Page 44 of Nicole's Shelter

“The stupid triplets up there are stable. Mostly. Do you trust me to take care of them?”

“If you’re willing to stand in that spotlight.” It was putting Bart in a tenuous position having him lie about how he found the bikers and car.

“We’ve done worse.”

True enough. “On more than on occasion.”

“I’ve got a tow truck on the way.” Bart held out his 9mm Beretta. “Trade.”

“What’s your plan?”

“Eva’s probably got me in Ross’s god-forsaken Cypress Security system already. I’ll step into your role here and stay with the triplets until the law arrives. You take my truck wherever you need to go.”

“Her enemies won’t give up so easy.”

Bart snorted. “I figured that one out already.”

Nicole groaned and her eyelids fluttered, but didn’t open.

“You’ve gotta disappear. You’ll have to move her and hope for the best.”

Rick agreed. “There has to be something around here to brace her neck. Just in case.”

Bart pulled a shoe off Nicole’s foot and handed it to Rick. “Hey, it’s better than nothing.”

Rick pulled a t-shirt out of his backpack and ripped it into strips to secure the impromptu neck brace. Far from ideal, it was the best they could do for now.

“There’s a country doc down near Richmond who treats a bunch of the truckers without insurance. He’s the quiet type.” Bart put the information into Rick’s phone.

“Is there a code phrase?”

Bart chuckled. “Trust me, he’ll know you’re from my inner circle.”

When they got Nicole back up to the road and settled into the truck, Rick was amazed by the lack of traffic. He was sure they’d be fending off at least a couple curiosity seekers by now.

“Guess they picked the right road to jump me,” he grumbled.

“Not a bad choice, all in all. Too bad they didn’t know who they were up against.”

Rick gave a mock salute. “Thanks for saving my ass. Again.”

“Don’t think I want to make it a habit.” He tossed over the truck keys and pulled a small duffel bag out of the truck bed.

“If you get anything useful out of these three or whoever comes to claim them, let Eva know.”

“Will do,” Bart said with a nod. “Take care with her.” He thumped the tailgate twice as Rick pulled away.

Chapter 9

Clifton felt the disposable cell phone vibrate in his suit pocket. Only one person had this number. He stifled an anticipatory smile and instead of checking it immediately as he wanted to, he finished his walk-through of the fire at the gang house and gave notes to the agent at his side for the report.

Good work, if he said so himself.

“Why would she come after this house?”

“Must have a grudge.”

“None of her friends or coworkers gave us any indication the woman had gang affiliations.”

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