There were even more people gathered around the Chinese Theater, taking pictures of the footprints set in the concrete out front. Closer to the street were vendors, selling everything from sausage sandwiches and fresh fruit to knock-off-brand-name clothes and accessories.
Trixie blew right past it all, and then the wax museum and a few other shops until she hit a Target store that was close to the corner of Hollywood and Sycamore.
She ducked inside.
The building was compact, so instead of being one level all spread out it was two floors. The entrance was actually on the top floor, and Trixie avoided the escalator that would take her down. A back door probably wasn’t down there, she reasoned.
She stopped and spun a slow circle to look at her options.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” an employee asked as she stood from where she’d been stocking a bottom shelf.
The question had drawn the attention of an armed security guard who was standing against the wall near the row of self-checkout machines. He strolled over, concern registering in his eyes. “Do you need any assistance?”
Trixie could feel them before she saw them. Goosebumps sprang up on her arms and a chill traced her spine. She turned around and saw two of her four pursuers had entered the store.
She prayed she hadn’t put all these people in danger. The mob was cutthroat, though. At least, that’s what she’d heard and seen in the movies.
Would they gun down innocent people there in a Target on Hollywood Boulevard?
The security guard had a weapon, too, but he wasn’t any match for four guys—assuming the other two were around there somewhere, watching and waiting just in case they were needed.
Probably covering the exits, Trixie realized.
She was trapped.
Tension filled the store. At least for Trixie. Seemed to be tense for the employee and the guard too, as their eyes darted from her to the two men who were now slowly approaching.
Most of the shoppers seemed unaware, thankfully.
Trixie just hoped this would all end without anyone getting hurt. Perhaps she should surrender. No innocent people would be harmed that way.
Of course, she could run again. That would probably draw the thugs away from everyone else. They didn’t care about the store’s employees. This was all about Trixie.
She was still weighing her options, knowing she had to pick something quick, when she was nearly mowed over by the shock she felt at the unexpected turn of events.
One of the men held up a shiny badge and said, “LAPD! You’re coming with us!”
Chapter Thirteen
It was a stroke of sheer luck that John and Trevon spotted Trixie as she ran down the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard.
Poor girl had been going so fast that her feet barely touched the stars that lined the pavement. She was practically flying!
That wasn’t easy to do through the thick crowd, either.
When they saw her disappear into the Target store, John whipped his truck to the curb and hopped out.
Parking tickets be damned.
Hurrying toward the building, John saw four men hot on Trixie’s heels. Two stayed outside. The other two went in.
John went in too, followed by Trevon.
The two guys who’d stayed outside were on the movie, one of them jogging toward the corner while the other stood where he could see the front door.
Probably trying to cover all exits.
Hmm. They had the look of law enforcement. Maybe military. They appeared too capable and disciplined to simply be random mob thugs.
