“Unlikely,” she said. “It’s just your calf. Nothing vital there.”
She holstered her gun, grasped the man, dragged him out of the water onto dry soil and flipped him onto his stomach. Yanking his hands behind his back, she pulled a zip tie from her pocket and slipped it over his wrists and cinched it tight. Taking off her blazer, she ripped the sleeve of her blouse and wrapped it around the man’s calf.
Even though there were no major blood vessels to worry about, she didn’t want dirt to get into the wound and become infected. Then she ripped the mask off the man. She’d never seen the dark-haired guy before. He had a wide nose, dark eyes and pockmarks on his cheeks.
“I’ve already called for backup.” Colt pushed the other assailant to his knees. “I saw you had that one handled, figured I’d keep this one from getting away.”
“I appreciate it,” she said.
“Are you okay?” Concern deepened his voice.
“Dandy.” She gestured to the assailants. “They said their boss wanted me dead.”
Understanding lit Colt’s eyes. “Ah.” He peeled the mask off the man he’d cuffed. He too was a stranger. “Your boss is Shadow?”
The man sneered but didn’t say anything.
Colt huffed out a noisy breath. “I’ll take that as a yes. How did you know we were here?”
Though neither man answered, Maren noticed the way they both glanced toward the dense clump of bushes from where they’d come out. She stalked over and pushed aside the tangled branches of the juniper to discover a cell phone. She hoped it would have a way to track Shadow. Donning latex gloves, she slipped the phone into her pocket. Then she marched back to the assailants.
“Things will go a lot better for you to if you tell us where Shadow is,” Maren told the two men.
Both men made faces and stayed silent.
Sirens rent the air.
Maren crouched down and grabbed the face of the man Haven had bitten. “Tell me where to find Shadow.”
“I want a lawyer,” the man ground out.
Maren released him and stood, fisting her hands at her sides.
“We won’t get anything out of them,” Colt said. “They’re more afraid of Shadow than they are of the police.”
“Because Shadow has people in the police departments.” Maren’s insides twisted. “And now they’ll let Shadow or someone who will relay a message to Shadow know that you’re DEA and I’m a cop.”
“Couldn’t be helped,” he replied. “Though I’m sure Shadow knows who I am since I’ve been trying to bring him down for over a year.”
Several police cruisers ground to a halt near their vehicle.
Maren recognized many of the officers. She hated to think that one of them was dirty. “Can you deal with them while I call Emmett?”
“Of course.” Colt strode away to talk to the local police.
Maren contacted the task force leader. She quickly updated him on this latest attempt on her life and being mistaken for Opal again. “We’re still no closer to discovering Shadow’s location. But I did find a cell phone. I’ll get it to Eva as soon as we can.”
“You’ll catch a break,” Emmett said. “I feel it in my bones.”
“Thanks, boss,” she said, hoping his words were true. “We need to bring Vinnie Homer into protective custody.”
“I’ll contact the US Marshals Service and have them take Mr. Homer into protective custody. And let Colt know I’ll update Special Agent in Charge Herman.” Emmett referred to Colt’s direct boss at the DEA.
“Will do.” Maren prayed the marshals would be able to keep Vinnie Homer safe. The man had falsely reported Opal’s death. But he was the only link to finding her sister.
After giving her statement to the local police, she watched as the two men were put into the back of a cruiser. They would be taken to the county jail, where they would be formally charged and arraigned.
Once she and Colt were alone again, she said, “Emmett’s going to relay an update to your boss.”
