Chapter 5 #2
“Soon,” she repeated, then ended the call. He debated texting his brother now but then decided to wait. He’d call Chase once they were settled at the cabin. That way he could reassure his brother they were fine.
Or as fine as they could be under the circumstances. Black Hat showing up at the gas station was concerning. He couldn’t imagine how the guy had found them there.
Had the guy been cruising the streets and just happened to spot his K9 SUV?
Chase had gotten rid of the stenciling on their vehicles months ago since that had made it too easy for bad guys to recognize them.
Yet anyone who knew the Sullivans would see the crate area in the back of their vehicles and assume it belonged to them.
He needed to do better in protecting her. Starting with his original plan of keeping her off-grid.
He strode back to the booth. “Bailey, we need to ditch your phone.”
“Huh?” She stared at him in shock. “Why?”
“We can’t take the risk your phone is being tracked somehow.” He supposed the same could be said for his, but he couldn’t give his up yet. Not until Kendra and Joel arrived. They’d work on getting disposable phones later, once the stores were open. “Please. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
She dug in her purse, pulled out the phone, and handed it to him. “It’s almost out of battery. And I have no idea who to call anyway.”
He felt bad and considered having her scroll through her contact list to see if any of the names sounded familiar. Yet that might just make her more depressed about her memory loss. He powered the phone off and set it aside. They’d toss it in the garbage on their way out.
Taking a large sip of his coffee, he kept an eye on the front door. He hoped they’d gone far enough from the gas station that the gunman wouldn’t think to look for them there.
But he couldn’t afford to discount the possibility that this guy might find them through a process of elimination. The café had a back door through the kitchen. He’d get Bailey out that way if needed. Yet there was no hiding the fact that in her condition she wouldn’t get far on foot.
No, he needed wheels and fast.
Doris brought their breakfasts. Then she refilled his cup. “Anything else?”
“No thank you.” Bailey’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“I’m fine too.” When Doris left, he reached across the table for Bailey’s hand. “Let’s say grace.”
“Okay.” She didn’t look surprised as she had before. He was encouraged that she could remember they’d done this last evening.
“Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless this food. And we also ask You to keep us safe in Your care. Amen.”
“And Lord, will You please restore my memory soon? Amen,” Bailey added.
He smiled at her additional prayer. “Amen.”
She held his hand for a long second before releasing it and reaching for her fork. He dug into his meal too. He glanced under the table at Archie, who appeared content. His K9 would need breakfast but could wait for Kendra to get there.
As they ate, he tried to come up with a plan of how to get to the bottom of this mess. He wanted to know more about Clark’s ownership in the Sweet Water Pub and Grill but couldn’t be sure that was related to the gunman.
Yet what other explanation was there? Clark had died in a car crash, and Bailey had been in one too. Now someone had gone through her house and shot up a gas station, along with his SUV.
In his mind, it made sense to start with Bailey’s deceased husband and his business.
“I think we need to talk to the police.” Bailey nibbled a piece of toast. “It seems to me they should know the local residents well enough to find this guy.”
She had a point. Yet he also knew the police had ruled Clark’s death an accident. They’d already spoken on the phone with Sergeant Tom Howell. Maybe talking to the guy in person would help. “Okay, we can head there when we’re finished.”
“I feel bad dragging you into danger.” Her voice was soft. “But I also don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Hey, I’m glad to be here. I would never want you to face this alone.” He held her gaze. “I know you don’t remember me, but I have always cared about you, Bailey. So please don’t worry about a thing.”
Her smile was a tad pathetic. “That’s sweet of you, Trevor.”
He hid a wince. It was something she would say to someone she cared about like a brother, which was fine. He wasn’t looking for anything more.
Yet deep down, he knew he needed to guard his heart. It would be far too easy to fall for Bailey. Once her memory returned, she’d probably remember how much she loved her husband, Clark.
And how she was grieving over losing him.
Yeah, he needed to keep a friendly vibe between them.
His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. Seeing Kendra’s name on the screen, he quickly answered. “Where are you?”
“Still twenty minutes out and Joel is probably another five minutes behind me. I wanted to be sure you were still at the Sunny Side Up Café.”
“We are.” He scanned the street outside.
It was still too early to be bustling with people, and he couldn’t deny feeling nervous about how exposed they were.
Should they stay there? Or go somewhere else?
Eyeing Bailey, he decided not to head anywhere else unless they had no choice.
“If we have to go on the move, I’ll let you know. ”
“Sounds good. I have not heard back from the rental company yet on the cabin. Hopefully, the place is still available.”
“If that doesn’t work, we’ll figure something out.” He’d wanted to stay near Cody, if only to access the records related to the Sweet Water Pub and Grill, but he’d take Bailey to Greybull and beyond if necessary.
All that mattered was keeping her safe.
“I can find other rentals too. Let’s give them some time. See you soon.” Kendra ended the call.
“Your sister is on her way?” Bailey asked.
“Yes. I probably should have mentioned that you and my sister Kendra are the same age.”
“Oh, so she knows me, but I won’t remember her.” Bailey’s face fell.
