'Til Death (A Rebel Ridge Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

stalked, so start from the
beginning.”
    She nodded, then once again repeated her story, from the
missing feed bucket to the squeaky floorboard in the kitchen and chasing him out
with the rifle. At that point, Quinn returned.
    “I’ll add a little note to the story,” he said. “I think one of
Meg’s shots hit the target. I found blood on the trail, and I also think he had
a dirt bike stashed up on the old Fox place for a getaway.”
    Meg looked startled. “Really? I hope the shot was in his
ass.”
    Her brothers grinned.
    The sheriff chuckled. “You’re certainly a chip off the Walker
block. Where is that glass vase he brought in with him?”
    Ryal groaned. “Swept up and in the trash. Sorry.”
    “So what happens now?” she asked.
    “Since you couldn’t identify him and we don’t have any
witnesses, there’s not a lot I can do, since the glass will be too compromised
for prints. But the report will be filed, and that’s the first step. What I will do is notify medical clinics and hospitals
in the area to let me know about any gunshot victims. If any of the patients
live on Rebel Ridge, they’re gonna have some explaining to do.”
    “So you think it’s someone local?” Ryal asked.
    Marlow shrugged. “It makes sense that only a local would know
Meg lives by herself now. Of course, that’s not an accusation, but it’s
definitely a thought to consider.”
    At that point Dolly came in, her face pink from the heat of the
kitchen, and saw the sheriff.
    “Hello, Mel. It’s good of you to come so quick.”
    “Part of the job, Dolly. How’s new-married life treating
you?”
    She blushed. “Just fine, thank you. If you-all are through
here, dinner is ready. Mel, you’re welcome to stay and eat. There’s plenty.”
    Marlow reluctantly rejected the invitation. “It all smells
really good, and I appreciate the offer, but I’d better get back down to Boone’s
Gap and file this report.” He glanced down at Meg as he stood. “If there’s a
next time, I expect you to call me first.”
    “I will,” she said.
    “I’ll walk you out,” Ryal said, and left the room with the
sheriff.
    Dolly eyed Meg’s attire but said nothing. “Honey, do you need
to go to the bathroom before we eat?”
    “Actually, I do,” Meg said. “And, Mama, if you’ll get me
something clean to put on, I’d appreciate it. I’ve had about all I can stand of
this bloody nightgown.”
    Dolly headed to Meg’s bedroom with a relieved smile on her
face.
    Quinn scooped Meg up out of the recliner and carried her toward
the bathroom.
    “We need to get you a wheelchair,” he said.
    Dolly heard him as she came back up the hall. “I think I know
where we can borrow one. I’ll make a call after we eat.”
    * * *
    The day that had begun in such a traumatic fashion ended
on a quiet note as Jake wheeled Meg to her bedroom in the borrowed wheelchair
and then bade her good-night.
    She thought about the nearly finished quilt on the frame but
was too weary to seriously consider working on it. Instead she took out a couple
of pain pills and reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. Her feet
were hurting, but there was nothing to be done but get through this day by
day.
    She swallowed the pills, slid down beneath the covers and
closed her eyes while listening to the murmur of voices beyond her door. She
hated to admit it, but she would never have been able to relax without someone
with her tonight. She fell asleep listening to crickets chirping outside her
window and the sound of a coyote yipping somewhere on the ridge above the
house.
    * * *
    His arm was infected and he was running a fever, but
going to the doctor wasn’t happening. They would know immediately that it was a
gunshot wound and would be bound by law to report it. He needed some medicine,
but he was going to have to lie to get it. Luckily he knew right where to go.
Aunt Tildy Bennett was the resident herb woman on Rebel Ridge, and she had all
manner of ointments for