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28
Jessica
Jessica sat on the edge of her chair. Sheriff Donahue clicked on his computer and offered her an encouraging smile. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it will help.”
She didn’t know how true that statement was. As far as she could tell, the bad guys wanted their property back and would stop at nothing to get it. Opening up the files might as well be like opening Pandora’s box.
Her hands rested in her lap and she picked at her cuticles. Worrying her lower lip, she shifted again in her seat. Her thoughts drifted to Ian, and she couldn’t help but wish she could call him, tell him she was sorry for leaving—beg him to take her back.
But if she returned to the ranch, they’d be right back where they had started. They would all be in danger again. Not only that, but she’d broken his trust. How would he be able to take her back and believe that she wouldn’t go running off again? A lot of what she’d yelled at him had a degree of truth woven into it. She didn’t want him pushing college on her. And though logic reminded her it wasn’t true, her instinct continued to insist he was too good for her.
Jessica sighed. Leaving had been the only option. After this was all over, she’d move in with her mom in Colorado Springs and start over. Her heavy heart ached as it stuttered and threatened to stop beating. The more time she spent away from Ian, the more she wished she could take it all back. What was wrong with her?
Sheriff Donahue cursed and sat back in his office chair. His wide eyes stared at the lit screen in disbelief.
She leaned closer, hoping to get a look at the screen. “What is it?”
He glanced at her as if suddenly remembering she was still there. “No wonder those men are after you. This flash drive is like a black box on an airplane. It has all the data, names, numbers—everything associated with one of the biggest drug traffickers in Colorado.”
Chills swept across her body. “What does that mean?”
He blew out a breath and met her gaze. “That means whoever has this information will be responsible for taking down a very bad man.” He shook his head, clicked his mouse a few times, then removed the jump drive. “We need to get this to the state police.” He shook his head again. “Maybe even the DEA.”
Her mouth went dry. “The DEA?” she squeaked.
He nodded, holding the flash drive out to her. “I’m going to look up the information for the local DEA, and we’ll go there now.”
The radio he had strapped to his shoulder crackled. Sheriff Donahue stopped what he was doing and leaned closer to the object. “This is the sheriff. Repeat that.”
“Sheriff. Thank heavens. There’s a 136 at the McDaniel’s convenience store. We need all hands on deck.”
The sheriff glanced at Jessica, hesitation plastered all over his face.
“What’s a 136?” she asked quietly.
“Hostage situation,” he muttered.
Her eyes widened.
He shook his head. “They’ll be okay without me. This is important too.” He leaned into his radio. “I’m busy. Send Johnson.”
There was silence on the other end for just a moment before the radio crackled again. “Sir, it’s your niece.”
“You should go,” Jessica blurted.
“What?”
Jessica took a deep breath. “No one knows I’m here. You should go help. Your niece needs you. I’ll be fine. Really.”
He got to his feet. His radio crackled again. Then he nodded as he pulled open his desk drawer and took out a small handgun. “Do you know how to handle one of these?” Placing it on the desk between them, he met her startled gaze. “I’d rather you be safe in case something happens.”
She swallowed, shaking her head. “I’ve never used one before.”
The sheriff walked around the desk and picked it up. He pointed at a few components on the gun. “This is a nine-millimeter. Here is where you release the magazine.” Something fell out of the handle of the gun, and he pushed it back in. “Here is the safety. When red is showing, you’re ready to shoot. Red means dead.” He placed the firearm in her hands. “Don’t put your finger on the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. Aim for the biggest part of their body.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll check in at the convenience store, and then I’ll be right back. It shouldn’t be more than thirty minutes. Keep the doors locked.”
Static came from his radio again. His eyes told her he still wasn’t sure he should leave.
“Go. I’m fine.”
