Page 81 of Silos and Sabotage

Mashing a company ball cap on his head, Blain pulled the brim of it lower as he made his way out the rear exit. Once he stepped outside, he looked like every other employee at the granary. Thoroughly enjoying the fact that he was hiding in plain sight, he even turned around and faked a look of surprise when two police cruisers rolled up to the front of the building.

He was still chuckling as he hopped into the nearest grain truck and drove out the back gate of Radcliffe Industries. He waved at the police in his side-view mirror. Nobody waved back, because he was invisible to them.

So long, losers!

Since no one was looking for a guy in a grain truck, he lifted his burner phone to his ear and dialed his sister.

She was giggling like a small child when she connected their call. “Blainy,” she cooed.

“Don’t call me that anymore,” he snarled. She knew better. They’d talked about this.

“Whatever.” She sounded sulky. “Why are you always in such a bad mood?”

“I’m not,” he assured quickly. “I’m happy.” He was happier than he’d been in a long time, since all their dreams were about to come true. “That’s why I’m coming to pick you up. It’s time to go on that very special cruise we’ve been planning.” They’d talked about that, too. It was code language forit’s time to get out of dodge.

“Can’t.” Her voice grew playful. “I’m busy adopting a pet right now. They have two of the most adorable Golden Doodles up for adoption. I saw their pictures online and justhadto have one.”

He frowned in irritation. “Where are you, Cora?” He was starting to wish he hadn’t spoiled her so much over the years, because part of her had never grown up. Her inability to take no for an answer was about to become a real problem for him, since she couldn’t take a pet where they were going. They didn’t have the paperwork to bring a pet on the plane, and there was no time to get the paperwork.

“I’m at the animal rescue place, of course. A very nice lady named Ella has been helping me. It’s Ella like Cinderella, except she has dark hair, and she’s not wearing a ballgown.”

No way!His earlier irritation with his sister vanished. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

She giggled again. “If I knew you’d get this excited over adopting a dog, I’d have done it a long time ago.”

“You’re right. I’m excited, because I happen to have the best sibling on the planet.” He was so excited that he was downright giddy. Ella Lawton was going to die today with the rest of her hateful family. Her death would be the perfect ending to his miserable career at Radcliffe Industries. “Don’t adopt the pooch until I get there. I’ll help you fill out all the paperwork.”

“I’m not the best sibling,” Cora sighed dreamily. “You are!”

* * *

Gage’s cell phone rang.He glanced at the screen, and his jaw tightened at the caller ID. It was Johnny.

“You’re not gonna believe this, bro,” he crowed in a low voice, “but I’ve got the ex-Mrs. Raleigh Bolander in my sights. Ella is helping her adopt a Golden Doodle.”

“Yeah, that’s not good. Hang on a sec. I’d like to get a three-way call going with the sheriff.” Now that the police were involved, Gil had advised Gage to step back from the case and let them do their job.

He was fortunate to catch the sheriff in his office. “Luke, we’ve got a situation.”

“That makes two of us,” the sheriff growled. “You go first.”

“Cora Stratten is at the animal rescue sanctuary as we speak,” Gage informed him tersely. “Johnny has his eyeballs on her.”

“Hoh, boy!” The sheriff sounded worried.

“Are you sending someone over to pick her up or what?” Gage was in no mood for guessing games.

“I’ll send a SWAT team,” Luke promised grimly.

That sounded like a little much. “Why? What’s going on?”

“Blain Stratten is in the wind.”

How did that happen?Gage had a lot more questions, but they could wait. “I’m gonna head to the animal rescue sanctuary to lend Johnny some backup, just in case.”

“Suit yourself. Just need you guys to stay out of the way of our SWAT team when they arrive,” the sheriff warned.

Gage didn’t answer. If Ella’s safety was involved, he wasn’t making any promises. He sprinted to the parking garage and leaped into his Bronco. As soon as he reached the highway, he wanted to kick himself for not driving a company vehicle. He could’ve used the sirens and flashing lights to get across town faster. Since it was a bit early for rush hour, there shouldn’t have been so many cars on the road.

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