“Not hit.”
He ignored his galloping heartbeat, whipped out his Smith & Wesson and aimed it through the entrance.
Where was the shooter? Were they targeting Kaylin? Muffled screams echoed throughout the stalled lanes of traffic.
Another round of bullets hit the booth, penetrating the glass and creating a spiderweb effect on the window. Several shards bit into his arm and blood began to ooze from the cuts instantly. He winced but dismissed the pain and dared a glance into the parking lot.
Gunfire peppered a nearby car’s windshield. He needed to check on the occupants.
“Where’s the shooter?” Kaylin stayed low and pointed her weapon out the broken window.
“No idea, but there can’t be too many places for the sniper to hide. Obviously, someone knows what they’re doing.” He took out his phone and punched 911, relaying their location and the number of shots fired.
Pounding footsteps sounded nearby as more CBSA officers made their way to the area.
Hudson waved at them. “Stay down!”
After several minutes of silence, Hudson slipped his gun back in its holster. He and Kaylin eased out of the booth, feet crunching on the broken glass.
“You hurt?” His gaze caught hers and held.
She hesitated. “I’m good. What about the other drivers, though?”
Hudson nodded and ran to the car hit by bullets to ensure they didn’t have any victims. He approached the vehicle with caution.
The couple lay on the front seat, shielding their heads.
Hudson opened the door. “Everyone okay?”
They peeked up, brushing off shards of glass. “They didn’t hit us. Just the windshield.”
Did this shooting have anything to do with the earlier incident? Were the suspects really targeting Kaylin and had they come back to finish the job?
Sirens pierced the area. EMS and local authorities weaved through the lanes. Windsor police officers piled out of their cruisers and approached them for a briefing on the situation.
After an intensive search of the area, Kaylin holstered her 9 mm. “Shooter is gone.”
Hudson wiped the perspiration from his forehead. The June morning had already turned muggy. “Sniper fired multiple shots. Hit the booth and a car,” he informed the Windsor police officers.
Hudson eyed Kaylin’s rigid body. Just like him, she stood on guard for more shots, but the bags under her eyes didn’t have anything to do with the tension from the shooting. They revealed sleep deprivation. Why? The pretty officer was stressed about something in her life and he had the sudden urge to find out what it was. To help.
Officers moved to examine the booth, combing the area for shell casings, while a paramedic bandaged Hudson’s arm.
“Kaylin.” Another CBSA officer headed in their direction. “Need to speak with you.”
She groaned. “Here he comes.”
“Who?” Hudson squinted to get a better look at the older gentleman.
“My boss. Probably wants to give me an earful for not manning my post efficiently. He seems to have it in for me.”
The Goliath-like officer stepped forward. “Everyone okay?”
“Yes.” She shoved her hands into her pockets. “What’s going on?”
He pointed to Hudson as he spoke to her. “You’ve been reassigned from duty here to work with Constable Steeves on a task force your father has created. You now take orders from the constable.”
Hudson grimaced. How would she react to the chain of command? The last time they’d worked together, she’d had a hard time taking orders from him.
“What about the shooting?” She pointed to the booth.
“We’ll leave that to the local authorities. You’re to work with your father and the police in busting this ring. I’m counting on you to do a good job. You hear?”
Her eyes narrowed and she scowled. “Yes, sir. You can expect nothing but my best. As always.” She folded her arms across her chest, revealing her foul mood.
What had happened for her to get her back up so easily with her boss? Something in their past, or was she known for not doing her job effectively?
Hudson cleared his throat. “Thanks for your help, sir. You can count on us wrapping this up as quickly as possible. I’m sure Officer Poirier is needed back on the team.” He turned to Kaylin and pointed to the officers scouring the area. “Let’s leave this shooting with them and go check out the florist van. Forensics are en route.”
“Whatever you say, Constable.” She flattened her lips.
Great. Not only did he have to deal with a shooting today, but an angry female, as well.
Not a good combination.
* * *
Kaylin jumped into the constable’s vehicle and slammed the door. Why did she have to work with him again? When they’d worked together last time, he’d taken over the case, pushing her aside so he could fly solo. He had a problem with authority and only wanted to do things his way. She folded her arms and stared out the window.
Didn’t matter that Hudson Steeves was one of the best-looking men she’d ever met. Those cornflower blue eyes were hard not to get lost in, but she was determined not to get sucked into another man’s good looks. Jake, her ex-fiancé, was incentive enough to steer her away from all men. His tricks had taken the ultimate toll and there was no way she’d open herself up to that kind of pain again.
Hudson pulled onto the highway that would take them to the charred van. “It’s good to be working with you again,” he said, spouting the professional line. “How have you been?”
Despite her resolve to stay close-minded toward him, she snuck a peek at his side profile. His chiseled jaw, covered by a five o’clock shadow, made him even more handsome. Stop, Kaylin. She turned back to the window. The tree line zipped by as they moved in and out of the busy traffic. “Working nonstop,” she replied. “You?” She was working hard, but mostly so she didn’t have time to think about being alone. After all, her experience with the men in her life proved she was better off by herself. Although, if that was the case, why did she have to keep reminding herself of that?
