CHAPTER 55

The trio recapped the events of the past few days and tried to find some clue that would elucidate the details of the Sheriff’s plan. They discussed possibilities, none of which seemed viable. The only information they possessed was that the Sheriff had said it would be big and that it would be taking place that day. An infinite sea of possibilities still remained within their radar, and they failed to find any method to narrow the search.

Marcus felt like a fisherman who had decided to catch a great white shark by sailing into the middle of the ocean and dropping a line.

“I’ve got a thought,” Andrew said. “It’s simple. A direct approach. I just remembered an old, very politically incorrect saying. It goes something like, ‘When in doubt, beat it out of them.’”

Marcus chuckled, but then his wheels began to turn. He raised his eyebrows and said, “They have to leave somebody behind at the station.”

Andrew nodded. “It would look pretty suspicious if they didn’t. Plus, they have to have somebody around in case Ackerman is spotted. Whoever it is will definitely be on guard. How do we get in without a firefight?”

He turned his eyes toward Maggie, and Andrew followed suit. Maggie’s eyes darted between them. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I can tell that I’m not gonna like it.”

Andrew smiled. “Have you ever used a blackjack?”

~~*~~

Within moments, they were on the road.

Marcus pondered his recent dream of Asherton and the stairway descending into the depths of the unknown. He felt like he was descending those stairs now, only he wasn’t walking. He was tumbling down them, out of control.

He’d always found it hard to tell whether he was moving quickly in the right direction, or tumbling down the wrong path at a speed so great that he would have no hope of catching himself before he hit the ground. Most of the time, all he could do was enjoy the fall and brace for the impact.

When he was younger, danger and velocity had been the catalysts to excitement and fun. But as he realized the consequences of jumping in head first, he became wary of velocity. The greatest velocity achieved was often the precursor to the impact. And the impact was never fun.

As he learned to question his own mortality, velocity ceased to induce excitement and began to induce fear.

They were moving at high velocity now. And he was definitely afraid.

~~*~~

When they arrived at the Sheriff’s office, Maggie ran frantically inside.

The deputy on duty jumped up when he saw her burst through the door. “What’s happening, Maggie? What’s wrong?” he said with a deep southern accent.

“He’s after me. He’s right behind me.”

The deputy ran to her and pulled out his pistol. He moved her behind him for protection, went to the window, and peered out. “I don’t see—”

The man fell to the ground, unconscious.

Maggie stood behind him with the blackjack, a small club designed for maximum damage.