Unforgiving Savage by Dave Edlund

Author:Dave Edlund
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: political thriller;espionage;foreign agents;assassination;political assassination;sedition;domestic terrorism;conflict;United States;military;action;thriller;suspense;novel;fiction;global conflict;mountains;revenge;Yellowstone Zone of Death;Zone of Death
Publisher: Light Messages Publishing
Published: 2020-06-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

After Detective Colson released Peter with the usual admonishment to stay in town, he leashed up Diesel and descended the stairway from the great room to his company on the ground floor below. It was an access he seldom used, and its primary purpose was a second avenue of egress in case of emergency. But he wanted to avoid as much of the active crime scene as possible, and the stairway to EJ Enterprises allowed him to skirt the evidence.

With Diesel by his side, Peter emerged between the office cubicles and the machine shop. The space was vacant. The employees had forsaken their work and were clustered near the windows fronting the business, gawking at the assembled police cars. Although the gunfight had occurred on the floor above them, heavy soundproofing had severely muffled the gunshots, making it sound like the battle had happened farther away.

They’d witnessed four ambulances driving to the rear of the building. From their location, it was impossible to observe the medical teams. A police officer at the front door, armed with an AR-15, refused to allow anyone to leave. There was an active shooter in the area, she’d said without further explanation. Across the street at the coffee shop, the clothing store, and other businesses, armed police were likewise guarding the entrances, securing the patrons and employees inside.

Peter approached, his mind numb from the horror he’d experienced. His movements were stiff, and he appeared to be on autopilot as he walked to the front door.

At first, none of his employees spoke to him. But when he touched the door handle, Nancy said, “We can’t leave. The police officer said there is a shooter nearby, and—”

As Peter faced her, she was stunned into silence by his blank expression. His eyes were still red and sunken.

“I know,” he said.

Todd stepped to Peter’s side. “Are you okay?”

Peter started to nod—a reflex—but then stopped. He faced his friend, trying hard to hold back his emotions. At any second, he felt like he’d burst forth in uncontrollable sobbing. He’d always prided himself on being strong, able to suppress his emotions. Maybe that was why he had found it so hard to tell Kate how he felt—that he loved her.

Now he was falling apart. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he bit his bottom lip.

“No,” he managed to choke out.

“What’s wrong?” Todd said. “What happened?”

“I have to go to Saint Charles. They shot Kate.”

“What? Who shot Kate? What happened?”

“Not now. I don’t have time. I have to go to the hospital.”

“You’re not in any shape to drive,” Todd said. “I’ll take you.”

He pushed the door open and was immediately stopped by the officer.

“Sir,” she said, her tone unyielding. “I already told you. You have to stay inside until the all-clear is announced. It’s not safe outside.”

“There hasn’t been any gunfire for an hour. My friend here needs to go to Saint Charles. His fiancée was one of the shooting victims.”

“Sir. I’m just following my orders.”

“Then call your sergeant,” Todd said.

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