The Unwanted Runaway

USB Thumb Drive

Carter POV:

As I finished up my patrol on a Saturday night, my phone began to buzz. Evan had called me to come over to the ranch because Brooke had something important to tell me. I couldn't shake off the sense of unease as I parked my truck close to Evan's house and made my way to the front porch.

As I approached, I saw Evan tinkering with his truck under the hood. "Hey Evan, what's going on?" I asked.

"Brooke has something for you," Evan replied, "Anna gave it to her before she left with Denton and Jason on Friday morning. Brooke said Anna seemed scared when she handed the envelope to her. She's in the house with Mia and the kids, they just finished dinner. Want any leftovers?"

"No thanks, I just ate at the Grill," I answered.

"Well, Mia and Brooke made some killer blueberry cobbler pie. You sure you don't want any?" Evan asked.

"I would never turn down dessert," I chuckled as I passed him and made my way to the front door.

"I'll be in in a few moments, just finishing up here," Evan called after me.

I entered the house and was greeted by the delicious smell of fresh baked pie. Brooke was sitting on the couch with Lily and EJ, both enjoying a slice of pie, while Mia was doing dishes. I greeted everyone, "Hey guys, what's going on?"

"Carter, you're here!" EJ exclaimed.

I ruffled his hair and asked, "What's going on?"

"Nothing, I'm just bummed because I still can't play sports," EJ replied.

"No, EJ, you can still play soccer. You don't need hands for that," I reassured him.

Lily came up to me and gave me a hug. "Hi Carter, look at my nails, cousin Brooke painted them hot pink!" she exclaimed proudly.

I chuckled and said, "That looks adorable. You pull it off well."

Mia then spoke up, "Hey kids, do you mind going outside with your dad for a minute so Carter and Brooke can talk?"

As the kids excitedly went outside with Evan, I could see that Brooke had an envelope in her lap addressed to me from Anna. I sat down next to her and she handed me the envelope, which contained a thumb drive.

"Anna was scared when she gave this to me, Carter," Brooke explained, her hands clasped together in her lap. "She doesn't know what's on it, but she knew it was something important. She wanted me to give this to you. I can't stress this enough, when Anna handed this to me, she had fear in her eyes. I can't explain it, but whatever she's scared of, she's seeking your help."

"I want you to take a good look at it and make sure she's protected," Brooke urged, her tone serious. "You have the entire sheriff's department at your disposal, and let's not forget our family."

I reassured Brooke, "As Anna's friend, I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe. Denton would kick my ass if I let anything happen to her."

Brooke added, "Yes, he definitely would. I was on the phone with Jason and I could hear the loud noises coming from the next room. Jason was texting me about it too, poor guy couldn't get any sleep because of Anna and Denton's wild antics."

I chuckled and replied, "Well, at least they were in a motel room. Isn't that what it's for?"

Mia, who was washing dishes, looked up at me and said, "Carter, we made a mistake trying to set you and Anna up. We should have broken up Sarah and Denton instead. It seems like Anna and Denton won't stop their 'f**k Palooza'. Evan has been bombarded with texts from Jason about the same thing."

At least they’re both happy I replied to both Mia and Brooke.

As I sat in Evan’s living room, staring at the USB thumb drive in my hand, I couldn't believe what I was about to see. Anna, had given this drive to Brooke for safekeeping till she was able to give it to me. Brooke had no idea what was on it, but she knew it was important and needed to be protected.

Clasped the envelope in my hand told my better get a Headstart and head home and check it out. What’s on the drive me hands me a piece of blueberry copper pie as I walk out the door. Once I’m down the steps I waved to Evan hop in my truck and head home.

As I drove home, my mind was racing. I couldn't imagine what could be on this drive that would make Anna so scared. I quickly put it into my computer and opened the files. What I saw made my blood run cold.

The drive contained evidence of illegal activities from the cartel. Anna had no idea what was on it, but she knew it was important enough to steal from her ex-boyfriend. She had always been a bit of a rebel, but I never thought she would get involved with something like this.

I couldn't believe it. After receiving the USB thumb drive from Anna, I knew there was something suspicious about it. I just didn't expect it to lead to this.

Sitting at my computer at home, I was going through the files on the drive when my cell phone rang. It was one of my deputies, informing me that Sarah's ex-husband, Sam Thorne, had received a call from a man named Joey Freeman. Apparently, Joey was looking for Anna.

