Sheriff Morgan felt sick to his stomach. He couldn’t believe something like this could happen in his town. He looked at the dead body of Sylvia Masters. She was so young and beautiful before this sick bastard had his way with her. J.R. hadn’t wanted to call Lori and Carl or stop by just yet. He’d waited and figured he’d explain things in the morning, and then Lori was run off the road and nearly killed.
He ran his hands through his hair. He was grateful that Lori survived and there was an all-points bulletin out on the dark pickup truck who ran her down. There were numerous reports from homeowners who saw the speeding truck minutes after the accident.
“That truck was reported stolen yesterday morning in Bruxton, Sheriff,” his deputy told him, and J.R. was pissed off.
“Have the state police look it over with a fine-tooth comb. Maybe this asshole left prints in there. He had to. I’m going to head to the hospital to see Lori.”
“Your Texas Ranger friend, Gunner McCallister, is here.”
“Great. Send him in.”
Gunner walked in and shook J.R.’s hand.
“Is there a chance my friends’ woman is in trouble?” Gunner asked as he leaned his hand on his holster. J.R. thought he looked downright mean and ornery. But he also knew he was good friends with Charlie, Dante, and Trevor. They had become friends, too, over the past few years and worked cases that crossed his desk.
“I’m afraid there’s something going on here. Let me explain what I have and what my gut is thinking, and then we’ll head over to the hospital.”
“I just spoke with Charlie. He has some things to discuss and something about threats to him, his brothers, and the land they’re excavating for construction.”
J.R. widened his eyes.
“He thinks this is connected to it? Sylvia’s murder, too?” J.R. asked.
“That’s what we’re going to figure out,” Gunner said as J.R. rose from his chair and felt his gut clench. Thank God he had the Texas Ranger to assist him with this. He would need every law enforcement resource he could get to help him keep Lori and her loved ones safe.
* * * *
Lori kept opening her eyes and seeing little images. Trevor’s concerned face, Dante’s hand squeezing hers, flashing lights, the sheriff and then Charlie, his head surrounded by white light and people in white.
When she finally opened her eyes, feeling groggy and achy, she saw her mom and Maggie.
“Oh God, she’s waking up,” her mom said and instantly she saw her loved ones.
She shook and shivered.
“It’s okay, baby. You’re safe now,” Trevor said as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“The driver. The driver,” she repeated.
“Don’t talk. Don’t worry about a thing,” Charlie whispered.
She tried to sit up when she felt the pain in her shoulder.
“Stay still, sweetheart. You have some injuries from the crash,” Dante told her.
“Injuries? Oh God, he was going to kill me. He came back and hit the car. He looked right at me. I pretended to be unconscious. Oh God.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Shh, baby, just rest. Don’t talk about it right now. We don’t want you to get more upset,” Maggie whispered.
The door to the room opened and the doctor walked in. “Sorry, folks, but there are way too many people in here. Could y’all step outside, so I can speak with the patient?” An older nurse stood right next to him holding the door open for Lori’s family to leave.
“We’re not leaving her,” Trevor stated firmly.
“Trevor, let’s go out in the hallway. The doctor will tell you everything when he’s done,” Lou said.
“I will talk with you once I’m finished with Lori,” the doctor added then smiled.
Lori started to panic. She grabbed onto Dante’s hand and squeezed it.