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Lacy cringed inwardly. These two were not masterminds. They were greedy and narcissistic. Those things alone made them believe they were smarter than anyone else. In some ways, that made them more dangerous too.

She climbed back into the car and Connor followed the cruiser out along a dirt road, past farms, fields, and fences. When Officer Daniels turned on his blinker, Connor pulled off the road and parked. Edwyn parked directly behind him, then called.

“This is Connor.”

Edwyn answered, “I thought it would be good to have an open line of communication. Before you came over, I gave Officer Daniels Lacy’s phone number. That’s who he’ll be calling if we need to come up.”

Lacy tugged her phone from her pocket and made sure the volume was turned up. It had been less than reliable after getting soaked and there had been no time to replace it. “Hopefully my phone doesn’t let us down. I almost feel like it would be better for you to call my number and have him text Connor.”

“I’m sure it will be fine and he’s already driving up the driveway. I can’t really have him change now. Just keep an eye on your phone,” Edwyn answered.

Connor turned the phone to mute, “Are you sure you’ll get a call?”

She shook her head. “I’ve missed at least two calls that I know of.” If they relied on her phone, there was a chance everything could go very wrong.

Three shots went off in rapid succession and Officer Daniels quickly backed out of the driveaway. He yanked onto the road and pulled onto the other side of the road. As he rolled down his window, more shots came from the house hidden in the trees.

“There are two cars up there matching the description. Do not engage. Head back for town.” He pulled back onto the road and drove off.

Connor shiftedthe car into gear as Melinda opened the door and ran out. Lacy screamed for him not to leave her. He watched as Melinda raced up the driveway where Officer Daniels had just been chased out of.

“What in the world?” Connor couldn’t imagine what she hoped to accomplish but he couldn’t let her run in there alone. “Don’t move.”

“If you think I’m letting you go in there alone, you’d better think again.” She unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Lacy, I can’t lose you. Please. Stay in the car so I don’t worry about you.”

She shook her head. “And leave me here to worry about you?”

“Blast it, woman. I love you. You can’t do this to me.” He’d die before he let her get shot.

“Blast it, Connor, I love you too. Come on.” She opened her door and headed down the driveway after Melinda.

Cole yelled at him as he got out. “What are they doing?”

“Apparently, taking over.” He wasn’t sure what else to say.

With that, Edwyn and Cole joined him as he jogged after the women. At least the shooting had stopped for now. He slowed down some as the house came into view. A man sat on an old wooden rocker on his front porch. A long barreled pistol lay across his lap, though he didn’t immediately aim at Melinda and Lacy.

“Who you looking for?” he asked.

Melinda stopped about forty yards from the house and yelled her answer. “I’m looking for Randy.”

“He the stringy young guy with his pants too big?” the man asked.

Melinda didn’t answer directly. “Can I see him?”

“Don’t think so. He’s busy right now.”

Lacy made it to Melinda’s side. “So you admit he’s here?”

“I didn’t say nothing of the sort.”

“But you did,” Melinda pushed.

Tod came out the front door and stood behind the seated older man. He held a rifle. Connor cringed at the sight. That gun had a much longer range than the pistol. He jogged faster to reach the women.

“He didn’t say anything. What do you want?” Tod sneered.