Justice Mission Read online

  “No. I’ll come back to headquarters.” Katie rubbed her arms as though chilled. “I can’t stay here right now.”

  “Are you sure?” Sophie stepped forward and pulled the woman out of earshot of the others. “This is super stressful, and you need to rest. Take care of yourself.”

  “I know. And I will. But I can’t...stay here and do nothing.”

  Sophie understood that. “All right. You can rest on the sofa in Jordan’s office if you need to.”

  “If I need to. I just want to be where everyone else is, so I can know the updates as they come in.”

  Katie insisted on driving her own vehicle. Sophie didn’t blame her but was worried for her friend. Her pregnant friend whose husband was missing. Sophie ran places and people through her mind, desperately searching for someone who might have a clue where Jordan would be.

  “Sophie?” Luke asked “You okay?”

  Sophie blinked. And realized she’d been lost in thought the entire ride back to headquarters. She drew in a deep breath. “Yes, sorry. I was just...thinking.”

  “Are you in pain?”

  “My head hurts and my leg is bruised, but time and some ibuprofen will take care of those issues. I can ignore the discomfort for now.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.” With Sophie favoring her bruised leg, they hurried toward the headquarters building. Just inside, her phone rang. She grabbed it from her pocket and checked the screen, then shook her head at Luke. It wasn’t Jordan. His shoulders dropped. “It’s my dad,” she said, lifting the device to her ear. “Hi, Dad.”

  “Hey, sweetheart, something kind of weird just happened and I wanted to give you a heads-up.”

  “Okay. What’s going on?”

  Luke raised a brow and she shrugged.

  “Someone just called here looking for you.”

  “Looking for me? Who?”

  “He said he was a friend from college, that he’d tried calling your number, but when you didn’t answer, called me. Then he started asking a lot of personal questions, which I declined to answer, of course. He finally cursed and hung up on me. It’s got me worried about you.”

  Dread curled in the pit of her stomach, adding to the ball of worry for Jordan that was already there. “Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Do you know who it could be?”

  “I have an idea.” Her gaze locked on Luke’s. He stood there listening unabashedly. Sophie didn’t care. If she’d wanted privacy, she would have walked into the conference room.

  “I have to leave to head for work. It’s just an overnight run, but it’ll be late tomorrow night before I’m back. You sure it’s okay for me to leave?”

  A truck driver, he was often gone overnight. As a child, Sophie had wished he could be home more. At this moment, she was glad he was getting out of the city. “I’m sure. I’ll talk to you later, Dad. Thanks for letting me know.”

  “I’m not going to kid you, Sophie, this scares me.”

  “I know. And I promise I’ll take care of it.” She paused. “And if I have trouble doing that, I know people who can help.”

  Her father let out a low laugh. “Yeah, I guess you do. Be careful, hon.”

  “Always. Have a good trip.”

  She hung up and stood silent for a moment while she processed.

  “What was that all about?” Luke asked.

  “My dad is a long-haul trucker and was getting ready to walk out the door for an overnight run when his phone rang.” She told him about the call. “I think it’s probably the guy who tried to kidnap me this morning digging for information.” She shuddered. “What worries me is that he knows my dad’s home telephone number. And in order to find that out, he had to know my name—and my dad’s.”

  * * *

  Luke definitely didn’t like the sound of that. He shook his head. “I don’t think you should go home. If he knows your name and number—and your father’s—he most likely knows your address, too.”

  “Of course he does. I share a house with my dad and brother. But how would he find that out?” Sophie ran a shaky hand over her bun, then straightened it.

  “He knows you work for the K-9 unit here in Queens. He may have even been in the auditorium watching you set up, just waiting for a chance to make his move.”

  Sophie shuddered. “I did have an eerie sensation of someone watching me. Like someone else was there but didn’t want me to know it.” She paused and frowned. “As I told you, I even heard something but didn’t think much of it.”

  “It wouldn’t be too hard to figure out who was taken from the auditorium. All he had to do was ask someone.”

  “Oh. Right. I should have thought of that.” She fell silent. “Then that means I definitely can’t go home. I have a separate apartment from my brother and father, but it’s still the same house.” A sigh escaped her. “I mean, I have no choice. It’s not like I can afford a hotel.”

  “I have a better idea,” Luke said.

  “What?”

  “Would you be willing to stay at my place?”

  “Oh.” She chewed her lip.

  “Well?”

  “I’m thinking.”

  “There’s really nothing to think about.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, I don’t think you’re safe and I’d like you to come home with Bruno and me until we can find the guy who kidnapped you.” She blinked at him as though having trouble processing his words. “Sophie?” He gave her a slight shake, eyes narrowed with concern. “Are you listening?” Had she gone into some kind of shock? A mental overload?

  She finally blinked and met his gaze. “I think I’ve had enough for today.”

  “I agree. I’ll take you to your place and you can pack a bag. Then we’ll go back to my house.”

  “I think that would really inconvenience you. Don’t you have a couple of roommates?”

  “Two. Sam and David. The good thing is Sam’s out of the country for a couple of days so you can use his room.”

