“Yeah, and we’re going to stop him. What’s the second thing?”
“Oh, you guys are going to love me for this one. A patrol officer got a tip about a car matching the Ford’s description. A woman called after seeing the report on the news. Her neighbor has the same car, and she said that—”
James and Schilling sprang to their feet.
“Jesus Christ, Winslow,” James said, tossing his partner the car keys.
“Send us the address. Incompetent fuckwit,” Schilling muttered.
? ? ?
Schilling collapsed into the car, wheezing from the jog to the parking lot. “Sycamore Heights,” he puffed. “Sixty-seven seventeen Fargo Street, Sycamore Heights.”
James hit the lights as the engine turned over. “That’s only a few miles outside of where he snags them.”
Schilling stepped on the gas, and the tires screeched against the pavement.
“Reported burglary in Sycamore Heights neighborhood.” The radio crackled to life and James leaned in to turn it up. “Sixty-seven seventeen Fargo Street in Sycamore Heights.” The female dispatcher’s confident voice filled the car.
“A burglary? What kind of shit is going on at that house?” Schilling blew through a red light and sped onto the highway.
James grabbed the transmitter. “Two king twelve, en route to location. ETA five minutes.”
“Seven Lincoln one, copy. I’m coming in from Lynn Lane. Two king twelve, come in from Seventy-First Street,” the officer said decisively.
The car lurched onto the exit, and James braced himself against the door. “Two king twelve, copy, coming in from Seventy-First Street. We’re going to need backup.”
The dispatcher radio crackled, and then went silent. Then a voice, “On a burglary?”
Schilling grabbed the radio from his partner. “All units converge on sixty-seven seventeen Fargo Street. Repeat, all units converge. Suspect may be armed and dangerous.”
The dispatcher huffed, but didn’t argue. “Male approached the home on a yellow scooter and was seen breaking down the door and entering the location. Be advised, suspect may be on foot.”
“Seven Lincoln one in the area. There are two people on the front lawn—one male, one female. Making contact now.”
Lights and noises blurred past as Schilling increased their speed.
“Seven Lincoln one, female is unresponsive. We’re going to need some help here.”
“Seven Lincoln one, copy. Contacting EMSA.” The dispatcher was silent for a few moments before coming back on line. “EMSA is on their way to you.”
They turned into the neighborhood, and James held his breath.
The car slowed and he launched himself out of the vehicle. “How is she?” he shouted, running to the officers crouched beside the body.
“She’s breathing. We’re waiting for the ambulance to get here so they can take her to the hospital.” The officer stood and met James on the sidewalk. “She’s the missing girl, right? I recognized the tattoo.”
More cruisers pulled up with their sirens blaring. “Anyone else in the house?” James asked, ignoring the question.
“Guy over there says they’re the only ones, but we haven’t had a chance to check.”
“I want everything taped off. Detective Schilling will lead a couple officers in to clear the place. No one else enters the house without my permission. Got it?”
The officer nodded.
“Your partner talked to the guy?”
The curly haired blond looked beat up and exhausted in the light the officer’s partner shone in his face.
“Yeah, says his name is Alek, but he hasn’t gotten much else out of him.”
“Alek? We have a witness who says that a guy by that name has been looking for Eva since yesterday.”
“He didn’t say anything about it while I was over there with them.”
“Is this his house?” James asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“Do you know if he’s been holding her here?”
“Nope.” He shrugged and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “At least, not yet.”
“Do you think maybe, just in case this is the guy who’s been picking up women and killing them you might want to have your partner do more than shine a light in his face? Maybe even treat him a little like a suspect in a homicide?”
“I’ll go see to that, sir.” The officer, chastened, drifted over toward Alek.
Schilling walked up to James. “That our suspect?”
“Don’t know yet. You going into the house?”
“Yep. You stay out here with Eva in case she wakes up before they get her loaded in the ambulance. I’ll let you know what we find.”
James walked over and squatted next to Eva as the EMTs checked her vitals.