Protect and Serve (Rookie K-9 Unit)

by Terri Reed

When he was finished, he handed the report to Carrie, who’d add it to the case file.

  “Ready to go?” Shane asked Gina while resisting the urge to offer her his hand.

  “Definitely,” she answered as she rose from the chair. “Do you mind if we stop for coffee before picking up the puppies?”

  He could use a jolt of caffeine. “Not at all.”

  “I wish we knew where Marco was,” she said as she hitched her purse higher on her shoulder. “Maybe we could check in with the store owners along Main Street and see if anyone has mentioned finding the puppy?”

  “If anyone had, I’m sure we’d know. But when we get back to the training center I can make some calls.” And just because her brother had escaped from the minimart didn’t mean the man wasn’t still out there waiting for an opportunity to strike. Shane and Bella had to be on their A game at all times.

  A tall, distinguished man in his midforties entered the station, nearly running Gina over. Shane snaked an arm around her waist and drew her out of the way. Which proved a good tactic to keep her from being bowled over, but played havoc with his senses.

  “I was summoned by the chief,” the newcomer bit out in an impatient tone. He had neatly styled graying dark hair and rimless eyeglasses that distorted his dark eyes. He carried a black bag with the initials W.P.

  Taking a guess, Shane held out his hand and said, “Dr. Pennington. I’m Officer Weston. We spoke the other day.”

  Ignoring his outstretched hand, Pennington said, “Where’s the chief?”

  “Right here,” Jones said as he came out of his office. “Good of you to come, Doctor.”

  Pennington’s lip curled. “Did I have a choice?”

  Shane had the distinct impression there was no love lost between the two men. No doubt the animosity was due to their respective relationships with Veronica Earnshaw. Pennington had divorced the woman the chief had considered a daughter. Granted, Shane didn’t know the full story of what had happened between Veronica and the doctor.

  “We have a suspect in custody I’d like you to do a tox screen on,” the chief said, ignoring Pennington’s snide question.

  Pennington huffed. “You mean a junkie.” He made a face of disgust. “What a drain on society. They clutter up the clinic and keep us from helping those who really need medical care.”

  “Yes, well.” The chief’s voice hardened. “The clinic is for everyone, is it not, Doctor?”

  The two men locked gazes in a battle of wills. Shane exchanged a curious glance with Gina. She gave a slight shrug, clearly unnerved by the power clash in front of them.

  Finally, Pennington let out a loud breath. “Show me where you’ve stashed the criminal.”

  “This way.” The chief led the doctor through a set of double doors leading to the jail cells at the back of the building.

  “I sure hope his bedside manner is better when he’s with his patients,” Gina commented.

  Shane touched his hand to the small of her back and led her out of the station. “I can’t imagine him and Veronica as a couple. Two abrasive people together...” She shuddered.

  “It does seem like a strange pairing,” Gina replied. “If I weren’t so sure that my brother killed Veronica, I’d wonder if the good doctor didn’t have something to do with her murder.”

  “Spouses and ex-spouses are usually the first suspects in a murder case. But I checked, and the doctor has an alibi.”

  “Oh, well, then I guess he’s innocent. Just not very nice.”

  After Shane, Bella and Gina were in the Jeep, Shane asked, “How about we grab lunch with our coffee?” His stomach growled.

  “That works,” Gina said. “I’ll call Sophie and see if we can bring her lunch.”

  “Good idea.” Shane headed for the Cactus Café downtown while Gina made the call.

  At the café, Gina ordered Sophie a turkey on whole wheat sandwich and a chicken salad on a sourdough roll for herself. Shane ordered a roast beef on rye and a side of fries. They each ordered a coffee to go.

  While they waited for their food, they sat on a bench outside the café while sipping from their to-go coffee cups. Bella lay at their feet with a bowl of water provided by the café owner.

