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

back roads into the detachment in Beaver Creek. We can beat them there.”

A shot rang out and they dove for cover. Who had fired? Most of the men haven’t reached them yet. Layke lifted his head and spotted a lone figure skulking behind a tree a few yards away. “Look at your five o’clock. Must have been a scout, checking the area. I have a plan.” Layke quickly shared his intentions.

Doyle grabbed Hannah’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Layke and Elias raised their guns, firing into the night.

Doyle and Hannah raced to the cruiser and climbed inside.

Elias fired as Layke crouched low and circled around the flattened building toward the nearby trees, positioning himself behind the shooter. As discussed, Elias stopped shooting. Hopefully, he too had reached the cruiser. Layke raised his weapon and snuck behind the man.

A branch snapped beneath his boot. He stopped.

The man turned.

Layke plowed into him, knocking the suspect to the ground.

He shoved his gun into the man’s chest. “Stand down.”

The cruiser pulled up beside them and Elias opened the passenger door. “Get in!”

Layke hauled the suspect up and grabbed the rifle from his hand before pushing him into the back seat beside Doyle.

Doyle pointed his gun at the man. “Don’t try anything.” He pulled off the assailant’s mask.

Elias sped along the back roads with Hannah directing him to the detachment.

They rushed into the building as Constable Antoine pulled in behind them.

Where had he come from? Suspicion crept into Layke’s bones as hairs danced at the back of his neck. He only trusted Hannah. No one else.

The constable approached. “Hey, what’s going on?”

“Didn’t you hear the explosions at the border?”

“No. I just came on shift. What happened?” He pointed to the man they had in custody. “Who’s that?”

“Hopefully, information in stopping this gang.”

“Okay, I’ll get the interrogation room ready for you. Bring him this way.” He walked away, followed by Doyle and Elias. Martha waved to them from the reception area.

Hannah rubbed her bottom lip. “What are you thinking?”

“That was too convenient. He’s just coming on shift now? Odd timing.”

“Maybe he had an appointment or something.”

Layke harrumphed and crossed his arms. “Possibly.” He gestured toward the room. “Shall we find out what we can from this guy?”

“I’ll be there in a minute. I want to check on Gabe.” She grabbed her cell phone and moved down the hall.

Layke walked into the interrogation room.

Doyle had the suspect shoved against the wall.

“Whoa. What’s going on?” Layke pulled Doyle off the man. “We need information from him. What are you doing?”

“He tried to kill my girl.”

“Your girl? You mean your employee.” Why did this superintendent irk Layke so much?

“I’ve known her much longer than you, Constable.”

Elias raised his hands. “Guys, this isn’t getting us anywhere.” He shoved the man back into the chair and cuffed his hands to the metal bar. “There. Stay put.”

Layke reeled in his anger and pulled up a chair. “Tell us your name.”

“I’d rather not.” He jiggled the cuffs. “Let me go, or they will come after me and kill all of you.”

Elias sat. “Who are they?”

Hannah walked in and leaned against the wall.

The man eyed her. “I’ll only talk to her and you, Constable Jackson.”

“Why?”

“Don’t trust anyone but you.”

“And why do you trust us?” Hannah asked.

“I have my reasons.” He jiggled the cuffs again. “What do you say?”

Layke huffed and sat back. “Guys, can you give us the room?”

Doyle and Elias left.

Layke shoved a chair toward Hannah. “You need to sit. You’re white.”

“You feeling better from your hospital visit, Officer Morgan?” The man smirked.

Layke’s face heated as anger threatened to bubble to the surface. He counted in his head slowly to ward it off. After reaching ten, he pulled out a notebook. “Tell us your name.”

“Smitty.”

“Smitty? That’s it?” Hannah asked.

“Yup. What else do you want to know?”

“Tell us about Broderick.” Layke positioned his pen.

“Don’t know much. He’s the head of the ring. Takes kids from various events to help him mine for diamonds.”

“How does he pick the boys?”

“He usually grabs them when they’re on retreats. You know. Scouts, church outings, campfires, etc.”

Layke rubbed the knot forming in his shoulder muscles at the news of how the operation grabbed the children. He needed to save these boys and stop the child labor. And fast. “So he doesn’t just pick orphans?”

“No. Any boys that meet his height criteria.”

Layke glanced at Hannah. Her normally pleasant face had shifted into one of pain and anger. It was clear she had a heart for children. He focused back on Smitty. “So, the right height to fit into the cave?”

“Correct.”

“To mine for diamonds.”

“Correct.”

Could he not provide more than one-word answers? Layke gritted his teeth. “Tell us what’s going on with the Martell mafia. Are they connected to your ring?”

Smitty’s eyes widened and he bit his lip.

Something scared him.

“What is it?” Hannah leaned forward. “You can trust us.”

“They’re bad news. Word on the street is they’re out for blood for Broderick getting into the diamond mining business.”

“Why?” Layke asked.

“The head of the Martells doesn’t like anyone taking over his precious mining monopoly. He’s worked hard to build his empire.”

“You mean Perry Martell. The politician? His business is diamond smuggling?”

Smitty nodded. “But you didn’t hear that from me. He’d put a hit on me if he knew I told you. He tries to portray a good image, but everyone knows he’s bad news.”

“Can you provide us with the location of Broderick’s diamond mine?” Layke asked.

Smitty raised a brow. “What will you give me in exchange?”

Layke glanced at Hannah. He hated to give a criminal a promise, but they needed to find these kids. “We’ll see what we can do. Perhaps the judge will lighten your sentence if he knew you cooperated and helped us bring down both gangs.”

“As long as you keep my name out of the news.”

“We will.”

“Get me a map of the area and I’ll show you.”

Hannah stood. “I’ll go brief Doyle and Elias and get a map.” She left the room.

“Can you tell me the location of the ranch where Broderick is