Scene of the Crime

by Sharon Dunn

  All the faces were starting to look alike...

  Please, God, don’t let her get away again.

  They drew a little closer to the crowd outside the courthouse. Darcy was losing hope.

  Smokey took off running even though Jackson hadn’t commanded him to do anything. The dog raced toward an EMT and tackled her. The woman was wearing a baseball hat and a vest that identified her as an EMT.

  Jackson ran after Smokey. Darcy followed.

  The EMT was Chloe.

  She scrambled to her feet and turned to run.

  Smokey lunged at her again, this time hanging on to the hem of her vest.

  Jackson aimed his gun.

  “Hands up! You’re under arrest!” Darcy shouted.

  Jackson gave her a raised-eyebrow look.

  Darcy shrugged. “You can’t talk very well, and I’ve always wanted to say that.”

  Chloe broke free of the vest. She whirled around, slicing the knife through the air at the K-9. Smokey backed up but started in again with his aggressive barking.

  Jackson bellowed something that sounded a little bit like “Back off” as he ran toward Chloe, firing a warning shot into the air. Chloe put her hands up.

  Knowing that Jackson’s words weren’t going to make a lot of sense, Darcy moved in. “Drop the knife, Chloe. It’s over.”

  Chloe let the knife fall to the ground.

  Jackson used a hand motion to direct Smokey to sit and stop barking.

  “At least the trial got interrupted,” Chloe said.

  “I’m sure they will reschedule,” Darcy returned. “Due to extenuating circumstances.”

  Within minutes, they were able to lead Chloe to a patrol car.

  As the car drove away, Darcy felt like she could finally take in a deep breath and relax. It was over.

  She grabbed Jackson’s sleeve and looked into his eyes. “Jackson, I meant it when I mouthed the words ‘I love you.’ It wasn’t just because I thought Chloe was going to kill me.”

  He nodded in understanding and then mouthed the words I love you, too.

  He gathered Darcy into his arms, kissed her and then held her. She rested her face against his chest, breathing in the scent of his skin as her heart filled with joy.

  Smokey whined at their feet. They both laughed and knelt to pet the Lab.

  EPILOGUE

  The next day, Jackson waited at headquarters for Darcy to come by. As soon as Chloe had been taken into custody, Reuben had pled guilty and turned on her. Numerous charges, including attempted murder, had been filed against the woman. Both offenders were going to be locked up for a long time.

  Jackson felt both tense and excited for what he had planned when Darcy arrived in about an hour. He was still on duty, so she’d agreed to meet him, thinking they were going to walk to Sal’s for lunch. He had something much bigger planned. He’d bought a scarf for Darcy that looked like something she would wear, all bright and colorful. He looked down to where his K-9 sat at his feet. The scarf looked good tied around Smokey’s neck.

  Penny McGregor sat behind the front desk, tapping away on her keyboard.

  She lifted her hands from the keyboard. Jackson looked over at her. Her face had drained of color. On a pale-skinned redhead, it made her look almost like she was coming down with the flu.

  Jackson sensed the shift in mood. “Everything okay?” He stepped toward her.

  She rested her hand on her chest. “I just got a threatening email. The source is anonymous, but since we know Randall Gage killed my parents, it must be from him.”

  Jackson knew some of the K-9 Unit was actively searching for Gage, whose DNA had been found at the crime scene. It had taken twenty years to get that DNA, but now that they knew the killer’s identity, he was still eluding justice. They had to find Randall Gage.

  Several other members of the team, including Bradley, Penelope’s brother, had just entered the reception area.

  “What is it, Penny?” Bradley asked. “What does it say?”

  She read from the screen. “‘It was a mistake to let you live...you first, then your brother.’”

  A tense silence invaded the room.

  Gavin, who had been among the team members to enter the reception area, spoke up. “I don’t want either of you to worry. We’re going to catch Randall Gage.”

  “I know you will,” Penny said. She glanced nervously over at her brother before returning to work.

  “Forward that email to me,” Gavin said. “We might be able to figure out where it originated from.”

  “I’ll do that.” Penny’s jaw tightened. She was still clearly upset.

  Bradley walked over to her and patted her shoulder. “We will catch him.” Jackson caught the promise in the detective’s expression before he disappeared down a hallway along with the other officers.

  Jackson offered her a reassuring nod. “We’ll make sure he is put behind bars.”

  “I know everybody has my back and Bradley’s,” Penny said. “That doesn’t mean messages like this don’t make me afraid.”

  “Understood,” Jackson said.

  The unit got back to work. Threats, even those that hit very close to home, were unfortunately a routine part of their day as law-enforcement officers. They would get Randall Gage—and the killer of Lucy Emery’s parents. Jackson had no doubt.

  His phone dinged. Finally. It was a text from Darcy saying she was two minutes away. Jackson thought it best to meet her outside. He wanted the moment to be somewhat private.

  He stepped outside with Smokey just as Darcy got out of a taxi. She waved at him.

  “This is it, buddy,” Jackson said.

  Smokey wagged his tail.

  Darcy came toward him. Her eyes were bright and clear. “It’s good to be back at work.”

