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The blue lights were blinding, and Sandra could feel a headache starting. At least they’d turned the sirens off. She was grateful for that. She imagined the horse was too. It didn’t need to be further traumatized.
Sandra had been worried about the horse. It had been stolen and then confronted by an angel, but Slaughter seemed to speak horse, and was doing a great job of comforting the beautiful beast. She’d already made a call to someone who was coming to rescue the animal, make sure he was okay, and then bring him home. Sandra wished someone would do the same for her.
As Sandra had anticipated, it was wonderfully comforting to see Daphne in handcuffs. Sandra quietly watched as Chip pulled her off the horse, slapped the cuffs on her, and then led her toward a waiting police car.
At first, Chip ignored Sandra entirely, and only Dwight, her least favorite soccer ref, stopped to ask her questions. She answered them as vaguely as she could and counted the seconds until she could get out of there. But then Chip fit her into his schedule. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised!” he called out as he headed her way.
She didn’t respond. What was there to say?
“You want to tell me why Daphne Barney tried to burn down a barn with you in it?”
Sandra shrugged. “I guess she knew that I was onto her.”
“And you just followed her out here all by yourself in the middle of nowhere to meet up with her in an abandoned barn?”
Sandra bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. Chip didn’t appear to be in the smiling mood. “Yes.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Yes? That’s all you’re going to say?”
“What do you want me to say, Chip?”
“I want you to tell me how you knew she was the killer.”
“I didn’t know, exactly. I just knew it was one of them, and she’s the one who tried to burn down an old barn with me in it.”
“There are chains on the ground near the barn door. She didn’t try to trap you inside?”
Sandra didn’t know how to answer that. “I’m not sure what her plan was.”
“What I’m asking is, how did you get out of the barn?”
“I just walked out.”
He raised his voice, and several other police officers turned to stare at them. “She lured you into a barn and lit it on fire, but she didn’t think to shut the door and lock you inside?”
Sandra shrugged. “I’m not sure. You’ll need to ask her. I don’t think she’s a very talented criminal.”
Chip stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. “The thing is, Sandra. I did ask her. She claims that she chained the barn door shut, and that you magically were able to escape. So, I want an explanation.”
She’d never been so tongue-tied. Why couldn’t Bob rescue her now?
“You’re not going to say anything?”
Her head was throbbing. “I’m sorry, Chip.” She sounded like a mouse. “I just don’t have any answers for you.”
He looked at the horse. “And then she tried to get away on horseback and you chased her down a skidder trail in a minivan? You can see how hard all this is for me to believe, right?”
“It’s got really good tires.”
Chip laughed, but he still managed to look angry. “Sandra, I am not a stupid man. I know there’s more you’re not telling me. You’re lucky I believe that you are one of the good guys. Otherwise, I’d be mighty suspicious of you. Last fall, someone tries to shoot you and just mysteriously has an arm seizure. Last winter, someone falls through the ice and you and your kid are mysteriously able to pull him out. And now, you are mysteriously able to escape from a burning barn with the door chained shut and then you mysteriously paralyzed a horse. I don’t believe in the paranormal, Sandra. So I need you to explain to me what’s happening here.”
Sandra was suddenly beyond uncomfortable. This was no longer funny. Chip knew too much. She wished she could become invisible and fly away like Bob. She tried to look respectful and servile. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be difficult. But I’ve been through a lot, and I’m really not feeling well. Do you think I could go home now?”
He stared at her long and hard before granting her permission. “We’re not done talking about this yet.”
She glanced back at her beloved minivan with the spectacular tires. “It seems I’m blocked in by about fourteen vehicles. Do you think one of your officers could give me a ride?”
He nodded, his jaw tight, and motioned Dwight over.
Sandra groaned. She’d rather walk home than hitch a ride with Dwight, but it was too late to specify which chauffeur she preferred, and she didn’t want to do anything to further perplex Chip. So, she would take a ride home from her least favorite soccer ref, and she would be grateful. It could be worse.