THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE by Angi Morgan Page B

this?”
    “Six very long months.” She sighed and looked out the window.
    “And how come they haven’t found you before now? And why now?”
    “I’ve been working as a house and pet sitter. Personal recommendations and referrals, so I don’t actually work for a company.”
    “Off the grid. So how did they find you?”
    “I’ve been trying to find the ‘higher-ups’ and have spent a lot of time searching on Brenda Ellen’s computer.”
    Tears again. He was glad there was a seat between them. If there hadn’t been, he’d probably have an arm around her shoulders or he’d be patting her back, attempting to comfort. He could relate. He’d been there. Responsible. Blaming himself. Wondering what he could have done differently.
    “I never intended for anyone else to get caught up in this mess. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
    “Thing is, it did happen and the actions can’t be changed. But you can help catch the man who strangled the life from Brenda Ellen Richardson.”
    “How? By going to jail? Who’ll clear my name then?”
    “You need to tell us everything, Bree. How can I help when you won’t even trust me with your name?” He wanted to crack this case wide open. He couldn’t deny the anticipation of that happening and could really get into rubbing it in his partner’s face. At least for a minute or two.
    Through the back window, a truck slowed and reversed. On a busy day at the lake, it might have been an innocent enough action. In the ice and snow, when the streets were basically deserted, a warning jump-started his adrenaline. It suddenly turned, speeding down the incline, and headed straight toward them.
    “Hold on!” Jake threw the car into Reverse, trying to get out of the way.
    Too late. The car’s tires spun, barely moving them while the truck grew into the size of a monster vehicle in his side mirrors. He braced himself for the collision.
    The impact slammed them forward and the truck didn’t stop. Jake kept his foot on the brake, turned the wheel, pulled the emergency brake. Nothing stopped them.
    “We’re going into the water. Unlock the doors!”
    Bree was right. The truck had the power and traction to ram them a second time, jolting them forward. There was nothing between them and the water. He pushed the button, lowering the front windows.
    Dallas barked. Bree yelled. Jake released his seat belt and pulled his weapon and cell. He tossed the phone in the back. “Call 911.”
    Five more feet and they’d be in the lake. He released the wheel and got a firm grip on his Beretta. He turned, fired at the truck, connected. The car tipped into the water and he no longer had a shot.
    “They’re going to kill us.”
    “Stay calm. The safest place for you is here. The car’s not going any farther.”
    “You don’t know that. Get me out of here.”
    “Trust me, Bree. Stay here. I’ll be back. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” He tugged his heavy overcoat off. It would weigh him down in the water.
    “You can’t—”
    Jake didn’t hear the end of her sentence. The front seat was filling quickly and he had to secure the area before he got Bree out of the car. He launched himself through the passenger window and heard the gunfire before kicking hard and away from the car.
    He surfaced and fired two rounds. The truck backed away. It didn’t make sense. They had the weapons to kill them. Could have rammed the car underwater completely. They were gone in seconds. No license tags to memorize and they’d probably ditch the truck a few miles away. He looked back to the car. Bree was in the front seat, calling to Dallas to come to her.
    The frightened pup had crawled to the back window and wouldn’t budge.
    “Get to shore, Bree. Come on.” He stuck his hands through the window and gently tugged on her arm.
    “Oh, my gosh. She’s scared to death and won’t come to me.” She locked eyes with him. Pleading.
    “I won’t leave the pup.”
    Bree put her cuffed