Cold Light of Day by Anderson Toni

Author:Anderson, Toni
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780993908910
Publisher: Toni Anderson
Published: 2014-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Matt strode down the sidewalk of the quiet residential block. This time of year had an advantage in that there were lots of people visiting friends or relatives they hardly saw the rest of the year. People arrived on the doorstep unannounced. Strange cars parked on the street for an afternoon without comment.

He walked up the driveway of number seventy-three, which had a red SUV parked on the drive. The house and car were nice, nothing flashy. A retired professional could afford this sort of thing on a regular salary if he’d been careful with his money.

He rang the bell and waited. No one answered. After thirty seconds, he knocked loudly on the door. Still no one answered. A door banged nearby. Voices rang through the dank air as someone laughed, then a car engine started and they drove away.

Deciding to take a look around back, he ventured past the attached garage and let himself through the small garden gate at the side of the property. Down a path lined with empty pots and a garden hose, skirting the side of the deck. He walked up the steps and made sure his hands were clearly visible. Best not to sneak up on a former fed looking like a potential threat.

He peered through the kitchen window but saw no one so he went over to the sliding doors and looked into the living room. His blood chilled. The place was torn apart. Christmas tree overturned, decorations scattered. Trinkets and picture frames smashed and lying on the floor. Worse—what he assumed were Ken Maidstone’s feet lay in view.

One foot twitched.

Shit. The guy was still alive. Matt drew his SIG from the holster at his waist and tried the kitchen door. It swung open. Senses on high alert he strode inside, down the hall and crouched beside Maidstone, who lay across the threshold between the living room and the hall. He put two fingers to the man’s carotid and felt a subtle throb against his fingers. Still alive. Judging from the blood that pooled around his body, he wouldn’t last much longer without serious medical assistance.

He grabbed the phone off the side table and dialed 911. “Need an ambulance ASAP. GSW to the chest.” He hung up on the operator. Was the perp still inside the house? He didn’t have time to search. Maidstone would bleed out.

He lay his gun beside him but kept his senses wide open for any hint of another person nearby. He ripped the man’s shirt open and saw a small caliber bullet hole in his chest. He eased the guy up and discovered a much messier exit wound. It looked like it had taken out one of his lungs and the guy struggled to breathe. Maidstone’s eyes followed him. Wide with fear and pain. Matt grabbed a small cushion off the couch, pressed it tight against the man’s back, applying pressure to try to stop the bleeding.

There was a lot of blood. A series of images flashed rapid-fire through his brain.

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