Page 24 of Stilettos and Outlaws

“Big. Dirty.”

Mom rubbed the little girl’s back. “What color shirt was Bobby wearing?”

“Yellow.”

Trying to conceal her fury, Julie inquired, “Does Bobby have red hair too?”

“Yes.” Tears ran down her face. “Please. Please. Save Bobby.”

“We will,” I promised.

Mom scowled. “I’ll handle things here. Go find the bastard.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Mom took the little girl’s hand. “Let’s go find your teacher.”

“Kay.”

“I’ll check the inside of the bus,” Julie said.

Nodding, I picked up Bobby’s backpack. “Dammit. There’s blood on it.”

“Bus is clear. If he harmed Bobby, I’ll…” Julie’s voice trailed off.

I scowled. “The bastard only has a five-minute head start.”

“I’ll check west,” Julie said and disappeared down an alley.

I yelled after her, “If I see them, I’ll do the howl.”

“Gotcha.”

A child’s shriek caught my attention. I bolted around the building and spotted a big, white guy with greasy black hair and filthy clothing carrying Bobby down the sidewalk. Bobby was struggling wildly. “Let go! Let go of me!”

I raced after them and howled like a coyote.

Julie’s answering yips echoed off the buildings.

The kidnapper glanced over his shoulder, took one look at me and bolted.

I increased my speed and shouted. “Put the kid down or I will shoot you dead!”

The kidnapper hurled Bobby into the roadway. Brakes squealed as people swerved to miss him.

“Shit!” I slid over a hood, scooped Bobby up and jumped back as a speeding motorcycle whizzed by.

A fire truck skidded to a stop, blocking the roadway.

I let out a shuddering breath of relief and hugged Bobby. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

“I want my mommy,” Bobby sobbed.

“I know little guy. I know.”

In the distance sirens sounded.

“I’ll get the bastard,” Julie yelled as she ran by.

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