Retribution (Otter Creek Book 8) Page 15

  “The bomb shook you up, didn’t it?”

  Her eyes filled.

  Oh, man. This was bad. Del never cried, at least not that he knew. Josh’s wife was as tough as they came, a fitting companion for Durango’s leader. To deal with Durango’s missions, all the women had to be strong.

  Every member of Durango would put their lives on the line to protect teammates or their spouses. Del had been around them long enough to know that. So where was this coming from?

  “The target could have been Josh or the others.” Del blotted her eyes with a napkin. “If you hadn’t realized there was a bomb, we would have lost you and Heidi. I don’t want to lose either of you. I like Heidi.”

  “Durango is well trained and experienced. We spent more than our fair share of time in war zones with targets on our backs. I recognized the sound.”

  “I wouldn’t have known. Neither would the other women.”

  All these months, Del had been a rock. What changed? “Have you talked to Josh about this?”

  She shook her head.

  “You should. Might make you feel better.” Quinn made a mental note to contact Josh and tell him about this conversation.

  “I will. I promise. Now, tell me about you and Heidi.”

  He froze. “What about us?”

  Del leaned across the counter until her face was inches from his. “Come on, Quinn. Spill.”

  “She’s been here two days.”

  “And?”

  Knowing how Otter Creek’s grapevine worked, he rolled his eyes and capitulated. “We’re dating.”

  Her mouth gaped. “After only two days? I never realized you were such a fast mover.”

  Irritation welled in Quinn. So he’d been a serial dater since arriving in Otter Creek. That didn’t mean he moved through women like a shark went through a school of fish. Quinn wanted a permanent relationship. He was finished with dating for the sake of dating. His teammates were all either married or soon to be married. Though he acted like a happy guy who didn’t worry about anything, he wanted a relationship like each of his friends had.

  Maybe his handling of previous dates was wrong, but Quinn hadn’t seen the point in continuing to date women who couldn’t handle the demands of his life. Daisy was a case in point. He’d talked himself into giving her a chance when he’d suspected before the first date that a relationship wouldn’t work between them. “I’m not a fast mover. Heidi and I are from the same hometown.”

  “Why didn’t you mention that the other night?”

  “I didn’t recognize her. I hadn’t seen her since she was ten. Besides, she was under orders from Maddox not to tell us her birth name unless it became necessary.”

  She dropped her voice to a low murmur. “Why couldn’t she tell you the truth?”

  “She’s had trouble over the years. We think the trouble trailed her to Otter Creek.”

  Del’s eyes widened. “The bombing?”

  “And the fire.”

  “Do you know who it is?”

  “Not yet. We will.” He wouldn’t rest until the culprit was caught.

  She leaned closer, her expression fierce. “Make him sorry he tried to hurt Heidi.”

  Amusement made him smile. “Count on it.”

  “Why did you and Heidi stop by? To visit the store or something else?”

  “We need a map of the area. Heidi and I are off today and she wants a feel for the area in case she’s called out on an S & R mission.”

  “I have just what she needs. Stay here and enjoy your coffee.” She hurried around the counter and down one of the aisles.

  As she disappeared around a corner, the bell over the front door rang. Quinn turned in his seat and smiled. “Remy, Lily, welcome back to Otter Creek.”

  The Doucets crossed the floor. “We thought we’d say hello to Del before we reported to Blackhawk for baby duty,” Remy said.

  “She’s finding a map for my girlfriend.” He bussed Lily’s forehead with a light kiss. “How are you, sugar? This big old Cajun treating you right?”

  Lily’s blue eyes twinkled. “He treats me like a princess. So does his family,” she said, sounding bemused.

  He understood her confusion. Lily was as tough and skilled as any Fortress operative he’d worked with and she’d practically raised herself in various foster homes and on the streets of Nashville. She was used to fending for herself. Being treated like royalty was foreign to her. “Good job, Remy.”

  Quick footsteps announced Del’s return. She gasped. “Remy, Lily.” She hugged each of them. “So good to see you again. Josh told me you might be coming.”

