Czytaj książkę: «Search And Rescue»

ONE

Sophie Williams faced Desert Valley’s new police chief, Ryder Hayes, with a smile, hoping he wouldn’t ask what she was up to and object before she had a chance to convince him she was acting for his benefit.

Anybody would be tense about taking over as chief after Earl Jones finally retired, but Ryder had received a double whammy. He’d discovered that he’d been working beside his late wife’s murderer, and the killer of others, for over five years. Former police department secretary Carrie Dunleavy had fooled everyone and had disappeared weeks ago, just as Ryder and his team had discovered she was the killer they’d been after for months. The whole town was unbelievably on edge. No wonder the new chief had been a tad short-tempered lately.

“I’m going to make a quick run to town and back,” Sophie told him, noting his scowl in response.

“Be careful. You may have been a cop once,” Ryder said, “but you’re a dog trainer now.”

That was a low blow. Sophie clenched her jaw while the chief brushed a speck of lint off his dark blue uniform and continued as if clueless. “We all have to be on guard,” he said. “There’s no telling where Carrie is or whether she’s through killing people. There’s nothing normal about Carrie. I have a feeling she’s sticking close to town, watching us.”

Given the shrine to Ryder that had been found in Carrie’s home, Sophie had to agree. Carrie was in love with Ryder, had killed his wife, had killed two rookie K-9 officers who were like stand-ins for him. Why she’d murdered Sophie’s predecessor, lead dog trainer Veronica Earnshaw or had attacked prominent resident Marian Foxcroft, no one knew yet. Until Ryder and his rookies had answers, until Carrie was behind bars, everyone had to be careful. Sophie nodded. “I’ll keep my eyes open.” She tossed back her shoulder-length blond hair and faced him with a determined look.

He arched a brow. “Are you carrying?”

“Of course.” She patted a flat holster clipped inside the waist of her jeans and further hidden by her blue T-shirt. “I won’t be out and about for long. I’m going to the train station to pick up a dog.”

“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”

“Because I wanted to surprise you.”

She watched Ryder stroke the broad head of the old yellow Labrador retriever at his feet. The Desert Valley K-9 training center hadn’t been running regular sessions since the last rookie class had been temporarily assigned to help in the investigation of the murders and attacks they now knew Carrie had committed. Therefore, Ryder was highly likely to suspect Sophie was picking up a potential replacement dog for him.

“I don’t appreciate that kind of surprise,” he said.

Sophie rebuked him gently. “Look. Poor old Titus is more than ready for retirement. We both know that. And your little girl will love having him as a full-time pet. It’s not as if you’re abandoning him.”

Ryder passed his hand over his short, honey-colored hair, clearly frustrated. “Lily already plays with Titus every night when I go home. He and I are a team. It’s as if he can read my mind. This is not the right time to trade him for a newer model.”

“Maybe it isn’t for you,” Sophie said. “But what about what’s best for your dog? We both know he’d keep going until he dropped in his tracks because he’s so dedicated. Is that what you want?”

“Of course not.”

“Then trust me.” She began to grin as she headed for the door. “The paperwork’s all taken care of. I’ll be back in a flash.”

She was still smiling a few minutes later when she parked at the small railroad station and climbed out of her official K-9 SUV.

Dry August heat hit her in a smothering wave. Thankfully, the scheduled train was already there so she wouldn’t have to stand on the outdoor platform for long.

Sophie was always eager to get a new dog but it was not normal for her to feel this nervous. That was the chief’s fault. He’d planted seeds of apprehension when he’d suggested that Carrie might still be in the vicinity, and that possibility kept Sophie from fully enjoying herself.

A sparse crowd was beginning to disembark as she approached. She shaded her eyes. There! A slim, young police cadet had stepped down and turned, tugging on a leash. The welcome sight brightened her mood. Grinning, she offered her hand to the courier. “Hello! I’ve been expecting you. I’m Sophie Williams.”

