Love Inspired Suspense April 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Laura Scott (free e reader .TXT) 📕

of people and board members in attendance at that meeting Dandy covered for the paper.”

“No problem.” Three minutes until the service went live. “Did you know Chance is the assistant coach for the Tigers now?”

“I’m not surprised. He was a little king over at Southern High.”

Georgia snorted. “You know his friends could have lied to alibi him out.”

Colt nodded. “Maybe one of them is feeling particularly guilty for it. Over a decade is a long time to stew in lies. What is it the Bible says about sin?”

“Don’t do it.”

Colt laughed. “Yeah, but more specifically. Your sin will find you out. It’s in the book of Numbers somewhere.”

She hoped whoever had killed Jared—whoever committed that sin—would be found out.

Colt forgot how much he enjoyed being in a service with Georgia. Online or in person. The message had been extremely personal and relevant. Perfect love casts out all fear. People weren’t meant to live in fear. Colt especially appreciated the pastor’s explanation on what the difference was between healthy fear and the kind people weren’t meant to live in.

Georgia had been silent during that portion. Colt used his phone to do a little research on anxiety, triggers and coping mechanisms. The team rolled in with pizzas for lunch, and they sat in the living room inhaling New York style loaded with pepperoni, ham and bacon.

Rhett grabbed a third slice. “Nothing on the casings or projectile we collected after y’all were shot at yesterday. I hope we can match them to the gun.”

Mae snagged a slice of double pepperoni and ham. “I put a call in to the detective on Dandy’s carjacking case. Hoping to hear something soon.”

“I got us rooms at the Magnolia Motel,” Poppy said through a mouthful of pizza. “It’s closest to here, so we don’t have to impose or keep you up, Georgia.”

Georgia paused midbite. “The Magnolia’s pretty seedy. You’re welcome to stay here.”

Colt’s research had revealed that sudden changes in routine or overcrowding could trigger anxiety and panic attacks. Besides, he didn’t want to impose. Her world had already been rocked. “We’ll be fine.” He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Our job isn’t about comforting accommodations. We’ve worked in some seriously questionable places. One of us needs to stay, though—at night.” He knew her best. She should feel the safest with him, but he hated to admit on a personal level he wanted to be the one to stay. He gave himself a good mental kick. He was here in a professional capacity only.

He had a life, and it was taking him to Atlanta.

Georgia had made it clear a long time ago that she wasn’t up for marriage, and while at the time he thought it was a lame excuse to dump him—she wasn’t married. By choice. He wasn’t married, either, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed being alone. Most nights he wasn’t only alone—he was lonely.

“I understand.” She excused herself to make more coffee. Colt motioned his team outside. The air had a nip, and the smell of wood smoke drifted into his nostrils.

“I didn’t accept Georgia’s offer because she was giving it out of southern politeness, but she’s right about the Magnolia. It’s the hourly rate kind of place, if you get my drift.”

Rhett turned up his nose, and Poppy shivered.

“What do we do about protective detail?” Rhett asked and observed the property. He was an eagle eye, always on duty. “I assume you have a plan.”

“I’ll stay here at night,” Colt said.

“That’s convenient,” Poppy said with a toothy grin. “Tell us about hourly rates then casually mention you don’t have to crawl into motel sheets and risk bedbugs.”

“Perks to being the unit chief,” he teased. “We have history, and she may feel safer with me because of familiarity.”

No one asked the question about how familiar they were with one another, and Colt appreciated the courtesy. He and Georgia were complicated. “The case is cold enough. I’d like to pop in and have a chat with Coach Duncan Flanigan.”

“Well, let’s get to it, then.” Poppy saluted, just before a boom thundered then the sound of glass shattering sent them pulling weapons and ducking.

The dogs barked frantically.

Another living room window blew to smithereens. This guy was brazen to be shooting with a whole team of agents present, and that scared him almost as much as the bullets.

Colt raced inside while his team stayed low and fanned out. “Georgia! Call out and stay down!”

Another glass pane littered the floor, crunching under his feet.

“Georgia, call out!” Why wouldn’t she answer? Using the couch for a shield, he surveyed every inch and spotted Georgia near the back door.

“Georgia!”

Bloody glass lay beside her unmoving body.

FOUR

“Georgia!” Colt’s distressed voice reached Georgia’s ears as if she were underwater. She grabbed at her stinging and throbbing shoulder.

“Colt?” What happened? One minute she’d been standing at the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and the next, glass had rained down. After that, everything transpired in what felt like slo-mo. Hollering to get down, more glass flying and then an intense burn before she dropped to the floor. Where were her dogs? “The dogs...” she said weakly.

“Mae has them. They’re okay.”

Rhett dashed inside. “Everyone all right?”

Georgia tried to sit, but Colt kept his hand on her. “You’ve been hit, Georgia. I don’t think it’s bad, but you’re surrounded by glass and I need you to be still. First responders are on the way.”

Sirens sounded in the distance. Poppy swept into the living room, glass crunching beneath her feet. “Deputies are here, too. I see them down the drive. Looks like the shooter is gone. If he saw Georgia go down, he may think he dropped her dead.”

Colt forcefully cleared his throat. Even Georgia heard the warning and reprimand in it.

Poppy cringed. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Georgia said. “You aren’t saying anything I don’t already know.”

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” Colt asked.

“I don’t think so.”

First responders entered the house and made haste getting to her.

Commands, instructions and suggestions swirled together. In only a