“The same,” he said. “Never a dull moment.”
“For sure. Tell me about this case. How did you stumble onto it?”
He took the next right and maneuvered the cruiser into the heart of downtown Windsor. “Doda—the poor man’s heroin street drug—has been on the rise again. The police staged a siege with the CBSA in Saskatchewan a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the arrest didn’t include the big cheese of the operation. Just a few men from lower on the totem pole. Ever since then we’ve gotten reports of the drug being used in different cities. Toronto’s Asian community seems to be the hardest hit.”
“Interesting that the driver was Asian. Any connection?”
“Possibly.”
“Are they targeting a specific ethnic group?” She plunged herself into getting more information on the case. Anything to direct her away from thoughts of the handsome constable.
“It used to be mostly in the Asian community, but we’re finding more high school and college kids are starting to use the drug.” His knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “We have to stop it before it gets any worse.”
“I’ve heard it’s a hard drug to kick.”
“Yes, that’s true, especially without the help of a doctor.”
Kaylin shook her head. Just the thought of kids taking this drug put her on edge. “When will people learn drugs are not the answer?” Images of her brother popped in her head. She wrung her hands together. She knew firsthand what it was like to have drugs take over a loved one’s life. She had watched it happen bit by bit with her brother.
“You okay?” Hudson’s eyes softened.
Had he changed since they’d last worked together? Interest in him tugged at her emotions, but
she turned away to block out his boyish charm. “My brother overdosed on heroin at the age of eighteen, so drugs have always been a sore spot for me.”
“I’m so sorry. How old were you?”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Ten at the time, but I can still picture his lifeless eyes.”
“You found him?”
Tears welled, but she pushed them away. She would not let him see her in a weakened state. “Yes, and my father blamed me for it.”
He pulled into the parking lot of an abandoned warehouse. “The police chief? That’s terrible. How could he have done that?”
“Let’s just say my father blames me for a lot of things.” That was more than she wanted to share. The memories were all in her past and she had to keep them there. For her own sanity.
“Well, it could hardly be your fault. What did your mother say?”
She stared out the window. “She died giving birth to me, so I never knew her. Another thing my father hated me for.”
“Doesn’t sound like the man I’ve met.”
Her father put on a good image for the public, but she knew his secret. Who he really was. “No comment.” She rubbed her temples. She needed to change the subject. “How did you get chosen for this task force?”
A vein twitched in his neck as he jerked the car to the right, where she saw the remains of the charred van. “I asked to be on it.”
“Why?”
“Personal reasons.”
He wasn’t offering much information. Why the secret, she wondered. “Like?” She continued to push.
“My nephew Matthew overdosed after he was targeted by a drug ring. He’s in the hospital.”
“I’m so sorry.” Once again, Todd’s face flashed before her. She could relate to Hudson’s pain.
“I’m determined to stop drug smugglers. I’ve seen what it can do to teens. It has to end.” His taut expression revealed just how much he wanted to catch them.
Her cell phone dinged. She pulled it out and read the text.
Next time you won’t be so fortunate. We’re watching.
A picture popped on her phone. One of her and Hudson standing near her booth at the border.
She swallowed despite her dry mouth. Yes, she agreed with Hudson. These smugglers had to be stopped or someone could be hurt. Or worse.
“What is it?” Hudson parked beside another cruiser and turned off the engine.
“Got a text and this.” She held up the picture on her phone. “They’re watching.”
His eyes narrowed. “This is not good. How did they get your number?”
“No idea.” A tremor rippled through her body, threatening to overpower her. She forced it away and shoved her cell phone into her vest pocket.
“You best report it.” Hudson grabbed gloves from a bag in the back seat and handed her a pair. “Let’s see if we can salvage anything from this wreckage.”
Kaylin put them on and stepped out of the vehicle. Smoke assaulted her nostrils and she pinched her nose. Firemen had doused the van’s smoldering embers. Only a charred shell remained.
“I doubt we’ll find much.” Kaylin stepped forward. “Why do you think they did this?”
“I’m guessing they knew we’d catch up to them at some point, so they decided to get rid of any evidence.” He turned toward another officer at the scene. “James, did we get any leads on what direction they went? It can’t be far.”
The white-haired constable shook his head. “We have officers canvassing the area, but so far it’s like they disappeared.”
“Always one step ahead.” Hudson rubbed the back of his neck.
A lone remaining fireman approached the group. “The flames are out and it’s safe to search the van. It’s all yours now.”
Hudson touched Kaylin gently by the elbow, guiding her toward the vehicle. “We need to wait for our Ident team.”
She trembled at his innocent touch.
They didn’t have long to wait. The forensic unit pulled into the parking lot and two officers rushed forward with their equipment. Another cruiser pulled up beside them and a female constable emerged.
Hudson approached her and held out his hand. “Hey, Bianca. Good to see you again.”
She pointed to the van. “Have you contaminated the crime scene?”
