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We walked inside, and Clawson went straight to a woman seated behind a desk. He pulled out his badge and showed it to her. With Clawson flashing his badge, utilizing his skills as sheriff, and using a careful line of questioning, we were scanning the record database within ten minutes of entering the airport.
I was happy that the sheriff had listened to me and helped me get the answers I needed. After picking out the pertinent flight, relief flooded me. The hunters were using the Colorado compound. I knew that place well enough that I’d once called it home. Kyle and I had grown up near it. After our mother’s murder, Dad moved us onto the base.
I pushed those memories down and got my head back on track. I had a fake fiancé to save.
“You’re sure they’re in Colorado?” Clawson asked as he scanned the list, frowning. “There’re several planes on this list. What makes you positive that’s the right one?”
Keeping my eye-rolling to a minimum, I sighed instead. It wasn’t surprising that he was questioning me, but it still irritated me. “Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but trust that I’d do anything to get Ridge back. You have to know that much, at least. There’s no way I’d take us on a wild goose chase. This is the plane, and that’s the location.”
Frustration mounted inside me. Clawson was second-guessing me, and we’d need another private charter plane, which took a lot of time to schedule. Not to mention the cost; I certainly didn’t have the funds for that. I ran my fingers through my hair and tried not to let the hiccups in the planning get me down.
“You’re right. You wouldn’t lead us in the wrong direction. Not when Ridge was involved.” Clawson grabbed his phone and made a quick call, confirming somebody’s location. “Good, we’ll be there soon. Get everything set.” He hung up and looked at me. “Follow me.”
We went back into his SUV. He sped through the lot and made his way to the tarmac.
“What are you doing?” I asked as he stopped the car at the entrance to the airfield. He opened the car door to leave.
“I need to check the tires and make sure there are no rocks or debris in them. I’ll be quick.”
He launched himself out of the vehicle before I could question him further and headed to the front driver’s side tire, where he leaned down. Within moments, he was back up and did the same thing to the other three wheels, then hopped back in and drove off.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I cocked my head and looked at him. Maybe he was looking for tracking devices, but I doubted it. Time was of the essence. We didn’t have a lot to spare.
“Before a vehicle can get onto the field, we need to ensure there are no rocks, screws, nails, or anything else in the tires. If debris from the vehicle drops on the runway and a plane starts to take off, the force can turn it into a weapon or suck it into the engine, which can cause a catastrophe.”
I appreciated his conscientiousness, but again, we didn’t have time to waste.
We pulled up in front of a hangar, and Clawson got out and waited for me. Once I was out, he locked the doors, and we made our way inside the large hangar, where a private plane was taxiing toward the flight line.
“Wait here,” Clawson commanded before jogging into the hangar.
I watched him closely, still half-expecting him to try to lose me so he could leave me behind, but he just walked toward a little black box fixed to the wall. He opened the lid, which was more like a hatch, and hung his keys inside. When he finished, he ran back to me.
“Sheriff, we’re ready,” a male voice said behind me.
I spun around to see the man who’d spoken. The fast movement made my stitches twinge, and I winced. I’d better screw my head on the right way before we reached the compound. I couldn’t afford for a hunter to get the drop on me because I wasn’t situationally aware. Stupidity like that would put me on the fast track to death.
The sheriff nodded and looked at the tall, dark guy. I could see he was a Blackwood shifter. “Thank you, Brady. We’re heading to Lamar, Colorado. We need to get there as quickly as possible. It’s an emergency.”
Brady nodded. “Yes, sir. The plane’s ready for you two to board. It’ll take me a few minutes to file the flight plan and get clearance, but then we’re off.”
Clawson nodded, and we boarded the private plane. I wasn’t aware of how large the shifter population was in Blackwood, but right now, I was thankful for it.
The plane was opulent, with its cream-colored leather seats and gleaming wood accents. It was one of thoseLifestyles of the Rich and Famousplanes that few people rarely saw, and I certainly didn’t belong in.
“Care to explain?” I waved my hands as I continued looking at the plane. It was a twelve-seater with a little galley and two couches spacious enough for me to stretch out on them. The hunters’ planes were shabby in comparison.
Clawson stopped buckling himself in for a second to raise his brow at me like I had grown a second head. “This is Blackwood Enterprises’ private jet. Ridge uses it for business trips. I would have thought you’d know that by now.” He eyed me closely, like if he stared hard enough, he’d uncover all my secrets.
Think again, pal.
I ignored him with extreme focus and continued assessing the plane, letting my uneasiness settle down. I had forgotten that my fake fiancé had an inheritance the size of a small country. He’d probably inherited this plane.
I kept my face blank as I settled in the seat across from Clawson and said, “Sorry, I’m still a little off from the mixture of the hunters’ tranquilizer and the painkillers the doctors gave me. My fiancé is missing, and I just want to get to him.”
Clawson didn’t reply with more than a grunt, so I didn’t know whether he bought it. He kept his eyes on me for a moment longer than I liked, but I kept quiet. I’d said all I was going to say.
There were more important things to stress over than the sheriff learning the truth about Ridge and me. That can of worms could explode once Ridge and the others were home and safe in Blackwood Creek.
