Suddenly, it was quiet, and the only sounds were their ragged breaths and her pulse throbbing in her ears.
“He’s getting away again,” Leigh murmured.
She groaned and punched the shed with the side of her fist. The frustration and anger washed over her. Catching the shooter was the only way to stop these attacks. The only way to stop him from killing again. But part of her was relieved, too. If the shots stopped, then Cullen wouldn’t be gunned down.
“Don’t ever do anything like that again,” she snapped. At least she’d intended to snap, but her voice was too breathy and her words too broken.
Cullen looked at her. But he didn’t nod or make any sounds of agreement. Instead, he kissed her. It was hard, fast and like another punch of adrenaline.
“Sheriff Mercer?” Karen called out. “Are you both okay?”
“Yes.” Leigh had to steady herself to add more. “What about Austin and you?”
“I’m fine. Not sure about Austin. He got away from me before I could even get to the creek. I don’t know where he went.”
Cullen’s gaze met hers, and in his eyes, Leigh could see the same emotions that were no doubt in hers. Damn. This wasn’t good. Leigh hated to think the worst about the man, but it was possible Austin had planted a rifle before Cullen, the deputy or she arrived, and he could have been the one to fire the shots.
“Any signs of the shooter?” Leigh asked the deputy.
“No. And none of the shots came my way.”
“Good. Stay put until we’re sure it’s clear.”
But the words had barely left her mouth when Leigh heard Austin. “I found her,” he shouted. “I found Kali.”