by Terri Reed
He stroked his chin. “Interesting. I’m sure the chief has let the doctor know about Veronica’s death.”
Gina wondered if anyone besides the chief would mourn Veronica. She’d alienated most everyone in her life, though she’d never lacked for male company. She’d played loose and free with her love life.
Had Veronica thought she could charm Tim out of killing her? Gina’s heart ached as once again the scene of how the event had transpired played through her mind. Even though Veronica had been mean-spirited and unkind at times, she hadn’t deserved to die at Tim’s hands. And Gina could do nothing to bring her back. “I should focus on the puppies.”
“Right. I’ll let Sophie know I’m leaving so she can stay alert.”
The fact that he was taking her protection so personally sent pleasure through Gina. His concern for her well-being warmed her from the inside. “Thank you for keeping me up-to-date on the investigation.”
“No problem.” He smiled, flashing his white, even teeth. She felt the impact of his smile all the way to her toes as they curled inside her rubber-soled shoes.
“Come on, Bella,” he said. “Time to go.”
The puppies followed them to the door. Gina bent down to grab each pup by the collar until Shane shut the door behind him. Releasing them, Gina leaned her back against the wood for a moment. She’d better get a grip on herself. Crushing on Shane wouldn’t do anyone, especially her, any good.
She glanced at the clock on the far wall. Nearly noon. Deciding she’d work with Ricky for a little bit before returning them both to their crates so she could eat lunch, she scooped him up and carried him to the cabinet in the corner where the training treats were kept. Lucy trotted along at her heels. Since Ricky apparently wasn’t interested in the beef and sweet potatoes treat she’d used with Lucy, she’d let him pick his favorite.
Inside the cabinet were four bins filled with different flavors of treats. She set Ricky down and scooped up Lucy. Then, with her free hand, she took one of each flavor and set them on the floor in a line. Whichever one he gravitated to first would be the one she’d use.
The puppy ambled over to the treats and sniffed each one. Apparently the little guy was a picky eater, unlike his sister, who squirmed to be released, no doubt wanting to get at all the treats.
Ricky stopped to lick one. Gina thought maybe they had a winner with the buffalo-flavored treat, but then he abandoned it to gobble up the one on the end.
“Ah, you’re a fish lover.” Gina picked up the dismissed treats in one hand before releasing Lucy.
Gina grabbed a handful of the salmon treats and waved her hands beneath the puppies’ noses. “Come.”
Then she walked toward the center of the arena with both dogs trailing behind her.
She stopped and turned her focus to Lucy. “Sit.” The little pup sat, her sweet eyes expectant. “Good dog, sit.” Gina fed one of the treats in her hand to Lucy then stuffed all but one into her pouch.
Ricky let out a protesting bark. Glad to have his attention, she held out her hand with the salmon-flavored morsel so he could smell the treat, and then slowly raised her hand as she’d done with Lucy.
Ricky, however, didn’t cooperate. He backed up and barked.
Hmm. She plopped down on the ground and held out both hands in closed fists. One concealed a treat and the other was empty. “Which hand?”
Ricky barked and cocked his head.
“Which hand, Ricky?”
Ricky ventured closer and sniffed, then lifted a paw to scratch at the hand that held the treat. “Very good!” Delighted that he’d picked correctly, she slipped the treat into his mouth. It was a good sign that he could be taught to alert on a scent. He may prove to be a good tracker, cadaver dog or drug detector.
While he chewed, she stood and walked away a few feet, then filled one hand with another treat and held out her fists. “Which one?”
Ricky ran toward her.
The overhead lights went out, throwing the arena into murky gloom. The skylights allowed ambient light, but not enough to illuminate the cavernous arena.
Gina stilled. It’s just a shorted-out fuse.
But deep down she didn’t believe it. Terror flooded her veins.
