PERSON OF INTEREST

When rookie K-9 officer Shane West and his German shepherd partner find the lead police dog trainer murdered, he’s determined to bring the killer to justice. But then he discovers Gina Perry hiding nearby—a pretty junior trainer who had the motive, means and opportunity to kill her boss. Gina insists her troubled brother is the real murderer…and this isn’t the first time he’s killed. And when Gina’s brother comes after her, Shane is assigned to protect her and uncover the truth. Suddenly, Shane—a cop who always hoped to join a big-city force—vows to stay by Gina’s side as a murderer lurks in the small-town shadows.

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

Gina had almost been killed.

Shane ran a hand over the back of the truck’s seat. Applying a little pressure on the backrest, he could feel the sharp tip of the arrow where it had gone through the metal of the truck. So close. He breathed out a prayer of thanksgiving.

Another inch and the arrow would have skewered Gina in the back.

Gina came out of the police station. “Tell me what’s happening.” She spotted the arrow sticking out of the back of the cab and gasped. “Do you think… Did my brother do this?”

Shane wouldn’t sugarcoat the truth. “Unless there’s someone with a vendetta against the K-9 trainers, which I doubt, I can’t think of anyone else who wants you dead. Can you?”

She wrapped her arms around her middle. “No.”

Shane didn’t like her standing outside, making herself an easy target if her brother had followed them to the station. “Come on, let’s get back inside.”

Gina followed Shane into the station and sank onto a bench.

Bella, Shane’s K-9 partner, went to her and put her chin on Gina’s knees.

That told Shane a lot.

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

TERRI REED’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top twenty-five and Nielsen BookScan’s top one hundred lists and have been featured in USA TODAY, Christian Fiction Magazine and RT Book Reviews. Her books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award contest, the National Readers’ Choice Award contest and three times in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award contest. Contact Terri at terrireed.com or PO Box 19555, Portland, OR 97224.

Protect

and Serve

Terri Reed

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

—2 Timothy 1:7

To my family and my critique partners

for your encouragement, love and support.

And to my editors Emily Rodmell and Tina James

for inviting me to write this book and for believing in me. Thank you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

“Georgiiiinnnaaa!”

Gina Perry froze midstride in the center of her bedroom. An explosion of panic detonated in her chest. She recognized the unmistakable singsong tone of her brother.

Oh, no. No, no, no. Tim had tracked her to Desert Valley, Arizona.

Frantic with alarm, she whirled around to search the confines of her upstairs bedroom. The sliding glass door to the terrace stood open, allowing the dark March night air to fill her house.

Where was he? How had he discovered where she’d been hiding? Had she made a fatal error that brought him to her door?

She stumbled backward on shaky legs just as her brother stepped from the shadows of her closet.

Light from the bedside table lamp glinted off the steel blade of a large knife held high in his hand. His face was covered by a thick beard, his hair stuck out in a wild frenzy and the mania gleaming in his hazel eyes slammed a fist of fear into her gut.

Choking with terror, she turned and fled down the stairs.

She couldn’t let him catch her or he’d make good on his threat to kill her. Just as he had their father two years ago.

Her bare feet slid on the hardwood steps. She used the handrail to keep her balance.

Tim pounded down the stairs behind her, the sound hammering into her like nails on a coffin.

Her breathing came out in harsh rasps, filling her head with the maddening noise. She made a grab for her phone on the charger in the foyer but missed. Abandoning the device, she lurched for the front door and managed to get the lock undone and the door opened.

Without a backward glance, she sprinted into the night, across the small yard to the road. Rocks and debris bit into her bare feet, but she ignored the pain. Faster!

Dear God, help me!

The Desert Valley police station was only half a mile down the quiet residential road on the west side of town. Street lamps provided pools of light that threatened to expose her. She ducked behind the few cars parked along the curb and moved rapidly through the shadows.

She had to reach the police station. Only there would she would be safe.

There, Tim couldn’t hurt her.

“Sisssster! I’m coming for you!”

He wasn’t far behind. She’d never make it to the station before he caught her. But the K-9 training center where she worked was closer. If she could get inside, she could call for help.

Grateful the moon hid behind cloud cover on this spring night, she stayed in the shadows and prayed she’d make it to safety. Just a little farther now. Her lungs burned from exertion. Her heart pounded in her chest.

Not daring to glance back to see how close Tim had gained on her, she ran for the training center and dove behind the bushes growing along the fence of the small outdoor puppy-training yard. She sent up a silent plea to God above that Tim wouldn’t find her in the bushes.

“You can’t hide from me,” Tim shouted, his voice taking on the manic tone she knew all too well. A tone that had always sent her into hiding when they were kids.

Her body trembled with fear. She curled into herself, hoping to make herself smaller, less of a target for him to spot. The unmistakable sound of his heavy breathing as he passed by her hiding place tormented her. She bit her lip, drawing blood, the coppery taste making her gag. She clamped a hand over her mouth.

“You betrayed me, Gina. For that you’ll pay. I’m going to kill you as soon as I find you.”

His voice sounded farther away now. He’d moved past the yard and was nearly at the end of the next building. She breathed a small sigh of relief. But she couldn’t relax. She wasn’t safe yet. She had to get inside the training center.

Cautiously, she made her way along the training yard fence in a low crouch. The gate to the yard was open. Odd. All the trainers were careful to keep them closed and locked in case a dog escaped from the center and made it outside. It was as much for the dogs’ protection as the general public’s.

She rounded the corner and froze.

Someone lay faceup on the ground, half in, half out of the gate.

Moving closer, Gina recognized Veronica Earnshaw.

Gina’s boss.

Panic crawled up Gina’s throat and she gasped for air.

There were two gaping wounds in Veronica’s chest.

Oh, no. No! Had Tim done this? Had he come to the training center first and, when he’d failed to find Gina, hurt Veronica instead?

Gina scuttled closer. Please, Lord, don’t let her be dead. “Veronica?”

With a trembling hand, she put two fingers against Veronica’s neck.

No pulse. Gina’s heart sank.

It seemed, once again, God had ignored Gina’s plea. Just as He had when Gina witnessed her brother murder their father.

She choked back a sob. Tears blurred her vision. It should have been her lying in the dirt, not Veronica.

A scrape of noise echoed in the stillness of the night. Her brother retracing his steps?

She scuttled back to the bushes, burrowing in deep and drawing her knees to her chest. A line of Scripture wove through the shock numbing her mind. She clung to it like a lifeline. The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid.

The litany echoed through her head, mocking her. Because she was afraid. Deathly afraid.

* * *

Officer Shane Weston and his canine partner, a German shepherd named Bella, walked along Desert Valley Road. The cool Arizona night air smelled of the fragrant western honey mesquite trees that had started to flower as spring arrived.

It was dark, nearly ten o’clock, but Shane couldn’t remain cooped up inside the condo he was staying in, one for out-of-town trainees. He was restless, anxious to see where he’d be assigned. He’d put in a request for his hometown police department of Flagstaff, but no one could guarantee he’d get his choice or even that he had a choice.

This past Friday, he’d completed his twelve-week training session at the Canyon County Training Center, a pilot project for the state of Arizona that trained new police recruits to be K-9 officers.

Not every candidate who applied was selected for the K-9 program. Shane had been thrilled that he’d made the cut. Once he was accepted, he’d been placed with a group of other rookies, and they’d attended the police academy together in Phoenix before coming to Desert Valley for the K-9 training.

Upon the start of every twelve-week session, the trainers matched each officer with a dog based on master trainer Veronica Earnshaw’s research into the rookies, along with questionnaires the recruits filled out prior to the start of the program.

Shane had gleaned that all the trainers used their instincts and knowledge of dogs to help with the pairing of officers to canines. The center was a well-run operation, highly respected throughout the state and a model for other centers.

Shane couldn’t be more pleased with his pairing to Bella.

He knew, however, that once the training began, if a dog and rookie officer hadn’t jelled for whatever reason and the trainers’ attempts to intervene failed, then the officer and dog were reassigned to work with new partners to finish out the program.

Thankfully, he and Bella had meshed from the moment they were introduced.

Now that training was complete, the officers and their canines would be allocated to various police stations throughout Arizona, and the training center would then be reimbursed by the police stations. A win-win for everyone.

Shane sent up another quick prayer that his request would be honored and he’d be assigned to the Flagstaff PD, where he could prove to his brothers and father that he wasn’t weak. He wasn’t a failure.

He planned to be the best officer he could be, with ambitions to one day make captain, or even chief. One day he’d be the one in charge, and then he’d finally earn his family’s respect.

Shane waved a greeting to an older man taking out his trash.

Very few people were out on this Saturday night, and those who were made a point of acknowledging him and Bella. Shane liked that the community of Desert Valley embraced the K-9 officers and their canine partners. He couldn’t say the same of bigger cities, where law enforcement was usually viewed with fear, suspicion and malice.

Bella stopped abruptly, her ears perking and her nose lifting to smell the air.

Unease tightened Shane’s shoulder muscles. She’d been alerted to something. “What is it, girl?”

