Page 11 of Chasing a Kidnapper

There were nods and murmurs of agreement through the room.

“Detective West Cole and his K-9, Peanut—her expertise is critical in that she alerts to gunpowder and gun oil,” Slater said gesturing toward him. “US Marshal Gracie Fitzpatrick and her K-9, Bane.” He gestured toward a woman with long brown hair sitting beside her Belgian Malinois. “Bane is an excellent tracker, and Gracie has been instrumental in finding other fugitives. Then we have Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Kelcey from Keystone, South Dakota, and his K-9, a black Lab named Amber who specializes in search and rescue.”

A tall man with thick brown hair nodded at the group.

“Lucy Lopez—” Slater gestured to a pretty woman with shoulder-length brown hair and large brown eyes “—is from Fargo, North Dakota, she and her K-9, a springer spaniel named Piper, are experts in bomb detection.” Daniel Slater frowned. “We recently lost Kenyon Graves to a bomb explosion and fear we may run into more explosive devices.”

Again, there were several nods of acknowledgment around the room.

“Liam Barringer is an FBI agent from Bismarck, North Dakota. He specializes in homicide investigations, and his K-9, a male bloodhound named Guthrie, specializes in cadaver detection.” The fed was tall and muscular with sandy brown hair. “Jenna Marrow is also from Fargo, North Dakota. Her German shepherd, Augie, is trained in scent detection and suspect apprehension,” Slater continued, gesturing to a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes.

West was impressed with the variety and talented skills of those gathered here in the conference room. For the first time in months, he was confident that by working together they’d bring Kenyon’s killers to justice.

“Last but not least, K-9 Officer Jack Donadio has a chocolate Lab named Beau who specializes in electronics detection, although they are on desk duty due to his recent injury,” the ATF agent continued. West noticed the cane propped against the table beside Donadio and remembered how he’d been shot during a drug bust. “Jack will help file paperwork for us, obtaining search warrants and the like. We also have full access to Tech Analyst Cheyenne Chen, who works out of this precinct.” Slater clicked his pen in his hand as Cheyenne nodded to the group. Dan took a moment to glance around the room. “Any questions?”

There was a long moment of silence as the group digested the information.

“When can we get started?” West asked.

Slater nodded. “I knew you’d be anxious to get to work. But I forgot to mention one thing. We’re swearing each of you in as federal officers for the duration of this task force. That way you can cross state lines to follow leads.”

West sat back in his chair, resting his hand on Peanut’s silky head, honored to be included in this new task force.

Now they just had to find the bad guys and toss them in jail where they belonged.

After setting Gabriel’s car seat down, Trisha lifted him out and rested him on her hip. Captain Ross was busy, so she’d had to wait to speak with him.

Her shift didn’t start until three o’clock that afternoon, and she considered asking her sister to watch Gabriel. Yet it wasn’t as if Raina didn’t have her hands full with Kenyon’s three-year-old twin boys, Beacon and Austin. Adding one more baby to the mix might be enough to push her sister over the edge. Especially since she had recently added a beagle puppy, Chewy, to the mix.

She bit her lip, trying to come up with another alternative. There was a day care in town, but she knew they were understaffed, much like many places in the city were. Still, she may have little choice but to give it a try.

“You’d probably like friends to play with, wouldn’t you?” She tucked a strand of Gabriel’s reddish hair off his cheek. He’d gotten her red hair, but his father’s blue eyes. Thinking of Bryan took her back to the intruder in her house last night.

Could her ex have hurt Laurel? And searched her house for a key? It was difficult to comprehend, especially after fourteen months of not hearing a peep out of him, but she was at a loss as to who else would do such a thing.

Carrying Gabriel to the closest desk, she dropped into the chair and settled her son on her lap. With one hand, she used the mouse to bring up a search engine. It would be smart to check Bryan’s criminal record. She knew for a fact he had been clean when she’d met him. Like every cautious woman, she automatically checked the backgrounds of the guys she dated.

At least, she used to. Dating was no longer an option.

The only court document that popped up under Bryan’s name was their divorce. She stared at the information there, realizing her address was listed in the court records.

A chill snaked down her spine. Anyone looking for Bryan could find her, too. Is that what the perp had done? If so, that still didn’t explain why he would search her house for a key.

She tried a general search for her ex, but nothing popped up. Even when she checked social media, it appeared Bryan had taken his profiles down.

Because he hadn’t wanted any memories of their time together? Nah, he wasn’t the sentimental type.

Yet he could be hiding something.

She told herself not to jump to conclusions. After all, she really had no evidence that Bryan was involved. Then again, she had no proof he wasn’t.

“Trish?” She turned to find Captain Ross striding toward her. She quickly rose to her feet, setting Gabriel on her hip. “I heard about the break-in at your home. I’ve taken you off the schedule for today, and you have the next two days off anyway, since you worked the weekend.” His brows were furrowed with concern. “If you need more time than that, please let me know.”

“Thanks, Captain.” She offered a lopsided smile. “I’m most upset at how the perp attacked my babysitter.”

“I can understand,” he agreed. “Will she be okay?”

“Yes. I called the hospital first thing this morning and was told her condition was stable. They’re keeping her today and overnight for observation.” Laurel had insisted she was fine and ready to go home, but Trisha was secretly relieved the docs were keeping a close eye on her friend.

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