Page 33 of JoyRide

“Oh, no.” Molly teared up. “How badly is Billy hurt?”

“The kids hit him with a tire iron,” I said. “He has a severe head injury, and the doc is running tests today.”

“His parents are at the hospital,” said Tammy.

“I’d better load up,” said Ted. “Matter which squad I take?”

“Nope,” I said. “Take the sheriff’s Bronco, then Travis will have it if you guys go to the lab.”

“Yeah, I’ll take the Bronco,” said Ted.

“Any sightings on the car?” I asked Molly.

“Nothing, Harlan. Does Jack know about Billy?”

“Not yet,” I said. “You could let him know and Savanna too. She lived with us for a long time and her and Billy are tight. She’s gonna freak sideways when she finds out—especially the part where they used her fuckin car.”

“I agree. She will be upset,” said Molly. “I’ll call Jack Johnson at home and then Savanna at the feed store.”

Molly began making the first call and had to stop for incoming. “Sheriff’s Office. How can I help you?”

I moved over closer to the dispatch desk and watched her writing stuff down on her yellow pad.

“Yes. I’ve got it. Sending a squad your way, sir. They’re on their way.”

“What is it?” asked Tammy.

“Gunfire in Sunburst Acres. Perhaps you should call Travis on your way there.”

“We will, Molly. Let’s go, Tam.”

We ran out the back of the building and jumped into our squad. I flipped on the lights and the siren and roared out of the parking lot onto Main Street.

I turned north and pounded the gas while Tammy tried to get ahold of Travis. “Yeah, Dad, we got a call. There’s gunfire inSunburst Acres and we’re headed up there.”

“Is he coming?” I asked her.

Tammy finished her conversation. “He and Ted will meet us there. They’ll leave the prints for now and assist us.”

“Copy that, Tam. Did you remember to put your vest on this morning?”

“Yep. I don’t want to get shot in the boob.”

“I don’t want that to happen either.” She made me chuckle. “Travis would be super pissed if we got hurt and he found out we weren’t properly dressed for work.”

“Yeah, he’d kill us if we weren’t already dead.”

Sunburst Acres Trailer Park.

“Which trailer?” I asked Tammy. Then I saw guys running around outside. “Not Art’s. That’s not Andrew’s trailer.”

Tammy started screaming. “That’s my trailer. It’s supposed to be empty. I’m never going in that trailer. I can’t go in there.”

She was right. That was the trailer Travis had pointed out to me—the one Tammy had been living in with the guy who owned her.Owned? That was a dirty word.

I pulled into the driveway, jumped out and pulled the shotguns out of the gun safe in the hatch. I handed Tammy hers. “Stay back here using the squad for cover. Shoot any runners in the shins. Got it?”

“I know what to do, Harlan. I’m trained and I won’t let you down. I’ll give you backup. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

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