Page 48 of Silos and Sabotage

Johnny rattled off the license plate number.

“That’s one of them.” Gage’s hand shot toward the cell phone he had mounted on the dashboard to dial 9-1-1.

“9-1-1. What’s your emergency?” the attendant intoned.

“This is Private Investigator Gage Hefner. I have eyes on a black Ford F-150 with an all-points bulletin out on it.” He rattled off the license number. “Owner is Billy Bob Bolander. He’s wanted for attempted murder.”

The woman asked him to hold. She returned in seconds to announce, “The police are on their way.”

As soon as the call ended, his phone started ringing. He mashed the button to accept it. “Hey, sheriff!”

Ella’s eyes widened at the realization that the sheriff of Heart Lake had called Gage’s personal cell phone. Were they friends or something?

“Can’t let you have all the fun, Ranger,” the man drawled.

“You do realize this could turn into a high-speed chase?” Gage warned.

“I know how to drive.” The sheriff gave a bark of laughter. “Watch and learn, new PI. Watch and learn.”

“As long as you don’t forget I located your target for you,” Gage retorted.

“I won’t forget. If you want to hear the fun, roll your window down.” In short order, the sheriff zipped around them in his white police cruiser and drew abreast of the black pickup. He turned on his flashing lights, then immediately gunned his motor to swerve in front of the truck.

The driver yanked his wheel into the passing lane, but the sheriff mirrored his movements and stayed in front of him. Their bobbing and swerving continued for another half mile or so.

At one point, the driver of the pickup tried to switch tactics and slow down. However, Gage was there to continue boxing him in from behind. They approached a turn on the right.

“This is where he’ll make his move,” Gage warned. “If Luke continues straight, the pickup will go right, and vice versa. Either way, the driver of the pickup will shave off one of us.”

If Luke continues straight…Ella felt like rolling her eyes. Yep, the guy she was crushing on was totally friends with the town sheriff. How convenient! And fortunate. A delicious shiver swept through her.Thank you, Dad.Begging her to go find Gage Hefner was the final gift he’d given her before leaving this world — right after he told her that he loved her. For the longest time, she’d only been able to remember Gage’s name, but now she could remember the rest of what her father had said that night.

I love you, baby girl. So much. Now go find Gage Hefner. He’ll protect you after I’m…

Then his words had faded, his eyes had closed, and he’d finished bleeding out on the floor of her hospital room.

Ella silently relived the agony of his tragic passing as she clung with both hands to the edge of her seat.

They reached the next intersection, and the sheriff continued driving straight. The driver barely slowed his speed before yanking his truck into a last-second right turn. His tires squealed in protest, and he swerved into the next lane. However, he managed to keep his truck on the road.

Gage followed at a more reasonable pace, but had to slam on his brakes when the black pickup skidded to a halt in front of him. They were facing a roadblock manned by no less than three more police cruisers with flashing lights.

The sheriff careened around the Lonestar armored vehicle from behind, giving them a friendly wave as he passed them.

“Show off,” Gage muttered.

Ella leaned forward in her seat, watching with bated breath as the police converged on the black truck with their weapons drawn. Within moments, they had the driver standing spread eagle against the hood.

She’d never seen him before. It wasn’t Billy Bob.

The police performed a search of the black pickup and came out of it waving a small plastic bag.

“Hoh boy,” Johnny muttered. “Looks like they found drugs.”

The prisoner was handcuffed and escorted to one of the waiting police cruisers. After they drove off with him, Luke Hawling swaggered to Gage’s side of the vehicle.

Gage rolled down his window. “You cheated.”

“Nah, you’re the only one who cut a corner.” Luke joked. “I saw you.”

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