Protect and Serve (Rookie K-9 Unit)

by Terri Reed

  “I’m heading to the state penitentiary to talk to Lee Earnshaw.”

  Gina winced with sympathy for Veronica’s brother. Gina knew Veronica and her brother hadn’t been close, but they had been family. Gina imagined Lee would be angry and hurt by the loss of his sister. It was kind of the chief to drive out there himself rather than rely on the prison warden to inform Lee of his sister’s demise.

  “Stay safe, sir,” she said. Desert roads could be treacherous at night.

  The chief regarded her with kindness. “You, too, young lady. Stick close to Weston, and if either of you need anything, call Hayes. I left him in charge.”

  Shane leaned farther across her toward the window to say, “Will do, Chief.”

  Every point of contact on her body felt like a live wire. Electrical impulses zinged through her blood. His musky scent was a heady mixture and made her feel weak-kneed. She was glad she was seated or she might have had trouble staying upright.

  With a nod, the chief drove away.

  Shane slowly resumed his position in the driver’s seat and proceeded toward the training center.

  As darkness descended, the temperature plummeted. Nighttime in the desert, especially in the northern part of the state, usually came with a drastic change in temperature. At least that was how she attributed her sudden lack of warmth. Certainly it wasn’t from missing contact with Shane.

  As they rolled past the closed gate where Gina had found Veronica’s body, Gina couldn’t help but stare. Crime scene tape blocked access to the center through the puppy-training yard. The gruesome reminder had her bowing her head. She sent up a silent plea for understanding.

  Why had Tim done this horrible thing? Why was he so bent on killing his own sister? And why had he killed their father? Why had God made Tim with a mental illness?

  But she knew she couldn’t blame all of Tim’s actions on his mental condition. Tim had free will, as did everyone. It saddened and sickened her that her brother chose to act with such malice and violence.

  “Are you doing okay?”

  Shane’s softly asked question forced her to lift her chin. She didn’t want him to see her as weak or overly emotional, even though he’d already seen her in a state of shock after she’d found Veronica and today cowering behind the agility equipment when he’d rescued her from whatever madness her brother had planned for her in the training center.

  She wasn’t sure why it was so important that she appear strong to Shane. Maybe if he believed she was strong, she could believe it herself? Believe she was strong enough to overcome the DNA flowing inside her.

  “I’m good,” she replied and started walking again. “We’ll need to go around to the front entrance.”

  At the door to the training facility, Shane swiped his card over the reader and the lock popped open. Inside the building, lights blazed. Sophie stepped out of the men’s restroom with a hammer and a bag of nails in her hands.

  “Hey, I was going to call you,” Sophie said. “I found how your brother entered the building. The lock on one of the men’s bathroom windows was busted. I nailed all the windows shut. No one’s getting in here again without permission.”

  “Thank you.” Gina appreciated Sophie’s take-charge attitude. “I’m going to take the puppies with me.”

  “Are you sure? Because I don’t mind taking them home,” Sophie said.

  Gina felt a sense of responsibility to the puppies. And, if she were honest with herself, she needed the distraction and comfort of taking care of them. “I’d like to take them with me.”

  Sophie nodded with understanding. “They’ll be in good hands, then.”

  As they were readying the pups to leave, Shane’s cell phone rang.

  He answered the call. “Weston.”

  Gina watched his face. He frowned, then his eyes widened with surprise.

  “Where? We’ll be right there.”

  He hung up but seemed lost in thought, his green eyes troubled.

  “Shane, what is it?” Gina asked as worry flooded her system. Had her brother been apprehended? Was someone else hurt? Marco?

  “That was Ryder,” Shane said. “A maintenance man at the train depot found a gun in one of the trash bins.”

  “Put the puppies back in the crates,” Sophie instructed, clearly excited at the prospect of finding the weapon that had killed their boss. Having once been a cop, she obviously still felt the thrill of discovery. “Let’s go over there. I’ll drive.”

