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Jerking their heads around, George and the sheriff were horrified to see one of the masked men, and he was holding a revolver.

“Okay, okay. Boys, just do it,” the sheriff ordered, addressing his two deputies as he lifted his gun from its holster and placed it on floor.

“Here’s mine,” George declared, opening his jacket. “You do know you can’t possibly get away with this,” he continued as he laid it next to the sheriff’s.

“Shove them over here,” the gunman barked, ignoring the comment, “and all of you on your knees with your hands at the back of your head.”

As they did as he said, a second thug entered with zip ties. Quickly securing everyone’s wrists behind their backs, he pushed them to the ground, then did the same with their ankles while the first thug collected the guns.

“I don’t think I need to tell you this, but stay put,” he said gruffly, then they left, slamming the door behind them.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Unable to reach the sheriff Andy had sent him a text, and had just finished when another call came in from Helen.

“Helen, has something happened?”

“Yes, the bikers came out and they’re racing down the driveway.”

“Hang tight, darlin’, I’m on my way.”

“Please be careful.”

“I will, and I’ll be right there.”

Ending the call and stepping outside with Ranger, he opened the truck door, waited for him to jump into the passenger seat, then hurried around and climbed behind the wheel. But just as he was rolling down his driveway towards the road, the bikers roared past his house.

“I probably shouldn’t do this but here goes nothin’,” he exclaimed, pushing his foot down.

Though they had disappeared from view around a bend, he sped after them, and as he made the turn, he could see the faint red glow of their taillights ahead. Now on a straight stretch, he touched his console and tried to reach the sheriff a second time.

“Andy…” he muttered breathlessly.

“Sheriff? What’s wrong?”

“Two of the gang exploded into our room and caught us by surprise. We’re all fine, thank the Lord. One the guests came in and cut off the zip ties, but the bikers are gone.”

“Sheriff, they went flyin’ past my house headin’ east and I’m behind them.”

‘That’s great news. I’ll call the fellas up at the Fairview station and ask them to set up a road block. You can come back.”

“Sheriff, hold on. The taillights just vanished.”

“Can you estimate where they are?”

“I’m guessin’ near the Moonshine Campgrounds.”

“I’ll alert the manager. The woods there are pretty thick and they might have gone there to hide out for a while.”

“I’ll drive a bit longer in case they show up again.”

“Keep your distance!”

“Don’t worry, Sheriff, I have no interest in havin’ a conversation with a biker holdin’ a gun.”

“Wise decision, and stay in touch.”

As the conversation came to an end Andy slowed down. On the left was the lake, and the only turn off was Lake View Point further ahead, but it had been chained off. On the right were the woods, and he stared up at them looking for any sign of headlights. Seeing nothing, he decided there was no point continuing and called Helen.