Cold Case Protection by Nicole Helm

Author:Nicole Helm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2024-10-08T13:55:22+00:00

Chapter Eleven

They immediately took the detective down to the dog barn. Carlyle tried not to feel nervous. She’d never taken the dogs off property on her own. She’d never led a full-on, nontraining search on her own.

But they were very carefully not giving away how unqualified Carlyle was to do this while the detective was in earshot.

“So, Carlyle and I will get the dogs loaded up in our Hudson Dog Services truck. We can drive out to the site—”

“You’re going to have to stay here, Mr. Hudson.”

“I’ll stay in the truck and—”

The detective was already shaking her head. “This is already a stretch as is. I can’t have you anywhere near the search area. You’re going to have to stay here, Mr. Hudson. It’s the only way.”

Cash didn’t look at her, but his expression was clear. He didn’t like it.

“Ms. Daniels, I’m going to drive out to the site. I’m going to get everything ready on my end. When you’ve got the dogs loaded up, text me. I’ll text you an address. I’m going to ask you not share that address with anyone. Is this the truck you’ll be driving?”

“Yeah.”

She noted down the make, model and license plate. “You’ll be cleared to drive up to the site. I’ll see you soon.” Then she turned and walked back toward the front of the main house where her police cruiser was parked.

Carlyle watched her go with mixed emotions. Then she looked at Cash with even more mixed emotions.

His expression was...concerned, she supposed. But not frustrated or angry like she’d expected.

“I can do this,” she said, not because she was confident, but because she wanted to assure him. There was just...so much at stake that was outside her control. Usually she was only ever risking herself when she was storming through a bad decision.

“I know you can,” Cash said, but he was looking at her, still with that concern, like he could see the anxiety on her even as she tried to hide it. “The dogs know what they’re doing. All you have to do is facilitate. Just like anything else you’ve done with them. They’re the pros. You’ve been doing this for a year. You know the ropes.”

Carlyle nodded, and she knew she was doing a terrible job of keeping the worry off her face because Cash took her by the shoulders, gave them a squeeze. “You can do this. I know you can.”

“I know I can.” But he saw through her, so why not be honest? Maybe he could temper his expectations if she was. “It’s just...a lot of pressure. I don’t want to mess it up.”

“You can’t. All you’re doing is taking them out there. Giving them some direction. They’re the ones doing the job. If they mess up, Hick just won’t get a special treat tonight.”

He was trying to make a joke—she knew him well enough he wouldn’t deny a dog a treat. But she couldn’t force herself to smile or laugh.

“Even if this is a dead end, I’ll tell you guys where we do the search.

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