Page 137 of Concrete Evidence
The moment he cleared the closet, Shipley fired four bullets into the door.
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AVERY’S PHONE VIBRATEDin her jeans pocket—Tessa. A shiver in the heat whispered not good.
“Hey, Tessa.”
“Lieutenant Shipley is here. Four shots were fired, and Marc told us to stay locked in the safe room.” Tessa struggled for breath. “Marc’s not answering his phone either.”
Avery dug her heels into Zoom. “Mia and Mrs. Wilkins are with you?”
“Yes. There aren’t any windows in here, but a security monitor shows the outside cameras. I don’t see anyone, and I’m scared.”
“I’m on my way. Are you okay to contact the deputies at the gate?”
“Mia is calling them. Wait. Lieutenant Shipley and Marc are walking to the lieutenant’s truck. Real close. Mr. Roden isn’t with them.”
“Stay put, and don’t leave.”
“He has a gun pointed at the back of my brother’s head. Looks like he’s forcing him to drive.” Her panic-stricken voice broke.
“Pray, Tessa. Help is on the way.”
Avery called her granddad, who rode closer to the house than her location, and quickly relayed what was happening. He might beat her there, which could be in Shipley’s plan. Her Sig rested in the small of her back. Fear shoved adrenaline through her body.
Help me, Lord.
Patrol cars sounded, which indicated the deputies ensured the security gate held. Where else could Shipley go with the rising river sweeping away everything in its path? Except if he used Marc as a hostage or—
Shipley’s tan-colored truck appeared ahead to her left as though heading to the Old River Gate, where Craig had been found. Not smart. Had he panicked? Water continued to rise in the low area, and the truck couldn’t possibly make it. Granddad raced his stallion behind the truck. How had he gotten there so quickly? A patrol car bumped over the ground closing the distance to Granddad.
Shipley aimed out the truck’s sliding rear window and fired. Before Avery could scream a warning, Granddad fell from his horse. Firing with her left hand, she sent a bullet into the rear left tire, but the truck failed to stop. She urged Zoom faster.
The patrol car arrived to where Granddad lay in the mud. Both deputies rushed to his side.
“Avery, I’m good,” Granddad shouted. “Keep the wolves away.”
His code phrase for “families protect those they love” spurred her on to stop Shipley and help Marc. The deputies had the first aid training to help Granddad, and their car could no longer follow the truck without getting stuck.
Lord, I need You. Take care of Granddad and help me.
The truck turned directly toward the Brazos River, and water rose over the truck wheels. She peered closer. Marc had the driver’swindow down. On purpose? Shipley’s order? She dug her heels into Zoom’s side after them.
The closer she rode, the slower the going. She needed the truck to stall before Zoom was unable to swim against the water’s powerful force.
Shipley opened the sliding rear window again. The bullet went wild.
Avery took careful aim at Shipley’s right arm, the one holding the gun. She squeezed the trigger with her left hand and Shipley slumped.
The truck entered the edge of the water, and the current took hold. Why didn’t Marc take control of the situation? Or had Shipley switched hands with his gun and demanded Marc drive into the rough waters?
Shipley opened the passenger door, holding his upper-right shoulder. He swam into the brown churning water and headed in the direction of the Old River Gate. What was he thinking? The bridge near there had washed out. He’d drown.
The truck sank deeper, and Marc pulled himself onto the roof. He dove into the raging river and grabbed a tree branch.
Zoom stood firm, unwilling to fight the swirling mud-filled river. She had no choice but to watch the men struggle and stay in the saddle. She swung a lasso with her left hand at Marc, but he held on to a tree limb.
She glanced at Shipley. He went under. Then back up. Despite what he’d done, she didn’t want him to drown. He swam toward a fallen tree, reached out, and missed. He attempted to grab it again. She twirled her lasso ready to throw his direction, but a massive current pulled him under and he disappeared. If only her right shoulder didn’t have stitches.
