Wright In Danger

Chapter One

As the morning rain pelted down, Loraine worked to keep her umbrella in hand. This was karma for wanting to sleep in. She should have taken the ride in with June, per usual. Opening her coffee shop, while enjoying her first coffee would have been the scene. Instead, she was two blocks away and already drenched.

Coming to the crosswalk, the puddles were nearly as high as the curb. She gave herself a pat on the back for having purchased rain boots. Designed with tiny frog faces, she found them to be adorable. No matter that June called them childish. Lifting her head to check the light, a black van came careening up the street. Not enough time to move, she was hit full force with the spay from the tires. Sputtering in shock, she turned her head to see them come to a stop. Appalled at their utter disregard, she intended to give a piece of her mind. Knowing June had a handle on the shop, she started in the vans direction.

A large man was dressed entirely in black, climbed out. Even soaked through Loraine immediately knew he was bad news. Shifting her attention down the block, she saw a familiar face. Allison Wright. It clicked into place, the mans intention. Not thinking to call for help, she took off at a sprint. If she would just get between them, it would give Allison enough time to make a run for it.

As the man wasn't paying attention, it gave her the advantage. Hope took root in her once she reached the sidewalk. Glancing in the mans direction, he was now closing in fast. With only seconds, she grabbed hold of Allison's sleeve, cornflower blues wide in shock. As Loraine opened her mouth to tell her to run, a thick hand took hold of her neck. Allison screamed as she was thrown against the wet bricks. Breath knocked out of her, she clutched at her chest. Gasping, her adrenaline pumping, she righted herself.

Only to see Allison no longer stood in the same spot. Instinctively turning in the direction of the van, her stomach dropped. The man was grappling to keep a hold of her as she put up a hard resistance. Breath sawing, she took off after them. Despite the agony in her chest, through sheer willpower she manged to catch up.

Latching onto the mans arm, it was as if she wasn't there. His focus entirely on getting Allison inside. Kicking off the door, this had the mans balance disrupted. As he stumbled, those cornflower blues now swimming in tears met hers. "Loraine. I need you to tell Colson. Tell him I said I'm sorry."

Growling, the man regained his balance, fist coming fast at Loraine's face. The force of the impact had her meeting the cement with brutality. Pain splintered through her head. There was no holding back the whimper it inspired. Eyes squeezed closed, she would have cried if the overwhelming pain had allowed. The doors slammed in her ears, making her flinch with the pain. Unable to do anything more, she succumbed to the darkness.

Detective Beau Tanner arrived at the scene with Officer Rosalie Duvall. The paramedics were already at work loading Loraine into the ambulance. Rounding the hood of the cruiser, he zeroed in on the woman who had made the emergency call. Dressed in boho chic, her fiery hair was a beacon against the bricks. "Detective Tanner. Officer Duvall. Thank you for getting here so quickly." Stopping just in front of her, she wrung her hands, eyes glancing to the ambulance. "Ma'am. Did you see what happened?" Tanner asked. Head shaking lifted her hands to her mouth. "I own the boutique across the street. I was turning my sign to open when I s-saw her."

The woman was near hyperventilating. Seeing this, Rosalie took over, speaking in a soothing tone. "The paramedics will have her delivered to the hospital. She'll be well looked after. I know this has upset you. Any chance I could convince you to close for the day and head home?" There was no hesitation in the woman's nod. Hugging herself, she hurried back to her boutique.

"We need to inform her sister, June. She's not going to take this well." Rosalie looked off in the direction of the coffee shop that the sisters ran together. Though Loraine was the sole owner. "We'll go slow with it," Beau assured.