Page 21 of Nick

“How did you get him out of your house?”

“I had my gun on my nightstand. I grabbed it and pushed it into his temple. He got up and ran out of the house. The police didn’t do anything. They told me to try and get along with my neighbor. Then when he snuck into my house and cut my throat, they held him for three months.

“Then, when he ran his truck on top of my car in town, they charged him for reckless driving. I couldn’t get out when he boarded up all my windows and doors. He kept me chained to my bed. He told me he was going to fuck me so many times I would be begging him for more and would no longer want a woman. He’s a piece of shit.

“I had been locked up for a whole month when my father called the police and asked them to check on me. That was a red flag for them because of everything else my neighbor had done. When they came out to my house, he was gone. I screamed when I heard them, and they tore the board off of my bedroom window.

“I was scared to death, begging them to hurry before he returned. They took me to the hospital, and I called the news and the newspaper, I knew the police wouldn’t do anything. This guy was related to the man who discovered the town. I told the world my story about the police, and the courts in my town didn’t do anything to help me. I was raped so many times. I told them everything.

“The police never once asked about how I was doing. After the news ran my story, the police changed their minds and put out a warrant for the man’s arrest. They were finally going to do something. My neighbor was on the run. Six months passed, and I became more relaxed about watching out for him. That’s when he shot me. I made it into my house while he continued to shoot his gun at me. I was in the hospital for two weeks.”

“And the police still haven’t found any information about where he could be?”

“No, their idea was to lock me in jail until they caught him. I stayed in there until you guys got here. I’m glad my dad found out about you guys. I feel like, finally, I can live peacefully at home. Now we will find that bastard and kill him.”

“Where do you think he is?”

“I think he’s waiting for me to go home. That’s what I would do. I’m going to set a trap for him. I planned the entire thing while I sat in jail.”

“We’ll ensure he isn’t around to try and kill you again. With the luck you’ve been having with this police department, you need to let us take care of your neighbor. What’s his name?”

“Jim Bane.”

“Okay, we are going to your place. What about your dad?”

“He went home this morning.”

“Tell me where you live,” Owen said.

“I live ten miles out of town. Turn left up here. It’ll take you to the road out of town. I’ll tell you where to turn.”

We continued to discuss what we would do once we arrived at her ranch. We would hide out and let Nancy show herself only a few times. We would also keep an eye on the property next door. By the time we got to Nancy’s ranch, we had it all planned out. But sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned.

We pulled into Nancy’s ranch; her dad’s truck was still there. “He’s not supposed to be here. I talked to him yesterday. He was leaving.”

“Get down.”

“Do you think he hurt my dad?”

“I don’t know.” I looked around. There were horses out behind the house. The barn was between the house and the neighbor’s. “If he’s here, then he’s in the barn,” I said. “I bet your dad is also in there. I don’t think he would have killed him. He will want to have you trade places with him.”

“What are we going to do?” Nancy asked. “I want to get my father away from him. He’s crazy. He enjoys inflicting pain on people. At least he enjoyed inflicting pain on me.”

She was a nervous wreck; I could tell by the way she kept rubbing her hands on her face. “Nancy, you have to stay here and let me leave the vehicle first. I’m going to walk into the barn and see what I can see. But you need to listen to the guys when they tell you what to do. What is your dad’s name?”

“His name is Doyle. I hope he hasn’t killed my dad.”

I opened my door and stepped out. I knew I was a sitting duck, but I took a deep breath.

I took out my gun and walked close to the barn door. I walked inside and saw a man lying on the floor in a pool of blood. I didn’t know if he was dead. His skin wasn’t blue. I thought he might be knocked out. I bent down and felt for a pulse.There it is.Satisfied, I continued to walk around. I didn’t see Jim Bane anywhere. Then I saw dust fall from above. I knew where he was. Now all I needed to do was get him to show himself.

I walked out and pointed up, but I said, “He’s not here. Call an ambulance.”

“Daddy,” I heard as Nancy ran toward me.Fuck!I blocked her as Kash pulled her back. It was too late. I threw myself in front of her, and I fired my gun. The bullet got me in the arm. My shot landed between his eyes. I wasn’t even aiming, but he was dead. This case was over. Nancy ran past me, Kash followed her, and Owen walked up to me.

“Let me check your arm. That was some pretty fancy shooting.”

“Yeah, and I wasn’t even aiming.” I took my shirt off so Owen could check it out for me.

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