Page 94 of Last Chance Christmas
“We started out for the tree line and spent a decent amount of time walking. We got to the overlook, past the embankment. He started fidgeting with the gun more. I told him we were coming up to a cave soon, when actually we were nearing the road again. But a car decided to drive by at that time, and it freaked him out.” Rainy shivered. “He rounded on me and slammed me in the head with the gun. Next thing I know, I wake up, and he’s dragging me through the snow.”
Rainy pulled in a shaky breath and clutched the white sheet in her fingers. “That’s when I knew he was done with me. I tried to take him by surprise and kick him, but he was too fast. Dropped me like dead weight, then pulled the trigger.” She took another sip of water. “I was in and out of consciousness from the pain, but he was talking on the phone.”
“Someone’s helping him.” Kianna shot out of her chair, and the legs screeched against the floor. “Sorry.” She winced.
Cole pushed away from the wall and paced the short width of the room. Moving always helped him think better. “Do you know who he was talking with?”
Rainy shook her head. “No clue. I didn’t dare move a muscle. If he knew I wasn’t dead…” Her breath hitched.
Cole grimaced. He had studied Mackey’s case for years and even helped put him in jail the first time, but thinking about the man’s complete disregard for life never got easier. It was grotesque and left him repulsed by the state of humans in their depraved, sinful ways.
And yet, was Cole any better? Abandoning his father just to save his own skin. So he wouldn’t have to watch his dad live out the rest of his life confined to a chair in a nursing home. A shiver trailed down Cole’s spine.
“A few minutes passed, then he disappeared. But the cold had set in, and I was too weak to get up.” Rainy braced her hand over her bandaged arm.
“Did Mackey give any indication of where he was headed?” Cole rubbed his right temple to alleviate the tension building. He wanted concrete answers. Information that would nail the guy. He was tired of running in circles.
“He mentioned canine currency. Although what he meant by it beats me.”
Someone knocked on the door, and Cole turned around. His fingers closed around his weapon.
A nurse stepped in, and Cole dropped his hand to his side. “I’m here to check your vitals and give you a dose of medicine.” The woman walked over to the computer in the corner and logged in.
Cole closed his pad and tucked it back in his pocket. He had enough information to inform the other officers and start investigating this canine currency thread. “Thanks for answering my questions, Ms. Athers. We’ll be in touch. For your safety, I’ll get an officer stationed at your door.”
“Thank you both.” Rainy smiled.
Cole and Kianna stepped out into the hall and headed for the elevator. Suddenly, Kianna’s eyes widened, and her mouth formed an O. “Check this out.” Kianna handed him her phone while they rode to the ground floor. “I got an email reminder from Tiny Paws Animal Shelter. About their adopt-a-pet event. What if canine currency has something to do with the shelter?”
“You’re thinking like a cop.” Cole winked. The speculation was brilliant. It gave him a lead.
Kianna shrugged, but he didn’t miss the added tint that warmed her cheeks at his compliment.
He’d fill the team in on what he and Kianna had discovered, and no doubt Sergeant Donaldson would get people to investigate.
They stepped off the elevator and headed to the parking garage. The cold air bombarded Cole’s face as they made their way to his car, thanks to the parking area not being enclosed.
He used his key fob to unlock the vehicle, and Titan barked.
Kianna slid into the passenger seat, and Cole pressed the ignition. “You were living the good life, soaking in the warmth here, Tite.” Cole turned down the climate control feature.
Titan barked in agreement, and Kianna laughed.
Cole pulled out onto the road and followed the on-ramp before merging. Flurries swirled around the windshield. Cole had just turned on the wipers when his phone vibrated. Seconds later, Kianna’s elicited a chorus of beeps.
She sucked in a breath. “Snow squall warning,” Kianna read.
Cole tightened his grip on the steering wheel. They had three-quarters of a mile before the next exit. He hoped those few minutes were enough time to get to safety.
Eight
“Watch out. There’s a truck up ahead on your right.” Kianna’s fingers cramped, and she loosened her grip on the door handle. Her chest tightened. Just breathe. Keep us safe, Lord. The seconds ticked by like hours without any sign of the squall letting up.
The snow had come with fury. Kianna squinted, but her effort was in vain. Visibility was minimal.
Cole eased up on the gas and turned on the four-way flashers. “I don’t want to pull off and be a sitting duck.”
“Just keep moving, I suppose.” Kianna offered a smile, but she was pretty sure it came out strained.
