Читать книгу Explosive Force - Lynette Eason - Страница 14
ОглавлениеNick rolled off Heidi and leaped to his feet. He placed himself in front of her as he faced the armed man, disgusted that he’d had no time to pull his own gun—and it was too late to do so now with their attacker’s finger on the trigger. “Drop the weapon,” Nick ordered.
“Not a chance.” The low voice trembled, but Nick couldn’t tell if it was from fear or sheer determination not to be caught. The low ball cap and hoodie kept the man’s features well hidden. “I’m getting out of here. And if you set that dog on me, she’ll take the first bullet. Understand?” He slid sideways, toward the street.
“What are you doing here?” Heidi asked. “Did you blow up the training center?”
But the man wasn’t interested in answering, just escaping past Nick. And as long as the man held a gun on him and Heidi, Nick wasn’t moving. Also, with the threat against Annie, it was clear the man knew how dogs and their handlers worked. Nick wouldn’t knowingly send Annie after him only to have the guy keep good on his threat to shoot her.
Two more steps brought the man to the edge of Heidi’s house. He darted past Nick and Annie, his feet pounding on the sidewalk as he headed toward the parking lot. Nick pulled Heidi to her feet. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I think that’s the same guy I saw run from the training center. I couldn’t see his face thanks to the hat and hoodie, but it looks like the same one my guy was wearing.”
“Stay here. I’m going after him.” He left Heidi as he turned and took up the chase once more. He followed on the man’s heels. They would soon be at the fence on the other side of the lot and the guy would have nowhere to go.
But he was also armed.
Nick reported his whereabouts into the radio on his shoulder, requesting backup as he pounded the asphalt in pursuit. Heidi stayed behind him, yelling details to the Military Police dispatch.
Was this guy the bomber? Had he been hanging around to watch the chaos his explosion had caused? To gloat? Or was this someone else altogether?
Determined to catch him, Nick pushed himself harder. Annie stayed right with him, lunging at the end of the leash.
The guy disappeared around the building that backed up to the fence.
Nick followed, rounded the building...
And the guy was gone.
Nick skidded to a stop, slightly winded, but he would have gone a little farther if he could have seen who he was chasing. A piece of cloth on a bush caught his attention. He noted it, his eyes darting, looking for any sign someone might have a gun trained on him, while chills danced up his spine.
Footsteps sounded behind him. He whirled, weapon ready. Only to come face-to-face with Heidi. She flinched and he lowered his gun. “Sorry.” Nick spun back to the area where he’d lost the suspect. Annie whined and shifted. “What is it, girl?”
Annie looked up at him, her soft, sad eyes asking permission. He glanced at Heidi. “Keep your eyes and ears open, will you? Let me know if anything catches your attention.”
She nodded.
Nick slipped his weapon back into the holster and pulled a pair of gloves from the bag on his shoulder. He snapped them on, then reached for the piece of cloth and studied it. Had this been snagged recently? Or had it been there awhile? It didn’t look like it had weathered much. He held it out to the dog. “Annie, seek.” She sniffed, lowered her nose to the ground, then lifted it to check the air.
“She can track, too?” Heidi asked.
“Sure. It’s the same concept, and she’s a smart dog. You can hardly train a bloodhound to sit, but tracking is so natural for them, the only training needed is for the handler.” A slight exaggeration, but not much. He followed the dog cautiously while he spoke, scanning the area. His radio alerted him to backup closing in behind them and on both sides. The base had been shut down and security was tight. There was no way anyone would be able to get off or on the base for now.
But if whoever had been loitering around Heidi’s house lived on the base, Annie would find him.
Annie padded her way to the fence at the far side of the parking lot and sat, looking back over her shoulder at him.
Nick squatted next to the animal and eyed the heavy-duty chain-link fence. “It’s been cut.” He sighed in disgust at the large opening. “This was his way out. He came prepared. He knew exactly where he was going.”
“But where was he hiding? You checked my house.”
“I’m guessing he jumped the fence into your backyard when he heard me coming. Once Annie and I left, he simply hauled himself back over.”
