Page 47 of No Bed Of Roses

A Seed Of Doubt

Isla heard the sirens before she even connected the call to Marcus. When she turned her head to the farmhouse, she could see the cruiser’s lights as it pulled into the drive.

She let the call go through and in moments, Marcus picked up. “Isla?”

She put the phone on speaker in case Levi needed to add anything. “We’re at the very back of Levi’s field. We’re not hurt, but I’m not sure about Hopper. There were two shots, but we didn’t see the shooter. Levi has his gun.”

“Sean, Troy, and I are on the way. I’m putting my phone in my shirt pocket, but don’t disconnect. If you need to tell me anything, speak loudly.”

Shaking, she put the phone on the ground in front of her. She wanted to jump up and find Hopper, but as Levi had pointed out, that was a dumb move. Hiding behind Levi made her feel like a coward, but if she moved, she would distract him and potentially put him in harm’s way.

It wasn’t long before the three men approached. They’d spread out, and slowed but kept their guns up. Marcus also held up a bullhorn. “This is the police. Throw down your weapons and show yourselves.”

Marcus’ voice was hard and confident. Isla knew she would have followed the instructions. But no voices called out.

Levi whistled again, and she heard Hopper bark. Unable to help herself, she called out to the dog. His bark repeated, and got closer.

“He’s coming. He’s okay.” Relief filled Levi’s voice. “Call him. Get him to lie down and keep him beside you.”

Her voice shook as she called the dog. She heard him pause beside Levi, but he came when she called him. The other men reached them as she checked the dog for injuries. “He’s not bleeding, and nothing feels broken, but there is a bump on his head.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she swallowed them back. She wasn’t sure if they were from relief or anger. She wrapped her arms around Hopper. “I’m glad you’re okay, boy. Thanks for coming.”

Marcus stood close to them, but when she looked up, his eyes remained on the woods separating the fields from the creek. “Anything new?”

Levi answered. “Nothing. No movement other than Hopper. He came from the small bush three to the left of the birch tree.”

Marcus nodded. “Isla, when Levi stands, I need you to stand as well. Move directly behind him and hang onto one of his belt loops. Stay at his back, and don’t peek around either side. Keep Hopper beside you if you can, but don’t worry about him if he takes off. Got it?”

She wanted to protest that she could help, but that wasn’t smart or realistic. These men were trained military operatives. They had worked as a team for years. If she tried to help, she might make things much worse. Instead of being a distraction, she agreed.

“Now.”

At Marcus’ command, she felt Levi move, and she moved with him, turning and grabbing his belt loop. Hopper jumped up and leaned into her side.

Levi reached around to squeeze her arm but kept his eyes forward. “Follow my lead, Isla. We’re going to check the creek. Most of our communication will be hand signals. Just stick with me.”

“Okay.” Her voice was shakier than she’d like, so she swallowed hard and focused on not being a problem.

Sure enough, with no more verbal commands, Levi moved forward and to the left while Marcus moved forward and to the right. She couldn’t see the other two men, so she assumed they were further ahead.

When they reached the woods, Levi stopped behind a tree. Hopper growled and angled to the left. Levi leaned down and patted his head. “Good dog. Show me. Go.”

Hopper moved, and they followed. Isla battled the urge to peek and kept behind Levi.

Levi moved like a hobbit, making no noise as his big body moved through the foliage. Because they were moving slowly, she could take more care with her steps, but her movements were more rock troll than hobbit.

The trees and bushes had likely been grown as a windbreak for the fields, similar to the ones separating the properties. It wasn’t a thick stand of trees, and in only moments, she spotted water sparkling through the trees on either side of Levi’s broad back.

Hopper growled again, and Levi leaned down to hook his hand through his collar. “Lead the way, buddy. Find the asshole.”

Hopper moved slowly, potentially because Levi was holding him back. They inched through the bushes until they were on the edge. From her position, Isla couldn’t see anyone or anything out of place.

She heard a few bird calls. When Levi replied with a bird whistle, she realized the sounds were another form of communication this team had developed. Impressive at every turn.

Hopper hadn’t growled again, but from off to the left, she saw trees moving. She tapped Levi’s back and pointed, hand shaking far more than it should.

Levi nodded. “It’s Falcon.”

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