Gunnar knew that. But, he also felt that Kimber’s ordeal was going to end on a positive note. After all, from the time Traci had realized that Kimber was gone, things had been on their side. Two people outside had seen Brett pull an obviously struggling Kimber into a gray sedan. After debating whether or not to get involved for fifteen minutes, they’d called the police and had been able to give a pretty good description of Brett’s vehicle.
Because of that, the Bridgeport Police had been able to work with other local authorities to be on the lookout for him. After a couple of false starts and some misinformation, Dylan and Traci learned that Brett had been taking Kimber first on the interstate heading north and then on a little-used state highway.
Now their vehicle and several county sheriff cars were getting close. They just had to hope and pray that Brett wouldn’t either lose control of his car or hurt Kimber and that he wasn’t armed and wouldn’t attempt to shoot any of the law enforcement in pursuit.
Every time Gunnar thought about that, he felt weak. That was a lot to ask for. Was it too much?
After a terse discussion, Dylan and Traci agreed to let the local sheriffs take the lead. Their lights were flashing and sirens were blaring.
But it still didn’t look like Brett was slowing down or pulling over. If anything, it looked like he was driving more erratically than ever.
Unable to keep his silence any longer, Gunnar blurted, “What’s going on?”
“My guess is that this Brett character isn’t even aware that he’s being followed,” Dylan said.
“Seriously?” he bit out. He felt like everyone in twenty miles could hear the sirens on the multiple cars following him.
“I’ve seen it happen,” Traci said, her voice as hard as ice as she continued to follow. “A person gets so set on his or her plans they aren’t aware of much around them. Plus, he might be on something. That could do it.”
Gunnar swallowed hard. Traci hadn’t said anything he hadn’t already thought, but it was still hard to hear those words out loud. “He better not be on drugs.”
“Sorry I mentioned it,” Traci said.
“Oh, hey now. Looks like Brett is aware now,” Dylan said.
Gunnar leaned forward, his hands fisted on his knees as he watched the scene unfold in front of them.
The gray sedan swerved, then suddenly braked hard, causing the back end to fishtail. As soon as he righted himself, Brett accelerated and weaved through traffic. One cruiser was on his tail, the other had moved to his left, while the shoulder of the road was on his right. The guy was trapped.
While Dylan talked on the radio again, Traci sped up.
Now they were only about the distance of four cars away. Brett’s car weaved again. For a moment, Gunnar thought he was going to veer off onto the shoulder of the road, and maybe even the road just beyond them. But then, whatever the sheriff had called out to them must have finally made an impression because he started to slow down at last.
Gunnar exhaled.
“Come on, Brett,” Dylan muttered. “Don’t be stupid.”
For the next five minutes, Gunnar could hardly breathe. Brett slowed, darted to the shoulder, returned to the road, then finally drew to a complete stop.
The sheriff was on him immediately, yelling something with a pistol raised.
Gunnar could hardly stand to watch from a distance.
Seconds later, the driver door was open and Kimber’s agent was exiting the vehicle with his hands up.
Immediately, the sheriff had him against the hood of the car and was cuffing him.
Traci pulled up. Right before she and Dylan exited, she pointed a finger at him. “I know you want to get out and run to Kimber’s side, but you’re gonna need to hang in there another couple of minutes. Okay?”
“Okay, fine. I don’t care where I am, just go get her. Make sure she’s all right.”
He wasn’t even sure if either of them had heard his last words. They were rushing over to the car, Traci leading the way.
Gunnar watched intently as the passenger-side door of the sedan was opened and Traci leaned in.
Gunnar leaned forward too. Waiting for Kimber to get out.
But she didn’t. What was going on?
He got out of the cruiser so he could see better.
While Traci was still crouched by the door, Dylan barked an order. Minutes later, one of the sheriffs brought over something that looked like a bolt cutter.
Gunnar sucked in a breath. What had happened to her? He took a step forward, but then forced himself to stay put. He’d promised, but it was killing him.
Traci moved to the side, then Dylan and the other officer leaned in with the bolt cutters. Minutes later, Dylan reached in and carefully helped Kimber out.
She was alive and was standing up.
Tears formed in his eyes as he realized that his prayers had been answered. She was going to be okay.
His world got even better when Traci looked his way and motioned him forward. She met him about halfway there. “Calm down, Romeo. You can see her, but an ambulance is on the way.”
“Why? What did he do to her?” A dozen horrible thoughts entered his head. “Is . . . is she okay?”
“She’s a little beat up, stressed out, and one of her wrists is raw and chewed up. Brett had her handcuffed to the seatbelt latch. But I think she’s going to be okay.” She smiled. “She wants to see you.”
That was all he needed to hear. Striding past the many law enforcement officers who were milling around, Gunnar reached her side. Pausing impatiently while Kimber’s brother-in-law talked quietly to her, he studied her carefully. Like Traci had said, his girl looked beat up and in pain. But she also looked like she was coherent and not too much worse for wear.
He hoped that was the truth.
Then, she turned to him and the best look of wonder filled her eyes. “Gunnar. You’re here.”
“I had to be,” he said as Dylan moved away. Two seconds later, he was gently pulling her into a hug.
She was trembling. “Oh, Gunnar. I . . . I was so scared.”
“I know. I was too. But you’re okay now.”
She pulled away slightly, obviously needing to see his face. “I didn’t think I was going to survive. I thought he was going to kill us on that road.”
“I know, but he didn’t,” he repeated as he gently ran a hand along her spine. “You’re going to be all right, baby.”
Still looking worried, she added, “I never thought I was going to be able to tell you that I loved you. I was so afraid you’d never know that.”