A PERILOUS REUNION

Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Lee Earnshaw is two weeks out of prison when an ex-con tries to kill him and his former love, K-9 rookie cop Ellen Foxcroft. Recognizing their attacker as a man he met in prison, Lee knows he must be the intended target. But is the shooter settling a score, or does Lee have something he wants? Determined to start over, training puppies and maybe getting a second chance with Ellen, Lee vows to keep both of them safe. But as they investigate together, Ellen’s golden retriever partner at their side, they find themselves dead center in a killer’s crosshairs.

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

Who would want to shoot at her and Lee? Ellen wondered.

Probably the same people behind the other trouble the police department and her fellow K-9 officers had faced since being hired to solve Veronica Earnshaw’s murder. Then again, Veronica’s brother, Lee, had just been released from prison. Could it be someone after him?

The car was coming back. Lee pulled the two dog crates from the backseat of his truck and set them on the ground by the blown tire. Once he was sure they were out of the line of fire, he came to kneel next to her. “They’re coming back.”

She nodded, then raised her gun and aimed it. When the car crested the hill, she knew they were in for a second attack. “That’s them.”

The dark gray Buick slowed and the barrel of a rifle appeared in the window. She figured it was now or never and tightened her finger, heard the weapon bark, then felt the kick against her hand.

The sedan’s front windshield exploded.

ROOKIE K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases

with the help of their brave canine partners

Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016

Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016

Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016

Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016

Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016

Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

LYNETTE EASON is a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at facebook.com/lynette.eason and on Twitter, @lynetteeason.

Honor
and Defend
Lynette Eason

www.millsandboon.co.uk

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;

and He knows those who trust in Him.”

—Nahum 1:7

This book is dedicated to all of the heroes in law enforcement—two-legged and four!

Thank you for your bravery, your service and most of all, your dedication to justice. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my fellow authors for your tireless willingness to answer my questions day and night!

Terri Reed, Lenora Worth, Dana Mentink, Valerie Hansen and Shirlee McCoy. It’s always a pleasure to work with such professionals!

Thank you to Emily Rodmell for letting me do one more. I appreciate you! :)

Contents

COVER

BACK COVER TEXT

INTRODUCTION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TITLE PAGE

BIBLE VERSE

DEDICATION

Acknowledgments

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

Dear Reader

EXTRACT

COPYRIGHT

ONE

K-9 police officer Ellen Foxcroft shot a sideways glance at the man who drove in silent concentration. Just ten minutes ago, they’d picked up three puppies from Sophie Williams. Not only was Sophie a trainer for the Canyon County K-9 Training Center, she also worked with the Prison Pups program. A program Lee Earnshaw, the man behind the wheel, was intimately familiar with, since he’d been part of it up until two weeks ago when he’d been released from prison. Framed. Set up by a dirty cop, he’d lost two years of his life. He’d developed a new hardness and more lines around his eyes than when she’d last seen him.

Two of the dogs they’d just picked up from the prison program were ready to start training to be assistance animals for Ellen’s clients—adults and children with disabilities. In addition to being a K-9 officer with the Desert Valley Police Department, she also ran the Desert Valley Canine Assistance program she’d started a few weeks before Lee was released. Already she and her four employees were making a difference in the lives of the people in their community, training the dogs to be service animals for the disabled.

Thanks to Sophie’s generosity, Ellen hoped to have the two older puppies ready for the summer camp she planned to offer next month. The younger puppy needed more work—a job Lee would take on as soon as they got back to the facility. “You’re awfully deep in thought,” she said. “Are you all right?”

Lee blinked and sighed. “I’m fine. I just wish we had some better leads on who might have killed Veronica.” Veronica Earnshaw, Lee’s sister, had been murdered a little over three months ago. Her killer still walked the streets, and Ellen could tell Lee’s frustration level was about to boil over.

“I know. We’re working on it, Lee—we really are.”

He scowled at her, then turned his attention back to the road. “That’s what everyone says, I wish I could see evidence of that.”

Ellen grimaced. She wished she could, too, frankly. “An investigation like this takes time. It’s unfortunate, but it just does. At least you’re out of prison now, and that happened as a result of this investigation. Look at the positive side.”

His lips quirked. “You would look at it that way.” The puppies in the travel carriers in the back barked and yipped. “I appreciate your giving me this chance to work with you and the pups. Not everyone believes I’m innocent, in spite of the press conference and Ken Bucks’s arrest.”

“You’re welcome.”

Former Desert Valley sheriff’s deputy, Ken Bucks had been arrested and, in order to secure a deal and a lighter sentence for himself, had confessed to framing Lee and sending him to prison two years ago for a robbery he didn’t commit. “I just really want to put it all behind me.”

“I’m sure you do.” Probably easier said than done. This was Lee’s second day on the job. Two days ago, after much self-examination and encouragement from Sophie, she’d approached Lee about working for her, and he’d been reluctant. With their history, she couldn’t say she blamed him. They’d dated in high school. Until she’d allowed her mother to chase him away. Her jaw tightened. She didn’t want to go there.

Instead, she remembered the flare of attraction she’d felt just from being in his presence again. Just from talking to him and looking into his eyes. Eyes she’d never been able to forget.

Eyes that looked years older and much harder than she remembered. But she’d shoved aside her attraction—and her pride. After some fancy talking, he’d agreed to give working with her a trial run. She figured his love of animals and training had convinced him. She didn’t care what it was, she was just glad he’d conceded. He’d started yesterday with a tour of Ellen’s assistance facility, which connected to the Canyon County K-9 Training Center. “You know, I was thrilled when Veronica said she was fine with me leasing the unused portion of the K-9 training center.”

“Veronica never was one to turn down money.”

“Well, whatever her reasons, I’m just glad she let me.”

Coming from a wealthy background, Ellen knew people looked at her differently, had various expectations of her, some good, some bad, most wrong. But at least she’d done something good with some of that wealth.

She’d started the program with money from her trust fund. And then listened when Sophie Williams insisted that Lee Earnshaw would be the perfect person to hire to help train the dogs.

Today she could see his eagerness to get started working with the new animals. “Sophie said when it came to working with the dogs at the Prison Pups program, you were the best she’d ever seen. She called you a dog whisperer.” After Veronica had been killed, Sophie had taken over the program that trained dogs and rookie K-9 officers. She often used inmates at the prison to help with the training of the puppies until they were old enough for the center. Lee had been one of those inmates.

He gave a low laugh then frowned. “A dog whisperer?” He shrugged. “You know me. I’ve worked with animals all my life. I like them and they like me. The Prison Pups program was the only thing that kept me sane these past two years.”

“I know. And I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. I am, too, but it is what it is. I’m trying to move on.”

“You’re not bitter?”

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “I’m bitter. I just fight it on a daily basis, hoping I’ll eventually win the battle.”

“You will,” she said. “Whatever happened to your plans to become a vet?”

He sighed and shrugged. “Life happened.”

“But you graduated from college.”

“Yes, with a degree in biology. I even started on graduate school, then everything kind of went south with Dad and I had to help him pay bills. Breeding and training dogs was the way to do that.”

“Do you have plans to finish school?”

“Yes. One day. Ken Bucks kind of messed that up pretty good. And then Veronica was murdered...”

Ellen heard the unspoken end of the sentence—and her killer is still out there.

She couldn’t help studying his features. Brown hair with a brand-new cut, brown eyes that at times looked hard and cold but were always alive and warm when he worked with the animals His strong jaw held a five-o’clock shadow. She used to kiss that jaw on a regular basis. She cleared her throat and tried to shake her memories, but they just wouldn’t leave her alone. Memories of being his girlfriend, the vicious conflict with her mother. And then Lee had walked away from it all.