  “We’re glad to help out,” Lily said. “We wanted to stop in a minute before we reported to Blackhawk. How is Josh?”

  Her face lit. “He’s great. Sleeping right now. He was on duty last night. I know he’ll want to see you.”

  “How about dinner tonight?” Quinn suggested. “If Remy and Lily are free.”

  Remy shrugged. “Depends on the baby.”

  “I’ll have Josh call you,” Del said. “You’d better go. Ethan is expecting you.” After they left the store, she handed Quinn two maps. “One focuses on Dunlap County. The other is a broader view of Dunlap and the surrounding counties, including part of the Smokies. Many hikers visit the forest each year, some experienced, some not. Heidi will be called out on a search at some point. It’s inevitable.”

  “Perfect. Thanks.”

  Minutes later, he and Heidi were on the street, maps in hand. “Where to first?” he asked.

  “I’d love to walk around town. I need a sense of the layout. Walking will help me work out the soreness.”

  As they walked, Quinn introduced Heidi to people who stopped him to chat about the explosion. Most of them thought the loss of his SUV was from a mechanical malfunction. Suited him. He didn’t want his friends and neighbors afraid to be around him or Heidi.

  After a quick visit with Darcy in That’s A Wrap, they returned to his SUV. “Mallory Road winds around the whole county. You’ll get a good feel for the countryside.”

  “Perfect.”

  As they passed different landmarks, Quinn shared the history he’d picked up since moving to Otter Creek.

  He had turned back toward town when his Bluetooth signaled an incoming call. He glanced at the readout. Ethan. “What do you need, Ethan?”

  “Heidi.”

  Quinn’s hands tightened around the steering wheel. “Muehller?”

  “Maybe. Someone shot at Serena and Nate.”

  Not what he wanted to hear. “They okay?”

  The police chief was silent a moment.

  “Ethan?” His gut tightened into a knot at the thought of the chief’s sweet wife injured from a sniper’s bullet. He’d seen up close the damage Alex’s bullets could do.

  “Neither of them were injured by the bullet. Serena might be in labor, though.”

  Ah. That explained the odd sound in the voice of the father-to-be. “Where was the attack?”

  “Outside Madison’s house.”

  Quinn whistled. Nick would be livid. The three sisters were identical. The only distinction between them was Madison’s limp and facial scar. If Madison faced the right direction and stood still, the shooter could have mistaken her for Serena. His lips curved. As long as they didn’t see Madison’s flat stomach. “I assume Madison and Megan know to be cautious.”

  “They do. I need Heidi and Charlie at the scene to see if they can track the shooter.”

  Heidi straightened. “Chief Blackhawk, Charlie needs a scent. Has the prison sent Muehller’s clothes yet?”

  “I received them this morning. Nick will meet you at his house with one of the plastic bags.”

  “What about Deke and Ace?”

  “Deke is out of town until tonight. He flew to Charlotte to testify in a trial. It’s a leftover from his job as a marshal. Look, Heidi, I know you were injured yesterday. If you’re not up to this, say so. I’d rather have you rested and ready when we’re posi
tive Muehller is involved. This might be someone after Nick. The shooter could have mistaken Serena for Madison.”

  Heidi frowned. “How?”

  “My wife and her sisters are identical triplets. I expect the truth from my people so be straight with me. Are you up to the task today?”

  “We need to pick up Charlie. Tell Detective Santana to expect us in thirty minutes.”

  “I’ll pass along your message when I give him the clothes. Thanks, Heidi.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. We may not find what you hope.”

  “I want confirmation that Muehller is behind this attempt on Serena. We’ll go from there. Quinn?”

  “Sir?”

  “Keep a close eye on your girlfriend. Muehller won’t think twice about sacrificing an innocent to achieve his goal. I don’t want Heidi to pay the price for helping me.”

  Quinn planned to watch over his girlfriend. He’d protect Heidi from Muehller and her own personal enemy.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  As soon as Quinn stopped the vehicle, Heidi exited the SUV and opened the back door for Charlie. She clipped his lead to the red harness. “Let’s go to work, Charlie.” The Lab yipped and wagged his tail.

