Читать книгу The Military K-9 Unit Collection - Valerie Hansen - Страница 16

FOUR

Serena sucked in a sharp breath. She couldn’t imagine the devastation of losing one’s spouse and partner on the job in one fell swoop in such a horrifying act. “I’m so sorry.” The lame words, paltry compared to the pain he’d suffered, made her wince.

Jason acknowledged her words with a tip of his chin. “Thanks.” He looked away. “We need to get this guy. If we don’t make a move, he’s going to pick off your boss and any other deputies who show up.”

Reining in her curiosity and sympathy, she focused on his words. Though she had her issues with her boss, she respected the man and her fellow deputies. She would do whatever it took to protect them. “What do you suggest?”

“Cover me as I make a break for those trees.” He pointed to a group of oak trees downstream. “If I can find a place to cross out of his line of sight then I can double back and take him by surprise.”

“That’s risky.” The last thing she needed was the ex-cop-turned-rancher dead on her watch. “You stay here. I’ll make a run for the trees.”

“Not a chance. You and Ginger are a team. If you go, she goes.”

Which meant there would be two targets for the shooter. He was right. “Fine. But don’t get shot.”

He traded places with her. “Not part of the plan. Ready?”

He didn’t wait for a reply. He took off in a crouched run. She gritted her teeth and sent several rounds of gunfire across the creek in the direction of the shooter. Despite her volley, the sniper’s bullets slammed into the ground in Jason’s wake as he dove for the concealment of the trees.

Once he was safe, he gave her the thumbs-up, then motioned that he was heading toward the creek. She waved, acknowledging his intent to cross the water. When he moved out of sight, she concentrated on distracting the sniper.

“Hey! Halt!” Jason’s shout echoed through the air.

Serena came out from behind the boulder to see Jason splashing through the creek chasing a man dressed in camo gear, a long barrel rifle held aloft in one hand as he ran away. He disappeared into the thick brush and trees. A few moments later the sound of an ATV revving to a start then driving away faded in the distance.

With Ginger at her heels, she rushed to the place where Jason had waded into the water. She scooped up Ginger and hurried across, the water soaking through her boots and pants up to her thighs.

She set Ginger down as she halted beside Jason behind a gnarled wild juniper bush. The ground was littered with shell casings from the sniper’s rifle. A piece of material fluttered from the end of a branch. Ginger sniffed the torn edges of the camo jacket, then raised her nose to the air, her foot lifting, her tail going straight.

“We’ll never catch him,” Jason stated glumly.

“She’s got his scent. No matter how far he goes, she’ll lead us right to him.”

“What are we waiting for?”

She searched the way they’d come for signs of the sheriff. She should wait for him and the others.

Jason met her gaze. “If you don’t want to risk it, I understand.”

Torn between her duty and her desire to pursue the criminal, Serena struggled with the decision. “No doubt I’ll be fired after today no matter what I do.” She might as well go after the criminal. If there was a chance she could stop him then that was what she would do. “Let’s bring the Red Rose Killer to justice.”

“I’ll follow your lead.” The appreciation in his gaze sent heat flooding her cheeks. His approval pleased her, which made no sense because he and his opinion had no place in her life.

To distract herself from the effect he had on her, she quickly attached a lead to Ginger’s harness. “Go find.”

* * *

“You really think the sheriff will fire you for doing your job?” Jason didn’t understand her concern but then again, Dill was a small town, and from the sound of it the sheriff was stuck in a different era. In the city, one was expected to go above and beyond to get the job done.

“Oh yes. I’m sure. He’s been looking for a reason for a long time. If it weren’t for Mayor Victoria McIntyre, he never would’ve hired me. She recruited me out of the police academy.”

“The mayor is a smart woman.” And Serena was a gem.

Deputy Serena Evans reminded him he was a man with blood flowing in his veins. She was easy on the eyes with that red hair and those determined big blue eyes. But he found there was much to admire and respect, as well. Even though they’d only known each other a short time he could tell she was a woman of purpose and courage. Knowing that she had faith in God stirred within him the faith he’d long ago let dwindle.

They ran to keep up with Ginger. For a small dog with short legs, she moved at a swift pace with her nose in the air. Jason noticed Serena didn’t appear at all winded. He on the other hand needed to get back to his workout regimen. “How does this work?” he asked. “Are you sure she’s following the sniper’s scent?”

“Dogs have an amazing olfactory sense, a million times more sensitive than ours. Combine that with the fact humans are constantly emitting microscopic scent particles that become airborne. Ginger has had very specialized training, again thanks to Mayor McIntyre. Ginger and I were sent to Montana to train with the FBI K-9 unit. Sheriff Reinholt doesn’t get it. And refuses to fully utilize Ginger and me.”

“Why don’t you stand up to the sheriff? You’re doing your job well. And you have the mayor in your corner. The sheriff should be grateful to have you two.”

“That’s what my parents say.”

“You should listen to them.”

“I want Ginger and I to make it on our own merits.”

“I can respect that. You’re your own person and that’s really great, but sometimes you have to call in the big guns.”

“If we catch the Red Rose Killer, maybe I won’t have to.” She didn’t sound hopeful.

They came to a halt at the crest of the bluff. Ginger jumped on top of a boulder, sniffing the air. She pointed her nose down over the side of the bluff.

“Has she lost the scent?”

“No. There has to be a path. Ginger will pick up the scent again.”

They ran along the bluff until they found a very well-used steep gravel path leading down to flat treed land below.

Ginger led them along the rocky trail. Jason slipped and slid in his cowboy boots. He and Serena ended up hanging on to each other as they half stumbled, half skidded to the bottom of the bluff.

“Go find,” Serena instructed Ginger. The dog lifted her nose once again to the air and took off at a fast clip.

Jason noted the fresh tire tracks. The Red Rose Killer wasn’t trying to lose them. He probably figured there’d be no way they could trail him.

But he didn’t know about Ginger. Their secret weapon.