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  “Check the fricken’ ID around my neck,” the leader yelled.

  Zerr stepped forward and pulled out a lanyard. He shone his flashlight at the tag. “Yeah, they’re RCMP. Sergeant Stinson.”

  Stinson stood. “I’ve got an officer shot. He needs an ambulance.”

  Steele nodded to a tactical cop who walked over to the shot cop.

  “Shot in the left shoulder. I’ll dress the wound, but he needs to get to the hospital.”

  “Dispatch, this is 114,” Steele said. “We need EMS to Tenth and Eighth for a gunshot wound. He’s conscious and bleeding. But he’s walking.”

  “Roger, 114. We have EMS staged a couple of blocks away. ETA one minute.”

  “Roger.” Steele pointed to two of his team. “Help him to the ambulance.”

  Devlin stomped over to Stinson. “What the hell are you doing in my city, screwing up my arrest?”

  Stinson held his hands out in front of him. “Hey, buddy, calm down.” In the dim light Devlin saw a red face and clenched jaw. “You shot my guy.”

  “Fuck you,” Devlin said. “It wasn’t me.”

  Stinson pounced on Devlin. Steele pushed between them and held Stinson back.

  Stinson glared at Steele. “Probably one of you glory boys got trigger happy.”

  “Don’t push your luck, asshole,” Steele said. “If we shot him with a rifle, he’d be missing his shoulder.”

  Stinson pointed to the two constables that had been with Devlin. “Then them.”

  “Did either of you shoot this guy?” Devlin asked.

  “No, detective,” one cop said. “We were a few cars back when we heard the shot. We didn’t even get our guns drawn. It wasn’t us.”

  “That’s bullshit. I want their guns, now,” Stinson demanded. “From all of you.”

  “Not gonna happen,” Devlin said. “I’ll make sure they’re tested and you get the results. Maybe you should check your own guys. Friendly fire, maybe?”

  “You’re in deep shit, asshole. You screwed up an RCMP undercover operation. When our superintendent finishes with your chief, you’ll be lucky to keep your jobs.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” Devlin sneered. “What big operation do you have going in Calgary?”

  “We were about to arrest Jeter Wolfe. We were in pursuit. Jurisdiction doesn’t matter. RCMP cover the whole country. That’s what the ‘C’ stands for.”

  “Not into Calgary, shithead. Not without letting us know. Where’s the teamwork?”

  “Just following a lead that led us to Wolfe.”

  “What lead, we didn’t know … scanners. You prick. You were listening.” Devlin stepped toward Stinson, ready to fight again. “You thought you could swoop in and take the arrest.”

  Steele pushed between them again.

  Brad, with Lobo at his side, walked up to the group, pushing Wolfman. “He’s gonna need EMS.” Brad glanced at the scruffy guys, then to Devlin. “Who’s this?”

  “Mounties,” Devlin said.

  “I order you to turn your prisoner over to us,” Stinson demanded.

  Brad gave Stinson the once-over. “Who the hell are you?”

  “Sergeant Stinson, Serious Crimes, RCMP. Wolfe is wanted on a federal warrant.”

  “Which we just executed.” Brad nodded and grinned. “Well, Sergeant Stinson, I believe we got our man.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Fola turned the ambulance onto Tenth Avenue and stopped. The road was jammed with cruisers parked at all angles.

  “That’s a lot of cops,” Fola said.

  “This is what happens when a cop is shot.” Maggie saw damage to the front of the district sergeant’s van and a damaged car against a telephone pole. Uniformed cops stood around the car. Parked behind the car was a Firebird. Her heart beat faster. “Get the kits.”

  “Shouldn’t we wait for—”

  “Get the kits.” She didn’t have time to argue with the rookie. She jogged toward the car.

  Briscoe emerged from the group. “Mags, slow down. Brad’s bringing the suspect back. He has bites on his arm.”

  “Bites?”

  “Yeah. I think Brad let Lobo have some fun.”

  “Lobo?” Maggie shook her head in disbelief. Bad enough Brad risked his life, now he’s got Lobo involved. What a pair.

  “Dispatch said a cop was shot.” Maggie looked around the scene, eyes darting back and forth.

  “It’s a Mountie. They’re bringing him here.”

