Proof of Innocence by Lenora Worth

Author:Lenora Worth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Chase could hear Mercy’s frenzied barks now mixing with Valor’s. Radioing for backup, he hurried through the backyard and tried the kitchen door. Locked. Because he’d told them to lock it. He headed toward the basement door. It stood open.

When he heard a crashing sound, he moved around to the front of the house only to find the front door wide open.

“Erin?” he called out. “It’s me. It’s Chase.”

Valor’s snarls and barks settled to a low growl. “Search.” Chase carefully went through the door after the eager dog, noting the lock had been shot off.

“Brooke?”

“We’re in here,” she called, her voice firm.

Chase hurried to the kitchen and found Erin and Brooke crouched near a counter with Valor now standing guard.

Valor whimpered a greeting and both women jumped up and started talking.

“All right, one at a time,” Chase said, lowering his gun. He reached out and grabbed at Erin. “Are you both okay?”

Brooke stood and did a neck roll. “Affirmative. A man dressed in dark clothing with a mask over his face. Mercy scared him off.”

“And Brooke shot at him,” Erin replied, terror still in her eyes.

“Erin pinged him with a rolling pin. He should have a really big knock on his head.”

Amazed, Chase radioed Nicholas that everything was okay, then explained to Brooke that they had a situation.

“What kind of situation?” Erin asked, worry edging her eyes as the whole house became flooded with law-enforcement personnel.

He’d have to tell her sooner or later. Might as well be now. “We found your car.”

She let out a gasp. “What? Where?”

“Someone left it down the street,” he said. “It had your jacket in it. And Erin, there was blood all over the jacket.”

Erin leaned back against a cabinet. “I...I used it to try to stop the bleeding. That’s Michael’s blood, Chase. Remember I told you?” She put a hand to her mouth, tears misting at her eyes. “Who would leave it here knowing someone would find it?”

“Someone who wanted us to find it,” he said, pulling her close. “Someone who’s running scared.”

“And determined to make me look like a murderer,” she retorted, turning away to stare out into the growing darkness. “But...this could also prove I’m telling the truth, right?”

“Whoever planted that jacket in your car probably thinks you’re either dead right about now since they sent a hit man to kill you or...that you haven’t told us everything.”

She glanced beyond him. “You mean, they sent the shooter and then they left my car here, thinking I’d be dead, but the evidence would be here for all to see.”

Chase’s radio buzzed. “We’ll talk more later. I have to help process the scene at the car,” he said. “And...don’t clean up anything. We need to check for prints at the front door, in here and in the basement. Brooke, do a search for any bullet fragments or slugs. You’ll both have to give your statements, too.”

Brooke started moving around the room, already doing her job.

He motioned to a nearby patrol officer. “Don’t leave this room.

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