“No, sir. I had only just arrived and was scrambling for my life when the bullets went flying. You’re welcome to check.”
I hold out my camera to him, and Reaper’s eyes widen. While he was talking to the sheriff, I sent the pictures of the day to the cloud and deleted them from my camera.
“Murphy,” the Sheriff commands. “Escort this woman to your squad car and check her camera. If there’s anything on it, secure it as evidence.”
“You can’t do that,” I protest.
The sheriff looks me up and down. “Now, lady, you just watch me.”
Officer Murphy places his hand on my elbow, and Highway steps toward him with a growl. His hand drops, and he points to a police car.
“Ma’am, if you’ll come this way?”
Highway’s eyes meet mine, and I place a hand on his chest. “I’ll be right back.”
He steps back and gives Officer Murphy a stare that makes the man swallow loudly. Despite the grim surroundings, a smile creases on my face. For a man who couldn’t get himself to talk to me, Highway sure seems invested.
When we get to the squad car, I hold out my camera for Officer Murphy.
“Ma’am, if you could please just show me what’s on it?”
“Sure. You’re not good with technology?”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that. I can see this probably cost you more than I make in a week, hell, maybe a month. I don’t want to break it.”
With a chuckle, I show him the photographs on my camera.
“You took pictures of the dirt?”
Nodding, I say, “When the gunfire started, I hit the ground and must have had my finger on the button.” I shrug. “My usual gig is wildlife, not… this.”
Officer Murphy places a hand on my upper arm. “You shouldn’t be out here, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Gwen.”
Highway moves up behind Officer Murphy and clears his throat.
The officer immediately drops his hand and moves back. “Ahh, seems like the lady didn’t get photos of anything important.” The officer tips his hat at me. “Ma’am, I mean Gwen, we won’t need to take your camera into evidence.” He walks away, only glancing back at me once as he rejoins his boss near Creed.
“You know he’s harmless.”
Highway purses his lips together. “He’s a cop.”
“And that makes him trouble?”
“For the club, yes.” Highway looks around. “I need to check on my people and want you to be safe. You know Winchester, yeah?”
“He’s your sergeant at arms, right?”
“Find him. He’ll be near someone who’s injured or dead.”
Reaching out, I place my hand on his chest and move closer to him. “Why can’t I stay with you?”
“The police are going to keep us here. Winchester has a car. Ask him to borrow it.” His hand covers mine. “Then go home. Stay there until I come for you.” Highway bends at the knees tolook me in the eyes and nods as though he needs me to do as I’m told.
“Okay.” I look at our hands joined together on his chest. “But you’ll find me later?”
“I said I would.”