“My backyard? Nice.” She grimaced. “But why would he wait so long to leave the base after setting off the explosion?” she asked. “He should have been long gone by now. Why would he be so stupid as to hang around and take a chance on being caught?”
He glanced at her and shook his head. He had his theories on that, but would keep them to himself for the moment.
“You said he knew his way around the base,” she said. “That he was familiar with it. I would agree with that. So, why go this way? Why not simply run back to his home?”
“I said he was familiar with it. Doesn’t mean he lives on it.”
“True.”
“Plus think about it...”
“What?” she asked.
“The dogs.”
She raised a brow. “Of course. The base is full of them. He figured a dog like Annie could track him. If he left through the fence and had a car waiting...”
“Exactly. There might be some security footage, but since he kept his face covered, that won’t help much.”
“He took his mask off right before he turned and spotted me,” Heidi said. “But even with the hoodie covering part of his features, I’d still be able to pick him out of a lineup. The guy you just chased? I don’t know.” She sighed. “Think your forensic people could find some prints or something?”
“On what?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. The fence maybe?”
“He had on gloves, I think.” He tucked the piece of cloth into an evidence bag. “They’ll try, but I’m not holding my breath.” He stood.
His frown deepened and he remembered whom he was talking to. “This better not show up on the front page tomorrow.”
Heidi stiffened and her lips turned down. “It’s a story, Nick.”
“And we don’t have the facts yet so don’t go printing that we chased the bomber. We don’t know who we chased.”
“I never said he was the bomber. But I do know we chased a guy with a gun.”
“Heidi...” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Backup arrived then, cutting him off, but he held her gaze for a moment longer before turning his attention to the OSI investigators clamoring for answers.
* * *
Standing back from the fence so she didn’t trample any evidence, but close enough to watch the action, Heidi drew in a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She was glad Nick’s attention was off her for the moment, but it did little to calm her.
She’d nearly been killed in an explosion, and someone had been lurking at her house and then held her at gunpoint—all in one night.
She ran a hand over her ponytail, hoping she’d hidden how shaken she’d been, how frightened. Pushing the residual fear aside, she pulled her voice-activated recorder from her pocket and hit Play. Holding the device to her ear, she heard herself call out to Bobby, then the explosion, the aftermath, Bobby begging her to hold his hand, her reassurances.
A tear slipped down her cheek and she sent up a silent prayer for the young man. She’d make her notes, then turn the recording over to OSI.
“Heidi?”
She stiffened at the sound of John Robinson’s voice. Great. Of course he would show up. And of course, even in the midst of all of the chaos surrounding her, he would hone in on her like Annie on a bomb. No offense to Annie. She grimaced, then smoothed her features before turning to face her nemesis. John, the lead reporter for the Red Rose Killer case—and the bane of her existence at the moment—hurried toward her. She couldn’t seem to escape the man.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. “You’re supposed to be covering the break-ins and medal thefts.”
“I am, John. I was on my way home when...things happened. What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.” He pulled out a pad and paper. “What did happen?”
Oh, no. No way was she letting him steal this story from her. “John, you’re covering the Red Rose Killer, not everything else.”
“I’m covering anything that could be related to him. I heard a couple of MPs speculating that Sullivan was back on base and causing trouble. So, see? This is my story. So...give me details.”
“I’m still sorting it all out.” She shoved a stray hair from her face. “I’m heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow sometime.”
“Heidi—”
She waved and started walking away from him.
“What’s the rush?” he called. “You got to go get your blog post ready?”
Heidi froze, did a one-eighty and marched back to the man who’d been a thorn in her side from the day he stepped onto the base and into the newspaper office. She stopped in front of him, ignoring the stares from those who’d heard his comment. “Once and for all, John Robinson, I am not the anonymous blogger. So stop spreading that lie before I sue you for slander.”
A hand curled around her right fist. A fist she didn’t even remember making. Looking sideways, she found Nick beside her.
“He’s not worth it,” he said softly.
