Page 58 of Shelter for Sharla

“Let’s go.” Cruz was already out of the car and running by the time Carter closed his door.

The first person they recognized was Sam. “The kids!” Carter screamed.

“They’re fine, they’re fine. Two FBI agents from Louisville just took them to a safehouse. They’re okay.”

“Then the bus…” Carter began, pointing to the ambulance.

“Two dead officers. Found them in a breezeway between two buildings.”

Carter felt sick. “Shit. Shit, shit, shit. How long ago?”

“It appears it was just about the time I called you and told you we couldn’t reach them. I got nervous and decided that?” Sam stopped and turned toward one of the officers who stood beside a cruiser. “What was that transmission?”

“Shots fired at ChristianCounty Community Hospital. Two security officers wounded and a nurse as well.” Carter could feel the blood draining from his face as the officer keyed the mic. “ChristianCounty dispatch, this is MurrayCity unit seven. Could you repeat that transmission, over?”

“MurrayCity unit seven, this is ChristianCounty dispatch. Shots fired at ChristianCounty Community Hospital. Two security officers wounded, one hospital personnel wounded. Two men, average height, in masks. Hostage taken. Repeat, hostage taken. Subject left the area in a…”

“Son of a bitch,” Carter mumbled. They had Sharla. He’d promised her he’d protect her and the kids, he’d be their shelter and refuge, and he’d fucked everything up. The odds were that even if he helped them, gave them the info they wanted, they’d kill her.What do I do?he asked himself over and over. “It’s me they want. It’s me. If they’ll just?” His phone rang and Carter stared at the screen. It was a number he’d never seen before, and he knew what life he had left was about to change forever when he answered it. “Yeah?”

“SheriffMelton?”

“Yes.”

“You know who this is.”

“I do.” Carter glanced around?he had Cruz and Sam’s full attention. “Where’s Sharla?”

“Where’s our information?”

“I have it.”

“Then give it to me.”

“Oh, no. You’ll have to turn her loose and then I’ll gladly give it to you.”

“Who else has it?”

“Nobody. Nobody but me. It’s in my head. I memorized it. No one else knows it.”

“And you’re sure about this?”

“Yes. I’m positive. I don’t want anybody else getting hurt. Take me, but turn her loose.”

“How do I know you won’t double-cross me?”

“Because I love her and I’dneverdo anything to jeopardize her safety?never.”

“You already have, idiot. If you can’t deliver the info to me, she’s dead.”

“You kill her and you’llneverget it, do you understand? I have toknowproof-positive that she’s fine or you get nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“You drive a hard bargain for a man with very few hours left in his life.”

“I do. So what do I have to lose? Nothing. You let her go and the info is yours.”

“You will come home. You will come alone. You will tell no one where you’re going. And you will be here within the hour.”

“I will.”

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