  Shane surveyed the small community of Desert Valley, feeling a kinship with the people he’d come to know over the past three months. A couple of teenage girls on bicycles rode past. The postman, Charlie, waved from his truck as he drove through town. Bill Baxter swept the sidewalk in front his hardware store, The Tool Corral. A mother and her adult daughter, arms linked and smiles on their faces, entered the Brides and Belles shop.

  It seemed like such a peaceful little town. Quaint, even, with colorful storefronts sporting awnings to provide shade from the heat of the Arizona sun. Though today was a mild spring day, he knew in a few short months the weather would turn scorching.

  “Do you like living in Desert Valley?” he asked Gina.

  “I do.” She let out a small sigh. “It’s been a nice place to be these past two years. The way the community is so tightly knit. It’s a good place to raise a family, too. The schools are good, with high test scores.”

  He noted her wistful tone and ached for her. He wished there were some way for him to convince her that she shouldn’t give up her dream of children out of fear. “You know you could adopt.”

  She slanted him a quick glance. “True. Or foster. I’ve toyed with the idea. I think I could provide a stable and loving home for children in need.” A small smile touched her lips, drawing his gaze. “I need to stop being a martyr and explore other possibilities. I’ll give adoption and/or fostering more serious thought once Tim is no longer a threat to me. Or anyone else.”

  Pleased to know she hadn’t taken too much offense by his blunt comment, he returned her smile. “I think you should. Desert Valley seems perfect.”

  “Normally, there’s not much crime,” she said with a grimace. “People tend to look out for each other. At Christmas, the town goes all out with decorations and most everyone attends the community church’s pageant.” Her voice ticked up in enthusiasm. “There’s an Easter parade with kids and adults alike dressed in their Sunday best. Then in May, there’s the annual Police Dance and Fund-raiser.”

  She slanted him a glance, then quickly darted her gaze away. The offer to escort her to the event tripped on his tongue but he wasn’t going to set her or himself up for disappointment. Surely by then Tim would be arrested, the cold cases would be resolved one way or another and all the rookies would be on their way to their assignments.

  “But I enjoy summer the most,” Gina stated firmly. “With the rodeo, the Fourth of July parade and a street fair in August with artisans from all over the state displaying their wares.”

  He could hear her excitement and love for the town in her voice. It made him ache with longing. He doubted he’d be here to see any of the things she described. And he doubted she’d be willing to leave.

  Whoa. Where’d that thought come from? He wasn’t about to ask her to uproot her life, leave behind a good job and friends to go with him wherever he was assigned. Once her brother was behind bars, she’d be free to really put down her roots here in Desert Valley, a place she obviously loved.

  The café’s door swung open and the waitress stepped out with their bag of food. “Here you are,” she said with a smile.

  “Thanks, Patty,” Gina said as she took the bag.

  “Enjoy,” Patty said, and ducked back inside.

  They walked to the Jeep. With Bella secured once again in the back, they settled in the front seats, and Shane headed toward the training center. He turned onto Desert Valley Road. The screech of tires against pavement was the only warning Shane had before a car shot out from the side street and plowed into them.

  TWELVE

  Gina looked out the p
assenger window and locked eyes with the maniacal stare of her brother behind the wheel of a silver sedan coming straight at her. She barely had time to brace herself before the Jeep was shoved sideways.

  The sickening sound of metal colliding, crushing and collapsing reverberated through her, drowning out her screams of terror as she was thrown left then right like a rag doll.

  A loud whoosh within the Jeep confused her until the dashboard exploded in her face at the same instant the side curtain air bag deployed, slamming into her shoulder. Rough pillows of material nearly smothered her as the Jeep tipped up and then crashed back to earth, landing on all four tires with a jarring bounce.

  Her head collided with the side passenger window. The air bag minimized the impact so the window didn’t break, but not enough to keep pain from exploding behind her eyes in a shower of bright stars. The world spun. The seat belt dug into her chest and shoulder, pinning her back. Her face flamed and her nose burned from the air-bag residue. Bella’s frantic barks punctuated the horror rolling over Gina.

  Shane muttered as he worked valiantly to keep the Jeep from rolling. Blindly, she reached for him, but found only air.