  The fact that she simply nodded told him how worn-out she was—and was probably hurting even though she hadn’t said a word about being in pain. “How does some ibuprofen sound?”

  “Like a really good idea.”

  “You better keep some in your system. You’re going to feel it tomorrow even more.”

  “I know. Thanks.”

  Luke led the way to his Tahoe and Bruno jumped into his spot in the back. Sophie settled into the passenger seat and buckled up. Bruno leaned forward and settled his snout on her left shoulder, then licked her cheek with a swipe of his long tongue.

  Luke gaped. “Bruno!”

  “Don’t fuss at him,” Sophie said, wiping her cheek on her shoulder. “It’s sweet. I think he knows I need comforting and is offering it.” She scratched the dog’s ears, and Bruno rolled his eyes to Luke as though gloating in his successful attempt to gain Sophie’s attention.

  Luke scowled at the animal, but it didn’t seem to faze the dog. With a huff, Luke pulled from the parking lot and headed for Sophie’s home in Woodside.

  It didn’t take long to reach it and he turned onto her street. “Nice house,” he said.

  “I like it. It’s been in the family forever. My brother and father live upstairs, and I have the downstairs. Someday, I hope to afford something of my own but for now, this works for me.” She quirked a small smile at him. The first one he’d seen all day. Then she scratched Bruno under his chin. Again. “I’d like a dog,” she said, “but dogs need space to run. I have a yard, but it’s too small for the size dog I’d want.”

  “That’s why K-9 officers are required to have a yard.” He smiled. She knew that, of course, but it was small talk. Something to keep her mind on anything but the events of the day—and his off the fact that he
was jealous of his dog.

  He cleared his throat. “You ready?”

  “Sure.”

  He and Bruno followed Sophie to the front door of her duplex-style home.

  Which was cracked open.

  She gasped and stepped back.

  “That’s not supposed to be open, I’m guessing?” Luke whispered.

  “No.”

  “Stand back against the wall next to the door. Bruno, stay.” In the blink of an eye, the dog’s demeanor changed at Luke’s command. His ears went up and he was in instant work mode, waiting for the next order. Bruno sat next to Sophie and she placed a hand on his head. Luke pulled his weapon and stood to the side of the door. Using his left hand, he gave the metal door a light shove. It swung inward on well-oiled hinges.

  Luke stepped over the threshold and glanced to the right. Kitchen with the stove light on. Living area to the left. Hallway straight ahead with the bathroom at the end and the bedroom to the left. Small and efficient.

  And trashed. Sofa cushions lay on the floor along with the lamps that had probably been on the end tables. The intruder hadn’t spared the small buffet in the eating area either and the drawers had been yanked out, dishes crushed onto the hardwood floor.

  A loud crash came from the bedroom area and Luke headed down the hallway. “NYPD! Come out of the room, hands where I can see them! Now!”

  Silence.

  “I’m not playing!” Luke said. “Come out with your hands where I can see them!”

  A black-clad figure shot out of the room and slammed into Luke hard enough to knock the breath from him. And his gun from his grip. The weapon hit the floor and skittered across the wood out of reach. Gasping, Luke threw a blind punch that grazed a whiskered jaw.

  Bruno growled and lunged forward, snapping at the attacker, who stumbled back, tripped and fell with a thud to the wood floor. Only to lurch to his feet and come forward swinging as Bruno moved in. He caught the dog on the ear. Bruno yelped and darted away, shaking his head.

  Luke dove after the man and wrapped a hand around an ankle, yanking him back to the floor. Bruno added his displeasure and snapped his teeth in the man’s face.

  A foot kicked out and landed a hard blow to Luke’s temple, stunning him. Stars spun in front of his eyes.

  Again, the assailant managed to find his feet—and headed for Sophie. She darted away. Bruno barked and launched himself at the man once more, this time closing his teeth around an arm. The pained scream echoed through the apartment.

  Luke rolled in time to see Sophie swing a lamp into the man’s chest. The lamp fell, hitting Bruno’s snout before crashing to the floor. The dog flinched and released the attacker, who rushed out the door.

  Then Bruno was beside Luke, nudging him and whining.

  Luke shook his head. While everything had happened in mere seconds, Luke raged that he couldn’t move fast enough. Finally, he made it to his feet while his head spun and nausea curled in his gut. “Sophie!”

  “I’m okay.” She rushed to him. “Are you?”

  “Fine. I’ve just got to learn to duck.” He grabbed his weapon and raced to the front door in time to see the man hop into a light gray Jeep he’d had double-parked four doors down and peel away from the building. Luke slapped a hand against his thigh. He couldn’t see the license plate.

  He snagged his phone and called it in with what little information he had. When he hung up, he drew in a deep breath and pressed a hand to his aching head, then turned to Sophie, who now sat on the sofa with Bruno’s big head resting on her knee. She examined the animal’s ear and nose with gentle fingers.

  “Is he okay?” Luke asked. “Do I need to get him to the vet?”

  “I think he was just stunned, but if you would feel better taking him to the vet, we can do that.”

  Luke looked his partner over and sighed with relief when he found nothing concerning. “Good boy, Bruno.” The dog licked his hand, then turned back to Sophie and nudged her hand.

