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the office or the den. Perhaps he’d gone to bed? A slight breeze ruffled Jared’s hair as he passed the dining room, and the open porch doors creaked. He should close them before the evening’s flying insects took up residence in the house. Jared pulled the doors together and scanned the deserted porch. Flies were gathering round the steps. He heard a faint whimper from his favourite dog, Rex. Was he injured? He pushed open the doors and ran towards the sound.
    Outside, the dog scampered to him, apparently unhurt. Feeling relieved, Jared let his gaze follow Rex as he ran down the porch steps, as if eager to share his new toy. As Jared stepped closer, he saw the lifeless body lying against the last step. Adrenaline pumped through him as he descended the steps.
    “Harry? Leave, Rex. Good dog.” Jared checked Harry’s pulse. It was barely discernible. He gagged as he saw the matted, bloody hair sticking up from Harry’s dented skull. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. “I need a medical helicopter and the sheriff at the Unicorn Ranch.”
    The local operator recognized the address. She asked the standard triage questions and promised help would follow. Jared tore off his shirt and put it under Harry’s broken head. His objectivity lost in the deep shock he felt, he couldn’t lose someone close to him again. A gasp from behind him made him look up from Harry’s grey face. “Jen, Harry’s fallen. The paramedics are on their way.”
    Jen hobbled towards him, her entire focus on Harry’s inert form. She reached the bottom step with no respect for her damaged ankle. “Let’s make him comfortable until they get here.”
    Jared imagined her gentle touch on his own body as she cradled Harry’s head against her lap. The blood steadily trickled onto her clothes from his head wound, but Jen didn’t seem to notice.
    “Are you okay to stay with him? I need to raise the alarm and direct the ranch hands to help the medical team find us.” Jen bit her lip, and Jared rested his hand on her shoulder. She didn’t like blood, and her grey-tinged face betrayed her shock.
    Jen sighed and straightened her back. “I’m okay. I just hope the medics get here in time. He looks frail. Hang on please, Harry.” Jen stroked Rex, who pushed his soft muzzle against her arm in doggy comfort. “We need a miracle now, boy. Time to pray.”
    The medical team arrived within the hour. They gave Harry emergency treatment and airlifted him to the nearest hospital. The paramedics wouldn’t speculate if he would regain consciousness. Jared watched the helicopter disappear towards the horizon, then turned to the uniformed man at his side as they walked towards the sheriff’s truck. “So was this an accidental fall or something else, Dan?”
    “Looks like he fell and smashed his head on a rock, but I’ll call in the forensic team in case there’s more to it,” the sheriff assured him.
    “Jen fell there earlier. She lost her footing and sprained her ankle. I’m suspicious after what happened to my parents. I don’t believe in coincidences. Someone could have tampered with the steps to make sure Jennie fell.” Jared ran his fingers through his hair as he waited for the sheriff’s response.
    “The investigation into the aircraft accident is ongoing, but there is no reason to suspect foul play, Jared.” They reached the sheriff’s truck. “I’ll be in touch. I’ll interview Harry, if he regains consciousness. Say bye to Jennie for me.”
    As the sheriff’s truck disappeared in cloud of dust, Jared kicked his boot hard against a stone. His father was an excellent pilot. Jared wouldn’t allow the blame for his parents’ accident to be pinned on him. Mechanical failure seemed a remote possibility, but the explosion’s severity hampered the investigation. They may never know why the plane exploded.
     
    ***
     
    Jennie
     
    Jennie sat on the porch step, close to where Harry had fallen, her face damp with tears.
    Jared