Page 31 of Chasing a Kidnapper

“There’s also a Greyhound bus station we can check out.” West made more notes as he spoke. “Interestingly enough, the bus station isn’t that far from the west storage unit facility. Two birds, one stone.”

“I like it.” She was excited at the idea of getting closer to finding what the masked kidnapper was looking for. Then she frowned. “Although I don’t know if the bus station keeps track of their locker assignments. This may be another situation like Stewie’s gym. The lockers are open for anyone to use.”

“I know.” He glanced at her with a half shrug. “I guess we’ll see how many lockers are in use and go from there. I still think the storage units are our best option.”

She hoped he was right about that. “I need to give Gabriel a bath. I’ll keep trying to come up with other ideas, too.”

“Sure.” West’s attention was already back on his computer.

Bath time was fun for Gabriel. He splashed and played with his floaty toys, although she only had two of them with her, unlike the dozen she’d left back at her place.

He babbled nonstop, reaching for Peanut as if he wanted the beagle to join him in the tub. Which wouldn’t have been a bad idea if the beagle had needed a bath.

Peanut didn’t but did place her paws on the edge of the tub to lick the water from Gabriel’s skin. The K-9 and Gabriel were becoming fast friends.

It made her sad to think that once the danger was over, Gabriel wouldn’t see Peanut again.

Unless—no, don’t go there, she warned. West hadn’t given any indication that he’d considered her anything but a work colleague. The awareness that shimmered between them, and their near kiss, could be just her imagination.

When the water had cooled, she plucked Gabriel from the tub, dried him off and then dressed him in a sleeper. She carried him back to the main living area, loving the scent of baby shampoo on his damp hair.

“More bad news,” West said, when she’d set her son down on the blanket.

“Now what?” The two cases were both frustrating to the extreme.

“The cops found the black Ford sedan abandoned in the parking lot of a grocery store.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “They’re processing the vehicle for fingerprints and possible DNA. Hopefully, even if the perp was wearing gloves he left some sort of hair fibers or something behind.”

Hopefully. Maybe. Possibly. Depressing the way they kept running into dead ends.

“Hey, don’t look so glum. Even meticulous criminals make mistakes. And this kidnapper isn’t exactly a professional the way I thought at first. His attempt to grab Gabriel in broad daylight is proof of that.”

“I know.” She told herself to buck up. “It’s just been a long day.”

“I hear you.” He gestured to Gabriel. “He seems happy.”

“He is. I just need him to get tired enough to fall asleep.” The sound of her phone ringing drew her attention. Seeing Laurel’s name on the screen, she quickly picked up. “Hey, Laurel, how are you feeling?”

“Fine. I left the hospital an hour ago and just got home. But Trish, you and West Cole need to get out here, right away. I think the same guy who broke in the other night is lurking outside my house. Like he thinks I have his stupid key!”

“What?” She gestured for West to come over. “Stay inside, Laurel, and call 911. West and I will be there shortly. Be safe, understand? Do not try to go outside to get this guy.”

“I won’t, but hurry.” Laurel’s voice was lower now. “I don’t want this jerk to get away!”

Trisha slipped her phone into her pocket and reached for Gabriel. “We need to leave. The intruder is at Laurel’s place.”

West looked as if he might argue but reached for the car seat and scooped Peanut up into his arms. She appreciated his willingness to drop everything to head to Laurel’s.

She just prayed they and the other Plains City police officers would get there in time to prevent this guy from hurting Laurel again.

NINE

West didn’t like taking Trisha and Gabriel to the scene of a potential crime, yet he was loathe to leave them behind, too. He silently prayed the local police would arrive at Laurel’s house before they did.

“Did Laurel get a description of the guy?” He asked.

“I don’t think so. She only said he looked like the same one who’d attacked her at my house.” Trish’s expression was grave. “Please hurry.”

“I’m sure the Plains City PD is there by now,” he assured her.

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