Chelsey swallowed hard and put a hand over her stomach as if she felt ill. He couldn’t blame her. Hearing this made him feel lousy, too.
“It seems as if going back to the local law enforcement isn’t an option,” Duncan said slowly. “Not if there’s a leak.”
“Agree.” Slade sighed. “I’ll feel better once Colt shows up. For now, our main priority is to keep Chelsey safe.”
Duncan nodded, although he wanted to find a way to bring Anthony Nettles to justice so that Chelsey wouldn’t have to live out the rest of her life in witness protection.
Maybe Brett had gotten a photo of the argument, or audio taped the shooting. There had to be something that would put Nettles behind bars.
He released Chelsey, and then gathered their garbage together. “Getting her settled in the cabin is a good start.”
Slade rose to his feet. “I plan to head over there first, check things out. I can buy supplies, too.”
Duncan shot the marshal a glance. “How long do you plan to keep her there?”
“Hopefully not more than twenty-four to forty-eight hours,” Slade said. “I’m putting a rush on the new ID and paperwork, but these things take time.”
Just two days left to spend with her. His gut clenched with fear. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Slade. The guy’s actions so far proved he was legit. But he didn’t like the idea of Chelsey going off without him.
After disposing of their garbage, another thought occurred to him. “What about the park rangers?”
Slade lifted a brow. “What about them?”
“Can we trust they won’t go to the local law enforcement about the gunfire? And about taking us off the mountain?”
“I made sure they understood this was a federal US Marshals matter, and not one for the locals to get involved in,” Slade replied. “They didn’t argue and didn’t seem concerned about letting me handle things.”
Duncan wished he felt reassured. He didn’t.
Slade left the motel room, leaving him and Chelsey alone. She stood and reached for the door.
“Wait, where are you going?” He quickly moved beside her.
“My room.” She glanced at him. “I don’t have much to pack, but would like to take the few things I bought yesterday with me to the cabin.”
“That’s fine. I’ll walk you over.” He swept up the key card, and then eased her aside to open the door. Using his body as a shield, he took her arm and escorted her the few steps to her room.
“Thanks.” Chelsey’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. She slipped inside the room and shut the door behind her.
Duncan stood there for a moment, wishing there was something he could do or say to make her feel better.
But there wasn’t.
After he returned to his room, he used his phone to call his brother-in-law, Mike Callahan. “Hey, how are Shayla and the kids?”
“Great,” Mike replied. “Brodie is being an awesome big brother to his little sister, Breena.”
The image of his sister, Mike and their two kids made him smile. Then his smile faded as he realized he couldn’t bring them into this.
He never should have called him.
“Great, glad to hear it.” He thought fast. “Listen, I’ll be here in Wyoming for a few more days. I’ll let our sarge know, but he may need help covering my shifts.”
“Yeah, sure. Breena is sleeping like a champ these days, so shouldn’t be a problem.” Mike paused. “Something wrong?”
“No,” he hastened to reassure him. “The Grand Tetons are beautiful. I’m planning to do some hiking while I’m here and wouldn’t mind a few days to wind down.”
“Alone? Or did you meet up with some pretty cowgirl?” Mike teased. Since all six Callahans were married with kids, they had begun to make it their mission to see him settled as well.
“No cowgirl,” he said, despite how the image of Chelsey walking down the aisle in her wedding dress flashed in his mind. “Just want a few extra days, is all. Thanks Mike, take care of your family.”
“Will do. Oh, and by the way, you should be prepared to hear big news from your dad and my mom.”
Duncan winced. His dad, Ian O’Hare, was a widower just like Mike’s mom, Maggie Callahan. Their respective parents had been spending time together as friends over the past couple of years. Maybe more than friends. As much as he wanted them to be happy, Duncan didn’t really want to think too closely about them dating.
Some things were better left unimagined.
“Dunc? Are you there?”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Let me guess, they’re getting married.”
“I’m getting that vibe, yeah. Just thought you might want to be prepared.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, Mike. Listen, I have to call Sarge. See you in a few days.” He disconnected from the line before his brother-in-law could say anything more.
His friends, not just the Callahans but Hawk Jacobson and Ryker Tillman were all family men now. They had wives and children of their own. He couldn’t bring himself to drag any of them into this.
But he wasn’t about to leave Chelsey high and dry, either. He was determined to stay and help protect her.
No matter what.
Hiding in her room was childish, but she needed a few minutes to come to grips with the idea that Brett had witnessed a murder and now those responsible were coming after her.
To kill her.
Retreating to the bathroom, she gathered the few personal items she’d purchased yesterday and placed them in a paper bag provided by the motel for laundry. Just like her hotel did.
She collapsed on the edge of the bed, feeling numb at the idea of never seeing her family’s hotel again. It was only a building, but also a place full of memories.
And all she had left of her parents.
She wondered if Slade and Duncan might be able to get in to get some photographs for her. Tears pricked her eyes again and she swiped at them with annoyance. She wasn’t normally a crier, but someone who liked to get things
