Page 61 of Colorado K-9 Rescue

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“No, you can’t. I’ll let you know if we get him in custody.” Evan hung up the phone. Cassidy was over by her vehicle, leaning up against it. Evan filled her in about Keith and the area up in Wyoming near the Wind River Reservation.

“I can’t believe it,” Cassidy said. “I didn’t know him well when he did live around here, but now that I think about it, he was a loner then too.”

“I’ll let the sheriff know,” Evan said. “I’m going to find this ghost town. Maybe Mckenna is there.”

“Be careful. Get a deputy to go with you for backup,” Cassidy said. “I’ll get a memo out to all field offices in Colorado,Wyoming and maybe Utah and New Mexico too. Who knows where Keith could be.”

“Thank you,” Evan said. “I’ll take someone with me and search the area surrounding the ghost town. I’ll let you know if we find anything.”

They started getting in their vehicles and then Cassidy stopped and said, “Hey, Knox.”

“What?” Evan asked.

“You’re not so bad after all. I can see what my sister sees in you.”

CHAPTER 39

Mckenna lay quietly, the only sounds her shallow breaths and Rex’s moans every now and then. When she was certain that Keith had left, Mckenna rolled over and sat. He’d tied her hands behind her back, but while she was trying to free Rex, she’d seen a sharp edge of glass and grabbed it.

She’d managed to hang on to it even through the stun gun. Her neck ached where he had connected with her, but she ignored the pain and focused on the task at hand—escaping. Again.

The ties loosened as the sharp piece of glass started sawing its way through. That and the idiot hadn’t done a very good job of securing her. He should have used cuffs if he really wanted to keep her captive.

Footsteps echoed on the front boards outside the building. Mckenna paused, wrapping her fingers around the glass, careful not to cut herself. She had to pretend like she was still tied and unconscious. The door opened, hinges creaking again. Footsteps came closer and closer. Mckenna closed her eyes and hoped he would be fooled.

The stench of body odor and cigarettes wafted toward her again. Then she heard him say, “I know you’re not asleep. Or knocked out. Sit up.”

Keith grabbed her by the shirt and hoisted Mckenna to a sitting position. She worked hard to pretend like she was still tied. That was her advantage, and she knew from previous experience that she needed to bide her time. Wait it out. Therewould be a moment when she could attack him. Maybe she could even hit his jugular with the piece of glass.

Staring at her with dark eyes, Keith said, “I saw your dog up there. Sorry, but when this is all over, I’ll have to dispatch him. You know what I mean by that?”

Mckenna wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of answering, but she did. The term dispatch was one that wildlife officers used instead of euthanize.If anything happens to Mocha, I’ll kill this guy.Mckenna wanted to say that out loud, but she knew that he’d enjoy it. It would only make him happy.

“I want to see that tattoo again,” Keith said, lifting her shirt. Now Mckenna was furious. That was her tattoo. Her phoenix. And there was only one other person who was allowed to touch it.

Keith tilted his head and then said, “I guess it’s growing on me. I’m not usually into tattoos.”

Taking his finger, he was about to touch it, when Mckenna kicked her foot and nailed him in the groin. It wasn’t enough to give her a chance to get to her feet, but it got him away from her. No one touched her without consent. Anger flashed through Keith’s eyes, and he took his fist and punched her in the jaw.

Pain exploded and she saw stars for a moment. It was hard to breathe as she gasped in surprise.

“That’s what you get for that,” Keith said, standing.

At least he had backed away from her. Mckenna couldn’t stand it anymore.

“I’m not a teenager. I’m much stronger and you should be careful,” Mckenna said, breaking her silence.

At Mckenna’s threat, Keith started laughing and shaking his head. “I’m so scared.”

He thought so highly of himself that maybe if she got him talking, she could find the moment to lunge for him. “Why are doing this? What are you, some sort of loser?”

His laughter stopped and Keith balled his fist again. Mckenna was certain he was going to hit her, and she closed her eyes and braced for the impact.

“I’m not a loser,” Keith said.

“Then what are you? Why are you doing this?” Mckenna felt behind her. She gripped the piece of glass and slowly scooted back, trying to put some distance between them.

“What? You trying to psychoanalyze me now? Figure me out?”