Page 8 of Truth is the Ultimate Weapon

“We don’t have friends.” Coy shared. “Not anymore.”

“Which is why we apprehended him. Said he knew you, Mr. President.”

“Knows me? Here?” Ransom questioned.

“He wasn’t on the list the family gave us, which is why he’s being brought up to the house.” The agent went on. “He’s been searched and his weapons confiscated.”

“Weapons?” Dillon turned to Ransom. “Don’t go out there. Don’t even think about it.”

“They’ve been secured, ma’am.” The agent said. “Truth be told, we’ve had eyes on him all day. He was parked just outside the property line most of the day before he finally moved in.”

“And we’re just now hearing this?” Devyn looked at Coy and Rip. “So much for security.”

“That’s protocol,” Rip said. “Keep eyes on it until it’s a threat.”

“May I speak freely, sir?” the agent asked of Ransom.

Ransom nodded, “By all means.”

“We ID’d him pretty early on. We know who he is. The only reason we’ve apprehended him is his proximity to you. I think you’re going to want to see this.” The agent grinned.

There was commotion outside. Voices grew louder, and a scuffle could be heard as they approached the porch steps.

“Ransom Wyatt,” the man yelled, his voice familiar to all, “You want to call off your hit squad?”

Charlotte buried her face in her hands, “Oh no.”

Coy and the others rushed outside with the agent to see what the chaos was all about. There stood Owen Bridges, wearing a menacing look, flanked by two Secret Service Agents holding them in their grips.

“Owen?” Ransom questioned, “What are you doing here?”

“What does it look like? Being manhandled by your detail, sir.” Owen fired back before catching Nash’s ornery stare. “Oh, you’re just loving every minute of this, aren’t you, Nash?”

“Not at all, sir.” Nash grinned. “A bit curious what you’re doing here, though.”

“He’s fine.” Ransom said, calling off the agents. “We got it from here.”

“You better return all my shit. Don’t touch my guns. Hooligans.” Owen huffed as he straightened his clothes and regained his composure, “They took my weapon and vehicle, Ran. What gives?”

“I heard it was multiple weapons.” Ransom snickered, “With all due respect, I’ll ask again, what are you doing here, armed, unannounced, and why are you surprised by the response you received? You know I’m still the President, right?”

“Of course, it’s why I’m here. I took an oath, and that doesn’t go away when someone retires. I serve at the pleasure of the President, Ransom. Always will, unless it’s someone I don’t support, then that’s someone else’s problem.” He admitted. “I’m also here because I heard what happened. I was trying to see where your weak spots are.”

“Why do you care?” Coy questioned. “With… all due respect.”

“As long as my daughter stays out here, I am interested in this, too. The story I got, what happened to Nora… it doesn’t add up.” Owen said. “Nothin’ around here has been.”

“You’re here to help, then,” Coy said.

“I’m here to make sure my daughter is safe. Seems y’all been struggling with that as of late.” Owen bluntly stated. “I told you the other night that I’m happy to help if needed. Well, now I’m insisting.”

“On what grounds?” Coy sounded offended.

“On the grounds that something sinister is going on in these parts, and you all seem to be at the heart of it. You want to protect your family. I want to protect mine.”

“Daddy…” Charlotte began.

“Don’t start with that. You know, I know, and half the town that’s paying attention knows that the day Delilah Stone died, the gates of hell opened in these parts.”

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