Page 41 of Tough as Steele

He’d remembered the plate number even with all that was going on.

“Belongs to Wigg.”

Londyn didn’t like that. “We need to get into that house now. If Mimi wasn’t with him and he’s bailing guns blazing, he might’ve killed her.”

Nate turned off his vehicle. “We follow the tree line to the house. Safer that way in case we have an armed person holding Mimi.”

They all got out and set off. Nate first. Londyn right behind him, thankful she’d grabbed a pair of her tactical boots on her way out of her house. If only she’d dressed more like Bristol, who wore jeans and an OSU sweatshirt.

They trekked quietly over the rough terrain, the wind cutting across the field, buffeting them and carrying the faint smell of a nearby campfire mingled with the musky aroma of marijuana. She shivered, but at least it wasn’t a typical February night filled with rain. They reached the end of the trees, about one hundred feet from the house.

Londyn’s heart thudded.

Nate signaled for them to hold and lifted his binoculars, as did Bristol. Londyn wanted to jerk them away from Bristol to see what was happening. Bristol might be four years younger than Londyn, but she was a most capable deputy.

“No movement,” Nate said.

“Time to approach then.” Londyn might not be able to see the house as clearly as the other two, but she could take lead.

Gun aimed, she stepped from the tree line. Nate pushed ahead and gave her a warning look to stay behind him. Was he honestly calling dibs on the takedown, or was it a protector kind of thing?

She got that all the time in her job. The big tough guy thinking she needed him to protect her. She was smart enough to know her limits and sometimes shedidneed the big guy. She wasn’t too proud to admit it, but not here. Not now. She waited until they got closer to the house then eased ahead and silently crept onto the porch.

She glanced in the window and lurched back. She pointed for Nate and Bristol to take a look at the male laying on the floor, gunshot wound to the forehead. He was lying on his belly in a pool of blood and brain matter. His eyes were fixed open.

Nate shot a glance inside. “It’s not Wigg.”

Londyn nodded.

Bristol took a look and bolted back.

“Mimi could be in there and in imminent danger.” Londyn kept her tone low when she wanted to shout and let out some of the pressure building inside. “We have exigent circumstances on our side, and we need to clear the place.”

Nate nodded. “We go in. Bristol, update deputies and remain here in case our shooter returns. Steele, you head right. I’ll go left.”

Londyn looked at her sister, and their eyes met and held for a moment, transmitting their love for each other. They’d never worked a dangerous situation like this together, but they’d both cleared plenty of buildings in their law enforcement careers.

Nate tried the door. It was unlocked. He eased it open with his foot, but stopped and pointed at the doorframe. Blood smeared on the white wood curled Londyn’s stomach.

Nate gave her a look that she took to meanbe extra careful.

She nodded.

Thank you for Nate! Protect him. Us.

He was trained in combat and law enforcement and could hold his own against whatever they faced. Still, she feared for his life. For all of their lives.

11

“Move. Shoot. Communicate.” Nate eyed Londyn before crossing the threshold. “We need to work together as one in fluid motion. Shoot anyone armed who tries to stop us. And if the bullets start flying, communicate your next move. Got it.”

She nodded.

He returned her nod with a sharp one of his own and wished he was entering the house with a team of trained operators instead. He knew Londyn and Bristol had skills for the breach, but not the same skills as men who’d trained for and lived in combat nearly every day of the year.

He led the way across a small family room, where the deceased male lay on his belly, that body odor from Mimi’s car strong in the room. It was definitely not Wigg. A woman’s scarf had come to rest not more than three feet from his body. Mimi’s? Maybe.

Nate started left but took a second to check on Londyn. He didn’t like sending her off on her own, but he had to trust in her training and pray she would be okay. He didn’t like having her in harm’s way. Not one bit. The feeling tied up his gut in a way he’d never experienced with a fellow officer in the past.

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