Page 102 of Night Hawk
“Save it.” He held up a hand. “I wasn’t in law enforcement for a lifetime to miss seeing the looks between the two of you the other day.”
“Clay’s working with Trent, so Drake and I have partnered up,” she replied without divulging personal stuff.
Ziegler stood back. “Come on in, but he can stay in the car.”
She glanced at Drake. He nodded his willingness to stay put, and she followed Ziegler inside.
He took a seat in the same recliner but didn’t insist she have coffee this time. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“Did you know a Sheldon Sharkey?” She sat on the couch.
He narrowed his eyes. “Name rings a bell, but I’m not sure why.”
“He was a homeless guy living on the beach when Lisa disappeared.”
“News to me.”
“So Sheriff Raintree didn’t bring him to your attention regarding Lisa’s disappearance?”
“No, I…” He went totally still. “Sharkey. I know why it rings a bell.”
“Why?” She sat forward.
“Sheila Sharkey.”
The name they were looking for, but…
“Who is she?” Toni held her breath as she waited for the answer.
“Raintree’s ex-wife.”
The call came in on the county radio issued by Trent, and Clay floored the gas on the vehicle borrowed from Gage. Hibbard had been seen entering a local bar where a patrol deputy had stopped to question the bartender. When the deputy spotted Hibbard, the deputy backed off and called it in.
Clay was the closest of the brothers to the bar, and Blake and Trent rode together and were just down the road. Clay intended to be the first one to arrive. He wouldn’t race in, though. No matter how much he wanted to. He’d wait for backup. No way would he risk Hibbard squirting out the back door and escaping. He and Toni had waited far too long to bring this creep in to let the guy skate.
Toni.Man, he wished she was here by his side. They should be arresting this guy together.
The bar came into view just ahead. Covered in weathered rough-sawn cedar siding, it had a blue neon sign. The door stood open and small windows lined the wall facing the road. Clay slowed. Wouldn’t do to slide into the lot on two wheels and draw attention.
He parked on the side of the building without windows and got out. The outside smelled like a cross between stale fish and beer. Not exactly appetizing. Blake and Trent pulled into the lot in Trent’s unmarked car and parked next to Clay. The sun was dropping below the horizon behind them, leaving the area covered with a reddish glow.
“I’m going in after the guy,” Clay said before anyone could speak.
“I’ll be glad to take the back,” Blake said.
Clay gave him a thankful look.
Trent frowned. “I’m first in, and I’ll do the talking.”
Clay widened his stance. “The second he sees your uniform, he’s either gonna take a stand or skate.”
“Clay’s got a point,” Blake said. “Might be better if Clay goes in alone and brings him out before we have a shoot-out or a hostage situation on our hands.”
Trent ground his teeth.
“Hey,” Blake said. “I get it. You’re in charge. You want to take the guy down. But sometimes you gotta stand back and let your people do the job when it’s the best option.”
“I know that.” Trent glared at Blake. “But this guy isn’t really one of my people.”
