Shots rang out. Megan ducked behind the wet bar. It took her two heartbeats to realize they’d come from the garage.
“I need backup now,” Luke said as he peeked over the counter. The roar of a truck’s engine came from outside. “Suspects are escaping in a vehicle. A black truck. Names are Dan Carter and Kyle Franklin. They are armed and dangerous.”
He paused as the vehicle passed outside the living room windows. “Correction. Only one suspect is in the vehicle. Chief Deputy Dan Carter.”
Tires peeled, and Megan lifted her head high enough to see the truck speed down the driveway as Dan escaped.
The hospital emergency room was a hum of activity. Luke leaned against the wall, weariness seeping into his bones. He’d washed Kyle’s blood off his hands, but it still stained his shirt and sports jacket. Dan had shot the younger man twice and left him for dead in the garage before fleeing.
Kyle was in surgery and his family was staked out in the waiting room. Sheriff Franklin’s face was drawn and pale. He looked as if he’d aged a decade in only a few hours. Brent, dressed in his deputy uniform, paced the length of glass overlooking the parking lot. Cindy couldn’t stop crying. Her nose was red and her eyes swollen.
Megan walked into the waiting room carrying two cups from the vending machine. Her hair was tangled, her shirt also stained with Kyle’s blood, and a dark smudge of mascara marred one cheek. She handed one of the cups to Cindy, before taking a seat next to the other woman and fishing some fresh tissues out of her purse. Luke couldn’t hear her words, but he knew they were ones of comfort.
“Every cop in the state is looking for Dan,” Weston said, drawing Luke’s attention back to their conversation. “I’m sorry. We should’ve gotten there faster.”
He snorted. “How? By teleportation. You were there within fifteen minutes of receiving the tip.”
An individual had called the Medina County Sheriff’s office and anonymously reported that Kyle was selling drugs taken from the evidence room. Weston had immediately tried to contact Luke to warn him and, not being able to find him, sent backup to Kyle’s house. Unfortunately, Dan eluded the incoming troopers.
“Any idea where the tip came from?” Luke asked.
“We’re trying to trace it now, but it came from a prepaid phone.”
“Huh. The mysterious woman who called Megan also used a prepaid phone.”
“Yeah, but our tip came from a man.” Weston pulled out his cell phone and selected an audio file. He hit play, and the conversation between the dispatcher and the mysterious caller played out. When it finished, he asked, “Recognize the voice?”
“Something about the cadence is familiar, but he’s using something to distort his voice, so I can’t quite place it.” Luke waved Brent and Sheriff Franklin over. “Play it again. Maybe they’ll recognize it.”
Weston did. Both men shook their heads.
Sheriff Franklin squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “This is a nightmare. Luke, I’m so sorry. I should’ve taken your concerns about Dan more seriously.” He dropped his hand. “I trusted him because ten years ago, Dan saved my life while I was on vacation. His bravery earned my loyalty, and I never questioned it.”
“I can see why.” Luke turned to Brent. “I guess you knew about their history?”
Brent nodded. “I wanted to tell you, but it wasn’t my place. It was the sheriff’s story to share when and if he wanted.”
Some of the pressure on Luke’s shoulders lifted. He hadn’t been able to understand why Brent and the sheriff were so protective of the chief deputy, but things were snapping into place.
“Dan took advantage of your loyalty,” he said. “Neither of you have anything to feel bad about.”
A doctor strolled into the emergency room. He wore scrubs and carried a face mask in his hand. “Franklin family?”
Cindy jumped from the chair. Brent and Sheriff Franklin flanked her. “Kyle’s my brother.”
Megan came next to Luke. He reached for her hand, sliding her fingers in between his.
“The surgery went well and your brother is resting now,” the doctor said. “He was very lucky. Whoever provided first aid on the scene before the paramedics arrived likely saved his life. If he’d been left alone for another few minutes, I don’t think we would’ve been able to save him.”
Cindy burst into fresh tears and turned. She wrapped her arms around Luke first and then Megan.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you. I know he’s done horrible things, but he’s…”
“He’s your brother.” Megan squeezed the other woman’s arm. “And you love him.”
The other members of the family shook their hands before they all moved away. Weston started to follow but paused. “Oh, hey, Luke. Before I forget, your dad stopped by the sheriff’s department looking for you.”
He rocked back on his heels. “He did? Did he say what he wanted?”
“Yeah. To make sure you were okay.” Weston pointed to the television bolted to the ceiling. “You probably haven’t been watching, but your face was all over the local news. He looked terrified. I didn’t give him any information, but I did say you were unharmed. I hope that was okay.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Weston nodded. “Sure thing.”
His colleague walked away, unaware of the impact his news had on Luke. His dad had gone to the sheriff’s department to check on him? He wasn’t sure what to do with that information. He’d broken his leg when he was six, had stitches at ten, and been hospitalized at thirteen after a car accident. His mother had called Patrick each time to let him know, but his father had never shown up to check on him. Not once.
Until today.
Lord, have I stubbornly refused to listen to You? Have You touched my dad’s heart and changed him?
“Maybe you should call him.” Megan squeezed his hand. “And if you need someone to hold your hand while you do…well, it seems I have dibs.”
He tugged her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist.
