Page 32 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

Brodie was at his desk eating a late lunch when the call came in.

“Sheriff Brenneman.”

“Brenneman, hello, this is Detective Rivas with the Rowland PD.”

“What can I do for you, Detective?”

“We believe we’ve spotted Dustin Haack’s truck at his apartment here in Rowland.”

“In Rowland?” That was a relief. How nice to have a reprieve from the guy they couldn’t find. Now if only the Rowland PD could nab him. Brodie detested the tedious and prolonged amount of time this case had been open and the circumstances surrounding it.

“Yes. A neighbor called in a few minutes ago on her lunch break and noticed Haack’s truck parked in front of his apartment. Patrol is en route as we speak, and I’m getting ready to head over there as well.”

Brodie attempted to digest the information. “Well, if that’s the case, that gives us a little break here from him. Will you let me know what you find?”

“You’ll be among the first to know.”

“Thanks. I appreciate all your help.” Brodie clicked off from the phone call with Rivas.

What were the odds that Haack would leave Pronghorn Falls and return to Rowland?

Was he there temporarily? Did he plan to move back?

Why leave now? Not that Brodie wasn’t glad that Haack left.

It gave him some respite from having to worry about Londyn and Haack’s next evil plan.

Brodie tapped his pencil on the desk. It would be difficult to be patient waiting for the follow-up call from Rivas.

He lifted the receiver and punched in Londyn’s cell number.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Londyn, it’s Brodie.”

Hi, Brodie.” Her voice, one he would recognize anywhere and one he’d grown to love, sounded across the line.

“I have good news.”

“Dustin was caught?”

“Not quite that good of news. However, his truck has been sighted at his apartment in Rowland.”

Londyn exhaled a deep breath. “He returned to Rowland?”

“That’s what it sounds like. Detective Rivas is on his way over to the apartment now to see if he’s inside the building. He promised he’d let me know as soon as he found out anything.”

“Wow. Well, I’m all for that. Maybe he gave up, and this nightmare will be over.”

Londyn’s shaky tone sounded about as convinced as Brodie felt. “If only. However, we don’t know the details of this yet.”

“I know, but you have to admit this is fantastic news, especially if they’re able to catch him.”

“Dustin is a slippery guy, but that’s our hope.”

“This is an answer to prayer. It will be so refreshing not to have to worry about him anymore.”

Brodie’s phone buzzed. “Look, Londyn, I have to go because there’s another call coming in. This place has been crazy busy today. I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear anything from Rivas.”

For the first time in a while, Londyn felt freer than she had in some time. If Dustin truly was in Rowland, it obviously meant he wasn’t in Pronghorn Falls. She finished loading the dishes for Aileen, who was with Mila and Xander at the homeschool co-op.

Brodie wasn’t comfortable with her leaving the ranch alone, and to be truthful, Londyn had no desire to be out and about on her own anywhere but in the safe confines of the Brenneman Ranch, even if Dustin was back in Rowland.

Truthfully, there was no telling when he’d decide to return to Pronghorn Falls.

But for the moment, she would revel in the freedom she’d formerly taken for granted before Dustin’s obsession.

She sat on the edge of the couch and folded her hands.

“Lord, thank you so much that Dustin has returned to Rowland. Please let Detective Rivas and the other officers arrest him. Please let justice be served.”

Deputy Huang, who’d been keeping an eye out for Dustin, sat on the front porch eating his lunch. “Deputy?”

“Londyn, hi. I just heard from Brodie that Dustin Haack is in Rowland. The sheriff gave me the go-ahead to take an hour and head into town to catch the last few minutes of my son’s softball game. Are you comfortable with that?”

“I am. Thank you.”

The deputy smiled, tucked the remaining food inside his cooler, and pressed the lid onto the top. “I’ll be back in an hour or so. I’m sure Brodie told you that they haven’t confirmed a sighting of Haack yet, so it’s best to continue to take precautions.”

“Yes. I agree.”

“All right. I’ll be back within the hour.”

Londyn unloaded and folded the clothes in the dryer, then scribbled a note on a scrap of paper.

Aileen,

I went for a walk at 1:45. Will be back soon. Heading on the dirt road past Roarke and Mila’s house and toward state land. I will be back within an hour.