“Wouldn’t think of it,” Hudson said. “This is Kaylin Poirier, CBSA officer. She’s here to help with the investigation. Kaylin, this is Constable Bianca Wills. She works alongside the forensic team and reports back to us.”
“Nice to meet you.” Bianca motioned toward the van. “Shall we take a look?”
Hudson put his gloves on and opened the back doors. The hinges screeched in annoyance.
Kaylin peered closer.
Empty, charred tin plant buckets lay on the floor.
Kaylin pointed to a pot. “What? They torched the van because of flowers? That doesn’t make sense.”
“They had to be some form of illegal flower.” Hudson moved to the front of the vehicle. “Let’s check out the seat.”
Kaylin opened what was left of the driver’s door. Searching cars was part of a CBSA officer’s duty. She could do this. It was her comfort zone. “Do you mind if I take a look here?”
“Go ahead,” Bianca replied. “Just don’t move anything.”
Kaylin reached in and felt around the seats. Nothing. She placed her hand behind the blackened cushion. Something pricked her finger and she snapped back. “I think there’s a knife in here.”
Bianca reached in and pulled out a blade.
Kaylin leaned closer. “I imagine the fire removed any chances of getting a print off it.”
“Probably, but we’ll check to be sure.” Bianca dropped the knife into an evidence bag and handed it to the forensics officer.
Kaylin ran her hand along the inside of the door. “Nothing hidden there. Looks like they kept a clean van.”
Hudson handed Bianca a card. “Can you call me when you hear anything?”
“Sure will.”
“See ya around.” Hudson’s cell phone buzzed. He fished it out of his pocket and swiped the screen.
Kaylin kept her gaze on Hudson. His presence lured her in like a lobster to a trap, ensnaring her so she couldn’t escape.
Hudson’s expression clouded as he read the text. “We gotta roll.”
“What’s going on?” She removed her gloves.
“A suspicious package was found at my nephew’s high school. Could be related to the case.”
The hairs prickled the back of her neck.
What else would this day bring?
THREE
Hudson took the steps two at a time into Matthew’s high school with Kaylin at his heels. He needed to get to the bottom of this doda ring, and fast. Before more kids were enticed. His nephew’s safety depended on it. Lockers lined each side of the sparse halls as their footsteps echoed down the corridor. It was lunchtime, so the halls were empty of students.
He pointed to the right. “The principal’s office is this way.”
“You’ve been here before, I take it?” She grinned.
He stopped, her sassy smile tantalizing him. Wait. What? Where did that come from? She probably still hated him. Not that he blamed her. He’d acted like a jerk on their previous investigation. He’d broken up with his fiancée and was still getting over her betrayal. Rebecca had brought out the worst in him. And Kaylin had paid the price. He’d ended up praying a lot during that time—asking God to forgive him.
Focus on the case.
“Yup, my old high school.”
When they reached the office, Hudson knocked on the door and stepped aside, letting Kaylin enter first. Her floral scent followed and he breathed it in. He adjusted his hat to help him concentrate on the task at hand.
A woman in her late forties s
at behind a desk, typing. Piles of paperwork filled the top of her working area. She sipped her drink and glanced up at the interruption.
Hudson pulled out his credentials. “Good afternoon, ma’am. I’m Constable Hudson Steeves.” He pointed to Kaylin. “This is Officer Kaylin Poirier of the CBSA.”
The secretary stood, her glasses slipping to the end of her nose. Her raised brows peeked over her cat-eye spectacles. “You’re here about the drugs, aren’t you?”
Hudson put his badge in his pocket. “Yes. Can we talk to Principal Normand?”
She picked up the phone and buzzed into the inner office. “The officers are here about the package.” She paused. “Will do.” She pointed to the door. “You can go in. He’s expecting you.”
Hudson and Kaylin entered the small office lined with bookshelves on both sides.
The silver-haired man stood. “Good afternoon, Officers. Thanks for coming.”
Hudson stuck out his hand and introduced himself and Kaylin.
“Nice to meet you both.” The principal came out from behind his desk and returned the gesture before pointing to the table. “Here’s the package in question. We received a tip that someone had brought drugs into the school, so we did a locker-by-locker search and found this.”
Hudson opened the bag and sniffed the beige powder. He stuck his finger in and scooped up a trace with his pinkie. “It’s doda all right. Where’s the student? We’d like to talk to him.”
“He’s being detained down the hall by another teacher. His father is also there. He’s madder than a stirred-up hornet’s nest.”
Hudson pulled out a folded evidence bag from his pocket, placed the doda into it and sealed the top. “We’ll take this to the station for processing.” He pointed to the door. “Lead us to the student.”
Hudson turned to exit the room and bumped into Kaylin, almost knocking her over. He caught her by the waist as their gaze locked. He cleared his throat and stepped aside. “After you.”
They followed Principal Normand down the hall to a classroom. A curly-haired teenager slouched in the chair behind a desk. The teacher sat at the front of the room. A sophisticated gentleman in an Armani suit stood in the corner with his arms crossed. He looked at his watch before peering at them with a scowl.
Border Breach Page 2
