Trail of Danger

by Valerie Hansen

  “Yes, you have. That doesn’t mean I’m ready to make you my partner. Jessie is all I need.” With that, he started off, assuming she’d stay behind.

  When she hustled to keep up with him, instead, he halted. “Go. Back. To. The. Car.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Aargh!” Pausing for a deep, calming breath, he regained his composure. Faced her. Said, “Ms. Jones, you are the most obstinate person, man or woman, I have ever met. However, if you’re half as intelligent as you claim to be, you’ll realize that you’re putting everyone in more danger by insisting on sticking with me. Stop and think for a second. Please.”

  That did it. Reed saw the fire leave her blue eyes and watched her shoulders sag. She finally got the picture. With a barely discernible nod, Abigail returned to the SUV, fished around in the passenger seat and emerged holding Dominic’s satin jacket.

  “You may need this,” she said calmly. “I noticed he’d left it in the car after he worked with your tech person.”

  “Perfect. Thanks.” A tense moment came and went. “Well?”

  She pulled out her cell and waved it. “If you need me, call. I’ll be right here.”

  “Good.” Wondering how long her promise was going to last, Reed silenced his radio and left her. Circling the old brick warehouse, he turned the corner to the loading dock in the rear and glanced back. No Abigail. What a relief.

  He understood why she was so bent on being in on the capture. She loved those mixed-up kids. Identified with them, according to what she’d told him about her past. But that didn’t mean it was smart for her to get underfoot when a police operation was in play.

  Once the other units arrived and they had the building surrounded, he’d be ready to show Jessie the jacket and give her the command to seek. Entry was bound to be chaotic. When he located Dom, however, chances were good that the other kidnapped kids would be close by.

  Jessie heard the noise first and froze, fully alert. Reed stiffened. Followed the dog’s cues and stared at the roll-up door above the concrete loading platform. Chains rattled. Muted voices drifted out through the corrugated metal portal.

  The door began to rise.

  Reed fell back, taking Jessie with him and giving her the signal for silence. The only close hiding place was behind a large trash bin, so he hunkered down there to watch.

  A box truck like the one that had smashed into his first SUV was rattling up the street behind the warehouse and turning in to the drive. One headlight was shattered, its chrome frame flapping. The front bumper was canted, too. He didn’t need forensics to decide this had to be the same vehicle that had been aimed at Abigail.

  Anger rose. He tamped it down. Emotional responses were self-defeating. What he needed was to radio his position and report on the developments before the kidnap ring loaded the truck and it sped off crammed with victims.

  He keyed his mic. Static echoed in his earpiece. “On scene, ten-ten. This is a ten-thirteen. Repeat, officer needs assistance.”

  A garbled reply told him little. Either the Dumpster was heavy enough to interfere with radio transmissions or dispatch had more than one incident working at once. The latter was most likely. After all, this was New York City, even if this particular raid was taking place on the fringes.

  The truck made a three-point turn and stopped, its rear to the dock. The driver was new to him, but he recognized Abigail’s remaining original assailant as the passenger. This was the right place for sure. So where was his backup?

  Reed looked down at Jessie with affection. She hadn’t been trained for anything but tracking, so he wasn’t going to put her life in danger by taking her with him if he was forced to act alone. That would not have been his choice. Not in the slightest. But he couldn’t just stand by and watch a bunch of kids loaded into a truck that would take them somewhere so terrible it was almost beyond imagining.

  I still have a little time, Reed told himself. It’s only a matter of minutes until backup arrives.

  Did he have minutes? He thought so, hoped so.

  Someone inside the dark warehouse started to wail. The sound of a slap echoed out the open bay door and the noise ceased immediately.

  Shadows began to fill the portal. Myriad feet shuffled forward. The victims were chained together at the ankles. They could walk but there was no chance any of them could run, even if Reed somehow managed to distract their captors.