Love, Londyn

Londyn wound her hair into a ponytail, donned a baseball cap, grabbed a bottle of water, her phone, and sunglasses, and in a move that would make both Brodie and Mr. Brenneman proud, she holstered her gun into her belly band concealed carry holster.

She then locked the front door and stepped out into the brilliant sunshine.

The view of the mountains from the porch was almost too much to take in, with magnificent white snow contrasting with the blue-green of the mountains and the cloudless blue sky.

Londyn inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and pretended for a moment that some weirdo wasn’t stalking her.

At least he was in Rowland for the time being.

She welcomed the modicum of peace that realization brought.

For the first time since the accident, she felt well enough to do more than a few low-impact exercises.

She doubled-knotted her tennis shoes and took off on the brisk walk on the road in the direction of Roarke and Mila’s.

Roarke likely tended to ranch chores in one of the fields, so he would be in the vicinity.

The peaceful silence and the pleasant, but efficient, calorie-burning walk gave her time to collect her thoughts and, more importantly, pray about the recent events.

It had been some time since she embarked on an invigorating power walk in the country—or outside, for that matter.

While living in Rowland, the only safe exercise available was in the gym or with Jasmine through one of the safer parks in the city.

How had she ever thought leaving Pronghorn Falls was a good idea?

She tilted her head toward the sky. “Thank you, Jesus, for second chances.” A niggle of pain jabbed at her chest. “Lord, if it’s Your will, could I please have a second chance with Brodie as well?”

Her favorite verse from Lamentations came to mind as she sped past a grove of trees filled with happy birds singing. God’s mercies were new every day. She needed His mercy. Needed His grace. Needed Him to walk with her through this new beginning in her life.

Even if Dustin was still out there somewhere waiting for her.

She shivered, although not from the weather. On the contrary, the sunny seventy-five-degree day was anything but cold.

Londyn passed Roarke and Mila’s house and noticed that Roarke’s truck wasn’t in the driveway.

She shoved aside the thought that no one was around and forged ahead, pumping her arms and quickening her stride.

It felt good to exercise, and the high of it infiltrated through her and shaved away the momentary stress of being somewhat isolated.

She checked her fitness watch. An hour was all she needed.

Cows dotted the pasture, and the mountains beckoned Londyn toward them.

She knew this road like the back of her hand.

How many times had she and Brodie walked, ridden bikes, or hopped in the UTV and meandered along the route that curved and wound its way through rugged ranch land, meadows, and snow-capped peaks in the distance?

A canopy of trees weaved their branches overhead as she stepped down into a low-lying path alongside the creek before hastening back up the hill.

A far distance now from Mila and Roarke’s house, and even farther from Aileen’s, but still on Brenneman land, Londyn continued.

She paused for a minute, inclined her face to the sky, and allowed the sun to beat down on her.

Summers didn’t get any better than the ones in Pronghorn Falls.

Warm. Low humidity. The scent of pine trees and the sound of birds chirping.

Speaking of sounds…a noise reminiscent of a woman crying interrupted the serenity. Londyn craned an ear toward the din and listened again.

“Sesame? Where are you?”

It was a female voice, and as Londyn took a few steps forward, she saw a woman through the trees patting her leg and calling to whoever Sesame was.

Londyn stilled for a moment, just watching.

While anyone could access this area from the main road, it wasn’t common knowledge that it was here, and while the Brenneman Ranch butted up to the state land, most people didn’t venture this far.

Most people.

But this woman had.

“Oh, hello.” The woman turned to face her, tears in her eyes.

Londyn recognized her as someone who had disputed a bill once when Londyn worked at the hospital billing department, but she couldn’t recall her name. “Did you lose someone?”

“I did. I was taking Sesame for a walk, and he disappeared. Can you help me find him?”

Londyn didn’t need to see the anguish in the woman’s eyes to know that Sesame was an important pet. She took a few steps closer. “Are we looking for a dog?”

“Yes. He’s a Portuguese Podengo.”

Londyn wasn’t well-versed in dog breeds. “What color is he?”

“Yellow with white on his face, chest, and paws. He’s about fifty pounds and such a sweetheart.” The woman hiccupped before launching into a sob. “I don’t know what I will do if I can’t find him.”

“I can help you. You look familiar from when I used to work at the billing department for the hospital and clinic. What is your name?”

“Renee. Renee Corker. And your name?”

“I’m Londyn.”

Renee nodded. “I remember now. You were so nice to help me get my bill reduced after I hurt my back.”