“Oh, bloody—” The woman’s voice exploded in Gracie’s ears, right before something smacked into her temple, and then she saw nothing more.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Sheriff, Sheriff!”
Rafe looked up as a young woman came racing down the hallway toward his office. He’d just stepped out to grab another cup of coffee and a file Sally Anne had waiting for him to sign. She’d gone to lunch, so he had a few minutes of peace and quiet before she got back. Lord knew he loved the woman, but she could talk a mile a minute.
“Alice, slow down. What’s wrong?”
Out of breath, Alice placed a hand against her chest and panted for a few seconds. “There’s a woman at Gracie’s shop…something’s wrong…Gracie told me to go home early…”
“Okay, take a second. Deep breaths. That’s a good girl. Now, start over. Somebody came into Gracie’s shop?”
She nodded. “I was in the back working on the new order that came in. I was focused on it when Gracie and this woman came into the back.” She stopped and drew in another deep breath. “Gracie told me to leave early. But there was a strange lady in the back. Gracie hardly ever allows anybody who’s not an employee back into the stock area.”
“Alright, that’s a little out of the ordinary, but what made you come racing over her to tell me about it?”
“I started to leave, like Gracie said. She wanted me to lock up the front as I left. Only she knows I can’t lock the front door. I don’t have keys yet. So, I went back to ask her what she wanted me to do, and I saw that the blonde lady had a gun, and she was forcing Gracie to leave with her.”
Rafe’s heartbeat raced as Alice’s words sank in. “Alice, I need you to be very sure. You clearly saw the gun?”
“Yes, sir. I’m positive. She had it in her right hand. She kinda tried to keep it out of sight, but I saw it.”
“You did the right thing coming to get me. Now I need you to go home. Don’t tell anybody about this, Alice. Not until I talk with you later, understand? It’s important you don’t say anything to anybody. I’m going to help Gracie, I promise.”
“Please don’t let her get hurt. She’s a good person. I don’t know why somebody would want to hurt her.”
“I don’t either, Alice. Go on, now. I need to go help Gracie.”
He watched Alice head for the front door, and he pulled his cell phone from his back pocket, dialing Nick’s number.
“Hello.”
“Get here ASAP.”
“Rafe, what’s wrong?”
“Somebody pulled a gun on Gracie. I’m heading over to her shop now.” He opened the front door and headed for Gracie’s Grounds. On full alert, he scanned the sidewalks as he crossed the street, running to get there as fast as he could.
“I’m about ten minutes out. Your Dad’s with me. I’ll meet you there.” After a short pause, he heard, “Rafe, don’t let anything happen to her.” The anguish in Nick’s voice confirmed what Rafe had known for days. The man was head over heels in love with Gracie.
“I’ll watch over her, you’ve got my word.”
He’d reached the front door, and stopped outside long enough to glance through the window and see there was no one inside, at least not visible from the street. Twisting the knob, he pushed the door open, hearing the little bell above the door tinkle. It was eerily quiet within the shop. Slowing pulling out his weapon, he headed toward the stock area.
Holding his breath, he pushed open the door slowly, doing his best to remain calm and focused. This was Gracie, his friend, and whatever was happening, he needed to diffuse the situation if possible.
Moving through the opening, it was evident nobody was there. The back door of the shop was wide open. Rafe walked out into the alley, scanning up and down, but there was nobody. Holstering his gun, he headed back inside. He’d barely made it back into the stock area when he heard his name being yelled.
“Back here, bro.”
“Dad called, told me to hightail it over here and help you with a situation.” Ridge raised a brow. “What can I do?”
“Looks like somebody kidnapped Gracie. Alice came running to get me, but by the time I got here, they were gone. Found the back door ajar, so they took her out through the alley. I need to get the forensics team in here ASAP.”
“Let me call Shiloh and Destiny, have them see if they can access the traffic cameras. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll spot something.”
“Good idea. Thanks.” Rafe looked toward the front when the door flew open and Nick and his dad entered, and he knew there was going to be a problem. Nick had that wild-eyed look of a man on the edge.