“This is Phoenix,” the young man said, indicating the silver, black and white Australian shepherd cowering at his feet. “I hope you have better success with him than we did.”

“I’ve read his file.” She let her free hand drop in front of the medium-size dog, ignoring him as he sniffed her fingers. As soon as the three-year-old canine began to visibly relax, she said, “You can pass me the leash now.”

“I don’t know, ma’am. He’s pretty skittish. You sure you don’t want me to walk him over to your car and crate him for you?”

“That’s the last thing I want,” Sophie said. “Did he give you trouble on the train?”

“Not to speak of. I kept a good tight hold. He mostly just sat on my feet and shook a lot.”

She grasped the end of the leash, gave it slack and took several steps back before asking. “Is he shaking now?” The way the courier’s eyes widened almost made her laugh. Instead, she politely bade him goodbye, turned and walked away with Phoenix at her side. Every maternal instinct in her was on standby, yet she knew better than to fawn over the dog too soon.

“You already have a lot in common with your new partner,” Sophie said softly, watching Phoenix’s ears perk up. “He’s hard to get to know, too, although who can blame either of you? He lost his life’s partner and, in a way, so did you when your handler died in the line of duty.”

As they approached the parking lot Phoenix hung back, putting tension on the leash.

“Heel,” Sophie ordered, firmly but calmly.

The dog refused to budge.

She faced him, the leash slightly loose. “What is it, boy? We were doing so well. What’s scaring you?”

Phoenix was sitting with his back arched and head lowered as if trying to hide in plain sight.

The poor animal was terrified. Sophie’s heart went out to him and she broke her own rule. Gathering the leash as she slowly edged closer, she dropped into a crouch so she and Phoenix were eye to eye.

A loud bang echoed fractions of a second later. Sophie recognized a rifle shot and instinctively ducked before she’d fully processed what was happening.

The already-traumatized dog surged toward her. She opened her arms to accept him just as a second shot was fired. Together they scrambled for safety behind her SUV.

She was reaching up for the door handle when a third bullet took out the windshield.

Shouting for bystanders to take cover and waving them away, Sophie drew her weapon and cocked it, prepared to defend herself—and praying she wouldn’t have to.

* * *

Ryder was livid. And more afraid than he dared let on. “I told her to watch herself out there. Who called it in?”

“Sophie was the first. She said she was ready to return fire but never did get a bead on the shooter.”

“Description?”

The dispatcher shook her head. “Some callers said it was a man and some said a woman.”

Ryder rounded on the pack of rookies who had been made his temporary deputies. “Let this be a lesson to all of you. Never let your guard down. Now get your dogs and gear and let’s roll.” He pointed to the bloodhound’s handler, James Harrison. “Especially you and Hawk. I want evidence.”

“Yes, sir.”

The chief glanced over at the whiteboard as he prepared to leave the police station. It was all there. Every victim’s photo, including that of his late wife, Melanie. It didn’t matter how much it hurt him to keep seeing her picture, it had to stay posted. She was an integral part of Carrie’s crime spree; the beginning, the key, for the simple fact she happened to be married to him.

Ryder tore himself away and raced for his car. Enough people had already died at the hands of the madwoman who wanted him, or his blond look-alikes, to fulfill her distorted sense of romantic destiny. It must stop now. They were not going to lose one more life. Not on his watch.

Sirens howling and lights flashing, he and the others pulled out onto Desert Valley Road. Ryder floored the accelerator. Multiple incoming reports had not mentioned any victims, but he needed to see for himself. Sophie Williams might be hardheaded but she was a great dog trainer. He’d hate to lose her.

Was that the only reason his pulse was pounding? he asked himself. Probably not. It was true that all his deputies and the staff at the training center were special to him, yet he and Sophie had occasionally seemed to connect on a deeper level. Which was another strong reason for him to keep his distance. If Carrie imagined that he and Sophie were even good friends it might be enough to put the innocent trainer in the crosshairs. Which was exactly where she had ended up today.

