Page 46 of Shelter for Martina

“WHAT?” Martina screamed. “Tell me you’re not serious!”

“I wish I weren’t serious, but I am. That’s what happened to me. They shot out my windows. Between the sound, the wind whipping through the car, and the confusion, I crashed the car. And then the airbag deployed, so yeah. Sucks to be me.”

“How can you be sure that’s what happened?”

“Because the guy behind me said my windows just kinda exploded. There’s no other explanation.”

“But who—”

“Oh, I’ve got a pretty good idea who, but I can’t prove it. And guess who showed up in no time at all?” That one jacked-up eyebrow told him she hadn’t guessed. “Young.”

“No shit?”

“No shit. He was right there, babe. Right there. Handy. How’s about that? Nobody could manage to show up and talk to your neighbor last night, but he was nearby when my car windows were shot out.”

Martina’s eyebrow quirked up again. “How do you know they didn’t show up to talk to Angela?”

“Because I went to talk to her yesterday. I wanted to know more about Adams and what he was saying while he was making a jackass out of himself in front of your house.”

“And?”

“Really nothing useful, except he had to realize you weren’t there, so I suppose it was all for show. But I’d say somebody put two and two together and they figured out the fact that Marty’s not around had something to do with me.”

“But how did they know about me and you?”

Bud shrugged. “I have no idea. Angela had put it together, so we’re obviously not invisible. And I mean, look at this place we live in. Their number one favorite sport is doing drugs, and their number two favorite sport is gossiping. So, really, is it any wonder?”

“I guess not.” Martina finished her food and put her plate in the sink, then sat back down. Bud was still struggling to eat and was only about halfway through his food. “This is starting to get really dangerous.”

“Yeah. By the time that happened, the KDCI guys had already shown up at the sheriff’s office. We’re shaking their tree and they’re not happy about it. They’re getting antsy, and antsy people do stupid, reckless things. That’s what I’m hoping for.” His phone rang. “It’s Len. Hey, captain!”

“Bud! How ya feelin’?”

“Like I got run over by a truck. Or maybe I should say, like I ran a car into a tree.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Find anything?”

“Yes, we did. Whoever shot out your windows did so from the back, but they didn’t count on forward velocity.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning a projectile went through your hood.”

“Yes! And the engine block?”

“The lab’s going over it now. Top priority. Of course, it could be any gun. That bunch probably has a dozen of them. But I do know it was a rifle round, so it wasn’t Young.”

“Oh, I really didn’t think it was him, but honestly, I’m pretty sure he knows who it was.”

Len snorted on the other end. “You can bank on that.”

“Well, thanks. Can you let me know what else they find out, if anything?”

“I sure will. But listen to me—be careful. Somebody’s gunning for you now. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they start gunning for Mrs.Anderson too. You guys need to be very, very careful.”

“No real way to guard against somebody shooting at a car, Len. You know that.”

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