Page 56 of Chasing a Kidnapper

An icy chill snaked down his spine. “Are Trish, Gabriel and Peanut all right? Did they all get out of the house?”

“They did get out of the house, but we don’t know where they are,” Ross said, his brow furrowed with concern. “There was no one at the residence when the fire trucks arrived.”

The masked assailant? He had a very bad feeling the guy had started the fire to force Trisha and Gabriel out of hiding. How the perp had found the safe house, he wasn’t sure.

And where was Peanut? He wished now that he’d brought his K-9 along for the interviews. Yet there was not a second to waste. If Trish, Gabriel and Peanut weren’t at the safe house, then he needed to be smarter than the perp.

“This is all about a key,” he said curtly. “I’m heading to her place. You need to send officers there to back me up.”

“Go,” Ross said. “I’ll send officers to the safe house to search the neighborhood and more officers to help back you up at her place.”

West didn’t bother to answer, he simply spun on his heel and ran out of the police station to get to his SUV. He scanned the area, half hoping Peanut would have come to the police station to find him, but there was no sign of her.

Please, Lord Jesus, keep Trish, Gabriel and Peanut safe in Your care!

He silently repeated the prayer as he hit the red and blue flashing lights on his SUV and sped toward Trish’s house. He told himself not to panic. This guy wanted the key. He wouldn’t kill her or Gabriel until he had the key.

At least, he hoped not. Yet he couldn’t get the image of Bryan Little’s battered and blue mottled face out of his mind.

He shut down his lights as he reached Trish’s neighborhood. If he was the first one on scene, he figured it would be better to go in quietly, rather than announcing his presence.

After parking at the curb two blocks away, he headed off on foot. He’d barely gone a few feet when he saw Peanut streaking toward him, ears flapping. Had his K-9 followed Trisha and Gabriel’s trail?

“Sweet Pea,” he whispered, scooping the K-9 into his arms. He nuzzled her for a moment, then set her back down. “Heel,” he softly commanded. He needed her to stay close—the last thing he wanted was for his partner to be caught in the crossfire if this guy started shooting.

Peanut seemed to know exactly where Trish’s house was located, easily keeping pace beside him. As he approached the property, he noticed there was a black SUV in the driveway. Not the Chevy sedan, but yet another car.

The perp’s vehicle? Did that mean Trisha and Gabriel were inside with him?

He crept up to the side of the house, then pressed his back against the wall. Peanut stayed at his side in the heel position, but her nose worked the air, taking in the various scents. Even without his command, he knew she would search for tools.

Moving swiftly along the side of the house he paused at one of the bedroom windows. A quick peek inside revealed the master bedroom was empty.

Were they in Gabriel’s room?

He turned to head around to the other side of the house, remembering the bedrooms were across from each other with the hallway in between. Taking more care now, he peered into the room.

And saw them. Trisha stood, holding Gabriel in her arms, while the masked gunman waved his arms theatrically. The perp had his back to the window, so West lifted his hand to get Trish’s attention.

Her eyes widened when she saw him. But to her credit, she didn’t let on, turning her attention back to the masked man.

Time to move. He ducked back around the house to reach the front door, praying Trisha hadn’t locked it.

And that he’d be able to reach her and Gabriel before it was too late.

Trisha had sent up a silentHallelujahwhen she’d glimpsed West through the bedroom window. She had known he’d find them, but the danger was far from over.

She’d been stalling the masked man as much as possible. But time was running out and this guy was losing his temper. She didn’t trust him not to hurt her or Gabriel if she gave him the key. In fact, she believed he’d just kill them and be done with it.

“Where is it?” the masked perp demanded.

“I told you, I wasn’t exactly sure where Bryan hid the key!” She spoke loudly, hoping to mask any sound of West making his way inside. She’d left the door open, hoping he or other officers would arrive in time to save them. “I thought for sure he hid the key in Gabriel’s crib, but he must have tucked it somewhere else.”

“Where is it!” The perp took a threatening step toward her.

“I think you should look under the elephant lamp.” She took a step back, needing distance between them. “Now that I think about it, the lamp was moved at one point. I hit it with my elbow when I was reaching for Gabriel’s diapers on the changing table. I’m sure the key is hidden beneath the lamp.”

A gleam of anticipation brightened the perp’s eyes, and he instantly turned toward the elephant lamp sitting on the edge of the changing table.

---