Page 71 of Protect My Heart

She snuck a sideways glance at Tig. Ice-auger man was closing in. Her sweet pup switched all his attention to him. The guy took one more step and Tig lunged.

The ice-auger guy screamed and cradled his arm, which dripped fresh blood. Good boy, Tig.

The guy snapped his leg back, winding up for more power.

“Don’t!” The word burst from Liz’s lips but they had no effect. Tigger yelped.

Romeo swung his pistol around. He appeared to be waiting for his cohort to move so he’d have a clear shot at Tig. “Step back. I got this.”

A gun blast flashed. The shot echoed in her ears—all hell broke loose.

Chapter 21

“This is the last property.” Jim parked his truck and jumped out. His jaw clicked as he thought about the fruitlessness of the last hour. No one had been at any of the five properties listed as associated with Finden’s two deceased wives that they’d checked today.

Pocketing his phone, CJ hustled to keep up. “Warden Finden hasn’t been to work since yesterday.”

The knot in Jim’s gut tightened as he jogged to the door. The chain held years of rust but the lock looked new.

“It’s locked from the outside.” CJ looked up and down the side of the building. An old, metal, sign with faded paint hung from the building. “This used to be a plastic factory. I think there are windows around the back. I’ll check.”

While his partner disappeared around the corner of the building, Jim banged on the door. If Doc was inside, he hoped she could hear him. She has to be here. He couldn’t think about the alternative.

“Come on, Doc. It’s me, Jim. Let me know you’re alright.” He pounded until his fist ached.

What seemed like twenty minutes but was probably five, CJ appeared at his side. “The windows are too high to look in. Any luck?”

Jim’s hand dropped to his side and his chest fell. A fissure of defeat split his insides. “No.”

“Maybe the warden isn’t our guy.”

“You don’t believe that any more than I do.” Jim ran a hand through his hair. “What if she’s in there, beaten and bloody? Or, worse…”

He shook his head. She had to be alright. She had to.

He raised his fist to the door, but before his hand made contact his phone rang. “Swenson.”

CJ’s phone rang a second later.

“Jim, we got a ping on her phone.” Daniels’ excitement echoed in his ears. “It suddenly turned on. I’m texting you the address now.”

“Thanks.” Jim ended the call and read the text. He pivoted to CJ. “We got an address. They’re at the river.”

“That was Rosa. Liz sent her a text but it was a jumble of words.” CJ sprinted to keep up with Jim.

He flipped on the lights and siren as they crossed town. CJ called in backup. A half mile away, they killed the sound. As they closed in, they cut the lights. He stopped just out of view and related their position.

“Okay, let’s nail this fucker.” The squad car pulled up, CJ ambled over, and he leaned down to the driver’s window. Once they had the plan straight, they hustled through the trees, guns at the ready. This was most likely a hostage situation. They didn’t want to go in guns blazing and get Doc shot.

Jim tapped his mic. “Radio silence from here on out.”

A few yards away, he caught the sound of a two-stroke engine. A minute later it cut out and voices floated through the air. The colder the temperature, the better sound traveled. He put his finger to his lips and CJ nodded.

Officers Larson and Daniels were coming in on the other side of the lot. Jim and CJ slipped down and circled around the shipping container. He peeked out to see Doc carrying a box to the warden. A gangbanger followed with a gun.

He fell back behind the metal wall. Jim’s throat constricted at the sight. That bastard would pay for this.

A growl drew his gaze. Tigger. Jim’s heart sank to his stomach. He would extract the warden’s balls from his body with the rustiest knife if he hurt his dog.