Now she was back in town and he was out of prison and she was working in Desert Valley. For the time being. Thanks to her mother’s stipulation that she and the other rookies had to stay in Desert Valley until Veronica’s murder was solved or she would withdraw the funding she’d given the department. Funding the department couldn’t afford to lose. Ellen planned to have a few words about that with her mother when she woke from the coma she’d been in for the past three months. Someone had broken in to her home and attacked her, almost killing her. “I can understand your frustrations, Lee. I feel the same way about my mother’s attacker.” Ellen desperately wanted to find out who did it.

“I know, it’s just—”

The back windshield shattered and Ellen gave a low scream of surprise. Lee jerked the wheel to the right. “Get down!” Outside sounds rushed through the missing window. Someone was shooting at them!

Ellen ignored his order and turned in her seat to look out the back. “He’s coming up on your five o’clock. Coming in for another shot.” It was the perfect place for an ambush. On a back road that didn’t see much traffic just outside a small town.

Ellen’s tension mounted and she was extremely glad she’d left Carly, her golden retriever K-9 partner, at the training center for this trip. It was supposed to take no more than two hours all in. An hour to the prison and an hour back. And while Lee had been as tense as she’d ever seen him at returning to the prison, he hadn’t said a word. She released her weapon from its holster and gripped it in her right hand, readying herself for the next attack.

Four months, she thought.

Less than four months ago, she’d finished the twelve-week training session at the Canyon County K-9 Training Center. The state of Arizona had started the program years ago and found it quite successful. They trained new police academy recruits to be K-9 officers. She was a newbie, a rookie officer with the Desert Valley Police Department.

And now she might have to shoot someone.

The thought wanted to paralyze her, but her training kicked in and she knew she could do what she had to in order to protect herself and Lee.

The car roared up beside them and she got a brief glance at the driver and the gun he had pointed at her. Lee stomped the brakes, throwing her against the seat belt. She jerked forward then back, her head slamming into the headrest, her hand against the door. She lost her grip on the weapon and it clattered to the floor. The next shot took off the passenger-side mirror of the truck. Another hit a tire. Lee fought with the wheel and the truck listed to the side, but that didn’t stop him.

He spun the wheel to the right and they roared onto a side road. The other vehicle swept past. Lee hit the brakes again and backed up, the truck lurching, the rim of the flattened tire grinding. But he managed to complete his three-point turn so that the front of his truck now faced the road. She watched the disappearing taillights of the other car.

As soon as Lee put the truck in Park, Ellen rolled out of the passenger door, grabbed her weapon from the floor and aimed in the direction the other car had gone. “Lee, are you okay? Come out the passenger door.”

“I’m fine.” He landed on the ground beside her, kneeling behind the protection of the open door. He radiated tension. “I’m going to check on the dogs.”

Ellen registered the barking. “I’m calling for backup.” She grabbed the radio from her hip and put in the call. When Dispatch answered, she rattled off the information. She glanced at Lee who was also watching the road. “Anything?”

“No, not yet.”

“Help is on the way.”

She maintained her vigilance even as her mind searched for answers. Who would want to attack her and Lee? Probably the same people behind the other trouble the police department and her fellow K-9 officers had faced since being assigned to solve Veronica Earnshaw’s murder. Then again, Lee had just been released from prison. Could it be someone after him?

The drone of an engine caught her attention and all speculation fled. She heard it coming closer as Lee pulled the two crates from the backseat of the king cab one after the other and set them on the ground by the blown tire. He handled the heavy cargo as though it weighed nothing, but she knew the two six-month-old pups weighed about fifty pounds each. “I hear something. Are they coming back?”

“Sounds like it.” She raised her gun and aimed it. When the car crested the hill, she knew they were in for a second attack. “That’s them.” The dark gray Buick slowed; the barrel of a rifle appeared in the window. She figured it was now or never and tightened her finger, heard her weapon bark, felt the kick against her hand.

The sedan’s front windshield exploded. The driver hit the gas and the vehicle blew past in a drunken weave. Ellen spun from her position and moved to the back of the truck near the crated, yapping puppies. This time the car didn’t turn around—and she got a partial plate. “Oh-four,” she whispered. “I didn’t get the rest of it. But I got 04.”

She turned to find Lee hovering over the puppies, his features tense, face pale. “Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yeah. You?”

He nodded. “The puppies are fine, too.”

Ellen pulled her phone from the clip on her belt. “I’m going to find out where backup is. Keep an eye out for them to come back while I’m on the phone, will you?” Not only did they need a tow truck for Lee’s vehicle, they needed a ride back to town and a Be On the Lookout—a BOLO—put out for the gray sedan.

“Of course.” He looked distracted. Thoughtful. His brows pulled together over the bridge of his nose as if he knew something and was pondering it.

“What is it?” she asked.

His eyes flicked to hers then he shook his head. “Nothing.”

The dispatcher came on the line. “Where’s my backup?”

“On the way, Ellen. They should be there within minutes.”

“Tell them to be looking for a dark gray sedan—a Buick—with 04 in the license plate.”

“Copy that.”

Ellen hung up and paced behind the protection of Lee’s truck while she watched the road and thought about what had just happened. “Did you tell anyone about us going to pick up the puppies?” she asked.

Lee frowned. “No. But it’s not because I thought it was some top secret mission—it’s just that I don’t talk to too many people.”

Ellen heard the bitterness behind the words. Being imprisoned for two years for a crime one didn’t commit could do that to a person. She also knew that people in Desert Valley, Arizona, had long memories and weren’t very forgiving. Never mind that the man before her had been set up by a corrupt cop.

When she’d heard Lee had been arrested for robbery, she’d been stunned. Then disbelief had set in. But the evidence had been overwhelming. Now she knew why. It was easy to frame someone when the investigating officer planted evidence. Disgust curled inside her. She had nothing but contempt for those who used their power to hurt others, to fulfill some kind of personal agenda.

Sirens broke the silence and she straightened, her eyes once again going to the place where the gray sedan had disappeared. Some of her adrenaline eased now that she felt sure they weren’t coming back.

Chief of police Earl Jones stepped from his cruiser. Seventy years old, he topped six feet two inches and carried himself well in spite of his large gut. His gray hair looked mussed, as though he’d run his hands through it several times. His gaze landed on Ellen then slid over to Lee. “Not out of prison two weeks and you’re already causing trouble? Not a good way to start your new life.”

* * *

Lee nearly bit through his tongue to keep the words he’d like to fling at the man from making their way past his teeth. He simply stared at the chief. He wouldn’t defend himself. He didn’t have to. The fact that he stood here a free man was defense enough as far as he was concerned. Chief Jones raised a brow, a glint of respect lighting his eyes before he hitched his britches and held out a hand to Lee. “You got a raw deal. I’m glad it all worked out for you.”

Lee blinked and swallowed his anger. He shook the man’s hand. “Thanks. I am, too.”

The chief looked at Ellen. “What’s going on here, Foxcroft?”

Ellen’s gaze darted between the two them. Lee maintained his cool stance. Deputy Louise Donaldson exited her cruiser and joined them on the side of the road. The woman was in her early sixties and, if Lee remembered correctly, had been widowed at a rather young age.

She was tall and solid, her hair cut in a no-nonsense brown bob. Her dark eyes were serious and concerned. He also knew she planned to retire soon. In fact he wondered who would retire first, the chief or Louise. And why he was even thinking about that confused him. He attributed it to some kind of coping mechanism. If he thought about the mundane, he didn’t have to think about the fact that he and Ellen could have been killed a short few moments ago.

“We were shot at,” Ellen was saying. “I think there were two of them in the vehicle. They drove a dark gray Buick and I got a partial plate.” She gave it to him. “They’ve also got a busted windshield.”

“I’ll call for a tow truck,” Louise said. She got on her phone and Earl rubbed a hand over his craggy face.

“All right, let’s get you two back to town and get this figured out. Donaldson!”

“Yes, Chief?” She slid her phone back into the clip.

