Tracing a Killer, page 18
“He saved you.”
“I imagine you both worked together,” she said.
“I was afraid I’d lost you. I don’t know what I would’ve done if—”
His words were interrupted by the sound of gunfire.
* * *
Stunned out of the moment of warmth and connection that had passed between them, Hannah’s attention was drawn over Trevor’s shoulder as he turned to see the source of the gunfire.
David Weller’s boat had run aground at the tip of the peninsula that led into the cove. From his boat, Ian must have fired a shot at him as David neared the rocky shore, where his boat now was. David ran toward the shelter of the rocks and trees.
“He’ll have to come back close to here. I can catch him,” Hannah said. She tried to push herself to her feet, but her knees buckled.
He reached out to steady her by grabbing her elbow. “You’re still weak. Give me your gun.”
He was right. In her state, there was no way she could catch up with him. She handed him the gun. Trevor took off running. Captain stayed close to her as she tried to keep up but fell several paces behind him.
As they neared the place where they would collide with David Weller before he took off down the beach, she prayed for more strength.
Trevor got farther ahead of her.
David emerged from the trees, his face red from exertion...or was it rage. Her world seemed to move in slow motion as David turned, saw Trevor, lifted the gun and fired.
Trevor’s whole body flung backward as the arm not holding the gun flailed in the air, but he did not fall to the ground. He took aim and fired a shot, then kept running, though his steps seemed much more weighted.
Ian and Lola emerged through the trees as David headed up the beach and dove behind some brush. Lola ran ahead of her partner.
David edged out from behind the bush and fired at Lola. The dog lurched. Her whole body twisted.
Fearing that Lola had been hit, Hannah’s heart stopped.
The German shepherd remained standing with her head down. Ian commanded her to stop probably fearing she would be shot if she got closer to the suspect. Trevor had gone out ahead of Ian and Lola.
She saw now that his sleeve was red with blood. Trevor had been hit in the arm that he didn’t use to shoot with. A scream got caught in her throat.
She willed herself to go faster, though her muscles felt like mush.
Beyond the brush where David had been hidden was a rocky field. She caught movement, a flash of color. David was running the other way through the rocks.
“That way.” She was closer than the other two men, but she could not hope to take on David without a gun. Trevor rerouted himself and headed toward the rocks still holding the gun. Ian and Lola were right behind him. They disappeared behind a large boulder.
Hannah reached the edge of the rocky field with Captain. She heard noise, like one rock crashing into another, and then a gunshot.
Her whole body lurched at the sound. What if Trevor had been shot again? This time fatally?
Captain let out a low growl. Then silence enveloped her. Her heart was still pounding from the exertion of trying to keep up. She stepped toward the rocks. David Weller came out from behind a boulder only yards away from where she was. His back was toward her. She crouched down behind a rock when he glanced her way. When she lifted her head above the rim of the rock, she saw that he was headed toward the boats.
Summoning all the strength she had left, she bolted toward him and leaped in the air, hoping to land on his back. If she missed, he would have time to shoot her. She sailed through the air, hit her target and knocked him down on his stomach. He’d dropped the gun a few feet from his hand.
“Police, you’re under arrest.” She was so out of breath her voice lacked conviction. She wasn’t sure if she’d be strong enough to subdue him for long. Her knees were on the middle of his back and one hand secured his wrist.
David twisted and pushed her off. Just as he dove for her, Trevor emerged from the boulder field.
He landed a blow across David’s jaw that caused him to fall backward. He was clearly weakened from his gunshot wound but he held the gun on a stunned David. “It’s over.”
David sneered. “You look like you’re about to fall over.”
Ian and Lola came to stand beside Trevor. Ian held his firearm as well, while Lola stood at the ready to take down the suspect.
“Don’t even think about it,” said Ian. “Put your hands in the air, where I can see them.”
David complied though rage was still evident in his eyes. His features were taut, and his teeth showed through his parted lips.
Lola edged closer as Ian moved in to handcuff David Weller, who watched the dogs with wary eyes.
Hannah ran toward Trevor. “You’ve been shot.”
He touched his arm. “I think I was just grazed.”
Trevor was putting on a brave face, but she had a feeling he was in pain judging from how blood soaked his sleeve was. “All the same, we need to get you to a hospital.”
“I’ll take this guy back,” said Ian. “If the two of you want to bring his boat in. There is not enough room for all of us in the other boat. He’s not going to try anything with Lola close by.”
Hannah led Trevor down to the other boat.
They journeyed back up the shore. The rest of the team was there to meet them. Chase ushered Trevor and Hannah back to the bunkhouse and into his car, then they took off to the hospital in Syracuse.
She sat with Chase in the waiting room after Trevor was put in a wheelchair and pushed down a hallway.
