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“I can have a unit check on your place periodically,” he pushed a hand through his hair. “Sorry, but I don’t have the staff to post someone here twenty-four-seven.”
“Sir,” Gerard stepped forward. “We’ve got Ms. Bellamy covered.”
The sheriff frowned. “We?” He turned toward Remy. “As in your team? The Brotherhood Protectors?”
Remy nodded. “Gerard will be with her twenty-four-seven until this situation is resolved.”
“Excellent.” Sheriff Bergeron smiled at Bernie. “Remy and Gerard proved themselves keeping Deputy Taylor and her family safe when a drug cartel tried to set up shop in our neighborhood. You’re in good hands.”
Bernie shot a quick glance in Gerard’s direction, her cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink. “Mr. Guidry has already been a big help on the farm. I’m afraid I’m taking advantage of him.”
Gerard shook his head. “Not at all. Anything I can do to help.”
She grinned. “You might regret those words when you get up tomorrow morning, sore as hell from lifting hundreds of watermelons.”
He suspected he’d hurt, but he had no regrets. This woman needed help on the farm and keeping her safe from whoever had disposed of a body in a pigpen. Well, at least a foot.
“I hope your evening improves,” the sheriff said.
“It already has,” Bernie responded with a smile. “Half of my crop is ready to market despite losing my pickers today.”
Her happiness made Gerard’s aching back worth the pain. He liked the way her face glowed when she was happy and wanted to be the one who brought out that glow.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Sheriff Bergeron said. “Let us know if you find anything interesting while harvesting the remainder of your field.”
Bernie nodded. “Will do.”
After the sheriff drove off, Bernie dashed into the house to rescue the warming gumbo.
Seconds later, she came back through the door, her face white.
Gerard hurried forward and gripped her arm. “What’s wrong?”
She raised her hand and stared down at the cell phone in her palm. “I got a text message from an unknown caller.”
He took the cell phone from her.
Remy and the other men on the porch gathered around as he read the message aloud.
WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE
GIVE IT UP OR DIE
Chapter 4
Bernie shivered. Hearing the words aloud had an even more frightening effect than reading them on her cell phone.
“Phone number?” Remy asked.
Gerard shook his head in unison with Bernie. “Unknown caller.”
Remy pulled his own cell phone from his pocket and punched in a number. “Swede,” he said. “Our client just received a death threat via text. Can you hack into an unknown caller?” Remy nodded. “I understand, but if it leads to something other than a burner phone...” His gaze met Bernie’s. “I’ll shoot you her phone number in a text. Anything you can do could help. Thanks.” He ended the call.
“Who’s Swede?” Bernie asked.
“Axel Svenson,” Remy said, “aka Swede, is the Brotherhood Protectors’ technical expert at our home office in Montana. Do you mind if I share your phone number with him? He might have some connections to access your phone records and maybe trace the text back to its source.”
“Share it. Anything you need. I use the same phone number for personal and business use. It’s not a secret.” Bernie frowned. “You said something about a burner phone. Can he trace one of those?”
