“True. I think he may be on his way to Sanctuary House,” Ellie said. “Deputy Eastwood radioed an SOS. He might be after Clara. Dammit, I thought the ambulance would be there by now.”
“I’ll meet you at Sanctuary House.”
Ellie ended the call, squinting through the hazy white as she veered onto the dark street where Sanctuary House was located. Shondra’s squad car was parked in the drive. Two doors down, a black SUV was parked, half hidden by the bushes.
Whittaker, Wally, was ballsy to attack while a deputy was on duty.
The narcissist sociopath thought he could escape anything.
Cord jumped out as Ellie parked and crept toward the house, and she followed, gun drawn.
But as she passed Shondra’s car, she took a quick glance inside. Dammit, Shondra was slumped in the seat, her head lolled over, blood trickling down the side of her face. One hand was handcuffed to the steering wheel.
Pure panic shot through Ellie, and she gestured to Cord. His eyes widened as he saw Shondra, then he eased open the door and checked for a pulse. He gave a quick nod, confirming she was alive. Relief gushed through Ellie.
She held up a finger, indicating for Cord to wait for her, then quickly called Derrick. “Shondra is injured, in the car. Send an ambulance ASAP.” Had the one she’d ordered already picked up Clara and the baby? “See if the ambulance arrived for Clara and her newborn.”
“Will do. Do not engage, Ellie. Wait for me.”
Ellie didn’t respond. Through the haze of snow, she saw a dark figure through the window. He was pacing, shouting and waving a gun around, obviously agitated.
Her phone rang. Derrick. She quickly sent a text:
Unsub is here at Sanctuary House.
He responded:
Copy. Be there ASAP. Wait for backup. Clara and baby just got to the hospital.
She exhaled a shaky breath, grateful Clara and baby were safe. But that meant Hazel was alone in there with a madman. A loud crash inside made her heart pound. Then a scream.
No time to wait for backup. She signaled to Cord they’d move forward, but for him to stay behind her. His eyes darkened and she knew a protest was on the tip of his tongue, but she ignored him and crept closer.
When she reached the porch, Whittaker rushed to the window and looked out as if he’d heard them. She and Cord both ducked, then she mouthed for him to go around the side to the back of the house. She would take the front.
He hissed a no, but she jabbed a finger in the air for him to follow orders then whispered, “Make a distraction around back so I can slip inside.”
He shook his head no, but she glared at him. “Do it,” she said in a harsh whisper.
His dark look indicated he didn’t like her plan, but Whittaker’s shout inside sent them both into motion.
ONE HUNDRED EIGHT
Cord hated taking orders from Ellie, especially when it meant putting her in danger. But he was on the task force and she’d be safer with him than if he got cut from the team. Still, he vowed to get a gun and permit when they tied up this case.
If she was going to run headlong into an explosive, dangerous situation, he needed to be equipped to back her up.
Adrenaline sent him hurrying around to the back, tromping through weeds and brush packed with snow and ice. The wind hurled snow and sleet through the air, but he ignored the icy sting as he listened for sounds inside.
When he reached the back door, he found a rock half buried in the snow, picked it up and slung it against the glass part of the door. Glass cracked and shattered and he threw another, hitting the wood with a bang.
Whittaker had to hear it.
He kept an eye out, expecting to see the bastard appear. Gripping his knife in his gloved hand at the ready, he crept up the stoop steps and crouched by the door.
Suddenly a gunshot popped, and he plastered himself against the back of the house, but instead of Whittaker appearing, he heard a crash inside.
Cursing, he stormed through the back door to protect Ellie.
