Stranded. Debby Giusti

      Tonight, everyone would focus on search and rescue. By morning both the Freemont cops and the military law enforcement would have more time to question Colleen. Until then, Frank would keep her under watch.

      Too many things didn’t add up. In spite of being on convalescent leave, Frank needed to learn the truth about how a military wife with a gunshot wound had ended up in Colleen’s car.

      * * *

      Colleen tried to ignore the pointed stare of the CID agent who had dug her from the rubble. His deep-set eyes and gaunt face were troubling and cut her to the core. In fact, the only redeeming quality about the guy was his dog.

      She rubbed her temple, hoping to drive away the pounding headache that had come with the storm. Her memory was fuzzy at best, and she had difficulty recalling some of the most basic information, especially pertaining to Vivian. Without thinking, she’d left her purse in her car along with the memory card.

      A pickup truck pulled to a stop in the triage area. The driver, a middle-aged farmer wearing bib overalls and a baseball cap, rolled down his window and nodded to the EMT.

      “We found a guy hunkered down in a ditch just over that ridge.” The farmer pointed to the rise in the roadway. “His sports car was destroyed, but he survived, although he’s scraped up a bit. Face could have been in worse shape if he hadn’t been wearing a sweatshirt. Looks like the hood protected him. A guy with an SUV is bringing him your way.”

      Hooded sweatshirt. Colleen’s heart jammed in her throat. Trey had a sporty BMW, although she hadn’t seen which of his many cars he was driving today.

      If he was the injured man, Colleen had to get out of sight. She’d come back later for the things she’d left behind.

      A gold SUV headed down the hill.

      Her stomach fluttered. She turned and started to walk away.

      “Where are you going?” Frank called after her.

       To hide.

      What could she tell him? Think. Think.

      Her stalled brain refused to work. Searching for an answer, she glanced at the house on the knoll.

      “I’m taking you up on that invitation to stay with your sister.” Even she heard the tremble in her voice.

      Frank raised his brow. Surely he wouldn’t rescind the offer?

      Her pulse throbbed and sweat dampened her back.

      The SUV drew closer.

      Colleen waved Frank off. “Stay here and help with the rescue operation. I can find my way up the hill.”

      She lowered her head, wrapped her arms around her waist and started along the path with determined steps. Keeping her back to the approaching car, she was grateful for the descending twilight and the shadows cast from the tall pines. The path wound along the roadway for a short distance and then burrowed deeper into the woods.

      If only she could reach the denser underbrush before the SUV got too close. She couldn’t let Trey see her.

      Flicking a quick glance over her shoulder, she recognized the firm set of Trey’s jaw and the bulk of his shoulders as the car pulled to a stop.

      No mistaking the man riding shotgun.

      At that moment, he glanced up.

      Ice froze her veins. Her heart slammed against her chest. If Trey recognized her, he would track her down. Not only did Colleen have incriminating photos, but she had also witnessed him shoot Vivian in cold blood.

      She increased her pace and darted along the path.

      “Wait, Colleen.”

      The military CID agent ran after her, along with his dog.

      Stay away from me, she wanted to scream, but reason won out. She needed Frank. She was stranded without a car with a killer on the loose. She needed the security of his sister’s house and his protection throughout the night.

      Later, she’d return to the wreckage and retrieve her purse and the memory card. Tomorrow, she’d catch the bus to Atlanta. From there, she’d hop a flight for the West Coast and disappear from sight. She’d leave Trey behind along with the special agent who didn’t understand what she was trying to hide.

      * * *

      Frank wondered at Colleen’s rush to get away, but then, he wasn’t the best at reading women. Case in point Audrey, who said she’d wait for him. The memory still burned like fire.

      “Wait up, Colleen.”

      Frank ran after her. His hip ached, and his breathing was tighter than he’d like.

      Before the IED, he’d never questioned his strength. Now he had to weigh everything in light of his physical stamina.

      Drawing closer, he grabbed her arm.

      She turned troubled eyes filled with accusation. “Let me go.”

      Releasing his hold, he held up both hands, palm out. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

      She glanced through the bramble to the triage area, where a cluster of rescue workers gathered. “I’m still shaky.”

      An understatement for sure. “You’ve been through a lot today. The temperature’s dropped since the storm. You must be cold.”

      “A little.”

      He shrugged out of his windbreaker and wrapped it around her shoulders. “This should help.”

      “What about you?”

      “Not a problem.” He pointed to the path. “Let’s keep going while there’s still some light.”

      “Are you sure your sister won’t mind taking in a stray?”

      He almost smiled. “She welcomed me a few weeks back with open arms. If I had to guess, I’d say she’d enjoy having another woman in the house. She claims I get a bit snarky at times.”

      “I’m sure she loves your company.”

      “She loves Duke.”

      Colleen almost smiled. “Who wouldn’t?” She patted his head, and he wagged his tail, enjoying the attention.

      “You’ve got brothers?” Frank asked, hoping to learn more about the reclusive flight attendant.

      She faltered. Her face darkened. “One sister. She passed away four months ago.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “So am I.”

      “Watch your step.” Frank pointed to an area littered with rocks. Taking her arm, he supported her up the steep incline.

      “Thanks,” she said when they reached the top.

      Stopping to catch her breath, she glanced over her shoulder. Frank followed her gaze. Darkness had settled over the small valley, but headlights from the response vehicles and flashing lights from law enforcement cut through the night.

      A number of Amish buggies were on the street. Lights from additional rescue vehicles appeared in the distance. Frank needed to get Colleen settled and then return to the triage area and wait for personnel from post to arrive.

      If anything good came from the tornado, it was the wake-up call that Frank had been lingering too long, nursing his wounds. He didn’t want to appear weak. Not to the military or the other CID agents. Most especially not to himself.

      Colleen turned back to Evelyn’s house and paused for a long moment. Perhaps she was as unsettled about moving forward as he was. Frank could relate.

      But that wouldn’t change the problem at hand. He needed to learn more about Colleen Brennan and the gunshot victim. Why were they on the run, and who was after them?