Page 29 of Stone Cold Savage

“Well, do you really want me to answer that?”

“Damn it, I didn’t do anything. Charlotte was helpin’ get the babies down for Nora and lettin’ her rest, but she disappeared when she was done. She left a note. Found’em.” He shouted, tossing his keys in the air and catching them again.

“You better not go after her alone.”

“That’s why I’m callin’ you. How far out are you? Almost done there? I was hoping you could meet me.”

Coy was still when he heard an all-too-familiar sound come through the phone: “Nash, was that your gun?”

“Locked and loaded, brother. I know better than to head out unarmed. Don’t worry, it’s all legal, and I’m a damn good shot. You taught me, remember?”

“Shit, Nash. I don’t like this. Where’d she go?” Coy ran his hand down his face, a gesture of frustration, before pinching the bridge of his nose, as if willing the right next move to make itself known. “Guessin’ her daddy’s place. She was real concerned learnin’ that he was in a bunch of the pictures y’all saw at that crooked lawyer’s office. Charlotte was real torn up about it, said she was going for answers.” Nash said.

Coy could hear the background change on the call –– gravel. Nash was outside, in the driveway, headed for his vehicle, clearly not listening to reason.

“I’m about ten minutes out,” Coy said. “Wait for me.”

“Aren’t you at the sheriff’s station?”

“Yes.”

“You’re at least twenty minutes out, barring no cattle crossing the road or tractors puttin’ along.”

“Not the way I drive. I can be there in ten, max.” Coy looked at his watch and looked back at the sheriff’s station. “I just need to grab Kenzie.”

“Grab her? Thought she was with you.”

“She was… is. She took something inside but should have been back by now. She must’ve got caught up talking to that deputy inside. I think he has a little crush.” Coy headed for the door to the office.

“You sound jealous.”

“You sound…” Coy froze when gunshots rang out.

“Coy? What the hell was that?”

“Trouble.” Coy ran toward the building, hand on his weapon, ready to draw.

“Tell Rip what’s going on and ask Ransom for one of his agents. I’ll meet you at Charlotte’s.”

“Copy that, brother. Be careful.”

Coy disconnected the call, slid his phone back into his pocket, and pulled out his weapon. As he reached the glass door, he saw Deputy Shanks clearing the space, gun drawn. He looked right at Coy, who knew better than to rush in on an armed officer in pursuit of danger. When Shanks saw him, he signaled for him to enter, and he did.

“Kenzie?” Coy asked, his voice cracking with nerves.

“She went down to the storage locker and hasn’t been back since.” Deputy Shanks answered.

“Who else is here?”

“It’s only me, Coy. Everyone on tonight is out on patrols.”

“Then who the hell just fired their weapon?” Coy asked as they methodically moved, little by little, clearing the floor.

“Good question. It’s only her down there, and the cameras have been clear.” The Shanks said. “We’re all clear up here.”

Coy nodded and hit the elevator button as they passed it, calling it to their floor.

“What are you doing, Stone? The elevator, really? The minute the doors open…you’ll draw fire.”

---