Chapter Thirteen #2
We had to stay vigilant and watch for any hint that Harlyn was near. My love for the lady fueled every step, driving me forward even as the weight of dread hung heavy in the air.
The pandemonium of the surrounding city seemed to reflect my inner turmoil as I fought to remain calm and keep a clear head.
If we were to find Harlyn, I knew it would take every ounce of our powers of observation and determination.
Cash grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back from a window of the law office of Unley and Fawcett that we’d begun to pass. We crouched side by side in the alley and I waited for Cash to tell me why we were acting in such a way.
Cash held a finger of one hand to his lips and pointed to the window with a finger of his other hand. He whispered, “Unley is sitting behind his desk and there’s a man holding a gun on him. Harlyn and Fawcett are off to the side.”
Why would a man be holding a gun on Unley? And how the fuck was Harlyn involved?
I resisted Cash’s hold on my arm, rose slowly and peered through the corner of the window.
I saw exactly what he’d described and a breath of relief escaped on seeing Harlyn in one piece.
Unley was talking and the man with the gun wasn’t happy with whatever he was saying.
I studied the gunman, recognizing him from the description Harlyn had given me of her ex—Finn.
I dropped back down out of sight and staying low, we waddled a short distance away before standing. I pointed back toward the window.
“That’s Harlyn’s ex—Finn, holding the gun. He looks deranged. We need to disarm him somehow.”
“Gordon said to call him and not to do anything,” Cash argued.
I shook my head. “No time. We need to stop Finn before he gets whatever it is he wants and starts shooting people.”
“At least call, Doug Blast, and get him here.”
Doug Blast was the sheriff of Lannigan and letting him know made sense.
Moving further away, I called the emergency call center number and asked to be put through to Doug.
I quickly explained the situation and was ordered to stay put.
Knowing it would be foolish to rush the office, I called Gordon to update him and advise him that I’d been in touch with Doug.
He instructed me again to stay put and call him when Finn was in custody.
Against my instincts that were screaming at me to act, I remained where I was and minutes later, the sheriff arrived in the alley with four of his men. Doug shook hands with Cash and I and we quickly filled him, and the four deputies, in on what had happened at the ranch.
“You said on the phone there is someone inside with a gun. Do you know his identity?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s Harlyn’s…Harlyn Johnson, the owner of Hazy Downs Ranch…
ex-partner—Finn Daines. They had a pretty nasty split and I think he might be out for revenge but I have no idea how Unley and Fawcett factor into it and I haven’t sighted Janice, Charmaine, or SueEllen.
” Farrar and Charmaine were the men’s paralegals and SueEllen was their receptionist.
“I heard Hazy was now in the hands of Bill’s granddaughter.” Doug narrowed his eyes. “I have to ask this and know you probably won’t like it but…Could Miss Johnson be involved with what’s happening?”
I reined in my anger at the suggestion, understanding Doug was obliged to ask.
After all, he didn’t know Harlyn or Finn.
“Absolutely not. She has told me on several occasions that the best thing she ever did was walk away from Finn. She is one of the most principled people I know. She wouldn’t do this, Doug. ”
Doug inclined his head and studied me for a moment. “Sounds like you know her well…Are you in a relationship?”
“Yes,” I replied honestly. “Which is why I can say without doubt that she is in that office against her will.”
“Good enough for me. The question is how do we get them all out safely?”
“The men enter the building through the back door and they always leave it unlocked during the day. The girls are spending the afternoon shopping for bridesmaid dresses for SueEllen’s wedding.” Phil Gaze, one of the deputies said as stepped forward.
Doug gave Phil a quizzical glance.
“I’ve started dating Charmaine and it’s how I always go in to see her at work so gossip is avoided,” Phil explained.
“First I’ve heard of it,” Doug grumbled.
“It’s only been two weeks and I’d like to give it some time before we become the topic of conversation,” Phil stated.
“Fair enough. One of the ladies wouldn’t have locked it before going out?”
The conversation continued between Doug and Phil with the rest of us listening in.
“I doubt it. The men usually leave by the back entrance because it’s where their cars are parked.”
“Okay…layout. I’ve never had occasion to go inside the building.”
Phil pulled a small notebook from the pocket of his shirt along with a pen.
His hand moved deftly across the pages as he sketched a rough outline of the law office.
"The back door leads directly into the kitchen," he began, detailing the layout.
"There's a bathroom off to one side, and a small hallway that splits into two offices on each side before opening out into the reception. "
Doug nodded, his eyes trained on the notebook. "Got it."
Phil pointed at the map. "Unley's office is here, off a hallway right behind the front reception and is where Jensen says they all are at the moment.
His paralegal, Charmaine, has the office behind his with a smaller window.
Fawcett's office is directly across the hall and his paralegal, Janice, has the one next to it.
Unley is the senior partner so has the better office and it was agreed the ladies should have theirs on the same sides of the hall as their bosses. "
Doug rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, that helps. Phil, Chester, you’re with me at the back door.
If the men left it unlocked, it'll be our easiest way in.
Theo, Henly, man the front and if you hear any commotion, come straight inside.
" Doug pierced me with his gaze. “You and Cash are to wait outside, either here or in front. You are not to enter the building. Am I clear?”
“But…” I began arguing.
“No, buts, Jensen. You and Cash are civilians and there could be serious ramifications if you are hurt or interfere with official business in any way.”
Reluctantly, I acquiesced. As much as I hated not being involved, Doug was right…I needed to leave things to the professionals.
With a plan now in place, everyone prepared to move, each person knowing their role. Cash and I followed Theo and Henley to the front door of the building and the waiting game began. Although, it was far from a game.