  He heard sirens in the distance. So did the kidnappers. One of the guards prodded the group of abused teens forward with a rifle. “Faster or I’ll shoot you where you stand.”

  Reed was about to show himself in a last-ditch effort to prevent the thugs from loading their prisoners when he heard a familiar voice coming from across the dock.

  “You won’t shoot anybody,” Abigail shouted. “If you do, nobody will be able to move a step because they’ll be dragging dead weight.”

  Where was she? Reed couldn’t tell. Thankfully, her common sense warning seemed to have gotten through to the armed men. One called to the other. “See, dummy? I told you it was stupid to tie ’em all together like that.”

  “Well how was I to know? I didn’t wanna lose any more.”

  Multiple sirens overlapped each other. The cacophony grew. A patrol car skidded across the driveway to Reed’s left, blocking the truck’s escape. Officers piled out, crouching down and running for cover.

  The man with the rifle turned and fired at the car.

  Reed shouted, “Everybody down!” at the frightened teens.

  To his horror he saw that Abigail had joined the group of victims and was trying to drag them, en masse, back into the warehouse. Her task was a jumble of legs and arms and toppling bodies.

  Gunfire continued from the thugs while cops circled the building, taking care to not aim at the teens.

  One of the criminals chose a human shield and appeared at the door, illuminated by police floodlights.

  Reed was both shocked and terrified.

  The man had grabbed the only civilian who wasn’t chained. Abigail Jones.

  * * *

  Abigail was not about to become a victim again. She hadn’t had time to learn much about self-defense from Lani but she had seen one move that might work. Cupping her fist in her opposite hand she drove her elbow into the man’s stomach as hard as she could. He gasped, released her and folded like a limp rag. She threw herself to the side.

  Recovering quickly, the rifleman straightened and pointed his weapon at the prisoners. Abigail cringed next to Dominic and held him close. There was no way for her to shield all the captive teens. If this was the end, then so be it. She’d done all she possibly could.

  A volley of shots echoed.

  A kidnapper threatening them collapsed. The weasel-looking guy from the truck and its driver immediately raised their hands. Weasel screeched, “Don’t shoot! I give up.”

  In seconds the officers closed in and it was over. Abigail hugged the teen she’d grown so fond of. “Dom. Are you okay?”

  The only reply she got was a tightening of his hug and shaking of his shoulders. She stroked his dark hair.

  Reed soon joined them. Abigail was delighted that he included them both in his embrace and she clung to him, unashamed, unafraid. It might take weeks to sort out all the crimes this gang had committed but that was inconsequential measured against the astounding rescue. She didn’t even care if she got a royal chewing out from every cop in New York. Saving those kids had been worth the risk. If she hadn’t physically forced them to move, to try to get themselves out of the line of fire, there was no telling how many would have, could have, been wounded. Or worse. That horrible thought made her weak in the knees.

  Reed’s breath was ragged against her hair. When he kissed the top of her head she thought she heard him swallow a sob. Tears filled her eyes. Relief filled her heart and mind. The nightmare was over. Her m
emory was restored. The threat had been eliminated and lives had been saved. It was possible her joy-filled dreams could now unfold.

  So what should she do? Apologize again for interfering? Give Reed time to set aside possible anger and decide they belonged together despite everything?

  The idea of waiting was unacceptable. Ludicrous. She wasn’t going to stand by wasting time. Not when she could act. If facing her enemies had taught her anything, it was that life was short and should be lived to the fullest.

  Overflowing with love for this man, Abigail leaned away slightly and gazed up at Reed while the traumatized boy celebrated by giving high fives to some of his fellow captives as they were unshackled.

  Reed’s cheeks were visibly streaked, as were hers, and she rejoiced. If he had not cared, deeply, he wouldn’t be showing emotion so openly. Now was the time.

  She started to say, “I...” and was silenced immediately by the most amazing kiss she’d ever experienced. Myriad thoughts swirled through her consciousness. She slipped both arms around his neck. Not only was Reed not angry, he seemed more than ready to hear what she intended to say.

