“Did he leave the way he left last time?”
“Yes,” he said, “and that’s how I found him.”
“Right, because you knew the way he was going, so you jumped in ahead and got there first, so you saw the vehicle. Do you think he saw you?”
“I don’t know,” he said, helping her up to her feet.
She reached out a hand to pet Bernie, who looked like she was enjoying this. “Did you get hurt?”
“Nope,” he said, but his fingers were busy texting on his phone.
She waited until they stopped. Then she looked up and said, “At least you don’t need stitches again.”
He laughed. “No,” he said, “I’m fine.”
“Does this happen a lot with you?”
Something must have been in her voice because he stopped to face her and then shook his head. “Honestly, no. I’ve led a very simple life since my accident.”
“And before that?”
“Only on the job,” he said, “but then it’s what I was sent in to do. I knew who I was going after. I was with my team, well-armed and well-trained.”
“And that makes all the difference, doesn’t it?”
“It does, indeed.” He gave her a searching look, reached out, and opened his arms. She fell into them, so grateful when they closed securely around her. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t even think about how shocking that must have been for you.”
“I’ve just never been in anything like this,” she said. “The only violence I’ve had any exposure to is from my sister.”
“And she’s bad enough,” he said. “I’m sorry you had to get touched by this.”
“It’s okay,” she said, trying to shake it off. But she was trembling.
He shook his head, held her that much closer, rocking her in place.
“So now what?” she tried to ask calmly.
“Now we’ll head back to your place,” he said. “The rehearsal’s this afternoon, and we need to get there in time, and I need to make sure that the cops are picking up this vehicle.”
“What if he ditches the vehicle?”
“I thought of that,” he said. “I really hope he doesn’t. That’s also why I’m hoping that he didn’t see me because that would give us a little bit more time to get in our vehicle and go after him.”
“Do you know which direction he took?”
“Heading back the way we are.”
“So then we will be following him? Is that wise?” she asked.
He nodded slowly. “Yes, but I also don’t want him to know that we’re after him.”
She nodded, and the two of them walked back at a hurried pace but not a flat-out run. “Have you got somebody up ahead looking for him?”
“I do,” he said. “The same cops from the arson case.”
“Interesting,” she murmured. “Well, let’s hope they get him before anything else happens.”
“That’s the plan,” he said cheerfully.
She finally eased back and said, “I’m sorry. I’m just not used to this.”
“Don’t ever apologize for that,” he said. “Nobody should ever get accustomed to this level of violence. Nobody wants to,” he said. “It’s much too painful for everybody.”
“I guess,” she said with half a smile. “We just don’t even think about violence to that degree, do we?”
“No,” he said, letting the dog up into the front seat. He hopped into the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
“You wanted me to drive,” she said after a moment.
“Not a problem,” he said, smiling.
“And still I would feel better if you want me to,” she said.
He looked over and shook his head. “Not needed.”
Tucker saw that Addie was quite shaken and with good reason. He had to leave her to track the other guy, and it had been worth it, but he’d also taken a gamble that could have put her in danger. Just even bringing her with him had put her danger. He wondered if it made sense taking her to the wedding. But just as he was about to argue that maybe she should stay home, she said, “I’m glad I’m going to the rehearsal and the wedding with you. It’ll be something completely different this weekend to take my mind off this.”
At that, he winced. “If you’re sure you still want to?” he asked, shooting her a glance.
She looked at him, nodded, and said, “Yes. I mean it. Besides I like Rodney.”
“He’s a good guy,” he said. “I need to update him too.”
“Wasn’t he supposed to be here?”
“He didn’t make it yet. He’s probably just running late.”
“Maybe,” she said with a doubtful tone. “An awful lot is going on right now. I think we’re better off to make sure that he didn’t get here before you.”
“His vehicle wasn’t here,” he said by way of explanation, but he pulled out his phone, put it up on the dash, and hit the contact number.
As the phone dialed, she said, “As long as he’s safe. I guess that is my concern.”
When Rodney answered, he said, “Sorry. I’m not there yet.” His voice was hurried and out of sorts.
“That’s all right,” Tucker said. “We came and took a look at the same location, just making sure that no clues were left behind.”
“Was there?”
“Well, we got shot at,” he said, “if that helps.”
“Got what?” Rodney said, flabbergasted. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” he said. “We’re both fine. Bernie too. I went after him and saw him get into a vehicle. Do you know anybody who drives a small Honda Accord, an older model, in kind of a rust color? Like a dark orange-red.”
“Yeah, it’s one of my painters,” he said. “Why?”
“The shooter got into that vehicle and took off,” he said. “So, if you have a name to go with that vehicle, it would help us a lot.”
“Jesus,” he said. “I think it’s Rural, but I can’t guarantee that he was the one driving.”
“Nope, you can’t. That’s okay because we should have answers pretty quickly.”
“Says you,” he said. “I hate to think he’s involved in this. He’s a nice guy.”
“Call the detective,” Tucker said, “and fill him in on Rural too because they’re setting up a roadblock for him.”
“Jesus,” he said, “just when I missed something, all hell breaks loose.”
“Why did you miss it?”
“Your sister had a meltdown this morning,” he said, “prewedding jitters.”
“Great,” Tucker said, half under his breath, “not exactly something you can walk away from.”
“No, especially not this morning. There was something about, you know, if I really loved her and that type of stuff.”
“Sorry, man.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you,” Rodney said. “Can’t believe you got shot at.”