Page 38 of Close Quarters

Reeves was pacing in front of Alex’s SUV when they entered the parking lot.

“It’s about time. Sheriff Archer’s been calling me every five minutes. I keep telling him you’re on the way, but he’s still ready to have my ass in a sling. Throw your stuff in the back so we can go.”

Alex eyed the young deputy with a frown but did as he asked. Katie opened the back door to get in, but Alex walked up to Reeves and held out a hand. “Give me the keys.”

“What? No. You’re in protective custody. I’m driving.”

“Not this time, you’re not. I’m keyed up, and I already hate having someone else drive me. And it’s my car. Give me the keys.”

The deputy eyed him, ready to protest again.

“Just do it, Austin,” Katie said. “He’ll just stand there until you do.”

Reeves pressed his lips together, his jaw working, but he slapped the keys into Alex’s outstretched hand.

“Thanks. If Seb yells at you, tell him I took the keys and got in the driver’s seat and refused to move.” Alex opened the driver’s door and climbed in.

Katie got in the back, smiling. “I’ll vouch for you. He actually did that to me.”

The deputy rolled his eyes and buckled his seatbelt. “Thanks. Just do me a favor and keep it at the speed limit, yeah? Nothing’s going to change in the extra couple of minutes it’ll take us to get there.”

Alex nodded and started the car, pulling out of the lot.

Katie settled back into the seat, her mind going over what they knew about the body. She wished she’d had a chance to run the bone sample she prepped. Her hope had been to run the mineral content against tap water data and see if she could come up with a town or city—hell, even a region would suffice—where the girl grew up. It could help narrow down the search.

The pop of a tire jolted her from her thoughts. The car lurched and swung wildly until Alex got it under control. He slowed and pulled onto the shoulder, putting the vehicle in park. “Call Seb and tell him we ran into a delay,” he said to Reeves.

The young deputy nodded, already reaching for his radio.

Katie climbed out to help Alex with the tire, crouching down to inspect it while he opened the back hatch to get the jack. She found the hole and frowned as she got a closer look. That looked like a bullet hole.

She rocked back on her heels and glanced around, unease creeping up her spine. They were sitting ducks out here.

The sound of an engine reached her a moment before a black SUV came flying around the curve, skidding to a halt behind them. A man holding a pistol stepped out. Reeves moved to draw his gun, and the man shot him before the deputy could clear his weapon from his holster.

Katie shrieked and held up her hands, taking several steps back. Blood bloomed on Reeves’s shoulder, but he stayed on his feet.

“Remove your weapon, deputy, and place it on the ground.”

Reeves complied, wincing as he bent down.

“Kick it away.”

He kicked it into the grass.

“Now, all three of you are going to come with me.” He motioned them forward with his gun.

Katie looked at Alex, tears blurring her vision. She didn’t want to get in that SUV.

“Move!” the man barked. “Or I shoot the cop again.”

The dead serious glint to the man’s eyes told her he meant what he said. She inched forward, reaching for Alex’s hand as they neared the other car. He threaded his fingers through hers, tucking her close to his body as they made their way to the vehicle.

“That’s close enough.”

They stopped.

“Deputy, take your handcuffs and cuff yourself.”

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