  The three of them crossed the street and approached one of the patrolmen steering onlookers away from the actual crime scene. The young policeman held up his hand and said, “You can’t bring your dog through here, ma’am.”

  “It’s okay, Martin,” Nick Santana called. “The chief sent them.”

  Officer Martin’s face reddened. “Sorry, ma’am.”

  “No problem, Officer Martin. I’m Heidi Thompson.” She laid her hand on her black Lab’s head. “Would you like to meet Charlie?” She suspected this wouldn’t be the only time she and Charlie encountered resistance. Might as well make friends when they could.

  Martin brightened. “Sure.” He crouched down and extended his fist for Charlie to sniff. “We always had dogs when I was a kid. Loads of fun.”

  “They keep life interesting. Charlie, greet.”

  The Lab sat and raised his paw for Martin to shake, much to the policeman’s delight.

  “Charlie is part of PSI’s S & R program,” Heidi explained. “We’ll be training other dogs and their partners to be part of search teams.”

  “Wow. That’s great.” He shook Charlie’s paw. “Good boy, Charlie.” Martin raised the crime scene tape. “Go on through, ma’am. See you later, Charlie.”

  She and Quinn ducked under the yellow tape and crossed the yard. They dodged crime scene techs searching the area with flashlights.

  “Thanks for coming.” Nick dug into his crime scene kit and pulled out a sealed plastic bag containing a white shirt. He handed the bag to Heidi. “This arrived special delivery this morning. We haven’t opened it. There’s a second bag in Ethan’s office for Deke and Ace.”

  Quinn frowned. “Ethan said the shot was fired at your place.”

  “I talked to Nate. The shot was fired from the corner of this house, aimed across the street to mine.”

  “No one was hurt?”

  He shook his head. “I found the bullet in the street. Nate was driving away from the house when the shot was fired. Bullet hit the driver’s side window.”

  “I don’t understand how Nate or Serena weren’t injured or killed.” Heidi signaled Charlie to sit. “The shooter must have been a bad shot.”

  Nick grimaced. “If the shooter is Muehller, he’s an expert marksman. The bullet hit where this guy was aiming.”

  “The glass in Nate’s SUV is bullet resistant,” Quinn said. “All our vehicles use that kind of glass as well as armor plating.” He lifted one shoulder. “Pays to be cautious in our line of work.”

  “I’m glad they are safe.” She turned to Nick. “What is Muehller’s first name again?”

  “Hans.”

  “Is it all right if we search the area now?” When he agreed, she turned to Charlie and gave him a hand signal, telling the Lab it was time to work. Heidi opened the bag and let Charlie sniff the contents. She pushed enthusiasm and excitement into her voice. “This is Hans. We have to find Hans. Find Hans.” After sealing the bag again, she straightened, watching her dog.

  Charlie stood, raised his nose into the air and sniffed the currents. He walked one way, then another. The Lab zeroed in on the side of the house. With a bark, he trotted to the corner of the house and followed a scent trail to the fence encircling the backyard. He whined, turned his head toward Heidi. She glanced at Nick for permission to touch the gate. When he motioned for her to proceed, she opened the gate and followed Charlie into the yard. He led her to the back fence. No gate this time. Guess the shooter hopped the fence. “We need to go around.”

  They retraced their steps and circled to the alley which separated two rows of houses. When Charlie acted as though he couldn’t find the scent, she opened the bag and refreshed his memory. The Lab searched around the back of the fence, but came up with nothing. He sat and stared at Heidi with a whine.

  Disappointment spiraled through her. He’d lost the scent. The shooter must have climbed into a vehicle.

  Perhaps Quinn wouldn’t mind playing a game with Charlie. Otherwise, she would have to be the “lost” one. Her furry buddy needed a successful search.

  “What’s wrong?” Nick asked, gaze on the Lab.

  “He lost the scent. My guess is the shooter got into a vehicle. That’s why the scent disappeared so abruptly.”

  “Do you know if Muehller was the shooter?” Quinn asked.

  “Charlie was following Muehller’s scent.”