A whisper of noise jolted through her. She ran and crouched down behind the agility tube. She grabbed treats from the pouch at her waist and held out her hands palms up, hoping to lure the puppies to her. Ricky found her right away. She clutched him to her chest. Where was Lucy?
A cold wet nose nudged her arm. With a dose of relief, Gina scooped up Lucy with her free arm. The two puppies squirmed and she stuffed treats in their mouths in the hope they wouldn’t bark to be released.
Gina peered around the edge of the agility tunnel. The neon red glow of the exit light outlined the silhouette of a man standing in front of the closed door. Tall and slim. Unmistakable.
Tim.
She shuddered and jerked back out of sight. Her cell phone vibrated on her hip. She prayed Tim hadn’t heard the muffled sound. She didn’t dare answer. She’d have to release one of the dogs to get it and then the light from the display would pinpoint her location for Tim, ensuring that he found her.
Her breath came fast and shallow. Somehow, someway, Tim had located her whereabouts. How had he infiltrated the center? Shane and Sophie had made sure the place was locked up tight.
Oh, no! Sophie!
Gina’s heart lurched. Oh, Lord, please don’t let Sophie be dead, too!
* * *
As Shane walked down the sidewalk of Desert Valley’s main street, he scanned the faces of the other pedestrians, searching for Tim Perry. Colorful awnings provided shade, though on this mild late-March day the sun’s rays weren’t blistering the way he knew they would be come summer.
Both sides of the road were dominated by storefront businesses, restaurants and hotels with stucco or brick facades. There was an eclectic mix of old-world charm and newer, modern architecture. Shane had heard that Marian Foxcroft had poured money into the town to bolster the economy as well as to entice more tourists to the small community.
Up ahead was the brick mortuary where the coroner, who was also the town’s mortician, worked. As Shane reached the entrance his cell rang. He glanced at the caller ID. Sophie. With a spike in his pulse rate, he quickly answered, “Sophie?”
“Hey, so I somehow locked myself in the supply closet. I called Gina but she’s not answering her cell.”
He frowned, confused and alarmed. A twinge of constriction zinged through his chest. “Did she leave the center?”
Gina knew the seriousness of the situation. Why would she leave? Shane did an about-face and stalked back toward the training building, keeping his gaze alert for any sign of Gina or her brother.
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Gina’s phone is on silent since she’s working with the puppies.”
“Oh, okay.” That made sense. Yet a large knot formed in his gut. He picked up his pace. “I’m almost there. How did you lock yourself inside the closet?”
“The door slammed shut. I’ll have to check the springs on it.”
That knot expanded and put pressure on his lungs. He worked to control his breathing. Doors didn’t just slam shut on their own. Something was wrong. He sent up a plea that he reached Gina in time.
* * *
Anxiety tightened Gina’s muscles and full-blown panic built in her chest.
No! She couldn’t panic. She had to stay calm if she hoped to survive.
She needed to reach the other exit, the one leading to the puppy yard. In a low crouch, she shuffled toward the agility tire jump, though the freestanding frame wouldn’t provide much protection.
“Sissster.” Tim’s voice echoed off the walls. “I’mmm hhhheere.”
Fear snaked down her spine. She struggle
d to keep hold of the puppies while she increased her pace. Thankfully neither dog made a sound. She’d sent up a fervent prayer for protection, promising she’d start going to church again, read her Bible and pray more if only God would make Tim go away.
Struggling to keep terror from overwhelming her, she forced herself to keep moving toward the exit. Afraid to let the puppies go, she had to juggle their weight while moving in a low run. She caught her elbow on the edge of the frame of a regulation jump and nearly lost her grip on the dogs.
Only a little farther.
The interior door of the arena banged open. The bright glow from a high-powered flashlight filled the space, forcing the shadows to abate enough that Gina was exposed. But so was Tim. A crossbow hung across his body and long bolts stuck out of a pouch on his back.
“Halt! Police!” Shane shouted.
