Page 11 of Last Chance Christmas
“Earth to Collins.”
He glanced over at Della, who grinned at him.
“It’s gonna be a busy week now that there are escaped prisoners on the loose.”
He nodded. “Once the story breaks, everyone in town will be on edge until they’re caught.”
Della worried her lip between her teeth. “It’s just that…” She shook her head. “Never mind. I’m probably worried over nothing.”
“It’s a worrying situation.” But still, it seemed like there was more to her concern than just the danger to the general public until those men were brought in. “We can pray though. Maybe that’s about all we can do outside of our jobs. Good thing is it’s also the most effective thing for us to do. Prayer can change a whole situation.”
“Thanks. That’s a good reminder.” Della went back to sweeping.
Izan looked over at the police van, where the chief had climbed in the open door. His wife hung back to the side, but he could see her talking. Olivia climbed out, and the chief’s wife made a phone call, both of their movements betraying a tension he had no doubt they were feeling, given the situation.
The question was, how could he help Olivia personally while she took care of business professionally?
Something about tonight had changed things, making him want to show her his intentions in a way she couldn’t ignore. Or argue away. Izan didn’t know what it was, but he had an odd feeling things had shifted in a way there was no going back from.
He was going to prove to her that if she chose him, she’d be making the best decision ever.
Five
Olivia filled both mugs with coffee, Jessica Cartwright—one of their detectives—beside her. “He said they’re stitching him up. He’ll get some meds and orders to stay home and take it easy for a few days.”
Jessica snorted. She accepted the coffee Olivia handed her. “Thanks.” She took a sip. “He’ll probably be back here tomorrow, helping with the manhunt.”
“Probably,” Olivia echoed. “There’s plenty he can do from his desk that doesn’t involve using his off hand. But he’s gonna be mad until we find his gun.”
They took their drinks to the main bullpen area of the police station, where everyone not currently out on patrol had gathered. Looked like every cop with a badge was here, whether they were supposed to be on shift or not. It was all hands on deck right now.
Chief Conroy Barnes stood over by the door to his office. Through the window behind him, Olivia spotted his wife at his desk, typing on his computer. She had his phone between her shoulder and ear, talking animatedly. Looked like she was giving orders to whoever she was on the call with.
“Okay, I’m gonna make this quick because every minute we stand here is another minute one of our escapees could hurt someone.” He picked up a stack of files and handed them to Donaldson. “The sergeant is handing out the passenger manifest. We have three escaped convicts. Thanks to the quick actions of Officer Tazwell, and Officer Stuart and Titan, Damien Wallace is in custody, currently being interviewed by Detective Wilcox.”
The chief nodded in Olivia’s direction. “Well done.”
Someone clapped her on the back. But she didn’t want congratulations right now. She wanted orders to get out there and keep looking for the other three.
She accepted the file from Sergeant Donaldson. “Thanks.”
He nodded and moved on.
Chief Barnes said, “Take a look at the files you have, talk to your CIs. We need to know where these guys have gone and who they might contact.”
Olivia frowned. “Sir? Won’t they just run? Leave town and get as much distance as they can between them and us?”
“Maybe. Maybe not,” Chief Barnes said. “We don’t know what agendas they have. Scores they need to settle. So figure out where they would go first and bring them in.”
She nodded.
“We’re setting up a command center in the parking lot of the grocery store on Allerton Street.”
That made sense, considering it was close to the crash site. Hopefully at least one of the convicts was dumb enough to stay in the townhouse complex. She could hope this was easy, anyway.
“Everyone checks in for assignments. As soon as you come on duty, got it?” The chief lifted his chin. “Let’s find these guys.”
Olivia turned to the collection of officers around her. Anthony Thomas opened his file and flipped through the pages. He flinched. “I was right. It was Alonzo Sosa.” A tendon in his jaw flexed. “And I let him get away.”