He wished there was a way to make this easier for her. But short of miraculously filling her mind with the missing memories, he was stuck. An older couple entered the café. He didn’t know them, but he didn’t perceive them to be a threat.
Doris returned to refill his cup. She smiled at seeing their empty plates. “I hope everything tasted okay.”
“It was great. Bring the bill when you have time.” He glanced at Bailey, then added, “We’re waiting for my sister.”
“That’s fine, we’re not too busy.” Doris stacked their plates and took them away.
When his phone rang again, he quickly answered. It wasn’t one of his sibs, it was Sergeant Howell. “Hey, Tom.”
“Where are you?” Tom sounded annoyed. “You shouldn’t have left the gas station.”
Trevor decided there was no point in arguing. “I know you need our statements. We’ll swing by the Cody police station as soon as I have a replacement set of wheels.”
“Where are you?” Howell repeated. “I’ll come to you if I have to.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.” Trevor kept his tone even. “I said we’ll come to you when we have a car.”
“Listen, Trevor, this is serious stuff. That gas station is a mess, and the poor kid running the place had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for shock. I need to know what is going on.”
“How about you start with digging into Clark’s death?” When he mentioned Bailey’s dead husband, her gaze snapped to his. “You and I both know the two incidents are related.”
“Two incidents? More like five!” Howell’s voice rose in agitation. “Have you talked to Griff yet?”
“No, but I plan to do that soon.” He was getting the sense the local police were feeling overwhelmed. “You want FBI assistance on this?”
“I want this gunman caught and arrested.” Howell sighed. “Okay, I get it. You don’t want anyone to know where you are. Just get your butts into the station as soon as possible. And yeah, maybe you should call Griff. We need all the help we can get.”
“I will. See you soon.” He ended the call.
“They want the FBI to take over the investigation?” Bailey’s eyes widened. “Why does that worry me?”
“Because it’s a small-town police department, and you know as well as I do their resources are limited.” He reached across the table to take her hand. “My brother-in-law Griff will help. My other brother-in-law Doug Bridges will pitch in, too, if needed. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“I’m scared.” Bailey’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “I’m afraid this guy will kill me and my baby.”
“I won’t let that happen.” He caught sight of a pair of headlights coming down the street.
When they slowed and turned into the parking lot, he sprang to his feet, which made Archie scramble out from beneath the table.
Then he relaxed when he recognized an SUV, not a large pickup truck.
He bent to give Archie a reassuring pat.
“We’re fine, boy. I think that’s Kendra. She made good time.”
His sister emerged from the SUV. The back hatch opened, and her K9, Smoky, jumped out. The dog looked like a giant ball of white and brown fluff, but she was an excellent tracker like the rest of their K9s. His sister strode inside and crossed to their table.
“Bailey, it’s nice to see you again.” Kendra slid into the seat beside her.
“Kendra, Bailey is having some trouble remembering her past after her car crash,” he quickly said.
“Oh, you poor thing!” Kendra slipped her arm around Bailey’s shoulders in a quick hug. “That’s okay. It’s not a problem. This is my K9, Smoky.” Her K9 stood at Kendra’s side. “Friend, Smoky. Bailey is a friend.”
Smoky sniffed Bailey, her curly tail wagging. Bailey stroked the dog’s soft fur. “Seems like I should remember such a pretty dog.”
“Ah, well, you’ll remember soon enough.” Kendra shot him a concerned glance. “Joel will be here soon. Do you want to stay here, or should we move on?”
“It might be better to move on.” He wasn’t sure why he was feeling on edge. “I promised Sergent Howell that we’d go in to provide our statements after the gas station shooting. Maybe Joel can meet us there.”
“Okay, let’s go.” Kendra jumped out of the seat. “Come, Smoky.”
Bailey slid out of the bench seat, following Kendra. He stood and gave Archie the heel command. Normally, the K9s played together like maniacs, but they could be well behaved when necessary.
Giving the heel command told Archie it was not playtime.
Kendra and Smoky led the way outside. Bailey followed his sister.
Trevor scanned the area, half expecting the black truck to materialize.
Early light dawned on the eastern horizon, but the overcast sky indicated snow might be on the way.
Kendra and Bailey took the front seats, so he was standing beside the passenger door, waiting for Archie to jump in, when he glimpsed the truck.
“Go, Kendra! Go!” He jumped into the back seat, slamming the door behind him. The moment the back hatch was closed, Kendra shifted into reverse and drove backward, away from the road.
He was impressed by his sister’s ingenuity, until the driver of the truck slowed to follow.
“Hurry.” Trevor pulled his weapon, rolled down his window, and prepared to fire. Kendra wrenched the wheel to the side, just as gunfire erupted from the truck.
Sick of this guy shooting at them, he extended his arm out as far as possible to return fire. He fired three times, yelling, “Go, go!”
Kendra did as instructed, hitting the gas and bouncing up and over the curb that was behind the café.
He peered behind them, praying the black truck wouldn’t follow. But being found again so soon after the gas station was sobering.
This guy must know the Sullivans were helping Bailey. Maybe even noticing Kendra’s SUV and following her to the café.
None of them were safe. Whoever this guy was, he didn’t seem to care how many Sullivans he took out of the picture in his quest to kill Bailey.