My heart started racing as I remembered the USB drive and the dangerous cartel information it contained. I had a sinking feeling that Joey was after the drive, and if he found it, Anna would be in grave danger.

My main focus now was keeping Anna safe. I couldn't let her find out what we had found on the drive. It was too dangerous for her to know. I knew the cartel would stop at nothing to protect their business and anyone who got in their way would suffer the consequences.

As the days passed, I couldn't help but worry about Anna. I knew she was in danger, but I couldn't tell her the truth. I had to protect her, even if it meant lying to her.

I waited to call Evan and Denton

till Denton got back from Kentucky. we all met at my house to discuss what we had found. We decided to keep our findings a secret and destroy the drive. We didn't want to put Anna in danger by involving her in this mess.

In the sanctum of my secluded office, nestled in the depths of my home, I am interrupted by the jarring sound of the door slamming shut. Two deep voices echo through the walls, engaged in a lively argument. I can only assume it is Denton and Evan, making their through the house.

Sure enough, Denton's voice calls out my name. I respond, informing him of my whereabouts and beckoning him to join me in the office.

As they take their seats on the modest couch, I can't help but shoot Denton a quizzical glance and remark, "You sly dog. It's barely been a week since your breakup with Sarah and you're already cozying up with Anna."

Denton, undeterred, defends his actions, "She's worth it. She's different, and I intend to make this relationship work. We both want the same things in life, but she's afraid to admit it."

Evan, always the joker, chimes in with a teasing remark, "Looks like Carter's just jealous he couldn't get with Anna."

I roll my eyes and retort, "Yeah, right. Anna and I are better off as friends. Besides, I'm seeing someone else now, and you both know that."

As Evan and I continue our lighthearted banter, I can sense Denton's growing irritation at our mention of Anna. I quickly interject, "Let's ease up, boys. We don't want Denton to go berserk on us." I chuckle, knowing Denton's short fuse all too well.

Evan agrees, "You got that right, Carter."

With a sigh, Denton refocuses the conversation, "Alright, enough distractions. What's on the USB drive? Show us and let's get to work."

"Alright, Denton," I began, my tone low and serious as I leaned in closer to the guys.

“As soon as I opened the file, it was like a dark veil was lifted, revealing a web of illegal activity. And I'm not talking about just your run-of-the-mill drug trafficking. These guys were involved in everything from the cartel to human trafficking to weapons trade. They even managed to get their hands on top-secret electronics, hidden from the public eye.

Oh Fuuu Evan said

I then continued on and then this morning one of my deputies called me and said that Sam Thorne law firm, got a call from Joy Freeman seeking help and locating Anna other information that he wanted to involve his law firm in

Why the hell is Sarah’s ex-husband getting involved? Denton asked.

He’s not Joey was able to get somebody to track Anna down this way. My best assumption is her stepmom, but Joey we know what’s where she was. I replied.

I thought she didn’t have much contact with her family. Evan asked.

Didn’t replies, she talk to her dad because her dad left her a message he found out she didn’t make it to Missouri and cash the tickets for Wyoming.

So that explains her stepmom being connected to this, and Sam Thorne, as well I chimed in.

"It's diabolical, really. And it seems they were using construction sites as a front for their operations. But here's the interesting part - Anna's ex, Joey, had caught onto their schemes and was promptly fired for it. He must have known that his best option for revenge was to download all the incriminating evidence onto that thumb drive and use it as leverage against them. I mean, there's no way Anna's salary from a small retail store could have funded that guy's lavish lifestyle.

"Anna had no idea what she was getting herself into when she stole that USB drive from Joey. I can only imagine she thought it was filled with harmless family photos or, worst case scenario, some explicit images. But little did she know, he was constantly going through that drive, gathering evidence against his former employers." I shook my head, the situation becoming more complex by the minute.

We all sat in our seats and discussed our options. We knew that Joey was using the excuse of a missing persons report and a fake theft report to track Anna down. He was determined to get his hands on that drive and would stop at nothing to do so.

After much deliberation, we decided that the best course of action was to keep Anna hidden at the ranch until we could figure out how to get the drive to the authorities without putting her in danger.

For the next few days, we all worked together to come up with a plan. Anna was understandably scared, but she trusted us to keep her safe. We also made sure to keep her updated on any developments with Joey and the cartel.