Page 150 of Lethal Danger

“Dead?” Shock lifted Nev’s tone.

“No time to explain. We have to catch Uncle Pierce.” Jazz sliced through the rope around her ankles and stood up quickly.

Too quickly.

Nev reached an arm around Jazz’s back to steady her as she wobbled, her legs numb and tingly. “Do you know where your uncle went?”

“I assume the east gate where he came in. He must’ve parked his car over there. Maybe not close to avoid any trace he was here.”

Nev still held an arm around Jazz but twisted her head to see behind. “Bris, tell Phoenix Butch is dead, and Pierce is fleeing the scene by the east gate.”

“Roger.” Bris jumped down from the loading dock.

“Phoenix is here?”

“Sure.” Nev gave Jazz one of her you-crazy looks. “We all came. As soon as Cora got the intel on the sus past your uncle shared with your dad, she hacked the GPS on Pierce’s car. She found it near the fairgrounds, so we knew he was here. Phoenix figured you’d be, too.”

Uncle Pierce and Jazz’s dad had a suspicious—

Another rumble of thunder shook the air, but a bark cut through it, darting straight to Jazz’s heart.

Flash.

“Is Flash here?” Jazz shifted her legs, and Nev let go, climbing out of the gondola so Jazz could follow. Her circulation working again, Jazz scooted past Nev to see her boy, looking up at her from the ground below.

The handsome Malinois let out another excited bark as he watched her from Cora’s side.

“Flash!” Jazz hurried down the steps from the loading dock and dropped to her knees in front of her partner. She rubbed his ears and neck, the warmth of his fur caressing her wet hands. “I really needed you here, bud.”

“He let us know you were here as soon as we arrived.” The smile in Cora’s voice drew Jazz’s gaze up to her. “He was barking nonstop in your SUV.”

“Good boy.” Jazz scratched his ears again. “You knew I shouldn’t have left you behind.”

“Praise the Lord you’re safe. I was praying for you.” Cora’s blue eyes held nothing but grace and compassion, even after Jazz had put in her notice.

“How did you know I was in danger?”

Cora’s lips curved in a gentle, closed smile. “There are different kinds of danger. I was praying for the spiritual one.”

Wow. Had God been watching out for her even before she’d believed in Him? A smile found Jazz’s face. “It worked.”

Cora’s eyes widened and her eyebrows lifted.

“Hey.” Nev grabbed Jazz’s shoulder from behind and leaned in, interrupting Jazz’s chance to tell Cora what had happened with God. “Phoenix sent Sof and Bris on the main path to cover from here to the east gate. If Pierce is somewhere along the way, they’ll find him.”

“What if he’s already at the gate or outside of it? I don’t know how long we were in the dragon after he left.”

“That’s our job.” Nev glanced behind her, and Jazz turned to see Phoenix and Dag.

The boss seemed to look at Jazz, but it was hard to be sure through the extra darkness cast over her eyes by the bill of her cap. She hadn’t bothered to put up the hood of her black rain jacket.

Jazz’s stomach clenched. Would Phoenix blast her for quitting? For getting into this jam?

“You know the fair best.” Her deep voice was steady and emotionless as always. “Get us to the gate before he reaches it.”

No scolding. No anger. Just empowerment. Maybe Nev was right about Phoenix, too.

Jazz nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” She grabbed Flash’s leash and threw Nev a glance. “Follow me, team.”

---