Gina nearly cried with relief. How had he known to come back? God had answered her prayer. Though she couldn’t see Shane behind the glare of the flashlight, his very presence made her knees weak. He was putting himself in harm’s way.
Tim whirled to face Shane. He grabbed the crossbow, bringing it up as he reached over his shoulder for a steel-tipped bolt.
“No!” Gina screamed. “Shane, watch out!”
A whirr of movement caught Tim by surprise. Bella launched herself at him with a deep growl. Tim used the crossbow like a club to knock the attacking dog away. Bella yelped and fell in a heap at his feet. Tim turned and ran for the door at the back of the arena. Gina scuttled quickly out of his reach as he passed her.
Shane raced after him. “Stop or I’ll shoot.”
Not heeding the warning, Tim kicked the door open.
Gina held her breath as sunshine flooded the room, dispelling the gloom and washing Shane in a bright light. He had his service weapon aimed at her brother’s retreating back. Her heart stalled. He pulled the trigger just as Tim disappeared through the exit. The bullet shattered the edge of the door frame and filled the arena with a deafening echo. Shane ran for the door and skidded to a halt, clearly debating giving chase.
Gina’s stomach tensed with a more pressing question. “What about Sophie?”
A loud crash sounded from somewhere inside the training center, then Sophie ran into the arena, holding her gun in a two-handed grip. “I heard a gun go off. I finally managed to kick open the supply closet door.”
What? Gina didn’t understand—clearly her hearing was off from the retort of the gun.
Standing poised on the threshold of the exit, Shane glanced over his shoulder. “Stay with them,” he instructed Sophie, and then he stormed out after Tim.
Gina released the puppies and rushed to where Bella lay on the ground. The dog’s eyes were open and her breathing was labored. Tears filled Gina’s eyes. She struggled to get her phone from her waist pouch. She dialed the police station. Though her ears hurt and the world was muffled, she managed to quickly tell the dispatcher what had happened, just in case Shane hadn’t had a chance to before he came to her rescue.
Shane returned a moment later. “Tim got away.” His grim tone echoed with anger and frustration. He knelt beside Bella. “You’ll be okay, girl. You have to be okay.” He bowed his head. “Please, God. Let her be okay.”
SEVEN
The acrid odor of burned gunpowder filled the arena. Shane barely noticed as worry chomped through him. Though he hadn’t given Bella the command to attack, she’d done what she had been trained to do. And Tim had hit her pretty hard with the edge of his crossbow.
Shane’s gut tightened. Too bad he hadn’t aimed for Tim’s back instead of firing a warning shot. By the time Shane had run out of the center, Tim had made it to the corner at the end of the road and disappeared. When Shane had reached the corner, there was no sign of the man.
On the way back to the center, Shane had had to use his inhaler. The first time in a long time.
Now he laid a hand on Bella. She lay on the floor panting. “You’re a brave dog,” he told her, hoping Bella understood how proud he was to call her partner.
Sophie tucked her weapon into her waistband at her back. Her training uniform was damp with sweat. Her honey-blond hair was no longer in a twist but hung in a braid, secured with an elastic rubber band. She touched Gina’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Gina’s slight smile showed appreciation for the other woman’s concern. “I’m good. Shane returned just in time.”
Sophie frowned. “What happened?”
“Tim. He somehow gained entrance to the center,” Gina said. “He came after me but...”
“But?” Shane pinned her with his gaze.
Gina wrapped her arms around her middle. “He could have easily just killed me. Instead, he seemed more interested in terrorizing me.”
Sophie knelt next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad he didn’t hurt you. I’m so sorry I let my guard down.”
“You did nothing wrong,” Gina countered. “I’m just glad he didn’t hurt you.”
Unlike Veronica. Or Bella. Fury burned in Shane’s abdomen. He looked at Sophie. “You being locked in the closet was no accident.”
Sophie nodded. “So I’m gathering. When I heard the gunfire, I kicked the door down. I should have done that in the first place.”
