Page 30 of Sachie's Hero

She cupped his cheek. “You’re one of the lucky ones.”

“I’m beginning to believe I am.” He captured her hand, pressing his lips into her palm.

A buzzing sound captured his attention. He raised his head.

Sachie frowned and said, “Do you hear that?”

He nodded and looked around.

The sun had begun its descent toward the horizon, but there was still plenty of light in the sky.

As the sound grew louder, Teller and Sachie looked straight up.

Sunlight glinted off something shiny as it dropped down from the sky.

Teller grabbed Sachie around the waist andyanked her off the fence rail as a drone dove toward her.

He set her on her feet and yelled, “Get down.”

She dropped to her knees and covered her head and the back of her neck.

Teller ducked as the drone swept over him.

It turned, hovered and then flew low, aiming for Sachie, who hunkered close to the ground.

As the drone swerved around him, Teller cocked his leg and kicked as hard as he could, sending the drone crashing to the ground.

The buzzing stopped for a moment and then revved back up with a vengeance.

The drone had only risen several inches from the ground when Sachie lunged to her feet and performed a flying broad jump, landing in the middle of the device, crushing it into the dust.

Silence reigned, with Sachie standing like a conquering warrior on the incapacitated drone, her face set in a fierce scowl. “This ends now.”

CHAPTER 8

Sachie ranto the house while Teller carried the drone to the war room.

When she told Hawk, Kalea and Mr. Parkman what had happened, they abandoned the wrestling match and popcorn and hurried with her to the Brotherhood Protectors’ outbuilding, Hawk on his cell phone with ranch security.

He ended the call and reported, “They’ll run a search of the perimeter. Whoever was operating the drone over the ranch had to be close enough to maintain a signal.”

Teller had laid the drone out on the conference table and was taking pictures of it with his cell phone.

Hawk immediately placed a video call to Hank and Swede. The two men came up in separate blockson the screen. Hank’s dark hair was wet. Swede’s pale blond hair was standing on end.

“Sorry, you caught me coming out of the shower,” Hank said.

“I’d just gone to sleep,” Swede said. “But I’m awake now.”

“What’s happened?” Hank asked.

Teller explained how the drone had dropped out of the sky and attacked them. “I’m sending images of the drone and its serial number. Maybe you can trace the owner or purchaser.”

“I can give it a try,” Swede said.

“In the meantime, is there anything else we can do?” Hank asked. “Sachie, have you heard from your former boss about online access to patient files?”

Sachie had her cell phone out, scrolling through her emails. “There’s his reply.” She frowned down at the screen. “He says he can’t allow it since I’m no longer an employee. However, he will allow me to come to the office and look over his shoulder as he goes through the patient data. He’ll be in the office tomorrow morning.” She looked up and captured Teller’s gaze. “I want to catch the first flight out of here.”

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