I can’t find her. She’s not here!”
Callan was by his side. “Let’s have the Sheriff deal with Reinhard and Erin and we can search for Noelle. The good news is, if she’s not here, she’s alive and well somewhere else. That’s good news. Focus on that, my friend.”
Callan’s support and a few more of Sheriff Bennett’s men arrived to canvass the area for any clue to Noelle’s whereabouts.
Thanks to Roseline and the traffic cams, they were able to confirm that Noelle was indeed in Erin’s car throughout the afternoon and evening. The last sighting of her was only a few miles from the shack.
If Erin had made a stop to hide Noelle, he had to figure out where. Was she hurt? Was she scared? It tortured Brandon to know she was all alone.
The more time passed, the more desperate he became until desperation turned to despair.
The officers checked out all the nearby streets while one walked the shack’s backyard that led to the bayou. He came back with a piece of cloth in the same blue flower print of the dress Noelle had worn that day.
As soon as he heard that, Brandon sprinted to the spot, with Callan and Sheriff Bennett barely keeping up.