  After recrating the puppies, Gina climbed in the backseat of the training center’s SUV and wondered why Shane was so bothered by the development. He was quiet as Sophie drove toward the north side of town where passenger trains passed through on the way to their final destinations in midwest Illinois or Los Angeles.

  The train depot housed not only the ticket booth for the passenger trains but the tourist visitor’s center that Marian Foxcroft had insisted on building to supply the station with maps and town highlights. The building reminded Gina of a Tudor cottage more likely to be seen in an English countryside village than northwest Arizona. More of Marian Foxcroft’s influence, no doubt.

  Two official Desert Valley police cars waited with red and blue lights flashing, creating a strobe effect over the grim faces of the officers gathered on the platform.

  Sophie brought the SUV to a halt. Shane shifted and turned to Gina. “You should stay here, out of sight.”

  She wanted to argue but knew he was right. Whatever was going on would provide a distraction that might allow her brother an opportunity to grab her or, worse yet, kill her. “Fine.”

  He and Sophie climbed out. Shane released Bella and had the dog jump onto the back passenger seat with Gina. “Even though she’s not 100 percent today, she’ll protect you. I’d rather have Bella at 50 percent than not at all,” he said before firmly shutting the door and walking toward the train platform.

  Sophie electronically locked the vehicle doors, effectively trapping Gina inside the SUV.

  Burying her hands into Bella’s thick fur coat, Gina fought off the anxiety pulling at her mind.

  At least she was safe.

  But for how long?

  * * *

  As Shane approached Ryder and Officers Bucks and Harmon, the fine hairs at the back of his neck tingled. His gaze swept the area and though he saw no visible threat, that didn’t mean there wasn’t one.

  He glanced back at the black SUV where Gina waited. He couldn’t see her through the tinted windows but he imagined he felt her gaze on him as surely as he still felt her kiss on his lips. That had been unexpected. She’d surprised and pleased him when she’d followed through on what he’d decided was a bad idea. Not so bad at all.

  Except he knew pursuing anything the least bit romantic with this woman would lead to potential hazards he’d rather not face. He may be sticking around Desert Valley for the foreseeable future, but that didn’t mean he should toy with Gina’s affections. Or leave either of them open to heartache when he eventually left.

  Shane addressed Ryder. “Where is it?”

  Ryder nudged his dog, Titus, and the two stepped aside to reveal a large plastic bag laid out on the platform. Resting in the middle of the bag was a handgun.

  Not just any handgun.

  A SIG-Sauer P220 fitted with a suppressor can. Exactly like the weapon Shane’s grandfather had given Shane before he’d passed on. A weapon that was secured in a lockbox in the bedroom closet of the condo where Shane was staying.

  How could there be two of the same weapon in Desert Valley?

  Shane’s grandfather had purchased the weapon new in the early 1970s when the Swiss company first produced the pistol for the Swiss army. It was one of a handful of sidearms that Grandfather Weston had bequeathed to his grandsons.

  Shane lifted his gaze and met Ryder�
��s. “That isn’t mine.”

  Officer Ken Bucks snorted. “It sure looks like the one you were showing off at the church picnic a few weeks ago.”

  Shane wanted to wipe Bucks’s smug expression on the ground. “Mine is locked up in the condo.”

  Ryder’s expression held no hint of his thoughts. “I’ll need to see it.”

  “Of course. I have nothing to hide,” Shane said.

  “Did you find prints on this one?” Sophie asked.

  “It’s been wiped clean,” Ryder state flatly. “We’ll have the crime lab in Flagstaff test fire it and compare the ballistics to the slugs taken from Veronica’s body.”

  Shane understood what Ryder wasn’t saying. If the two ballistics tests matched, then Shane could be facing a murder charge.

  Concern darkened Sophie’s eyes. “Who found the weapon?”

  Ryder gestured to Officer Marlton, who was interviewing a man dressed in blue coveralls. Next to him was a pushcart filled with trash bags. “He said both the gun and the suppressor were lying on top of the garbage inside this can.” He pointed to the nearest trash receptacle.

