Page 80 of Silent Deception
Clint had been shot. Ryan obviously could see the intruder’s face and could identify him. She didn’t have to guess at Ryan’s chances.
“It’s over,” Ryan said, his voice low and soothing. “I know it was just an accident, right? You heard a noise. Thought there was an intruder. Self-defense, really... I’m sure the sheriff will see that’s all this was. An instinctive reaction. So just put the gun down and take a deep breath. I’ll explain it to him...”
Ryan’s voice followed her as she eased back out of sight and speed-dialed 911. Urgently she whispered a few words into the receiver, then scanned her surroundings frantically.
The barn was perfectly neat as always, nothing out of place.
Her terrified gaze settled on the little utility alcove by her shoulder...but it held only a broom, a flat grain shovel, and a plastic pan of dog kibble.
Her heart battering against her ribs, she grabbed the pan and the shovel.
Said another silent prayer.
Then she threw the pan far down the aisle, sending kibbles bouncing on the cement like buckshot. She flattened herself into the alcove...praying Ryan could move fast.
In the office, someone cursed.
Footsteps shuffled toward the door. She could see the edge of the unknown man’s back and shoulder. She held her breath.Please...please...please...
The man took a half-step farther. The aim of his gun wavered as he snapped his gaze down the aisle.
She lunged forward with the edge of the shovel and hit the back of his knees with every ounce of her strength.
He screamed, falling forward. His gun spun away across the cement.
And at that instant, Ryan burst out of the office and went down on top of him, twisting one of the man’s arms high behind his back. “I’ll take care of this, Kristin. Please—my father’s bleeding. Help him!’
A half-hour later, amidst the melee of ambulances and patrol cars, Kristin caught a glimpse of the intruder—his head still covered, but his hands now cuffed behind his back.
Despite the hood, she could still see the glitter of loathing in his eyes as he glared at her.
Then his hood slipped back and exposed his features...and suddenly it all made sense.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
“We cannot thank youenough,” Charlotte said, pressing her fingers to her throat. “You took a terrible risk, but without you...I can’t bear imagining what could have happened.”
