Texas K-9 Unit Christmas: Holiday Hero

He had a point, and with evening pressing in on the windows and darkness edging at the horizon, she didn’t think she wanted to be there alone. “You’re right.”

“I’m glad we’re in agreement.” He patted her knee, his hand settling there.

She didn’t pull away, but maybe she should have.

No men ever again. That had been her motto, but being around Lucas made her wonder if it was a motto she could live by. “You didn’t tell me what the evidence found on the ski mask was.”

“Because they didn’t find anything. Aside from the photos from the surveillance videos, we don’t have much to go on.”

“Maybe it was just a random crime. Maybe nearly getting caught scared the guy enough to keep him from committing another one.”

“Anything is possible,” he said. “But that’s not the way things usually work out.”

“Are you going to tell me how they do work out?” She stared out the side window as he drove through Sagebrush, watching as trees and houses zipped by. If Lucas was right, the guy that had attacked her was out there somewhere just waiting for another chance to strike.

“A person going after money is going to keep going after money. Someone out for revenge will keep looking for it. A criminal is going to keep committing crimes.”

“That’s a pleasant thought.”

“I don’t want it to be pleasant. I want it to be disturbing, because until you’re disturbed and worried, you’re not going to be careful.”

“Trust me. I’m going to be careful. I don’t want a repeat of what happened the other night.”

“That makes two of us,” he muttered as he pulled into the parking lot of the Sagebrush Police Department and parked near the building.

“Stay put until I come around,” he said as he got out of the truck.

She wasn’t one to wait for someone else to open doors for her, but dusk had fallen in deep shades of purple and blue and the corners of the parking lot were shadowy and dark. It reminded her of the parking lot behind of the diner. Anyone could be lurking in the darkness.

She shuddered, slouching down in the seat as she waited for Lucas to round the truck.

NINE

He’d scared her.

Good. That was what Lucas had been trying to do.

It wasn’t that he liked the idea of Emma being terrified. He didn’t. What he liked was the idea that she was going to be a little more cautious, play things a little safer.

She was silent as he led her into the police department, the bruise on her cheek a stark reminder of all she’d been through. He’d seen other bruises. When they were kids, she’d always been covered with them. Welts, bumps, deep contusions. She’d offered a million excuses, but he’d known the truth. Her parents were as abusive to her as they were to each other, their wild fights legendary in the trailer park where they’d lived.

“This way,” he murmured, leading her through a lobby and into a hallway. “I’m going to put Henry in the kennel while we look at the photos. They’re in Slade’s office. You know him, right?”

“Slade? He’s Bea’s neighbor. We’ve said hello a couple of times,” she said, her voice trembling just a little.

“Are you nervous about seeing the photos?”

“No. Yes.” She shrugged and offered a sheepish grin. “Maybe. I want to help find the guy who attacked me, but I’d like to forget him, too.”

“You think that’ll happen anytime soon?”

“Probably not. Every time I close my eyes, I can see him lunging out of the shadows.” She shuddered.

“I’m sorry, Em,” he said as they walked into the kennel.

“It’s not your fault.” She glanced around the small area. “Does Henry stay here when you’re off the clock?”

“He stays with me 24-7. I keep him in the kennel when I’m in the office.” He opened Henry’s kennel and the dog trotted in.

“And he’s happy there?” She looked dubious.

“As long as he knows that I’m coming back. Right, boy?”

Henry wagged his tail in agreement, woofing quietly.

“What kind of dog is he?”

“A shepherd mix. He looks an awful lot like a king shepherd, but I don’t think his bloodlines are pure,” Lucas responded as he ushered Emma back into the building. He knocked on Slade’s door, waiting impatiently for an invitation to enter. He wanted to find the guy who’d hurt Emma. He wanted to book him and toss him in jail and make sure he wasn’t released for years. The sooner he accomplished that goal, the happier he’d be.