“We don’t need a computer to tell us what’s around here,” Whitaker said. “I grew up in this neighborhood. I can provide you with at least a basic layout.”
Tanner nodded. A basic layout would get them pretty far. Within five minutes, they’d gotten Whitaker some papers and he’d sketched out a three-block radius of his neighborhood.
“If I was looking to set up shop somewhere I wouldn’t be noticed, I’d head to one of these two places.” He pointed to two different sections of his crude map. “Either here, which was a pawnshop and shoe repair, but has been deserted for at least half a decade. Or these storage units. A lot of shady stuff happens around there, and nobody’s going to study anyone else too carefully.”
Either place would probably work for Jeter.
“This is your call,” Penelope said. “We can go in stealth, or we can go in guns blazing. If he’s in one of those storage units,it could take a little bit of time to find him. He’d have the advantage.”
Tanner couldn’t disagree with that. “Let’s concentrate there. Jeter would definitely want the advantage.”
They were out the door and headed toward the storage units along with most of the uniformed officers just a couple minutes later. Tanner was riding with Whitaker when a feeling in his gut stopped him.
“Whit, wait. I don’t think this is right. I know the storage units would give Jeter the advantage, but that bastard is so conceited, I don’t think he would even consider that heneededan advantage.”
“You sure?”
“Plus, he’s been sitting in a cell for months. I don’t think he’d be quick to put himself back in a box with his first taste of freedom.”
Whitaker spun the car around right there in the middle of the street. “I’ll let Penelope know we’re going to check out the pawnshop.”
Tanner swallowed a curse. “I could be wrong. I did spend the last couple hours trapped inside a coffin.”
“When it comes to Bree, I’ll take your gut feeling no matter how many hours you’ve been buried.”
There was only one car parked in front of the abandoned pawnshop. A white Honda Civic. One of the most popular cars on the road today. And one that would never draw attention. It was the same type Bree drove because it was so nondescript.
“I think she’s here. Let’s get inside.”
Tanner checked the weapon Penelope had given him and the one in his ankle holster. He and Whitaker got out of the car.
“Let me stick my head in,” Whitaker said. “If Jeter is in there, he may not recognize me, but he’ll definitely recognize you.”
Tanner nodded reluctantly and followed Whitaker to the front door. He opened the door without hesitation, keeping his weapon down at his side, looking more like someone interested in the pawnshop that used to be there than a cop.
Tanner waited, letting the door almost close before catching it. If something went wrong in there he wanted to be able to get in quick.
A moment later the door opened again and Whitaker motioned him inside.
It was dark.
“Vacant except for some sort of office in the back corner,” Whitaker whispered.
Weapons drawn, they moved quickly toward the office area. The blacked-out windows made it hard to see. But it didn’t take them long to hear both a woman and a man’s voice.
“That’s Bree.” Tanner had never been so relieved to hear a voice in his whole life. “I’m going in.”
Whitaker grabbed him. “Think. She’s still alive, they’re still talking. You storm the castle, and things might go to crap quick. Jeter is smart, Tanner. Be smarter.”
Tanner nodded. Whitaker was right. They began looking around the outside of the thin walls of the office. Maybe there was a different, better way of getting in than the door.
The entire far side of the wall farthest from the door was lined with wooden boxes. Tanner didn’t think anything of them until he remembered what Jeter had said about if he couldn’t have Bree, nobody could.
“Whit, shine a light over here for second,” Tanner whispered. Whitaker aimed the beam of light at one of the boxes and Tanner pried it open silently. Both of them let out a curse when they saw what was inside.
Explosives.
“Surely, Jeter won’t set those off with him still in the building.”
