Page 32 of On the Chase
“It doesn’t make any sense.” Frowning, Hugh leaned on the handle of the mop he was using. All three K9 cops had come with Grace to the kennel for her shift. To her surprise, Hugh and Theo had pitched in to help clean. It was amazing how quickly the work got done with their help.
Grace was the slowest moving, thanks to Lexi, who couldn’t seem to get close enough to her. Several times, she’d almost tripped over the dog after Lexi had parked her furry self right next to her. It was as if the dog knew that Grace was the one in danger, so Lexi had appointed herself Grace’s personal guardian.
“Except for the fact that I’m a cop handling a dog trained in narcotics detection,” Hugh continued, “there is no reason for Martin Jovanovic to want me dead. He doesn’t even know about me…or Lexi. Why would he try to kill us?”
“Also, you survived both times. From what I know of Jovanovic, he’s not incompetent.” Theo tied off the top of a full garbage bag and then lifted it out of the container without any visible effort. Although the play of his muscles didn’t fascinate Grace as much as if Hugh had been the one flexing, she couldn’t help but watch. A balled-up paper towel hit her on the side of the head, bouncing off harmlessly.
Grace turned narrowed eyes on Hugh. “That better have been clean.”
“It was. Mostly. Now stop drooling over Theo and pay attention to me.”
From his spot in a desk chair by the door, Otto cleared his throat. “Or we can pay attention to this Jovanovic situation.” Instead of helping to clean, Otto had brought out the dog he was training. From what Grace had seen, the Belgian Malinois had a long way to go. Every time someone even thought about moving, the dog flattened herself against the floor in fear. She was currently wedged under the desk next to Otto, who didn’t seem discouraged by his trainee’s antisocial behavior. Every time the dog stuck out her head to peek at them, Otto slipped her a treat.
“I’m sorry.” It was the umpteenth time Grace had apologized since spilling the whole ugly, terrifying story. “If I’d known he would find me so quickly, I’d never have led him here.”
“I don’t think it’s him,” Hugh said. “If it—” Tones from the portable radio on Theo’s duty belt interrupted Hugh. Everyone went quiet, listening as the dispatcher requested backup for a traffic stop. Otto and Theo immediately headed for their vehicles.
“Why is Otto going?” Grace asked, watching as he returned the scared dog to her kennel. “He’s not on duty right now.”
“C’mon.” Instead of answering, Hugh grabbed her hand and started towing her out of the kennel after them. She immediately tripped over Lexi, who’d stretched out in front of Grace, and stumbled forward a few steps before catching her balance.
“Hang on.” When she leaned back against his hold, he stopped, looking impatiently at her, as if she was being unreasonable by not blindly following wherever he decided to go. “What are you doing? You’re on leave, and I’m working.”
With an impatient huff, he released her so he could yank out his cell phone and poke at the screen. “Nan? Hugh. There’s an emergency, and Grace is my ride. The kennel’s clean, so we’re going to take off. That okay with you, boss lady? Good. We’ll be here day after tomorrow at eleven.”
The “we” both irritated Grace and made her feel incredibly relieved that she didn’t have to deal with the Jovanovic situation alone anymore. Any gratitude she felt toward Hugh disappeared, however, when he grabbed her hand again and rushed them to her car with Lexi tagging close behind.
“Wait! At least let me lose the coveralls,” she said.
Hugh opened the back door for Lexi to hop in and waited impatiently as Grace stripped off to her street clothes. Once she’d stuffed the coveralls into the back of the Subaru, Hugh headed for the driver’s seat.
“Uh…no.” Using the pointiest part of her elbow, she prodded him aside so she could get behind the wheel. “My car. I drive.”
The corners of his mouth turned up in that ever-present smirk. “Yes, Ms. Cavewoman.” Without any argument, he rounded the front of the car and hopped into the seat next to her. “Just drive fast.”
“I will. As soon as you tell me where we’re going and why.”
“We’re going to the traffic-assist call. Because we’re helpful like that.”
“Aren’t you on leave?”
“Technically.”
“Then why are you going on this call?”
His casual tone took on a serious edge. “Because the assist is actually the responding officer’s way of saying that the Rack and Ruin motorcycle club is about to pass through town—andnoton the day we expected them. Those MC guys can be so inconsiderate.”
“So…?”
“So, the highway through Monroe is the most direct route to the ski town of Dresden, known for its scenic views and wealthy vacationers, some of whom really like their high-end drugs. The R and R guys, being the givers that they are, would love to help those tourists in need.” He looked at her and then at the ignition, but Grace didn’t start the car.
“That doesn’t explain whyyouneed to be there.” The thought of confronting a bunch of dangerous, drug-toting motorcyclists made her cringe. “Or me. My new-life resolution is to avoid scary bad guys, not chase after them.”
All humor dropped away, and he met her gaze evenly. “Lex is the only narcotics-detection dog we’ve got. I just want to be close by in case…well, in case we’re needed. You have to come along because I’m not leaving you alone, now that I know Jovanovic is gunning for you.” That irrepressible upward quirk of his lips reappeared. Grace had known he wouldn’t be able to keep it down for long. “Also, you’re my ride. Since my truck blew up and all.”
She studied him. It didn’t sound so bad when he put it like that. They’d be staying a safe distance away from the Rack and Ruin traffic stop, but close enough that Lexi would be there if they needed to use her drug-sniffing skills.
Grace still hesitated, though. The man was good at getting his way, and his way seemed to lead to trouble a lot. Despite that, she trusted him. It probably was an indicator of mental deficiency on her part, but it was still true. Something inside her told her that Hugh would keep her safe, even if it killed him.
