She tried to remain focused, but this guy was really hot. Every ounce of her body knew it and when he spoke to her, he held her gaze. He was giving her his complete attention. What woman wouldn’t love that from a man like Sandman? Grace tried to answer the questions and felt she wasn’t quite giving them the answers they were looking for. Peter and John took their mother into the house leaving the detective and the investigator alone with her on the front porch. Frank stood close by and remained supportive. She loved him for it.
“I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me. There’s obviously more to this questioning. Two agents, well, a detective and investigator, would not come out here just to ask me some simple questions that Cheryl’s family could have answered or I could have answered over the phone. What’s the real deal?” Grace stood up.
“Grace, this is a very serious case we’re working on and right now it’s our job to investigate every possible lead. We appreciate your…”
Just then there was a large bang and the shot nearly took off Grace’s head, missing her and hitting the glass window behind her instead.
Investigator Sandstone tackled Grace to the ground, pulling her behind some wooden table he kicked over instantly, barricading her from further shots.
He and his partner had their guns drawn along with Frank, John, and the others, who now joined them on the porch.
Grace was shaking and her elbow was bleeding from hitting the wooden porch floor so hard.
Sandman hit her like a rock and still covered her as he looked out toward the woods and the direction the bullet came from.
Charlie, Mark, and Jim cautiously walked toward the woods in search of the shooter or some evidence.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Sandman asked Grace in a very serious and loud tone. He was practically straddling her and she dared not move.
She was in shock and wanted to get up and when she attempted to, Sandman placed a large hand on her shoulder and kept her down.
“Wait. Not yet. Where’s the blood coming from?” he asked all concerned. The dark blue eyes she admired earlier now looked so dark and filled with concern she felt guilty for being the culprit. That was such an odd feeling to have.
“My elbow.” She tried again to push herself up.
He insisted she wait as he held her down by her shoulder, and then gently caressed his fingers against her cheek so she would focus on him. The touch aroused her. She wasn’t accustomed to that or to being this close to a man, to anyone.
“Get off of me. It’s obvious the shooter’s gone. Why would he stay around when the others are headed out after him or her?” Grace snapped at him, trying to remove the Sandman’s hand. She wanted to get up and run inside the house.
Sandman stood up then took her hand to pull her up. The blood was dripping down her arm through her white blouse and onto her dress pants.
She felt like a truck had hit her as she rose from the floor, trying not to moan from the pain. The man was gigantic.
* * * *
Sandman knew he had hurt her but at least she wasn’t dead. Who the hell was taking pot shots at this woman and why?
“I’m sorry if I hurt you. I was trying to protect you,” he told her in an angry voice.
She wasn’t annoyed with him. Why would she be? No, she was scared and rightfully so. This investigation just got a bit more intense. A fucking shooter? What the hell?
“I know that, Sandman. Thanks for saving my life. Now maybe you can tell me everything that’s going on instead of the minimal?” she asked. But before he could answer, her brother Peter was by her side asking if she was all right.
Grace said “yes” then began to unbutton her blouse, and used it to wrap around her elbow.
Sandman felt his gut clench and his cock harden instantly. The woman had a great body and the fact that she used her designer blouse to cover her bleeding wound showed a lot. He was even more impressed with the lacy white tank top that was once hidden underneath the white blouse. She was built well up top, which only added to his attraction to her. Grace was one sexy, sophisticated woman. The fact that someone seemed ready to kill her pissed him off big-time.
Grace looked up at him and they locked gazes. He glanced at Jim who appeared frazzled. Then the mother came outside crying.
“I’m okay, Mama. Everything is going to be all right.” Grace consoled her mom, immediately hiding the fear he saw in Grace’s eyes when the shot missed her head. She had been shaking but now seemed as cool as a cucumber. She was hiding her emotions from her mother and he wondered why.
“Let’s get you inside. It’s safer,” Jim said and opened the door for Grace and her mother.
* * * *
Grace went upstairs to her old bedroom. She needed a little time alone to gather her thoughts about what was going on.
Downstairs was filled with police officers and forensics teams trying to dislodge the bullet from the siding on the house and look for clues in and around the perimeter of the property.