Fugitive at Large. Sandra Robbins

scene. The clerk put the money in the bag and laid it on the counter, but the robber didn’t pick it up right away. Instead, he pointed the gun at the clerk, and Jamie told him to leave the guy alone, that he’d done what the man wanted. Then the gunman looked up at the clerk, Richard, and nodded. Richard dropped to the floor behind the counter like a ton of bricks, and the robber turned toward Jamie.”

      “What did he do next?”

      “He kind of chuckled and aimed the gun at Jamie. Then he said, ‘You shouldn’t have stuck your nose in where it doesn’t belong.’ I thought he meant interrupting him from shooting the clerk, but now I’m not so sure.”

      “You think the clerk was in on it?”

      She thought for a moment before she answered. “Yes. I don’t think the robber meant Jamie’s interference in stopping him from shooting. I think it was something else. And whatever it happens to be, it was serious enough to get him killed.”

      Ryan shook his head. “This is pure speculation. Jamie is a college student. How could he get into trouble?”

      “Do you know anything about his friends? Could he be in some kind of trouble?”

      Ryan shook his head. “I don’t think so. He doesn’t go out much with friends. He spends most of his time working at the computer shop or writing articles for the school newspaper. I have no idea if he’s mixed up in something or not.”

      “Then you must keep Jamie from going out of town,” she said. “If somebody’s watching him, they could kill him and dispose of his body somewhere. You wouldn’t even know where to begin your search for him because he wouldn’t tell you where he was going.”

      “You’re right. I have to stop him.” Ryan grabbed his cell phone and punched in Jamie’s number. She heard it ring several times before it went to voice mail. Ryan grimaced and waited until the greeting had finished. Then he spoke into the phone. “Jamie, don’t leave town. I have reason to believe someone is after you. Get in touch with me right away, and please come to my house.”

      The worried look on his face as he disconnected the call made Jessica’s breath catch. “I’m sorry you couldn’t reach him. Is there anything I can do to help?”

      He shook his head. “No. But whatever Jamie has gotten himself involved in seems to have spilled over into your life, too. I’m sorry about that.”

      “Don’t be. I’m glad I was there today to keep him from being killed.”

      His eyes softened, and he smiled. “I am, too. I always said you were the best cop I ever worked with. It’s good to see that you haven’t lost your edge.”

      “Thanks, Ryan. I’m glad we’ve talked tonight even if it’s turned into concern for your brother. Please let me know if you hear from him. Now, why don’t you go on home and get some rest so you can be at the top of your game tomorrow.”

      “I will.” He paused and glanced around the apartment. “But what about you? Do you think you’ll be all right here by yourself?”

      She chuckled. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I’ll be fine.”

      He cocked an eyebrow and stared at her. “The last time I was here was because of a break-in. What’s to say it won’t happen again?”

      “I’ve got new locks now and a new security system. Robbers could probably break into a bank easier than they could get in here. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

      “I don’t know. Maybe you should go to Adam’s house for the night.”

      “Adam and Claire are out of town for a few days. I’m better off here. Now, go on and don’t worry about me.”

      She turned and walked toward the door with him right behind. He stopped when she opened the door. “Keep your gun close and call me if you have any problems.”

      “I will.”

      He stepped into the hallway and turned back to her. “Also, don’t forget about coming to the precinct tomorrow to look at some mug shots. Maybe you can spot the gunman.”

      “I’ll be there. How about ten o’clock?”

      “That will work. I’ll see you then.” He didn’t move to leave. Instead, his gaze drifted over her face. “Thank you, Jessica, for listening to me tonight. Think about what I’ve said. I hope it will help to change your opinion of what kind of man I am. I really want us to be friends again.”

      “You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’ll see you in the morning.”

      He nodded. “See you then.”

      Before he could say more, she closed the door and locked the dead bolt. Then she walked into the kitchen and checked to see if she’d locked the back door securely when she came in. Satisfied that she was safe inside, she set the security system.

      She knew she should eat something but she wasn’t hungry. All she wanted was to go to bed and try to forget all that had happened today. With a sigh she headed for her bedroom.

      Twenty minutes later, she lay in bed, her gun and her cell phone on the bedside table beside the landline she still had. Adam had teased her about the added expense, but she liked having the familiar phone she’d had in her bedroom at home when she was growing up. Somehow it reminded her of happier times, when her father would yell at her to get off the phone, or she and Claire would talk for hours about which boys from school they were going to marry.

      She sighed and pounded her pillow. Now Claire was her sister-in-law, married to Jessica’s older brother, but there was no hope for romance in her own life. She’d had her heart broken once, and she didn’t want to chance it happening again. It was better if she just concentrated on her job and building a life for herself and ignored the loneliness that plagued her.

      Her eyes drifted shut, and she was almost asleep when she awoke to the sound of a ringing telephone. For a moment she thought it was her cell phone, but then she realized it was the landline.

      She fumbled for the switch on the lamp by the phone and turned it on. Then she grabbed the receiver and pushed up in bed. “Hello.” The word sounded hoarse, and she tried again. “Hello.”

      “Good evening, Miss Knight. How are you?”

      She sat up straighter and frowned. “Who is this?”

      “It’s a friend you met earlier today.”

      Although the voice was friendly, she knew the caller was not. “Oh, it’s you,” she said. “What do you want?”

      He chuckled. “Right to the point, aren’t you? What do I want? Oh, nothing at the present time. If I decide I want anything from you, you’ll know it. Now, have a good night’s sleep.”

      Jessica stared at the phone as the call disconnected. Without hesitation she pushed Redial and waited for the call to go through. Instead, a high, piercing tone stabbed at her ear. “The last call is not accessible from this phone,” an automated voice said.

      She punched the end button and put the phone back on the hook. After a moment, she reached over and disconnected the phone from the wall. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about him calling again tonight unless he had her cell phone number. She doubted he did, but he probably did know where she lived.

      She grabbed her gun and climbed out of bed. It was no use. She wasn’t going to get any sleep, which was probably what her caller had intended in the first place.

      The memory of the robber’s face flashed into her head. He might know her and where she lived, but she knew what he looked like. And that was going to come in quite handy when she examined those mug shots tomorrow.

      If his picture was there, she’d find him, and then it would only be a matter of time before the police found him.

      * * *

      Ryan glanced over at his partner,