Page 65 of Hard Knock Hero

Suddenly, a gunshot rang out on the other side of the warehouse. Jessi gasped, while Chester and Jeremy both dropped to the gravel, though I didn’t think either of them had been hit. A moment later, the Rigsbys were scrambling up and running for the cover of the loading bay, shouting curses.

I didn’t wait to see who was shooting or what else they would do. I grabbed Jessi and got us both out of there.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Jessi

Aidenand I ran through the woods, dodging between the trees. Everything was in varying shades of gray. Our breaths puffed in white clouds. My boots kept tripping over brush and fallen logs covered by snow.

Aiden didn’t let go of my hand.

We’d been running parallel to the road, heading roughly back toward town. We stopped running at one point and glanced around to get our bearings. It didn’t seem like Chester or Jeremy were following us. I hadn’t heard any more gunshots, either. I had no idea whatthathad been about. But it had drawn the Rigsbys’ attention away from us, so it was fine by me.

The possibility of catching the Rigsbys in their schemes had been so tantalizing. And wehadgotten more info. Everything Chester and Jeremy had said was bouncing around in my brain, but I couldn’t slow down and examine it yet. We had to get back to safety first.

“That way,” I said, pointing. “We need to stick closer to the road or we’ll get lost. These woods go for miles.”

“That’s what I figured.”

We approached the road, hanging back to listen and watch for vehicles. We weren’t that far yet from the warehouse. But I didn’t hear a single thing. Nothing man-made, anyway. And it was winter, so there weren’t many animals or insects filling in the silence.

“We’ll have to walk along the road,” Aiden said. “We’re too slow in the woods. Our tracks will be less clear on the road, too.”

We left the cover of the trees and started jogging along the road in the direction of town. I kept glancing behind, and so did Aiden, in case Chester or Jeremy set out in search of us and we somehow didn’t hear the engine.

But then Aiden stopped. He shuffled to the side, pulling me so that I was behind him. “There’s a truck up ahead. Lights off.”

I peered past his shoulder. There was a pickup parked in the road, its tailgate facing us. Just waiting there. I couldn’t make out the license plate. Aiden started drawing me to the trees. But then I saw the outline of a cowboy hat on the driver’s head through the back window.

“That’s Owen!”

I took the lead this time, pulling Aiden by his hand. The truck’s engine roared to life as we got close. I heard the locks thump, and Aiden and I both jumped in. Owen didn’t waste a second, driving off the moment our doors were closed, though he kept his lights off.

“What are you doing out here?” I asked. “I thought you were going back to the station. You didn’t want to be involved in what we were up to.”

Owen steered the truck down the middle of the icy road, gunning the accelerator. “I didn’t want to be involved. But I couldn’t abandon you. You could’ve moved faster, though. I certainly did.”

Aiden was in the backseat, his arm stretched forward to touch my shoulder. “We were trying to stay out of sight.”

“Maybe you should’ve triedthatearlier, too. Chester and Jeremy nearly caught you.”

I made the connection. “It was you who fired the gun. Drew their attention away from us. Thank you.”

“And if anyone asks, I will deny it. Please tell me you got something useful from that boondoggle.”

We shared what we had overheard and seen.

“I would guess they’ve used the warehouse before,” Aiden said. “They were comfortable there and in no hurry to leave.”

“I was hoping to get close enough to find out what’s inside those boxes,” I added. “But that…didn’t work out.” I didn’t have to look back at Aiden to know he was lifting an eyebrow at me. Of course he was. “Any possibility that what we’ve got is enough for a search warrant on the warehouse?”

Owen shook his head. “Not even close.”

I tipped my head against the seat in frustration. We’d learned so much. It was obvious the Rigsbys were doing something illegal. What evidence would be enough?

Owen took the turn onto the far end of Main Street, switching on his headlights. The road was still clear. Nobody was out, and the only business with any activity was the Hartley Saloon. We were nearing last call.

We overshot the diner. Owen turned at the next corner.

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