Honor And Defend. Lynette Eason

found the money, right?”

      “No, it happened just as the bank was closing on a Friday afternoon. Two men in masks and semiautomatics in broad daylight. Shook the whole city up.”

      “They were obviously professionals and they had it well planned.”

      “True,” she sighed. “They got away that day, but the FBI was called in and arrested one of the robbers—a Nolan Little. The second robber got away, but the FBI tracked him down right here in Desert Valley two days later, hiding in an abandoned mobile home. He got into a shootout with them and was killed. They searched and found his weapon and a few bills, but he didn’t have the bank money on him.”

      “Let me guess, the one they caught isn’t talking.”

      “He couldn’t if he wanted to. He was killed about two months into serving his sentence.”

      “So anyone who might have known where the money is can’t talk because they’re dead.”

      “Yes. At least the ones we know about.”

      “You think there’s someone else involved?”

      “The FBI was convinced there was a third person—a driver—but they’ve never been able to prove it. He wasn’t in the video and there wasn’t a car at the scene.”

      “How did they get away?” Ellen asked.

      “On foot. Ran right out the back door through a back alley and disappeared. That’s why we think there was a third person involved. Someone with a car that was never seen. Someone who knew where the security cameras were and made sure to park out of view. The robbers climbed in and they drove away.” She sighed. “The FBI sends the chief an update every so often, but I think they’ve probably given up on ever recovering the money—or the third person if there ever was one.” She shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe with the glove, they’ll get a fresh trail to follow.” She drew in a deep breath. “Now, Lee, what can you tell me about the shootout that just occurred?”

      Lee shifted. “I think I have something that will help.”

      “What’s that?”

      “I have a dash cam on my truck. We just need to watch the video.” He held up his phone and pressed the screen to pull up the app.

      He shook his head at the irony. After everything this department had put him through, he had something that could possibly help them. And he was going to push aside his initial reaction of “let them fend for themselves” and do it.

      This time they’d better not mess up.

TWO

      An hour later, Ellen and Lee walked out of the building with Lee rolling the puppies behind in their carriers. “A dash cam?” Ellen asked him.

      He shrugged. “I don’t know. Call me paranoid. But after everything that happened with the crooked cop and...” He shook his head. “I’m not going to be in that position again. So I mounted a dash cam on my rearview mirror as some sort of protection, I guess. Maybe it was stupid.”

      “And maybe you’re brilliant. I can’t say I blame you a bit. And it allowed us to see one of the men in the car.”

      “Yes.” He frowned.

      “Everything all right?”

      “Yes. I’m just thinking.”

      “About?” She spotted the SUV in the road, getting ready to turn in to the lot. “Hold that thought.”

      Whitney Godwin, also a rookie K-9 officer, pulled in and parked. She climbed out of the truck, her shoulder-length light blond hair blowing around her face. She shoved it back and waved at Ellen. “Hey, there. Are you okay?”

      “We survived. That’s the good news. Thanks for bringing the car,” Ellen said. “Lee picked me up at my home this morning so we’re a bit stranded.” She took the keys from Whitney’s outstretched hand. Looking into her friend’s eyes, she could see contentment. Happiness. All due to the new man in her life. A doctor named David Evans. They’d had some hard times but had made it through to the other side. Now they were planning a wedding.

      It made Ellen happy for Whitney...and sad for herself. Would she ever have that look? She glanced at Lee. She’d actually had it years ago. Back when she and Lee were together. When they weren’t fighting about her mother, they’d had some great times, been happy. She sighed. Whitney’s features clouded in concern. “Why the heavy sigh? You okay?”

      Ellen forced her lips into an upward curve. “Yes, just...reminiscing, sorry. Do you need a ride anywhere?”

      “No.” Whitney’s smile came back. “David’s on his way to get me. We’re taking Shelby for a picnic.” Shelby was Whitney’s baby daughter.

      Lee found a spot of grass, clipped leashes to the three pups and let them loose to take care of business. When they were finished, he got them back into the carriers and rolled them over to the vehicle where she and Whitney stood.

      “Lee, do you know Whitney?”

      He set the puppies in the back area of the vehicle where Carly usually rode, then held out a hand to Whitney. “I don’t think we’ve met. It’s a pleasure.”

      “Same here.” She eyed the building and grimaced. “I hate to go in on my day off, but I have some leftover paperwork I need to finish up before David and I can enjoy the rest of the day. I’ll see you later.”

      She disappeared through the glass doors. Lee turned to Ellen. “I’m starving,” he said.

      “Want to hit a drive-through and take the food to the training facility? We can eat and talk business if you’re up to it.”

      “I am if you are.”

      He still looked a bit distracted. What was on his mind? The shooting probably. “You okay?”

      He blinked and climbed into the passenger seat. “Yeah.”

      “Something’s bothering you.”

      “How do you figure?”

      She gave a low chuckle. “Come on, Lee, we used to be best friends.” Actually, they’d been more than that, but that sentence was much safer than saying they’d one time been in love. The flare in his eyes said he was thinking it. She cleared her throat. “I can read you pretty well even after all these years. You have that little tic in your forehead that gives you away every time.”

      He pressed his fingers to it and his brow furrowed. “Let’s get back to the facility so we can talk without distractions.”

      Ellen wasn’t crazy about the fact that he wanted to wait to talk, but she could be patient. When she had to. But... “Why don’t you just tell me what it is that’s bothering you?”

      He sighed. “Fine. When we were attacked, I thought I recognized one of the men in the car. The dash cam confirmed it.”

      * * *

      Ellen stared at him even while she cranked the vehicle’s ignition. “What? And you’re just now saying something?”

      “I wanted to know for sure before I said anything.”

      “And you’re sure now?”

      “No, but I figured you could help me find out if I’m right or not.”

      “So who do think it is?”

      He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I’m not sure so maybe I shouldn’t say anything, but if it’s him—”

      Her ringing phone cut him off. She glanced at the dashboard. Chief Jones’s number flashed. “Hello?”

      Her Bluetooth kicked in and his voice came over the speakers. “Foxcroft. Where are you?”

      “Just