  As soon as he broke contact she tried again. “Reed, I...”

  Another kiss. Another thought ended in the beauty and assurance of his affection. Dare she try again? Was it even necessary?

  With her eyes closed and her heart wide open, Abigail let her thoughts thank her heavenly Father for leading her to this man and keeping them together long enough to fall in love. Then she tried to concentrate on how to tell Reed.

  That would be easier to figure out if he wasn’t kissing me senseless, she thought. This time, when he let her come up for air, she merely smiled.

  That was apparently enough, because he mirrored her joy. “I hope you were trying to say you love me, because I’m head over heels in love with you, Ms. Jones.”

  “I was.” The smile spread. Relief triggered humor. “Does this mean I get to keep training the puppy?”

  “Only if I come along with her. We’re a package deal.”

  “You are, huh? Are you well trained, Officer Branson?”

  “Perfectly. I have the commendations to prove it.” He was grinning broadly, his dark eyes sparkling. “I don’t mean to rush you, I mean, you can take all the time you need. I’d just like your promise you’ll marry me someday.”

  “Someday? Then we have a problem. Midnight needs specialized training ASAP whether she goes on to become a working K-9 for the police or serves some other purpose. I’m afraid we’ll have to sacrifice for the sake of the dog and get married pretty soon.”

  His hearty laugh made her spirits soar. “I guess we will,” he said. Then he kissed her. Again and again.

  In the background, Abigail saw Dominic slowly walking away from them and her heart leaped. Was it feasible to become his guardian or even adopt him? she wondered. Was that asking too much?

  Still in Reed’s arms, she raised on tiptoe to whisper the question in his ear. His answer wasn’t immediate, but he did seem willing to consider a family of three. That was good enough for Abigail. A husband, a son, a K-9 tracker and the perfect cuddly puppy. It was more than she had ever wished for. What more could she ever want?

  EPILOGUE

  It was Reed’s idea to treat Abigail—and Dominic—to lunch at Griffin’s. He wanted to show her the special areas designated for K-9 officers and their dogs as well as discuss their shared future in a homey, relaxing atmosphere. They had both decided it was time to tell the boy what they hoped to do and see if he was on board with adoption.

  “You’re sure we can take the dogs inside?” Abigail asked.

  Reed smiled. “Sure can. The owner, Lou Griffin, designated a special section for K-9 officers and their dogs. He even added a sign that says The Dog House.”

  “Wow. Awesome.”

  Chuckling, Reed glanced at Dom, who had walked on ahead. “You’re starting to sound like somebody else I know.”

  “Well, we have spent a lot of time together lately.” She sobered. “I wish I knew why he sometimes seems so unhappy.”

  “I think what we have to ask him will fix most of that,” Reed said. He’d passed the wide front window and was reaching for the handle of the door before he noticed the hand-lettered note taped to the inside. It read, “Closed due to family emergency.”

  Cupping his hands around his eyes to cut the glare, he tried to see inside. The place looked deserted. Reed sighed in frustration. “Not good. I thought they were going strong when they reopened after the explosion.”

  “Explosion?”

  “Don’t worry. It won’t happen again. Like our kidnappers, the bomber is done causing trouble, although there are still developers who would love to get hold of this chunk of land and build something new here.”

  “I love the old neighborhoods and shops. It gives New York character.”

  “I know.” Reed thought he saw something move inside so he decided to knock. “Hey, Lou! What’s up? We’re starving here.”

  A grumpy-looking gray-haired old man with his arm in a cast opened the door and peered out. “We’re closed. Barb has the flu and as you can see, I won’t be able to get orders up fast enough by myself. Sorry.”

  “Aw, c’mon, Lou. At least a cup of coffee. There’s no other place around here that allows dogs.”