  Maggie keyed her portable radio. “Dispatch, send another ambulance to our location. There are two patients.”

  Fola was at her side with the kits. The second ambulance drove past.

  In the dim light she saw Brad walking toward her. Zerr and Steele were on either side of a handcuffed suspect. Lobo circled the man, growling.

  When they got closer, she recognized the suspect. Wolfman. The hair on her neck stood and her heart pounded. Thank God, they got him.

  Brad stopped beside Maggie. Steele and Zerr continued to the ambulance with Wolfe.

  “I don’t want to know what happened … yet,” Maggie said. “Just tell me Wolfe’s injuries.”

  “He’s not too bad. Dog bites to his right arm.”

  “Lobo?”

  Brad grinned.

  They walked to the ambulance.

  “Don’t get too close to him unless you absolutely have to,” Brad said. “Let us know before you do anything near him. No telling what he might do.”

  Wolfe was sitting on the bumper, hands behind his back. Steele and Zerr stood on either side of Wolfe. Lobo stood in front, growling.

  Maggie stepped toward Wolfe. “I’m a paramedic. I’m going to assess you.”

  “I ain’t done nothin’.”

  “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “Fuckin’ cops rammed my car,” Wolfe said. “Then sent a wild dog after me. He fuckin’ shredded my arm.”

  “Where do you hurt?”

  “Where do you think I hurt? My fuckin’ arm looks like hamburger.”

  “Did you lose consciousness?”

  “Fuck no.”

  “Do you take any medications?”

  “You offering some?” He leered at Maggie.

  She felt a chill up her spine.

  “I got a few other places I’d like you to check.”

  “That’s enough, Wolfe,” Brad said.

  Lobo responded to Brad’s voice, barking wildly.

  Wolfe glared at Lobo. “Ah the brave cop is protecting the lady paramedic. Oh, now I get it. This is the bitch you were pounding two years ago. I see why you’re protecting her. Nice. Real nice. I’d like to see her naked in the daylight.”

  Before Brad could react, Steele punched Wolfe, snapping his head back. Lobo pounced, knocking Wolfe against the ambulance. Brad pulled Lobo back by his harness.

  Wolfe spit blood. “Looks like she’s got a couple of cops she’s servicing.”

  Brad pulled Maggie aside. “It’s probably a good idea to have Fola look after Wolfe.”

  Maggie jerked her arm away. “Not a chance. You’re coming with us, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. Zerr and Steele, too.”

  “Then I’ll be fine.” Maggie climbed into the ambulance.

  “Load him up,” Brad said. “Maggie’s gonna need a hand.”

  Zerr yanked Wolfe to his feet by one arm. Steele grabbed the other.

  They shoved Wolfe into the ambulance. He dropped heavily onto the stretcher. Steele stood at the back door, Zerr near the front.

  Devlin met Brad at the back of the ambulance. “What a fricken’ mess. RCMP were listening to us on scanners. They hoped to scoop us.”

  “Who’s shot?”

  “A Mountie. Shot in the shoulder. The problem was we had plainclothes cops in there. They had undercover cops. No one with ID. Everyone waving guns.”

  “There were two shots,” Brad said.

  Devlin nodded. “I was facing the Mounties when we heard the first shot. I don’t know where the first sh
ot came from.”

  “Wolfe was going to shoot me,” Brad said. “Lobo got there just in time and Wolfe’s shot fired into the sky.”

  “That solves the mystery of the first shot,” Devlin said.

  “What about the second shot?” Brad asked.

  “I think one of their guys thought the first shot was from me and fired. I guess it’s a problem for Internal Affairs—theirs and ours.”

  “Wouldn’t have been a problem if the Mounties had stayed out of this,” Brad said. “I’m taking Steele and Zerr with me to the hospital. I’m not going to let Wolfe give Maggie any crap.”

  “Right,” Devlin said. “I’ll finish up here and meet you later at the station.”

  “Can you get someone to take my Firebird to HQ?” Brad handed a leash to Devlin. “And take care of Lobo for me. He’ll need to take care of business and he needs water. He should probably get a rabies shot as well—he was recently chewing on a rabid piece of shit.”

