a couple more patients.” He placed his empty on the little table. The low sound of thunder in the distance made him look up.
“The boss did a background check on you, your sister, and Eden. He doesn’t work for or near people who have questionable backgrounds. Plus, he’s been told you’re making huge strides with Ms. Marshall. He liked what he heard and saw, and he wanted you to know there will always be a position here for you.”
“I’m not leaving Hollister unless it’s in a pine box. If he has people who want to come out here for treatment, I’m game.”
“Ha, well, if I know him, he’s thought about it. Guardian could keep you better protected here in D.C.”
“I appreciate the thought, my friend.” The town wouldn’t be protected. His sister and Eden lived alone. No, it wouldn’t happen.
Jamison sighed, “But you’re not going to bite.”
“Not even a nibble.” He heard Phil’s garage door go down and glanced at his watch. The man was punctual. Every night at five Phil closed that shop and went to the Bit and Spur for a cold beer before he walked home to his family. You could set your watch by the man. Routines that Cyrus would know and identify in an instant and use against the people who lived and loved in this small town. “There are so many lives here that he’d mess with just to get to me. I won’t be responsible for any more—” A loud rumble of thunder vibrated the ground under him.
“Storming there?” Jamison asked.
“Yeah, the front’s moving in. The storms are massive.” The vast horizons filled with dark clouds and he could see lightning popping as the fronts advanced. He’d seen nothing quite like it. Not wanting to get caught in a sudden downpour, he picked up his bottle and went into the apartment.
“Do I need to address the fact that you were not responsible for their deaths?”
“No. Logically, I understand it. Emotionally, it will take time before I believe it.” He went through the apartment and dropped his empty into the waste bin. Looking out the kitchen window, he saw another lightning strike. The thunder rolled from a distance about six seconds later, still powerful enough to vibrate the apartment.
“I’ll call as soon as we know more. Until then.”
“Thanks, bye.” He hung up the phone and closed his eyes. Thank God Docker’s family had been gone. He opened his eyes and stared at his hands. There were things he could do. He’d go to the pasture Ken Zorn had shown him and keep practicing his aim with his handgun. He was proficient, but he needed to be better.
Another rumble of thunder vibrated the foundations of the building. He turned on the oven and grabbed a take-out casserole courtesy of Gen. He put it on a sheet pan and shoved it in the oven, deciding not to keep tonight’s information from Eden. Yes, it would do nothing but cause her more stress, and there was no indication Cyrus was heading his way, but she needed to know about the situation. He leaned against the door and stared sightlessly into the small living room. Dread slithered up and down his spine. Cyrus would come. It was only a matter of when. The next time Jamison called he was going to get contact information for the Guardians that were coming to South Dakota. He wouldn’t be a victim this time. He’d be prepared.
Lightning flashed and thunder exploded nearly instantaneously, shaking the building. The power flickered and then died.
“Remi!” Eden’s voice calling up the stairs sounded panicked. He jogged to the door and opened it.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, but we need to go to the root cellar, there is a tornado heading this way.” She waved at him and he raced down the stairs. They were out the door seconds later and she locked it behind them. He grabbed her hand and they dashed across the street behind the cafe. Rain pelted them, stinging with the force of the wind. He glanced down the street. A funnel cloud at least a mile wide was heading right toward them. They dashed behind the cafe, soaked by the slashing rain. He bent down and opened the door for her. “Gen!” There was no response. “I’ll be right back.”
Eden’s eyes said the words the wind whipped away. He nodded, shut the door, and raced to the cafe. He threw open the back door just as Gen moved to open it. “Get in the