“But that will take time.” Determination marched across her features. “We’ve stalled long enough. We need to know what your CI has to say.”
She walked up to the door and gave a loud rap of her knuckles. Haven sniffed the door and sat, her ears pricked forward. Rusk stayed beside Colt but tension quivered in his body.
Seconds later the door swung open and Agent Daniel Russell stood there. He was without his jacket, revealing his shoulder holster and his hand on the grip. His white button-down shirt was open at the collar, revealing a gold chain and a smattering of dark hair curling over his body armor. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up.
This was the first time Colt had seen the agent ever appear a bit disheveled. He was usually completely buttoned up and by the book. But Colt supposed being in a safe house with a druggie for any extended time could test anyone’s patience.
“Come in. Quick,” Daniel said. He quickly closed the door behind them. “We don’t need to advertise our presence to the whole neighborhood. What are you doing here?”
The unease he’d felt on the way here turned to dread. “Where’s Agent Spares? He called and said Steve had something to tell us.”
Daniel frowned. “What? Why would he call you?”
“Where’s Steve?” Maren asked as she walked farther into the living room.
“He’s in the last bedroom with Agent Spares.” Daniel gestured down the hall to several closed bedroom doors. “I’ll bring them out.”
Daniel stomped down the hallway, leaving Maren and Colt standing alone. A bad feeling invaded Colt’s chest. Why were the two agents not in sync?
Colt remained in the entryway while Maren stood in the middle of the living room, facing away from the front window. The light-colored curtains were closed but still allowed a good deal of light to enter the house.
A red dot appeared on Maren’s back. Just as Haven and Rusk both let out loud, vicious barks.
Lunging for Maren, Colt wrapped his arms around her and took her to the floor seconds before the bullet from a sniper rifle broke through the front glass window and embedded itself in the hardwood next to them.
“Kitchen,” he yelled to Maren, allowing her to scramble away from him.
Grabbing both dogs by the collar and pulling them behind the kitchen counter, they hunkered down while more bullets pelted the house.
As they drew their weapons, Colt said, “We need backup.”
Maren had her phone out and was already dialing the Boulder PD. “Officer in trouble. Shots fired. Need backup.” She rattled off the address.
Gunfire from the back of the house echoed as several more rounds of bullets came through the window, pinning them down.
A man staggered out of the hallway, clutching his shoulder where blood seeped through his fingers.
Colt recognized Agent Henry Spares. The man tilted and fell to the ground.
Colt’s stomach dropped. Where were Daniel and Steve?
Moving quickly, he grabbed Spares by the ankles and dragged him to safety behind the counter. Within moments, the sound of sirens split the air. A welcome relief to the barrage of gunfire happening both at the back of the house and in the living room.
Within moments, the gunfire went silent.
Daniel stormed down the hall.
“You were followed!” His bellowed accusation bounced off the walls.
“Could be somebody was watching the house,” Colt countered. “We should have parked down the street and come through the back.”
“Then why didn’t you?” Daniel demanded.
Colt looked at the unconscious Agent Spares. “He told me to come through the front.”
Daniel made a face. “No, he didn’t. You must have mistaken what he said, because telling you to come in the front would be irresponsible and ridiculous. He better not die because of you.” He pointed a finger at Colt.
Maren stood, keeping a wary eye on the window. “Where’s Steve?”
