Black Thunder by David Thurlo Read Free Book Online Page B

mid-thirties,stepped out to meet them.
    “I’m Lois Bitsillie, and those are my children inside. They’re both going to school in Kirtland, and I’m now working at the Burger Haven, so I can provide for them,” she said. “We were only going to stay here long enough for their uncle to get back from overseas. We’ll be moving out of here tomorrow sometime, so leave me and my kids alone.”
    Ella recognized the cap andred-and-yellow uniform of the popular area fast-food restaurant. “We’re not from CYF, ma’am, we’re tribal police officers.”
    Ella opened her jacket slightly, showing the badge and weapon on her belt, then turned to look over her shoulder as she heard footsteps from inside.
    A teenage girl in faded jeans and a black tee-shirt had come in through the back, followed by a boy around eight wearingbaggy chinos, a faded knit shirt, and worn sneakers. The girl looked more angry than frightened, but the boy was clearly scared and hesitant to come forward.
    “Del?” Ella asked softly as they came out. “You left one of your cars in the house up the street. The blue Jeep. Would you like it back?”
    The boy kept his head down, avoiding eye contact. “It can’t be mine. I’m not allowed to play insidethat haunted house.…”
    “What’s this all about?” Lois asked Ella, coming closer. “I saw all those police cars over by the fence line. Did somebody run off the highway? Are you two okay?” she added quickly, turning to look at her kids.
    “We’re fine, Mom,” the girl said, and Del shrugged, his head still down.
    “Can we come in for a bit, Lois?” Ella asked the mother. “We’re investigating a crime andwe’d like to talk to people from the area.”
    “Sure, but the place is a mess. Our housekeeper has the day off,” Lois said with a quick half-smile.
    Ella stepped through, followed by Justine, then reached into her pocket and brought out the toy Jeep. “I think this is yours.”
    Del started to reach for it, then pulled his hand back, and looked up at his mother.
    “Go ahead, Son,” Lois said with a sigh.“And thank the officer for finding it for you.”
    As Ella held the toy out in the palm of her hand, she saw the red dot of a laser gun sight appear in the center of Del’s forehead.

FIVE
    “Gun!” Ella yelled, lunging at the boy. There were two faint pops and a massive fist punched her twice in the back. The breath knocked out of her, Ella fell forward and crawled over to the boy, shielding him with her body.
    “Stay down!” Justine ordered the others, her voice barely heard above Lois’ screams and that of her daughter.
    When no more shots sounded, Ella, nearly paralyzed withpain, rolled away from Del. The boy, whimpering, curled up in a fetal position on the worn tile floor.
    As Del’s family crawled toward him in the eerie stillness that followed, Ella sat up. Justine was crouched beside the doorjamb, pistol out. “I can’t get a location.”
    “He’s using a silencer. Where the hell is he?” Ella said, coming up next to the partially boarded north side window but keepingher body out of view.
    “Across the road somewhere. Ella, I saw you get hit. I assume the vest held?” Justine said, still searching for the shooter.
    “Yeah, I took two below my left shoulder blade. My back is killing me. I can barely move,” Ella said, trying to steady her voice.
    “Better soreness than a G.S.W.,” Justine said.
    “Did any of you see anyone?” Ella asked, turning her head toward thefamily. Lois had slid over and was covering Del with her body. The daughter was huddled beside them.
    “There was a dark shape in the shade of that tree,” Lois said, pointing across the road.
    “Which tree? There are a half dozen over there,” Ella said, peering around the window ledge opposite Justine.
    “Kind of in the middle,” Lois said. “Just this side of the falling rocks sign. I’ll show youlater—if we make it out of here.”
    “Cover me, partner,” Justine said. “I’ll