Bella took off. Keeping the beam of the flashlight aimed ahead of him, Shane ran to keep up, his feet pounding noisily on the pavement. The lead connected to the dog’s collar pulled taut, and Shane pressed himself to move faster. They headed toward the training center. Had something happened to one of the dogs? The trainers?

Bella led him past the veterinary clinic and skidded to a halt at the outdoor puppy-training yard.

Shane stopped and kept Bella at his side. He swept his flashlight over the scene before him. Dread crimped his chest. He sucked in a quick breath.

Veronica Earnshaw lay twisted on the ground with her dark hair and striking face coated in dirt. Her open eyes stared at the stars above. And what appeared to be two gunshot wounds marred her chest. Bile rose in his throat.

His priority as the first officer on the scene was to determine if the victim was alive or dead.

Bella tugged at the leash. He gave her the hand movement to sit and stay. She obeyed, but her gaze was riveted to the bushes along the fence.

Was the perpetrator hiding in there?

Wishing he had his sidearm, which he’d left locked up in the condo, he shone the flashlight on the thick shrubbery. He let out Bella’s lead. She made a beeline for the greenery and sat staring at the dense foliage.

Caution tripped down his spine. There was no coverage for him to use. If the person who’d shot Veronica was in the bushes with the gun, he might well be the next victim.

“I’m a police officer. If someone is in there, you better come out,” he said with authority.

“Shane?”

He knew that voice. “Gina?” It was the junior trainer from the Canyon County training facility. A sob came from the bushes, then Gina crawled out. He reached out to help her and she flinched. Her long auburn braid was coming undone. The hazel of her eyes was nearly gone because of her enlarged pupils.

He held up his hands, palms out.

Was Gina’s shock real or fake? Had she committed murder? Or was she a witness?

Cautious, in case there was a gun he couldn’t see, he crouched beside her, noting blood on her hands and smeared on her khaki pants and pink sweater. “Gina. Are you hurt?”

“No.” She took a shuddering breath. “She’s dead. Veronica’s dead. He killed her.”

A witness, then. He refocused his attention on Veronica. There was no discernible movement of the upper part of her abdomen, indicating her breathing had stopped or was too shallow to be observed.

He checked for a pulse and found none. He shone the flashlight into her eyes—no response.

There was no question in his mind.

Gina was correct.

Veronica Earnshaw was dead.

His chest tightened; his lungs seized. An itch scratched at his throat. He put his hand on the inhaler in his pocket, but he refused to let the asthma take hold. There were procedures to follow. A crime to investigate. He had no time for an asthma attack right now. And as the first responder, he had a responsibility to make sure no element of the scene was disturbed any worse than it had already been.

Instead of his inhaler, he took out his cell phone and called the police department. When the dispatcher answered the call, he said, “This is Officer Shane Weston. I need assistance at the side yard of the Canyon County Training Center. One gunshot-wound victim. One potential witness.”

He hadn’t ruled out perpetrator. Not yet.

“I’ll let the chief and Officer Hayes know,” she responded before the line disconnected.

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he made mental notes of the scene since he didn’t have a notepad and pen. When he left the condo, he hadn’t expected to end up working a crime scene.

He hadn’t heard the report of a gun, much less two shots, so he knew this tragedy hadn’t happened recently. Unless...a noise suppressor had been used.

The thought stuck in his mind like a thorn.

Because if that were the case, then Veronica’s murder was premeditated.

He did a quick visual search with the flashlight for the weapon but came up empty. A dark trail of what he assumed to be blood led from Veronica to the training center doors. Had Veronica been dragged out of the building or had she managed to crawl to the gate seeking help?

As he waited for the Desert Valley police, he turned his attention to the woman sitting on the ground by the bushes. She’d drawn her knees to her chest and had begun rocking. Compassion tangled with suspicion. As much as he didn’t want to think ill of Gina, she certainly had a reason to dislike the lead trainer.

“Gina, can you tell me what happened?”

She didn’t acknowledge him but kept rocking, her gaze locked on something only she could see. He gently touched her shoulder.

She started and scrambled away from him. “No, please, no,” she cried and curled into a tight ball.

He backed away, giving her space. “Gina, I’m not here to hurt you.”

She raised her teary gaze to meet his. She blinked as the glazed fog lifted. “Oh, Shane. We’re not safe. He’s here. He found me.”

A knot in his chest tightened. He? “Who are you afraid of?”

A visible tremor ran over her. “My twin brother, Tim.”

“Wait, you have a twin?” He’d had no idea.

“Yes. Two years ago he escaped police custody in Mesa and disappeared.” She rubbed at her temples. “I moved to Desert Valley to hide from him. I had hoped he wouldn’t find me here. But he has. And now...”

Concern arced through Shane. They had an escaped criminal on the loose. Gina’s twin brother. Had he killed Veronica thinking he’d shot his sister? Or was this a contrived story to cover Gina’s crime? Was there really a brother, much less a twin? He didn’t know her well enough to know if she had a sibling. “What happened to Veronica?”

“I’m not sure. I found her like this. I checked for a pulse.” She looked away. “There isn’t one.”

He winced. She’d already contaminated the scene—if she wasn’t the perpetrator. “Don’t touch anything else or move again until the chief arrives, okay?”

She nodded on a shuddering breath.

“Why do you think your brother killed Veronica?” Shane asked her.

“Isn’t it obvious?” She stared up at him. “He came here looking for me and instead found Veronica. He killed her out of rage because I wasn’t here.”

“You didn’t see it happen?” Though her explanation was plausible, there were holes. “How would he know where you work?”

“I don’t know. He’s smart.”

“But you don’t work here anymore, right?”

“What?” Her voice held a note of confusion.

“Didn’t Veronica put you on indefinite probation?” It had been a spectacle. Veronica had turned her mean streak onto Gina yesterday right in front of the newest class of graduated rookies. Veronica had loudly and very publicly claimed Gina had used the wrong training technique and declared Gina was on probation indefinitely.

Shane had attempted to talk to Gina after the incident because he’d felt bad for the pretty trainer, but she’d hurried home and he hadn’t seen her until now.

Gina’s shoulder rose and fell. “She did. But in typical Veronica fashion, she called me this morning to apologize.”

“That’s surprising,” he said. “She didn’t strike me as someone who would own her mistakes easily.”

One side of Gina’s mouth curled. “Oh, it wasn’t a humble gesture. She does this almost every session. She gets mad for some perceived infraction and makes a scene.” Gina blew out a breath. “Veronica needed me to return to the center to process the intake of three new German shepherd puppies donated by Marian Foxcroft.”

“So you were here today.”

“Yes. This morning.” She wiped her forearm across her forehead. “I would have been at the training center this evening if I hadn’t already committed to serving at the community church’s Saturday-night potluck dinner.”

He hadn’t known she attended church. He hadn’t seen her there these past few Sundays. “Do you mean the church’s singles’ potluck?”

She nodded.

For some reason the idea of her mingling with other singles rubbed him wrong. Which was so out of left field and inappropriate at the moment. Irritated at himself, he pushed the thought aside to focus on Gina.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. He hated seeing her cry. Yet there was a jaded part of him that wondered if the tears were real. Were they a ploy to gain his sympathy?

“Veronica wasn’t pleased that I couldn’t be here tonight,” she said. “But she agreed to microchip the new puppies and expected me to take over their care and training first thing on Monday morning.”

However, that didn’t explain how Gina came to be here now. Something about her story felt off.

The sounds of Desert Valley Police Department’s finest arriving drew Shane’s attention. Since the station was so close, several officers came on foot while the chief of police and the lone K-9 officer of the department drove to the training center.

“Is that...?” Louise Donaldson, the first officer to reach the scene, clamped a hand over her mouth and turned away.

Officer Dennis Marlton put a hand on her back and bowed his head as if the sight were too much to bear.

Officer Ken Bucks staggered back several steps. Though it was too dark to see his expression, Shane imagined that seeing an acquaintance murdered like this must be a shock, to say the least.

The last murder victim in the community of Desert Valley had been the wife of K-9 officer Ryder Hayes five years ago. A murder that had never been solved.

Shane glanced at Ryder, his face hidden in shadows created by the many flashlight beams directed toward the victim. Sitting at Ryder’s side was his canine partner, a handsome yellow Lab named Titus. Shane had seen the pair around but hadn’t really had a reason to interact with the Desert Valley Police Department’s only official K-9 officer.

Chief Earl Jones, a tall, imposing seventy-year-old man with thick graying hair, knelt beside Veronica and checked for a pulse, apparently to confirm Shane’s pronouncement that the master trainer was dead.

When he lifted his head, tears shone in his gray eyes. He stood, his hands fisted at his side. He was clearly struggling to contain his grief and anger. “Who did this?”

“Gina believes her brother, Tim Perry, did,” Shane said, noting that Gina hadn’t moved, just as he’d instructed her. “She didn’t see it happen, though. I haven’t asked her how she came to be here tonight.”

“Hmm, her brother, huh?” Earl scrubbed a hand over his jaw.

“Apparently he’s a wanted criminal in Mesa,” Shane added. Did the chief know Gina had a brother who was in trouble with the law? Or had she kept that information hidden? The thought made him wonder what else she could be hiding. Was Gina capable of murder? Was the story about her brother a convenient way to deflect blame?

