Page 27 of One Final Target

“Finally, progress.” Sam was glad Smiley hadn’t commented on how late he’d been this morning.

“Yes and no. They may all be Doug’s and his friends’. I’m going to call and see how they’re coming with the ATV and all those casings. I’m thinking the casings are our best hope.”

“I agree,” Sam said. The bad guy would be careful to wear gloves in the car or on the ATV, but he probably didn’t think about it when loading the rifle.

They’d done the best they could to preserve the casings and other evidence before it snowed. Sam thought about the pile of evidence left up on the ridge. It was an amateurish move, despite the planning to maybe catch Jodie King up there.

Some live rounds had been mixed in with the spent ones, indicating a lot of nervousness on the part of the shooter. Sam also remembered the pause when the guy went from semiauto to fully auto. He certainly wasn’t military trained. Could just be a low-level gangster. But the kid in the photo didn’t look like a gangster. Yet, when the kid faced Logan, there was no hesitation at all.

So much was convoluted about this case.

Thinking about the investigation kept him from dwelling on the spell in the locker room. He hoped it was the last one he’d ever have. He prayed for peace regarding Rick’s death and for no uncomfortable incidents to happen when he was out in the thick of things.

Jodie had just climbed into her SUV when a familiar car pulled up to the curb and two people she knew well got out. Shannon and Tracy were women from church, both awesome beach volleyball players. Two years ago Jodie had played beside them for a city championship. At one time they were her best friends away from work. Before the IED, the people at church were family.

Each woman was carrying what looked like food. Jodie almost started her car and left, even though they’d seen her.Why won’t people just leave me alone?

Her hand stayed on the key for a moment, then fell away. Seeing the women, she prayed a silent prayer.Oh, Lord, why can’t I be the same person they remember? Why can’t I bounce out of the car and smile and laugh with them? Maybe I can’t smile and laugh, but neither can I be rude.She got out of the car.

“Hey, Jodie.” Tracy spoke first. “Glad we caught you.”

“We read about what happened Saturday and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“We didn’t want to crowd you too soon.”

“I hope today is good.” Shannon grabbed Jodie in a tight hug before she could protest. “We miss you,” she whispered in Jodie’s ear.

When she let go, her eyes were moist. So were Jodie’s. Jodie stepped back and ran a hand over her eyes, hoping Tracy didn’t also want a hug. But Tracy wasn’t the demonstrative type; Shannon was.

“Where you headed?” Tracy asked.

“Errands,” Jodie said. She cleared her throat.

Tracy and Shannon shared a glance. “We brought you some food. I remembered how much you liked my southwest hamburger casserole,” Shannon said. “I made a big batch. And Tracy made a carrot cake. Still your favorite, I hope.”

Jodie swallowed. She hadn’t had much of an appetite for anything since the explosion. Everything she made ended up half-eaten. She couldn’t even finish a bowl of cereal. Food just didn’t taste good anymore. But looking at these two women who had been such good friends through the years, she couldn’t refuse the offer.

“Sure, sounds great.” She gestured toward her door. “Let’s put it inside.”

The women followed Jodie inside. They chattered about church and Bible study, nervous chitchat. Jodie had gotten used to it from people by now. Right then she wished she could be the Jodie King these women used to know, happy-go-lucky, quick to joke. She thought about Sunday on the pier with Tara. She’d almost felt normal then. But the darkness returned when she realized the killer was still free.

She put the casserole and the cake in the fridge. “Thank you both. When I get back, I know what I’ll have for dinner.”

“It’s our pleasure. We miss you, Jodie. I’ve only caught a glimpse of you at church once or twice. You’re always gone when the service ends.” Tracy was the blunt one.

Jodie looked at her friend. They’d done many Bible studies together, but Jodie didn’t feel the connection they once had. She decided to be as blunt as Tracy. “I can’t do this.”

“What?”

“This friendship thing. I’m struggling with so much. I’m not in a good place where God is concerned.”Especially with what I just found out about Jukebox.“Scripture verses aren’t working. Church isn’t working.”

She expected them to move away. She wasn’t one of them anymore; surely she’d be a leper to them.

Instead, she got another hug. Shannon wept.

“I can’t imagine the trauma you’ve faced. All I can say is I’m so very happy you’re alive and still with us. And we aren’t here to push you into anything you’re not ready for.”

“We just miss you,” Tracy said as Shannon let go and wiped her face.

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