Chapter 39
The adjuster shook his head. “I’m sorry, Ty.
The fire inspector listed this as arson.
I don’t know when the company will cut you a check.
They’ll request their own investigation, confirming you weren’t involved,” he said, tearing a sheet of paper from his notebook.
“I’ve listed the wiring damage, the roof will have to go, and the replacement of the supplies, equipment, and smoke damage. They’ll consider this a complete loss.”
Ty ran his hand through his hair and held on to the back of his neck, taking deep breaths.
With his outflow of expenses, the idea of waiting months for a check put him in a bind.
He wanted to purchase the other parcel of land and avoid having his employees search for new jobs.
His team worked in sync, and he didn’t deal with much drama.
Kassie and Scarlett’s proposal seemed like his only option, unless he chose to wait a year to reopen, which meant missing out on purchasing the land.
Leo pulled into the parking space in front of the rubble. Ty waved him in while taking the paper from the adjuster. “Thanks, Tom. Keep me posted.”
Leo waited until the man got into his car and handed him a cup of coffee.
“Bryanna sent Saint with donuts and hot beverages to relieve the team. How bad did it go? Saint told me their insurance company won’t pay out right away because it’s an arson claim.
Since they haven’t caught the suspect, they’re investigating. ”
“Yeah, I got the same spiel. I can’t afford to wait months for a payout. Covering the cost of the building supplies will eat into my savings, which I’ve set aside for the adjacent land. I hate to let my employees go, but I can’t afford to keep paying them.”
“Bryanna feels the same way. Saint used his bonus to buy her the van for deliveries. They have a new baby, and Bryanna’s income no longer exists to keep her employees,” Leo said, shaking his head and kicking a rogue brick with his toe.
“Did you take the night shift?” Ty asked, scanning the small town’s main street.
“I went in at 0200. Michael’s determined to catch the bastard because of Debbie.
He’s volunteering for shifts, in addition to his practice.
I know he wants to catch this guy, but we have to go by the books.
I’m giving him enough to make him feel like he’s contributing, but I understand how he feels,” Leo frowned, picking up a half-burnt menu.
“It’ll suck if you close down. Everyone enjoys your food. ”
“I hate it, too,” Ty said quietly, viewing the remains of his once-favored restaurant.
“At least we know Jeremy didn’t cause any trouble last night.
He sat on his front porch all evening. Ben returned, and the old man stayed on his ass the moment he pulled into the driveway,” Leo said, frowning.
“We searched the hospital last night. They didn’t find any weapons, but we confiscated alcohol from a few teens and a knife.
Kassie called them all to the cafeteria this morning to give them a lecture on alcohol mixing with medications, and how she’ll boot their asses right out if she discovers it again. ”
“I wonder how they took it,” Ty said, imagining Kassie with her hands on her hips and a motherly scowl.
“I don’t know. Considering she called Ivan and Victoria to borrow a few of their men and requested their presence at the meeting, she means business.
A little scare tactic mixed with a threat most likely got her point across.
A few veterans had some things confiscated, too.
I’m hoping to make it back in time to watch the show,” Leo said, grinning.
Ty joined him, imagining Kassie on a war path, staring down people twice her size.
A car sped down the street, its tires squealing as it made the turn and came to a stop in front of the former restaurant. Recognizing the car, Ty dropped the cup and ran as Maria rushed around the car.
“Help, help, Ty. It’s Scarlett and your mom. A man broke into the house. They’re in trouble,” she cried.
“Get in my truck,” Leo shouted, taking off running.
Ty climbed inside as Leo floored the gas pedal, heading toward his house. With his mic still in his ear from the night shift, Leo shouted orders to his men, sending them scrambling.
“When did Jeremy leave?” Leo shouted.
“His truck’s in the driveway,” Shadow reported. “I’m heading to the house.”
Leo listened as Shadow pounded on the door. “Leo. It’s not Jeremy. He’s lying in the living room dead.”
Leo glanced at Ty, repeating Shadow’s announcement. They sped closer to the house with Taco, Knight’s, and Ragu’s trucks racing up behind them.
Ty’s body buzzed, and his heart pounded in his chest. Cold sweat covered his neck as they rounded his driveway.
They veered off into the field where Ty harvested hay and corn to reach the back of the house.
“Stay close to me,” Leo commanded as they jumped from the truck. Weapons emerged from the cabs as the men split into pairs. Ty followed Leo as they breached his house.
Calling the all clear, Shadow motioned for Ty to enter the kitchen. Blood spotted the floor along with the rope. A heavy knife lay on the kitchen table, sending Ty’s head spinning.
Taco spoke into his mic. “The barn has a damaged door and it’s open. Clearing.”
Leo signaled for the others, and they rushed toward the barn, spreading out.
“Call a bus,” Taco called. “Rocker’s injured. Hang on, man. We got you,” he encouraged.
Patch dropped his pack on the floor, kneeling over Scarlett’s friend. Rocker’s eyes drifted to Ty. His hand pointed to the stall before Patch ordered, “Help me turn him, slowly. I have to find the wound.”
Leo called for the hospital’s helo, requesting assistance and giving their location.
Ty ran to the stall, seeing the blood splattered on the wall. “Hank’s missing. Scarlett has only ordered him to the lake.”