  Brad jumped into the ambulance. Wolfe lay on the stretcher—a pair of handcuffs on each wrist attached to the stretcher frame. Maggie was cleaning the dog bites with saline and bandaging the wounds, with Steele beside her.

  The stretcher frame groaned as Wolfman fought against his restraints. “Bitch.”

  Zerr leaned over Wolfman and pushed hard on his chest.

  “Can you sedate him?” Brad asked.

  “Sure,” Maggie said, “but he’ll be out of it.”

  “If he gets too groggy, I’ll question him in a few hours.”

  While Maggie drew up the medication, Brad tried to tighten the belt across Wolfe’s chest. There was no excess strap to pull.

  Maggie injected the drug through Wolfman’s jeans into his thigh. “Bitch. I’m gonna kill you.”

  “Shut up or I do it for you.” Zerr slammed Wolfe’s shoulder back onto the stretcher.

  Wolfman stopped struggling and swearing. He glared at Zerr and in a calm voice said, “I’ll take pleasure killing you real slow, tough guy.”

  “I can’t wait to see you try.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Brad guided a wobbly Wolfman to the back counter at headquarters. Zerr and Steele stood on either side of Wolfe. The emergency physician had given Wolfe another sedative, cleaned and bandaged, and gave a tetanus shot.

  The desk constable looked up at Wolfe. “Well hello, big fella.”

  “Jeter Wolfe,” Brad said. “Warrant for escaping custody, two charges of rape and one of murder. I need an interview room.”

  The constable smiled at Wolfe. “A lot of cops have been looking for you.” He pointed down the hall. “Take number five at the far end.”

  Brad grabbed Wolfman’s arm and shoved him down the hall.

  Devlin caught up to them. “Your dog’s in my car with the window cracked. He better not crap in there.”

  “He’d never do that,” Brad said. “He does have a thing for leather seats, though—but he’s tired, he might sleep.”

  Devlin followed Brad into the interview room. They handcuffed Wolfman to the table. Steele and Zerr stood outside the interview room. Wolfe was still feeling the effects of the drug and was compliant. Devlin was about to close the door when he was pushed aside.

  Brad turned to the commotion. “Why the hell are you here?”

  Sergeant Stinson blocked the doorway. “I’m here to get my prisoner.”

  Brad strode to the door and shook his head. “Are we doing this again?”

  “We’re taking the prisoner.” Stinson took a step forward.

  Brad blocked him. “On whose authority?”

  “I’m RCMP and I’m ordering you to turn over my prisoner.”

  “We’re charging him with two rapes and a murder,” Brad said. “Those charges come before the warrant for escaping from Edmonton Max.”

  Brad stepped close to Stinson. He had a few pounds on Brad, but Brad towered over him.

  “How about I give you a lesson in Canadian law,” Brad said. “First, a Canada-wide warrant can be executed by any sworn police officer. Second, he’s in Alberta, and I was sworn in under provincial legislation. Third, Wolfe is in Calgary and I’m a Calgary police officer. Fourth, we found him, we chased him, we arrested him, and we’ll see this through to court. Fifth, get the hell out of here before I arrest you for interfering with an investigation.”

  Stinson shoved Brad and he stumbled backward into the table. He couldn’t believe Stinson would put his hands on a cop. Okay, game on. Brad lunged at Stinson, who suddenly disappeared into the hall. Zerr had Stinson in a chokehold. Steele and Devlin blocked a couple of Stinson’s guys from entering the interview room.

  A voice boomed, “That’s enough.”

  Deputy Chief Archer pushed into the room and glared at Zerr. “For Christ’s sake, let him go.”

  Zerr released Stinson, who gasped for air. His face bright red, his jaw clenched. “Who the hell are you?”

  “Deputy Chief Archer. Why are you in my building?”

  “I’m Sergeant Stinson, RCMP, Serious Crimes.” He pointed to his guys. “We’re here to collect that prisoner and escort him to Edmonton Max.”

  “Do you have a court order?”

  “No, but—”

  “Did you arrest him?”

  “We were about to when your guys barged in. They shot one of my guys.”

  “Coulter, did you shoot a Mountie?”

  Brad worked hard to suppress a grin. All this was serious but Stinson was comical.

  “No, sir.”

  “Steele, did TSU shoot a Mountie?”

  “Negative.”

