Page 40 of Lost Cause
Burke’s number one question. Number two was who was piloting the boat. Answer question two, and he’d probably have the answer to number one as well. “It might have something to do with the crown. Maybe someone’s been watching us. Someone who’s targeting you, Victor.”
Victor shuddered.
“Hey.” She took his hands in hers. “Breathe. Just breathe, and once you calm down, we can talk about it.”
She gained his full attention and took a few exaggerated deep breaths, letting them out, until he was breathing along with her.
Burke and Abby might’ve always butted heads, but he’d heard wonderful things about her as a sheriff. Now, the more time he spent with her, the more he could see she was indeed a very special person. She not only had law enforcement skills, but she could connect with people in a way Burke had never been able to do. She deserved his respect.
She glanced up at him. “While Victor catches his breath, I’ll call Sam. Get her on the next ferry over here to process the boat for fingerprints.”
He nodded his agreement as his phone rang. “Detective Ulrich.”
“Deputy Mullen here,” the woman said, her tone calm but alert. “I was dispatched to handle your call. Can you bring me up to speed?”
Burke told her about the boat and described the man who’d taken off. “Forget about the boat for now. Get on the radio—have dispatch alert all units in the area to search for our suspect. We’re going after him with full force.”
“Copy that.” The call went silent.
He looked at Abby. “I’ll get to the dock, and we’ll proceed from there.”
At the dock, he and Abby helped Victor out of the boat. The older gentleman shivered and struggled to walk. He’d left his cane in the boat, and his steps were erratic, like a drunken sailor, and he appeared as if he might collapse. They should probably go back for his cane, but if they did anything except move forward, Victor might insist on leaving.
“Let’s get you on solid ground.” Abby put her arm around his back and under his elbow, gently leading him down the long pier.
As Burke followed the couple, the pier’s sway felt more pronounced. The breeze flowing over his face turned sharper, and the sunshine on his back seemed more intense. All reminding him how lucky he was to be alive.
God had spared him. Them. With only seconds left. Just enough time to show Burke how blessed he was to be alive. To simply be breathing.
Right, nothing simple about that. Something incredibly, extraordinarily wonderful. Each day was a blessing. Had he been squandering his days since Tiffany betrayed him, living in his disappointment and distrust?
Something he needed to give strong consideration, and to God’s role in his life too. But not now. Now he had an attempted murderer to find and bring to justice. That had to take priority over everything. And to do that, he had to find the crown.
“Hold up at the deputy,” Burke called after them. “We need to get Victor out of the open air.”
A wide-eyed female deputy with blond, almost white hair pulled back in a bun waited for them at the end of the dock. She’d parked her patrol vehicle as close to the dock as possible, the lights twirling and drawing attention they really didn’t need.
“Thanks for manning the dock.” Burke flashed his credentials. “That your cruiser?”
“It is.” Her suspicious scrutiny was typical for a uniform officer in such a high-pressure situation.
“I’m commandeering it to house Mr. Lemoine until I can secure additional backup to safely transport him.”
The deputy—Mullen, by her name tag—scowled at him. “No matter your rank, you’re not leaving the scene with my cruiser.”
“No.” He would never leave an officer without means of transport. “Just need to sit in it for now.”
She fished her keys from her pocket and handed them to him. “Then have at it.”
He took the keys. “Any news to report?”
She settled a hand on her sidearm and shook her head. “We haven’t located the suspect yet, but the sheriff made it a top priority, and all available resources are continuing to search.”
Right. The sheriff. Shocking that Ryder hadn’t called Burke yet. Maybe the sheriff was giving him space to take care of things. Regardless, Burke had to report as soon as Victor was secure. “Set up a perimeter around the beached boat. No one, and I mean no one, including you, boards the vessel. I’m holding you personally responsible for this.”
“I’ve got it.” She lifted her chin. “You can count on me.”
He hoped she was right. “Call me if you locate the suspect or find any leads.”
