Chapter 47

47

She was almost hit by the bullet. Chantal would have to deal with that knowledge later. But for now, Gene and Detective Wright were rolling in the gravel. Between Gene’s truck and the one next to it. They couldn’t even be seen from the window.

Chantal pulled herself to her feet. She tried to get closer to the fighting men but there just wasn’t room. She couldn’t help Gene at all.

Detective Wright was too big, and too strong, and all she would do was get in Gene’s way. Causing them both to be hurt, or worse.She saw the blood.

She had heard Gene cry out. She knew… he was hurt. They needed help. Police.

Charlie. Charlie carried a gun. And there were others who could help inside.

She ran. Back inside. Where help waited. She just ran.

Until she met the door. She pulled it open. And then they were there. People who could help her. Help them.

“Help! We need help!” Chantal just yelled it, not even thinking there were children—including her own niece and nephew—inside. “Charlie! Help Gene! Hurry! It’s Detective Wright, he just shot Gene! Hurry!”

Men came from every direction. Women, too. In TSP polos.

She had never been so happy to see so many TSP polos in her life.

Charlotte grabbed her. Wrapped her hands around Chantal’s upper arms—as Charlie and Murdoch and Commander Rodriguez and all the others ran outside to help Gene. Then Ronnie, George’s wife, was there, too. And Rory. And Murdoch’s wife. Charlotte spoke. “Chantal, tell me what happened.”

Chantal pulled in a breath. And the words just spilled out—as she tried to run back outside.

But Murdoch’s wife wouldn’t let her. The taller woman blocked Chantal bodily. “You can’t go back outside. But it’s okay. They’ll help Gene. It’ll be okay. I promise.”

But if he was hurt badly, if something happened to him, Chantal didn’t think it would ever be okay again. “I need to get out there with him.”

Rory wrapped one arm over her lightly. “No. We can’t let you back out there. I don’t want to disturb any evidence, but we’re here. You’re safe now, I promise, but we’re not letting you go back out there, Chan. We’re not.”

She just clung to her sister-in-law and waited.