  “We’re not going to solve this here,” Archer said. “Ballistics will determine what gun was used. Until then, you gentlemen can leave this building. Thank you.”

  Stinson and his team started down the hall, then Stinson stopped. “This isn’t over!”

  “Zerr, Steele. Escort these men out of the building.”

  “Our pleasure,” Steele said.

  Archer turned to Brad. “Let’s interview your prisoner.”

  While they were in the hall, Wolfe’s medication was wearing off. As Brad, Archer and Devlin walked into the room, Wolfe yelled, “Let me out of here.” He stood over the table, his shackled hands limiting movement. He kicked over the chair. “I swear I’ll get away. I’ll hunt all of you. I’ll take your women, while you watch. You’ll die slowly in a living hell. I’ll get off on every scream!”

  “No sense interviewing him,” Archer said. “Put him in cells while the crown prosecutor deals with the Mounties.”

  Brad closed and locked the door.

  Archer stood in the hall. “By the way, nice work.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Devlin’s car had not been destroyed by Lobo. When Brad got to the car, Lobo was in a dead sleep.

  It was close to 6 A.M. when Brad staggered through the front door of his house, Lobo at his heels. “I hope you had a nice sleep while I was inside HQ.”

  Lobo stretched and yawned.

  “Let’s get your breakfast.” Lobo raced to the kitchen, knowing he’d get a reward.

  Brad filled the bowl with hamburger and rice and set the bowl on the floor. Lobo dove in, slurping loudly.

  Brad made coffee and poured a cup. Coffee would make sleep difficult. But Maggie would be home in a couple of hours and she’d want to talk about the night. What the hell. He took the coffee to the living room and sat in his recliner. He set the coffee on the end table, leaned back and closed his eyes.

  Brad ran after Wolfe through the darkness and fog. When he was close to Wolfe, he disappeared. Brad ran in the darkness, then saw Wolfe ahead of him. Again, when Brad got close, Wolfe was gone. Brad stopped at an old warehouse. The door was open. Brad drew his gun and stepped inside. He was blinded by bright lights. When his eyes adjusted, he scanned the room. Gail lay on a bed, bleeding onto the floor. Billy-Lou floated in a river. Annie was tied to a bed, screaming. Jenni Blighe in a courtroom, eyes ablaze in terror as she staggered back toward
a wall. From the left, he heard Maggie shout, “Brad, Brad—”

  He woke suddenly, Maggie hovering above him and Lobo watching him with a curious look.

  “Brad. Are you okay?”

  He blinked a few times and sat up. “Yeah, I’m okay. Having a crazy dream.”

  “You work one nightshift and you’re out cold,” Maggie said. “You’re out of practice. You used to love night shifts.”

  “That was before I was talked into getting back into law. A year off the street changes your habits.”

  “But you studied into the early hours.”

  “That was different, it was all brain drain. Last night was high adrenaline and emptying the tank. What time is it?”

  “Eight.”

  “I wasn’t asleep that long.” He grabbed the coffee and took a gulp. “Dang, it’s cold.”

  “Longer than you think. I’ll get you a fresh cup.” Maggie took the cup to the kitchen with Lobo close behind.

  “I already fed him,” Brad shouted. “Mooch.”

  Brad took another sip of coffee and closed his eyes. barked. The back door opened and shut. Lobo barked continuously—arguing with a squirrel. He hated squirrels.

  Maggie came back, handed Brad his cup and sat on the couch. “What a night. How did you get involved in that mess?”

  Brad started with the call from dispatch that Briscoe had located Wolfe in Glenmore Park and finished with the confrontation between Archer and Sergeant Stinson at HQ.

  “The RCMP hate you guys.”

  “Yeah, I know. The feeling is mutual.”

  “No, they really hate you. They were beyond furious. Their sergeant could barely talk.”

  “They’re not good about cooperating.”

  “The Mountie who was shot says you guys did it,” Maggie said. “Their sergeant thinks it was TSU. They’re going to make a big deal about this.”

  Brad shrugged and sipped his coffee. “It wasn’t us. There were a lot of cops there and most were in plain clothes. It was dark. Tensions were high. Ballistics will determine who fired the shot.”

  “The RCMP tried to get the bullet but Devlin grabbed it first,” Maggie said.