Page 93 of Solid as Steele
Wheeler looked at Owen. “Tell her to stay here with the officers while we release the others and someone will be here soon to help all of them.”
Owen explained the best he could, making sure she knew she was safe and no one would hurt her.
She nodded, but her gaze remained wary as she ran a hand through her long black hair that was tangled and frizzy. She was likely afraid of the police and especially afraid of the men in their intimidating black helmets and dark clothing with vests, but Owen couldn’t change that right now. If only Mackenzie had been allowed to join them, she could provide comfort, but she couldn’t be in the same room as Tovar. Couldn’t enter the house until it was processed for evidence.
Wheeler faced Owen. “You speak Spanish. Come with me to the cellar.”
Owen nodded, but his gut twisted with visions of what he would see and hear. He’d always had a vivid imagination. Helped him think outside the box on the job, but right now he wished his brain would shut down the visions.
Wheeler looked at the first deputy still standing near the door. “Take the keys and get the gate open. Bring them back here then double-time it to your vehicle to take this bozo to lockup. Get him processed right away. Prints and DNA. Then we’ll get it to Veritas to run and compare to our evidence.”
“Roger that.” The deputy marched out the door.
“What evidence?” Tovar asked.
“Evidence you murdered Cassie Collins.”
“Hah. Just like I figured.” Tovar shook his head and rolled his eyes. “You bozos are going to strike out. I didn’t murder anyone.”
Tovar sounded convincing, Owen would give the guy that, but it didn’t matter. The evidence would confirm or deny his guilt.
Wheeler pointed a sharp look at his other deputies. “The pair of you babysit this guy while we free the women. Make sure Juanita is comfortable, but doesn’t go anywhere.”
Hearing her name, Juanita jerked her gaze to Wheeler.
“He’s only telling his men to be sure you’re okay, and that you should stay here,” Owen told her in Spanish and made sure to end with a smile. “We’ll be back with the others soon.”
Wheeler charged out of the room, and Owen hurried to catch up to him. Outside, Wheeler paused facing the gate where the deputy was checking keys. Wheeler got out his phone. “Dahl, good. We’ve breached the house, and Tovar’s in custody. Call the list of resources I left with you and get them out here ASAP.”
He tilted his head as if listening. “Don’t know if there are injuries or not. We’re going to the cellar now. Send the ambulances just in case. Pronto.”
He ended the call and shoved his cell into his pocket as his deputy ran over and gave Tovar’s key ring to Wheeler.
“Keep moving at that speed,” Wheeler said to his man.
“Roger that.” The guy ran toward the gate and disappeared in the dark.
Wheeler dangled the keys and looked at Owen. “You ready for this?”
Was he? He highly doubted it.
Mackenzie craned her neck as Sheriff Wheeler and Owen talked to the deputy who’d gotten the gate open. Owen and Wheeler spun in unison and marched her way, determination in every step.
Finally! The women would be freed. At least she hoped that was their goal.
Owen looked at her. “Tovar’s in custody. The woman he dragged to the house is free. Looks like we got here in time.”
Mackenzie let out a long breath. She’d worried they’d be too late, but thankfully, they’d spared the poor woman from more turmoil. Mackenzie wanted to go to the house, give her a hug, and tell her everything would be okay.
But would it? Would she ever get over the trauma of being kidnapped and held against her will? Being dragged like a slave to the door and closed in with a creep like Tovar? Mackenzie doubted she would recover from such a thing.
Please don’t let Cassie have shared the same fate.
If they learned that she had, how would Owen handle it? He loved his sister very much. That was clear in his every step in this investigation. Would he recover enough to lead a normal life? Could he get over Mackenzie being a part of the investigation—or would he think of Cassie every time he looked at her?
No. Stop. Don’t think about yourself now.How incredibly selfish. If God wanted her to have a future with this man, she would.
The most important thing to consider and do right at the moment was pray for him, Wheeler and his men, and especially for the women. They all would need God’s amazing restorative power to overcome such a traumatic experience.
