True Blue K-9 Unit Christmas. Laura Scott
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nuts, Pete, you know that? You almost got yourself killed.”
“She’s right,” Faith added. “You shouldn’t have left the safety of the ambulance. I’m a cop, and so is Ricci. We can take care of ourselves.”
He’d never jumped into the line of fire before and couldn’t quite explain why he had this time, other than he couldn’t bear the thought of Faith being shot while he sat doing nothing.
“Mikey needs you,” Faith continued.
“I know,” he finally said in his own defense. “The same way Jane needs you.”
She didn’t seem to have a response to that but pulled out her phone to notify Zimmerman about the recent events. After explaining about the gunfire, Faith glanced at Pete and added into the phone, “There’s something else you should know, Detective.” There was a pause, then she continued, “A few weeks ago, Ricci and I tracked a man who’d taken his son from his mother while in the middle of a custody dispute. We caught him, but he wasn’t very happy with me, and outright threatened to get even. His name is Trevor Wilson and it could be that this attack on Logan might be related to that case. I’m not sure why he’d go after Logan, but the possibility of a connection shouldn’t be ignored.”
Another moment of silence as Zimmerman said something, before Faith responded, “Thanks.”
Pete lifted a brow as she tucked her phone into her pocket. “You believe this is all related to some guy named Trevor Wilson seeking revenge?”
“I have no idea. It doesn’t seem likely Wilson would stab Logan, but taking shots at me? That fits.” She lifted a shoulder. “I’m just trying to think of all possible angles.”
“Makes sense,” Pete agreed.
They fell silent for a moment as Kim put distance between them and the crime scene. “Zimmerman wasn’t thrilled that I used Ricci to find Logan’s scent. Wait until he finds out the K-9 unit is assisting him with the case.”
“He’ll get over it.” Pete peered through the window. The heavy snow was replaced with light flakes that sprinkled the night. He knew that meant the temperature was dropping. The roads would grow icy soon, and he felt the need to get to the day-care center to pick up Mikey as soon as possible.
“Yeah, he will. At least he told me I didn’t need to come in to give my statement, deciding our conversation was good enough.”
“When we get back to the paramedic station, I’ll give you a ride to pick up Jane at the day care if you like.” He had given up his firefighting position to take the full-time paramedic trainer position, mostly because working normal eight-hour shifts was better for Mikey. It was one of the many changes he’d made since losing his wife, Malina, seven months ago.
She shook her head. “I need to get my police-issued SUV. I can’t leave it sitting there all night.”
“Isn’t it part of the crime scene now?” he countered.
“Only if it was hit by one of the bullets. Besides, it’s not unheard of to give cops tickets. I don’t want to cause any trouble after asking my chief for a favor.”
“Well, you can’t go back there alone,” he pointed out. “Or take Jane.”
The mention of her daughter in that scenario made her wince. She blew out a breath. “Okay, fine. I’ll figure something out.” She glanced up at him. “Makes you wonder how long the shooter was out there.”
“Yeah. Although your ex-husband was stabbed with a knife, so why use a gun now?”
“Good question.” Faith’s expression turned thoughtful.
Pete wasn’t a cop, but he wanted to offer to protect her anyway. Which was stupid since he didn’t even own a firearm, and Faith was a police officer who was comfortable carrying a gun. He gave himself a mental shake. No reason to get emotionally involved with a woman. He hadn’t been a single parent for very long, and was finally settling into a rhythm. And his marriage to Malina had been rocky for several months prior to her death. He discovered he hadn’t known his wife as well as he’d thought. She’d kept secrets that had put their son’s life, and others, in danger.
He had no intention of heading down that path again.
Kim pulled into the space reserved for ambulances and shut down the engine. When they were all outside, Pete turned toward Faith. “Still want a lift to the day care?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I won’t have a crate for Ricci, but I don’t think you’ll be driving very fast in this weather, so it should be safe enough.”
“I just hope we get there in time.” Pete didn’t like being late to pick up his son. He always felt as if the day-care workers were frowning on him for neglecting Mikey. As if he were failing at being a single father.
“Me, too.”
Pete followed Kim inside, knowing that they had to restock before he could leave. Fortunately, his partner waved him off.
“I’ll do it. Go pick up your son.”
“Thanks, Kim. I owe you one.”
She didn’t answer, and he knew she hadn’t forgiven him for jumping out of the ambulance to go after Faith and her K-9. Kim was younger than he was by several years. She was good, after all he’d trained her, and he couldn’t blame her for not wanting to be placed in danger.
He punched out and then went back outside to find his SUV. It was covered in snow, but Faith joined him in brushing it off.
Five minutes later they were inside the car, heat blasting from the vents. Ricci was in the back, sniffing out his new environment.
“Do you think he recognizes Mikey’s scent?” Pete asked as he pulled out into traffic.
“Yeah.” Faith sent him a sidelong glance. “From what I hear, our kids play together all day.”
He nodded, since that’s what one of the day-care teachers had told him, as well. “So, uh, do you live nearby?”
“I have a small two-bedroom home that I inherited from my parents. I was going to try to sell, but that was when the market wasn’t very good. So I ended up staying. I like it here.”
“Me, too. And I understand making sacrifices. I changed my career and my hours for my son.” He shrugged. “Whatever is best for our kids, right?”
“Right.” Her tone lacked conviction and he knew she was worried about being the target of gunfire. “Maybe I will take a few days off,” she added, almost as if she were talking to herself. “I can’t work the weekend since Logan won’t be watching Jane. Not to mention she’ll need me after losing her father.”
“Counseling worked for me and Mikey,” he offered. Once, he wouldn’t have even considered going to see a psychologist, but after Malina’s passing and nearly losing his son during a kidnapping attempt, which thankfully only lasted a few hours, Pete had reconsidered his priorities.
Faith looked surprised. “I—You’re probably right about that, thanks. Will you share the name of who you went to see?”
“Of course.”
“I’m glad I have my church group for support, too,” Faith continued. “It’s bad enough to lose someone to an illness, but knowing Logan was stabbed and left for dead... I just can’t understand. Why? Who would do that to him? Wilson was mad at me, but he’d have no reason to go after Logan.”
Pete slowly shook his head, keeping his eyes on the snow-covered road. They were barely going fifteen miles per hour and would be late if the traffic didn’t lighten up soon. “I hate to ask, but is it possible your ex was involved in something criminal?”
“No. Logan was an accountant and made a good salary. Why would he risk it for something like that?” She paused, then added, “He got engaged recently. Could be that Claire