Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #2 by Dana Mentink, Tammy Johnson, Michelle Karl

as he could to the back. The backyard was nothing more than a small patch of grass enclosed by a wood fence that had seen better days. A few of the boards had been kicked in. Easy access. The yard had a gnarled apple tree, a small patch that was probably the beginnings of a vegetable garden and an old camper with two flat tires, parked on a section of gravel.
    Heart thumping he stayed still and waited. No sound. No whisper of feet in the grass.
    â€œAre you waiting out there, Tucker? Be a man and come out of the shadows,” he murmured. He did a slow sweep of the yard, first visually then step by step. Taking a penlight from his pocket, he eased up along the side of the camper. It was the only place Tucker could be if he’d had the nerve to stick around.
    Back pressed flat against the cold metal siding, he crept up to the door, ready to test the handle. Slowly, he pulled the latch. The hinges creaked. Either Keeley left it unlocked, or...
    Without warning, the door shot open, knocking him on his back on the gravel. He saw the incoming foot just in time to throw up a shielding arm. The kick jarred his forearm and glanced off the side of his head, sending an explosion of pain through his skull.
    â€œStop,” Keeley screamed from across the yard.
    Mick rolled over and got to his feet. By the time he made it to the fence, it was too late, as his attacker squeezed through the gap in the fence. He bit back the disappointment that cut at him.
Too slow, Mick. Again
.
    â€œWas it Tucker?” Keeley asked, face milk white.
    â€œProbably. He’s gone.” Mick rounded on her. “What happened to staying inside?”
    â€œThe fire is out. My cell is dead, so I had to call from the kitchen phone. Besides, I figured two of us had a better chance against Tucker than one.”
    He sighed. “We’re striking out so far.”
    â€œBut I’m armed this time.” She raised a frying pan to the light.
    In spite of the tension roiling in his gut, he laughed. “Good to know.”
    The sound of sirens broke the silence. They trudged back to the house, and Mick checked once again to be sure the fire was completely out.
    The arriving police swept the yard, just as Mick had done. They found no trace of either Tucker or anyone else. Nonetheless, the officers took extensive photos and dusted for fingerprints.
    â€œPlenty of prints,” Mason said. “We’ll see if any of them are Rivendale’s.”
    There was the slam of a car door and John Bender ran in. “I was working late at the office, and I heard the sirens.”
    Uttley gave him a cursory update.
    â€œI knew he must have come here,” John said. “What happened?”
    Keeley chewed her lip. “He threw a Molotov cocktail through the window and ran away.”
    John shook his head. “Please come stay with me. I can’t stand worrying about you every minute. I know you don’t sleep well as it is.”
    Mick saw color flame into Keeley’s cheeks. “LeeAnn was the insomniac. I sleep just fine.”
    John must have seen it, too. “I have a spare room,” he said defiantly. “It’s not safe to stay here alone.”
    â€œWe’ll put an officer outside,” Uttley said.
    â€œShould have been here already,” John snapped. “Why wasn’t anyone watching her?”
    Uttley fixed steely eyes on John. “Because, Dr. Bender, this is a small department and we’ve already increased the patrols in the area. The officers have other duties, too. I’ve got to arrange for some off duty people to come back in and bring in some mutual aid.” His glance shifted to Mick. “Plus it seems she’s got someone watching her back already.”
    Mick didn’t like the look, nor the tone. “Happened to be here, but like you’ve reminded me, I’m not a cop. She needs police protection.”
    â€œShe needs to come stay with me,” John said.