Special Forces Father - By Mallory Kane Page 0,65

held her breath. The knob rattled again, harder. Shirley spewed more curses.

Then—a gunshot split the air. A shock like a lightning strike crackled through Kate’s body and she yelped. Behind her, Max let out a squeal, then started sobbing. It took her a few fractions of a second to realize she hadn’t been shot. A piece of metal fell onto the floor and rolled bumpily.

The doorknob! The woman had shot the lock. Kate waited, holding her breath, as the bathroom door swung open.

Then, in the distance, more footsteps. Heavy ones.

“Stop!” a male voice ordered. “Stop right there. Police!”

Kate’s heart thumped so hard it hurt. Her scalp tightened and her face flushed with adrenaline.

“Son of a—” Shirley growled. Kate could see her through the partially opened door. She pushed the door wide open.

“Ma’am, stop! Don’t move!” the policeman shouted. “Drop the gun. Drop it! Now!”

“Mah-mee!” Max cried out behind Kate.

“Drop the gun!” The voice was getting closer. “Drop it now or I’ll shoot! Ma’am! Drop it! Drop. It. Now!”

Shirley shot a glance behind her and met Kate’s gaze. The woman’s eyes were narrowed, calculating. Kate cringed. If she wanted to, Shirley could shoot her.

Then the policeman’s shadow fell on Shirley and he had her gun—that quickly. “Now, down on the ground,” the cop yelled. “Get down!”

Shirley dropped to the ground in front of the bathroom door. She spread her legs and arms and lay still.

Kate stayed frozen in place, as she watched the cop handcuffing Shirley, dragging her to her feet and hauling her away.

She wondered what she should do now. The policeman had Shirley. It should be safe to come out. But Travis had given her explicit instructions. She was to wait until she knew it was Lucas.

A shadow crossed the doorway again and a knock sounded on the door facing. Kate started and gasped.

“Mommy? Is that the bad guys?” Max cried.

“Dr. Chalmet?” The man stepped into the doorway and paused. Kate stared at him. He was a big man. Tall and broad shouldered, with dark hair. He had a long black rifle in his arms and was dressed in black with what looked like a bulletproof vest across his chest. He didn’t exactly look like Travis, but there was a resemblance, in the planes of his face, in his carriage.

“Dr. Chalmet?” he said gently. “I’m Lucas Delancey. Travis’s brother. Are you and the boy okay?”

“Oh,” she sobbed. “Ye-yes. Yes!” Unwrapping herself from the cramped position, she stood and looked down into the metal trash can. Big dark brown eyes were looking up at her trustingly.

“Come on, Maxie, honey,” she said as tears streamed down her face. “The good guys won.”

Picking him up, feeling his arms wrap around her neck and his legs circle her waist, she could no longer hold back. She burst into tears.

Behind her, Lucas said, “Is there anything I can do? I can hold him for a minute if you want. Are either of you injured?”

She shook her head, trying to get her sobs under control. She had her nose buried in Max’s hair. Sniffling, she lifted her head. “We’re fine. Where’s Travis?” she asked.

“I haven’t heard anything from Reilly, which is a good sign,” he said.

“I heard a gunshot inside the trailer while we were running away.”

Lucas was still studying her. “Are you sure you’re all right? Your feet are bleeding and you’re covered with scratches,” he said. “Come on. Let’s put you in the front seat of the car. We’re going to have to go to the local police station. I’ve got to deliver my unexpected prisoner there.” He gestured. “I guess you know who she is.” He gestured toward a black car. Shirley was in the backseat, her hands cuffed behind her, looking sullen.

“Her name’s Shirley. She’s the kidnapper’s girlfriend,” Kate said. “But I don’t understand. What was she doing? She shot the lock off the bathroom door. She could have shot us or taken us hostage but all she did was look at me.”

Lucas shrugged. “I don’t think she realized y’all were in there. I think she wanted to use the bathroom as a hiding place for herself.” He opened the passenger door.

“This is false arrest!” Shirley cried as soon as the door was open. “You’re going to be in big trouble for assaulting me. I got rights.”

Lucas stuck his head in. “If you don’t shut up, I’m going to tape your mouth. Got that right,” he said conversationally.

Shirley spewed a few choice words then went silent.

Kate climbed into the passenger seat