“Get Marlton and Harmon out here to take care of the evidence collection before the sun goes down. We’ve only got a couple hours before dark.” Dennis Marlton and Eddie Harmon, two more of Desert Valley’s finest—only Lee had come to figure out they weren’t quite so fine. Between ready-for-retirement cops and simple ineffectiveness, Lee decided it was a wonder enforcement of the law even happened in Desert Valley.

Chief Jones was a good man, but his upcoming retirement had him slacking off. The chief continued, “I’ll stay here while you chauffeur these two back to town. Officer Foxcroft’s got some paperwork to fill out on the shooting. Make sure her gun is turned in and all is done according to procedure.”

Louise’s jaw tightened as though she didn’t like being told how to do her job, but she simply nodded. “Of course. Come on.”

Lee put the crated puppies in the back of the DVPD SUV cruiser then he climbed in the back while Ellen took the front passenger seat. Louise started the vehicle and pulled away from the edge of the road. Lee reached over and settled his hand on Ellen’s shoulder. She started and turned to look at him, confusion clouding her eyes. But at least she didn’t pull away. “I’m glad you’re all right,” he said. “That was some quick thinking and good shooting out there.”

She shot him a tight smile. “Thanks. I just wanted to stop them.”

“You did that, all right.”

She fell silent and Lee removed his hand from her shoulder to look out the window and watch the scenery pass by. He didn’t take for granted the fact that he could do this now. He’d missed riding in a car for the past two years. Missed driving his truck. He’d missed a lot of things. The anger wanted to bubble up, but he took a deep breath and forced it down. Anger at what he couldn’t change wouldn’t help anything. It would just cause the bitterness to grow, and he didn’t want to go through life that way. Had made a vow he wouldn’t let it consume him. Not like it had his father. He forced the thought away.

Within minutes they were at the police station. Lee climbed out of the cruiser, grabbed the puppies from the back and waited for Ellen to climb out. He let her go in front of him, watching her enter the station, her steps light, movements graceful. He realized his feelings for her hadn’t diminished one bit from their high school days. No matter how hard he tried to deny it, he was still attracted to her. And her mother still hated him. No doubt even more so at this point. He wasn’t just a kid from the wrong side of the tracks anymore—he’d been incarcerated. Oh, yes, that would go over well with Marian Foxcroft. Assuming she ever woke up from her coma to find out he was now out and working with her daughter. As much as he disliked the woman, he realized he could feel compassion for her. She was in the hospital in a coma, a victim of a home invasion and a vicious attack. No one deserved that. He swallowed hard and pulled the rolling crates behind him. He trailed Ellen as she led the way through the Desert Valley Police Department lobby.

“Ellen?”

Ellen paused and turned to the woman who’d called her name. “Yes, Carrie?”

Lee racked his brain trying to place what he’d learned about the secretary and couldn’t come up with much. In her thirties, she wore thick horn-rimmed glasses and her brown hair was always in the same style every time he’d seen her around town. Up in one of those messy-bun things some women managed to twist their hair into. She was quiet and kind and did her job well if the rumors were true.

She handed Ellen a piece of paper. “The hospital called just to say there’s been no change in your mother. Dr. North said to let you know he had a family emergency and wouldn’t be able to meet with you this afternoon, but if you’ll call his secretary to reschedule, she’ll fit you in as soon as possible.”

“That’s fine. Thanks.” She frowned. “I wonder why he didn’t call my cell.”

“He said he did but you didn’t answer.”

“She was kind of busy,” Lee said.

Ellen nodded. “Thanks, Carrie.”

“Of course.” She turned back to her computer and Louise continued the trek to a conference room.

Officer Donaldson shut the door behind them and Lee saw Ellen check her phone. “Yep. Missed call.” She glanced at Lee. “Right in the middle of our little incident. I never heard it ring.”

He hadn’t, either.

Ellen removed her weapon and placed it in the bag the officer held out for her. “You know the drill,” Officer Donaldson said. “There’ll be an investigation. You’re off duty for the moment.”

Ellen sighed. “I know.”

“The good news is since there are no wounded or dead bodies, you could be cleared for return to duty as early as tomorrow or the next day. We’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, Louise.”

The woman’s brown eyes softened a fraction. “You’re welcome. You did good, rookie.”

Ellen gave a faint smile. “Thanks.”

“How’s your mother?”

Her smile slipped. “She’s still alive. We’re just praying she wakes up soon and can tell us who did this to her. Until then, she’s under twenty-four-hour guard to make sure no one can get to her and finish what they started. Chief Jones was willing to have you all take shifts guarding her, but I know Mom wouldn’t have wanted to take you away from your duties here. I’ve hired a private agency to make sure there’s a guard on her door. So far, that’s worked out well.”

“We’re all praying for her.” Louise set the weapon aside and motioned for them to sit at the table. Once seated Lee wanted to fidget. He wasn’t interested in being in this building ever again. Louise pulled a laptop in front of her. “All right, let’s go through it all again.”

Lee started to say something when Carrie entered the room. Louise raised a brow. “Yes?”

“Sorry to interrupt, but someone found a glove behind a Dumpster near veterinarian Tanya Fowler’s office and brought it in.” She held up the bagged glove while he pictured Tanya, the veterinarian he’d seen occasionally when she’d come to the prison to vaccinate the dogs with the Prison Pups program. A sweet lady whose nonjudgmental eyes never failed to raise his spirits. He tuned back into what Carrie was saying. “Two kids were waiting with their mother while she had their dog in with Dr. Fowler and they ran around the side of the building playing hide and seek. Little Justin Daniels found it and gave it to his mother.”

“Okay. And it’s important because...?”

“It matches the set worn by one of the robbers who robbed that bank in Flagstaff six months ago.”

Louise frowned. “How would she have known that?”

“She wouldn’t. She turned it in to us because it had five one-hundred-dollar bills in it and thought someone may have reported it missing.”

“Has someone?”

“No.” Carrie pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose with her forefinger. “But when the robbery first happened, we got all those wanted notices faxed to us, remember? The chief also got the video footage of the robbery.” She walked farther into the room and placed the glove on the desk. “He and I watched it together just in case I spotted anyone hanging around town. Turns out I recognized the gloves in the surveillance video. They’re a pretty popular brand and I sent this exact pair to a cousin for Christmas last year.” She wrinkled her nose. “Well, not this one, but a pair just like them. So I just checked the bank footage again to be sure, and this sure looks like one of the gloves.”

Louise nodded. “Okay, that’s good news. I wouldn’t have thought there would be any chance of picking up that trail again. Send the glove off to the lab. Take Justin Daniels’s fingerprints as well as his mother’s and send them for comparison.” Carrie nodded. “Also, get the serial numbers from the bills and send them to the Flagstaff PD. I don’t know that they’ll need them, but it can’t hurt to have them just in case.”

“Got it.” Carrie turned and walked out, carrying the evidence.

Louise looked up at Ellen. “You heard about that bank robbery, right?”

“Vaguely. It happened shortly after we started our training with Veronica and that’s where my focus was. I think I remember that they never found the money, right?”

“No, it happened just as the bank was closing on a Friday afternoon. Two men in masks and semiautomatics in broad daylight. Shook the whole city up.”

“They were obviously professionals and they had it well planned.”

“True,” she sighed. “They got away that day, but the FBI was called in and arrested one of the robbers—a Nolan Little. The second robber got away, but the FBI tracked him down right here in Desert Valley two days later, hiding in an abandoned mobile home. He got into a shootout with them and was killed. They searched and found his weapon and a few bills, but he didn’t have the bank money on him.”

“Let me guess, the one they caught isn’t talking.”

“He couldn’t if he wanted to. He was killed about two months into serving his sentence.”

“So anyone who might have known where the money is can’t talk because they’re dead.”

“Yes. At least the ones we know about.”

“You think there’s someone else involved?”

