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Murdoch saw the couple walking along the road when he was halfway between Value and his brother-in-law Lamar's land around nine the morning after the storm had hit.
As soon as he’d heard what had happened in Value and Barrattville and Finley Creek, he’d hit the road. He’d gone straight to Finley Creek, bypassing Value and Barrattville though he’d wanted to go there first. Every hand on deck for the TSP.
The Finley Creek post had taken a direct hit. They needed able-bodied volunteers everywhere in the city.
Murdoch had worked all night, then finally left when he’d been told to.
He’d headed down a different highway than one he’d come up—this time headed toward Value.
He'd stopped off at Ronnie's first around eight a.m.; now he was on his way to Becky's to check on his younger sister. He’d swing by Celia’s last. Just to make certain she was ok. He’d spoken with everyone on the phone the night before, but that didn’t mean shit.
He needed to see his sisters with his own eyes.
Then he’d head over to Garrity and get a feel for how the place was run—before he took over. If Garrity had taken much damage, he needed to be there to help however he could.
Murdoch’s GPS diverted him around a road closing—and there they were.
Two of the eight missing TSP everyone was worried about.
He recognized Addy and Moore easily. Murdoch had heard the bulletin about them being missing on his drive up. He was going to volunteer to help search for them after he’d left Celia’s. Before heading to Garrity.
It hadn’t surprised him when he’d heard it was Deputy Moore missing with the sheriff. He had a feeling Addy kept her pretty close.
The other sheriff had it bad for his own deputy. Not that Murdoch could blame him. Murdoch felt a bit protective of her too, considering what his uncle had done.
He pulled his Tahoe to the side and rolled down the window. "Good morning, Addy. The entire county is out looking for you. Just my luck I’m the one who found you. Can I give you a lift?" It wasn't really a question, and they all knew it. The deputy opened the passenger door first. She slipped into the back seat quickly. Murdoch watched. She really was a cute little thing, just like his brother Cam had said. Cam and Kyra were apparently on their way down today to help with search-and-rescue efforts, as soon as they could get there.
“Where to, folks?”
"We were headed to where we could get cell signal to call for a ride, but if you wouldn’t mind, I'm sure Lamar has someone who can drive us into town,” Addy answered. The other man turned around and looked at the girl quickly. There was worry in his eyes. "Have you been through town yet? Did it take much damage?"
Addy may have a thing for that little deputy sitting behind him; but he was also concerned for his town and the people in it. He and Addy were a lot alike, and Murdoch knew it. "Several businesses on Main Street took indirect hits. George's taking stock of things now. From what I’ve heard, minor injuries. Tolvert’s got a couple of your deputies out searching for those who need help. The storm skipped Value and Barrattville and most of the surrounding county. Only properties along this highway were hit. Northern corner of Barratt County. Which is good—it’s mostly fields up that way. Finley Creek took a direct hit. FCGH lost an entire wing. City hall was destroyed, churches, schools, entire neighborhoods. It doesn’t look good up there.”
“Any update on the mayor? He’s a cousin.”
"He was on the news about two hours ago, giving another press conference. Bruises, I think. But is in one piece. He got lucky. Reports are saying a quarter of the city up there was hit.”
Addy cursed. Murdoch got it. Their first responsibility in this job was to the safety of their jurisdiction. But they were family men, and that mattered. Addy wanted to check on his family, but he had a duty to Value. Just like Murdoch did to his town. Even his new town.
"So what happened to the two of you?" The girl had a bruise on her cheek that stood out. Probably because she was so pale. Her uniform was torn and dirty, but she was in one piece. She’d been limping when he’d driven up beside them, Addy hovering over every step she took.
Addy fared a little better. He kept looking at the deputy, though. With that worried-lover look that Murdoch recognized. Guy was far braver than Murdoch would ever be. He’d never get involved with a woman he worked with. That way was a surefire way to hell and back.
The sooner he dropped them off with his brother-in-law, the better. Murdoch had things to do, and no doubt Addy did, too.
First was to get that girl’s leg looked at.
“Why don’t I drop you off at Barratt County General instead? Get her looked at?” No sense adding a middle step if he was headed in that direction anyway.
“Deal. And Lake...if you ever need a favor, I owe you two.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”