Page 47 of Ranger Bravery

“Excuse me, I do not lecture.” Grandma Mary rose and went back to the stove, flipping on the burner underneath the skillet. “I advise. Sometimes the discussion is more forceful, but you can be a stubborn lot.”

Ava and Piper laughed.

Then Ava’s expression grew serious. “Any word?”

“No.” Piper rose and poured her sister a cup of coffee. “I’m sure Derek or Jackson will call as soon as they can.” Her lips lifted and she wagged her brows. “What is the official status of your relationship? You kissed and had a chat in his office, but I haven’t heard a peep from you since then.”

Ava blushed and sipped her coffee. “We’re together.” She held out a hand. “We’ll take it slow, for the kids’ sake. I want to give them time to get used to the idea, but… I love him. I’ve loved him for a long time.”

Piper whooped and hugged her sister. “I’m so happy for you both.”

The scent of French toast filled the kitchen. Piper busied herself by setting the table and absently listened to Ava and Grandma Mary chat. Her mind was still on the earlier conversation. Was it that easy? Just accept the love being given her? Maybe it was.

Her cell phone rang. Piper retrieved it from the counter and her heart stuttered. It was the killer. Her finger hesitated over the button, but then she hit accept, stepping into the laundry room so Grandma Mary and Ava wouldn’t overhear the conversation. “What do you want?”

“Good morning to you too.” The distorted voice sent a shiver down Piper’s spine. “I called to say your little plan didn’t work. I warned you this wasn’t Wally, but you persisted, and now you’re no closer to figuring out my identity.”

“So why don’t you just tell me who you are?”

“And ruin all the fun? No, Piper. I want to see your face when my identity is finally revealed to you.”

This sicko was getting a thrill out of playing games with her. She gripped the phone tighter, glancing out into the backyard. Cole was nowhere to be found. She left the laundry room and hurried to the front of the house. “If you and I come face-to-face, I promise it’ll be a decision you regret.”

He laughed. “Always so tough, aren’t you? But I know how to break you, Piper.”

Her heart stuttered. She spotted Cole in the driveway on his cell phone. Concern was etched across his face. Anxiety swirled and bile rose in the back of her throat. Jackson. Something happened to Jackson. She gritted her teeth. “What did you do?”

“I took care of a problem. See you soon.”

He hung up. With trembling fingers, Piper flipped open the locks, grabbing her car keys and gun before stepping outside. The crisp morning air cooled her heated cheeks and a drizzle dampened her clothes. She hurried to Cole. “What happened to Jackson?”

“You shouldn’t be outside.”

He took her elbow, but she yanked it away. Piper knew she was being rude but couldn’t make herself care. All that mattered was Jackson. She glared at Cole. “What happened?”

“He was injured during the operation and is being transported to the hospital?—”

She didn’t need to hear any more. Piper raced to her vehicle. Cole called her name, tried to intervene, but she was too quick. Within seconds, she peeled out of the driveway.

A patrol car was stationed at the end of the road. She slowed down long enough to instruct the officer behind the wheel to follow her to the hospital. She needed to get to Jackson, but she wasn’t reckless. The killer had called for a reason. He wanted to get her alone. Did he plan to stage an accident to grab her? Possibly. She wouldn’t take the chance.

Piper turned on her turret lights and hit the gas. Familiar landmarks whipped past. She gripped the steering wheel, unable to do anything but focus on the road ahead. God knew what was in her heart. He heard her silent cries. Soon, the hospital appeared. Piper slowed down and turned into the parking lot. She waved the deputy forward. When his vehicle lined up with hers, she lowered her window. “Go back to the house. I’ll be okay from here.”

“You sure, Detective?”

“Yes.” There were cameras in the parking lot and the hospital was a few steps away. People mingled in a nearby cafe, despite the early morning hour. Piper nodded to the deputy. “Thanks for the assistance.”

He gave a wave and drove off. She parked her car. Thunder rumbled as she ran across the lot. All she wanted was to get to Jackson. How badly was he injured? A thousand horrors flashed through her mind before she could push them away, but the panic remained. She loved him. Needed him. Please, God, please watch over him.

Suddenly, a truck flew out of a parking spot as she was walking behind and rammed into her.

Pain exploded along her right leg from the collision. She was airborne for a few seconds as momentum tossed her across the parking lot onto the hood of another car. A crack resounded in her elbow as it collided with the windshield. White-hot agony followed. Blinding pain, unlike any she’d ever experienced. Her body slid off the hood of the car onto the ground. Her head rapped against the bumper and stars appeared in her vision.

Somewhere inside her head, a voice was screaming for her to run, but Piper couldn’t get her body to cooperate. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. So much pain. It stole her breath. Blackness edged her vision.

In the next moment, she was lifted. Piper screamed. Every move sent more pain through her. The blackness beckoned. She struggled to fight against it, but when her body was dumped into the back seat of a vehicle, it was more than she could take.

She lost consciousness.

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