Overkill (Rachel Ryder Book 3) by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Author:Carolyn Ridder Aspenson [Ridder Aspenson, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
Published: 2021-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

The school parking lot looked like a major crime scene. Kids tried to leave, but the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office had the entire area surrounded with deputies. Cars couldn’t leave the lot, and I had to get approval to walk onto the property. The number of official vehicles in the lot impressed me. I stopped counting the K9 units after five and didn’t have the energy to tally up the number of squad cars. There were five unmarked black SUVs—all DEA—and two firetrucks and ambulances rounding out the mix.

Welcome to the start of another great year, students!

Impromptu drug checks always cause panic at high schools, and rightfully so. I’ve never been involved in one that didn’t produce some form of illegal drugs more dangerous than weed.

If the students don’t have time to discard their drugs, a few usually try something stupid like swallowing them. Accidental overdoses are common on dog days, and preparation is key to a successful drug check. These things happen like clockwork, until they don’t, and all hell breaks loose.

Students sat in classrooms behind closed doors while K9s hit the halls, sniffing lockers, bathrooms, and every open space available to them. I stood in awe, always fascinated by the talent of these dogs and their ability to do their jobs so well.

Agent Olsen stepped next to me. “Welcome to the first week of school.”

I checked my watch. “They’ve got two hours before the final bell. Think they’ll get it done?”

“No doubt.”

“Anything yet?”

He nodded. “Mostly pot, some pills. What possesses a kid to bring drugs to school?”

“Stupidity.”

He smirked. “And invincibility.”

“That too.” I crossed my arms. “Any word on Ms. Hendricks?”

“She’ll make it. They broke several ribs and her nose, and took a knife to her gut, but she was awake and able to call 911.”

“Really? I thought someone had to go there?”

“Nope. She was conscious when she made the call. Dragged herself to the door and opened it but passed out before anyone got there.”

“Did she get interviewed?”

He nodded. “Briefly. Said three large Hispanic men busted into the house and woke her up with a baseball bat to the ribcage.”

I cringed. “Jesus.”

“He’s what kept her alive.”

“I thought moving here would make my life easier.”

“How’s that working out for you?”

“Peachy.”

He smirked. “I see what you did there.”

I shrugged. “Learning the Southern lingo one term at a time.”

“When Dylan’s awake and the doctor gives us the all-clear, we’re putting him and his mother in a safe house.”

“She said the men were Hispanic, but do you think she can identify them?”

“Says she can point them out in a lineup, and she’s biting at the bit to do it.”

A county sheriff’s deputy walked over. “We’ve pulled eleven students out of classes for locker checks.” He looked at Olsen. “You ready?”

“I think I should be there,” I added.

“As a counselor, yes,” Olsen agreed.

“Wait,” I said, pulling Olsen aside. “Anything on Harper?”

“Clean as a whistle.”

I felt relieved but didn’t let it show. “What about other staff?”

“Nothing.”

Principal Carlson stomped over, sweat beads prominently displayed on his forehead.

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