  Finally, the spinning subsided and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the intersection. Tim’s car shot forward and rammed into a light pole.

  Eerie quietness stole her breath. Bella! Shane! Were they okay? Her vision danced in and out of focus. Something wet and sticky ran down her face.

  Then a hand landed on her shoulder. “You’re bleeding.”

  She swiped a hand over her eyes and forced herself to focus on Shane’s face. His green eyes were full of panic as he grabbed his cell and called dispatch. He swiveled to look at Bella. Gina followed his gaze. The dog appeared unharmed. Her ears were standing up, her attention focused on something outside the Jeep. She let out a loud growl followed by a barrage of frenetic barks.

  The sudden sound of the passenger-door handle rattling startled Gina. With a yelp, she shrank from the door. A face peered at her. Tim. Please, Lord, no!

  He bared his teeth and continued to yank on the door handle, but the metal had been crushed and refused to budge.

  Shane kicked open the driver’s-side door and rounded the front of the Jeep, drawing his weapon. “Get down on the ground!”

  In the back of the Jeep, separated from the front seat by a metal barrier, Bella barked and clawed at the window in a frenzied effort to get to her partner. Shane needed Bella.

  Gina tried to pry loose the seat-belt latch, but her hands were too slippery with blood. She wiped her hands on her jeans and reached again for the latch. This time she managed to release the buckle. The seat belt retracted quickly, the metal buckle hitting her in the chin, adding another blast of pain to her already bruised and battered body.

  Ignoring the many agonizing places that burned for attention, she scrambled into the driver’s seat and out of the Jeep. She hurried to release Bella...but the hatch was stuck. She’d have to figure out another way to free the dog.

  She raced to the rear driver’s-side door but was momentarily distracted by Shane. He’d holstered his weapon and had her brother down on the ground in the middle of the road. Shane’s knee was planted in the center of Tim’s back and Shane seemed to be searching his utility belt for something. His handcuffs were missing. Had they dislodged from his utility belt during the crash?

  In the fraction of a second it took her to debate whether to continue her goal of freeing Bella or search for the handcuffs, Tim burst into action. He reared up with a loud roar and bucked Shane off. Shane stumbled back and landed on his rear while Tim shoved to his feet and ran. Before Shane could regain his feet, Tim had reached the crowd of bystanders that had been drawn to the accident.

  The shrill cry of sirens filled the air. Too late. Her brother was escaping. They needed Bella. Gina pivoted, intent on crawling in the Jeep.

  “Gina!”

  Tim’s shout froze her in place. She met her brother’s crazed stare. Even from this distance, malice gleamed like a flame in his eyes. Her heart thudded in her chest. Her brother, her twin, hated her. Her mind couldn’t grasp the concept. His mental illness may be driving him but at some point he had to take responsibility for his actions. They were connected by blood, yet were so far apart in every other way that he was a stranger to her.

  A stranger with a desire to kill.

  And she was his target.

  She staggered back a step. A piercing wail sounded in her head. Pain exploded in her chest, making each breath difficult. She pressed a hand over her heart.

  Two police cars arrived and skidded to a halt. The sudden silence released Gina from her panic. Chief Jones and Officer Bucks exited the chief’s vehicle while James Harrison and Ellen Foxcroft climbed out of another with their canine partners.

  Tim turned and raced toward the woods and quickly disappeared into the shadows of the trees and brush. Shane jumped to his feet with his weapon out, but there were too many people between him and Tim.

  Shane quickly explained to the chief and officers what had happened.

  James’s lip curled. “We’ll get him this time.” He tugged on the leash attached to his bloodhound, Hawk. “Let’s go, boy.”

  The two headed for the woods with Officer Bucks following closely behind. Gina sent up a quick prayer of safety for the trio.

  Shane glanced toward the Jeep. Meeting his gaze, Gina rushed to yank open the Jeep’s rear passenger door. Anchoring herself with her back against the driver’s seat, she grabbed the metal tension grate, tugging on it with all of her strength. Finally it gave and she was able to push it aside to allow Bella to jump out. The dog raced to Shane’s side and Gina followed, stopping next to him.