Chief Earl Jones barreled through the open exit. Right behind him came the town vet, Tanya Fowler, a medium-built woman with strawberry-blond hair and light blue eyes. Shane had met her the first week he’d been in town when she’d come to the training center to meet the dogs and their handlers. She’d been politely reserved with the handlers and gentle and loving with the animals.
Chief Jones skidded to a stop beside them. “Is anybody hurt?”
Shane quickly related the events while Tanya knelt down beside Bella and checked her vitals.
The chief called for Officer Harmon to come secure the scene. Then to Shane he said, “You’ll need to come to the station and surrender your weapon and file a report.”
Shane frowned. “Are you taking me off protection detail?”
Jones shook his head. “No. I want you to shadow Gina even more closely from now on. Your service weapon will be returned to you as soon as possible. No later than tomorrow morning. But protocol and policies need to be adhered to.”
Shane understood. He knew the drill. He could remember days when his dad stayed home from the job because he’d discharged his weapon while on duty. His brothers had loved those days, but not Shane. Dad would regale them with horrible tales of the gritty side of law enforcement while devising some new exercise drill or obstacle course to put his sons through.
Mitchell and Jeremiah thrived on the challenge. Shane had wanted to earn his father’s approval, too, but his asthma would knock him out of the competition quickly, much to the amusement of his elder siblings and his father’s disdain. What would his father think to learn Shane had discharged his weapon and missed on purpose? Shooting a man in the back hadn’t seemed right.
Jones turned his attention to the vet. “How is she?”
“Heart rate’s up. Her pupils are slightly dilated.” Tanya’s light blue eyes sought Shane’s. “Did she lose consciousness?”
“If so, only for a second,” Gina interjected. “She went down hard. She’s tried to get up, but she’s obviously struggling.”
Tanya nodded. “She probably has a mild concussion. I’d like to take her to the clinic for a full exam.”
Shane lifted Bella into his arms. “I’ll carry her over.” He glanced at Gina, his chest tightening again. He didn’t want to leave her unprotected. “You’re coming with me.”
She gestured to the puppies now rolling around together wrestling over a toy. “I better put them in their crates.”
“I’ll take care of them,” Sophie said. “Once I get them settled down,
I’m going to examine every inch of the center and figure out how your brother gained access and plug whatever hole he crawled through.”
The fact that Tim Perry had somehow managed to breach the facility gnawed at Shane. He’d better step up his game. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for police work, as his father had declared on more than one occasion. The fire inside of Shane burned a little hotter. He’d underestimated Tim’s determination to get at his sister. It wouldn’t happen again.
If Sophie hadn’t had her phone at the time she was locked in the supply closet, it could have been Gina’s body Shane was carrying out the door.
The thought made him break out in a cold sweat.
* * *
Gina stepped out into the mild late-afternoon sunshine that should have been enough to chase away her shivers. She was thankful for her sweater. The northern Arizona spring temperature was barely over sixty degrees. But her chill was more from her scare than the weather. She kept her gaze alert for any sign of Tim.
The chief insisted on keeping her on his left, using his big frame as a shield. Tanya hurried ahead to prepare an exam room for Bella while Shane carried his canine partner tenderly in his arms. It was clear how much the man cared for his partner. The bond that formed between canines and humans never ceased to amaze her.
A familiar yearning tugged at her. She wanted to have that kind of bond, wanted to find a man to love and who loved her. But fear kept the dream from becoming a reality.
Inside the clinic, the receptionist, an older woman with jet-black hair peppered with gray, rose and came around the desk. To Shane, she said, “Dr. Fowler will meet you in exam room three.” Turning to Gina and the chief, she held up a hand, stopping them from following. “You can wait out here.”
For a moment Shane hesitated. Gina didn’t have to be a mind reader to know he didn’t want to leave her side. The thought both warmed and chilled her. The confusing reaction made her heart beat hard in her chest.
