Deadly Chase - Chapter 6

A second shot struck the concrete base of the building and ricocheted off. Another round bit into the wood close to the door frame as he retreated into the kennel.

Alex swept his arm out to keep the women back, but Miriam rushed to his side, Lily pulled close, but itching to defend.

She peeked out the window in the door as another shot pinged on the metal door. The quick look gave Miriam a chance to see the small burst of muzzle fire from the driver side of a vehicle.

She looked at Alex. “Someone’s firing at us from a Jeep at the end of the driveway.”

Alex nodded and faced the trio of women behind him. “Is there another way out of here?”

Emma gestured toward the far end of the room. “At the end of the pens. By the medical cabinet.”

“You three stay in here,” Miriam said. They hurried to the back door and exited into a narrow passage between the building and a barn. Due to the angle to the buildings, the shooter couldn’t see them.

Alex rushed to the front of the passage where he snuck a peek toward the Jeep. Another gunshot chased him back as Miriam called for backup. “10-78 at the DCA. Officers under fire. Need immediate assistance. Suspect is armed and in a red Jeep on the DCA driveway.”

“10-4. Sending immediate assistance,” responded Jenny, their dispatcher.

“Is there any way around the buildings and to the driveway?” Alex asked and risked another glance.

Miriam shook her head. “We could go a back way, but once we’re clear of Emma’s house we’ll be exposed.”

“And the other way? Past the barn?” Alex asked.

Miriam shook her head again. “Leads to a paddock and open space.”

Another gunshot plowed into the wood of the barn but seconds later came the screech of tires on the pavement and was followed by the sound of distant sirens.

Alex looked out once more and said, “The Jeep’s gone.”

Miriam walked to his side and likewise peered toward the driveway. The vehicle had left.

She let Emma, Piper and Tashya know it was safe. But after she did that, she rushed to the entrance at the back of the building, Lily at her side, and examined the door frame. There were scratches near the door handle which was slightly loose.

Alex joined her there and likewise scrutinized the lock. “Someone jimmied the door.”

“Maybe whoever took the drugs.” She called out to Emma to join them.

“Do you keep all these doors locked?” she asked.

Emma motioned to the front door. “We keep it open during the day but secure it at night. This back door is always locked since we rarely use it and it’s near the medicine cabinet.”

Miriam and Alex both examined the passage between the buildings. “No CCTV or other cameras?” Alex asked.

Emma shook her head. “We never felt the need.”

Miriam nodded. “You may want to put up a camera because of the medications.”

“We will. Do you think whoever shot at us was involved with the theft?” Emma asked as a cruiser pulled into the driveway, sirens blaring.

The crackle of Miriam’s police radio sounded before someone asked, “Are you okay, Miriam?”

“We are, Dillon,” she said, recognizing the other officer’s voice. “The shooter took off in a red Jeep. About three or four minutes ago. Heading east toward the Salmon River.”

“We’ll track it down,” Dillon said.

“10-4. DEA Agent Peterson and I will secure this scene and collect the evidence,” Miriam advised.

“10-4,” Dillon confirmed.

“No CSI team?” Alex asked.

“No CSI team. This isn’t Boise or McCall. It’s up to us,” she said and gestured to the front of the buildings. “See if you can find the bullets while I get my gear from the cruiser.”