Ryder’s pulse jumped as he skidded to a stop outside the Tudor-style depot. There she was! Sophie was not only on her feet, she was pointing and apparently giving directions to other arriving officers.

Ryder hit the ground running. “Keep your head down.”

“The shooter’s long gone,” she called back.

He stopped beside her, on high alert despite her assurances. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I hate to think what might have happened if I hadn’t bent over when I did.”

Ryder’s jaw clenched. He started to grab her arm, then stopped himself. “Get in the car and fill me in.”

“It’s too hot for that.”

“I’m running the auxiliary air in my unit. Come on.”

“Titus is with you?”

“No. I left him in my office.” When Sophie didn’t move quickly he scowled. “Well?”

“Just a second. I need to coax Phoenix to come with us on his own. I don’t want to muscle him into obedience.”

A mottled, grayish muzzle poked from beneath the damaged SUV as Sophie spoke softly and reached out. Ryder didn’t know what to say. If that sorry excuse for a K-9 cop was supposed to be his new partner, the obstinate trainer had better rethink her plans. No way was he going to accept a trembling basket case in place of a heroic partner like Titus.

The new dog slunk over to Sophie and pressed against her lower legs as she straightened. “This is Phoenix.”

“Um...”

“He’ll come around. He’s already better than he was when he arrived. I had a courier bring him so he wouldn’t be frightened by being treated like freight.”

“I don’t think it helped,” Ryder said flatly. “If he crouched any lower he’d be crawling on his belly like a commando.”

“Trust me.” Sophie gave him a slight smile. “I really believe you and this dog will work out together. He needs a strong, seasoned handler like you, and you need a replacement partner.”

“I need a good partner, emphasis on good.”

“He will be. You know we don’t have the funds right now to bring in a fully trained K-9, and this one deserves a second chance. If it happens he doesn’t work out, we can think about pairing you with one of the younger dogs. They’re just not ready yet.”

“If you say so.” He opened the rear door and waited until Sophie managed to load the dog, then held the passenger side for her. As she slid into the car he was struck by her courage and calm expertise despite the danger she’d just faced. That was part of the problem he had with her. She was very good and she knew it, which made her far less tractable.

Ryder smiled to himself. If she’d gotten a dog with those same tendencies she’d have been quick to send it away as a pet or maybe farm it out to the service dog program that Desert Valley Police Department rookie Ellen Foxcroft had recently started.

He could tell Sophie was studying him as he slid behind the wheel. When she asked, “Why are you grinning?” he decided to tell her.

“Just thinking. If you got a dog half as obstinate as you are, he’d wash out of the program in a heartbeat.”

“There’s a fine line between being dedicated and being foolish. I see myself as dedicated.”

Although he wanted to remain aloof he couldn’t help chuckling. “Dedicated to running things your way, you mean.”

She shrugged, reflecting wry humor in her twinkling hazel eyes. “Hey, if my way is the best way, why not?”

Ryder sobered immediately and glared over at her. “Just make sure it doesn’t get you killed.”

Sophie knew she had barely cheated death at the railway depot. In order to cope and remain functional, she usually relegated troubling thoughts to a separate part of her psyche. This time, however, it was a bit harder to do. The tight expression on Ryder’s face didn’t help.

Sophie was half-turned in her seat, checking on the condition of the dog in the back, when the vehicle began to move. “Hey! Where are we going?”

“Away from here,” he said.

“Why? I told you the danger is over. It has to be with all those K-9 rookies milling around. What did you do, bring the whole team?”

“Yes.”

Viewing his profile, Sophie admired his strong jaw and muscled forearms. He was every bit a chief, in demeanor as well as appearance. The way he carried himself spoke more loudly than words, and his pristine blue uniform fit perfectly, unlike the way the previous chief’s shirt had strained to stay buttoned over his ample stomach.

