Under the Lawman's Protection

Talking to Trey might not offer any insight as to what Hawk was involved with, but Isaac needed to try. That was the only lead he had at the moment.

He prowled the room, glancing out the window to scan the parking lot, making sure no one was lurking around. The lot was mostly empty and he’d parked the SUV in front of his door, rather than closer to Leah’s. And he’d backed it in, so they could drive off in a hurry if needed.

He reached for his phone to check in with Caleb and Deck, nearly dropping it when the cell vibrated in his hand. His pulse jumped as he recognized the number of Hawk’s throwaway phone. “Hawk? Are you okay?”

“Are Leah and Ben safe?” His friend’s voice was grave, and Isaac couldn’t help but wonder if his buddy was injured.

“Yes, but there have already been two attempts to get them. A gunman showed up at their house and then someone else shot out the tire on my Jeep. What’s going on?”

“My cover is blown.” Static filled the line and Isaac strained to listen. “Don’t trust anyone in my district, understand?”

“Not even Trey Birchwood?”

More static, but then Hawk’s voice came through. “No. Not until I know more about what’s going on.”

Isaac couldn’t tell if Hawk normally got along well with his new partner or not, but since he wasn’t trusting any of the guys from his district, it was a moot point. “You have to give me something to go on. I want to help you.”

“You are helping me by keeping Leah and Ben safe. These guys will do anything to find me, including using my family as bait.”

Isaac knew his initial instincts were correct. The gunman wanted Leah and Ben alive, to draw Hawk out of hiding.

“Remember Saint Jermaine’s?” Hawk asked, breaking into his thoughts.

Isaac frowned. “Yeah. What about it?”

“There were a couple of guys who bragged about running illegal guns.”

“I remember.” The tiny hairs on the back of Isaac’s neck lifted in alarm. “Are you investigating some sort of illegal gun trade?”

“Yes. I was approached by an agent with the ATF, and it’s bigger than I anticipated. I’m convinced there are dirty cops involved.”

So he was right about the sharpshooter being an officer. Isaac knew there were rare occasions when cops turned bad, and investigating those situations was always tricky.

Still, knowing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was involved made him feel a little better. At least Hawk wasn’t hanging out there totally alone. “Talk to me. What can I do?”

“Keep my sister and her boy safe. I’ll figure out the rest myself.”

“What’s the name of your ATF contact?” Isaac pressed.

There was a pause. “Cameron Walker, but don’t contact him. Not yet. I’ll let you know if I need anything more.”

“Where are you?”

“Hiding. Don’t even try to find me. I’m constantly on the move.”

Isaac wished there was something he could do for his friend. “Look, I have a couple of guys on my team that I’d trust with my life,” he said quickly. “We can help you. You can’t do this alone, buddy.”

“I have to go.” Hawk abruptly disconnected the call, leaving Isaac battling a wave of helplessness.

He didn’t know much more than he had before Hawk phoned, other than to have his suspicions confirmed about why the gunman had gone after Leah and Ben. Still, hearing that Hawk was investigating illegal weapons under the supervision of the ATF was something. Most criminals on the streets knew exactly where to find guns that they wanted, since they were practically everywhere. Isaac couldn’t even begin to think of where to start, especially considering Hawk’s claim that he’d stumbled upon something big.

Isaac stretched out on the bed fully dressed, thinking about the little bit Hawk had revealed. He remembered his team had been called to a mall shooting about a week ago. He’d been the negotiator for the tactical situation, while Caleb had functioned as the sharpshooter. The weapon they’d recovered at the scene had been obviously illegal, with the serial numbers filed off.

Isaac sat up, knowing the gun was likely still in the evidence room. The possible connection was thin, but still worth investigating.

He picked up his phone, but then hesitated. It was well after midnight and the gun wasn’t going anywhere tonight. No sense in dragging Caleb or Deck out now.

It could wait until morning.

Isaac turned the television on low, scanning the various news channels. Unfortunately, no baseball spring-training games were on this late at night.

The sound of a car engine caught his attention. He rolled off the bed, grabbed his weapon and crossed over to the window. He peered through the slight opening in the curtains, trying to see what had caused the noise.

The parking lot appeared deserted, but then he saw the quick flash of taillights moving away.

Could be nothing, but after the troubling conversation with Hawk, Isaac didn’t want to assume anything, especially if dirty cops were involved. He stared at the now-empty parking lot for a minute and then eased back, walking toward the connecting door, intending to get Leah and Ben up. They wouldn’t like leaving again, but he’d rather play it safe than sorry.

He’d taken only two steps when the sound of breaking glass echoed through the night. He stumbled and glanced over his shoulder at the same time his eyes started to burn.

Tear gas!

He dived through the connecting door, slamming it shut behind him. He needed to get Leah and Ben out of here now!

FOUR (#ulink_a920d2f7-29c1-542e-adb1-5a6057463cb2)

Leah woke up with a start when Isaac came barreling through the connecting door into their room. She gasped and stared in shock when he shut it behind him and then ripped the comforter off her bed and stuffed it along the bottom edge of the door.

“Grab Ben. We need to get out of here.”

Leah didn’t question Isaac’s command as her eyes began to burn. She scrambled out of bed, grateful she’d slept in her clothes, and quickly roused her son. She tugged his winter clothes on despite his sleepy protest.

“Use these to cover your faces,” Isaac said, handing her two wet towels. She threw one over her shoulder and drew Ben up against it, then draped another around her neck so that it was close to her mouth. It was the best she could do while carrying her son. “This way,” Isaac said, urging her toward the bathroom.

It didn’t take long for Isaac to break open the small window there. “I’m going out first so that I can help the two of you through, okay?”

She clutched Ben close and nodded. It wasn’t easy for Isaac to get his broad-shouldered frame through the small opening, and she let out a sigh of relief when he finally made it.

“Okay, Ben, it’s your turn.” Isaac said.

“No, don’t wanna go!” he wailed, grabbing her around the neck and hanging on tight.

It nearly broke her heart to pull him away. “We have to, Ben. Mr. Isaac is out there to catch you, and I’ll hold you once we’re outside, okay?”

“No-o-o,” he cried, deep wrenching sobs that tore at her.

Leah forced herself to push him through the window into Isaac’s waiting arms. She wiped her own tears away before attempting to climb after her son. She could hear Isaac whispering soothing words to Ben, and he stopped crying except for the occasional hiccuping sniffle.

Isaac’s strong hand guided her through the opening and soon she was on solid ground. She took Ben and tossed the wet towels aside, gulping in deep breaths of fresh air.