The Doctor's Defender (Protection Specialists Book 3) by Terri Reed Page A

before slamming it shut. “Stay down!”
    A bullet rammed into the side door panel. Kyle dived through the open front passenger door, his hand snagging the handle and jerking it closed behind him. He slid into the driver’s seat, threw the car into gear and stomped on the gas. The rig shot forward. He swerved to avoid colliding with an oncoming car.
    As cautiously as possible, he sped out of the parking lot, hung a quick right and quick left, hoping the evasive moves would thwart any attempts at tailing them. He sped through several intersections, bombed across the on-ramp to the freeway and drove north.
    “Can I get up now?” Brenda asked from the floor between the seats.
    “Yes. You’re good.”
    Brenda sat up. The shock on her face squeezed Kyle’s heart in a tight vise.
    “How did he find us?” she asked.
    “I assume you have a cell phone on you.”
    “Yes. I always carry it.”
    He’d underestimated their adversary. “Take the battery out of your phone.”
    “Okay. Why?”
    “Have you downloaded any applications that help you find your phone if it’s lost?”
    “Yes.” Realization dawned on her face. “You think that’s how whoever is after me found us?”
    “I do.” Which meant whoever was after her had access to her cell network. They weren’t dealing with an amateur here. That rifle he’d seen was military grade.
    She held up the battery. “Now what?”
    “You should also take out the SIM card and tuck it away. We’ll dump the rest as soon as we find a place. I don’t want to alarm you, but whoever tracked us also has access to everything on your phone.”
    “There’s not much on there. A few phone numbers, mostly take-out restaurants, and my work calendar.”
    He let go of the steering wheel with one hand and took out his cell phone and popped out the battery. Just in case. He’d have to wait to inform Detective Lebowitz. “Most people live by the info on their cells.”
    His had all his contacts in the device. He’d be sunk if he’d lost the SIM card.
    She shrugged. “I use it to make calls and keep track of my time.”
    “No texting, no email?”
    “I use my office computer for email, and I don’t text. My parents still have older-generation cell phones.”
    Her earlier comment about not having friends suddenly didn’t sound as ludicrous as it had when she’d first said it. He was good at keeping people at arm’s length, but even he had buddies he shot hoops with occasionally, pals to windsurf with. And of course a sister, as well as the other protection specialists at Trent Associates. They were a team. If any of them needed something, they’d all respond. It made him sad to think the doctor didn’t have anyone in her life like that. It had to be awfully lonely.
    Twenty minutes later, the highway sign indicated Winthrop Harbor was the next exit. He moved over to the right-hand lane, watching the traffic behind him to see if anyone else moved over. No one did.
    He took the exit. A large wooden sign with bright blue letters welcoming travelers to Winthrop Harbor marked the beginning of the village nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan. He pulled into the first gas station he came to. While the gas was pumping, he dumped Brenda’s phone and battery in the waste bin. She got out and used the restroom inside the small quick mart. When she returned, she carried bottles of water and a bag of chips.
    “Please tell me you paid cash,” he said with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
    “Yes. I watch enough TV to know credit and debit cards can be traced.” She handed him a bottle of water. “Thought you might be thirsty.”
    Pleased by her thoughtfulness, he accepted the water and downed half the bottle in one long drink. He finished with the gas, paid and got back behind the wheel. Brenda offered him hand sanitizer before holding out the bag of sour cream and onion potato chips.
    After rubbing his hands together, he took a handful of chips. “Thanks.”
    “One