Page 19 of Caught in the Crossfire

A mile before the turnoff, Linc slammed on his brakes and skidded to a stop.

“What’s wrong?” Mason leaned forward to peer through the windshield and groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

Nicole stared at the big furry object standing at the side of the road, making a bush a late-night snack. “Oh, brother. Which camel is it?” A grizzled farmer who lived outside of town owned a couple of camels at the request of his granddaughter. One of those camels was a real Houdini who regularly slipped from the pasture where the animal normally grazed with cattle.

Linc glared at the animal. “Bonnie. Clyde is a homebody.”

“We can’t leave her here,” Dawn said. “Someone might hit her.”

“I know who to call.”

A moment later, a familiar voice filled the cabin. “Yeah, Cahill.”

“It’s Linc. You’re on speaker with Dawn Metcalf, Mason, and Nicole. I need your camel whisperer skills.”

A growl came through the speakers. “I’ll call old man Lawrence. Where’s Bonnie this time?”

“Intersection of Blue Spruce and Dogwood. She’s making a meal out of Mrs. Waterman’s bushes.”

“Great. Mrs. Waterman will have a fit.”

“I’d stick around but Mason and I don’t want Nicole and Dawn out in the open for long.”

“I understand. I’m two minutes out. If Bonnie moves, she won’t go far. Good thing I restocked the chips supply in my cruiser.”

Dawn frowned. “Chips?”

“Yes, ma’am. Bonnie won’t budge unless you bribe her with potato chips.”

“Good to know for future reference.”

“She loves people, but if you interact with her, watch out for your hair. Bonnie’s been known to pull out strands with her enthusiastic attention. Linc?”

“Yes, sir?”

Nicole’s eyebrows winged up at the deference Linc paid to Josh until she remembered that Josh was Linc’s boss at PSI.

“You two have backup for the night?”

“Trent. We’re staying with him and Grace. We’ll be fine. No one will get past us to harm the women.”

“I’ll make it a point to drive by Trent’s on my rounds. If anything happens, I want to know about it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Nicole?”

She blinked. “Yes?”

“You’re in good hands. Trust the men guarding you. They’ll keep you safe.”

She turned her head to smile at Mason who tucked her closer to his side. “I know. Thanks for watching over us tonight, Josh.”

“Glad to do it. I’m one minute out, Linc. Get moving.”

“Copy that. Bonnie hasn’t moved.” He ended the call, eased around the camel, and continued toward the St. Claire home. Five minutes later, he parked in the long driveway near the front door.

When Dawn reached for the door handle, Linc stilled her movement by laying his hand on her arm. “Wait until I’m sure it’s safe.”

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