Page 108 of Countdown

Ignoring it, she stood and stretched, noting a difference in her heart this evening. She paused to take stock and finally realized what it was.

She was free.

No more looking over her shoulder, no more running, no more not talking to her parents.

She grabbed her phone and dialed her mother’s number.

Halfway through the ring, her mom’s beloved greeting caressed her ear. Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Hi, Mom.”

????

Simon was asleep in the recliner when they came. The pounding on the door startled him enough that pain shot through his chest. He pressed a hand to it and, when nothing else happened, rose to his feet. He had a bad feeling about what was about to go down but decided to let it play out. He’d know what to do shortly.

“FBI! Simon Baldridge, open the door and keep your hands in sight at all times.”

Christopher joined him in the foyer, eyes wide, face pale. “You know what this is about?”

Simon sighed. “Probably something Keith did.” He opened the door, holding his hands to shoulder height. Christopher did the same. “Can I help you?”

A man dressed in SWAT gear kept his weapon ready while two plainclothes detectives stepped inside. “Are you Simon Baldridge?”

“I am.”

“I’m Detective Frank Garrison and this is my partner Detective Deb Jackson.” He handed Simon a folded document. “We have a search warrant.”

“For what?”

“That’s detailed in there for you to read at your leisure. I need you to head into your den area and have a seat while we conduct the search.”

It was futile to protest, so Simon did as instructed and Christopher followed. The female detective followed them, glanced at her screen, then looked at Christopher. “Are you Leslie Baldridge’s husband?”

Christopher raised a brow and exchanged a glance with Simon. “Yes. Why?”

The woman’s face softened. “I’m sorry to inform you that your wife was shot earlier today. She was transported to a medical facility near Copper Mountain where the shooting occurred, then choppered to Denver so she could get more specialized care. They say she’s stable at the moment and should pull through.”

Simon gripped his shocked and silent son’s arm. Finally Christopher sputtered and shook his head. “I’m sorry, are you sure you have the right woman?”

The detective turned the screen around so both of them could see it.

Simon gasped and Christopher sucked in a harsh breath. “But ... how? Why? What was she even doing...” He bit off his words.

“I hate to be the one to inform you of this,” Detective Jackson said, “but she was involved in criminal activities. She was about to shoot a kidnap victim, and that led to your wife being shot by a US Marshal on the scene.”

Christopher’s jaw dropped and Simon had no idea what to think or say.

Detective Garrison appeared. “Sir, does Keith Baldridge have a room here?”

Simon scratched his head, trying to shift his thoughts from his daughter-in-law to his son. “Um, yes. Up the stairs and turn right. His room is at the end of the hall. But he doesn’t live here. Just ... stays here. Occasionally.”

“We’ve already searched his place. The search warrant covers Leslie Baldridge’s belongings and Keith Baldridge’s at all residences,” Detective Jackson said as her partner headed for the stairs.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Simon did his best to keep the words cordial and not sound like a demand, but he was fast losing patience.

“Yes sir, we’re also very sorry to inform you that your son attempted to kidnap a young boy but was interrupted by a woman. He took the woman instead to a remote location on Copper Mountain. She was rescued and is now safe, but reports that Leslie Baldridge shot Keith and then attempted to shoot her.”

Simon wilted back onto the sofa cushion, all fight gone from him. “Is Keith dead?”

“I’m also very sorry to say that it’s reported he died on the scene. A private investigator—at least that’s what he calls himself—by the name of Isaac Martinson was also involved. He’s given a formal statement that Mrs. Baldridge hired him to kill a woman by the name of Raina Price. This is the woman who was kidnapped by your son Keith.”

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