He ducked behind a tree and spun back around. The hitman had reached the sidewalk across the street, stopped, and then stepped into the street, sighting down the barrel of his weapon, directly at the tree where Jake waited.
He glanced to his left. The officers were fifty feet away, still approaching.
Forty feet.
Thirty feet.
The killer spun his head to the left and stopped short in the middle of the street.
“Put your weapon down,” an officer yelled. “Now.”
The gunman whirled to face the cops, crouched, and fired a shot. It missed, and the officer fired back, the bullet whining through the spot the shooter occupied a split second before. The hitman leaped aside, sprang to his feet, and ran for cover, back the way he came.
Jake watched the officers pursue the maniac until they were out of sight.
Several minutes later, they returned empty handed.
The cops had called for backup. The surrounding streets would be thoroughly searched, but the would-be killer was undoubtedly long gone.
Chapter 21
Wednesday, 9:18 a.m.
ANNIE HAD HEARD gunfire coming from the street, and when she looked out the front window, she saw Jake standing on the sidewalk, the pair of officers dashing across the lawn of the neighbor’s house. She was relieved to see Jake was unharmed, but his vehicle was nowhere in sight.
A few minutes later, Jake came in and explained what had happened. “Matty and Kyle are okay,” he said. “They were safely inside the school before any of this started.”
She heard the whine of sirens in the distance. More than one vehicle was approaching the neighborhood, and officers would immediately set up roadblocks and scour the area.
Annie was concerned at the brazen persistence of the gunman. He’d obviously done some research and knew Jake would be dropping Matty at school. Or perhaps he assumed as much and had alternate plans. Either way, she believed the would-be assassin would make another attempt. It was obvious he was after both of them.
Jake appeared to be unfazed by the alarming incident, but she knew he was concerned and wouldn’t take this standing still. And neither would she.
“If you drive me to pick up my car,” Jake said. “I should run down to RHPD and fill out a report.”
While Annie went to get her handbag and keys, Jake gave Hank a call to fill him in. When Annie joined Jake, he told her the detective was shocked and deeply concerned for their safety. Hank was doing an interview at the moment, but would soon be on his way back to the precinct and would meet them there.
They locked up the house, got into Annie’s car, and headed out.
Officers already swarmed the neighborhood, cruisers and cops everywhere, stopping cars and canvassing houses in the area. An officer waved Annie down, and after a cursory glance through the window, they motioned her through.
Jake’s vehicle was still where he’d left it. Someone had closed the driver side door, and though it was the least of his worries, he was relieved to see it hadn’t sustained any damage.
He drove it home, Annie following in her Escort. He left it in the driveway, got back into Annie’s car, and turned to face her as she pulled out of the driveway.
“I think we should get you a vest,” he said. “This guy’s determined.”
Annie glanced over at her husband. It would be a good idea if both of them wore bulletproof vests for now. Jake had one at home that had saved his life in an earlier case, and she would ask Hank if they had one small enough to fit her.
She turned her eyes back on the road. “I’ll wear one if you wear yours,” she said.
Jake agreed. “It’s a deal. We’ll talk to Hank.”
In a few minutes, Annie pulled into the precinct parking lot and eased into one of the guest spots. She stepped from the vehicle and looked around, half-expecting to see the gunman waiting. He wasn’t, and she and Jake went into the precinct.
Captain Diego watched them come through the front doors and called them over. He stood in the doorway of his office, his usual pleasant face twisted into a frown of concern. He smiled grimly and greeted them with a nod.
“I spoke to Hank yesterday about you two,” the captain said. He folded his arms and leaned against the door frame. “As if it’s not bad enough that someone’s out to get you, we don’t know who, or why.”
“We’re going to find out who,” Jake said. “And why.”
“I’m concerned about your involvement in this case,” Diego said.
Annie put a hand on one hip. “We’re already involved whether we like it or not,” she said. “It’s become personal.”
“And dangerous,” Diego said, his frown deepening.
Annie looked at Jake then back at the captain. “We’ll be careful. We appreciate your concern, Captain Diego.” She paused. “I have a favor to ask.”
Diego raised his brows.
“Can I borrow a bulletproof vest?”
Diego chuckled. “Of course.” He held up a finger. “Remember, these vests aren’t bulletproof, just bullet resistant. You can still sustain some damage if you get hit, especially at close range.”
“I’m aware of that,” Annie said. “Jake can attest to that first hand.”
The captain glanced toward the door and Annie followed his gaze. Hank and King had come in, and Diego called to Hank.
The detective nodded, beckoned toward them, and then went to his desk. Annie thanked Captain Diego and they approached Hank.
“It appears the captain wants us to back off,” Jake said.
Hank sat his briefcase beside his desk, sat down, and leaned back in his chair. “And you don’t want to, I assume?”
“We can’t,” Annie said, sitting in the guest chair. She leaned forward. “If we back off we become easier targets.”
“I’d better fill out a statement,” Jake said. “While I do, Hank, can you fit Annie with a vest?”
“Sure,” Hank said, standing. He beckoned toward Annie and she followed him across the room, through a door, and into the lower level of the building.
She heard some muffled shooting; someone was in the firing range close by.
Hank selected a vest and handed it to her. “This should fit you. Do you know how to put it on?”
“I do.”
“I’m not surprised.”
Annie had worn a thin cardigan over her t-shirt and she removed it, fastened the bulky vest in place, and put the cardigan over top. It was a little uncomfortable and rather awkward at first, but she felt safer.
“Make sure Jake wears his,” Hank said.
Jake had finished with his statement when they returned to Hank’s desk. The detective read it over. “There’s not much here,” he said to Jake.
“There’s not a lot to tell. He wore a ski mask, so I didn’t see his face, and I was too busy running to see much more.”
Hank dropped the paper on his desk and sat back. “King and I came from Smokie’s Bar. The owner attested Shaft and Norton knew each other. They were frequent visitors to the bar and entered all the tournaments. He confirmed, as far as he knew, neither of their wives ever came with them.”
“That fits with what both women told us,” Annie said.
Hank nodded. “I also got a list of everyone else in the tournament, so between King and me, we’ll see what they know about the relationship between Shaft and Norton. Or more important, where Norton might be hiding out.” He shrugged. “It’s a long shot, but it’s about all we have right now.”
“I’d love to get ahold of this guy that’s been shooting at us,” Jake said. “I’m sure he knows a thing or two.”
“There’s no proof it’s related to this case,” Hank said.
Annie spoke. “It is.”
Hank pointed a finger at Jake and frowned. “You guys be careful.”