TWO

“All right, everyone.” The chief’s voice held a sharp edge that swept over the group outside the Canyon County Training Center’s side yard. “We have a crime scene and a potential suspect. Let’s work this for Veronica and bring her killer to justice.” His voice broke on the last word.

Shane felt for the man. It was no secret that the chief and Veronica had had a special relationship. Though they weren’t related, Chief Jones regarded Veronica as the daughter he’d never had.

And despite complaints from other trainers and rookies that she was too harsh, critical and demanding, Chief Jones’s philosophy was if you couldn’t handle working with Veronica, how could you handle all the stress of being a cop or training police dogs and their handlers?

Chief Jones barked out orders for Marlton to fetch standing lamps and Bucks to call the coroner and start documenting the scene. “Donaldson, gather forensic evidence.”

Officer Marlton left and returned a few minutes later with two huge freestanding lamps. Within moments, pools of sharp glaring light replaced the darkness.

Shane and Bella stepped out of the way as Ryder and his dog moved past. Shane could only imagine Ryder was remembering his wife’s murder. But in this case they had a clear suspect. They would solve Veronica’s murder.

Chief Jones pinned Shane with a questioning look. “Have you cleared the building?”

“No, sir, I was waiting with Gina.”

Earl turned to Ryder. “You good?”

Taking a deep breath, Ryder nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Clear the building,” the chief instructed. “And, Ryder, be careful.”

“Yes, sir.” Ryder and Titus headed toward the training facility door, keeping a wide berth around the dark, bloody trail.

The chief ran a hand over his graying hair. “I’ll need to let her brother, Lee, know. He’s the only family she had left.” He shook his head with sadness.

“Is he here in town?” Shane asked. He hadn’t known Veronica had a brother.

“No, he’s in the state prison. He was convicted of larceny a few years back.”

Shane bit back his surprise as he turned his attention to Gina. Seemed she wasn’t the only one with brother issues.

Officer Donaldson squatted down in front of Gina. “Honey, I need to swab your hands for gunpowder residue.”

A stricken look crossed Gina’s lovely face, making her already pale complexion even more so. “I didn’t shoot her. I don’t even know how to handle a gun.”

“It’s procedure,” Officer Donaldson explained as she worked. “Our department isn’t large enough to employ a crime scene technician, so all of us officers have been trained to do basic forensic collection.” She bagged the pad that she’d swiped over Gina’s hands and face.

“I touched Veronica to see if she—” Gina turned away.

“I’ll send everything gathered to the lab in Flagstaff. As long as the particle count is twenty or less, then you’re fine. Cross contamination happens.”

“But even if you don’t find any sign of gunpowder on Gina, the lack of forensic evidence could be explained away,” Shane said. “Someone wearing gloves when they pulled the trigger wouldn’t have any residue on their hands. There could be some blowback on the perpetrator’s clothing.”

Gina whipped her attention to him.

“True,” Officer Donaldson said. “The lab won’t be able to process Gina’s clothes until she’s able to surrender them.”

The flash of a camera burned Shane’s eyes. Officer Ken Bucks snapped shots of Veronica’s body.

“Marlton,” the chief called to the older officer standing off to the side, observing.

“Yeah, Chief,” Dennis Marlton answered, but didn’t step closer. He had his arms folded over his potbelly as if protecting his paunch. He was shorter than his coworkers and had gray, thin hair and watery blue eyes that squinted at the chief.

“You and...” Earl frowned as he glanced around. “Where’s Harmon?”

Dennis shrugged. “Late as usual.”

The chief harrumphed. “Bucks, go with Marlton to canvass the area. See if anyone saw anything that might be helpful.”

Bucks looked at the chief, his face glowing a pasty white in the light of the lamps. “I’m taking photos.” He pointed to the trail of blood. “You said to document everything before we lose any evidence.”

“Right. Stay on it.” Earl turned his sharp steely eyes back on Officer Marlton. “You can handle the interviews alone.”

Officer Marlton sighed heavily and unfolded his arms. “Fine.” He trudged off, mumbling about having to do everything himself.

Shane watched him. His father, a police chief in Flagstaff, would never have stood for such disrespectful behavior from his men. First Harmon not showing up, then Bucks defying an order and Marlton making it clear he wasn’t happy doing his job.

There was a rumor going around that Chief Jones would be retiring soon. Perhaps that was why the chief wasn’t strict with his employees. Or it could be the grief and shock of Veronica’s death.

“I’ve gathered what I can from Gina,” Officer Donaldson remarked as she held on to the evidence bags.

“Thank you, Louise. We’ll get Gina’s clothes bagged. Would you track down Harmon and then start a search for Tim Perry? Build a profile. I want to know where he’s been and what he’s been doing.”

Louise nodded, her usually serious expression even more grim on her pale face. “On it.”

Earl squatted down in front of Gina. “When was the last time you saw your brother?”

Her hazel eyes looked too large for her petite face. “Do you mean before tonight?”

Shane frowned. “So you did see him tonight.”

She kept her gaze on the chief. “When I returned home from the potluck, he was in my bedroom. He had a knife. I ran downstairs hoping to get to the phone but he was too close so I escaped out the front door and ran this way, hoping to make it to the station, but then I found...” She closed her eyes.

“Why were you hiding in the shrubs when Bella and I arrived?”

Her eyelids popped open. “I was afraid you were Tim.”

Or was she hoping she could slip away undetected?

A car pulled up. Shane yanked his gaze from Gina to see Sophie Williams, another trainer at the center, emerge from behind the wheel. Tall, earthy and willowy, the former K-9 cop’s normally confident demeanor was lacking as she hurried over.

Her shoulder-length blond hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, and her hazel eyes were anxious as she took in the scene. She and Veronica had clashed many times during Shane’s weeks of training. He watched Sophie closely. Was her shock real? Could she and Gina have come up with a plan to off their boss?

Sophie halted beside Shane, but her gaze was on Veronica. “Oh, no. Is she...?” She clamped a hand to her mouth. Tears leaked down her face.

“Sophie, what are you doing here?” Earl asked, clearly puzzled by her presence.

“I heard on the police radio that something had happened at the center,” she explained. Her teary-eyed gaze moved to Gina and widened. “Oh, no, Gina. Are you all right? Were you attacked, too?”

Before Gina could answer, Earl filled Sophie in on the details. It was clear by the way his voice shook that he was hanging on to his composure by the tips of his fingers.

A few minutes later, Randolph Drummond, the mortician who doubled as the coroner, arrived wearing a subdued black suit, white button-down shirt and black tie. He carried a medical bag. He stopped a foot away from Veronica’s body to don gloves and booties, then he squatted beside her.

Bella whined. Shane stroked her head. She let out a loud bark just as a commotion broke out near the doors. Two small German shepherd puppies raced out of the center, followed by Titus and Ryder. The older dog circled the puppies, unmistakably in an attempt to corral them.

“Oh, no,” Sophie said.

Gina jumped to her feet. “The puppies are loose. How...?”

Shane snagged Gina by the elbow before she could chase after the puppies. “We need your clothes.”

She blinked at him, then grimaced. “Of course.”

Shane turned to the chief. “Veronica was microchipping the puppies tonight and was supposed to come over to the condo afterward to work with James and Hawk.” K-9 rookie officer James Harrison and Shane shared the furnished condo used by out-of-town rookies. “I’ll call James and let him know what’s going on. Maybe Hawk will be helpful.” James’s bloodhound, Hawk, specialized in crime scene evidence.

The chief held up a hand. “Have him clear Gina’s house before you take her home to change. Bring back her current clothing in an evidence bag.”

“Sir,” Shane spoke up. “Shouldn’t she be taken to the station for questioning?”

Gina let out a small gasp. “You can’t really believe that I...”

The stricken hurt in her eyes stabbed at him, but he couldn’t rule her out as the murderer, not until forensic evidence cleared her. “You had a very good reason to want to hurt Veronica.”

“So did many other people,” she shot back.

“True.” Including the other trainer, Sophie. Could the two women have conspired to murder their boss? Though Sophie had once been a cop, that didn’t mean she couldn’t have colluded with Gina. Hmm. Something to talk to the chief about later.

To Gina, Shane said, “Veronica humiliated you on Friday. And from what I’ve heard, she stole the fiancé of one of your best friends.” He hated throwing the rumor in her face but it went to motive.

“It’s true Veronica did steal Simon from Jenna just to prove she could. It broke Jenna’s heart and caused her to resign and leave, not only the training center but Desert Valley.” Gina squared her shoulders. “And yes, I may have loathed my boss, but I never wished Veronica dead.”

He wanted to believe her. There was something about the young trainer he found very attractive. Even now, she was standing up for herself but not in an over-the-top display of hysterics or viciousness. He respected her quiet confidence in the face of hardship.

Yet his father had always told him that the evidence never lied, only people did. Was Gina lying?

And Dad had said to never make a judgment on innocence or guilt until all the evidence came in. “If your brother is truly after you as you’ve stated, then you should be where you can be protected.”

Earl narrowed his gaze on Shane. “She’s been questioned. She’s innocent until proven guilty. But you’re right, she’s in danger and needs protection. That’ll be your job, Weston.”