  With the danger past, Luke allowed himself to take a moment to simply watch her. She continued to scratch Bruno’s ears, and Luke was hit with the longing to take the dog’s place. A brief flash of the two of them sitting on the couch, watching a movie and sharing a bowl of popcorn held him frozen for a second.

  “Luke?” she asked. “You okay?”

  He blinked. “Yeah, fine. Officers are on the way.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “About what?” He stilled and frowned.

  “For not finding a weapon or some way to help you.”

  Luke went to her and pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay. I was just worried about you.” And because the feel of her in his arms made his head spin way too much, he released her and stepped back.

  “I’m going to call my dad,” she said. “I need to let him know what happened. And I need to call Trey.”

  “Of course.”

  She dialed her brother’s number, waited, then hung up. “He’s not answering.”

  “Try your dad.”

  She did, and Luke couldn’t help notice her sigh of relief when he answered on the first ring. “Hey, Dad, I know you’re on the road, but I need to let you know someone broke into my place.” Pause. “No, I’m fine. I’m with a friend from the station. Do you know where Trey is?” She shook her head at Luke. “Trey went hiking with friends and won’t be back until Saturday,” she said, then went back to the phone and explained the fact that she was going to stay with Luke and his roommates for a while.

  Her father said something, and she nodded with a glance at Luke. “I’m sure, Dad. I’ll be safe there and, hopefully, whoever broke in won’t be back. You still have several dinners in the freezer for when you get back from your run and most of the clothes are washed. Hopefully, by the time you and Trey get back, all of this will be over.”

  Luke watched her, considering her words and what they meant.

  She hung up and caught his gaze. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You do a lot for them, don’t you?”

  She shrugged. “My dad’s done a lot for me.” She paused. “Don’t you help your family out when they need it?”

  “Not really. We don’t talk much.”

  “Oh. That’s...sad.”

  “I know.” He cleared his throat. “But forget about that. While I want to hear more about your family, why don’t you start taking inventory? Just don’t touch anything. When the officers get here, they’ll take prints. Ours are on file so they’ll be able to eliminate those.”

  She shook her head as her gaze swept the area. “I don’t think he took anything. He just broke everything.”

  Luke noticed the shattered flat screen television on the floor. Her iPad and Blu-ray player lay in front of the television stand. Also broken.

  “He stomped on them,” she whispered. “Why?” Tears leaked from her eyes and she swiped them away with an angry brush of her fingers. Before Luke could answer or offer more comfort, she leaned over and picked up a figurine from the floor. “This was on my coffee table. He swept it to the floor, but it didn’t break, which is a relief. A friend gave it to me.” She paused, studying it. “Although, it’s worth several hundred dollars. And yet, he left it.”

  “Which means he was probably looking for something and this wasn’t a random criminal simply after items to sell for easy money.”

  She frowned. “But what?”

  He nodded to the corner of the room. “Your desk is turned upside down. If this was the same guy who called your father looking for you, then maybe he was searching for something that would tell him how to find you. And when he couldn’t, he took his frustration out on your stuff.”

  “Why didn’t he just wait until I got home?” A pause. “Then again, maybe he did. Maybe he was in my bedroom just waiting to...” She shuddered. “I’m so glad you were here.
”

  Luke’s heart twisted. He went to her again and wrapped his arms around her to pull her into a hug once more. He could put his own feelings on hold and simply offer her comfort. For a moment, she stiffened, then leaned against him.

  “I’m sorry, Sophie,” he said softly. “I know this has been a rotten day for you.”

  “It’s been even more rotten for Katie,” she mumbled.

  “Yeah. I can’t argue with that.” He sighed. And realized he didn’t want to let her go. While he could tell she was finding comfort in the embrace, he realized he was, too. Which made him frown. While she was changing his perception of her, he reminded himself she was still young. Very young.

  Bruno nosed in between them and Sophie let out a watery laugh.

  “I think he’s feeling left out.” She scratched his neck and the dog sighed his contentment. “All’s right with his world, isn’t it? He’s just happy to be with those he loves and having his ears scratched.”

  “Yes, he’s pretty easy to please. Ear scratches, belly rubs and a hug every once in a while.”

  “I think everyone could learn a few lessons from this guy,” she said softly.

  “Amen to that.”

  “Did you know we’re getting a new dog?”

  “Who? You and your family?”

  She laughed. “No, the department. Her name’s Stella and she’s a gift from the Czech Republic. She’s supposed to be really special.” Bruno licked her cheek and she huffed another choked laugh. “But not as special as you, Bruno, I promise.”

  Luke’s phone buzzed, and he snatched it to check the screen.

  “Who is it?” Sophie asked.

  “A group text from Katie. Just wanting an update.”

  “Oh.”

  While all was right with Bruno’s world, Luke’s was standing on its head. And Katie was growing more and more desperate as time passed without hearing from her husband. Frankly, he couldn’t blame her. Luke closed his eyes and hugged Sophie once again, this time allowing himself to take comfort from her. He said a silent prayer that Katie would get to hold Jordan in the near future.