Drawing in a deep breath, she made a conscious effort to push down her anger. Nick was right. If she punched John, her career would be over. And she’d worked too hard to let him provoke her into losing everything. But she would not let him stand there and accuse her of being the anonymous blogger who was plaguing the investigation.
She pulled her hand from Nick’s, and leaving John with his jaw hanging, she executed another about-face and headed toward her house. She was tired. Beat, actually. So exhausted it was all she could do to put one foot in front of the other. Not even the adrenaline sputter from the confrontation with Robinson did much to help her energy level.
Once she reached her home, she slipped the key in the lock, opened the door, and stepped inside.
Peace washed over her as she shut the door behind her. She drew in a deep breath and let the atmosphere calm her. Heidi loved her home. It may look boring and ordinary from the outside, but the inside was all her.
Blues and tans, with a splash of orange here and there, her home allowed her to breathe and cast off the worries of the day.
Except she couldn’t stop thinking about Bobby and wondering if he had known the man who’d run from the training center only moments before it had exploded. Or was Bobby just an innocent caught up in a dangerous incident?
A knock on the door sent her temper spiraling.
She yanked it open. “I told you—” She snapped her mouth shut when she saw Nick standing there with Annie at his side. “Oh. I thought you were someone else.”
“Robinson?”
“What makes you think that?”
A corner of his mouth tilted up. “Sarcasm looks cute on you.”
This time it was her jaw that hung.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
She closed her mouth. “Of course.” Stepping back, she let them enter, then shut the door. “Den is to your left.”
“Thanks. Your place is similar to mine. Smaller, of course.” Base housing for those who didn’t live with family members was small. Hers was a one-bedroom residence, but at least she didn’t have to do the dorm-style living other airmen were stuck with. “But it sure is nicer than mine. It’s...calm and soothing. I like it.”
“Thanks. That’s what I was going for when I picked out the colors. The days around here can be so long and hectic that I wanted something that reminded me of the ocean. Peace and calm.”
He settled on her tan couch and Annie curled up at his feet. “Are you all right?”
“I’m—” She stopped. “I was going to say ‘I’m fine,’ but I’m not sure that’s true. I’m actually stressed and annoyed beyond everything with John Robinson. That man pushes me to the very edge.” She shot him a look through her lashes. “Just in case you didn’t pick up on that.”
“I think I might have.”
“Thank you, by the way, for keeping me from slugging him. I don’t think I would have, even as much as I wanted to, but I can’t say for sure that I would have walked away had you not been there.”
“I don’t think anyone would have blamed you, but yeah. You’re welcome.”
“I’ll also admit I’m shaken from the explosion and the possibility of being shot, but mostly, I’m extremely tired of everyone thinking I’m the anonymous blogger.” She let the last word out on a huff and sank into the recliner opposite the couch. At his startled expression, she wished she could retract the words, but it was too late now.
“And you’re not? The anonymous blogger, I mean?”
She didn’t have the energy to do more than scowl at him. “No, I’m not. I wouldn’t do that. And besides, I don’t even have the facts that are being reported in the blog. Every time I read it, I learn something new.” She laughed. “That blogger is someone who has access to information I only wish I did.”
His eyes searched hers and he gave a slow nod. “I think I believe you.”
She wilted. “Really? You think?”
“Yes.”
“Well...thanks. I think.” She sighed. “If you believe me, do you have any thoughts on who it could be?”
“No.”
“Not that you would tell me, anyway, right?”
He raised a brow. “I knew Boyd from basic training, but I didn’t have much contact with him. I don’t know who he hung out with other than what we’ve managed to dig up during the investigation—and, of course, the victims.”
“That’s probably a good thing. Not knowing him too well, I mean. You don’t want to be on his radar.”
“No kidding. So...” He cleared his throat. “Now that we’re away from all the craziness, would you tell me one more time what you saw tonight?”
Gathering her strength, she nodded. “I can tell you, but you can also listen to it.”
“What do you mean?”
