Gone Away by Elizabeth Noble Page A

reached for his radio to check to be sure the sound was turned down so any customers inside the store wouldn’t be disturbed by any noise or chatter from it. He could hear it, but no one standing more than a foot or two from him could.
    Riece leaned over Mason’s shoulder, and they both peeked through the Jeep’s windows. “Wow, onboard navigation,” Riece said. “Bet it has Wi-Fi.”
    Mason sighed. “I bought mine right before all this stuff started being added and got it because it can handle the terrain around here. Story of my life.”
    “Maybe it’s time to trade up. Why don’t you find whoever owns it and ask what they think.”
    “Maybe I will,” Mason said. They circled the Jeep for a better look.
    “Are those gun lockers?” Riece pointed to something in the back of the vehicle.
    Mason leaned over and looked. “Yeah. Probably hunters.” He didn’t see any other equipment, which was odd but not illegal.
    He smiled and patted Riece’s back as they approached the door, sliding his hand down to Riece’s belt before breaking contact. A bell jangled when he pushed the door open, and they walked in.
    Riece wandered the store while Mason went to the counter and waited in line. A woman, dressed in a way that told Mason she was a hunter, held a basket and was gathering some items off the shelves. A kid, maybe twenty, nudged her side and nodded toward Mason, then Riece. Mason had to make a conscious effort to refrain from rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
    “Morning,” the older man behind the counter said.
    “Morning, Jim.” Mason turned so he could face the man but still keep the kid in his peripheral vision. He pulled his wallet out, then laid a credit card and his driver’s license on the counter. “I’ll be leaving my vehicle for three or four days.” He added a paper with a list of the sites he’d be guiding Riece to. “The park service is having some photography work done.”
    Jim chuckled. “And you drew the short straw, eh, Arquette?”
    “A nice paid vacation,” Mason said. His gaze shifted for a split second to the woman and kid. The man behind the counter shrugged and shook his head ever so slightly. “So how’s life treating you, Jim?”
    “Not bad. Quiet.” Jim filled out some paperwork, then nodded to the card swipe.
    “Is there a problem with our Jeep?” The kid squared his shoulders and got closer to Mason. The woman turned toward them, sighed heavily, and followed along. “You need a warrant. I know my rights.”
    Mason leaned one elbow on the counter, putting him more on the same level as the kid, who was several inches shorter than Mason. “I have an older model of the same Jeep.” He dipped his head toward the window and his own Jeep outside. “I noticed yours and had to take a look. What do you think of it?”
    “We’ve only had it a few weeks. Is there a problem?” The woman joined them.
    “As I was saying, I looked over your Jeep because I have the same model a few years older. How do you like yours?” Mason was making a real effort to keep his voice neutral. The woman drew in a deep breath, but the kid’s defensive posture didn’t change.
    The woman set the basket on the counter and gave the kid a harsh look. “Bought it at a car show. I like it. You should go to a dealership and see one for yourself.”
    Mason nodded politely. “Thanks.” As he turned away, out of habit he gave the kid another visual once-over, noticing the handgun on his hip. Considering how he was dressed, that didn’t surprise Mason in the least.
    “I have a carry permit,” the kid blurted out.
    The woman shoved the basket closer to Jim, sounding agitated. “Can I pay for this stuff?”
    Mason stood to his full height and held out one hand, wiggling his fingers. “Well, since you’re so darn proud of it, let’s have a look at it.”
    Jim smiled and focused on the basket, pulling items out and ringing them up. The kid fumbled through the go pack he wore before finally