Page 13 of Two Hearts' Accidental Heroes

“I was just thinking the same thing myself,” Dad admitted.

Eric walked upstairs a few moments later. “Dad? Can I borrow Mom’s car to take home Anya?”

“Why don’t you just take the Camaro?” Dad replied, much to Eric’s surprise.

“Uh…sure,” Eric said, his eyes going wide as he turned back to head downstairs. “I’ll go tell Anya that we don’t have to wait until Brian comes home to use the truck. She’s got to go into work early tomorrow morning.”

At that moment, his phone rang, and Dad switched it on. “Brian? How long before you’re home?”

There was something wrong, Rick realized when Dad’s face went pale as he looked at Rick, nodding at where the keys were organized near the door.

“Just a second, Brian,” Dad said, his voice turning into a whisper. “Rick? I think my keys are over by the door if you want to head off Eric and Anya so that they go straight into the garage and don’t walk through here, into the kitchen. Apparently, Brian’s got trouble on his heels, so we need to talk privately.”

“Sure thing, Dad,” Rick said softly, approaching the key rack and grabbing Dad’s car keys.

Rick approached the staircase, meeting Eric and Anya as they reached the main floor, handing over the keys to Eric so they could walk directly through the doorway into the garage.

“Dad’s on the phone. This time he’s talking to Brian. We’ll probably see you tomorrow, Anya,” Rick said.

“Tell your dad that I said thanks again for the pizza,” she replied, looking puzzled.

“I will.”

Eric was obviously confused as well, realizing that they were being rushed out of the house, but after giving him a look of warning, Rick turned and headed back into the kitchen.

Dad was trying to be as quiet as he could as he spoke with Brian. When Rick motioned that the coast was clear after hearing Eric revving up the Camaro’s engine, Dad talked in his normal tone of voice, switching the phone to speaker.

“I’m glad you had the common sense to go to Jake Loughlin, Brian.”

“Jake said that if they were able to read the entire license number of the truck, they might be able to find me as soon as tomorrow if they have connections,” Brian said.

“Who are these guys that were chasing you?” Dad asked.

“I’ve never seen any of them before,” Brian admitted. “Jake seems to think they could be members of the trafficking gang meeting up here in town.”

“I think I’m missing something here,” Dad observed. “Where were you at?”

“You know that long strip of vacant lakefront properties located north on Crystal Rock Lake?”

“You mean you were at one of those four lakefront mansions that have fallen into disrepair?”

“Not all of them. Ashley had the keys to the one that we used to call the spooky house, and it’s had some restoration work done inside. You know, the house that our great great grandfather supposedly rebuilt after the original house was destroyed by a fire? She took the keys from her Dad’s office because she’s always been as fascinated about the place as I am. Ashley and her mom have left town too, Dad,” Brian said, heaving a sigh. “I went out there to take a walk around the property again because I still have the keys, and there were four or five guys hanging around on the pier below. I could tell that something fishy was going on. There was a huge luxury cruiser docked close to the shore. I tried to sneak away, but I knocked some rubble from the cliff with my foot by accident, and a couple guys started chasing me.” Brian cleared his throat. “I’m going to have you talk to Mr. Loughlin, Dad.”

“He’s pretty sure that they had weapons, Bob,” Jake Loughlin said after Brian had apparently handed over his phone. “I know you’re not going to like this, but I’m going to send a couple security guys out to your place for the next few days. I’m thinking that it would be best if your family left town right away.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.” Dad heaved a sigh. “What about Brian, Jake? What do you suggest we do?”

“Have your youngest pack a few things and I’ll have someone get them over here to Brian. Brian’s welcome to use my apartment here inside the Inn for the next few days. Meanwhile, I have some connections, so I’ll make the arrangements for him to enlist in the Army if that’s what the two of you have decided on since he’s nearly eighteen. Don’t worry, we’ll arrange for all of you to get together and say goodbye, probably out of town, of course.”

“What about the truck and our other vehicles?”

“I’ll make arrangements to put the truck in storage for now. I’d prefer you wouldn’t use your other vehicles after tonight. Just keep them out of sight in the garage, if you can. You’re probably not going to be able to leave town the conventional way, but I’ll figure out something.”

“Okay. I’ve packed up additional clothing and personal belongings for my wife. I’ve got them boxed up and labeled.”

“Alright. I suggest you pack up everything you intend on taking with you to Chicago and be ready to go within the next forty-eight hours. You might have to be separated for a day or two,” Jake said.

“Separated from the boys or separated from our stuff?” Dad asked.

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