Chapter 4 #2
“Garrett and I have been working through where we stand with each other since last fall. He got shut out of the investigation once the feds took over and then they tried to blame all the fuck-ups on his office. He’s been understandably cranky about it, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with Last Light.
Regardless of any tension between us, he’s a huge ally, and I don’t expect that to change.
He also has a vested interest in the ranch that I can explain later, if need be. ”
Kujo seemed to mull his words over.
Walker had provided a detailed account of almost everything about the assault on the ranch, since there was no way he was going to try to start up a business based on lies. He knew Kujo had read the report and was probably going over it in his head right now.
Kujo finally nodded as the sheriff approached.
“I’m not going to sit on the sidelines for this one, Garrett,” Walker kept his voice mild, but he wanted to state his intentions right out front.
He doubted Garrett knew of their teenage romance, it’d been over twenty years ago, after all, but there was no way in hell he was hiding the fact that when he looked at her now, it was with the gaze of someone who’d known her intimately.
Who’d loved her with every bit of his teenage heart.
He may never be in the position to romance her in the here and now, or maybe ever, but he could and would protect her with his dying breath.
Garrett considered both Walker and Kujo with the clear, calm gaze that always reminded Walker of Gary Cooper in High Noon. Hard to rile, but when you did, he’d put you in the ground. He’d be sad about it later but know he’d done the right thing.
Crime in the county was usually relegated to family squabbles and petty shit like the kids who’d rearranged Serena’s artwork. Drugs and domestic abuse were the worst thing Garrett dealt with besides dumb tourist tricks.
Oh hell, what if it had something to do with the attempted break-in?
Walker’s brain should have gone there immediately, but he’d been so shocked by laying eyes on her assailant, then seeing her unconscious, it hadn’t.
But dollars to donuts Garrett’s had. “Do you think it’s related to the vandalism and whoever was poking around her back door? ”
“I have to operate under that assumption but still keep an open mind,” Garrett said pointedly.
Walker knew he was right, but he’d go with what he considered the obvious threat, thank you very much.
“She lives upstairs, Garrett,” Walker said, his voice going deadly serious. “I can’t abide somebody potentially threatening her.”
“I know, but there’s only so much I can do, which is why you’re still standing here. I can investigate what happened but until we figure it out, it’s best you keep close.” His attention shifted to Kujo. “Introduce me to your friend?”
“Sorry,” Walker apologized and turned to face Kujo.
“Kujo Kuntz, this is Sheriff Garrett Hanson, who is usually only mildly annoyed with us. Kujo is here to help me set up a new venture. I was going to come tell you about it once I got the go-ahead but now seems to be a good time. Keep in mind we’re still in the process of getting approval.
” As he spoke, he kept his gaze on the medics treating Serena.
She was getting color back in her face and talking earnestly with Mike Ramirez, the paramedic.
Garrett nodded to Kujo, but his face had gone expressionless.
Not welcoming, but not hostile either. Walker didn’t blame him, after the shit that had gone down.
Having a full complement of mercenaries and a federal witness in hiding had been one giant shitshow for all of them.
And now Walker was introducing yet another new element.
“I’m part of a group of men and women known as the Brotherhood Protectors,” Kujo said, holding out his hand for a shake, which Garrett matched.
It wasn’t a pissing contest; there was no squeezing or prolonged contact.
Kujo’s mouth kicked up in a half smile as he let Garrett’s hand go.
“I like to describe us as a security service for those who need highly trained special ops folks who know how to handle a gun and run a tactical mission.”
Garrett’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say a word.
“We don’t operate outside the law. In fact, we prefer to have law enforcement on our side and even get referrals on occasion for jobs that can’t be handled within those realms for a multitude of reasons.
Walker and his team have passed all of our background checks,” Kujo continued.
“I’m here to assess the viability of them basing a branch operating out of Last Light. ”
The medics were finishing up with Serena, so the men ended the conversation and moved back to her side. She was waving the paramedics off, saying she was fine and that she’d follow up later with Dr. Pearson. That seemed to satisfy them, so they bundled up their gear and headed back to their rig.
Garrett stepped forward and Walker grabbed a chair, sitting a respectful distance back. He wasn’t going to get in the man’s way, but he wanted to hear what Serena had to say.
“That ice bag ain’t for sitting in your lap, Serena,” Garrett said gently and in response she held it up to her forehead. “Now why don’t you tell me what happened.” He didn’t make it a question, and he’d pulled out his phone to record her words.
“It was a totally normal morning. I got up to put the first round of frittatas and pastries in the ovens. We prep those the night before,” she explained and then closed her eyes.
Walker could see that it wasn’t necessarily from pain, but that she was trying to remember every single detail. He had no doubt that she actually would. Serena Blackstone was that kind of woman.
“On the way downstairs, I heard something and couldn’t tell really what it was, but it wasn’t normal.
But the damn third stair down creaks and he must have heard it.
I saw a light in the south parlor right before he clicked it off.
Thought maybe I’d surprise him,” she said and shot a glance Walker’s way.
He was already grinding his teeth in frustration.
“You should have called me,” Garrett said, his voice still kind.
“I know,” she said. “I just reacted. I know I’m like a too-stupid-to-live chick in a horror movie, but I grabbed that big candlestick and figured I’d wait right outside the door and conk him over the head when he came out.”
While Walker didn’t like the fact that she’d put herself in danger, at least she’d armed herself.
“As I stood there, I started to have second thoughts. I knew I should have brought my phone down, should have called 911, so I started to kind of fade back to use the landline and he blew out of the door. I never saw his face; he was wearing a mask, and it was so dark. You know how old houses like this are, and there’s no streetlight outside. ”
“Did he hit you with his fist or something else?” Garrett asked.
She closed her eyes again, concentrating. “It was a flashlight, maybe? Or maybe I’m thinking that because I saw the light in the parlor. But it was definitely something like that. Then you and Walker were here,” she finished.
“So you were unconscious, not simply dazed?” Garrett asked.
She looked at Walker. “I guess so?”
“I don’t know how long she was out before I got here. I saw him fleeing when I pulled into the parking lot and rather than give chase, I came in here to make sure Serena was all right.” Walker could hear the worry in his own voice and didn’t even try to curb it.
“What time did you come downstairs?” Garrett asked.
“Five, like every morning,” Serena said, and Walker heard the wobble in her voice as she took in the fact that the sun was now up. That she’d been down for the count for over an hour.
“Shit,” Garrett said, and stood. “That’s a long time to be unconscious. We’re going to the ER.”
She started to protest, but Walker crouched down next to her again. “Please go in, Serena. It’ll ease everyone’s mind.”
She stared at him with those clear blue eyes that’d captured his heart at eighteen, as if gauging his sincerity. Then she sighed and nodded. “Okay.”