Dangerous Legacy. Valerie Hansen
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slurped her cheek and ear.
“Yeah, well, maybe your path was best, but now what?”
The dog stiffened as if in reply. His nose twitched and he lifted it to face the breeze, then raised his hackles.
Maggie tensed. Listened. Held her breath until her body forced her to exhale. What she had thought was the sound of her panting dog was actually farther away, in the direction she believed they had come. It wasn’t loud. And it faded from time to time, but it was definitely there.
She stood slowly, dismayed by a wave of dizziness. Pushing herself to the edge of her endurance was one thing, but this consequence was unexpected. How could she run when she could hardly keep her balance? And what if she fainted?
“I have never fainted in my life and I’m not going to start now,” Maggie insisted in a whisper. Wolfie wagged his bushy tail.
Demanding that her body comply, she turned to start up the slope behind them. The third step dropped her against the trunk of an enormous oak and there she stayed while bright flashes of color danced at the edges of her vision and the forest seemed to vibrate. This was not good.
Beside her, Wolfie began to growl.
Maggie followed his line of sight, seeing nothing but drifting, shimmering, moonlit shadows. Clearly, she was not going any farther, so what could she use as a defensive weapon?
A nearby deadfall caught her eye. She managed to break a portion of a loose, rotting limb from the fallen tree. It wasn’t much of a club, but at least it wasn’t too heavy to wield. She’d played baseball as a child. It was time for a little batting practice. Even if she only got one swing, it was better than just standing there.
“Wolfie, heel,” Maggie ordered quietly. “Down. Stay.”
Resting the section of limb on her shoulder, she propped herself behind the massive oak and waited.
A twig snapped. Wolfie started to rise, but the flat of Maggie’s hand in front of his nose stopped him. It wouldn’t be long now. Truth to tell, she was looking forward to clocking the guy who had run her off the road.
She tensed. The dog was quivering beside her, as ready as she was. Another cracking sound. Heavy breathing. Almost there!
Fight-or-flight emotions gave her a needed jolt of energy. She poised and mustered her strength, waiting for just the right moment to swing.
* * *
Tracking had been part of Flint’s job training. He’d temporarily lost Maggie’s trail when she crossed a field of exposed rock, but he knew she couldn’t be far ahead.
Should he call to her? No. That might tip off anyone who was stalking her. He couldn’t chance it.
Bending low to inspect a patch of disturbed leaves, he sensed imminent danger and began to rise.
Flint’s forearm came up just in time to absorb most of the blow. Bits of rotted wood rained down like snowflakes. He shouted, “Officer of the law” as he ducked to the side to avoid further strikes and drew his sidearm.
His flashlight found its target. Someone was preparing to hit him again. “Freeze!”
In a heartbeat, he understood. Maggie had thought he was her enemy and had defended herself. Bravo for her. Too bad her aim was so good.
He raised both hands, diverting the light and the gun. “It’s me. Maggie, it’s me. You’re safe now.”
Flint holstered his pistol while she processed reality. He flicked off the flashlight in case there was danger nearby and ruffled his hair to brush away bits of wood.
“Drop the limb, Maggie,” he said, keeping his voice low. “You’re safe now. You’re safe.”
Slowly, her arms lowered. The fractured branch fell. She began to blink rapidly and her balance wavered. Flint reached out to catch her and she fell into his arms, clinging as if he were the only lifeline in a sea of hungry sharks.
What could he do? He tightened his embrace, held her close and waited for her to relax. Eternity passed. Flint was so overcome with emotional memory he squeezed his eyes shut and prayed for strength. This hurt. Deeply. It was as if no time had passed; as if he and Maggie were once again in love and looking forward to a bright future together.
Reality saved him when Wolfie whined. Maggie pushed him away. The look in her eyes was unreadable. His conscience insisted he apologize. “I’m sorry. I thought you were going to faint.”
“I never...” She began to nod. “Thanks. I am woozy. I guess I ran too far and too fast.”
Flint held up a hand. “Hold on a second and you can tell me everything.” He pulled out his phone and reported that she was safe, then led her to the nearest rock outcropping so she could rest and recover, trusting the dog to alert if anyone else approached.
“Okay. What happened?”
“A big truck ran me off the road.”
“I could tell that something did. Why did you run?”
“Because he came back!” Her voice faltered. “I—I thought he was going to finish me.”
“Why? Who has it in for you?
Her shoulders sagged. “Nobody. At least not lately.”
“Explain.”
“Do you remember Abigail Dodd? She used to teach in the old rock school. My mother was one of her students.”
“What about her?”
“She’s the one who thought of starting the wildlife rescue here. I had just graduated from school to become a veterinary assistant, and when she couldn’t find a real vet to take the management job, she offered it to me.”
“Why would that make anybody shoot at you and run you off the road?”
Maggie huffed. “I testified on Abigail’s behalf. Her nephew actually threatened me after the competency hearing and her niece glared daggers. I wouldn’t put it past either of them to shoot at me. What I don’t understand is why they waited until now.”
“The sheriff mentioned something about that hearing, but he never told me you’d been threatened. He just said Ms. Dodd’s relatives were unhappy about the verdict.”
“That’s an understatement. Missy and Sonny were fit to be tied. They wanted power of attorney. I’m the reason they didn’t get it.”
Flint listened with concern. “Do you think it was one of them who ran you off the road tonight?”
“I can’t think of anybody else who’s that mad at me. Maybe they figure they’ll have a better shot at their aunt’s money if I don’t stand in their way.”
“You do realize how paranoid that sounds, don’t you?”
“It’s only paranoia if nobody is really out to get me. After two tries, including tonight, I wonder.”
* * *
By the time the sheriff’s men arrived on ATVs to take Flint and her back to the road, Maggie had regained most of her strength. The official pronouncement that her truck was still safe to drive helped even more.
“I’m fine,” she insisted to a crowd of men. “I can get to my mother’s by myself.”
Harlan seemed reluctant to allow it. Flint looked angry.
She faced them, hands on her hips. “You agree my wheels are safe and it’s only a couple more miles to town. What’s your problem?”
“You are,” Flint argued. “An hour ago you were hardly able to stand. What makes you think you’re capable of driving?”
“An hour ago I was scared to death,” she countered. “Now that nobody’s chasing me, I’m fine.”
“What