Oh, man. He hadn’t expected to be given a protection assignment. What did he know about being a bodyguard? He’d trained to be out on the streets, catching criminals and thwarting the schemes of bad people. Surely the chief would want someone with more experience to protect Gina. “Are you sure—”

Earl arched one eyebrow as he cut Shane off. “Yes.” There was no room for argument in his tone. Then Earl turned his gaze to Gina. “Don’t leave town.”

Gina lifted her chin. “No, sir, I won’t.”

Sophie and Ryder joined them. They’d managed to corral the puppies and now each had one in their arms.

“Where’s Marco, the third pup?” Gina asked.

“He’s probably inside,” Sophie said. “I’ll round him up and put him in the crate with these two.”

“I didn’t see a third puppy when I was inside,” Ryder said. “Just these ones.”

For a moment no one said anything. Then Shane asked, “Could the killer have taken the puppy?”

* * *

Shane thinks I could have killed Veronica! Standing beneath the bright glare of the flood lamps that illuminated the crime scene in garish detail, Gina curled her fingers into fists and pressed them into the sides of her thighs. She stared at Shane as he stepped away to call another rookie—his roommate, James Harrison—and wanted to scream. How could he think she’d do something so horrible?

But it wasn’t as if he knew her, despite their having spent every day together the past twelve weeks. She knew he took his job very seriously, but really?

She inwardly scoffed. What did it matter anyway? So what if the handsome officer had invaded her daydreams over the past weeks. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, allow herself to develop deep feelings for him. There was too much risk involved. And risky behavior was something she avoided. Besides, now that his training had ended, he’d be moving on. As he should.

Forcing her mind away from what Shane thought of her, she tried to focus on the missing puppy, Marco. But the fear of Tim and where he might be made it difficult. His presence loomed, a dark shadow at the edges of her awareness.

“Maybe Marco got out of the yard,” she said, careful to keep her gaze from where Veronica lay in the dirt. Even though the coroner had covered her body with an opaque plastic sheet, Gina didn’t want to look. The image of Veronica’s lifeless eyes, so like Gina’s father’s after Tim had killed him, would haunt her nightmares for a long time to come.

Instead, out of habit—or out of self-defense, as her therapist would most likely observe—she shifted her gaze to the wooded area behind the training center. “The puppy could be in the woods.”

So could Tim. A shiver chased the thought across her flesh.

She turned to look down the residential street flanking one side of the center. “Or in someone’s backyard. Maybe he ran out and someone took him in?”

“Good thought,” the chief said. “As soon as Harmon arrives I’ll have him start searching for the pup. The woods will have to wait until daybreak since we don’t have the manpower to spare.”

“The puppy has a distinct black circular marking on its head, between its fawn-colored ears,” Gina told them. “He’s a very sweet puppy. They all are.”

“Is there a way to check if Veronica chipped the dogs? That would give us a better time line for when she was...killed.” Ryder nearly dropped the wiggling pup. “Hey, settle down.”

“That’s Ricky,” Gina told him. “Mrs. Foxcroft insisted on naming the puppies. Marco was named after one of her relatives who founded Desert Valley. The other two are Ricky and Lucy. She loves the I Love Lucy show.”

Sophie stroked Lucy’s head. “I can check to see if they’re chipped. It will only take a moment. But we’ll have to go inside.”

The chief asked Ryder, “Did you find the scene of the crime?”

“Yes, sir,” Ryder replied. “The trail of blood leads to the clinic.”

“That’s where Veronica would have done the chipping,” Gina interjected, sick at the thought of Veronica facing down Tim alone.

“Any sign of a struggle?” Sophie nuzzled Lucy. The pup squirmed in her arms, clearly wanting to be set free again.

Ryder shook his head. “Not in the clinic. My guess is she knew the killer. Otherwise, Veronica would have fought. She’s— She was a fighter.”

Gina’s heart thumped. “She didn’t know Tim.”

No one in Desert Valley even knew she had a brother.

She’d been careful to keep her past buried. She hadn’t wanted the attention. She’d tried to keep a low profile. With her brother on the loose, having escaped police custody and out for vengeance after she’d turned him in for killing their father, she’d hoped and prayed he’d never find her. But he had. How? What had led him to Desert Valley?

“But if he came in asking for you and she didn’t think he was a threat...” Shane said, rejoining them and pulling her from her thoughts.

Gina frowned, hating that he was right. Tim could be charming when he wanted to be. He could have surprised Veronica, not given her time to defend herself. Gina’s insides twisted. How had Tim found her? How many more lives would Tim ruin before he was stopped? Cold sweat broke out on her neck.

Ryder eyed Gina’s fellow trainer and friend Sophie with a speculative gleam in his blue eyes. “Where were you tonight?”

Sophie’s gaze hardened. “Home. Alone. As I said, I heard over the police radio that something was going on here.”

“Which means the press will have heard, as well,” the chief interjected. “No doubt a reporter from the Canyon County Gazette is on the way. Let’s secure this crime scene pronto.” He looked to the coroner. “Randolph, what do you think?”

“My preliminary examination supports that the scene of the crime was elsewhere. Rigor hasn’t set in yet, so estimated time of death is within the past hour. There are two visible wounds in the chest, consistent in size and shape to what one would expect to see from a bullet. No exit wounds. Once the...”

He faltered as he straightened. In such a small town as Desert Valley, it was conceivable that Randolph had known Veronica. Since Desert Valley didn’t have a crime lab, everything including the victim’s body would be transported to Flagstaff and processed there. Gina considered that a blessing for the visibly shaken coroner.

Randolph removed his gloves and tossed them into a plastic bag before plucking his thick glasses from his nose. His dark eyes were sad. “Once the autopsy is performed you’ll be provided a conclusive cause of death.”

Ryder gestured to the dark trail of blood. “What I can’t determine is if Veronica was dragged out here or if she crawled out on her own steam before she died. Even with the lamps it’s too dark to see impressions in the dirt. In the morning we’ll have a better idea of what happened.”

“She might’ve been trying to find help,” Gina said. “Though why wouldn’t she use the phone? Either the center’s landline or her cell?”

“Good questions,” the chief said. “Ryder, I want you to take the lead in this investigation.”

Clearly surprised, Ryder nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll do everything possible to find Veronica’s murderer.”

“What’s the story with your brother, anyway?” Shane asked Gina, drawing everyone’s attention. “Why was he in police custody?”

Gina bit her lip, loathing to air her sordid family history in public. She’d purposely kept her personal information vague when asked, but with everyone staring at her, waiting for an explanation, she had no choice but to explain.

“He suffers from schizoaffective disorder. Our father enrolled him in an experimental program two years ago, but Tim didn’t want to go. He was in one of his manic phases and had a psychotic break. He killed—” Her voice wavered. “He killed our father with Dad’s own service weapon. The police arrested him, but he escaped custody and fled. He blames me for calling the police and turning him in. Now he’s here and has made it very clear he wants to kill me, too.”

“That’s rough,” Ryder said. The puppy in his arms licked his face.

Earl put his hand on her shoulder. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

Shane’s gaze was skeptical. He didn’t believe her. And that hurt.

Sophie snuggled Lucy closer. “If Tim has Marco, do you think he’d hurt him?”

Gina put a hand over the pain exploding in her heart. “I hope not.” She gave a helpless shrug. “He has killed before, so I’m not certain of anything when it comes to Tim.”

“James is headed to your house,” Shane said. “As soon as he gives the all clear, we’ll head over so you can change.”

Gina looked at Sophie and admitted softly to her friend, “I’m afraid to go home.”

“Weston will accompany you.” The chief squeezed her shoulder.

Her stomach somersaulted. For the past twelve weeks she and Shane had danced around each other and the attraction that, at times, was so strong between them she grew light-headed. Like she was now as she stared into his emerald gaze.

But apparently the attraction had been one-sided.

Just as well. She had homicidal tendencies floating in her genetic soup. A fact she couldn’t deny, nor would she burden anyone else with it.

Besides, Shane was leaving town as soon as he was given his assignment. She’d be a fool to ever let herself become attached to him.

“You’ll be safe with Harrison and Weston.” The chief’s voice was reassuring and confident, yet did nothing to assure her.

Would she be safe with them? Would they be safe with her? Or would they become two more victims of Tim’s rage?

She didn’t want to go anywhere with Shane if he thought she could be a murderer.

A taunting thought screamed through her. You share the same DNA as Tim. Why wouldn’t he wonder if you’re capable of murder, too?

THREE

Giving herself a mental shake, Gina tore her gaze away from Shane and focused on Sophie. She liked the other trainer; they got along well. Veronica had intimated that Sophie had somehow failed as a cop, but Gina had been careful not to ask many questions about what had brought Sophie to Desert Valley. Not that Gina wasn’t curious, but she’d figured she’d better not probe if she didn’t want anyone probing into her past. “Can you take me?”

Sophie winced. “I’m going to need to stay here and see what else might be missing besides our little Marco.”

Gina blew out a frustrated breath. “I understand. You should also check the vet’s prescription drug supply next door. If Tim needed money, he could sell the dog and any drugs he stole.” She glanced at Shane as he answered his ringing phone.

