Page 45 of Twilight Tactics

Sully positioned himself next to Elena so he could see thenearest monitor. “There we are,” Frank said. “That’s the afternoon you mentioned. What time?”

“Around four o’clock.”

He scrolled until the time was displayed on the screen. The line was long, snaking to the back of the building. People shifted, chatted, carried their packages to the counter, conducted their business, then left.

“Stop,” Elena said. “Stop it there.”

Frank obliged, and Sully saw the figure who’d caught her attention. It was obviously female, but her face was hidden by her winter clothing, including a hat pulled low over her hair and gloves on her hands. “What do you think?”

“I can’t tell,” she said. “But look at her left hand. The way she’s holding her arm. Iris broke her wrist when we were kids. It healed fine, but she always holds it like that when she’s not thinking about it. I’m pretty sure that’s her.”

Sully studied the image again. He could see it now that she pointed it out to him. They watched as the person—Iris possibly—froze. “That’s when I called her name. Shedidhear me.” Iris moved with purpose toward the back of the building, bypassing the main exit. Instead she pushed through the rear door.

“She definitely didn’t want to be seen,” he said.

Elena’s face was pale, but her chin lifted. “She heard me call her name and she ran anyway. Something’s wrong. Someone must be forcing her to stay hidden.”

“She might not have realized it was you calling her,” Sully said. “What if she thought it was someone from the compound?”

“Maybe.”

“I don’t have footage at that door,” Frank said, turning from his computer. “That camera isn’t working and I’m still waiting for someone to come fix it. Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Elena said. “I got what I needed. Thank you.”

“Of course. I’ve got to get back to the counter, but if you need anything else, just ask.”

They followed him to the main area, then Sully led her out the glass door to the sidewalk where Elena swiped a hand under an eye. Probably didn’t mean for him to see it. He placed a hand on her arm and turned her toward him. “You okay?”

She sniffed and nodded. “Yeah. But we’ve spent enough time on this. Let’s get Ollie’s meds and head back. She’s waiting.”

They hurried to the pharmacy. As soon as Holly saw them, she grabbed a bag from the stack. “Here you go,” she said.

Elena took the bag. “Thanks. Do you mind helping us with something else?”

The woman raised a silver brow. “Sure. If I can.”

“You know everyone in town. Have you seen any strangers hanging around recently? Maybe in the last few days? Big-city-type men who don’t look like they’re from around here?”

Holly pushed her glasses up on her nose. “No, can’t say that I have. Why?”

“We ran into some men up in the mountains and they seemed ... out of place. It was odd.”

“It’s not exactly hiking season, and the unseasonably cold weather is keeping a lot of the winter tourists away.” She shrugged. “I haven’t noticed anyone, but I’ll keep an eye out.”

“Thanks,” Sully said. “Shoot me or Elena a text if you do.”

“Absolutely. I have both of your numbers in the system.”

Elena walked toward the door and Sully followed. “Dead end there,” she said.

“Seems like it.”

They stepped outside and nearly collided with Sheriff Rich Donovan, who was just coming up the steps. His eyes landed on Sully. “Well, I’ll be. Sully Sullivan. Good to see you, son.” His weathered face crinkled into a smile and hisgray mustache lifted. He’d been sheriff there for over twenty years and looked like he belonged on the movie set of an old Western. He’d always been one of Sully’s favorite people. He gave the man a hug.

“You too, Sheriff.”

The man’s brows pinched together. “Everything okay out at the ranch? Nothing else has happened?”