  He holstered his weapon and then gripped her by the shoulders. “Are you hurt?”

  She laid her hands flat against his chest. His heart hammered beneath her palms. She searched his face, wincing at the dark bruise forming on his cheek. “No. Thankfully. You?”

  “A bruised ego.” A muscle ticked in his strong jaw. “I can’t believe I let him escape.”

  “You stopped him from getting to me. That’s all that matters.” Staring into his handsome face she was inundated with relief that they were both alive and unharmed. The strong urge to kiss him slammed into her. Her breath caught and held. Did she dare? It would be reckless and foolhardy, but the need was nearly overwhelming. Instead, she dropped her head forward to hide her flaming cheeks. “I owe you my life.”

  Shane’s arms slipped around her and drew her close. She clung to him, grateful to God above that they both were alive.

  Ellen hurried to Gina’s side with gauze pads and pressed them to her forehead. “An ambulance is on its way.”

  When it arrived, the chief insisted Gina and Shane go to the hospital to be checked out by a doctor.

  Gina wasn’t thrilled to ride in the back of the ambulance, but when Shane and Bella jumped in, she had no complaints. They sat side by side on the bench usually reserved for the paramedic, with Bella at their feet. He slid an arm around Gina again, pulling her close. She laid her head on his shoulder, concentrating on the feel of his solid grip holding her tightly as a way to keep the aftermath of the trauma from turning her into a sobbing mess.

  When they arrived at the hospital, the orderly led them to the emergency room. Shane grasped her hand as they walked. The pressure of their palms pressed together soothed her more than any medicine could. Though she had to admit her head throbbed and her body ached from being thrown around during the crash.

  “Officer Weston, we’ll take you over here.” A stout nurse gestured to an open curtained room.

  “No.” The protest was out before Gina could stop it. She didn’t want to be separated from him. He was her anchor. She was afraid that without him by her side she’d succumb to the hysteria that had built up insid
e of her during the ordeal.

  Shane squeezed her hand. “It’ll be all right. Bella will stay with you.”

  “This way, Miss Perry,” another nurse urged.

  Reluctantly, Gina let go of Shane’s hand to follow the nurse. Bella’s nails clicked on the tiled floor as she kept pace with Gina. Breathe, she told herself. Just breathe. You’re safe now. Tim can’t get to you here.

  The nurse handed her a gown. “Put this on. The doctor should be with you soon. Do you need help?”

  She clutched the gown to her chest. “No, I can manage.”

  When the nurse left, Gina finally succumbed to the horror. She staggered to the exam table and leaned against it as the full impact of what they’d just survived hit her like a rogue wave. Her chest grew tight. Her breathing constricted. Her mind replayed what had happened. Tim had crashed a car into the side of Shane’s Jeep in an attempt to kill her. He wanted her dead. There was no mistaking his intent.

  But he hadn’t succeeded.

  Would he ever stop trying?

  Bella nudged her in the thigh as if sensing her dark thoughts. Grateful for Bella’s presence, Gina squatted to hug the dog, a liberty she only dared take with the police dog because she had trained her. It was kind of Shane to let his partner come with her; he obviously understood that Bella would ease Gina’s fears. His compassion touched her deeply. He was a good and honorable man. A man she was swiftly falling for. How crazy was that?

  After hurriedly donning the gown, Gina waited for the doctor.

  Shane. He’d become such an important part of her life in such a short amount of time. She knew the trauma and tension of the past few days had had an effect on her judgment, but she couldn’t discount the very real attraction and affection she harbored for the handsome rookie.

  If things were different, if she were different, she could see herself giving Shane her heart. As it was, she struggled to keep her emotions in check. The last thing she needed was to become attached to Shane. Not only was he leaving, but she couldn’t ever saddle anyone with the danger of her DNA. Tonight had brought home once again that faulty genes and bad decisions ran in her family.