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“Oh, that’s right. I forgot to tell you. Tarin came through for us,” Elly said. “I talked to him after touching base with Rhy. We’re all set.”
“That’s great news.” He was glad to have a plan. “Okay, we’ll head over there now. I want the two of you to escort us to the replacement vehicle, though, considering the last time we drew gunfire.”
“Got it,” Steele agreed.
“Count me in too,” Grayson added.
“Steele, you and Grayson can meet up with us, but only after you get replacement phones.” He scowled. “We’re not taking any more chances with this guy finding us at the safe house.”
“Understood.” Steele clapped Grayson on the back. “Let’s hit the road.”
“Do I get to eat breakfast too?” Grayson asked as they made their way to the side exit. “I’m hungry. I heard all about Rosie’s apple turnovers.”
Joe ignored their banter. He held Elly back until Steele and Grayson had stepped outside. Then he urged Elly across the threshold, keeping her sandwiched between the three men. They moved as a group to the SUV parked close to the building.
There was no gunfire this time, giving Joe hope that they’d gotten away clean. Although he wouldn’t relax until he had Elly stashed inside the safe house, behind bullet-resistant glass windows.
“Why didn’t Tarin call me?” He glanced at Elly. “I’m the one who left him a message.”
“He was going to, but I got to him first.” She shrugged. “He would have called sooner but had to wait until the family had been relocated and the cleaning crew had come in.”
“He arranged that just for you?” Joe was surprised Tarin had the support of the department to pull rank like that. Granted, Rhy was a captain, and the department tended to take care of their own.
“No, they were scheduled to go to a new location in another state anyway.” Elly frowned. “I hope they’re okay. I hate the idea of children being in danger. They deserve the safe house more than I do.”
“I’m sure they’re fine.” He couldn’t worry about the family Tarin had relocated, not when there was a vicious gunman stalking Elly for the past two days. “They wouldn’t have been moved if it wasn’t safe to do so.”
“I hope not.” Elly settled back in her seat as he drove away from the precinct. “I have to wonder if the real shooter knew you had Peter Colton in custody. He could assume the pressure is off.”
He glanced at her in admiration. “That’s possible. He could have a scanner. Maybe that’s why he didn’t bother staking out the police department again. Well, that and we had already canvassed the area after the last attempt. Not very smart to push his luck by taking that same shot a second time in two days.”
“Yeah, maybe.” She looked thoughtful. “Did Assistant Chief Michaels have any insights to share?”
“Not really.” He shrugged. “Your brother put my name in for a promotion to lieutenant. The upper brass approved the new rank and pay increase, effective the first week of January.”
“Really?” Elly turned in his seat to take his arm. “Oh, Joe, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” He could feel his face heating up. “It’s nice of your brother to do that. I hope to make him proud.”
“Rhy has always leaned on your leadership, Joe. He wouldn’t recommend you if he didn’t trust and believe in you.”
Yeah, that was what he was afraid of. That Rhy’s trust and admiration would fade like the mist once he made it clear he wanted to ask Elly out.
They couldn’t demote him for that, could they?
Nah, he didn’t think so. That wasn’t how the upper echelon within the police department worked. Although Rhy could make his life extremely difficult if he wanted to. Would Elly’s brother stoop that low?
He hoped not.
Yet there was no point in thinking about that now. Elly’s safety trumped everything else. He’d gladly give up his promotion if he thought that would help find and arrest the shooter.
“Joe? I think the safe house is in the other direction.”
“Yes, I know.” He smiled reassuringly. “It’s become a habit to take the long route to our destination.”
“I understand.” She sighed. “I wish there was more we could do to find this guy. I hate knowing he’s planning to strike out at me again.”
That was a massive understatement. “Me too. But keep your faith, Elly. You’ve said from the beginning that God has a plan for us. We’ll find him.”
