Page 30 of One Heated Summer

“Good enough for me. The question is how do we get them all out safely?”

“The men enter the building through the back door and they always leave it unlocked during the day. The girls are spending the afternoon shopping for bridesmaid dresses for SueEllen’s wedding.” Phil Gaze, one of the deputies said as stepped forward.

Doug gave Phil a quizzical glance.

“I’ve started dating Charmaine and it’s how I always go in to see her at work so gossip is avoided,” Phil explained.

“First I’ve heard of it,” Doug grumbled.

“It’s only been two weeks and I’d like to give it some time before we become the topic of conversation,” Phil stated.

“Fair enough. One of the ladies wouldn’t have locked it before going out?”

The conversation continued between Doug and Phil with the rest of us listening in.

“I doubt it. The men usually leave by the back entrance because it’s where their cars are parked.”

“Okay…layout. I’ve never had occasion to go inside the building.”

Phil pulled a small notebook from the pocket of his shirt along with a pen. His hand moved deftly across the pages as he sketched a rough outline of the law office. "The back door leads directly into the kitchen," he began, detailing the layout. "There's a bathroom off to one side, and a small hallway that splits into two offices on each side before opening out into the reception."

Doug nodded, his eyes trained on the notebook. "Got it."

Phil pointed at the map. "Unley's office is here, off a hallway right behind the front reception and is where Jensen says they all are at the moment. His paralegal, Charmaine, has the office behind his with a smaller window. Fawcett's office is directly across the hall and his paralegal, Janice, has the one next to it. Unley is the senior partner so has the better office and it was agreed the ladies should have theirs on the same sides of the hall as their bosses."

Doug rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, that helps. Phil, Chester, you’re with me at the back door. If the men left it unlocked, it'll be our easiest way in. Theo, Henly, man the front and if you hear any commotion, come straight inside." Doug pierced me with his gaze. “You and Cash are to wait outside, either here or in front. You are not to enter the building. Am I clear?”

“But…” I began arguing.

“No, buts, Jensen. You and Cash are civilians and there could be serious ramifications if you are hurt or interfere with official business in any way.”

Reluctantly, I acquiesced. As much as I hated not being involved, Doug was right…I needed to leave things to the professionals.

With a plan now in place, everyone prepared to move, each person knowing their role. Cash and I followed Theo and Henley to the front door of the building and the waiting game began. Although, it was far from a game.

Chapter Fourteen

Harlyn

Finn pulled my pickup to a stop at the corner of an alleyway off Maple in Lannigan and switched off the motor.

“Why are we in Lannigan?” I asked Finn, grateful we’d made it safely.

His driving had been erratic and for the hundredth time since he’d arrived at the ranch, I questioned if he was under the influence of drugs. I’d never known him to take them but there was always a first time. Had he become an addict? Was that why he’d lost everything?

“Shut the fuck up and don’t move,” he snarled before climbing out of the vehicle.

He opened the door where I sat and pulled his jacket aside, revealing the gun tucked into his waistband.

“One wrong move and you’re dead,” he threatened.

I stepped from the pickup, almost collapsing to the ground when my injured ankle gave way. Finn grasped my upper arm and pulled me upright, the action causing a loud pop in my shoulder and I shouted out in pain. Finn hurried me into the alley and slapped me across the face, causing me to reel back.

“Shout like that again and I’ll put a bullet in you. Are we clear?”

I nodded. Tears streamed down my face and I held my arm to take pressure from the shoulder I suspected was dislocated.

Finn slapped my face again. “Are we clear?”

---