Page 38 of Tough as Steele

“Wife beater is one of the worst kind of criminals.” Londyn’s eyes were hard as steel. “What else can you tell us about him?”

Bristol tilted her head, and she looked just like Londyn. “Former army sharpshooter. Bitter over the cards life dealt him. Has PTSD but won’t admit it or get treatment.”

Nate faced Londyn. “We need to head over there right away, but I also need to go on record as saying his home is out of both of our jurisdictions.”

“True.” Londyn locked gazes with her little sister. “But not Bristol’s.”

Bristol snapped her chair forward. “I can’t just go busting into this guy’s house. Not only don’t I have a warrant, I’m off the clock. Besides, we have a mutual assistance agreement with PPB so you all could handle it.”

“That’s really for emergency disasters, but we could stretch to use it here.” Nate understood her hesitancy, but sometimes rules were meant to bend. “Would be better to have you along, and you’ll be fine. Every officer has a duty to protect the innocent. On duty or off.”

Bristol shook her head. “Ifyou happen upon a crime being committed, but I wouldn’t just happen upon this guy.”

“Fancy going for a drive with me.” Londyn’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Just a trip out in the country to relax.”

Bristol narrowed her gaze. “As the older sister, aren’t you supposed to keep me on the straight and narrow, not lead me astray?”

“We’re wasting time here.” Nate pushed to his feet. “A woman’s life could hang in the balance. Either come with us or not. But we’re leaving now.”

10

The dashboard clock read five a.m. as Londyn rode in the passenger seat of Nate’s sedan, Bristol sitting in the back. As they left the city behind, stars glittered overhead. The sun would rise in a few hours, and with no rain forecasted, Londyn imagined the skies would be saturated with vibrant oranges and reds. Not that they would be looking at the sunrise. They would be hunting down a potential kidnapper and hopefully locating Mimi, who’d been gone for eleven hours now.

Would she be able to see the sunrise, or was she hidden in some dark, dank place, terrified?

Londyn had to work faster. She just had to. She turned her attention back to her phone and the satellite view of Wigg’s home. “Property looks pretty straightforward.” Londyn glanced at Nate then looked at her sister, who was wearing a tactical vest as they all were. “Large cleared area. Short driveway. Small ranch house at the rear of the property.”

“That’s how I remember it.” Bristol held her binoculars. “It’s been a while since I arrested him, but the property was littered with junk. He had several old clunkers and a graveyard of appliances in the field next to the house.”

“Did the wife leave him after the assault?” Londyn asked.

Bristol nodded. “She stayed on at the house while he was in prison but took off when he got out. They didn’t have kids, so he’s likely on his own.”

“Dangerous?” Nate cast a look at his rearview mirror. “I mean to people other than his wife.”

“We never arrested him for that, but I’d say he is. But since he’s put out by the way he was treated when he got out of the military, he’s angry at the world.”

Londyn looked at Nate. “You probably saw guys like Wigg while you served.”

“One of the hardest things to take.” Nate gave his head a sorrowful shake. “A serviceperson gives their all for his country, then suffers mentally, but the warrior type personality won’t allow him or her to admit it.”

Londyn had seen it in police officers, too, and it was equally sad, especially when they turned violent. “What I keep wondering is what possible connection could Wigg have to Mimi?”

“Any connection seems far-fetched, but if there is one, Ryleigh will find it,” Bristol said. “She eats, breathes, and sleeps computers.”

“What did Wigg do for a living or was he on disability from his injuries?” Nate asked.

“He was a mechanic when he went away.” Bristol rested the binoculars on her knee. “Maybe he wasn’t even one of the guys in Mimi’s car. He might’ve been doing some work on it earlier. He could’ve cut himself and cleaned it up.”

Nate fired a quick look at her in the mirror. “He’d have to work at a reputable garage. Mimi would never have a guy like that come to her house. She’d have her driver take her car to a dealership.”

“I agree.” Londyn consulted the map again. “His place is a mile ahead.”

Nate looked at her. “I want to get eyes on the property before we approach. Can you check the map for a spot to pull over before we get there?”

She enlarged the screen. “There’s a turnout just before the house on the left.”

“We’ll stop there, then,” he said, his gaze pinned to the road ahead.

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