before turning his attention back to Brody. “So… you’re saying…”
Brody huffed. “Fine. You were right.”
“Damn, that hurt, didn’t it?” Just as he was finished ragging on Brody, a flash of color to the side caught his attention.
“It did. I’m leaving now.” Brody tossed a wave to Alex and turned toward his vehicle.
Kyle glanced around, his brow furrowed. “Yeah, okay.”
“What did you see?”
“Someone that doesn’t belong, which makes me edgy. Let’s go to the Celtic Cock this week. You owe me a drink or ten for being right.”
“Deal, take care.”
Focus now zeroed in on what captured his attention, he tossed a wave toward Brody and said, “Alex, circle around to the other side and see if you see that woman who just passed by over there. She’s either fuckin’ nuts if she thinks this is a place to cross through, or there’s something in that backpack that we need to check out.”
It was not hard to follow the girl as she skirted around the outside of the Cardboard Cottages. Her red sweatshirt hoodie stood out like a beacon. Dark jeans and flat leather shoes were another giveaway that she didn’t belong. As he approached from behind, it was evident the small backpack slung over one shoulder was a leather purse, and his suspicions heightened at the idea of what she carried in that bag.
Another gust of wind snapped the hoodie back, allowing tendrils of long, honey-blonde hair escaping a sloppy bun to whip about her head. Her steps hastened and he glanced ahead, seeing a small car parked near the end of one of the exit ramps leading back up to the highway.
She held a cell phone in one hand, talking low and steady, and didn’t appear to hear him approach as he gained ground. “Stop! Police.”
She screeched as her hand jerked up when she whirled around, eyes wide, shooting pepper spray wildly into the air. Her aim sucked, but before he could duck, the wind whipped it around both of them. It wasn’t a direct hit, but it was enough that he felt the sting in his eyes and burn in his throat.
“God dammit!” he yelled, rushing toward her. Their bodies collided, and as she flailed about, he wrapped his arms around her and maneuvered her to the ground. “Stay down!”
He had not taken a direct hit from the irritant, but his eyes teared and he sucked in a ragged breath. He pinned her to the ground with one hand on her back and swiped his hand over his eyes and nose, blinking to clear his vision. Hearing rapidly approaching footsteps, he looked up and saw Alex approaching, weapon drawn.
The girl continued to wiggle and sputter, and he flipped her over. A streak of dirt mixed with a trail of tears on her cheek marred her otherwise flawless complexion. Coughing, trying to catch her breath, she blinked rapidly. Finally, her eyes stayed open, and he gasped when staring into the familiar green orbs.
For a few seconds, the underbelly world of Hope City disappeared as the two stared at each other. “You?” he growled, recognition hitting him, barely aware that she had uttered the same word in equal disbelief.
2
One week earlier
The Celtic Cock was already crowded by the time Kimberly Hogan arrived, pushing through the front door underneath the sign of a rooster inside a Celtic circle. While in downtown Hope City, the appeal of the bar was its location—tourists didn’t find it and college students avoided it since it was a popular hangout for the Hope City police and first responders.
The owners eschewed trendy and went for real. Mismatched bar stools, high-top tables, and chairs would have been enough for the eclectic interior, but with framed photos of first responders from days gone by adorning the walls, the effect was unique. A couple of pool tables were in the back to one side and in the other corner was a small area for dancing. Not that there was room to dance on a night when the local team was playing and the wide-screen TVs held everyone’s attention.
Maneuvering her way between bodies, she skirted closer to the bar as she continued to squeeze between people until she came upon the table of friends.
“Bekki! Caitlyn!” she called out.
“Hey, girl,” they both said in unison.
Hugs ensued, and she hefted her bootie up onto the stool after giving her drink order to the server. “It’s been a while since we’ve met each other here. Jeez, it’s crowded! Reminds me of the days when we’d