Chase leaned his shoulder against hers. “I’m sure he’s going to be okay.”
“That’s what he thought.” She still couldn’t let go of her fear. What if the wound was worse than it appeared?
Chase rested a hand on her arm. “I can tell you look worried.”
“I care about him.”
“Care about him? I’ve seen the way you look at each other. I would say you passed caring about him a while ago.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled so widely it almost hurt. “Okay, more than care about him. I think I love him. He’s truly a decent man, everything I ever wanted in a life partner.”
“I agree. I wasn’t sure from the interviews, but having spent time with him, I see now that he is the real deal.”
She let out a breath. It was good to say out loud what she had been thinking for some time. To admit it to herself. She had been so closed off to the idea that any man could be gentle and courageous and loving, that she hadn’t been able to believe that Trevor was exactly that.
Chase picked up a magazine that had been lying on the chair beside him and flipped through it. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t another engagement in the task force soon.”
“No.” She slapped his magazine lightly.
“You never know,” he teased.
She knew it was what she wanted. But the big question was how did Trevor feel about her? Their relationship had had so many mixed messages, she still wasn’t sure where he stood.
“Engagements are always nice.” The smile faded from Chase’s face and he got a faraway look in his eyes. Was he thinking about his own life? It seemed that the loss of his wife and baby was the thing that defined him, just as Jodie’s death had held a grip on Hannah. Perhaps in the future, Chase would find some measure of happiness, and maybe even love, if all his energy wasn’t focused on catching the RMK.
NINETEEN
A spike of pain shot through Trevor’s arm as he sat on the couch looking at his phone.
Ian and Isla were in the kitchen. Meadow and Selena had taken their dogs to search the premises, using the scent off the puppy blankets, a reminder that the RMK was still out there, still a threat to his life. It was unclear if the RMK had left the island or was still looking for a chance to come after Trevor.
Rocco muttered something about getting some rest and left the room. Chase and Hannah sat on different couches both looking at their phones.
Earlier, the team had eaten dinner together and raised their water glasses in a toast to David Weller being taken into custody. He would be charged with Jodie’s murder as well as attempted murder of Hannah. A case would have to be made against the other two drownings of people who resembled his mother and father. Hannah could testify as to what he had confessed to her before knocking her unconscious.
The sky had grown dark.
After his arm had been treated, they had driven home with little conversation passing between him and Hannah. Not that there wasn’t something on his mind. Being shot had changed his perspective on his choices. If the bullet had been a few more inches to the left, he might not be alive. More than anything, he wanted a chance to be alone with Hannah so they could talk.
Hannah rose to her feet. “I think Captain needs to go outside for a bit.”
Seeing his opportunity, Trevor also got up. “I’ll go with you.”
“I don’t think that is a good idea,” said Chase.
“Selena and Meadow are out there.” Trevor gave Chase a steely glare that he hoped communicated that he wanted some time alone with Hannah. “I have lots of protection.”
Chase nodded seeming to understand. “Stay close to the buildings.”
Hannah had already stepped out the door with Captain when he caught up with her. While Captain wandered around, he came to stand by Hannah. Selena walked by with Scout and nodded in their direction before disappearing around a corner of the building.
“Quite a day, huh?” His mind raced with what to say and how to say it.
“For sure,” she said.
“I bet it feels pretty good to close the book on Jodie’s death.”
“Yes, now I can get on with my life and put my full energy into catching the RMK.” She turned to face him. “I know this must be hard for you knowing that the RMK is still out there. You probably hoped he’d be in custody after you took such a risk in staying out in the open.”
He stepped a little closer to her. “Being shot has made me rethink some things.”
She gazed at him, shaking her head.
“I think maybe I was willing to take such risks because my life didn’t matter to me that much, but it does now.”
“Are you saying you’re willing to go into a safe house?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer to her.
“What changed?”
“My life matters to me more now because I want to spend it with you. Hannah, I’m in love with you. I don’t want to throw my life away over something that happened ten years ago, and I don’t want to be stuck because of it. It’s time to look forward, not to live in the past. I can see a future now and I want it to be with you.”
“Oh, Trevor. I feel the same way. I just wasn’t sure where you stood.”
He touched her face. “Hannah, will you marry me?”
“Yes, of course, I will.” She gazed up at him.
He bent his head and kissed her. This time there was no doubt what the kiss meant. He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close.
After a long moment, she pulled away from the kiss but remained in his embrace. “I don’t want to be away from you for even a minute. I’ll volunteer as a guard at the safe house.”
“Funny way to start out a relationship, but it’ll be a great story to tell our kids.” He kissed her again.
Captain stood a few feet away from them, watching. His dark coloring blended with the night but is eyes shone.
