“Good. Let’s have all the search parties convene at my office in an hour.” The sheriff continued giving instructions about where all the officers would report.
Chance came up and in a low tone said, “Dragon Week is still going on.”
“Two more days of it. There’s a lot to cover.” Jaris didn’t envy the sheriff’s current situation. Jason had quite the job to do. “Potter is missing. Lunceford is still on the loose. And then there is Bayless to deal with.”
“The coordination is critical to make sure everyone stays safe.” Chance was dead on.
“I’m sure the sheriff has it under control.”
“With everyone’s help, yes.”
“Sean, are you at the Boys Ranch yet?” the sheriff asked.
Sean’s voice came on. “Just pulling through the gate. We’ll take them to Kaylyn’s kennels.”
Jaris could hear an engine off in the distance. Then he heard something he hadn’t heard since leaving Chicago. A helicopter.
“You hear that, Jaris?” Chance had clearly heard it, too.
“Yes. I’m betting it’s the state’s response to the sheriff’s APB.”
“That was fast.”
“They might’ve had someone close in the area.” A stroke of luck they could certainly use right now.
“Guys, let’s go get our dogs.” Kaylyn was tugging on his arm. “I want to make sure they are okay.”
He and Chance walked out the door with her, leaving the rest to listen to the sheriff’s assignments. Sugar and Annie led the way.
“We’ll have to get Dr. Strong to check them out as soon as possible,” Chance said as they walked to the back of the property to the kennels.
“Absolutely,” Kaylyn said. The excitement in her voice could not be missed. “Lyle can access their health until then.”
Just as they got there, Sean drove up and parked by the building.
He and Matt got out of the truck. They had their ROCs with them, which were broadcasting the sheriff’s briefing, which was still going on.
Jaris could also hear the four dogs barking with excitement, Rex being the loudest.
Kaylyn ran to them.
“They’re in great condition, Kaylyn,” Matt said, opening the tailgate of the truck.
Jaris could feel Sugar’s tail hitting his leg. She was excited to see her friends. So was he. He bent down and petted them. He recognized Rosie first. She was the one who loved to lick his hand the most.
“Just look at them,” Kaylyn said. “Aren’t they so beautiful?”
“They sure are,” Chance said. “But I can feel they need a good brushing, especially Blue.”
“You’re right about that.” As happy as Kaylyn clearly was, it was obvious she was also angry for what Potter had done to their dogs. “King has stickers all in his coat.”
“Sheriff, we have shots fired in town.” Nicole’s anxious voice came through Sean and Matt’s ROCs. “It sounds like all hell is breaking loose.”
“All teams return to Destiny immediately,” the sheriff ordered.
Lunceford’s attacking.
“We need to get the dogs inside,” Chance said.