“My voice-activated recorder picked up most everything. I mean, the guy who ran out of the training center didn’t say anything, but—” She stood. “Hold on and let me get my laptop. I’ll start transcribing while you listen.”
“You recorded it?”
“Not on purpose. I was walking and talking into it when I spotted the trainer coming out of the building. And then the explosion...” She waved a hand. “Just listen.”
She brought up a blank document on her laptop, then hit the play button on the recorder. He listened while she typed as fast as her fingers could fly. If she missed something, she could always go back and fix it.
When the sound of the explosion came through, Nick flinched and rubbed a hand over his chin. He listened to her comfort Bobby. The screams of the sirens. He listened to it all. When it ended, he hit the stop button.
Since there wasn’t a whole lot of conversation, Heidi was able to get the whole thing transcribed in one listen. She’d go back and add in her memories and perceptions later for the article. For now, she’d just lived through one of the scariest nights she’d ever experienced, and she was on the edge emotionally.
To put it simply, she wanted Nick to leave so she could crawl into her bed and hibernate until morning. And maybe cry a little. But instead of sending him on his way, she fell silent, not exactly sure that she really wanted to be alone after all. A knock sounded on the door. “Excuse me.”
She rose, and he followed her. At her raised eyebrow, he frowned. “Can’t be too careful.”
Heidi peered out the side window. “Who is it?” she called out.
“Carl Trees. I’m the sketch artist,” the man on the porch stated.
“I know him,” Nick said. “He’s legit.”
Heidi opened the door. “Hi. Come on in.” The two men greeted one another, and Heidi led them to the kitchen. “Have a seat at the table. Would you like some coffee or a bottle of water?”
“No, thanks. I’m sure you’re tired and ready for this day to be over with.”
Carl was right about that. She sat next to him and he turned the laptop so she could see it. “All right,” he said, “start with the shape of his face.”
For the next hour, they worked on the sketch with Heidi doing her best to get the face as detailed as possible. Finally, she sat back and rubbed her eyes.
“That’s him?” Nick asked. He stood behind Carl, looking down at the final rendering.
She studied the image on the screen. “As close as I can remember.” The icy blue eyes stared back at her from the screen. “The eyes are spot-on, I know that.” Carl had added a hoodie to the man’s head, and Heidi shivered. “That’s him.”
Carl nodded. “Good job. Your descriptions helped a lot.”
“Must be the way with words she has,” Nick murmured.
“Must be.” Carl shut his laptop and rose. “I’ll get out of here and get this sent to the powers that be.” He looked at Heidi. “If they catch him, they’ll want you to point the finger at him.”
“I know.” She led him to the door. “Thanks for coming over here.”
“Not a problem. Have a good night.” Carl left, and Heidi shut the door behind him.
Nick placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I’m really concerned,” he said.
“About what?”
“You. I think it’s important to know whether the guy we chased was the same guy you just described to Carl.”
She frowned. “I know. I think it was, but I’m not a hundred percent sure. There was a hoodie involved both times and it looked like the same one. The first time, I locked eyes with the guy running from the training center. They were blue and looked like they’d be right at home in the frozen tundra. The guy at my house had the hoodie pulled low and he kept his head down. I didn’t see his eyes, so...” She shrugged and sighed.
“He might not know that. Or think that. I think the man you saw at the training center and the man who pulled the gun on us are one and the same. That’s probably why he was here. Waiting on you. The fact that I was with you threw him off, and he decided he’d better retreat.”
She grimaced. “I know. I’ve already thought of that.” A shiver swept through her. She’d planned on a relaxing evening and an early bedtime. Now she wondered if she’d be able to shut her eyes.
* * *
Nick could tell his words had worried her in spite of the fact that she’d already put two and two together. He almost felt bad about saying something and confirming her fears. Almost. But she needed to be on the alert.
He’d been standing outside her home for the last twenty minutes, debating what he should do. He simply didn’t feel right leaving her. Then again, she did live on a military base. If she needed help, all she had to do was holler.
But what if she couldn’t?