“The FBI was convinced there was a third person—a driver—but they’ve never been able to prove it. He wasn’t in the video and there wasn’t a car at the scene.”

“How did they get away?” Ellen asked.

“On foot. Ran right out the back door through a back alley and disappeared. That’s why we think there was a third person involved. Someone with a car that was never seen. Someone who knew where the security cameras were and made sure to park out of view. The robbers climbed in and they drove away.” She sighed. “The FBI sends the chief an update every so often, but I think they’ve probably given up on ever recovering the money—or the third person if there ever was one.” She shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe with the glove, they’ll get a fresh trail to follow.” She drew in a deep breath. “Now, Lee, what can you tell me about the shootout that just occurred?”

Lee shifted. “I think I have something that will help.”

“What’s that?”

“I have a dash cam on my truck. We just need to watch the video.” He held up his phone and pressed the screen to pull up the app.

He shook his head at the irony. After everything this department had put him through, he had something that could possibly help them. And he was going to push aside his initial reaction of “let them fend for themselves” and do it.

This time they’d better not mess up.

TWO

An hour later, Ellen and Lee walked out of the building with Lee rolling the puppies behind in their carriers. “A dash cam?” Ellen asked him.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Call me paranoid. But after everything that happened with the crooked cop and...” He shook his head. “I’m not going to be in that position again. So I mounted a dash cam on my rearview mirror as some sort of protection, I guess. Maybe it was stupid.”

“And maybe you’re brilliant. I can’t say I blame you a bit. And it allowed us to see one of the men in the car.”

“Yes.” He frowned.

“Everything all right?”

“Yes. I’m just thinking.”

“About?” She spotted the SUV in the road, getting ready to turn in to the lot. “Hold that thought.”

Whitney Godwin, also a rookie K-9 officer, pulled in and parked. She climbed out of the truck, her shoulder-length light blond hair blowing around her face. She shoved it back and waved at Ellen. “Hey, there. Are you okay?”

“We survived. That’s the good news. Thanks for bringing the car,” Ellen said. “Lee picked me up at my home this morning so we’re a bit stranded.” She took the keys from Whitney’s outstretched hand. Looking into her friend’s eyes, she could see contentment. Happiness. All due to the new man in her life. A doctor named David Evans. They’d had some hard times but had made it through to the other side. Now they were planning a wedding.

It made Ellen happy for Whitney...and sad for herself. Would she ever have that look? She glanced at Lee. She’d actually had it years ago. Back when she and Lee were together. When they weren’t fighting about her mother, they’d had some great times, been happy. She sighed. Whitney’s features clouded in concern. “Why the heavy sigh? You okay?”

Ellen forced her lips into an upward curve. “Yes, just...reminiscing, sorry. Do you need a ride anywhere?”

“No.” Whitney’s smile came back. “David’s on his way to get me. We’re taking Shelby for a picnic.” Shelby was Whitney’s baby daughter.

Lee found a spot of grass, clipped leashes to the three pups and let them loose to take care of business. When they were finished, he got them back into the carriers and rolled them over to the vehicle where she and Whitney stood.

“Lee, do you know Whitney?”

He set the puppies in the back area of the vehicle where Carly usually rode, then held out a hand to Whitney. “I don’t think we’ve met. It’s a pleasure.”

“Same here.” She eyed the building and grimaced. “I hate to go in on my day off, but I have some leftover paperwork I need to finish up before David and I can enjoy the rest of the day. I’ll see you later.”

She disappeared through the glass doors. Lee turned to Ellen. “I’m starving,” he said.

“Want to hit a drive-through and take the food to the training facility? We can eat and talk business if you’re up to it.”

“I am if you are.”

He still looked a bit distracted. What was on his mind? The shooting probably. “You okay?”

He blinked and climbed into the passenger seat. “Yeah.”

“Something’s bothering you.”

“How do you figure?”

She gave a low chuckle. “Come on, Lee, we used to be best friends.” Actually, they’d been more than that, but that sentence was much safer than saying they’d one time been in love. The flare in his eyes said he was thinking it. She cleared her throat. “I can read you pretty well even after all these years. You have that little tic in your forehead that gives you away every time.”

He pressed his fingers to it and his brow furrowed. “Let’s get back to the facility so we can talk without distractions.”

Ellen wasn’t crazy about the fact that he wanted to wait to talk, but she could be patient. When she had to. But... “Why don’t you just tell me what it is that’s bothering you?”

He sighed. “Fine. When we were attacked, I thought I recognized one of the men in the car. The dash cam confirmed it.”

* * *

Ellen stared at him even while she cranked the vehicle’s ignition. “What? And you’re just now saying something?”

“I wanted to know for sure before I said anything.”

“And you’re sure now?”

“No, but I figured you could help me find out if I’m right or not.”

“So who do think it is?”

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I’m not sure so maybe I shouldn’t say anything, but if it’s him—”

Her ringing phone cut him off. She glanced at the dashboard. Chief Jones’s number flashed. “Hello?”

Her Bluetooth kicked in and his voice came over the speakers. “Foxcroft. Where are you?”

“Just leaving the station. Do you need me to come back in?”

“No, just wanted to let you know we got a hit on that partial plate.” While the chief talked, she drove.

“And?”

“There was a vehicle stolen last night. When we ran the partial against all of the ones in the system, we managed to narrow it down to the one that was used in the attack. Who knew you were going to pick up those puppies today?”

Ellen thought. “I don’t know. It wasn’t a secret. I’ve already checked with Lee and he didn’t mention it to anyone. I told my staff at the assistance center so they could get an area prepared, but other than that, no one that I recall. Sophie could have mentioned it to someone, I suppose.”

He grunted. “And it’s possible the attack had nothing to do with that anyway. All right, rookie, be careful. Hopefully we’ll get all this cleared up in the next day or so and you’ll be back on duty. Tell Earnshaw the dash cam thing is paranoia at its finest. Glad he had it installed. Sorry he felt the need for it.”

“He heard you.”

“Thanks, Chief,” Lee said before falling silent.

She hung up and within minutes, she was pulling into the parking lot of the Desert Valley Canine Assistance Center attached to the K-9 Unit Training Center.

Ellen threw the vehicle in Park and climbed out. Lee followed, rolling the puppies with him. He took them into a fenced area that had been specifically set up for them and let the three pups out of the carriers. They bolted into the warm grass, tumbling over one another, nipping and yapping, clearly glad to be able to run off some energy. “What are their names?” she asked. “They should be on their tags.”

He pointed to the one running laps around the space. “That one is Dash.”

“Appropriate.” She looked at the other two. One sat on his haunches, tongue lolling as his gaze bounced between his friends. She walked over and snagged his tag. “This is King. I see why they named him that. He looks like a king ruling over his subjects.”

“You’re right, he does,” Lee said with a nod. He grabbed the last dog by the collar as she wandered past and checked her tag. “And this is Lady.”

She licked his hand and Ellen laughed. “Dainty and sweet.”

He smiled. “All right. Dash, King and Lady. Poor girl is outnumbered, isn’t she?”

“It’ll make her stronger.”

He nodded and locked the gate and walked toward her.

She waited for him, hands on her hips, mind only partially on naming the pups. She wanted to focus on what he’d revealed before the chief’s call. “So you think you know one of the guys who attacked us?”

“Yes. A guy from the prison who was released around the same time I was.”

She studied him. “What were you mixed up in at the prison, Lee, that would inspire someone to come after you like that?”

His jaw went rigid and Ellen blinked at the flare of rage—and hurt—that flashed in his eyes. “Really? That’s the first thing that comes to you mind? That’s what you think?” His fingers curled into fists. “You’re just like her, aren’t you?” he said, his voice low and strained.

“What?”

He jabbed a finger at her. “You’re just like your mother.”

