Page 21 of Chasing a Kidnapper

“Maybe he’s on the gym membership list,” Trisha mused. “That would tie the Glock in with the gun running organization.”

He hoped not, because they needed another thread to pull to break open the investigation. “We’ll see. The sooner we can look through that list, the better.”

“I read through it, but none of the names jumped out at me.” She grimaced. “Other than Bryan’s name. Seth Blakemore isn’t a member, though.”

As much as he wanted to review the list for himself, he continued sweeping the area with his gaze, making sure there were no threats lurking nearby. After the most recent brazen attempt to get Gabriel, he wasn’t taking any chances.

As promised, the crime scene techs arrived about the same time as the coroner. The techs went to work taking photographs of the area around the dumpster. West stepped forward to meet with Dr. Cathy Owens, a no-nonsense woman with gray streaked hair in her midfifties. “Thanks for getting here so quickly, Dr. Owens.”

“That’s my job.” The doc gestured toward the dumpster. “I heard there are two vics?”

“Yes.” West realized he wasn’t going to be able to leave until the bodies had been lifted out of the dumpster. Biting back a flash of impatience, he waited for the techs to finish their preliminary work. He took a moment to show them the heel print, then approached the dumpster with the ME.

Dan arrived next. More pictures were taken before they could remove the bodies. Soon they had both dead men stretched out on the ground. Dr. Owens quickly went to work. She glanced up at him and Dan. “I suspect they’ve been dead for roughly eight hours, maybe less, as the cold temperatures slow decomp. Cause of death appears to be that gunshot wound to the head, but I will need tox screen results to make sure they weren’t drugged prior to being killed.” Dr. Owens stood. “That’s about all I can give you now. I’ll do the autopsies tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Doc.” West glanced at Dan who stepped forward to take control of the scene.

“We know one man as Petey Pawners, but we need the prints for the second vic to be put through the system ASAP,” Dan said.

“Understood.” One of the techs eyed them warily. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope we don’t have to see either of you again real soon.”

“Tell me about it,” West muttered. They’d all been working with little rest since last night. Leaving Dan in charge, he turned away, eager to get back to work. He quickly joined Trish, sliding behind the wheel of the SUV. Seconds later, they were back on the road, leaving the gas station with its grisly discovery behind.

West made the trip back to his place, noting that Gabriel was just starting to wake up as he pulled into the driveway. It was past noon, and his stomach growled with hunger. He mentally inventoried his fridge and pantry. “How about grilled cheese and tomato soup for a late lunch?”

“Ah, sure.” She arched a brow. “Surprised you want to eat after the scene at the gas station.”

“I know it sounds terrible, but what can I say.” He shrugged as he pulled into the garage. No more parking outside, not until the masked man had been found and arrested. “I have a high metabolism. But I need to spend some time with Peanut outside for a few minutes, too.”

“Sounds good. That will give me time to get Gabriel settled.” She opened the back passenger door as she spoke, wincing a bit as she stretched her sore knee. Gabriel fussed for a moment, then seemed happy to be out of the car.

“Grab an ice pack from the freezer,” he suggested.

“Okay,” she said with a nod.

He took Peanut into the yard. After she did her thing, he spent time playing with her, having her search for “tools” after he hid his gun.

Peanut found his weapon without difficulty each time. He loved the way she was so happy, wagging her tail with excitement when he praised her.

Ten minutes later, he took Peanut inside, stopping abruptly as he realized Trisha was talking to her son while making lunch.

“You have to be a good boy so that we don’t bother West.” She glanced at the baby seated on a blanket in the middle of the living room.

“You’re not a bother,” he said, shrugging out of his coat and draping it over the closest chair. Okay, maybe he didn’t love the loss of his privacy, but that didn’t matter when Trisha and Gabriel were in danger. Peanut rushed over to sniff Gabriel, licking his face and making the child giggle. “I would have made lunch.”

“I don’t mind.” She shot him a quick smile, then added, “Besides, I know you wanted to start reviewing that gym membership list.”

He nodded, pulling the paperwork from his pocket. “I’ll get this scanned and sent to Cheyenne, then start looking for anyone with a criminal record.”

“Lunch will be ready in ten.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel, then reached down to adjust the ice pack she’d wrapped around her knee. “I need to grab Gabriel’s car seat to use as a makeshift high chair.”

“I’ll get it.” He went out to the garage and brought the car seat in. His house seemed smaller with Trisha and Gabriel there, but he told himself to get over it. His discomfort wasn’t nearly as important as keeping them safe. Although the responsibility of that task weighed heavily on his shoulders. He crossed to the alcove off the kitchen that housed his computer and printer. After scanning and sending the gym membership to their tech analyst, Cheyenne, he began checking names for criminal backgrounds. He had only gotten through a handful of people when Trisha called, “West? Lunch is ready.”

“Coming.” He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had made a meal for him. Unless you counted the pizza he and Kenyon would share while watching a game. West’s ex, Shannon, had cooked a few times, but then had gotten really angry when one night he’d gotten hung up at a crime scene and “ruined” their dinner. It was the first time he’d understood how much Shannon had resented the demands of his job. They had only dated for six months, but most of that time they were at odds with each other. He’d been relieved after she’d broken things off.

As a patrol officer herself, Trisha would understand how a detective could run late, but that didn’t mean he was interested in trying again.

Especially not with a ready-made family. No matter how beautiful and cute Trisha and Gabriel were.

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