  “Which suggests someone wanted the weapon found,” Sophie said.

  But why? Shane chewed on the question as acid burned in his gut. What purpose would framing him serve?

  “Ken, bag the evidence,” Ryder instructed. “You and Harmon drive it to Flagstaff. I’ve already been in touch with the techs. They’re expecting it.”

  “Hey,” Harmon protested. “Shouldn’t we wait for the chief to give us instructions?”

  Ryder’s expression hardened. His blue eyes turned to ice. “I’m in charge until he returns.”

  Harmon shoved his hand into his pants pockets. “Aw, man, Mary’s not going to be happy if I’m not home tonight.”

  Shane didn’t doubt that Eddie Harmon’s spouse would be upset. With six kids at home, Shane couldn’t imagine how the woman managed. He gave an involuntary shudder. It wasn’t that Shane disliked children. They were fine at a distance. He had no experience with them and no desire to remedy that anytime in the distant future.

  Once Bucks and Harmon left with the evidence, Shane and Sophie returned to the SUV. After securing Bella back in the safety of the crate, he slid back into the front seat. Gina’s curious gaze bored into him. There was no help for it; he had to tell her what was happening.

  “The janitor found a handgun in the trash can. A gun eerily similar to the one my grandfather left me upon his death.”

  “That’s bizarre,” Gina said. “I’m sure it will turn out that your grandfather’s handgun is where you say it is and this is some strange coincidence.”

  “From your lips to God’s ears,” he said. But her belief in him warmed him almost as much as the kiss they’d shared. He hoped there would be more kisses. Whoa! What? Immediately, he pushed the thought away. No sense going down that rocky lane. Kisses, romance, emotions. He wasn’t ready or willing to tread there. His career had to come first.

  He sent up a silent plea that Gina’s prediction came true and this was all an uncanny coincidence. Problem was, Shane didn’t believe in coincidence. Anxiety stiffened the muscles across his shoulders and up both sides of his neck. His jaw ached.

  He forced himself to unclench his teeth as Sophie brought the vehicle to a halt outside the training center. Shane jumped out and opened Gina’s door. She and Sophie hurried inside to get the puppies.

  “Do you mind if I come along?” Sophie asked once they had the puppies in the back of Shane’s Jeep with Bella.

  “Not at all,” Shane said though he was too preoccupied by the turn of events to care about much at the moment.

  Gina slipped into the Jeep’s passenger seat while Sophie went back to the SUV to follow them.

  “Don’t worry.” Gina laid a hand on his arm. Her touch was soft and comforting.

  “That’s like asking me to put toothpaste back in the tube,” he stated. “Not going to happen.”

  They parked just as Ryder pulled up behind them. He climbed out of the car and grabbed a black bag from the back passenger seat.

  Sophie stopped the SUV behind Ryder.

  “What are you doing here?” Ryder asked with a scowl. “This is police business.”

  “Support,” Sophie said and stepped past him to reach Gina’s side.

  Shane appreciated that Gina had a friend willing to incur Ryder’s displeasure and not flinch.

  Ryder shook his head and released Titus. Bella and Titus greeted each other before following their human partners to the condo. Once inside, Gina and Sophie took the puppies outside to the small backyard area.

  Shane led Ryder to his room. “I haven’t opened this side of the closet since before Veronica was killed.”

  He opened his closet and crouched down in front of the biometric handgun safe on the floor. Incredulous anger flared. Deep grooves marred the front panel and edges of the door where something sharp had been used in an effort to pry open the safe’s door.

  “Don’t touch it,” Ryder said, kneeling down next to Shane.

  “The safe opens by my fingerprint,” Shane told him.

  Ryder pointed at the gouge marks. “How long have those been there?”

  “Last time I used the safe was a week or so ago and those were definitely not there,” Shane curtly informed the other officer. “But there’s no way anyone breached the security lock. They’d have to have my fingerprint.”