He pulled his phone from his pocket and let his finger hover over Master Sergeant Westley James’s number. After all, the man and his wife, Felicity, lived next door to Heidi. Surely, he could keep an eye on her. Still, Nick hesitated. He hated to bother him when he had his hands full with the investigation. Then again, it made sense. The man was right next door. Instead of dialing, he pocketed the phone and walked over to Westley’s and knocked.
The curtain in the right window opened and Felicity peered at him. She disappeared and the door opened. “Hi, Nick.”
“Hey.” She wore loose-fitting jeans and a T-shirt that was probably left over from her days as a trainer. Now she spent her time behind the lens of a camera as the base photographer. The change seemed to agree with her. “Is Westley here?”
“I’m sorry, he’s not. You want to come in?”
Nick shook his head. “That’s all right. I’m concerned about Heidi and wanted to see if he’d be willing to keep an eye on her place tonight.”
Felicity frowned. “I’m sure he would, but there’s no telling when he’ll be back. What’s going on with Heidi?”
“We’re pretty sure she saw the guy who blew up the training center and that he knows it.”
Felicity’s eyes widened. “No kidding. Well, I can understand why you want to take precautions. I’m sorry Westley isn’t available to help.”
“It’s all right. I have one more option.”
“Who?”
“Caleb Streeter.”
She smiled. “He’s a good option. And I’ll be sure to keep an eye out as well. And so will Westley when he gets home.”
“Thanks, Felicity.” She shut the door and Nick dialed Caleb’s number as he walked back over to Heidi’s home. He stood at the base of her porch steps while the phone rang. Nick had just started to get to know the master sergeant who was now running the K-9 training center. He’d spotted him earlier in the midst of all of the chaos at the explosion site, but hadn’t had a chance to say anything as he’d been swamped answering OSI’s questions.
“Hello?” Caleb croaked.
“You awake?”
“I’d just dropped off. What’s up, Nick?”
“I was going to ask if you’d help me out by keeping an eye on a friend’s place for few hours tonight.”
“Normally, I’d say yes, but I’ve got to get a few hours of sleep. I’ve got to be up and at the training center early to start assessing the damage and filling out insurance paperwork.”
“How many hours do you need?”
A sigh filtered to him. “At least five. Only had three last night.”
“When’s your next day off?”
“It was supposed to be tomorrow.”
Ouch. He was asking a lot of his friend, but everyone else he could think of was busy. “Okay, I’ll take first shift. You get your five hours, then come over here. I’ll buy you a steak dinner.” He noticed Annie’s ears perking up at the word steak and smiled.
“For two,” Caleb said. “I’m taking Paisley with me.” Paisley Strange was the girl Caleb was trying to get to know—and impress.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Fine. For two.” He gave him the address and Caleb hung up. He noticed Felicity had come back outside and was sitting on the steps. He jogged over. “Hey.”
“Hey. Is Caleb able to help you out?”
“Yes. For now.”
She nodded. “Westley’s still working. He called and said he was going to be at the office for a while.” She sniffed. “Still smells smoky out here.”
“It comes in waves depending on the wind. I’m just going to hang around and keep an eye on things for a few hours. Do you mind if I use your rocker?”
“Make yourself comfortable.” She stood. “This Red Rose Killer is about make Westley pull out what little hair he has.”
“He’s not alone.”
She grimaced. “I don’t understand how Boyd Sullivan can just disappear, show up to create havoc, then disappear again without a trace. It’s ridiculous.” Her lips tightened.
Nick grimaced. “And a bit embarrassing.” He frowned. “The fact that we haven’t caught him just confirms some of the conclusions we’ve come to. He’s got help on the inside.” He was fine discussing the case with Felicity as he knew she was privy to the information.
“I agree. But still, you would think he would have tripped himself up by now—or someone would have spotted him and turned him in.”
“Even if someone spotted him, how would they know? He seems to be a master at disguises. Not to mention the fact that he’ll kill to get the uniform he needs. He’s smart and he’s extremely careful.”
“I remember Westley saying that Sullivan doesn’t make a move unless he’s sure he won’t get caught.”
