Page 52 of Taken by the Lawman

Unhooking her seatbelt, she could breathe better, but her entire passenger side was caved in.

Kiersten fluttered her eyes, feeling a pain in her temple.

Lifting her hand, she gently touched the spot where a thick warm wetness covered her skin. She was cut by the flying glass. Squinting, she leaned forward, swiping off shards of glass from her clothing, forcing her body to move if only a few inches.

She needed to make sure the other driver was okay…

Placing her fingers on the handle, she jumped when the driver’s door opened from the outside and a bright light flashed in her eyes, blinding her. Her head throbbed.

What the hell?

“Move your light,” she commanded.

Nothing.

“I need to get out of here.” She looked for her phone. It was no longer on the seat. “Can you help me?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m here,” a woman said with a deep accent.

*

Travis Evans dragged on his military jacket and buttoned it, looking at himself in the mirror. His hair was in a classic taper cut and his clothing was pristine without one wrinkle in the fabric. His shoes without a smudge of dirt and laces perfectly tied. His commander would be proud.

Going into the kitchen of the rental apartment, he picked up the hammer and smashed his phone. Turning on the garbage disposal, he dropped in the remains of the phone, followed by his ID and debit card. The disposal churned the contents as he waited.

“Are we ready?”

Turning at the sound of the man’s voice, he found Sargent Cord Whitmire, also dressed in fatigues. Evans stepped forward, jetted his gaze down the man’s clothing and growled, “Your clothes and hair are disheveled. Fix it!”

Whitmire stepped in front of the microwave and bent to look at himself in the window, fixing his hair until every strand was in place. “We’re not going to a beauty show, friend.”

Evans didn’t have time for the man’s sloppy behavior. “Is everything wiped clean? Walls. Floors. Bathroom. Toilet paper holder.”

“We could eat off the floor they’re so clean.”

“Good.” He stepped over to his rifle case and latched it.

Lustra stepped into the doorway. She was wearing a black tank top that showed off her toned arms and fatigue pants that she bought online. Her long thick hair was pulled back into a severe ponytail. Her nose was wrinkled. “That was easier than I thought it would be.” She laughed.

“All done? And done right?” he sneered.

“Yeh. Pleeease tell me it’s time we finish this.” Lustra rolled her eyes.

Dragging the bag and case over his shoulder, Evans pushed his sunglasses on his face. “We all know what our jobs are. Whitmire, you’re with me. Lustra, you’re at the location. If Whitmire and I aren’t there by twenty-four-hundred, then you know what to do.”

“Burn everything,” Lustra answered.

“Let’s roll.”

*

The building was quiet and dark when Deegan made his way up to the third floor where the light was on in Max’s large office. His friend was sitting behind his desk with his head bent. At first Deegan didn’t think Max had heard him enter, but he said, “Thanks for coming.” He looked up and slid his reading glasses off his face and dropped them on the desk. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“You said you think you know who the killer is. Tell me who it is.” Deegan was ready to get this case over with.

“Sit down first.” Max nodded toward the chair.

“Fine, but I don’t have a lot of time.” Settling into the comfortable chair, Deegan didn’t take his gaze off his buddy.

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