  From the black bag, Ryder withdrew a fingerprint kit, complete with colored powder and various shapes and sizes of dusters. He went about the task of checking for prints on the outside of the safe. He checked all sides and found none. “Whoever attempted to break in wiped the safe down.” He dusted inside the print scanner and with a piece of magnetic tape lifted one print. He scanned the print into a handheld computer device.

  “It will be mine,” Shane said.

  “Let’s see.” Ryder held out a fingerprint inkpad and a three-by-five index card.

  Shane pressed his finger to the inkpad and then onto the card. Ryder scanned Shane’s print in, as well. The device beeped.

  “A match to you,” Ryder confirmed. “Go ahead and open the safe.”

  Shane stuck his finger into the slot and pressed down so that his fingertip flattened for the biometric reader. The locked popped open. With his breath trapped in his lungs, Shane swung open the lockbox door. Confidential papers, his passport and a hunting knife were the only contents.

  His stomach dropped. Dread flooded his veins. “My grandfather’s handgun is gone.”

  “It’s gone?” Gina’s incredulous voice came from the doorway.

  Shane’s gaze jerked to her. Her hazel eyes were wide with stunned disbelief. Beside Gina, Sophie stood quietly, taking in the scene.

  “No, it’s on its way to Flagstaff,” Ryder amended. “Unless there are two of that make and model here in Desert Valley, which would be a huge coincidence.” He gathered his supplies and rose.

  Shane stood and squared his shoulders. His gaze held Gina’s. “I didn’t kill Veronica.”

  “Do you have an alibi?” Ryder asked.

  “I was here with James until nine twenty.” Which would have given him time enough to make it to the center and kill Veronica by nine forty, the estimated time of death. Acid burned in his gut. “Then I went for a walk.”

  “Did anyone see you?” Sophie asked, her tone hopeful.

  Shane let out a relieved breath. “Yes. I saw a couple of home owners taking out their trash.”

  “I know you already surrendered your sidearm after today’s discharge,” Ryder said. “But until we can confirm your alibi, you’ll need to stay away from the station.”

  His pronouncement grated on Shane’s nerves. He hadn’t intended to go to the station tomorrow. He’d planned to ch
eck the alibis of the people on the list the chief gave him from the training center. Even so, having Ryder say he wasn’t allowed at the station, in front of Gina no less, made Shane’s gut burn even worse.

  “Could anyone else have opened the safe?” Gina’s tone held a good dose of wariness. With the “evidence” at hand, he didn’t blame her for doubting him. Especially after he’d practically accused her of Veronica’s murder.

  The dread in his veins bubbled hot when he realized whatever trust he and Gina had built in the past twenty-four hours had crumbled.

  NINE

  Gina stared at the square safe on the floor of Shane’s bedroom closet and wasn’t sure what to think. Shane had been so certain his gun was locked up tight inside the metal box. He’d been wrong. Had he used it to kill Veronica? What possible motive could he have? And why would he then leave it somewhere it would be easily found? That scenario didn’t make sense.

  Shane wasn’t a killer. He was a smart man who liked order and logic.

  But more than that, he was a man of integrity. She was as sure of his honor as she was her own name. Shane wouldn’t have killed Veronica. That was Tim’s doing.

  She lifted her eyes to Shane. The distress on his handsome face was real and assured her he wasn’t being deceptive.

  Yet, she couldn’t shake the unease spreading through her despite her conviction that Tim was the killer.

  Not Shane. Or anyone else.

  But then who took Shane’s handgun? And had it been used to kill Veronica? If so, how on earth had Tim gained control of it?

  Shane held her gaze. “Apparently, someone accessed the condo while James and I were out.”

  “Everyone knows there’s a spare door key in the police station,” Sophie said.

  Gina nodded, grasping on to that thought. “That’s true. And I don’t believe the locks have ever been changed. At least not in the two years I’ve been working at the training center with rookies who’ve lived here.”

  “Someone who has stayed in the condo before could have kept a copy of the key,” Ryder said.