When Trevor pulled free of the kiss, he saw that Chase, Isla and Ian had all come outside.
“About time you two realized what you are to each other,” said Chase.
Selena and Meadow had drawn closer, as well. The whole team applauded and spoke words of congratulations.
Trevor embraced Hannah and kissed her to another round of applause. He relished holding the woman he wanted to spend his life with.
* * *
If you enjoyed this story, don’t miss Search and Detect the next book in the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series!
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Crime Scene Secrets
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Montana Abduction Rescue
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Trail of Threats
by Jessica R. Patch, September 2024
Tracing a Killer
by Sharon Dunn, October 2024
Search and Detect
by Terri Reed, November 2024
Christmas K-9 Guardians
by Lenora Worth and Katy Lee, December 2024
Available only from Love Inspired Suspense
Discover more at LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L. Turner.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Hannah and Trevor as they fell in love and came up against dangerous situations. Both characters have been affected by traumatic events in their past, to the point where they are stuck, unable to move on, or see a bright future. All of us in one way or another allow our past to define us and determine the choices we make. It doesn’t have to be something as traumatic as the death of a friend. Sometimes it’s something mean a teacher or relative said to us about our ability to draw, write or play music. Or a person called us a name that we began to believe was true. All those things can cause us to be trapped. The verse in Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I will do a new thing.” With God’s help, we can have a fresh start and let go of the things in the past that we let define us and keep us stuck. I love to hear from readers. You can learn more about me and my books at www.sharondunnbooks.net.
Sincerely,
Sharon Dunn
Courage. Danger. Faith.
Find strength and determination in stories of faith and love in the face of danger.
Six new books available every month!
K-9 Ranch Protection
by Darlene L. Turner
ONE
The computer screen flashed white and turned black. Constable Isabelle Tremblay’s hand flew away from the keyboard and the hairs on her nape prickled. She glanced around the Harturn River Police Department’s bullpen. All the monitors had gone dark. Not good. She shoved her office chair back and spun to her coworker. “What’s happening?”
Before he could respond, menacing laughter exploded through their system, and a skull appeared on all screens. A message in bold red letters displayed beneath the frightening image.
IZZY, BACK OFF OR DIE.
A collective gasp filled the room.
Izzy bolted to her feet. She caught the meaning behind the message, and it confirmed her suspicions. Chief Constable Justin Tremblay’s death wasn’t from a heart attack.
Her father was murdered.
As quickly as the screens had flickered, they returned to normal. How had someone infiltrated HRPD’s secure computer system? Their IT department was the best of the best. Plus she completed a double check recently of their firewalls. Her cyber knowledge verified they were impenetrable.
Or, at least, she thought so.
“Tremblay, my office. Now!” The voice of newly appointed Chief Constable Eric Halt boomed from the hallway.
“You’re in trouble now,” Constable Fisher said. “Did you click on something?”
She raised her hands. “No, I was just about to shut down for the day.”
The older male constable clucked his tongue. “Well, I’m guessing from that message you’re still secretly investigating your dad’s death. You need to let sleeping dogs lie.”
“I can’t.” Izzy shuffled through the hallway as her cell phone buzzed in her vest pocket. She ignored it and knocked on Chief Constable Halt’s door.
“Enter.”
Izzy inhaled and stepped into the office. “You wanted to see me?”
The chief lifted his index finger. “Thanks for the update. Make sure we’re locked down. We can’t let this happen again.” He slammed the receiver back into the cradle and gestured toward the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”
Definitely not good. She obeyed.
Halt peeked over his reading glasses, eyes glaring. “Didn’t I tell you to drop your investigation? This message tells me you didn’t listen.”
“Sir, I haven’t used our department resources and have only investigated on my own time.” She leaned forward. “Plus this message tells me I’m on the right track. Dad was murdered.”
The man’s eyes softened. “Listen, I’m really sorry about your father’s death, but nothing suspicious materialized. He had a heart attack while driving and crashed. End of story.”
Izzy was tired of hearing that lie. Even her own mother told her to back off, but Izzy couldn’t. “He just had his annual physical and was in perfect health.”
Halt drummed his fingers on his desktop. “Well, he was under a lot of stress the past couple of months. That may have triggered the attack.”
Izzy shook her head. “It didn’t. I figured out from his journal notes he was investigating some sort of drug cartel. Do you know anything about that?”
The chief constable stopped drumming his fingers. “No. What else did you find?”
“The rest of his notes are in code. That’s what I’m trying to ascertain.”
“Odd.” He pointed to his phone. “Well, IT informed me that someone clicked on a link included in a fake company email sent to all of us. Whoever sent it is good. The bogus link unleashed a virus. Did you?”