  “Yeah, now life can get back to normal for both of us.” Though he managed to look and sound calm, Jackson’s heart was pounding.

  Darcy looked over at Smokey. “Nice scarf.”

  “Actually, it’s for you. Smokey just wanted to try it on.”

  She laughed.

  “Go ahead. Let’s see how it looks on you.”

  She knelt to untie the scarf.

  Jackson had twisted it to hide the surprise inside. He waited in anticipation as Darcy flattened the scarf. A ring fell on the concrete.

  Darcy stared at it for a long moment before picking it up. “What’s this?”

  Jackson got down on his knee, took the ring and held it up. “Darcy, I love being your friend, but I would like to be your best friend for the rest of your life. Will you marry me?”

  Darcy let out a light breath. “Oh, Jackson. Yes, I will marry you.”

  He placed the engagement ring on her finger as she looked into his eyes.

  Smokey licked her cheek and they both laughed.

  Jackson rose and held his hands out to her. She stood. The look of love in her eyes warmed his heart. He leaned in and kissed her.

  Behind him, the entire K-9 Unit broke into applause.

  Penny smiled. “I saw what was going on out the window and called the team over. When it was clear she said yes, we came outside. I’m glad something good like this happened today.”

  Considering the threatening email Penelope had received an hour ago, the gesture of support touched his heart.

  Jackson spoke to Darcy. “Sorry, I wanted it to be a little more private.”

  “It’s okay. They are sort like family anyway,” Darcy said.

  He gathered her into his arms and joy filled his heart. Smokey let out a little bark of approval and sat at their feet looking up at them.

  * * *

  Look for Tyler Walker and Penelope MacGregor’s story, Cold Case Pursuit, by Dana Mentink, the next book in the True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series, available in October 2020.
/>   True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn

  These police officers fight for justice with the help of their brave canine partners.

  Copycat Killer by Laura Scott, April 2020

  Chasing Secrets by Heather Woodhaven, May 2020

  Deadly Connection by Lenora Worth, June 2020

  Explosive Situation by Terri Reed, July 2020

  Tracking a Kidnapper by Valerie Hansen, August 2020

  Scene of the Crime by Sharon Dunn, September 2020

  Cold Case Pursuit by Dana Mentink, October 2020

  Delayed Justice by Shirlee McCoy, November 2020

  True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn Christmas by Laura Scott and Maggie K. Black, December 2020

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Covert Cover-Up by Elizabeth Goddard.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for taking the journey toward love with Jackson and Darcy. I’m sure, as a reader, the level of danger they faced created some nail-biter moments for you. I know it did for me as I wrote some of those scenes.

  Both Jackson and Darcy had been burned in past romantic relationships. They had to learn how to open their hearts and trust again. And they needed discernment to know that their relationship was different from the ones in the past. It might not be with a romantic relationship, but each of us has a choice to make and each of us is affected by past hurts and bad experiences. Yet we can’t remain stuck or give in to bitterness.

  My prayer for myself and for you the reader is that you will trust God and see each situation with clarity. Not an easy task. Just like Darcy and Jackson had to not let the past define their future, we have to do the same.

  Sharon Dunn

  WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM

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  Find strength and determination in stories of faith and love in the face of danger.

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  Covert Cover-Up

  by Elizabeth Goddard

  ONE

  Katelyn Bradley stood at the curb and stared at the dark home. No lights were on. Not even a porch light. No surprise since it was after midnight.

  Here goes nothing.

  The streetlights were few and far between in the neighborhood and shed little light. No dogs barked that might alert her to danger, but she would stay cautious. Shoving aside her fears, she crept forward while remaining aware of her surroundings. She swatted a mosquito that buzzed her ear.

  Everything was probably all right.

  Bushes edged the porch and the windows around the house. She hoped no one was hiding in the foliage as she continued up the steps and onto the porch. She peered into the shadows around her, but couldn’t see a thing. Katelyn knocked on the door, then turned her back to the house and looked around the yard, also glancing at the neighbors on each side and the houses across the street. In her peripheral vision she could see that next door, Clara remained on her own porch watching Katelyn’s every move.

  After she got no response, she turned to the door again. “Beck, it’s Katelyn. Your neighbor. Clara told me she was concerned. She sent me to check on you.”

  A few more moments passed.

  This time of night, he was probably in a deep sleep. He might be furious at her for waking up his son, too. Regardless, she wished he would turn on the porch light and chase away the shadows. She wished he would answer and let her know that he and Oliver were okay.

  Clara had informed Katelyn that she’d seen someone creeping around the house. She was a caring elderly woman whom some considered too nosy. Katelyn thought of Clara in different terms—the woman was simply concerned. More neighborhoods needed watchdogs like Clara.

  While she waited, Katelyn palmed the gun she kept hidden and tried to decide her next step. Was this another one of Clara’s false alarms? Clara had called the police on too many occasions.

  Katelyn had moved into the house next to Clara six months ago. Since Katelyn ran a private investigations and security partnership with her brother Ryan’s fiancée, Tori Peterson, Clara had turned to asking Katelyn to check on neighborhood anomalies when they occurred, instead of phoning the police.

