Page 30 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
“I do. I mean, I had her as a teacher,” Mckenna said, her stubborn side kicking in. Evan wasnotgoing to leave her behind. Sure, her job was completely different, but this was also her chance to get answers.
Evan didn’t answer for a while, and then he said, “Before I went to Quantico, my first job was as a patrol officer for the city I grew up in.”
Mckenna wondered where he was going with this.
“I saw a man pulled over to the side of the road. I called it in and stopped to help. He said he was out of gas. I helped himpush the car to the gas station. He seemed nice. Thanked me and I went on my way. Later that evening he shot a rival gang member, and it turns out that the car was stolen. I learned my lesson. You never, ever assume anything. He could have been a normal guy out of gas. But it turns out he was a murderer, thief and was also found guilty in a rape once his DNA was processed. I’m sure he had a good laugh over the stupid cop that helped him out. You might think you know Penny Gardner, but she’s not only provided alcohol and marijuana to minors, but she’s also had two parties now where you and two other girls were taken. I don’t know that you’d be safe. For all I know she’s in on all this, getting her kicks out of helping her man kidnap someone. There’re sick people out there.”
Mckenna crossed her arms. She understood what Evan was saying, but in her heart, she felt like Penny Gardner was just a teacher who never left her high school days and this was her way of trying to stay popular.
“Can I have that license plate number now? I’d like to see who’s following you,” Evan asked, holding out his hand.
A sly grin spread across Mckenna’s face. She understood where he was coming from, but she also wanted to see the look on Penny’s face when she showed up on the doorstep with the sheriff and the FBI. “I’ll give it to you.”
“Thanks.”
“After you allow me to go with you to see Penny. I want to hear what she has to say. I need to hear what she has to say.”
“No. I’ll get the information from you later then,” Evan said opening his car door.
“You’re forgetting that I know where she lives. I grew up around here. I’ll see you there,” Mckenna said.
Evan shook his head. “Will you make me one promise and keep it?”
“It depends on what it is.”
“If I ask you to leave because something feels off or to wait in your car, will you do it?”
Part of Mckenna wanted to argue, but she could see he was serious. And that he cared. She grabbed the piece of paper with the license plate information, took it over to him and held it out. “Of course. I promise I will do that. I’ll see you there.”
As Evan took the paper from her hand, Mckenna stood on her tippy toes and kissed him. She couldn’t help herself. “Just so you know, I’m okay with the line we crossed.”
Then she turned, walked to her car, got in and drove away, leaving a stunned Evan in the dust.
Mckenna had spunk, Evan had to give her that. He was going to regret letting her come, but when she had pointed out that she knew where Penny Gardner lived, he knew he was beaten. She was going to be there whether he wanted her to or not. And to be honest, if that were the case, he felt better having her there when he was around. He hated the thought of her going on her own. And he had a bad feeling she would. Mckenna Parker was a complex person—she might still have nightmares from being kidnapped, but in other areas of her life, she was fearless. Like when it came to kissing him. He had only wished it had lasted longer. She had completely taken him by surprise once again before they left.
Evan wound his way through the back roads enjoying the scenery. He still hadn’t explored Colorado much. Mount Blue Sky loomed in the distance. While you could drive up there, Evan wanted to hike to the top. He’d made a list of fourteeners that he’d love to hike. The peak seemed both moody and mysterious sometimes. How and when he’d have time, he didn’tknow, but he would like that. There were fifty-eight fourteener peaks to choose from and this one was practically in his backyard. Maybe Mckenna would be willing to join him…after the case was over of course.
Forcing himself to focus, Evan found the turnoff to Penny’s driveway and saw Mckenna’s car right in front of him. Large pine trees lined the drive and seemed to close in around him. The trees cut out the sun, casting eerie, dark shadows on the road. The drive opened to a small, quaint, nice mountain home that was the opposite of the creepy driveway—it was almost cheery.
Evan parked, taking in his surroundings. Not only was he determining if there was anyone outside and taking note of any dangers, he was also assessing how thick the forest was. This part of the woods had old, mature trees, which meant the forest was quite dense. Someone could easily get two girls drugged, convince them to leave with them and disappear into the trees. There was a good chance no one would see them.
Mckenna parked nearby in the shade, rolling down the windows for Mocha. With the way the sun was blocked by the trees, Evan figured Mocha would be okay for a while. He knew Mckenna would never put him at risk. Mocha could also be a good way to get her to leave if Evan felt like she should. He might be able to use that to his advantage. He still didn’t feel good about having her along with them.
The sheriff pulled up as Evan stepped out of his vehicle. She glanced at Mckenna and gave him a questioning look.
“Long story,” Evan said as Mckenna approached them. “But I told Mckenna that if we asked her to leave, she would. Right?”
“Right,” Mckenna said. “I promised, but sheriff, I feel like you might actually get more out of Penny Gardner if I’m here.”
“Okay for now,” Sheriff Stewart said.
Evan could tell the sheriff had similar misgivings but was going along with it for the moment. They approached the front door, or fatal funnel, as most in law enforcement called it. Front doors earned that title for a reason—they were extremely dangerous. You never knew who or what was behind them. It could be a harmless kid or someone packing a 12-gauge shotgun ready to blow a big hole in everyone.
“Stay to the side of the door with us,” Evan advised Mckenna. “And stay behind me.”
Much to his relief, she listened. The sheriff rang the doorbell and stood off to the side with Evan and Mckenna. Mckenna seemed squished behind them on the front porch since there was a railing limiting room. Evan was glad to have her there although he wished there were a little more space in case something didn’t go as planned. Footsteps approached and then the front door opened.
“Sheriff?” a lady asked. She was average height and build. Since it was summer, she was wearing shorts and a tank top, her hair braided back. He didn’t see any sign of her having a weapon and her hands were where he could see them.
