Page 51 of Special Agent Isabella

She heard Leslie’s broken whisper from between hands clutching her face. “Y-es.”

Taking her gun from her holster, she raced to the window and stood hidden by the torn curtains. The folks who’d hung on for the evening vigil scattered like frantic mice from a horrific menace. Angling her body, she was able to see the taillights of a truck peeling away in the distance, fighting to stay on the road, tires squealing.

Moving quickly, smashing enough of the glass from the window frame with her gun so she could safely use that route outside, she sprinted to the road and tried to read the plates.

Fuck! They were too far away. Shit.

She holstered her gun and began questioning the people who were now dropping their signs, turning their backs, and heading for their cars. Stopping one older man, his scruffy bearded face pale in the dimness of the fading light, she questioned, “Did you see anything? A license number, make of the truck?”

“Didn’t see nuthin.” He grumbled the words, his face still ashen. “I’m go’n home.”

She moved to stop him. “You know those bastards shot into a room where women and a child could have been killed, right?”

“Yeah, I sawthat… and it makes me sick. I’m outta here. And I won’t be back.”

“Good.” Bella moved on to the next in line and got the same kind of answer. No one saw anything. Finally, she approached a couple who were still sitting on the ground where they’d sought safety. “I suppose you didn’t see anything either?” she asked with disdain.

The woman spoke before her man could shut her up. She stood and faced Bella so fast, the agent took a step back from the anger clearly seen on the enraged, overweight female’s face. “Oh, I saw plenty. Two men, one driving, the other shooting at innocent folks in their own home. The truck had a Ford emblem and no plates. I figure it was a 2010 model like the one we used to own. It was black, and the tailgate was missing.” Running out of breath, she stopped suddenly. “Sorry, that’s all I know.”

Bella smiled kindly at the feisty lady, glad to see there were still people with a conscience. “Thank you, ma’am. Can I get you to give a statement to the officer that’s here now?” Bella saw the squad car arrive and the uniform approach.

In a few minutes, she gave her own testimony about what had occurred and invited the officer in charge into the house where they would be doing an investigation.

By the time she had filled Tanner in on what had happened and organized everything to be repaired, an hour had passed. Finally, free to keep her promise, she searched out Abbie and Nan. When she arrived in the kitchen, she saw the empty plates and Collin playing a game of checkers with the little girl. She went over to whisper in the kid’s ear. “It’s calm now. The bad guys are gone, and the police are here to help.”

Before Abbie could answer, the kitchen door flew open, and Leslie awkwardly pulled her suitcase into the room. Her disheveled hair gave her the appearance of a person in a hurry. With a jam-packed carry-on slung over her shoulder, she faced them defiantly. “I need a ride. To the airport. It’s time for me to leave.”

ChapterForty

Glad that Collin agreed to take Leslie where she wanted to go, Bella took the time to organize a small overnight case for Abbie.

“Tell me again about your friend, Demi.” The small child appeared nervous having to leave her home, and Bella wanted her to be calm.

Her voice soft, she spoke in a tender tone she seldom used. “Okay… well, think of a big heart with arms and legs and that’s Demi. And she loves kids. Used to be an orphan herself, and now she takes care of youngsters with no place to go. You’ll love her, and she’ll keep you safe.”

“I’ll be with her while you go and get my mommy.”

“Yep. That’s the plan.”

“Do you know where Mommy is?” Wearing a crafty expression, Abbie watched her closely.

Stopping before she could reveal the truth, Bella grinned placatingly. “Look, kiddo, just be glad she wasn’t here earlier. Your mom would have been royally pi-furious at what went down in this house tonight. No doubt, as soon as she hears, she’ll be in touch. But for now, we have to get you away from this place and keep you safe. Then I can help Tanner catch those bad guys before they shoot up someone else’s home.”

“I guess.” Abbie seemed to shrink back from interrogating to just being a little girl again. “I wish we could phone Mommy so I could talk to her.” The little face wore a look of confusion. “I don’t know why she hasn’t called me, Bella? She always calls me when she’s away.”

“You know what? That’s true. But this time, she was pulled into a meeting with the bigwigs, right? She’s probably running around in circles like a chicken with his head caught under his wing.”

Abbie giggled just as Bella had hoped. “Chickens don’t put their heads under their wings.”

“Sure they do, when they sleep. In fact, sometimes they look so hard for food, when they twist their necks, they get it stuck. Then they just run in circles until the farmer helps them out. It’s probably exhausting.” Bella made up the last part to keep Abbie amused while they got ready to leave.

Earlier, she’d called Demi to warn her they were coming and got told that they were welcome… always. Driving the exhausted child to the center where she knew they’d be safe; she planned her next move.

Demi, clad in her normal comfy gym clothes with the bulk of her long red hair tied back, and some loose curls around her face, opened the door and guided them into her own small area. With her green eyes twinkling and smiles lighting up her small face, she teased, “Hey little one, Bella’s been bragging about you since you two met. Are you really a fairy princess?”

Abbie, tired from almost falling asleep on the drive over, giggled. “No. But I have princess hair. Like yours, only mine is yellow.” She reached over to Demi and gently touched her long curls.

Bella spoke up. “Abbie loves long hair and does the best hair grooming ever. She’s brushed mine until it shines.”

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