Ryder apparently sensed her attention because he glanced to the side. “What?”

“Nothing.” Sophie was afraid she was blushing. “I was just thinking.”

“About the shooter?”

“Right. The shooter. Why assume it was Carrie? I mean, would she suddenly switch to a rifle when her previous weapon of choice was a handgun?”

“Why not?” Ryder said, continuing to cruise slowly down Main, “She shot my wife and Veronica, but she pushed rookie Mike Riverton down steep stairs and burned down rookie Brian Miller’s house with him in it. Carrie has no known MO when it comes to how she murders her victims.”

Shivering with those memories, Sophie said, “I just can’t see Carrie accurately aiming a rifle. She’s too scrawny to hold it steady.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. She did miss.”

“Well, somebody did. Too bad it wasn’t caught on surveillance cameras.”

Nodding as if pondering the attack, Ryder pulled into a deserted parking lot and stopped beneath a shade tree, letting the engine idle to keep the vehicle cool. “If not Carrie, then who?”

“How should I know?” She raised both hands, palms up, and shrugged. “I was too busy taking cover to make notes. All I know is there were three shots and they all seemed to be coming from the east side of the depot building. Whoever it was took a big chance of being spotted. Somebody must have seen something.”

“We’ll sort that out back at the station after I’ve read the reports. That’s one reason I deployed all the K-9s. We may as well make full use of them while they’re still temporarily assigned here.”

Sophie sighed. “I suppose so. I’ll be glad to get back to running new training classes but I will miss these rookies when they move on. They’ve kind of grown on me.”

“Me, too,” Ryder admitted. “It’s nice to have more officers. Particularly when their salaries are being paid by the richest woman in town.”

“Marian Foxcroft.” Sophie thought of the woman who’d arranged to have the newly graduated rookies stay on to solve the murders and mysterious deaths over the past five years. Someone had attacked Marian in her own home—and that person was very likely Carrie Dunleavy. Why, was a question no one had an answer to. “I hope she recovers from her head injury, for her sake and for poor Ellen’s.” Sophie knew that Ellen Foxcroft, one of the rookies, hadn’t been very close to her mother before the attack. Everyone was pulling for Marian. Sophie decided to change the subject. “It’s nice to be able to have all the rookies’ partners around for a little longer, too.”

“Right. The dogs, too.” He cast a quick glance over his shoulder. “Well, all except for one. What possessed you to send for—Phoenix, is it?”

“Yes. Phoenix. We have him on a trial basis, just in case he doesn’t work out, but I think you’re going to be surprised. Besides, he was a bargain.”

Ryder arched his brows. “I don’t doubt that.”

“Hey, don’t criticize him before you give him a chance. At one time, this dog was very good. He can be again.”

“What happened to him?”

Taking a deep, calming breath Sophie explained. “He lost his partner in the line of duty. They were ambushed in an alley. Even though he was wounded, too, Phoenix stood guard over his fallen partner until reinforcements arrived.”

“And after that he stayed scared?”

“Not exactly. Several other officers tried to work with him. When that failed, he was sent to rehab training in the southern part of the state, then reassigned, but he was too emotionally fragile to be of much use.”

“You think you can cure him?”

“I think I understand him. That’s a start.” She hesitated. “Been there, done that.”

Ryder was shaking his head. “So, you expect to convince a dog that the death of his handler was inevitable because that’s what you’ve been telling yourself about the loss of your own partner, back when you wore a badge?”

Wondering if she would be able to sound logical, Sophie paused to gather herself. Her mouth was dry, her palms damp. She knew full well that her narrow focus on the criminal she and her former partner, Wes Allen, had been pursuing was what had cost him his life. Acting as his backup, she’d failed to notice a hidden gunman—until it was too late. Wes had died on the spot and it was her fault. She’d left the force shortly thereafter.

