Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker

Author:Tim Shoemaker [Shoemaker, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780310735007
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2013-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 41

Cooper glanced down the block, hoping to see Hiro. Nothing yet. “This is perfect, Lunk. Perfect.”

Lunk snickered. “Now let’s see how tough Michael VanHorton is.” The man answered the door, and the police motioned him out onto the porch. The man hesitated.

Cooper couldn’t hear what the man was saying, but he clearly wasn’t happy. “Not smart, mister. Better do what the cops say.”

One of the officers held up Gordy’s T-shirt. VanHorton shook his head like he’d never seen it before. And of course, he hadn’t. Not that exact one, at least.

Again they motioned him out onto the porch. This time he reluctantly stepped out of the doorway.

Two more police cars rolled up, lights flashing. Officers hustled up VanHorton’s lawn and joined the group on the porch. They inspected the T-shirt, and cuffed VanHorton’s hands behind his back. This was turning into a regular Fourth-of-July.

Another siren wailed in the distance—coming their way. Still no sign of Hiro though.

Mrs. Aiello stood on her porch, keeping her kids close. Obviously, she had no idea that Lunk’s call from her phone triggered everything—and added all the validity to the 9-1-1 call that the authorities needed.

Two police officers went inside VanHorton’s house leaving the others to guard the handcuffed man.

“Oh, yeah,” Lunk said. “Here we go.”

Cooper didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe. He kept his eyes on the doorway, hoping to see the cops come back out with Gordy.

Two more police cars pulled up. A cop escorted VanHorton to one of them. VanHorton didn’t get in the squad car, but stood there arguing. The veins popped out on his neck, and his face got red. Curious neighbors seeped out of their homes and drew closer, drawn to the flashing lights like bugs on a dark night. The block was turning into a carnival.

“Coop!” Hiro called to him, riding hard. She skidded to a stop.

Cooper stepped over to meet her. “You made it!”

She nodded, gulping for air. “Got here as fast”—she took a breath—”as I could.” She looked past him. “What’s happening? Did they find him?”

Cooper walked with her and stood beside Lunk. “Nothing yet. Two cops are already inside.”

Another car roared up. Detective Hammer got out and walked directly to the policemen holding VanHorton.

Hiro pulled her single black braid over her shoulder and worked it with both hands. “How did this happen?” She glanced up at Cooper. “The police already talked to him. What made them come back—and in such force?”

Cooper didn’t answer. She definitely wouldn’t like what she heard. No way did he expect this big of a reaction to Lunk’s call. What if the cops walked across the street to question the woman? She’d tell them all about the two boys on bikes—and could probably give a pretty decent description of both of them. How long would it take Hammer to put it together? A minute? Less?

Lunk’s whole face smiled. His head bobbed like he had invisible ear buds pounding out a favorite song in his head. “This is good. This is good. This is really good.

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