“That’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not. It’s not fair that she didn’t like me just because of who my family was. It’s not fair that she interfered in our relationship. A lot of things aren’t fair. And you’re following right in her footsteps. You’re judging me without all the facts. Well, that’s fine. You’re entitled to think and say what you want, but I don’t have to stand here and listen to it.” He started to walk off.

“Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“How are you going to get there? You don’t have a car, remember?”

He held up a cell phone, his eyes narrowed. She shivered at the coldness there. “All too well. However, while there aren’t many, I do have a few friends left in this town. I can get a ride. Or I’ll just walk. It’s not that far.” He spun on his heel and kept going.

Ellen sighed and dropped her chin to her chest. Was he right? Was she being judgmental? The fact that he compared her to her mother made her shudder. “Wait, Lee. Stop. You haven’t even eaten your food.”

“It’s still in the bag, I’ll take it with me.”

He stopped his march at the car, opened the door and pulled out one of the fast-food bags. Then he turned his back on her once more and headed for the edge of her property, which would lead him to the main road. “Who was it, Lee? Who did you recognize?” He didn’t answer, just kept walking. “Lee!”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Ellen.” And then he disappeared around the edge of the house.

She gave a low groan and took off after him. “Stop, will you?”

She rounded the corner and slammed into his hard chest. “Oof.”

He caught her biceps, the white food bag dangling from one hand. She looked up. The chill in his eyes hadn’t thawed one degree. His features resembled granite. She drew in his scent and swallowed, the past rushing in to blindside her. She remembered clearly being held in his arms. Sitting in the hammock, her ear pressed against his chest, listening to his heart thud a steady beat. She remembered his sweet kisses and whispered promises. She remembered it all. And yearned to go back to recapture each and every moment.

He gently set her away from him and reality intruded. She straightened. There was no going back. There was only now and what the future might bring. And that didn’t include Lee. Once the murders were solved and her mother woke from the coma—and she refused to believe she wouldn’t—Ellen was going to request a transfer. There was no way she was staying Desert Valley forever. She was simply marking time until everything was wrapped up.

No matter what her mother thought—or wanted.

She was still leaving once the murders were solved. Ryder Hayes’ wife’s case was still open after five years, and the two deputies whose deaths originally looked like accidents now appeared to be possible murder victims. And so she and the other deputies were in Desert Valley until these cases were solved. But until then...

“Don’t go,” she blurted. Then bit her lip.

His eyes didn’t soften—but he did hesitate. Hope flared. “I need to think about some things,” he said, “and I need to do that at home. We’ll talk later.”

She sighed. When he was in this kind of mood there was no talking him out of it. “Fine. I’ll give you a ride home. Let me get Carly.”

He studied her a moment, then gave a terse nod. She walked up the steps to the front door, unlocked it and whistled for Carly. The sleek golden retriever with the soft brown eyes bounded over to her and expressed her delight in Ellen’s presence. Ellen scratched the dog’s silky ears then led the way to the truck. She opened Carly’s door and the dog hopped in, sniffing the area. The pups had left their scent and Carly definitely noticed. She finally seemed to accept the smell and settled down. Ellen shut the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. Lee was already in the truck with his seat belt fastened. “Will you at least tell me who you recognized? I need to know.”

* * *

She started the truck and backed out of the spot. Lee considered keeping the information to himself, but couldn’t do it. When she hit the main road, he finally answered her.

“A former inmate,” he said. “And while he served at the same I did, I knew him before I went to prison.” He winced. “Even after everything it still galls me to say that sentence.” He tightened his jaw against the anger then breathed deeply before exhaling slowly. He could tell her this. He used to tell her everything. And even though he wasn’t exactly happy with her jump to judgment, if he had information that could lead to Veronica’s killer, he’d swallow his pride. “I used to hang out with him before I met you.”

“So who is he?”

He sighed. “A troublemaker. Like I said, he was released about the same time I was. Not because he was innocent, but because he’d served his time.”

“A name, Lee.”

He sighed. “Freddie Parrish.”

She lifted a brow. “Freddie Parrish? Wait a minute. I know him. We went to high school with him.”

“Yep. He and I graduated together. I kind of lost track of him after high school, though. We went our separate ways.”

“Yeah. You went to college.”

“Yes.”

“And so did Freddie, for a while. He had options. He could have finished school. He could have just gone to work if he didn’t want to do school. I wonder what made him turn to a life of crime.”

He shook his head. “Some people just make bad decisions, get mixed up with the wrong people. I don’t know.” He rubbed his chin. “You know, they offered a lot of college courses at the prison.”

“Sure, I know that. Including the vet tech program through one of the local colleges in Flagstaff.”

He nodded. “A lot of the inmates take advantage of it to get their education. It gives them hope that when they get out, they can stay straight and get a good job.”

“I think it’s a great idea.”

“I know Freddie took a couple of the courses, and was even real close to finishing the program before he was recruited to work with the program’s veterinarian, who took care of the puppies.”

“What was he in prison for?” she asked.

“He had several DUIs and had gotten off with fines the first couple of times. Then he got into a bar fight with a guy who was supposed to be a friend and cut him with broken bottle. The judge gave him three years. He served all three.”

She tapped the wheel. “We’ll check him out, see if he has an alibi for the shooting.” She handed him her phone. “Send a text to the chief with the information, will you? Tell him I want Freddie brought in for questioning.”

Lee did as she’d asked.

She drove with confidence, and then he caught her looking at him from the corner of her eye. “What?” he asked.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but did you renew your friendship with Freddie in prison?”

Her question rocked him and he shot her a black look. “No, we didn’t renew our friendship. The only reason I was ever around him was because he was a vet tech for the Prison Pups program. We worked together and that was it. I liked the program. Sophie Williams is a good woman and amazing with the dogs. I kept my mouth shut and my head down because I didn’t want to lose out on the only thing that allowed me to forget—if just for a brief moment—what my life had become.”

She swallowed and looked down. “I understand.”

“No. You don’t. And I hope you never do. Anyway, I caught Freddie mistreating the animals and told Sophie. She was furious and kicked him out of the program.”

She pursed her lips and raised a brow. “I would think that might cause him to hold a grudge.”

“Yes, but he doesn’t strike me as the type to work alone.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a bully only when he feels like his victims won’t—or can’t—fight back or when he knows someone’s got his back. In prison, during the time in the yard, he only hung around with those he’d earned favor with.”

“Earned favor with?”

Lee sighed. “You’ve been in law enforcement long enough to know that prison has its own culture. There are rules and regulations just like on the outside, but they’re tailored for prison life. It looked like Freddie was behaving himself. It looked like he was a model prisoner, but mostly that was because he was so sneaky. He never got caught doing anything wrong—until I caught him being rough with the pups. But he had access to areas of the prison that others didn’t have. As a result, he was able to gather information that he could either use to gain favor with those who had more clout than himself or sell to the highest bidder.”

“I see. He had friends who would watch his back so he could continue his sneaky activities. Friends that would do his dirty work if he needed them to.”

“Exactly.”

Ellen frowned. “Okay. Hopefully the chief will have someone bring him—and whoever was with him—in for questioning soon.”

“Hopefully.” He rubbed a hand through his hair. “And now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to change the subject,” he said.

“All right. What is it?”

“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but you cops are looking at the wrong people for suspects in Veronica’s murder.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re looking at the troublemakers, the people with grudges—and that’s a list a mile long and is going to take forever to cover. You need to be looking at the not so obvious.”

“We’re running the investigation exactly as it’s supposed to be run.”

“I know that’s what you think, but I’m not sure I agree.” He held up a hand. “No, I’m not a cop and, no, I haven’t been trained in criminal investigation, but I can’t help thinking that you need to be looking at Veronica’s last day. Who did she come into contact with? Who did she speak with? Interact with? Fight with?”

Ellen pulled up at his house and simply sat while she digested his words. He watched her mull them over and knew she was formulating a response to appease him. He let her think while he looked at his home trying to see it through her eyes.

