“Just doing our jobs.” Jaris also stood. “You’ve been most helpful, Dr. Potter. Thank you for your cooperation on this.”
Potter smiled, the lines in his face softening. “You’re very welcome, Deputy. Tell me, how is the woman doing? She’s okay, isn’t she?”
Jaris’s eyes narrowed slightly for a brief second. “She’s in good hands.”
* * * *
Sitting in her wheelchair, Kaylyn waited in the band’s trailer for the show to start. She took a sip of water and blew out a deep breath.
“You don’t have to go on tonight, Kaylyn.” Mitchell was the leader of Wolfe Mayhem. He was also a good friend. Mitchell was Jason and Lucas’s brother. The three Wolfe brothers were happily engaged to Phoebe.
“I told you. Doc gave his blessing. I just have to stay seated. I’ll wheel myself out in this chair.”
“You won’t be wheeling yourself out.” Chance stroked her hair. “I will.”
“And Chance and I will be next to the stage, ready for anything.” Jaris, like Chance, had become even more protective of her ever since the interrogation of Potter. Still, his demeanor had seemed off somehow since last night. “The first sign of trouble and you’re coming off the stage.”
She shook her head. “Nothing is going to go wrong.” But something was definitely wrong with Jaris.
“We have everything under control.” Chance placed his hand on her shoulder. “Jaris and I will do whatever we have to do to keep you safe from Potter and his buddies.”
“All those guys made bail,” Mitchell said. “Any word from Jena and her guys about what they’ve found on the information highway about them?”
“So far, everything lines up with what they’ve said.” Jaris leaned down and rubbed Sugar’s back. “But I know Potter is hiding something. The way his voice stiffened when I asked him about his practice tells me he’s lying. If anyone can get to the truth, it’s Jena.”
Kaylyn looked at Mitchell. “Seriously, I’m fine. I want to sing. Jason is keeping a detail near Potter and his friend during the whole evening.”
“I heard. Nicole is leading some of the team and Dylan the others.” Mitchell smiled. “Add to them Chance, Annie, Jaris, and Sugar on the job, any of those five doctors make a wrong move and they’ll be sorry they did.”
Hank, the band’s lead guitarist, came into the trailer. “We’re on in five, you two.”
“We’re ready.” She turned to Chance. “You really want to wheel me out?”
“I do.” He grabbed the handles of her chair.
Hank held the door open.
“Hold on,” Jaris said firmly.
“Don’t try to talk me out of this.” What is up with him? “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
He bent down and touched her on the shoulder. “Keep your eyes on the crowd. You see anything that doesn’t seem right, just say ‘I see a cowboy out there.’ That will tip me and Chance to get you off the stage.”
“That’s a great idea, Jaris,” Mitchell said. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled, too. If need be, I’ll pull the plug and help you get Kaylyn back to the trailer.”
She reached up and touched Jaris on the cheek. His stubble tickled her fingertips. “I promise. Now, can Chance take me to the stage?”
Jaris stepped back and his bearing turned dark and withdrawn again. “Yes. Let’s get her out there.”
She didn’t have time to ask him about it now, but she was determined to ask him at home tonight. Chance pulled her into his big arms and carried her down the three short steps. Mitchell lugged the wheelchair through the door and Chance settled her back down. He pushed her toward the stage.
Like everyone in Destiny, Kaylyn loved Dragon Week. It was one of her favorite events of the year.
She glanced over at the O’Leary family, the founders of Dragon Week and the town’s most loved trio. All three were in their eighties, but their advanced age didn’t slow them down one bit. They were vibrant, charming, and full of life. Though they were the richest family in Destiny, with an extreme wealth into the billions, they were the most generous and down-to-earth people she’d ever known. Patrick O’Leary, the Master of Ceremony and dragon expert, sat next to his wife. Ethel, who still was the county’s judge, looked gorgeous with her silver hair neat as always. Ethel’s other husband, Sam O’Leary, stood behind them, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand. Even at his age, Sam, like many of the locals, had volunteered for the event’s security team, which was double from last year. Had to be, since Lunceford was still on the loose.
Thinking about Destiny’s most evil enemy, Kaylyn trembled. Were Jaris and Chance right about her shooter? Did Potter have some connection to Lunceford? If so, did the bastard have her four precious dogs?
The stage was dimly lit but would be washed in light once Patrick introduced the band.