Jump The Gun by Lori L. Lake

Author:Lori L. Lake [Lake, Lori L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regal Crest Enterprises
Published: 2013-07-10T21:47:31+00:00

TWO HOURS LATER they’d gradually expanded their search grid. Two clerks in stores on University near the capitol had recognized Urlander from the mug shots. Both said they hadn’t seen him for a couple weeks. Over on Mounds Park Boulevard, the clerk there not only recognized his picture but told Dez he recalled selling the man two bottles of whiskey on Saturday afternoon.

“You’re sure it was Saturday?” Dez asked.

“Yeah, I was putting together an order for the Knights of Columbus.”

“Was whiskey Urlander’s drink of choice?”

“No,” the clerk said. “He usually bought the cheapest liquor— mostly whatever was on sale.”

“So this was an unusual purchase?”

“Kind of unusual for him. And he paid with a fifty. That was definitely unusual. Guys like him generally dump a wad of ones and change on the counter.”

“Anything else out of the ordinary?”

The clerk thought for a moment. “Can’t recall anything else. He was sober, I remember, but that’s about it.”

Schaake and Dez returned to the cruiser. Inside the still-warm car, Schaake asked, “What now?”

Dez sat for a minute then said, “Where would you go if you saw something you shouldn’t have and you were homeless with few resources?”

“Lots of places to get lost in Minneapolis.”

“True. The Feds are combing the streets over there.”

“Wonder if he had a crib in an old building or what. Maybe he holed up with the booze.”

“If Vitsin paid him ahead of time to help him, Urlander would have to stay sober enough to meet him around midnight Sunday night.”

“Wonder where they met?” Schaake started the car.

“It’s a needle in a haystack, isn’t it?” Dez sat back to think while he drove aimlessly on University, turning off occasionally, cruising side streets, then heading back to the main drag. When he got up to Raymond, nearing the Minneapolis border, he turned the car around and traveled back down University.

Dez said, “Take a casual look in the rearview. Is it just me, or is that car following us? Blue sedan. Looks like a Camry. I’ve seen it in the side mirror a few times. You just did a 180 and it’s still back there.”

“I hadn’t noticed, but let’s check.” He pulled abruptly into a fast food parking lot, turned the cruiser around, and peeled out to follow directly behind the light blue Toyota Camry.

Schaake said, “That sucker’s plates are gone.” He hit the overhead lights and turned on the siren.

The Camry sped up.

“Something off, all right,” Schaake said. He cut around a slow-moving pickup and increased speed.

“Careful. Watch out for peds.” Dez called dispatch to report they were in pursuit and asked for all available backup. The dispatcher was patient in relaying information as Dez updated her. Once more, Dez was so grateful for the people on the other end of the radio. On a whim she inquired about the possibility of air backup.

“Unavailable at this time,” she was told.

“Notify state patrol,” she said.

“10-4,” the dispatcher said.

Dez alternately watched the road and Schaake’s movements. He was skilled with the car, but their quarry was pulling away.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.