Page 103 of Hidden Tide

Keating’s radio comes alive.

“The shooter is moving west along the bluff!”

“Units Three and Seven, intercept from the beach access road,” Keating orders.

A series of shouts follows.

Then two gunshots.

Silence.

I stop breathing.

“Report.”

Static.

“Unit Seven, report.”

“We have one suspect in custody. Second suspect fled toward the water.”

“How many shooters?”

“Two confirmed. We’re searching for others.”

“What about the wounded deputy?”

“Conscious. Gunshot wound to the leg. Tourniquet applied.”

Keating closes his eyes briefly.

“Get medical personnel to him. Clear the house and move the Sinclair women as soon as the tactical team approves the route.”

“Yes, sir.”

The entire room exhales.

Ben pulls me against him.

I let myself lean into his strength.

Only for a moment.

Then I straighten.

“I want to talk to the man they captured.”

“No,” Keating, Marquez and Ben say at the same time.

I look between them. “You rehearsed that?”

Ben doesn’t smile. “You’re not getting near another prisoner tonight.”

“He may know who sent them.”

“That’s why trained investigators will question him,” Marquez says.

“What if he won’t talk?”