Page 29 of Hunting the Truth
“We can figure out those details when and if we catch him. Like I said, he’s not going to be easy to find.”
Maya spoke up. “I’ll run it by my patrol captain too since Torres just committed a crime on national forest land, but I’m sure there won’t be an issue cooperating.”
“Okay. That sounds good. We’ll leave tonight.”
“Let us know when you arrive,” Josh said.
“Okay. We’ll be there ASAP.”
The phone went dead.
“I’m glad for the help,” Josh said.
“Agreed. And it sounds like she knows Torres personally so that’s good too.”
“I’ll call your grandfather and update him about the detectives coming and then get in touch with the building superintendent. He has a key for us to get into Kendra’s apartment.”
“I’ll call Todd in a little bit,” Maya said. “And hopefully there’s some answers inside.”
Eric Torres stepped back into the shadows of the apartment building. At least in this area it was easier to blend in and look like another renter who was taking out the trash or doing whatever it was normal people did.
He didn’t know how the investigation was progressing. Was he even a suspect? Did they know who they were looking for or what he looked like? But the fact they were at Kendra’s apartment meant he had to be careful. He knew what they would find, and it only complicated things.
Eric had parked his truck down at the neighboring business parking lot. The dang thing was leaking oil like crazy now, but he didn’t have time to worry about fixing it. He just needed to stop somewhere and buy enough quarts of oil to get him back up to the Pinecone Junction area.
Now that they’d decided to go into Kendra’s apartment, it was only a matter of time before the investigation ramped up, and he needed to be ready. Eric opened the door of the truck. He’d parked under a tree not only for the shade during this warm September, but also because he was out of the line of sight of some security cameras he’d spotted.
Eric pulled out his Sig Sauer P320 and made sure his weapon was locked and loaded, along with extra 9 mm ammo in his extra magazines. Satisfied that everything was set, he placed the handgun on the seat next to him and fired up the old truck. It rattled to life.
He’d hoped this day wouldn’t come, but he should have known better. He was ready for battle. No one would ever send Eric Torres to prison. He’d rather die first.
Chapter Fourteen
While Josh called Pops, Maya took a quick peek at Juniper. The Malinois was sitting up and staring out the window right back at Maya as if she was saying,I can help.
“Hang tight, girly,” Maya said.
An unmarked black SUV pulled into the parking lot. Lucas. Maya was looking forward to seeing him, but wished it wasn’t under these circumstances.
Lucas stepped out of the vehicle. He was short and stocky, about four inches shorter than Maya, but on the other hand, she was tall. His blond hair was still cut high and tight like when he was in the Marines and he wore a white button-up shirt, expensive-looking tie and slacks along with shoes that looked like they’d just been spit shined.
Maya gave Lucas a hug. “You look good. It’s been too long since I’ve actually seen you.”
“Same here, Tree Cop,” he said with a grin.
“Better look out. Juniper is right over there and she’d love to bite you.”
“You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?”
“Maybe,” Maya said. “Don’t tempt me. Josh is just on the phone with Pops. We’ve had yet another twist in this case.” She filled him in about the Montana detective as they headed over to Kendra’s apartment, where Miranda was waiting. Maya introduced her to Lucas.
“What’s holding up Josh? Anything to do with this apartment search?” Miranda asked.
“Yes and no, he just needs to call Pops. Although it does relate to this crime,” Maya said, telling Miranda about the phone call from Detective Harper in Montana.
“Wow,” Miranda said, when Maya was done. “It’s always nice to have more help.”
Maya shrugged. “It is, especially with such a small department, but I can tell this detective wants Torres first and I hope he doesn’t get extradited before he stands trial here.”