“Taco, Shadow. Go down the back roads and come back toward the front. Saint, Knight, take the east and west side, check in,” Leo said, running towards his truck with Ty at his heels.
Leo drove like a madman down the dirt road. As they neared, they spotted Jeremy’s feed truck. Ty opened his door before Leo even stopped. He ran toward the other vehicle.
“Damn it, Ty, take cover,” Leo shouted as a gun fired. Ty dove to the ground, yelling Scarlett’s name. More shots sounded, and Leo ran towards the trees on his left.
Ty pushed up from the ground, seeing a body lying in the grass. Leo rolled the man over, and he saw the shocked expression on Leo’s face as he handcuffed the person.
“Scarlett,” Ty called.
“Stop,” Leo ordered. “My men haven’t cleared the woods. We don’t know if we have multiple shooters.”
Ty slowed as he got closer to Leo and the bound man. It was Ben. The kid glared at him as he approached.
“What the hell? Ben?” he said, confused.
“All clear,” Saint and Knight confirmed.
Ty scanned the woods and saw Taco running toward a flash of color. He took off in the same direction, worried for his mom and the woman he loved.
His mother lay against the tree with blood running down her arm.
Cherise sent him a relieved smile as tears ran down her face.
She motioned toward Scarlett, indicating for him to go to her.
Ice stood in front of his mistress in protective mode.
Scarlett sat on her haunches. She held out her shaking hands with her palms up.
Blood covered her side. Yet she seemed locked into a nightmare.
“Sparky,” he said, dropping to his knees. “I’m here. I got you.”
Taco called for another helo, while Saint gently examined Cherise’s wound. Knight threw his coat under her as they got her situated.
Within minutes, Patch appeared on Ty’s four-wheeler. He rushed to check the older woman, leaving Ty with Scarlett.
“It’s all right, sweetheart,” Ty murmured.
Scarlett stared blankly. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I shot him,” she whispered. “He hurt Rocker. He’s in the barn. Your mom has a shoulder wound.”
Ty moved to pull her into his arms. “Don’t touch me,” she ordered. “I have blood on my hands. I killed him.”
“No. He’s very much alive. It’s not Jeremy. It’s Ben,” he informed her.
“Ben? Why?” Scarlett asked, confused. “I shot a kid.”
Shrugging out of his coat, Ty wrapped it around Scarlett and wiped off Scarlett’s hands on his shirt. He lifted her sweater to see the blood trickling from her side.
“You did good, Sparky,” Ty said calmly. “You protected yourself and my mom. Ben’s as old as the young men who join our military. It doesn’t matter about his age. He killed Debbie and attempted to harm you and my mom.”
Scarlett’s face crumbled, and Ty noticed her increased breathing. Blood be damned, he wrapped his arms around her and held pressure to her wound.
“She’s shot,” Ty told Leo.
The sound of sirens echoed around Ty’s peaceful ranch. A helicopter sounded overhead as it landed in the field. Chaos surrounded them, yet Ty focused on Scarlett.
He glanced up, knowing his friends would care for his mom. “Mom, I’m right here,” he called, letting her know he planned to stay with Scarlett. He brushed back the hair from her face, cupping her cheek.
“I see you, son. Scarlett’s the blind one. But you’d better watch yourself, she’s fierce. I’m proud of her. Sparky, kept her courage under fire.”
Ty nodded, his eyes growing blurry as he glanced at the woman he loved more than anything. Patch rushed toward them after ordering Cherise to the helo. “Let’s get Scarlett loaded with your mom.”
Two men appeared with a board as Patch assisted Scarlett. Ty glanced at the culprit who hurt his family. Another doctor knelt near Ben, administering aid.
“What about Ben?” he asked, not caring what happened to him, but wanting to know his reasoning for his actions.
“He’s hit in the arm and leg. Ben can handle the ride in an ambulance,” Patch informed him. “Rocker’s already in flight. Get in, and we can take off.”
Ty sat between his two favorite women. He grasped Cherise’s hand as Patch worked on Scarlett while Ty watched anxiously. In minutes, they landed on the hospital roof. Three teams rushed their patients away, leaving Ty conflicted. Cherise squeezed his hand.
“Go with her, son. She’s your future,” she encouraged him. “You can’t go with me to surgery, and I have friends here. Scarlett needs you. Stay with her until they take her back.”
“I love you, Mom,” he said, kissing her cheek and running after the team caring for Scarlett.
Scarlett seemed overwhelmed as people rushed around her. A nurse grabbed a pair of scissors and started cutting her clothes. The doctor called out orders to prep the surgical room. Kassie pushed him toward Scarlett’s head.
“She’s in shock, Ty. Keep talking to her. Claire will visit her once we’ve taken care of the wound,” Kassie said, running off to do something else.
“It’s me, Sparky. You’re safe. Don’t go back into the dark. I need you here with me. We still need to finish our book. Remember, Hannah needs you to bring her into the light,” he babbled, attempting to keep her with him. “I love you, Sparky.”
Her hand slowly raised, and he moved the IV to keep her from pulling it out. She clung to him as if he acted as her anchor. “I love you, too.”
“We’re taking her back,” Kassie said gently. “We’ll take good care of her,” she reassured him. They started rolling the bed, and he refused to leave her until the last possible moment, letting the doors to the operating room separate them.