  After too many times knocking and ringing the doorbell, concern tightened her chest. Though she again palmed her weapon, she reminded herself that she was no longer a police officer. The last thing she wanted to do was unnecessarily frighten Beck or his young son, Oliver.

  The distinct sound of shattering glass erupted inside the home.

  Katelyn tensed. Clara had been right. Unless, of course, it was only Beck knocking over a lamp as he walked in a groggy state to respond to her untimely knocking. But her instincts told her Beck was in trouble.

  “Who’s in there? Open up!” She paused. “Clara?” she called over her shoulder.

  “Yes, dear. I’m watching from my porch.”

  “Call the police.” In the town and county seat of Rainey, the Maynor County Sheriff’s Department served that role.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Tell them Katelyn Bradley requested help.”

  Still, the police wouldn’t get to the home in time and Beck had a child—Katelyn couldn’t wait. The struggle inside continued. She tried the doorknob and it turned, which both surprised and relieved her. Holding her weapon at the ready, she entered the home as if she was in her old job as a cop.

  She wanted to shout “Police!”

  That could stop whatever chaos reigned inside, but then she would be impersonating a cop.

  Even now, she wondered who she thought she was, going in to save the day when she’d failed so spectacularly before.

  Katelyn focused her thoughts on the moment. Grunts and groans came from somewhere in the home. Clinking and clattering, too. Her eyes adjusted to what little light filtered through the mini blinds from outside. Following the sounds, she rushed into the large comfortable living room, then down a long hallway decorated with framed family photographs and a child’s artwork. All this she took in as she prepared for what she might encounter.

  “Beck? Are you okay?”

  Sirens rang out in the distance. Still, much too far away. Every second counted. Katelyn would continue to search until she found him. She prayed he would be safe, but her gut clenched as dread took hold.

  Entering a spacious library, more light spilled in from a neighbor’s security light. She spotted an overturned chair and froze. Shards of colored glass from a Tiffany lamp were spread across the wood floor.

  And a body... Beck was on the floor.

  At the sight, her heart stuttered. Gasping, she rushed forward. “Beck!”

  He groaned.

  Before she could drop to her knees next to him, a bulky form grabbed her from behind. Katelyn used defensive techniques to free herself, but in the process, the hulking invader disarmed her. Panic engulfed her. He was gaining the upper hand and she had to get back the advantage. Gulping for breath, she knocked the gun from his hand and freed herself, then whirled to face off with the masked man.

  When he lunged for her, she kicked him in the throat. As he stumbled back, she tore off his mask. The light spilling into the room lit up his face, and she memorized the details. Katelyn didn’t miss the threatening, murderous look in his eyes. Eyes she would never forget.

  A display of red and blue lights flashed in the windows and reflected on the walls. Sirens blared.

  The now unmasked face scowled. Her attacker swung his massive fist toward her. Katelyn dodged, but he kicked his leg out, too, and she lost her balance, falling to the floor as he fled the room. Katelyn glanced at Beck. Unmoving, he was awake and gave her a pensive gaze as he pushed to sit up.

  Deputies rushed into the home. Lights flooded the library.

  Guns were aimed at her and Beck as they remained on the floor. Squinting, she held up her identification—her PI credentials. “I called you.”


  “I’m the homeowner.” Beck shifted to his knees. “The attacker fled the house. Maybe someone should look for him.”

  Unlike Beck, Katelyn made no movements until the deputies lowered their weapons.

  “Katelyn Bradley.” Deputy Clemmons, one of her detective brother’s friends, helped her to her feet. “What happened here?”

  “I walked in on an assailant who had attacked Beck.” Katelyn waited for Beck to take the lead.

  He held her gaze a moment, then looked at Deputy Clemmons. “I dropped my son off at his grandparents’ and when I came home, I walked in on a burglar. He attacked me. Then Katelyn entered just in time.” He sent her an odd look.

  Clara hadn’t mentioned that Beck had just gotten home. She’d only said she’d seen someone creeping around the house. Had that been Beck she’d seen, checking out his home? Not that it mattered at this point.

  “Do you need a paramedic? You look kind of beat-up.”

  Beck’s face reddened. He was a fit guy. Worked at some rock-climbing facility. Clara had said he’d once been a world-class rock climber—no doubt he was strong.

  “I’m fine.” His voice projected confidence. “I was caught off guard.”

  By someone strong enough to take down Beck Goodwin. Katelyn was glad the law showed up when they had.

  Deputy Clemmons started taking their statements and filling out the paperwork for the report stating that Beck had walked in on a burglary and had tried to restrain the thief. Inserting herself into the incident, PI and neighbor Katelyn Bradley had walked into the home and eventually the library, where she found and engaged the assailant, who fled upon the arrival of law enforcement.

  “Ah, whose weapon?” Deputy Clemmons asked as he eyed the gun on the floor by a chair.

  Now it was Katelyn’s turn to be embarrassed. “That’s mine.”

  Clemmons reached down and grabbed it, then handed it over. “Might want to hang on to it.” He leaned closer. “I won’t tell your brother.”

  Great. Now he would hold that over her—he’d wanted a date with her since forever ago. Not happening.