Page 20 of G8
“What if these people are friendlies? If we keep calling the sheriff every time somebody new shows up, they’re eventually going to sour on us constantly crying wolf.”
“He’s got a point,” G8 commented. “Let me check this guy out first. If I need you, watch for my signal.”
“Stuff it. We’re coming outside with you,” T8 stated in a no argument tone.
“I’ll stay by the door. In case this shit goes sideways, I’ll run in to call the sheriff’s office,” P8 told them.
Knowing the others would have his back no matter what, G8 nodded and opened the door. Stepping out onto the front porch, he waited until the others emerged and took a stance on either side of him before taking the short steps to the ground to await whoever was approaching.
Presently, a truck came into view. It stopped behind Cydney’s car and a man, a stranger, got out of the cab. He started to walk up to the lodge when he noticed G8 and the others standing there. Stopping a short distance away, he addressed G8.
“Is this the Children residence?”
Taken somewhat by surprise, G8 tilted his head to the side as he perched his hands on his hips. “I’m Deputy Sheriff Children. How can I help you?” He hoped the bluff worked. Although he wasn’t officially a deputy, with luck the man would believe him, especially if he put on a good enough show.
“I’m Cord Ricks. I’m from Tibbaly, just down the road.” The man pointed to his truck. “I have a load of secondhand furniture and other stuff the townsfolk donated that they thought you could use. We heard about you and decided to help. We’re not rich, but we wanted to give what we could.”
“G8, there’s someone else in the truck. Maybe more. I heard that funny cell phone sound, like the kind Cydney’s made,” P8 whispered.
G8 straightened, crossing his arms over his chest. “Who else is with you?” he demanded of the man.
There was a slight, telling hesitation. “I’m by myself,” Ricks replied. “I was hoping some of you would be here to help me unload.”
The faint sound of a telephone ringing came from behind them. N8 turned as if to go inside and answer it, but G8 waved him off. “It could be one of them,” T8 murmured, as though he’d read G8’s mind. N8 nodded. If the phone was meant to be a distraction, it wasn’t going to work.
Giving the stranger his stoniest glare, G8 remarked, “You do know we can tell when you’re lying to us, don’t you? So I will ask this one last time. Who else is with you?”
Ricks closed his mouth and refused to answer, but it was clear the guy was terrified of something.
“We know you’re in the vehicle!” G8 shouted. “Unless you want to be charged with trespassing, show yourselves now!”
A movement came from the bed of the truck. A man dressed in a pair of dark blue coveralls jumped over the side and strode up to join the other man.
“Something tells me you’re not from Tibbaly,” G8 drily commented.
“No, I’m not. I’m from the Rexxt Corporation.”
G8 felt the others behind him tense up at the name. This game had gone on long enough. It was time to call it off.
“You’re trespassing,” he bluntly said. “Get your ass off our property. Now.”
“Not before you return what is rightfully not yours.”
Although he had a notion what the man was inferring to, he wanted to hear it himself. “What exactly do we have of yours?”
“You have two young children that aren’t biologically yours.”
Like the others, G8 knew there was no point in trying to deny they had the babies. He opened his mouth to ask him why the guy believed they were in possession, but was cut off.
“How do you know that?” P8 challenged. “Are you one hundred percent sure one of us isn’t the father?”
The guy looked taken aback by the question. Obviously, he had expected them to reject his claim, but not this way.
N8 picked up the thread. “For that matter, areyoutheir parent or legal guardian? Can you prove you have the right to claim them?”
“And another thing,” T8 chimed in. “Do you honestly expect us to take your word for what you claim at face value? Where’s your identification? And how the hell were you planning on getting back to wherever it is you were going to take them?” He gestured toward the vehicle. “I don’t see no car seats for them.”
“There’s another,” P8 softly informed them.
