Page 32 of Unexpected Danger
“Brenneman, I'm glad I caught you before you went home. Do you have a minute?” Chief Neeley stood in the doorway.
“I do. What's up?”
“I thought you might want to know that Grayson applied for the open detective position.”
“I was wondering if he would follow through with that.”
“Well, he did. We received his resume this morning. Seems he may have plans to move back to Pronghorn Falls.”
Brodie scrubbed his chin with his hand. “Can't say I'm completely surprised since Mom had me relay the information to him.”
“Not my business at all, but kind of interesting that he's choosing to move back, don't you think?”
Brodie stared into the distance, not really seeing what was there. He'd thought about this several times after Mom mentioned Grayson expressed interest in the detective position. Part of Brodie, admittedly a large part, had hoped Grayson wouldn't apply.
A stab right in the center of his gut reminded Brodie that such thoughts weren't exactly Christlike, especially toward his own brother. The niggle of his conscience persisted as the Holy Spirit’s conviction pressed. “Yeah, it will be interesting to hear how he's been doing.”
“I can imagine.”
Chief Neeley knew Grayson had left abruptly after Dad was killed, but that was the extent of it. Rumors had likely abounded. “Have you had many other applicants?”
“We've had four. Of those four, two were immediately weeded out.”
“Is Grayson a contender?”
“He is. Grayson is on the young side, but he’ll take the national testing next, although with his experience as a patrolman in Denver, I’m sure he’ll pass. He will, of course, then take the physical fitness test.”
Which Grayson would easily pass if he were still regularly working out like he had when he lived in Pronghorn Falls. The guy loved just about every sport, especially biking and indoor cycling.
“And we'll do the background check,” Chief continued. “We'll have him meet before the board for an oral interview.”
Chief Neeley was on that board as well as the lieutenant. Brodie studied his friend and fellow LEO. “He has a good chance of cinching the job, then?”
“I think so. He's got the creds, but there are some hoops for him to jump through, and the other candidate is no slouch.”
“What time frame are we looking at?”
“Probably within the next couple of months.”
A mixture of emotions settled in Brodie's chest. On one hand, it would make Mom happy to have all of her boys back in Pronghorn Falls. On the other hand, Brodie, and likely Roarke as well, would be calling upon the Lord multiple times because forgiving their brother might not be an easy task. Even if that was the right thing to do. “Thank you for telling me.”
“You're welcome. Just figured you might want to know.”
As Brodie left later that evening, thoughts about Grayson lingered in his mind. Two very important people in his life had left of their own accord, with barely a goodbye. Would Londynreturn to Pronghorn Falls at some point as well? Or was it safe to assume she was out of his life forever?
Londyn tucked her gun in the concealed holster and pulled her suitcase from beneath her bed. Unfortunately, she’d accumulated a few items since moving to Rowland, necessitating a small pull-along cargo trailer. Her Rowland apartment was fully furnished, so there were no large appliances to haul except a microwave.
Also, fortunately, Brodie had taught her how to pull a horse trailer the year she won a purple grand prize ribbon for the cow she entered in the fair. Pulling a cargo trailer would be simple.
The man at the rental shop hooked it up to her SUV, and now, Lord willing, Londyn could load it and be ready to leave in two hours. While it would have been advantageous to have Jasmine’s help, her friend hadn’t offered.
She hadn’t heard from Dustin either, despite the fact she’d texted him and told him she was quitting. She’d thanked him again for being a good friend.
Londyn had started typing in Pronghorn Falls in Dustin’s text, telling him of her destination. But she stopped just short of sending it. Instead, she hit the delete button. With the way Dustin felt about her, it was best he not know where she was moving.
Freedom beckoned her. In a meager amount of time, she would be free of her stalker.
There had been no more texts or phone calls today, much to her relief. Londyn peered out the window. No one was outside except the elderly woman who always walked her dog about this time, and two moms with their strollers, gabbing in front of the apartment building across the street.
