Page 55 of Fractured Hope
“Derek had a matte black Jeep Wrangler,” I said, falling into the seat by Atticus’s bedside. “So, it was him,” I whispered. I hadn’t wanted to believe it. He was here. He tried to kill Atticus.That bastard!
“You didn’t mention this car before, Bodhi,” Max said.
“I didn’t think of it. He prefers to drive one of the Sheriff’s vehicles every chance he gets, but he owns a Jeep. He only used it on weekends for his hunting trips. He had modifications done to it. It has side power step bars, special cameras in the wheels, and large tricolor LED lights on the hood for when he goes hunting. Does that help?”
Sam was scribbling notes down furiously. “Yes, that helps. Do you happen to know the license plate?”
“No, sorry. He only took me out in it once.”
“Well, it’s still good information. Thank you.” Turning back to Atticus, Sam tapped his notepad. “So, you passed the Jeep. Then what happened?”
“I continued on to Mitch’s farm. I did my tests. The truck handled perfectly, and then I headed back to town.” Atticus trailed off at the end, as if thinking of anything else he might have seen or done.
“When you left Mitch’s, did you see anything?”
“No, nothing. I messaged Mitch and Bodhi, then left.”
“Do you remember what happened next?” Sam gestured for Atticus to continue.
“I left Mitch’s and was back on the road, heading to town. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I remembered my phone buzzing, then a loud crack. It sounded like a tree branch breaking but louder, then nothing.” He rubbed his forehead again. “I can’t remember anything after that.”
“You heard a loud crack?” Sam asked before looking at Max meaningfully. “That could’ve been the bullet.” Turning back to Atticus, he frowned. “You didn’t see anyone nearby? Notice anything in the rearview mirror?”
“No, nothing. Sorry.” Atticus looked exhausted. He closed his eyes with a wince.
I moved from my seat and rubbed his arm, taking his hand in mine. “What happens next?” I asked. “Are we safe to go home?”
I was worried because if Derek knew about Atticus, he must’ve been watching us for a while. Did he know where he lived? Would he try again?
Sam looked at Max questioningly. They seemed to be having a silent conversation between themselves, and Max nodded.
Sam cleared his throat. “Honestly, it would be safer to stay somewhere else for the time being. It sounds like Derek has been around town for a while, but the fact that he’s gone completely unnoticed is worrisome. People in this town love togossip about new visitors and any strangers they see, yet no one has mentioned anyone like him around. He’s also not staying anywhere local. We’ve checked the motel and Airbnbs, and there is no one fitting his description. Do you guys have an alternative place you could stay?”
“We could probably crash with one of my brothers,” Atticus ground out, eyes still closed. He was clearly in pain again and needed rest.
“I don’t want to put anyone else in danger,” I added worriedly.
“You could stay in my guest house,” Max said. “The girls and Geena are away visiting her mother for another week.”
Atticus opened his eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” Max looked at Atticus with such love. “You’re family, and I want to help keep you safe.”
“If you’re sure.” Atticus looked at Max with a soft smile. “Thanks, theíos arkoúda.”
Max barked out a laugh. “I haven’t heard that name in ages. Not since your Pa was alive.” Turning to me, he added, “Atticus just called me Uncle Bear in Greek. He and his brothers called me that when they were little. I think Seb started it. He didn’t speak much, and when he finally did, he called me Bear. I have no idea why. Orion, their Pa, addeduncleand it stuck.”
They both looked at each other, smiling at the shared memory.
“I wish I could’ve met him. He sounds like a great man.”
“He was,” Atticus and Max said in unison.
“The best,” Theo added, looking sad.
Sam cleared his throat. “Well, I think I’m done with my questions. I’ll leave you to it and go write up a report.”
“Thanks for all your work here, Sam. You’ve done a great job. Can you send me through your report when you’re done? Thanks.”
