Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Dana Mentink (novels to improve english txt) 📗

lunged behind Rob and knocked the gun out of his hand. He wrenched the suspect’s arm up his back.

Rob yelled.

Layke raced forward and pulled the nurse away, pushing her toward Hannah.

Hannah grabbed her and removed her from the deadly situation. “You’re okay. We’ve got you.”

“Nice work, Constable. What’s your name?” Layke asked.

“Taylor.”

“Layke Jackson from Calgary.”

Constable Taylor nodded and cuffed Rob, shoving him into a waiting chair. He spoke into his radio, telling the constable outside they were clear, and asked for an ambulance for the injured doctor.

Layke turned to the nurse. “You hurt?”

She shook her head. “Just shaken.”

Hannah squeezed her shoulder. “You were brave calling us.”

“The constables here will take your statement,” Layke said. “Is there a room where we can question the suspect?”

“Yes, the examining room is down the hall.”

Constable Taylor handed Layke the cuff keys. “In case you need them.” He moved to attend to the injured doctor.

The short constable rushed into the room. “Ambulance is on its way. The crowd outside is gone.”

“Good work.” Layke stuck out his hand. “I’m Constable Layke Jackson. You are?”

The man returned the gesture. “Constable Brooks. Nice to meet you. Constable Antoine apprised us of the situation with the smuggling ring. How can we help?”

Layke motioned toward the woman. “Can you take the nurse and get her statement? Hannah and I will interrogate the suspect.”

“Got it,” the constable said.

Layke took three long strides and yanked Rob out of the chair.

“Ouch. You’re hurting me,” he whined.

“Not so tough now, are you?” Layke pushed him toward the hall. “How about we have a little chat?”

Hannah holstered her weapon and followed them down the corridor. They stepped inside the examining room. Soiled gauzes were piled in the sink. Beside it a bullet sat in a metal tray. They needed to collect that for evidence.

Layke removed the cuffs and then handcuffed Rob to a metal chair before leaning against the counter and crossing his arms. His stance spoke authority and that’s what they needed in this makeshift interrogation room. “Tell us about this child-smuggling gang.”

“I ain’t telling you squat!”

Layke looked at Hannah, his eyes flashing.

She could almost read his mind. He wanted to save Noel and the other boys. And fast. Perhaps they could reason with the suspect. She stepped forward. “Rob, do you want to go down for multiple kidnappings and the possible murder of innocent children?”

His eyes widened. “What? No kids have been hurt.”

“Really? I know of one in your care that is currently in bad shape without his parents.”

He looked away.

“Help us save these children and the judge might be lenient on your sentencing.” She hoped not but wouldn’t utter those words to him.

“Do I have your guarantee?”

“We’ll tell the judge you cooperated,” Layke said.

That was all they could promise.

Rob shifted in his chair. “I don’t know much. I only watch the boys while they’re at the ranch.”

“Which is where?” Hannah asked.

Silence.

“What are they mining in the cave? Gold?” Layke pulled out a notebook from his back jeans pocket.

Rob shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care. I just get paid to watch them.”

This wasn’t helping. “Who’s the guy with spiked hair?”

“Cash.”

How was that a name? “Cash what?”

“No idea.”

Layke wrote a note. “Who’s the leader of the gang?”

“I only know him as Broderick.”

Obviously not his real name. “Tell us more. How do you pick the boys?”

“No idea.”

Layke pulled up a chair and straddled it. “How do you smuggle them across the borders?”

“No idea.”

Was that his answer for everything? They were getting nowhere fast. Hannah grabbed a wad of her curls and scrunched them as she paced the small room. Her motherly instinct wanted to do everything to protect these boys, but how could she do that if they couldn’t find them. Wait. She spun around. “Answer my earlier question. Where is this ranch?”

Layke’s cell phone buzzed. He stood and pulled it out of his pocket. “I need to take this.” He stepped outside.

“Tell me, gorgeous, you have a boyfriend?”

Really? “None of your concern. For the third time, where is the ranch?” Her words came out through gritted teeth.

“I only—”

Layke came back into the room. “We gotta roll.” He walked over to Rob, removed the cuffs, and hauled him from the chair. “You’re going with the constables for a ride.”

“What about my deal?”

“Take it up with them. Let’s go.” Layke pushed him out the door.

Hannah followed them outside.

The paramedics put the doctor into the back of an ambulance and raced out of the parking lot, sirens blaring. The nurse had been dismissed by the officers after they’d taken her statement. She leaned against the building talking on her cell phone.

Constable Taylor walked over and took Rob’s arm. “We’ll take it from here.” He put the suspect into their cruiser. Hopefully, the constables would get the location of the ranch out of the suspect. Her hopes just raised a notch. Perhaps this ordeal was almost over.

The two constables turned around before getting into the vehicle. “Where will you go next?” Constable Brooks asked.

“Just got a call that the forensic artist is en route to see Gabe. It’s a bit of a drive and we need to get back there.”

“Good. Stay safe. See you—”

Boom!

The cruiser exploded, sending it crashing into a parked car.

CHAPTER TEN

The fiery blast slammed Layke hard onto the snow-plowed parking lot. The cruiser’s nonstop piercing siren throbbed in his ears. His heart jackhammered as pain coursed down his legs from the impact. He drew in a ragged breath in an attempt to stop the trepidation overtaking him. Hannah? He bolted into a seated position. Dizziness plagued him and he fought to bring it under control. Where was she? Was she hurt?

Layke finally spotted her a few feet away. She sat on the ground, leaning against the Jeep with her head between her hands.

“Hannah?” Layke eased himself up and took a shaky step. He stumbled over to where she sat and knelt. “Are you hurt?”

Her breathing was erratic.

He grabbed her hands and pulled them away from her face. “Look at me.”

Her eyes darted back and forth,