He loved what he’d managed to do with it. Now it had an outbuilding attached to a kennel. The exercise areas were fenced in and ready to see action. He’d built a good business before he’d been incarcerated.

His gaze wandered to the small three-bedroom ranch house that he’d grown up in. One her mother considered to be on the wrong side of town, but one where he knew Ellen had found acceptance and many hours of happiness—as long as Veronica wasn’t home. They’d all been happier when his sister hadn’t been home. Guilt hit him at the thought and he grimaced.

“I hear what you’re saying, Lee, I do,” Ellen said. “And we’re looking into all of that. I promise we’re doing our job.”

“I’m not saying you’re not. I’m simply saying your focus is in the wrong place. Ordinary people can snap when pushed too far, not just the troublemakers.” He’d learned that in prison.

She sighed. “I don’t know what else to tell you. We’re aware of this. We’re working on it. Investigations take time.” She tapped her fingers on the wheel. “Okay, I’ll tell you this.” She paused.

“Tell me what?”

“One thing that’s really got our attention is the break-ins that are happening all around town. I’m sure you’ve heard of them.”

“Yes, of course.” Everyone in town was on edge due to the break-ins.

“There’s been a rash of them,” she said. “Residents are worried and so are the cops. We understand their need to protect their property and their families, but we also don’t need a trigger-happy home owner accidentally shooting his neighbor.”

He grunted and climbed from the truck. “A valid concern. On both sides. But what do the break-ins have to do with the investigation into my sister’s murder?”

“They’re not your average, run-of-the-mill break-ins. The people doing them don’t steal anything. Yes, if there’s some cash lying around, they take it, but they don’t steal expensive electronics that could be easily fenced or even things like jewelry. One woman had a thousand-dollar diamond necklace hanging on her mirror and they left it.”

“Maybe they just didn’t notice it.”

“That’s possible. But it’s not just that. This just feels different. It’s like they’re looking for something and when they don’t find it, they just leave.”

“So what are they looking for?” He’d forgotten his anger with her for the moment, simply glad she was sharing the information with him.

“When we found your sister, we also found her with two German shepherd pups. We know she was planning on microchipping three.”

“Yes, I know all that.” He’d been told this when he’d gone to the station after his release from prison demanding answers about the progress in his sister’s investigation. “Hold that thought. Grab your food and let’s eat inside.”

She snagged the bag and released Carly. The dog sniffed the ground as she followed the humans toward the house. Ellen stepped inside his childhood home. She looked around. “I heard about your dad dying. I’m so sorry.”

Lee closed his eyes. “I am, too. Even sorrier that he drank himself to death and there wasn’t anything I could do to stop him.” He cleared his throat and moved aside a stack of magazines from the kitchen table. “Veronica kept the house up for me while I was incarcerated. As much as I hated this place growing up—with the exception of the times that you were here—I sure was glad to have it to come back to when I got out a couple of weeks ago.”

“I’m sure.” She looked at the dog. “Carly, sit.” Carly’s hind end hit the floor. “Good girl.” She scratched her ears.

He pulled the food out of the bag and set it on the table. “Water okay? I don’t have much to drink around here.”

“Water sounds great.” He filled the glasses and a bowl for Carly. The dog lapped it and Lee joined her at the table. “So enough about that. You said you found Veronica with two puppies, but she was supposed to be microchipping three.”

“Right. We still haven’t found the missing puppy, Marco.”

He lifted a brow. “I’ve seen the signs around town, the posters asking for information. Is he really that important to the case?”

“We believe so. And we believe the person who killed your sister is the one breaking in to the houses. We think they’re looking for that missing German shepherd puppy, as well.”

He frowned. “But...why?” He took a bite out of his hamburger and shook a few fries onto the wrapper.

“We don’t know,” Ellen said. “Unless the people who broke in to the K-9 training center were after the puppies in the first place. Maybe they wanted them to sell.” She shrugged. “Veronica was there microchipping those puppies as a last-minute thing. Maybe the people who broke in to the training center thought she would be gone. We don’t know. We haven’t put it all together yet, but the missing puppy is definitely a connection in your sister’s murder.”

He rubbed his eyes. “Thanks for telling me that. It helps to know there’s at least one lead you’re following.”

“So...” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry.”

“For?”

“Judging you. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I’m sure while you were in prison you came across a lot of troublemakers. Troublemakers you’d recognize once they were back on the street.” She shook her head. “I jumped to conclusions. I was wrong and I’m sorry for hurting you. Again.”

A lump formed in his throat and he looked away for a moment to get his emotions under control. He took a sip of water. “It’s hard not to get defensive sometimes. I’m working on it. I worked on it for the entire two years I was locked up for something I didn’t do. I watched my father become a bitter, hateful man after my mother walked out. Veronica changed, too. She went from being a loving sister to a nasty person I didn’t want to be around for very long. I determined at a young age that I wouldn’t let life do that to me.” He gave a low laugh. “I never thought life would throw an undeserved prison sentence at me, though, so it’s been a struggle to keep that promise to myself, but my grandmother’s influence, her unwavering support, visits—and prayers—have helped.”

“I’m sure. Your grandmother was a sweetheart.”

He nodded. “Still is.” He glanced at his plate. “She’s living in a retirement home now in Flagstaff and is loving it. I’m happy for her. I wish I could get down there more often to visit, though.” Flagstaff was about four hours south of Desert Valley. Lee took another sip of his drink and set the glass on the table. “You have some big plans for the assistance center. I like the way you think.”

She raised a brow. “Well, thanks.” Her eyes started to glow. “You know, coming from a wealthy background was often a pain when I was growing up. Everyone thought my life should be perfect because I was a Foxcroft. Didn’t matter that my parents fought all the time or that, when my father finally left, my mother started micromanaging my life.”

“I know your life wasn’t perfect.”

“Yes, you understood more than the average person. At first when I graduated from the K-9 training center and was given this assignment, I was furious.” She twisted the napkin between her fingers. “To be honest, I actually thought about quitting.”

“What?” He stared. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Well, it was only a brief thought. But I didn’t want to be back under my mother’s heavy thumb. I was afraid if I came back to Desert Valley, I would...ah...revert to my wimpy high school self, I suppose.”

He tilted his head. “But you haven’t.”

“No.” Her jaw tightened.

“So why did you move back in with her?”

Ellen sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I didn’t really want to, but...she played on my guilt.”

“How so?”

“Oh, you know. She was so glad I was staying in town, she went on and on about how worried she’d been about me going off and being a cop in a strange place and how she was so lonely.” Ellen sighed. “It was just supposed to be a temporary thing. I told her I’d move back until I found a place to stay.”

“Why didn’t you stay with the other officers? In the apartment for the rookies?” The apartment had been part of the program, set up to house all the trainees during their sessions. Now that the town was in the midst of a crime wave and the latest group of rookies were staying in town, the apartment had been opened up for them to continue living there should they choose to do so. Some had, but not Ellen.

She grimaced. “I felt like it would be a slap in my mother’s face, so I sucked it up and moved in with her.” Her eyes narrowed. “However, when I learned I was coming back here for an extended period of time, I was determined I would do something good with all that money sitting in the bank.”

“Hence the assistance program.”

“Yes.”

“It’s an awesome use of the money, Ellen. The assistance program is very much needed and not just in Desert Valley—you’ll be touching lives all over the country. There are never enough trained animals to go out to those in need.”

“I know. I’ve been thinking about that. If this thing gets up and running like I hope it will, the center could always expand as needed.”

“I agree. Expanding would be great. And I have an idea of what we’ll need in order to consider that at some point in the future.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I’ve been meaning to discuss this with you and just haven’t had the chance. We had talked about ways to get the community involved in the center and, like we discussed, I have several tours of the space lined up. Some politicians, some families and some school groups. In spite of the money you’ve put into it, I think we should let the public give to it, as well. When people give money to a cause, they tend to pay attention to it and hold it close to their heart. We need that from the good folks in Desert Valley. Once we have that, we can think about other areas.”