  The door swung back. “Okay, okay. Coffee. I’m always open for my buddies in uniform and their K-9s. I’ve got some Danish left. Or pie.” He eyed the wiry, dark-haired teen with them and arched a bushy brow. “Who’s your friend?”

  Reed placed a proprietary hand on Dominic’s thin shoulder and looked to Abigail for unspoken permission. When she nodded, he said, “I’d like you to meet Ms. Abigail Jones, who has agreed to marry me. And this is Dominic. He’ll soon be our son if he agrees to being adopted.”

  The old man gaped, then recovered and stuck out his good hand to shake Reed’s. “Well, I’ll be. When you do it, son, you go all the way. Instant family. Congratulations.”

  Abigail lightly patted the boy’s opposite shoulder. “What about it, honey? We talked about this a few days ago and you seemed open to the idea so we’ve looked into it. What would you say to having a couple of new parents?”

  “You guys were serious? Yes!” His shout startled both Jessie and Midnight into a chorus of barking while the adults laughed.

  “Let’s go sit in there,” Reed said, gesturing at the French doors leading to the separate section Lou kept for officers and their dogs.

  By the time they’d settled down around a table, they were joined by Reed’s commander, Noah Jameson.

  Reed stood to shake his hand, then made introductions, inviting Noah to join them.

  “I can’t stay. I just stopped because I saw you come in,” Noah said. He pulled out his cell phone as he glanced at Dominic. “Is this the teenager who had Snapper?”

  Defensive, Reed was quick to say, “Only for a little while.”

  “Fine,” Noah said, displaying the composite Dominic had done with Danielle and holding it out for him to look at. “Is this pretty close to the way you remember the man?”

  Dominic nodded.

  With a telling sigh, the interim chief put the phone back in his pocket. “I’d like to believe that’s the face of my brother’s killer.” He focused on Reed. “What do you think?”

  Although he trusted his son-to-be, Reed realized it had been a long time since Snapper had been handed over. Memories were funny things, as he and Abigail well knew. Still, he wanted to be encouraging as well as support the teen.

  “I think that’s the best, most logical assumption to make,” Reed said. “We’ll get the guy. None of us will give up or rest until he’s behind bars.”

  The strong emotions he read in Noah’s expression hinted at a desire for revenge. If Reed hadn’t known what dedicated cops the remaining Jameson brothers were, he mi
ght have worried about a vendetta. He wouldn’t have blamed them.

  Gazing at his loved ones, Reed silently thanked God that they had made it through their personal crises. Abigail was going to be his wife, Dominic was eager to become their son and even Kiera had mellowed enough to return to the foster parents who had been so worried about her welfare.

  Now it was time for him and his unit to go back to rallying around the Jameson family and work on solving their mystery. Justice was waiting.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed Trail of Danger, look for Lani and Noah’s story Courage Under Fire and the rest of the True Blue K-9 Unit series from Love Inspired Suspense.

  True Blue K-9 Unit: These police officers fight for justice with the help of their brave canine partners

  Justice Mission by Lynette Eason, April 2019

  Act of Valor by Dana Mentink, May 2019

  Blind Trust by Laura Scott, June 2019

  Deep Undercover by Lenora Worth, July 2019

  Seeking the Truth by Terri Reed, August 2019

  Trail of Danger by Valerie Hansen, September 2019

  Courage Under Fire by Sharon Dunn, October 2019

  Sworn to Protect by Shirlee McCoy, November 2019

  True Blue K-9 Unit Christmas by Laura Scott and Maggie K. Black, December 2019

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Dangerous Relations by Carol J. Post.

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  Dear Reader,

  Here we are again with wonderful K-9s and their capable partners in uniform. Because this series is a work of fiction, we have taken a few liberties with procedure and rules in order to make the complicated plots work. For instance, it is highly unlikely you would find siblings assigned to the same unit. In the case of this book about human trafficking, there would also be a more gritty background. Life on the streets is harder than any of us with warm homes and plenty of food can imagine.