After a moment, he hung up and said, “Officer Harrison says your house is clear.”

She was boxed in with no other option. “Okay, fine. Let’s go.”

She hurried away. Each step that took her closer to her house pounded another shard of fear into her. What if Tim had slipped past them and was waiting for her to return home? What if he was there now hurting James Harrison? She shook her head to dislodge the horrid thought.

“Hey, wait up,” Shane called as he hurried toward her, Bella trotting at his side.

She slowed, keeping her gaze alert for any sign of Tim. Having Shane and Bella close did help keep the terror from overwhelming her. She whistled for the puppy. “Marco!”

Shane fell into step beside her. Bella stayed at his heel on his other side. He swept his flashlight over the bushes and at the trees. “Marco, here, boy.”

Worry for the pup churned in Gina’s stomach. Predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats and bears roamed the area. Though most stayed clear of the town, there had been enough sightings for Gina to know the small puppy wouldn’t stand a chance on his own in the wild.

She knocked on every front door between the training yard and her house, but no one had seen Marco. He must have run in the opposite direction. Or toward the woods at the back of the training center.

Though the moon was high and the clouds had moved on, there was no way to track the puppy at night. She shivered, grateful for Shane’s presence. His calmness helped to ground her fears and keep her coherent as she woke her neighbors with her questions about the missing puppy.

As they neared her house, Shane said, “For the record, I don’t want to believe you killed Veronica.”

“For the record, I didn’t kill her,” Gina shot back with frustration. “I may have had my issues with her, but I would never hurt another living soul.”

At least she prayed not. But the fear was always at the edge of her consciousness. “I can’t imagine how Marian Foxcroft will react to learning one of the puppies she donated to the center has gone missing.”

“Ellen’s mother, right?”

“Yes.” Ellen Foxcroft was another graduate from the same training session as Shane. “Marian has a purebred German shepherd.” Acid burned in Gina’s tummy. “I pray we find Marco. I can only imagine how upset Marian will be.”

“It was very generous of Mrs. Foxcroft to give the puppies to the training center,” Shane commented.

“Yes. Very generous. However, Veronica was certain Marian’s intention wasn’t pure benevolence.” A wave of sadness washed over her. Veronica had had her faults, but she hadn’t deserved to die.

Shane stopped walking and drew her into the shadows of a mesquite tree. “How so?”

His closeness sent her senses spinning. She backed up a step and bumped up against the tree. “I’m not sure. Veronica could be so caustic at times that I rarely paid any attention to her snide remarks. But she’d said something to the effect that Marian holds her donations over the center and expects something in return.”

“Like what?” He braced a hand on the tree near her head, surrounding her in a warm cocoon.

Her brain became a muddled mess. “I have no idea.”

“What’s the story with Mrs. Foxcroft?”

Needing distance from him and the confusing effect he had on her, Gina sighed and pushed away from the tree. She really hated telling tales out of turn. But if doing so helped her to earn Shane’s trust, then so be it. She stepped back onto the road. “I don’t know all the details. Her husband left about five years ago. As far as I know they never divorced. Marian’s family dates back to the founding of the town, though I’m not sure where her wealth came from.”

“I find it interesting that Ellen became a police officer,” Shane said, falling back into step with her. “How did her mother take it?”

“I don’t know. Ellen doesn’t talk much about her mom.” Gina wrinkled her nose. “Marian Foxcroft is...” She struggled to come up with a polite term for the town’s feisty matriarch.

“Intimidating?” Shane supplied.

“Yes, exactly.”

A car horn beeped. Shane waved a hand. James Harrison, another of the rookies from the most recent graduating training session, pulled up alongside them in his truck. His bloodhound, Hawk, poked his droopy-faced head out of the open passenger window.

James leaned over. “Hey, I was headed to the station.” He turned his focus to Gina. “Your house is in shambles. But there was no sign of the intruder.”

“That’s good,” Shane replied.

Gina detested hearing her house had been violated. Obviously, Tim had doubled back just as she’d thought. He could have easily sneaked past them through the woods. And he’d taken out his rage on her home. The thought knocked the breath from her lungs.

If she hadn’t been quick enough to get out of the house, if he’d overtaken her at any point, she could very well be dead at this moment. Like Veronica.

Gina clenched her jaw tight to keep from throwing up.

“Is it true? Veronica’s dead?” James asked, openly stunned.

“Yes,” Shane replied.

James ran a hand through his hair. “That’s shocking. I mean, I just saw her this afternoon at the station.”

“You’ll need to give your statement to Ryder,” Shane said. “That’ll help with the time line leading up to her death.”

“Yeah, sure,” James said. “Should I head over there now?”

“Not yet,” Shane said. “The chief wants us to stick close to Gina.” He turned to her. “Which is your house?”

“The one on the corner.” She pointed to the end of the street, at the small yellow-and-white two-story cottage that had been her safe haven for two years. She’d had the house painted yellow because the color had been her mother’s favorite.

James nodded and turned his truck around before heading back to Gina’s and parking in the driveway. As Gina, Shane and Bella approached, James let Hawk out. Bella and Hawk greeted each other.

Shane filled James in on what had happened both here at Gina’s house and at the training center.

James whistled through his teeth as he climbed out of his truck. “Wow, this is a lot to process. Veronica had insisted she needed to come to the condo tonight to show me some pointers she thought would be helpful with Hawk.”

“That’s strange,” Gina said. James had done well with his and his bloodhound’s training. “What kind of refresher would you need?”

The tall blond and blue-eyed man shook his head. “I have no idea. I thought it was weird, too, but...” He shrugged.

Dismissing the mystery of what Veronica had been thinking, Gina stepped through the open front door of her little house. She stopped at the sight of her living room. Everything was smashed and broken.

A deep sense of violation and helplessness spread through her, choking off her air. The destruction was senseless.

“The upstairs is just as bad, if not worse,” James informed her, with sympathy tingeing his words. Hawk, James’s bloodhound, let out a long wail that echoed through the house. Stark fear grabbed Gina by the throat. Had Tim managed to sneak in after James’s walk-through?

But the dog turned toward the front door. Something outside the house had him on alert.

Was Tim out there?

Gina moved closer to Shane. He stepped slightly in front of her. The protective gesture melted some of the animosity she’d been feeling toward him.

A woman and a dog entered. Gina let out a relieved breath at the sight of rookie Ellen Foxcroft and her large golden retriever, Carly. After a quick nod of acknowledgment to James and Shane, Ellen turned to Gina. Her normally bright blue eyes were clouded with anxiety. “Are you hurt?”

“No. I’m fine,” Gina was quick to assure her. “I’m glad to see you, but why are you here?”

“Mom received a call that something was going on at the training center and then on the way here I heard dispatch say officers were responding to a break-in at your house. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Gina’s stomach twisted as she related the night’s events to the rookie.

Visibly shaken, Ellen touched Gina’s arm. “That’s terrible. And you think your brother killed Veronica?”

“I don’t know for sure, but who else could have done it?” She could feel Shane’s intense gaze on her. Was he studying her, assessing if she was telling the truth? “Anything’s possible with Tim. He never took responsibility for his actions, always blaming his mental illness even though he refused to take his meds.”

“That’s hard,” Ellen said. “I’ve heard that many times people who go off their medications act out in ways they wouldn’t if they were staying on their regimen.”

Gina appreciated the other woman’s understanding. “Right. But there comes a point when accountability rests with each of us. Tim was cognizant enough of his actions to know right from wrong. And he blames me for calling the police when he killed our father.”

Empathy softened Ellen’s features. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. It still hurts.”

“No matter what degree of loss we experience, it’s painful,” Ellen said. “But we have to remember that God will never leave us nor forsake us.”

Her words wound through Gina. She really wanted to cling to the hope, but sorrow and pain kept her from grabbing on with both hands. She righted a chair.

Ellen glanced at the chaos. “You can’t stay here. I’ll call my mom and see if she’ll mind if you stay with us.”

Though Gina was touched by the offer, the thought of going very far from the safety of the police station made her heart race. “I appreciate the offer, but I need to be close to the center.”

“You could bunk in the empty bedroom at the condo,” James said. “It’s only a few blocks from the police station. You’ll be safe there with us.”

Gina’s gaze flew to Shane to see what he thought of the idea. His mouth pressed into a firm line, but he didn’t comment.

Hmm. “Shane, would you be okay with that?” she asked.

“It’s a good idea that you stay with us,” Shane said. “The chief did assign your protection to me.”

Gina stared at him. If he thought it a good idea, then why did he look as if he’d just swallowed a lemon? Shaking her head over the perplexing man, she said, “I’ll go pack a bag.”

“Ellen, would you mind accompanying Gina upstairs?” Shane asked.

“Not at all.” Ellen and Carly escorted Gina to the second floor.

Seeing the damage to her beautiful bedroom brought Gina to tears. The curtains she’d sewn had been ripped off the rod and shredded. The porcelain doll that had once been her mother’s lay smashed on the floor.

James hadn’t been kidding when he’d said the upstairs was as trashed as the living room. In what hours ago had been her sanctuary, Tim had taken a knife and shredded everything, including the clothes hanging in the closet.

