Page 55 of Without Warning
I dress in khaki pants and a polo.I spend a little time loving on my babies after feeding them, before Mrs.Butters takes them out.She’s been perfect to have around the girls.She lives in a cabin on the property and comes up to take care of the dogs only when we’re away or at work.
By the time I have my tennis shoes on and a protein shake in my hand, my team is waiting for me.I walk over to the white Range Rover, which is now my primary vehicle.Thompson holds the back door open while Grand is already in the driver’s seat.I climb into the back.
“I have an appointment before work.Here’s the address.”I couldn’t send it earlier, or they would’ve notified Darrell.“Can we please keep this between us for now?I don’t want Mr.Boseman to know just yet what I’m doing.It’s a surprise.”I pause.“For our anniversary.”I throw in the last part, hoping the guys will understand.
“We can do that,” Grand says.
He’s been around for months now.I’ve seen him with Jada.Thompson is new, though.I turn to him, and he glances at his watch.
“I guess if it doesn’t take too long.Mr.Boseman is very specific in his requests regarding you,” Thompson says.
“Thank you.”I lean back.
I’m still getting to know Thompson.There are times I don’t feel like he’s going to be a good fit for me.I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just a feeling.He’s not always very respectful to me.Even Grand looks at him in shock before turning to face me.
“It’s okay, Daphne.I can keep a secret, as long as your safety isn’t compromised.”
“It’s just a clinic appointment.I’ve already called work and told them I’ll be a little late.”I smile at him.
We start the almost half-hour drive to town down the country road.Houses are spaced out here and there, nothing like the suburbs.We’re in the mountains, out of town.I focus on my phone, responding to a text from my sister, who is loving her new job.
Delly
What’s the plan for today?
Me
I have an appointment.The guys are taking me right now.
“What the hell is this?”Grand says, and I look up.
There are a few sections where the old road splits.One lane runs on one side of the trees and the other on the opposite side.I see a car stopped in the road, and a woman is standing there, flagging us down.
“Pull over.We can help her,” Thompson says, and Grand shakes his head.
“No.We’ll call it in and keep going.It could be a trap.”
“Are you sure?”I ask from the back seat.
The woman looks really young and scared.She keeps glancing back at her engine, where the hood is up.
“There are two of us.What could happen?”Thompson says, and we pull over.
My phone rings in my hand.
“Yeah,” I answer without looking at it.
“What kind of appointment?”Delly’s voice comes across the line.
“Just an appointment.Hold on a second.There’s something going on.A woman is broken down, and Thompson is getting out to help her.”
I watch as Thompson approaches the woman and reaches for her arm.Grand is shaking his head, glancing around.Suddenly, a loud bang rings out, and I scream as Grand’s body falls to the side.
“Daphy.Daphy, are you okay?”I hear Delly’s voice.
“No,” I cry.“Grand’s been shot.Get help,” I scream as a man opens the back door.He looks vaguely familiar.I’ve seen him before.
“Drop the phone, Daphne, and come with me.”He points a gun at me.
