Page 66 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
“Of course. Lisa’s bringing me his journal first thing in the morning. I’ll read though it, and that might give us some more information or insight into what Frank was thinking. Maybe she misunderstood or read something out of context.”
“Yes.” She grabbed that bit of hope and backed toward the cruiser. “Read it and fill me in.”
He nodded. “Be careful.”
“Always.” She pulled her coat tighter around her neck and grinned. “It feels good.”
“What does?”
“One of these guys is probably Frank’s killer—and the person after me. I think I’m good to go now.”
“Yeah. Still, watch your back until we know for sure, okay?”
“Of course.”
* * *
Jade climbed into her SUV and glanced in the rearview mirror. Her prisoner glared at her, and she shot him a tight smile. He looked away as she pulled out of the parking lot. At least tonight, the citizens of Cedar Canyon didn’t have to worry about a drug ring.
Tomorrow might be another story, but tonight the leaders were in jail. It felt good. As she drove, her thoughts turned to the questions just raised by Bryce.
Frank was going to call off the wedding? Why? Had he met someone else? Surely not. Then—again—why? And had Heather known about Frank’s cold feet?
No way. Heather would have told her. Right?
Then again, like Bryce said, it could have just been a misunderstanding on Lisa’s part. She continued to mull over what the right thing to do would be. Ask Heather…or not? By the time she had her prisoner processed into the jail, she still hadn’t come to a decision.
But it sure was nice not to have to look over her shoulder anymore.
At least until she caught sight of the headlights in her rearview mirror. They were closing in—and fast.
Jade frowned, tension threading from one shoulder to the next. The driver was going way too quickly. She flipped on her blue lights and slowed. The headlights grew brighter, and her stomach dipped as she realized the person was going to hit her. She jammed the gas pedal and shot forward. However, the car behind her stayed right on her tail.
And then the lights disappeared.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
The slam into her rear bumper threw her forward against her seat belt, and she hit the brakes out of reflex. The wheel spun under her grip and the SUV whipped sideways. She jerked against the seat belt and slammed her head on the window. Stars flashed. The vehicle tilted on two wheels then crashed onto the asphalt.
Stunned, she hung suspended by the seat belt. Her only thought was that she and her fellow officers had somehow missed a drug dealer. The most important one had gotten away. The one who wanted her dead.
FOURTEEN
Bryce stood with Captain Colson, who insisted he go over everything Frank had initially told him when he’d asked him to investigate the four officers—including Colson. He wanted to know why Frank had him on the list.
“I don’t know. He never said how he picked his suspects.” The man didn’t seem terribly bothered by it. He seemed more curious than anything—which Bryce could understand. “It could have had something to with your more than usual involvement in the case.”
“I was staying on top of it because the commander asked me to—and because I knew the kid who’s still in the ICU.” His jaw worked. “This is something this town hasn’t dealt with before. Don’t get me wrong. I know we have our share of drugs running in and out, but this ring…it was killing our kids, and that had to stop. So, yeah, I’ve been vigilant in keeping up with every last detail pertaining to the investigation.”
“I understand.”
The captain’s radio chirped, and a voice came over the airwaves. “That’s dispatch.” He pressed the button. “Go ahead. Over.”
“Officer down on Gowen Road. Officer down. Be on the lookout for a black Tahoe, license plate ending in 09.”
“Who is it? Over.”
“Jade Hollis.”
