Page 39 of Chasing a Kidnapper

“What did that person look like?” Trisha asked, her pulse kicking up with anticipation. “Tall, short, thin, old, young?”

“Younger guy, tall, like you.” Leon gestured to West. “White, muscular, with brown hair. Didn’t leave his name.”

The general description fit that of the masked intruder. Yet it was also not very specific.

“Tattoos or piercings?” West asked.

Leon shrugged. “Nah, I didn’t see anything.”

“Did you notice what car he was driving?” West asked.

“Nope. He walked up and left on foot.” Leon scowled. “You think he did something to Bryan Little?”

“We’re not sure, but we appreciate your help.” As before, West handed Leon his business card with instructions to call if that same guy came back.

They headed toward the SUV. They were about halfway there when West abruptly turned as if to go back because he’d forgotten something.

A sharp crack of gunfire rang out. Trisha dove to the ground, keeping her head down while pulling her weapon to return fire.

ELEVEN

West dropped to the ground, rolled and searched for the shooter. Peanut was at his side, so he tucked his partner close, trying to shield her as he pulled his weapon. More gunfire rang out, and he realized Trisha was firing back.

Catching a glimpse at the darkly-clad figure near the corner of the apartment building, he took aim and fired, too. Instantly the shooter disappeared from his line of sight.

“Cover me,” he said, jumping up to his feet. “Peanut, stay!”

His K-9 partner obeyed his command. West sprinted across the muddy ground outside the apartment building in the direction the shooter had gone. He wanted to get this guy!

When he reached the building, he kept his back to the wall as he edged toward the corner where he’d last seen the gunman. Taking care to make himself as small a target as possible, he peeked around the corner.

No sign of the shooter.

What in the world? He quickly rounded the corner, scanning the area for hiding places. Then he heard the rumble of a car engine.

No! He raced toward the parking lot on the other side of the apartment building in time to see a black sedan, not a Ford but a Chevy, peeling out of the parking lot. He ran after it, determined to get a license plate number, but the plate holder was empty. As the Chevy sped away, he could see there was a cardboard temporary plate sign in the back window.

Yeah, that temporary plate number was likely fake. Swallowing a wave of frustration, he turned to head back to where he’d left Trisha and Peanut.

Trisha was kneeling beside Peanut, her weapon still in hand. “I’ve called for backup. PCPD should be here soon.”

“You’re okay?”

She nodded. “Peanut is, too.”

“Thanks. I don’t like this.” He knelt beside Peanut, taking a moment to soothe the animal. Peanut was accustomed to the sound of gunfire, but she’d already lost Kenyon, and he didn’t doubt that the K-9 would be sensitive to his possibly leaving her, too. He looked at Trish. “How did the kidnapper know we were going to be here?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea. This was a spur of the moment stop. We didn’t tell anyone our plan to drive over. However, this perp must know I’m a cop, and figures you are, too. Maybe he was hanging around nearby in case we did show up. Since he can’t find the safe house, he’s trying to anticipate our next moves.”

He nodded slowly. “That makes sense. The only part of this incident that’s reassuring is that the gunman must not know the location of the safe house. He decided to wait here to see if we came to him, instead.”

“I agree. I called Laurel. She’s fine. She mentioned seeing the patrol officers making rounds past the place, so she feels Gabriel is safe there.”

He blew out a breath. “Let’s get over to the SUV so I can put Peanut in the back. I feel too exposed out here.”

They headed to the vehicle, Trisha standing off to the side as he opened the back hatch. He petted Peanut for another minute, then closed the door. He turned to Trish. “The shooter took off in a black sedan, a Chevy this time.” He pulled out his phone. “I need to see if any black Chevy sedans have been reported stolen.” He considered using Cheyenne as a resource but decided against it. It was looking more as if this perp wasn’t one of the gun traffickers.

“Good idea.” She swept her gaze over the area as he made the call. The dispatcher quickly answered.

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