Sophie suppressed another shiver. Here in Desert Valley she had colleagues who would probably understand. One of them was sitting next to her. Confiding the full extent of her lingering guilt and pain, however, was out of the question.

“That all happened long ago,” she said. “I’ve found my niche training dogs for law enforcement.”

“It’s still excess baggage. We all carry plenty.”

She could tell by the faraway look in his blue eyes that he was remembering his wife, the mother of his little girl. At least he still had Lily to give him solace. Sophie had nothing left but her work.

Pressing her lips together tightly she considered her personal life. Her best friends were dogs—and that was just the way she wanted it. People had hurt and disappointed her as far back as she could remember. Listening to her parents quarreling, she had often hidden in her room, hugging the family dog and trusting him to keep her safe. Law enforcement had seemed the perfect career choice at the outset but she had quickly realized she was not equipped to accept loss, particularly the death of her own partner. In turning to K-9 training she had, in a way, gone back to the solace she’d found as a frightened child. Not that she was about to admit it.

“I’ve recovered from my past,” Sophie finally said. “You will, too. Just give it time.”

Ryder was shaking his head. “No. I don’t ever want to forget.”

A sense of melancholy enfolded her. She had never come close to finding the kind of love and devotion this man held for his late wife, nor did she ever hope to. A lifelong commitment was the kind of thing dreams were made of and she knew better than to entertain such fancies.

She had her job, her dogs and a career many people coveted. Heartfelt prayer had led her to Desert Valley and circumstances were keeping her here. That was enough. It would have to be.

A sidelong glance at Ryder convinced her further. He needed her help and that of the dog she was preparing for him. Call it a job or a ministry or whatever, it was why she was where she was at this moment in time. She would not waste the opportunity.

While it was wrong to think of hugging away his pain, it was right to support his rise in rank. Merely the fact that he had been promoted to police chief while still technically a K-9 cop was a wonder. Keeping him active and qualified with a dog for as long as he wished to be was up to her.

She closed her eyes for a moment and thought. Father, thank You. Please stay with me.

“You okay?” Ryder asked.

“Fine.” Her voice had a catch in it the first time so she repeated, “Fine.”

“Do you want me to drop you back at the training center or take you home?”

“Home, please,” Sophie said. “I want Phoenix to get used to living with his handler again. We may as well start right away.”

“You won’t take any unnecessary chances? Promise?”

“Cross my heart.” She made the motion.

“Okay. I’ll go in ahead of you and check your house.”

Her “No,” came easily.

“No?”

Sophie was nodding. “Thanks, but no thanks. That won’t be necessary. If there’s anything wrong at my place the dog will alert.”

“How? By ducking and shaking the way he did at the depot?” The chief sounded cynical.

Reminded of the shooting incident and the way her own hands had trembled in its aftermath, Sophie covered her emotions by shrugging and saying, “Whatever.”

To herself, she added, That will make two of us feeling fearful. All her previous efforts to escape the rigors and threats of active law enforcement had been rendered ineffectual the moment those shots had been fired. If she had not been going home with a dog, traumatized or not, she might have welcomed human intervention.

Ryder was adamant. “Look. Until we know whether or not the attack on you was random, I’m going to pull rank. I’m inspecting your house when we get there. Is that understood?”

Sophie was so relieved she nearly sighed aloud. Instead, she purposely pouted, scooted lower in the seat and folded her arms, making sure her courageous image remained unspoiled. “Yeah, I get it.”

In truth, she was thankful. The house she’d been renting for several years sat on a double lot on East Second Street and backed up to undeveloped land, a quiet location that had seemed ideal until she’d started feeling vulnerable.

Right now, she’d have gladly settled for high stone walls instead of wire fencing, and maybe a turret with an armed guard or two, preferably one like Ryder Hayes.

If he turned up anybody hiding in her house, waiting to hurt her, she didn’t know what she’d do. But she was pretty sure she knew what Ryder would do—whatever it took to see that she was taken care of.