Page 46 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“Yeah, you do that,” he grunted, picking up the envelope and stuffing into his zippered jacket pocket. “And, Erin, calm the fuck down.”

Marching back out to his bike, Ken checked his watch. It would be a busy day and he was on a tight schedule, but a wicked smile curled his lips. It was all so easy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Helen had planned to leave Molly at the ranch, but when she’d started walking to her car the little dog had run after her barking up a storm. Unable to say no, she scooped her up and took her to the estate. To her great relief, her mother fell in love with the adorable dog on sight, and even Sampson, the notoriously precocious cat, accepted her.

The day was as busy as Helen knew it would be, but it didn’t prevent her nerves from kicking in. When George took her into the library for a private chat, she flashed back to the moment Kenny had hit her when they were outside the Moonshine restaurant.

“Helen, I can see how scared you are. You don’t have to do this,” he said, lowering his voice. “We can figure something else out.”

“No, I want to. I’ll be fine, besides, if I wasn’t nervous Kenny would suspect something. I’m sure he’ll be watching or listening somehow. One of those two men will probably be wearing some kind of camera or bug or something, maybe even both of them.”

“We have to assume that’s the case, and you’re right, if you weren’t upset about this whole thing it would give him cause for concern. But again, if you don’t want to go through with it—”

“All I have to do is hand over an envelope and get one in return. What’s so difficult about that?” she declared, feigning a confidence she didn’t feel. “I’m more worried about what Kenny will do later when he finds out I told you about this.”

“He’ll have more important things on his mind, like being locked up.”

The conversation with the kind detective had helped, and by the time the guests began to arrive she had her nerves under control. When she spotted the two men she’d be meeting, they looked exactly as Kenny had described them. One was wearing a blue bowtie, and the other had jacket with sleeves oddly short showing off cufflinks with red stones. But Andy still hadn’t shown up, and she didn’t want to approach them until he was there. As several of her friends strolled in she welcomed the distraction, and was excitedly catching up on all the gossip when Molly began barking. Seeing her at the buffet table begging guests for food, she hurried across the room and picked her up.

“I should have known you’d be tempted,” she said, carrying her down a nearby hallway and up a staircase. “I’ll have to put you away until Andy gets here, then you can join Ranger in the truck.” Choosing a guest room that overlooked the driveway, she set her on the bed and petted her. To her relief, the little dog yawned and settled down. “Good girl. I’m not surprised you’re tired. You’ve had a big day.”

Quietly leaving the room she started back down the stairs, but paused her step when her phone chimed. Lifting it from her pocket she saw Andy’s name on the screen and quickly accepted the call.

“Andy, where are you? Is everything okay?“ she asked, continuing down the steps.

“Sorry, darlin’, I got held up by a client who was havin’ trouble. I’m takin’ a shower and I’ll be there soon.”

“Thank goodness. I don’t think I can do this without you here,” she said with a sigh, but as she started down the hall the noisy crowd suddenly fell quiet. “That’s weird, hold on,” she murmured, slowing down as she approached the opening to the living room. “Andy! Oh, my God!” she whispered urgently, darting her head back. “There are four men with their faces covered in black masks in the living room, and they have guns!”

“What? I’m on my way.”

“No…Andy…please don’t come here, not yet,” she continued breathlessly. “Just stay on the phone with me.”

“Okay, darlin’. Tell me what’s goin’ on. What are they doin’? Can you see?”

Terrified and trembling, she peered around the door frame. Three of the intruders were herding everyone into the library, while the fourth was standing at the front door.

“They’ve moving all the guests into the library, but there’s a guy at the door,” she breathed. “George and Sheriff Cooper are watching from a room off the library but they won’t know about him. I’d call him but I don’t have his number.”

“I do. I’ll let him know right away.”

“Just don’t come here, please, and don’t hang up. I’m going back upstairs. I put Molly in a room that overlooks the driveway.”

“I’m here, don’t worry. When you get there look outside and tell me what you see. I’m texting the sheriff now.”

Hurrying up the stairs as fast as her wobbly legs would carry her, she entered the room and moved quickly to the window.

“Andy…motorbikes. It must be Kenny and his gang.”

*** * ***

Detective George Hawthorne had been in several dangerous situations, but he’d never been faced with a large group of hostages being held at gunpoint by four men carrying serious weaponry. Two of them were walking around the room with black cloth bags collecting the men’s wallets, the women’s jewelry, and everyone’s phones. As the items were handed over, the victims were ordered to lie on the floor. George had only two options.

Let the scene play out and attempt to apprehend the thugs when they tried to escape, or charge the room and order them to drop their guns. But suddenly the door behind him burst open.

“Guns on the floor, all of you! Don’t even think about being a hero.”

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