Although I’d known Caroline was being stalked and we were always in the presence of an agent, I really never imagined it culminating in a shootout. Especially at Barnes & Noble. In theory, a children’s book signing should be low-key, right? One Caroline had penned about Satchel and Babe—the First Family’s dogs—even more so.
One minute I’d been a dutiful PA, handing copies to Caroline to sign. The next minute people were screaming. A man stood pointing a gun at Caroline. The books I was holding fell from my hands and clattered to the floor. Panic rocketed through me, leaving me immobile. My brain screamed at my body to move, but it remained frozen.
At the crack of the gun, Ty launched himself at the table—his body skidding across the surface. He plowed into Caroline, toppling over both her and a chair, and then they’d slammed to the ground. My mouth opened to scream, but nothing came out. I remained rooted to the ground until strong arms gripped my waist. I didn’t have a moment to process before I was slung to the ground as if I was a ragdoll. Blinking in shock, I glanced up to see Stuart towering over me.
“Stay down!” he commanded. He didn’t have to tell me twice. While Ty whirled the chair around as a shield for Caroline, fear sent me rolling into a fetal position with my chin tucked to my chest and my arms over my head.
While it might sound cliché, in those terrifying moments I did experience my life flashing before my eyes. There were the kind faces of my parents. My mother in her apron pulling another one of her delicious culinary concoctions from the oven. My father in his robes and “dog collar,” as we called his Episcopal priest’s robes, standing in the pulpit of his church. My two older brothers, Josh and Timothy, playing basketball with me in our driveway. Caroline and me with red Solo cups in hand as we attended our very first fraternity party.
At twenty-six, I had so much life left to live. I wanted to travel to all the places on my bucket list. I wanted to see more of Caroline’s vision for her Read 4 Life non-profit come to fruition. And as much as I loved not being tied down and avoiding commitment, I eventually wanted a husband and children.
In that moment, it hadn’t mattered that I had a graduate degree or a successful career. My greatest regret was not having someone to love.
Through all the chaos and mayhem surrounding me, I kept myself firmly coiled into a ball. Voices filled with both fear and anger shrieked and shouted around me. Caroline cried out for help before she began arguing with Stuart. Then her voice grew fainter, as if she was being carried away. At the feel of a hand on my back, I jumped.
“Selah?”
I blinked at the sound of my name. I wasn’t on the floor of the Barnes & Noble. Instead, I stood in front the mirror in my beautiful royal-blue dress.
Caroline knitted her brows in concern. “Are you okay?”
Actually, I’m a fucking wreck. I’m pretty sure I’m battling some form of PTSD, but I’ll feel like an ass if I bring it up since you were almost killed and your agent/boyfriend took two bullets.
Then there’s the fact that I let the best man that’s come across my path in years walk away.
“I’m fine,” I insisted, because there were times when lying to your best friend was necessary. And right now was definitely one of them.
Caroline’s expression told me she didn’t buy it. I knew I needed to get out of there before I had to face anymore of her inquisition. Turning to Harrison, I asked, “Am I good to go? I have a lunch meeting to get to.”
While Harrison nodded, Caroline said, “I didn’t know you had a meeting.”
Jesus Christ, she missed her calling as a lawyer. I waved my hand absently. “It’s not so much a meeting as a few old friends getting together.”
Although she still looked skeptical, Caroline didn’t press me any further. “Well, okay, then. You’re all set at the hotel for tonight and tomorrow night, and then you’ll be staying at the White House after the ceremony.”
Now that wasn’t a sentence you heard every day, was it? “Yep. All set.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“Yes, Mom,” I teased over my shoulder. I then hot-footed it over to the dressing room. Of course, I would be in a stupid dress which required someone else to get me out of it. When one of Harrison’s minions appeared, I peeked behind them to see if Caroline was still out there. Thankfully, she wasn’t.
As soon as I was free of my dress, I threw on my jeans and top. I grabbed my purse and shades and hustled out of the dressing room. But like so many days and weeks before, I couldn’t run away from my memories of what had happened.
CHAPTER TWO
THAT DAY
I don’t know how long I was on the floor. Fear, along with Stuart’s command, kept me from moving to survey the scene. But then, through all the chaos, someone started to help me up. When I raised my head, I was strangely surprised at my disappointment that it wasn’t Stuart.
“Come on, Ms. Macallister. Let’s get you out of here,” said Beverly, one of the female agents.
“Okay,” I croaked. Of course, that was easier said than done. My legs had long since gone numb, and when I tried to put weight on them, I flailed around like a newborn colt.
“Here. Let me help,” Beverly suggested as she slid her arms underneath what I could only imagine were my very stress-induced-sweaty armpits. Although her tall, lanky form didn’t compare to the other bulkier agents, she managed sweep me onto to my feet like I was weightless.
“Thanks.” Once I’d regained my footing, I stared wide-eyed at the practically empty store. “Where’s Caroline?”
“Agent Isaacson got her safely out, and the ambulance with Agent Fraser just left for the hospital.”
“Is Ty going to be okay?”
“The paramedics said he would need surgery for the bullet they believe is still lodged inside him, so it’s still touch and go.”
I swept my hand over my mouth. “Oh God.” Poor Ty. Poor Caroline. I couldn’t imagine what she was going through at the moment.
Tears streaked down my cheeks as Beverly helped me hobble toward the exit. My gaze bounced around the store. “Jesus, what a mess,” I remarked. While it was directed at the sight of overturned shelves and books littering the floor, I also meant the course the day had taken.
Nodding, Beverly replied, “It was sheer pandemonium once the shots were fired. People storming to the exits while we tried to get inside along with law enforcement.”
“Were you not close to the shooter?”
“No. I’d been sent to inspect the mysterious package at the back of the store.”
My brows shot up. “The what?”
“Don’t worry. It just turned out to be a false flag planted by the stalker to distract us.”
At what must’ve been fear and horror sweeping across my face, Beverly squeezed me tight. “The shooter’s been taken into custody, and based on his confession, we’re almost a hundred percent sure he acted alone. The ATF is on route to his house now.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Yes. The Callahans can all breathe a sigh of relief where that is concerned.”