She nodded. “That’s a great idea.” She smiled and his heart warmed. “You’ve done all of that in such a short time. That’s impressive.” She reached across and grasped his fingers. “I’m so thankful you said yes to working with me, Lee. You’re an amazing addition to the team.”

He felt the heat rise in his cheeks but focused on the feel of her warm hand on his. Her touch reminded him of the past, of the days they’d laughed and held hands as though their time together was as long as eternity. “Thanks.” His voice came out husky and he cleared his throat. “And I think your summer camp idea is a fabulous one, too.” She’d gone into detail about that when she’d hired him. “We won’t be able to do many weeks this summer, maybe the first two weeks of August before school starts back, but next year we should be able to get off to an immediate start when the school year is over.”

Ellen stilled and went quiet. Then gave a slow nod. “Yes, next year.”

“What is it?”

She blew out a low breath and shook her head. “Nothing, nothing. Your ideas are wonderful. Your long-term planning is amazing and a real benefit to the program.”

“But?”

She sighed. “But I don’t know where I’ll be in a year.”

His heart dropped and he cleared his throat. “I...ah... I see. So what does that mean?”

“Lee, I’m not hanging around here. I’m doing my best to get away from Desert Valley.” And my mother. He heard the words even though she didn’t say them out loud. Which meant she’d be leaving him, too. Again. “And as soon as we solve Veronica’s murder,” she continued, oblivious to his aching heart, “my assignment is complete and I’m free to move on to another city. Or state.”

He gave a slow nod. “Okay then. Thanks for the heads up.” And the warning to guard his heart. The one that was beating a sad rhythm as he tried to reign in his emotions. He fell silent for a moment then sighed. “At least when—if—you decide to go somewhere else, you’ll be leaving behind a legacy that will continue to help people for a very long time.” Because while he intended to finish vet school, he could see himself returning to Desert Valley to continue working with the program. Maybe even as the program’s full-time vet.

Maybe.

The thought of doing all of that without Ellen by his side left a bitter taste in his mouth. He pulled his hand from under hers and returned to his food. For the next few minutes an uncomfortable silence hovered between them.

Ellen finished her dinner and stood. “I should get going. I need to go by the hospital and check on my mother.” She tossed the wrappers into the trash can, then glanced at her phone. “I know if there was any change in her condition, they would call me, but sometimes I hope that just by my being there, she’ll know it. That it might trigger something in her brain and she’ll wake up. Even if it’s the desire to tell me I’m ruining my life.” She gave him a rueful smile.

“You’re a good daughter.”

The smile slipped off and her jaw tightened. “Too good sometimes, I’m afraid. And not good enough at other times.” She looked into his eyes and Lee’s heart beat a little faster at what he saw there. “I have regrets, Lee, I just want you to know that. I really do.”

He reached out a hand and dragged a finger down her soft cheek. He knew what she was referring to. “I do, too. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible to go through life and not acquire a few regrets.” He sighed and pulled her into a hug. She stiffened then relaxed and let him hold her. It hit home how much he’d missed her. “I’m sorry you’re having to go through this.”

“Thanks, me too.” She sucked in a deep breath and pulled back. His arms immediately felt empty but he didn’t protest. “Do you need me to come get you in the morning?” she asked.

“I suppose. I’ll need to get a rental car, I guess.”

“You can use one of my mother’s cars. She has a Jeep and a BMW. I recommend the Jeep.”

“Um, no way, thanks. If Marian Foxcroft wakes up and finds that you’ve let me drive one of her vehicles, she’ll have both of us arrested for grand theft auto. I’ll pass on that one.”

“Ha-ha. She will not.” She might try, though. “I have some pull with the police around here should she try anything. Seriously, I should have thought of it before I brought you home, but we’ll take care of it tomorrow.”

He was touched by her offer. Mostly because he hadn’t been expecting it. Still... “I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Well, I do. End of discussion.”

Lee drew in a deep breath. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“Then...I’d appreciate it. I’ll call George at the body shop first thing in the morning and see when he thinks he’ll have my truck ready. Might be a while, though.”

“That’s fine. I’ll come get you in the morning.”

He nodded and stood to walk her out the door. A low thud made him pause. He looked at Ellen. “Did you hear that?”

Carly rose to her feet, ears cocked, attention on the front door. “I did and so did she.” Ellen lifted a finger to her lips and pulled her weapon. “Stay here. Someone’s out there.”

THREE

Ellen motioned for Lee to step back into the protection of the kitchen area. He frowned but followed her silent order. “Carly, heel.” Carly was at her side in a split second. She would stay right there until commanded to do otherwise. Ellen moved to the side window, staying away from the front of the door, and gently moved the curtain so she could see out.

Nothing. She flipped the porch light off, then let her eyes adjust. When nothing happened, her nerves tightening with each second, she eased the deadbolt to the right and slowly opened the door. Darkness greeted her. Stillness. At least no one shot at her.

Yet. Carly nudged her leg, her ears perked forward, attention on the outside.

“Who’s there?” Ellen called.

Again, nothing.

And yet Carly nearly vibrated.

She caught Lee’s eye. His frown deepened and he shook his head when he realized she meant to step outside. She frowned right back, moved out the door and slipped to the side, pressing her back against the wall of the house. She waited for Carly to pad out, then used her left hand to slowly shut the door. It was the best she could do to make herself as small a target as possible. She stood there, listening. Silence. No sound. Nothing that alarmed her.

She moved toward the steps, then froze when she heard a rustle to her left. She spun, lifting her weapon, wishing she had on her vest. But she could see nothing.

But her senses told her someone was out there. Watching. The hair spiked on the back of her neck. “Police! Who’s there? Show yourself,” she called. Then moved quickly in case someone decided to shoot in the direction of her voice.

But no bullets came her way.

Carly stayed right at her side, waiting for the command that would send her after whoever was hiding. But Ellen wasn’t ready to do that yet. As long as her own life wasn’t in danger, she wouldn’t let the dog go in blind. Ellen moved down the steps and out into the yard, taking cover behind the nearest tree. Her heart thundered in her ears.

Should she call for backup?

But no one had done anything yet. A flash of light in the direction of the kennel pulled her attention. She hesitated only for a moment. “Carly, seek,” she said and pointed.

Carly took off like a shot. Ellen moved quickly, following behind the animal. Sweat trickled down her back. She drew in shallow breaths and reached for her phone.

The sound of running footsteps just ahead of her reached her ears. She stayed behind Carly and whoever she was chasing only to stop when she heard an engine turn over and then a slight squeal of tires as the vehicle sped off into the night. At the edge of the road, Ellen bent and placed her hands on her knees. She took a long breath. Carly barked twice then settled at Ellen’s side. “Got away, didn’t he, girl?” Ellen slipped the dog a treat and Carly wolfed it down, proud of herself. Ellen scratched her ears and straightened when she heard footsteps.

“Ellen?”

She spun to find Lee behind her, only slightly winded. “What are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?”

“Sorry, I had to make sure you were all right.”

“I can take care of myself. That’s what I’m trained for, remember?”

Again her words caused a flash of hurt to darken his features. She sighed. She was tired. It had been a long day. But that was no excuse to snap at the man and hurt his feelings. “Again, I’m sorry. I can’t seem to get the filters to line up with my tongue.” She paused. “I appreciate the concern. Next time it might best if you stay back, though.”

The mask fell away and he barked a short laugh. “You don’t have to pretty it up for me, Ellen. You’ve always been blunt. No sense in trying to change now.”

She felt the heat rush into her cheeks. “Well, when you put it that way...fine. Do you have a flashlight?”

“You want me to turn the floodlights on? Or would that put us in the spotlight?”