Deep sadness welled from within. She didn’t understand how Tim could be so out of control and mean. Whatever God’s purpose was, it was lost on her, which was why she couldn’t bring herself to attend church services. How could she worship a God who allowed such travesties?

It was hard enough socializing at the Desert Valley Community Church’s singles’ potluck and pretending to feel a closeness to God that was absent.

She wasn’t even sure why she went every month. Okay, that wasn’t true. She went because some part of her hoped to fall in love. Yet she turned down any offers of dates, too afraid to allow someone into her life. Nuts, right?

What was that saying by Albert Einstein? The definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

She snorted. Maybe she was more like her brother than she wanted to admit. Carly’s wet nose nudged her hand. Absently, she stroked the dog’s head.

It wasn’t as if the town of Desert Valley, located in the northwest part of Arizona, was big enough for her to meet someone new. After living in the small community for nearly two years, she knew most everyone on a first-name basis.

The revolving door on the K-9 training center didn’t lend itself to finding romance. The rookies arrived for their twelve-week session then left, taking assignments that took them all over the state of Arizona. Most of them held little interest for her.

She mentally scoffed. Who was she kidding?

Shane Weston had caught her attention. But he wasn’t staying. He’d made that clear from day one.

Maybe she was a glutton for torturing herself or maybe subconsciously she wasn’t really as interested in becoming half of a whole as she professed. Was she deluding herself? Wasn’t that a sign of mental illness? She’d have to do some research. Maybe check in with her old therapist.

“You okay?”

Ellen’s soft question brought Gina’s focus back to the closet. She wouldn’t find the answer to her life’s questions in her destroyed dresses and pantsuits.

“Yes.” She stuffed her thoughts away. Taking clothes that Tim had left untouched from the hamper, she quickly changed out of her soiled outfit, then handed it to Ellen, who put the clothes into the evidence bag.

Ellen’s gaze raked over the sliced and diced garments barely hanging on the hangers. “Whoa.”

Gina waved a dismissive hand. “This can all be replaced.”

“If you need to go shopping in Flagstaff, I’m always up for a trip to the city,” Ellen said with a sympathetic smile.

Carly left Gina to go stand beside her mistress.

Appreciating Ellen’s attempt at levity, Gina returned her smile. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Gina grabbed her suitcase from beneath the bed, gathered her toiletries and dumped them in the bottom of the suitcase. “Your mother must be very proud of you for having completed your training.”

Ellen made a noise halfway between a laugh and a scoff. “Mom’s never been behind me being a police officer.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I think you’ll make a great one.” Gina pulled the rest of the clothes from the laundry basket, figuring she’d wash everything at the condo. Her pulse skipped a beat as she thought of sharing a living space with Shane. She ruthlessly squelched her reaction.

And James, she reminded herself. She wouldn’t be alone with Shane. And she’d have her own suite. Thankfully.

“Thanks. But it’s the story of my life.” Ellen’s gaze took on a faraway look. “There’s a lot that Mom and I don’t see eye to eye on.”

Sensing something painful behind the other woman’s words, Gina put a hand on Ellen’s arm to offer what comfort she could. “But you have her and you two love each other.” Gina would give anything to have her mother back. Even for just a moment.

Ellen nodded, but doubts lingered in her blue eyes. “Yes. You’re right. But I’m looking forward to being assigned far from Desert Valley. You know that old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m hoping that will prove to be true.”

Gina hurt for the apparent rift between Ellen and Marian.

“Ladies?” Shane called from the bottom of the stairs. “Do you need some help?”

Gina rolled her eyes. “Impatient much?” she muttered.

Ellen smiled. “It’s a guy thing.”

“Or just a Shane thing,” Gina quipped as she zipped the suitcase. She’d noticed during training that he wanted things to progress at a swifter pace. She’d had to remind him training was a process that couldn’t be rushed. She supposed he was anxious to get back to the city. Apparently country life wasn’t to his liking.

Gina picked up her suitcase and followed Ellen and Carly down the stairs. She retrieved her cell phone from the charger sitting on the hall table. The one she hadn’t had time to grab before running for her life.

Once they were out of the house, Gina thanked Ellen for her help. She climbed into James’s truck along with Shane. The two dogs hopped into the canopied truck bed and lay down. James latched the tailgate in place but left the windows open for airflow.

Sandwiched between the two men, Gina could hardly believe her life had taken such a drastic turn in such a short amount of time. Her brother had attacked her, her boss had been murdered, and now she’d been displaced from her home and put under the protection of two handsome men. One who made her heart flutter despite how much she tried to quell her attraction.

Could her life get any more complicated?

A loud thunk echoed inside the cab of the truck, sending a jolt of fear through Gina. “What was that?”

FOUR

James brought the truck to an abrupt halt and jumped out, leaving the driver’s-side door open.

Shane’s heart hammered in his chest. He gripped Gina’s hand. His gaze raked over her. “Are you hurt?” He had to yell over the frantic barking of the two dogs in the truck bed.

Her hazel eyes were wide and her pretty face pale, but otherwise she appeared unharmed. “No. I don’t think so.”

Ellen’s vehicle pulled up behind them, her headlights shining through the window.

James jumped back in the cab of the truck. “An arrow,” he said as he hit the gas. The truck shot forward.

The two words sent a shiver down Shane’s spine.

James drove quickly to the police station, with Ellen close behind, and parked in front of the doors. Shane jumped out and hustled Gina inside. Bucks was manning the desk.

“Keep an eye on her,” Shane told the officer before running back outside just as James dropped the tailgate and both dogs jumped out. Bella ran to Shane’s side.

Shane moved closer to see what had struck the truck. Protruding from the front of the truck bed, just below the rear window, was indeed an arrow. But not the kind found in archery. This was steel, a long bolt with yellow fetching. The kind meant for killing.

The blood drained from Shane’s head. He gripped the edge of the truck bed. A couple of inches higher and the bolt would have gone through the window, right into Gina’s skull.

Or the projectile could have easily hit one of the dogs. But thankfully, both were uninjured.

Was this the work of Gina’s brother? Why would he change weapons from a gun to a crossbow? Hadn’t Gina said he’d had a knife, too? They had a well-armed fugitive in their town.

James hooked Hawk to his lead. The bloodhound lifted his nose to the air and howled. “We’re going hunting. The keys are in the ignition if you need to move the truck. Hawk and I will meet you at the condo.”

“Be careful,” Shane advised.

“Roger that.” James and Hawk took off, trailing a scent, and disappeared from view.

Ellen approached from where she’d parked her vehicle. “Did you see the shooter?” Shane asked.

“Shooter?” Her blues eyes darted to the arrow then back to him. “Is Gina okay?”

“Yes, she’s inside.” Shane moved back to the cab and ran a hand over the back of the seat. Applying a little pressure on the backrest, he could feel the sharp tip of the arrow where it had gone through the metal of the truck. So close. He breathed out a prayer of thanksgiving.

Another inch and the arrow absolutely would have skewered Gina in the back.

Clearly someone wanted her dead. It seemed her story about her brother was true.

Gina came out of the police station with Bucks hot on her heels. “Someone tell me what’s happening.”

Shane glared at Bucks.

He raised his hands. “Hey, I couldn’t stop her.”

Gina spotted the arrow sticking out of the back of the cab and gasped. The moon’s glow shone on her face, creating shadows in the contours of her cheekbones. “Do you think... Did Tim do this?”

He wouldn’t sugarcoat the truth. “Unless there’s someone with a vendetta against the trainers, which I doubt, I can’t think of anyone else who wants you dead. Can you?”

She wrapped her arms around her middle. “No. And I didn’t kill Veronica. Tim must have. Don’t you see that?”

“Come on, let’s get you back inside.” Shane placed his hand to the small of her back. He didn’t like her standing outside, making herself an easy target if her brother had followed them to the station. “I’m sorry I jumped to a hasty conclusion.”

Gina’s glance lanced across his face like a laser. “So you believe me now?”

Innocent until proven guilty. The evidence to suggest she was the culprit was circumstantial at best. It was more likely that her brother had killed Veronica. “Yes.”

Some of her tension visibly released.

Once they were all in the lobby of the station, Ellen logged in the evidence bag filled with Gina’s clothes and then said good-night before heading home. Keeping Gina close, Shane asked Bucks to dust the arrow for prints.

“Hey, I don’t work for you,” the older officer grumbled.

The chief stepped out of his office. “What’s the trouble?”

Bucks shot Shane a venomous look. “He’ll explain.” He marched off.

“On our way here from Gina’s house a bolt from a crossbow pierced the cab,” Shane explained. “I asked Officer Bucks if he’d dust the arrow for prints.”

Chief Jones’s jaw hardened. “Seems your brother is determined.”

“Yes, sir,” Gina murmured as she sank onto a bench.

Bella went to her and put her chin on Gina’s knees.

“Thank the Lord above none of you were hurt,” Earl said. He’d seemed to age in the past few hours. The lines around his mouth and eyes were deeper, adding to his haggard look. Undoubtedly, Veronica’s murder was hitting the man hard. “This has been a horrific night for our town. We’ve seen more crime in the past six hours than we’ve had in five years...since Melanie Hayes’s unsolved murder.”

