Page 52 of So Savage

“Who’s that?”Marcus asked.“Next target?”

She nodded.“I think so.Jennifer Martinez.We need an address ASAP.”

Marcus brought his radio to his lips."Dispatch, I need an address for Jennifer Martinez, a Hispanic female, mid-twenties, with blonde hair and gray eyes, almost certainly a service member and a K9 handler.I don't have an exact height and weight, but looks to be five-five or so, maybe one hundred twenty pounds.I'll send a picture of the photograph we found."

He took the photo from Faith.Faith tapped her feet on the floor, anxious to have the address.

Frustration crept up her spine.They were so close.If they had only been an hour earlier, maybe even less, they would have caught him.

You can’t know that.For all you know, he’s been out of the house all day.

She doubted that, though.He kept his mini armory in his garage, and it wasn’t likely he had a dart gun with animal tranquilizers just chilling in his truck.He probably staked out the crime scene he preferred, came home and waited for the sun to set, then grabbed his weapons and took off.

“Call the military bases, Tranh,” she commanded.“All of them.Tell them to keep their K9s and handlers indoors.”

“He’s not just going after the one girl?”

"We don't know where this one girl is," Faith replied."And if he doesn't find her where he wants her, he might go after someone else.While you're at it, though, ask them if they have a Jennifer Martinez."

“No need,” Marcus interrupted.“We have an address.She’s a sergeant in the U.S.Army, and she’s renting a home on Baseline.We can get there in five minutes.Tranh, I still want you to call the military bases and let them know what the situation is.If they have units to help, have them send them our way.We can use all the help we can get.”

Tranh nodded, and the five of them—humans and dog—rushed outside.Marcus relayed instructions to the four officers outside the house on his way out.

Faith's heart pounded, but not with excitement now.Telling herself that she'd been in this situation before did nothing to quell the pounding in her chest.This killer moved quickly.He didn't have elaborate rituals.He didn't need to prepare his scenes.He just sedated them and slit their throats.She doubted they'd get "lucky" again like they did with Delgado.Even if they did, Delgado's survival barely qualified as luck, considering the health problems she was likely to have.

Don’t think about everything that can go wrong.Focus on what will go right.

Jack Preston had taught her that when she was a young agent.Jack Preston was dead.His head had been split open by the same serial killer that nearly murdered Faith.

It was hard to focus on what could go right when Faith knew firsthand how much could go very, very wrong.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Baseline Road stretched from the U.S.Army Reserve Center along the southern shore of Lake Superior for six miles, then curved west and continued for another five miles before ending at a forested park.Jennifer Martinez lived right in front of that park.It was an excellent place for a killer to conceal himself and sedate both Martinez and her dog.

Tranh and Garcia drove their cruiser onto the grass and straight around back when they arrived.They weren’t going to waste any time putting together an assault plan.The goal was to get in as quickly as possible and put Kane down as quickly as possible.

So, as soon as Marcus’s truck skidded to a halt, Faith and Turk were out the door.Turk sprinted ahead, but Faith called for him to stay close.Turk looked at her, confused.

“I want you close to me, boy,” she repeated.“With Kane, I need you close.”The last thing she needed was Turk sedated while they were dealing with Kane.

“Peter Kane!”Marcus shouted as he approached the house.“If you’re in there, you need to surrender now!Come out, keep your hands where we can see them, and so help me, donotreach for a weapon!”

“Jennifer!”Faith called.“If you can hear me, please respond!”

The only response was from Turk, who barked in alarm and leaped over the five-foot wooden fence surrounding the backyard.

“Turk!”Faith cried.“Damn it!”

She vaulted the fence, landing on her shoulder on the other side.She rolled through the landing and got to her feet, gun drawn.

Her heart sank when she saw Turk.He was standing over the still body of another German shepherd, this one golden everywhere except for his black muzzle.Turk was barking and licking the shepherd, frantically trying to wake him.

Faith forced her eyes away from the dogs and kept her gun pointed at the house.“Marcus, we have a sedated dog in the backyard!Are you inside the house?”

She heard a crashing noise as Marcus kicked the door in, answering her question.She started forward, but hesitated.Turk was still trying to wake the unconscious German Shepherd up.She couldn’t leave him by himself.

“Turk, come on!”

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