Page 55 of Cooper's Command

Emery moved in beside Cooper. “What does that mean?”

“Good girl.” He gave Whiskey a scratch. “It means it looks like Nova got into another vehicle that was parked here. And she drove.”

Milligan stormed over, fists clenched. Red slashed across his cheeks. “I swear, Harris, if Martin’s been playing us, all along…”

“She’s not fucking dirty.” Cooper huffed when Milligan merely arched a brow as he crossed his arms. “Seriously, Milligan? You honestly believe that this rookie — who apparently graduated at the top of his class — released a wanted fugitive then stood there, with his back to Nova while she exited, grabbed his weapon and shot him? Because she was unarmedwhen she went in there, and as good as she is, I don’t think she’s also Houdini. Not that any of this is important, right now.”

Cooper marched over to Milligan. “Call the hospital. We need Simmons to tell us who the hell Paulin answered to before it’s too late.”

“The hospital already called. Detective Simmons went into surgery five minutes, ago, or did you forget Agent Martin shot him.”

“He’s lucky he’s breathing because she could have capped him in the head.” Cooper turned. “Bellamy? Brother, call Hawk. I need Waylen searching every damn camera feed coming in and out of here.”

Bellamy held up his hand. “Already on it. Waylen accessed a camera at the turnoff from some bank ATM. Said it looked like a black Suburban turned past, then doubled back about five minutes later. It would have entered at the rear.”

“We need him to zero in on those plates and to follow that damn Suburban somehow.”

“He’s on it, but…”

But hacking took time. Something Nova had very little of because Cooper knew this was the endgame. That whoever took her was the one who’d been trying to kill her all along.

Flint moved in beside him. “Kian has Blake heading for the hanger. She’ll get airborne as quickly as possible and if we need her, she’ll land on the damn highway if that’s what it takes.”

“Detective McClane?”

Cooper turned as another officer stood just outside their group, looking over at Emery.

He nodded. “There’s an older gentleman in a red pickup who says he has information on the shooting, but he’ll only talk to you or Flint.”

Cooper turned as Emery inhaled, muttering a prayer of thanks before running over to the truck, Cooper’s team and Flint right behind her.

An older man with white hair and strong features sat behind the wheel, eyes wary as he silently measured everyone up. “Detective McClane.”

“Master Sargent Snider. Please tell me you saw what happened.”

He shifted his gaze, finally focusing on Emery, again. “Mostly silhouettes, but I saw a man get out of a Suburban and go over to that Chevy. He talked to another man — officer I think — who opened the rear door. He was bent over, talking to the lady inside I assume, then that other man moved in behind him and shot him. The woman got out and he made her get into his Suburban then they drove off.”

“Can you tell me anything about the man or what direction they were headed?”

“He came in from the rear but they left down the main road. He did have a jacket on, though. Big yellow letters across the back that spelled DEA.”

“DEA? Are you absolutely sure?”

“I’m old, detective, but not blind.”

“You’re far more than that. How long ago did they leave?”

“About ten minutes.”

“Henry, you’re a hero. I’ll come by later to get a formal statement just do me a favor and go home and lock your doors.”

Emery turned as Snider drove off, meeting Cooper’s gaze. “Any idea who our mystery DEA guy is?”

Cooper looked her square in the eyes. “Only one. Cartwright.”

“Cartwright? As in assistant director of the Drug Enforcement Agency? Nova’s boss?”

“I’ll explain along the way.”

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