Page 125 of Deception

Clayton tackled him from behind, and they both went down. Steven’s gun fell from his hand. Madison kicked it across the patio as Clayton rolled off him. Steven’s breathing became shallow, and she knelt beside him. “Why, Steven?”

“Had to. Dad ... You hurt ... a Turner ... you pay.”

“But why shoot Dani and my grandfather?”

His brows lowered, maybe from pain. “Dad...” Air gurgled in his chest. The frown lines in his face relaxed as the life in his eyes faded.

“He’s gone.” Clayton lifted Madison to her feet.

“No! I need answers.” She stared at Steven’s body. “I killed him.” First Chad, now his brother. Madison sagged against Clayton and he wrapped his arms around her.

“It was self-defense.”

That didn’t help.

“Listen to me. He would have killed us both—everyone, even his friend.”

Terri. She needed an ambulance. “See if you can find the jammer.”

He searched Steven’s pockets and held up a small black box that he tossed to her. “Here you go.”

She turned the jammer off and took out her cell phone. Finally, she had a signal and dialed Chief Nelson’s number.

Soon sirens split the night air as police cars and an ambulance converged on the property.

Once Terri was loaded onto a gurney, Madison took her hand. “You saved our lives.”

“So did you and Clayton. If you hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve come back for us.”

Madison shrugged off the praise. “You’re welcome here once they release you.”

“We’ll see.”

Dani approached and squeezed Terri’s other hand. “Thank you for what you did. We’ll come see you in the hospital.”

“I hope so,” Terri said as they loaded her into the ambulance.

The paramedic slammed the bay doors, and they drove away, red-and-white lights flashing.

“She seems so sad,” Dani said.

Madison slipped her arm around her sister’s waist. “Maybe she doesn’t have anyone.”

“You talked to her more than I did. Did you ask?”

“I didn’t think of it. We’ll go see her tomorrow. Find out who her family is.”

67

Habit and the aroma of coffee woke Clayton early Tuesday morning after only four hours of sleep. Four hours that only brought nightmares of timers and bombs along with a pounding headache. And with it a nagging concern that Steven hadn’t confirmed that he’d shot Judge Anderson and Dani. But if not him, who?

The thought stayed with him while he dressed and went downstairs for a cup of Nadine’s strong coffee. Madison sat at the island in her robe, staring at the cup in her hands ... at least he thought it was her. “I didn’t expect to see you up.”

She raised her gaze and smiled. “Couldn’t sleep.”

No, it was Dani, which was confirmed when the back door opened and Madison entered the room with a newspaper in her hand and dressed in her ranger uniform.

“Don’t you two ever dress alike. Please.” He poured a cup of coffee. “Anyone need a refill? And where’s Nadine?”

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