Ryder Hayes’s wife, Melanie, had been gunned down on a wooded path near the couple’s house on the eve of the big annual Canyon County Police Dance and Fundraiser. Robbery was the suspected motive, since Melanie’s purse had gone missing.

Shane had also heard about two other mysterious deaths. Each on the night of the annual dance and fundraiser event, and each a year apart. But both fatalities had been deemed accidents.

The chief rubbed his chin. “Tonight makes retirement that much more enticing.”

Back home in Flagstaff, this night would have seemed tame to Shane’s dad and brothers. “Did the canvass around the training center yield anything useful in determining who killed Veronica?”

Earl held up a hand. “So far no one heard any shots fired or saw anyone come or go from the center.”

“Has anyone turned in the missing puppy?” Gina asked.

“Unfortunately, no,” the chief replied.

Gina’s arms wrapped around her middle as if holding herself together. The tender skin beneath her eyes appeared bruised from fatigue and her face was pale.

Empathy twisted in Shane’s gut, despite his need to stay emotionally detached. First being attacked in her house by her crazed brother, then stumbling upon Veronica’s dead body. It was obvious she loved the animals she worked with and they loved her, if Bella’s actions were any indication. No doubt the thought of the little German shepherd puppy running loose outside where wildlife could prey on it weighed heavily on Gina’s slim shoulders.

“Was Sophie able to determine if the other two puppies were chipped?” Gina asked.

“They were,” Earl replied. “Chipped and registered to Veronica with the training center’s address just as we’d expect.”

“Hopefully, someone will pick up the pup and take him to the vet,” Gina said. “If Veronica was able to get him chipped then the vet will find the chip and contact the center.”

“I’ll give the vet a heads-up,” the chief said.

Bucks returned a few moments later. “I got a partial. I’ll run it through IAFIS.”

Shane hoped the FBI’s national fingerprint database would provide a visual of Tim Perry. Or whoever had handled the arrow. Shane struggled to believe no one had known Gina had a brother to begin with, let alone one who was a criminal. Was the shooter the same person who’d killed Veronica? Or was there more than one villain running around Desert Valley? That seemed too much of a stretch.

“Let’s finish our discussion in my office,” Earl said, ushering Shane, Bella and Gina inside.

The chief had just settled into his chair behind his desk when there was a knock on the doorjamb. James and Hawk entered the office, looking grim.

Shane gave him a questioning look.

James shook his head. “Hawk tracked a scent but lost it on a street two blocks away from Gina’s house. The shooter must have jumped into a car and taken off.”

“Did you get a look at the archer?” Earl asked.

“No, never caught a glimpse of him,” James said.

Earl looked at Shane. “But you’re sure it was her brother?”

“Hard to say without confirmation,” Shane said. “But without any other suspects...”

The chief considered him a moment. “Okay.” He focused on Gina. “Where will you be staying? Obviously you can’t return to your home until we have your brother in custody.”

“Sir, Gina is going to move into the empty room at the rookies’ condo,” Shane stated. He met Gina’s gaze. She arched one delicate eyebrow. Okay, maybe he shouldn’t have answered for her.

Earl nodded approval. “Good.” He settled his gaze on Gina once again. “We’ll find your brother. Or whoever did this. No one can hide in Desert Valley for long.”

“Thank you, sir.” Her voice was tight. She turned her gaze on Shane. “I’d like to keep the puppies with me if possible.”

The anxiety in her hazel eyes tugged at him. If having the two pups close comforted her, then... “Of course. We’ll swing by the training center and pick them up.”

She gave him a grateful smile as she stifled a yawn.

“You all go and get some rest,” the chief said. “You won’t do anyone any good if you’re too exhausted to be of use.”

Shane escorted Gina from the station. They took James’s truck to the training center. Sophie had crated the puppies and had locked up the center for the night. Gina used her key card to enter the building.

They gathered the puppies and their crates, along with their beds, water and food bowls, and put them in the back of James’s truck. Gina held both pups on her lap during the ride to the condo.

James parked in the carport stall reserved for the rookies’ unit. He grabbed her bag from the back and led the way to the front door. Shane carried the pups’ accoutrements and brought up the rear with Gina and the puppies between them.

Once inside, Shane showed Gina to the room at the end of the short hall. He arranged the crates side by side along the far wall beneath the window facing the queen-size bed covered with a deep burgundy comforter.

Gina set the puppies down on their respective beds and left the crate doors open. They immediately went to sleep, obviously tuckered out from their run in the yard and the move to the condo.

“Shouldn’t you shut the crate doors?” Shane asked.

“I will when I’m ready to go to sleep, but for now I want them to feel safe inside their crates and safe to leave, as well. The crate needs to become their safe haven. Locking them in too soon can be traumatic.”

Her concern for the puppies was touching. Given she’d just lived through a very dramatic and dangerous situation, she was holding it together really well. Assuming she was telling him the truth, which seemed more likely with every passing moment. His admiration and respect for her increased. How had he questioned whether she could be guilty of hurting Veronica?

“The place comes furnished,” Shane explained, to battle the discomforted way she made him feel. “Each room is a suite. Housekeeping launders all the linens between the training sessions. The bedding’s clean and there are towels in the bathroom cabinet.”

“Thank you,” Gina said. “I appreciate all you’re doing for me and the puppies.”

Her teeth tugged on her bottom lip. She looked so vulnerable. Blood surged through his veins and his gut tightened. It was all he could do not to step closer and gather her in his arms. He’d been attracted to her from the beginning, but this was more intense and focused. The disturbing urge had him backing away. The last thing he wanted was to become emotionally attached to this woman. It was one thing to guard her and help her feel safe, and another entirely to want to make her feel cared for.

“I’ll say good-night.” He stepped out of the room and shut the door, blocking her from his view. Now if he could only block her from his thoughts as easily.

* * *

Gina stared at the door. Confusion swirled through her mind. For a moment, she’d seen something in Shane’s expression that had her heart fluttering and her pulse skittering. Interest. There’d been definite interest in his green eyes. Answering attraction flared within her. But then his gaze had shuttered and he’d retreated, leaving her wondering if she’d only imagined the look.

What did it matter? There was no sense in letting herself feel anything for him. For anyone. With her brother back in her life, she was intensely aware that she, too, had the propensity for evil. She shared Tim’s DNA. DNA that could be passed on.

She’d never have the family she longed for. What man in his right mind would want to saddle himself with her?

With sadness filling her heart, she filled the dogs’ bowls with water and placed them on the bathroom floor, and she sank down on the edge of the bed. She dropped her head into her hands.

What a nightmare her life had become. Tim was attempting to follow through on his threat to kill her. She didn’t understand what purpose Tim had for wanting her dead. It wouldn’t change the fact that he was wanted for murdering their father.

That he hadn’t succeeded in killing her so far was a blessing.

It hurt her heart to believe Veronica had died because of her. She had no doubt Tim had killed her boss. What other explanation could there be?

“Oh, Lord, please. I...” She didn’t know what to say or how to pray.

She wanted to ask God to stop her brother, yet the words wouldn’t come. They felt like rocks stuck in her throat. Would God even hear her? She was so used to being disappointed she was afraid to try anymore.

She lay back, wishing the oblivion of sleep would take her away, but her mind was buzzing with all that had transpired. The image of Veronica’s lifeless eyes staring at the sky tormented her. Worry for the missing puppy scraped her nerves raw.

“Please let us find Marco, Lord,” she whispered, finally finding some reserve of faith. She curled on her side. The sleeping puppies looked so peaceful. So vulnerable. They needed her now. She had to be strong for their sake.

Her mouth felt like cotton. She needed water. She rose to check the bathroom for a cup and found none. She left the bedroom to pad barefoot to the kitchen in search of a glass. As she passed the living room, she noticed Shane sitting on the couch, brushing Bella, who sat at his feet, obviously enjoying the attention to her coat.

Light from the gas fireplace played in the dark strands of Shane’s hair, making them appear more blue than black. Once again the pull of longing lurched at her and attraction flickered through her. He was so handsome and capable. And she appreciated the fact that he’d apologized for jumping to an assumption of her guilt before knowing all the facts. She figured it was probably hard for him to admit he was wrong. But he’d owned up to his mistake and that meant a lot to her.

Plus, she had enjoyed working with him during their training. Even if he was a bit impatient with the progress, he’d never once taken that impatience out on Bella or Gina. But Gina had seen the frustration in his eyes and the tension in his shoulders. She wasn’t sure what had driven him. Wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Getting too close to her protector wouldn’t be smart.

She paused, contemplating turning back. But then Shane’s gaze lifted and met hers.

He swiftly rose, the brush dropping to the floor. “Are you okay?”

The concern in his tone caused warmth to flow through her. Bella cocked her head and stared at Gina as if waiting for her answer, as well.

She smiled. “I’m fine. I just wanted a glass for water.”

He nodded and resumed his seat. “Glasses are in the cupboard to the right of the sink.”

Bella lay down at his feet, apparently reassured that all was well.

She filled a glass from the tap. She drank the cool liquid and then refilled the glass to take to her room. She halted on the threshold of the living room. “Why are you still up?”

