Bruno sat but continued to stare intently at the back door. She wanted to believe her German shepherd was smart enough to understand Cam was protecting her, yet there was no denying the dog wanted to chase the bad guy.
Picking up her phone from the kitchen table, she called 911. Placing the phone on speaker, she grabbed a broom and swept the glass fragments out of the way to protect Bruno’s paws.
The dispatcher answered on the third ring. “Please state your name and the nature of your emergency.”
“I’m Evie Tobin, and I’m calling from my mother’s place, 112 Hiawatha Drive. Someone fired a shot at me, breaking my kitchen window.”
“Are you safe?” Evie could hear the clacking of fingers on a keyboard. “I’ll dispatch an officer to your location.”
“I’m safe. Oh, and I’m not alone, my friend Cameron Walker is outside searching for the shooter.” It was difficult to comprehend what she was saying. Someone had fired a gun at her window! If she hadn’t tripped over Bruno, she might have been hit.
Or worse, killed.
Was this because she’d found Skye’s remains? It’s the only explanation that made any sense, but if that was true, did that mean Skye’s killer was still around?
Had he been living in Grand Haven for the past fourteen years?
“I have a unit responding to your location,” the dispatcher said. “Please stay on the line.”
Waiting, she continued to finish sweeping the glass fragments from the floor. Her movements were jerky, and if not for the concern she had for Bruno getting glass in his paws, she’d have given in to the tears that threatened.
Gunfire. Aimed at her.
The shrill wail of police sirens filled the night air. She reached over to end the phone call, then set the broom aside. Crossing the living room, she opened the front door.
One uniformed police officer emerged from behind the wheel. He rested his hand on the butt of his weapon as he approached. She saw his name tag identified him as Officer Linder. “Ma’am, did you report gunfire?”
She didn’t recognize him, but that was probably because he was young. Maybe mid-twenties? The name Linder didn’t ring a bell. “Yes. I’m Evie Tobin. My friend Cameron Walker is out back, searching for the shooter.”
That made Linder scowl. “He should have stayed with you. This is a matter for the police.”
She stepped aside, giving him room to enter. Officer Linder abruptly stopped when he saw Bruno. “Call off your dog.”
“He won’t hurt you.” She rested her hand on Bruno’s head. “Stay, Bruno. Sit.”
Bruno sat. Still, Officer Linder gave the dog a wide berth as he walked past to the kitchen. Seeing the broken window, he scanned the floor, then continued down the short hall to the back door.
Evie was reassured knowing the police officer had joined Cam outside. If Cam ended up hurt because of this, she’d only feel more guilty for calling him about finding Skye’s remains. They’d been friends back in high school, and now Cameron seemed bigger, stronger, and more confident than she remembered.
He was a soldier, capable of anything, yet Cam wasn’t armed. Even the strongest muscles could be pierced by a bullet.
The minutes ticked by slowly. Bruno stood and nudged the back door, indicating he wanted to go out. After a moment of hesitation, she opened the door and accompanied him outside.
A flashlight bobbed in the woods. She heard the low rumble of voices. Bruno trotted toward the woods, and she hastened to join him. “Cam? Is everything okay?”
“I haven’t found him yet but stay where you are. We’re coming back.” Cam’s deep voice made her relax.
Moments later, the light grew brighter as Cam and Officer Linder emerged from the nature preserve. A wave of relief washed over her.
Bruno sniffed both men, then stood beside Cam. If not for the threat of danger, she might have been irked. She’d rescued Bruno three years ago as a five-month-old puppy when she’d found him abandoned at the side of the road. Normally, he stuck to her like glue.
Now Bruno was suddenly Cam’s best friend.
“I’ll call this in.” Linder reached up to the radio clipped to his collar. “We won’t be able to canvass the area until morning, though. We only have four officers working evenings and three officers overnight.”
“Canvass the area?” She looked at Cam. “Did you find something?”
He shrugged. “Could be nothing, but I found a piece of fleece fabric stuck to a bush. I heard the gunman running away and gave chase but then lost him. Can’t be sure if he found a place to hide or if he had a vehicle stashed close by.”