“True.” He frowned. “But we’re not giving up. He will get careless and we will get him eventually.”
“I know. That’s what Westley says, too.” She offered him a small smile. “Take care of Heidi.”
“That’s the plan.”
“I’ll watch out for her, too. Let me know if I can do anything.”
“Could I get a bowl of water for Annie? I’ve got food with me.”
“Sure. And a bottle for you?”
“That would be perfect. Thanks.”
Once he and Annie had their water, Felicity slipped inside and Nick turned the porch light off. He took a seat in the wooden rocker.
After a long drink, Annie settled at his feet.
Time passed while Nick did as much work as he could using his iPhone. He requested one of the OSI investigators to stop by so he could give him the evidence he and Annie had collected from the bomb site. The investigator would make sure it was delivered to the lab for examination.
Once he had everything finished that he’d needed to do related to the explosion, Nick leaned his head back against the rocker and let his gaze linger on Heidi’s home. She’d affected him in a big way. Those eyes of hers had brought forth emotions he’d thought he’d locked securely away a little over three years ago after Lillian Peterson had taken his heart and stomped all over it.
But with one outburst laden with frustration and truth, Heidi had snapped the lock like a toothpick. His heart had reacted and that scared him. He could face down guns and explosives, but a woman who had the potential to hurt him? No way. Normally, he’d run as far and as fast as possible. But he couldn’t do that with Heidi. She might be in danger, and Nick simply couldn’t bring himself to ignore that and abandon her when he could help.
So now he was completely unsettled.
The streetlamp illuminated a figure heading toward them, soft footsteps falling on the sidewalk. Annie sat up, ears twitching toward the noise. Nick focused on the shadow in the darkness, his hand sliding to his weapon. “Who’s there?”
The figure stopped. “Nick? What are you doing out here?”
Isaac Goddard? Nick relaxed. The man was a senior airman and turning into a good friend. “Hey, keeping an eye on Heidi Jenks. She’s mixed up in everything that went down here tonight.”
“I heard about that.” Isaac walked over and leaned against the railing. “Glad no one was seriously hurt.”
“Bobby Stevens ended up in the hospital but will heal. What are you doing out here?”
“Just walking. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Nightmares?” Isaac never talked about it, but Nick knew the man’s PTSD, brought on after serving and being wounded in Afghanistan, kept him up most nights.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry. Any word on Beacon?” Beacon was the German shepherd who’d been in Afghanistan the same time Isaac had been serving and had saved Isaac’s life. Now Isaac was determined to bring him home. Unfortunately, red tape and bureaucratic nonsense had delayed that to the point where Isaac was ready to head back to the desert of his nightmares and find the dog himself.
“They found him,” Isaac said.
“Wait, what?” Nick sat straighter. “They did? That’s great.”
“Yes and no. He was found injured and they’re not sure he’s going to make it.”
Nick’s hope for his friend deflated. “Oh, no. I’m sorry.”
“I am, too. So right now, it’s just wait and see.” He shook his head. “I can’t give up on him, Nick. He’s as much military as I am. I was lying there, injured and bleeding, and he came up and settled down beside me. Like he was trying to let me know I wasn’t alone.”
Nick had heard the story before, but he let Isaac talk. It seemed to help him.
“He stayed right with me,” Isaac said. “For hours until my unit buddies were able to get to me and pull me to safety.”
“He’s a hero, too.”
“Exactly.” Isaac sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “Anyway, sorry. Didn’t mean to talk your ear off. I’m going to keep walking. Maybe head over to the gym and work some of this energy off.”
“Keep the faith, man.”
“I’m trying. You keep it for me, too.”
“You got it.”
Nick watched his friend walk away and sent up a silent prayer for him.
Hours later, when Caleb arrived, Nick was still praying. About a lot of things. But mostly that the night would continue to be as quiet as it had been up to that point.
Caleb yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I’m going to enjoy that steak dinner. I hope this is worth it for you.”
Nick looked back over at Heidi’s dark home. “It’s worth it,” he said softly. “Every single penny.”
