James waited impatiently while the deputy radioed in for backup that would include the state police. He needed to find Shay. To do that, he needed to capture her assailant. Or did he?
He glanced around, taking in details of everything within view. He was pretty sure Shay was out here somewhere in the dark alone, afraid, maybe hurt. He didn’t let his mind speculate on what could have happened to her before she got away from her attacker. He could only handle ideas with actions attached at the moment. For instance, he could let the deputy keep the fugitive pinned until help came while he went to look for Shay.
He shoved that thought aside. Her attacker was inside, armed and willing to use that weapon on anyone who got in his way. No way he could leave here knowing that someone might die if he did. It wasn’t so much a hard choice as no choice. Shay was tough. She’d gotten away. He had to believe that. After he took down her assailant, he’d find her. She had to know he would do that. Whatever stupid argument was between them, she would remember that he had promised to come to her. The reasons why didn’t change that promise.
He turned to the deputy. “Tell me about the layout.”
As the deputy talked, James watched the building, measuring out his and Bogart’s plan of attack. It was a simple building with one large room, and a smaller storage room and unisex restroom. Unless the suspect was stupid he wouldn’t blockade himself in a room without an escape. More than likely he was hunkered down behind a counter or display case in the main space, or trying to get out the back door.
When he was done, James moved to the back of his vehicle where he opened the trunk.
“What you got there?”
“Night-vision goggles, infrared scanner, and a vest for my dog.”
“That’s some nice equipment.”
“It’ll do the job.”
He indicated a rifle case to the deputy. “Need anything?”
Deputy Ward just smiled and backed up toward his own car. He opened his truck and pulled out a rifle. “Pretty, ain’t she?”
James eyed the weapon, thinking of Shay. “I’d like to take him alive.”
The deputy shrugged. “That will be his option.”
“Bogart and I get to work the scene first. Agreed?”
“Sure. Never got to see a K-9 team in action before. However, you flush him this way, he’s mine.”
James nodded. “I’ll check the rear.” He and Bogart had a job to do.
He harnessed his partner into a bulletproof vest. It wouldn’t protect much. If the suspect aimed for the mouthful of sharp teeth, Bogart would go down. But Bogart associated armor with man work and gunfire exposure. Their prey was armed. It was their job to scare the man into surrender rather than fight.
James stroked his thick coarse pelt, readying them both for action. “Gute Hund! We’re going hunting, Bogart. Just like last night.”
He picked his dog up and set him down on the drive. They had made a near-perfect score in a dark-building search last night. They were fresh and ready. But each search had its own unknowns. And this time their target was armed with real ammunition.
Bogart stood with his tail held high and the muscles beneath his coat bunched, reacting, James knew, to his handler’s adrenaline rush feeding down the leash. Yet he waited for James’s command.
James gave a thumbs-up to the deputy and then moved out.
Walking carefully, James circled the building with Bogart. They moved as quietly and cautiously as possible, listening for sounds of movement within. The only sound other than distant background noise of the night was that of Bogart’s panting.
James pressed himself against the side wall and then peered cautiously around the corner. There was no way to tell if the suspect had bolted out the back. That was the greatest concern, that the SOB had gotten away. He pulled his FLIR and scanned the wooded area behind the building. He didn’t see anything moving.
Giving Bogart a bit of lead, they moved to the back of the building and inched toward the back door. It was still closed. He was glad to see that it wasn’t very sturdy or paneled with glass that might allow him to be seen by the suspect inside. It would be their best way of entry. But first he needed to focus the suspect’s attention on the front door.
They retreated to the front of the building. James signaled to the deputy that as far as he could tell, the man was still inside.
From a protected position beside the sheriff, James lifted his head and shouted, “Police K-9 Unit! Surrender or I will send the dog in and you will be bitten.”
James gave the alert for Bogart to bark. “Gib laut!”
Bogart responded enthusiastically. Straining against his collar, he barked loud and piercing, enough to send shivers up the most hardened criminal’s back.
After ten seconds James called him off. “Ruhig. Platz.”
Bogart dropped back into position beside his handler, shivering with energy but silent.