She hesitated. “I think whoever was snooping out here is gone, but we probably don’t want to make it any easier to spot us should the person double back. I’m nervous enough standing here in the moonlight.”

“Gotcha.”

Because while she’d heard the person drive away and Carly no longer seemed concerned, Ellen felt the need to take all kinds of precautions.

* * *

Still worried that the intruder might return, Lee entered the kennel where he used to keep the dogs he’d loved to work with. That was before he’d had to make other arrangements for them when he was sentenced to prison. Veronica had helped him out with that. He even knew that a couple of them were now working dogs, trained by his sister’s skilled hand and rehomed to help those who needed it. Anger at all he’d lost surged through him and he had to squelch it before it grew.

That was in the past, he reminded himself. He had a future now. A future that included this home, this kennel that he’d built with his own two hands in his backyard. Thankfully, Veronica had hired someone to keep the outside area cut and trimmed while she took care of the house herself. He supposed the house hadn’t been much work since no one was living there. Simply dust and vacuum once a week. His backyard had been another matter, though. And while this area might be empty at the moment, he hoped to fill it up soon with more puppies to train for people who needed them. After all, he still had the rest of his schooling to pay for.

One step at a time.

They’d left the puppies at the training center, so tomorrow he’d get the one golden retriever pup from Ellen. Dash. That little one seemed to need a bit more of his expertise than the other two. He grabbed the flashlight he’d come for and hurried back outside to find Ellen making notes on her phone. “You’re going to report this?”

“Yes. We need to keep everything documented. I don’t want whoever is doing this to slip through our fingers on a technicality. I’ve got the date, time and description of what I heard and saw—and Carly’s reaction, as well.”

He handed her the flashlight and she clipped the phone to her belt then flipped the light on. She aimed the beam toward the ground. “Follow me and let’s use both sets of eyes. You may spot something that shouldn’t be there before I would. Carly will let us know if anyone comes back.”

He moved closer to her. Drew in her familiar scent. He used to dream about that smell while he was in prison—and even before. A combination of vanilla and strawberries. He was glad some things hadn’t changed.

Even while his mind remembered, his eyes scoured the ground. They worked in a grid pattern. Up toward the road, then back. Finally, he pointed. “There. Near the gate.” She moved closer and aimed the light where he indicated. “The grass is pressed down. I’ve been meaning to get out here and cut it, but haven’t had a chance. With the rain a couple of days ago, it seems like it grew about a foot overnight.”

She pulled her phone off the clip and snapped pictures. “I don’t know what good the pictures will do. There aren’t any footprints to cast or anything like that, but I see what you mean about the grass.”

Her light flashed across something shiny in the grass and he bent down to pick it up then stopped. “Do you have a tissue or gloves or anything?”

“Not on me.” She moved closer and looked over his shoulder. Her nearness made him long for things he shouldn’t. She wasn’t going to be around any longer than it took to solve his sister’s murder. He needed to remember that. “I wasn’t planning on working a crime scene,” she said, oblivious to his inner turmoil. Good, he planned to keep it that way. “What is it?”

He drew in a breath and forced his thoughts to the object on the ground. “It’s the clip that keeps the gate closed. Some of the dogs can figure out how to lift the latch so I just use the clip. Someone undid it and gave it a toss.” He stood. “Be right back. I’ve got some paper towels and paper bags in the room I used to use as an office.”

He left her once again to retrieve the items. When he returned, he handed her a paper towel and she scooped up the clip and slid it in the bag. “We’ll send this off to Flagstaff and have them try to find any prints,” she said. “If the person wore gloves, it’ll be a lost cause.”

“Thanks. It’s worth a try.”

“If I were to go inside the gate, where could I get to?”

“Just inside the building I used as a kennel. It’s got some cages and dog runs out the back. I would put the dogs inside when the weather was too cold or too hot for them to be outside. But I keep the door leading into the actual building locked. There’s nothing worth stealing in there—just pet food, a few tools, water buckets, training toys...” He shrugged. “It’s really just a storage area.”

“This makes me nervous,” Ellen said. “Someone shot at us today and now someone is snooping around your home tonight. I don’t like it.”

“I can’t say it’s been the highlight of my week, either.”

She sighed. “All right. Let’s go back to the house. I want to make some phone calls.”

He led the way back into his kitchen. She settled into a chair with Carly at her feet and dialed a number.

“Who are you calling?”

“Two other K-9 officers in my unit. Tristan McKeller and Shane Weston. I’m going to ask them to take turns watching your house tonight.” She bit her lip. “I suppose I should call Chief Jones, too.”

While she made the calls, he rubbed his eyes and considered the past few hours. He had to admit he hadn’t realized what he was signing up for when he’d agreed to work with Ellen. He hadn’t realized how much the past would come back to haunt him. How much he would wish for what could never be. He watched her talk, examining her face, her expressions, her intensity. Beautiful, ambitious, smart... He sighed. And what was he?

Before he’d been arrested and imprisoned, he’d had big dreams. He’d been building his dog-training business and even had two college students who’d worked for him on a part-time basis. He’d also been attending graduate classes that would get him started on the path to becoming a veterinarian. And then he’d walked into a convenience store in the middle of a robbery. The clerk had been shot and he’d tried to save her. The robber had fled, and Officer Ken Bucks had arrived on the scene. Just in time to set him up. He’d held a grudge against Lee ever since a woman Ken loved had chosen Lee over him. Ken had never forgotten it—nor cared that Lee hadn’t returned the woman’s affection.

The anger bubbled, threatening to come to the surface once again. He blew out a sigh.

Why was he going down that path again? It was in the past. He couldn’t change what happened. He’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong cop—and while the woman had lived, she hadn’t seen who’d shot her. The jury hadn’t believed Lee’s defense in the face of all of the evidence Bucks had managed to gather. False evidence. Manipulated evidence. Like altering the video footage.

“Lee? You okay?”

He jerked at Ellen’s question, then followed her gaze to see his fingers curled into tight fists. He relaxed them. “Yes, thanks. What did you find out?”

While he could still see the concern in her eyes, she didn’t question him further. “Both officers can help out. Tristan has a fourteen-year-old sister he’s raising, but she’s spending the night with a friend so he’s free for the first six-hour shift. Then Shane will take over.”

“Not having had the best experience when it comes to dealing with cops, I have to say I appreciate their help.”

“You got a raw deal with Ken Bucks. It’s time you realize we’re not all cut from the same cloth.” She smiled.

“I realize it. If you trust them, then I do, too.”

“I trust them. With my life.”

“That’s good enough for me, then.”

When Tristan arrived, Ellen introduced them and Lee sized up the rookie who was not just a member of the unit, but a good friend to Ellen. Lee felt a twinge of jealousy, but mostly he was glad she’d done well with her life and had people she could count on when she needed to. He wasn’t sure he could say the same.

She grabbed her keys. “I’ll be leaving now. Tristan, would you mind asking Shane to drop Lee at the training center in the morning? His truck is out of commission. I was going to come get him, but Shane’ll be heading that way.”

It didn’t escape his attention that she’d just gotten out of picking him up. And that his feelings were hurt by it.

“Happy to ask,” Tristan said, “but you and I both know it won’t be an issue.”

“Thanks.”

Lee pushed aside the hurt. Maybe she had her reasons for not wanting to swing by and get him. He nodded to his Keurig coffeemaker and the K-Cup tree next to it. The tree held about five different flavored coffees. The Keurig and the coffee had been one of the first things he purchased after he was released from prison. A splurge he hadn’t regretted for a moment.

“Help yourself.”

Tristan didn’t hesitate and Ellen smiled. “You just made a friend for life.”

Lee walked to the door but stayed away from the windows. Ellen followed him. “Be careful. You were with me when everything happened. If Freddie thinks we can ID him, he’ll be looking for you, too.”

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