“Someone has to stand guard. Just in case.”

A shiver of dread skated over her flesh. She felt bad that he was losing sleep to keep watch over her. However, she did appreciate his sacrifice. “Have you heard if anyone has reported finding the puppy?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m sure the chief will let us know if he turns up.”

Heaviness burdened her heart. Her hand tightened around the glass. “What if no one finds him? What if he’s hurt? Or worse?”

“Don’t go there. You can’t give up hope. We’ll find him.”

He sounded so confident. She wanted to believe him.

“Tell me about your brother,” Shane asked, surprising her. “You’re twins. Who’s older?”

She moved to sit on the edge of the recliner facing Shane. Warmth from the fire curled around her. “I am, by two minutes and forty-five seconds.”

“How long has Tim been...?” His voice faded with uncertainty.

She bit out, “It’s okay, you can say it. Mentally ill.”

“Right.” He sounded uncomfortable. Which was how most people reacted when they learned of Tim’s condition. “Mentally ill.”

Memories crashed over her, making her heart ache. “The professionals had a hard time diagnosing him. His symptoms were all over the place. No impulse control, inattentive, hyper. But then, as we got older, his mood swings became more erratic, violent even. Our mom was the only one who could handle him.” Her heart burned with grief. “She died when we were fifteen.”

“I’m sorry. How?”

She appreciated the sympathy in Shane’s voice, but she dared not look at him or the tears would break through. Instead she focused on the blue-gold flames in the fireplace. “A car accident. She hit a patch of black ice and slammed into a concrete barrier.”

Shane made a sympathetic noise in his throat. Bella shimmied closer and put a paw on her foot as if sensing her sorrow.

Gina leaned down to run her hand over Bella’s soft coat. “Tim took Mom’s death really hard.” Her heart squeezed tight and she straightened. “It was hard on all of us. I miss her every day. Dad did the best he could. But being a cop and a father of two teenagers was a lot for him to handle.”

“That’s right, you’d said your dad was a police officer. So is mine. And my grandfather was and both brothers are.”

“Ah.” That explained his drive. He had a family legacy to live up to and he was anxious to get going on his career.

“My dad would be lost without my mom,” he said softly.

“Yeah, Dad had a rough time of it. Especially as Tim’s behavior became more unpredictable. He hung around some bad influences and started down a very destructive, criminal path. Dad forced him to see a counselor, who passed Tim on to a psychiatrist. But Tim wasn’t interested in getting help. I can’t blame all of his behavior on his mental illness. He made his choices of his own free will.”

“And you? How are you?”

She could feel Shane’s gaze on her. More than curiosity drove his question. She understood. This wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last someone asked if she, too, had a mental illness. As soon as anyone learned of Tim’s disorder, she became suspect, since they were twins. “I saw the same psychiatrist, just in case.”

“And?”

“He said I didn’t display any of the markers. But no one can guarantee I won’t develop a mental disorder one day. It runs in my mother’s family.” A constant fear that hung over her life like a dark cloud threatening to wash her away and kept her from risking her heart. She wouldn’t subject anyone to that uncertainty.

“Did the psychiatrist have any idea why your brother would be affected and you seemingly aren’t?”

She shrugged. “Even non-twin siblings have a ten-percent chance of developing the same disorders.”

“That’s a pretty low percentage. Chances are you’ll never suffer the same fate.”

She wished she could count on his words to be true. “But there is still a chance. No one can make any guarantees one way or the other.”

“One of God’s many mysteries.”

She met his gaze, expecting to see wariness, pity even. Instead, his expression was open and sincere.

“I often wonder why God chose to afflict Tim,” she told him. “Dad would say God never made mistakes and that, for reasons we may never know, God made Tim the way he is for a purpose.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her tone. “I love my brother but I fear him, and have for as long as I can remember. Maybe I inherently knew something wasn’t right with him. As for a purpose? That I can’t wrap my mind around.”

“I agree with your dad. God has a purpose for Tim. For you. I don’t know what that purpose is, but He does have one. You have to trust Him.”

She cocked her head and studied Shane. She hadn’t realized he was a believer. But then again, it wasn’t something they’d had reason to discuss during class, and she’d been very careful to keep things work-focused despite how much she wanted to spend time with him outside class. “My dad would have liked you.”

The green of his eyes was highlighted by the firelight. “I wish I’d had the chance to meet him.”

So did she. A wave of sadness washed over her. She missed her dad so much.

Bella jumped to her feet, her ears back. She let out a loud bark.

A shaft of anxiety tore through Gina. “What’s wrong with her?”

Shane rose. “I don’t know.”

They heard scratching and a long howl. Hawk. James opened his bedroom door. The bloodhound raced through the living room and halted at the sliding glass patio door. Bella joined Hawk, her deep growl ricocheting off the condo’s high ceiling. James came into the living room wearing sweats and a T-shirt, his expression sharp with concern and his service weapon in his hand.

From her bedroom, the puppies’ excited barks rang out. Even the pups sensed danger. A shiver of dread ran across her flesh.

Shane touched her shoulder, startling her. “Go to your bedroom and lock the door.” He and James moved toward the sliding door.

Gina nearly dropped the glass in her hand. Someone was on the patio. Deep in her heart she knew the trespasser was her brother. Hating the thought of anything happening to Shane or James, she said, “Be careful. You know how dangerous he is.”

Shane met her gaze. “I know. Now go.”

She hesitated for a second then hurried to her bedroom, locked the door and gathered the pups in her arms. “Oh, Lord, please,” she whispered.

There was only one thing for her to do.

Leave Desert Valley and hope this time Tim wouldn’t find her.

FIVE

Shane tempered the adrenaline swamping his system with the knowledge that Gina was safely tucked away behind the locked door of the third bedroom of the condo. They’d made the right call in bringing her here.

He only regretted that he hadn’t been the one to suggest it, but the idea of having her underfoot had left him feeling a bit off-kilter.

With the threat of her brother lurking so close, Shane knew his own discomfort had to be relegated to unimportant.

It didn’t matter that he found Gina attractive and interesting and that he admired how well she was holding up considering she’d been chased from her home, had discovered her boss’s dead body and was being stalked by her evil twin. Not a good day.

Shane reached the kitchen drawer where he’d stashed his service weapon. He grabbed it along with a heavy-duty flashlight, then followed James out the condo’s back sliding door.

The dogs ran for the tall fence separating the oblong-shaped patch of grass behind the building and the empty lot beyond. Both dogs sniffed the ground near a spot in the fence where a loose board had been pushed aside.

The acrid odor of tobacco hung in the chilling air. The temperature had dropped as it often did at night in the northwest part of Arizona.

Shane swung the flashlight’s beam in sweeping arcs. The light revealed a freshly lit cigarette abandoned on the cement patio floor; a wisp of smoke curled from the smoldering tip in the cool breeze.

How long had the intruder been standing outside? Had it been Gina’s brother? Of course. Who else could it have been?

James inspected the fence. “Our guy pried the nails loose.”

Which spoke of Tim’s determination. Tension knotted Shane’s neck muscles. “We need to reattach the board ASAP. And bag and tag this cigarette butt.”

James joined him on the patio. “Agreed.”

“He’s not getting her,” Shane vowed. He could feel James’s gaze on him but was powerless to keep the fire out of his voice. “I won’t let him.”

“She’s one of the good ones,” James observed quietly. “A keeper.”

Shane closed his eyes for a moment. “It’s not like that.”

“Whatever you say.” The mocking amusement in James’s voice grated on Shane. “I’ll get a baggie for the evidence.”

James whistled for Hawk and the two went inside, leaving Shane and Bella standing on the patio.

Bella nudged his thigh.

He scrubbed her behind the ears. “It’s okay, girl. We’ll get him next time.”

Because, unfortunately, Shane knew there would be a next time. He knew in his gut that Tim wouldn’t give up. “We’ll keep Gina safe.”

It was his job to protect her. But he had a feeling he’d have a hard time walking the tightrope between doing his duty and letting himself care too deeply.

He wasn’t staying in Desert Valley, and becoming attached to his beautiful charge would only complicate his life in ways he couldn’t—wouldn’t—allow.

His focus had to be on his career. Distractions like love and romance were for way down the line. He wasn’t ready to open himself up for a relationship. Even if the sweet and special dog trainer made his heart pound with longing to amend his plan.

* * *

Gina paced the floor of her suite in agitated silence. Three steps right, pivot, three steps left, pivot, repeat. She’d calmed the two puppies, now both chewing on bones she’d grabbed from the training center earlier.

Every noise beyond the confines of her room sent a jolt of alarm through her, making her heart pound and her blood rush. She was terrified to think Tim had somehow found out where she was so quickly.

Had he been watching, and trailed them to the condo? Would Shane and James capture him? Or would Tim hurt these two brave men who’d promised to protect her? Had Tim put an arrow through Shane? Was Shane even now bleeding and dying because of her?

She squeezed her eyes tight against the onslaught of horrible scenarios that played through her mind. Awfulizing was destructive, as her therapist had advised on numerous occasions. She wasn’t even sure that was a real thing but she understood the sentiment behind his caution.

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