  “So when he failed to kill Nate or Serena, he took off to regroup.” Nick sighed. “Fantastic. He’s in the wind again.”

  “Look at it this way,” Quinn said. “Now you know Muehller is behind the shooting, and you aren’t a target nor is Madison.”

  “Yeah?” The detective’s expression grew grim. “I wish someone was after me rather than Ethan or Serena. The only criminals I’ve come up against are run of the mill bad guys, not anyone like Muehller. All Ethan’s ever done was protect the innocents and the people he loves. He shouldn’t be punished for doing his job.”

  “Doesn’t work that way. You knew the risk when you signed up to be a cop, Nick.” Quinn dropped his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Ethan knew the risks going in. We all did. The important thing is Muehller failed. Again.”

  “He might not next time. We can’t stay on high alert forever. Muehller will wait until our guard is down, then strike. I’ve got a crime scene to process. Thanks for your help, Heidi.” He stalked away.

  “Wow. Is Detective Santana always that intense?”

  “When his wife’s family is at risk.”

  Heidi frowned. “He’s not that intense about his own?”

  “Nick doesn’t have family except for the Cahills. His parents and brother were murdered while he was in college. There is no one else.”

  She sucked in a breath, sympathy flooding her. Yeah, she knew that kind of devastating loss. She felt for the detective. His fierce protectiveness of Ethan and Serena Blackhawk made sense. “You up for a game, Quinn?”

  His eyebrows winged upward. “Sure. What kind?”

  “Search for Quinn.” She inclined her head toward Charlie who was now laying on the ground, head on his paws, the picture of dejection. “Give me your jacket and go hide.”

  “Right.” He shrugged out of his jacket and jogged down the alleyway and around a corner of a house away from the crime scene.

  Heidi gave him another minute before she signaled Charlie it was time to work. She let him sniff the jacket and said, “This is Quinn. We need to find Quinn. Find Quinn.”

  Charlie smelled the air currents and immediately began the search for Quinn. Tail wagging, the Lab trotted down the alley and around the corner of the house where Quinn had disappeared from sight.

  Charlie led her past another row of houses and beyond the tree line. Behind a large fir tree, they found Quinn seated on the ground,
one arm resting on his upraised knees, a grin on his face. “Good boy, Charlie. You did it. You found Quinn.” After a full body rub and hug, she fed her buddy a treat.

  “May I have my jacket back now?” A wink from her boyfriend. “It’s cold out here.”

  “Oh, sure. Sorry.” Although the truth was she wanted to keep the jacket. It was warm and carried Quinn’s unique scent. Yep, she was a card-carrying sap. “Thanks for playing victim for Charlie.”

  “No problem. What if I hadn’t been a cooperative victim?”

  “Can’t imagine you disappointing him. However, if you didn’t want to play along, I would have hidden and let you search with him. A successful search keeps him happy.”

  “Huh.” He turned his speculative vision toward the dog. “Might be a good exercise. Would he respond to my commands?”

  “If you gave him the right commands. Why?”

  “In a few days, we’ll be actively engaged in training S & R teams. We should know what you and Deke do. Who knows if we’ll be called on to be part of an S & R mission?”

  “You will,” she pointed out. “If Deke or I have to find Muehller for Chief Blackhawk, you or one of your teammates will be along for the journey.”

  “I’ll be with you,” he insisted. “I’m not handing over your safety to someone else. You’re mine to protect, baby. Ready to leave?”

  “Definitely. Charlie’s ready for some playtime.”

  They drove to Heidi’s house. No other vehicle was in the drive and the house was empty. Guess Levi and his bodyguards were out. Their presence in town wasn’t a secret. The arsonist knew she and Levi were in town.

  Once she gave Charlie water, she and Quinn led the Lab into the backyard and took turns tossing a ball for her furry buddy to chase. Near the end of their play session, Quinn’s cell phone rang.

  When Heidi paused, Charlie flopped down on the ground, panting. She rubbed his ears as Quinn answered his phone.

  “What do you have for me, Zane?”

  “Nothing good. We have a problem.”