Page 33 of Thor
It all looked good.I set the rag down on the ground beside me and reached for the wrench.My hands came up empty and I turned my head to look at the spot I’d left it.Damn thing had slid several feet away.In the back of my mind, I could hear my adoptive dad telling me to always set the tools on something to stop them from moving.As usual, he’d been right.
I stretched my arm out and grabbed it.I spent the next half hour checking the spark plugs, the oil level, and a few other common issues.If it turned out to be the timing, I’d take it back to the club and fix it in the garage.That would take more tools than I had with me, and a dedicated workspace.
Satisfied I’d done all I could do for now, I wiped my hands off and stowed the tools back in the saddlebag.Pulling the bike down off the center stand, I started it up and listened.It sounded better so it had probably just been a minor issue.
I dropped it into first gear to move it around to the side door.
I heard the crack of a rifle shot and something whizzed past my head, right in the space I’d occupied seconds ago.
Fuck!
Someone was shooting at me.
Automatic reflexes kicked in and I jerked the bike to the left as another shot sounded.I geared up, moving around the corner and out of range as quickly as possible.I saw a movement across the road on the roof of an apartment building.
Sniper.
I pulled my gun out of the shoulder holster, but the distance was too far.The shooter was already breaking his rifle down and heading for the access door.I jammed my gun back in the holster and revved up the motor.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Janet coming out, and I waved her back inside where it was safe.When she ducked back into the door, I turned my attention back to the rooftop.
I saw the shooter exit the apartment by way of the side door and jump into a little green convertible.Looked like a Miata.He took off with a screech of rubber, heading down the cross street.
Fuck!
I slammed my open palms down on the handlebars in frustration.By the time I managed to make my way through the traffic in front of the store and hit the crossroad, the shooter would be long gone.
Chapter Nine
Janet
Amazing how quickly I could lose things.I’d had the glass cleaner before I left to see the lawyer.The glass cleaner and a whopping big roll of paper towels, all set to clean that new display cooler.Could find them now that I needed them?Not at all.
I grumbled to myself as I wandered around the store, looking on, under, and behind everything I could think of.Just when I was sure some magical creature had spirited them away on me, I stepped into the little cubicle of a bathroom just off the workroom, and there they were, sitting innocently on the sink.
Good thing Thor was still outside tinkering with his bike, or he’d be laughing.Absentmindedly misplacing things was one of my bad habits, and for some reason he found it hilarious.I carried them back out front and set to work cleaning the case.
I knew Thor was out front, but I couldn’t see him or his bike.I hadn’t taken the brown paper off the windows yet.I wanted to have the inside looking pretty and full of flowers before I did that.
I hummed as I worked.Life was good, and I was happy.It had been a little dicey when I first walked out on the family, but things were falling into place now.I had an awesome place to live, a guy who really cared about me and came with his own version of a family, and soon I’d have the floral shop I’d always dreamed of.
My phone chirped and I pulled it out of my pocket.The twins sent me a picture of Willow, Sophia’s dog, dressed in biker style complete with goggles.The furry little mutt was adorable, and she had the patience of a saint.Another picture came in and I scrolled to see it.
A thunderous crack broke my happy bubble.
Can’t be a gunshot.Not in the middle of town.Must be a car backfiring.
A second crack followed on the heels of the first.
Shit.Thatisgunfire.
Thor!
The front door was locked, and I didn’t have the code memorized yet.I raced to the side door and opened it cautiously, peeking outside.I could see Thor -- he must have moved to the side of the building when the shooting started.I couldn’t see any blood on him, and other than being super angry he looked okay.I followed his line of sight and saw the shooter on the roof of the apartments across the street.
Thor glanced over and motioned me to get back inside.My phone was still in my hand, so I lifted it and snapped off a few pictures before the shooter disappeared through the access door.
I retreated inside.This was not a wrong place, wrong time attack.It was too deliberate, and the gunman must have been up there for some time, just waiting for a clear shot.
