Laurel surveyed the assembled mess of rescue vehicles and police cars that lined the road’s edge. She chewed on her thumbnail, searching until she finally caught sight of the truck pulling in at the end of the row of cars. It was white, making it easier to spot the DOT logo on the side.
She rushed for the car just as a man got out and came forward.
“Gerald,” she said, half-relieved but half-nauseous with nerves.
“Laurel,” Gerald greeted her. In that one word was a small thread of warmth. He’d been the nicest man she’d worked for and the friendliest, still careful to keep a professional distance but willing to relax. To talk and joke with her. He was the only boss she’d ever had that let her forget she was a woman in a man’s workplace. For that, she was grateful and held a soft spot for him.
He frowned when she got closer and cast a glance at the work crews assembled. “What’s the status?” he asked. “Is it bad?”
twenty minutes ago. No word yet on whether
was poachers. This party was a group of four. Someone heard shots fired.
hundredth time at the mere mention of gunshots, but she nodded and kept her game face on. If Gerald only knew she was more worried about
still
She ignored it, knowing he was upset at
worry you. You should get some rest.
with a look and unease skittered along the back
Laurel,” Gerald began. He took her elbow and led her toward his truck, away from the crowd. He lowered his voice and Laurel’s nerves came rushing back with full
it?” she
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!