Deadly Chase - Chapter 7
Alex watched Miriam walk away with Lily, admiring her determination and the sway of her hips. Not even the bulky duty belt and loose black uniform shirt could detract from her beauty. If anything, she was sexier because of her confidence and courage.
She stopped to say something to the trio of visibly shaken women. They headed toward the green-roofed building that Miriam indicated was Emma’s home while Miriam went to the cruiser, opened the trunk, and removed a toolbox.
But instead of returning, she walked the long distance with Lily to the top of the driveway where the Jeep had been parked. She started searching the ground, probably for the gun shells, Lily sniffing along beside her, and it prodded him to get to work also.
He searched for the bullets and found one embedded in the barnwood and another in the door frame near the kennels. He dug them out with his pocketknife and examined them. If he had to guess it was a .30-06. A common caliber for hunting rifles.
When Miriam returned with Lily, she held up a plastic bag with the bullet shells.
“Thirty-ought-six?” he asked.
Miriam nodded and peered at the bullets in the palm of his hand. “He didn’t police the brass, probably because almost every hunter in the area has a Winchester that uses this caliber.”
“Probably. You think this is a local taking shots at us?” Alex asked.
“Maybe a local who’s working with your drug ring,” she said and gestured to the back door of the kennels. “Let’s see if we can get some fingerprints.”
They worked together, dusting the handle and frame inside and out. Repeating it on the medical locker. They found several prints on the door and some on the glass shelf. Many were smudged but there were a few clear prints.
As he examined one, he said, “This is a good print.”
“It could belong to Emma, Piper or Tashya. They need to access the cabinet,” Miriam said.
“I know you hope it isn’t Tashya, but everything is pointing her way,” he said and couldn’t keep from cupping her cheek to comfort her.
Lily growled at him in warning and sat up on her haunches.
“Down, Lily,” Miriam said and took a step back, away from his touch. “Tashya wouldn’t do this. She wouldn’t deal drugs.”
“Then I guess it’s time to bring her into the station and see what else she has to say.”