“It’s okay. Once we find him, I’m sure we’ll discover more evidence that can link him to the shootings.” Di cocked her head. “I don’t suppose Andrews will fill you in on what trace evidence, if any, the techs found?”
“Doubtful.” He pulled out his phone and sent Andrews a text, just in case the guy was feeling better about being dragged out of bed. There was no quick response, so he shoved the phone back into his pocket. “I suspect they probably got some DNA samples, but they’ll take time to get back.”
“Even with an officer-involved shooting?” She scowled. “That’s not right. An attack against you should be enough to send those results to the top of the list.”
Personally, he agreed. Cops generally took attacks against their fellow officers very seriously. If any detective other than Andrews was in charge of the investigation, Jarek was convinced the results would get top priority.
Di finished her sandwich and sat back with her soft drink. “That hit the spot. I was hungry too.”
He finished his last bite and balled up his wrapper. When he stood and reached for hers, too, intending to toss both into the garbage, movement caught the corner of his eye. A man with a baseball hat pulled low on his head stopped abruptly. Then he pulled a gun from the front of his baggy jeans and pointed it toward Di.
“Get down!” He threw himself on top of Di, sending her flying backward in her chair, hitting the concrete patio hard as the sharp report of gunfire reverberated around them.
People screamed and scattered from the scene. Jarek pushed himself off Di, turning in time to see the shooter take off running. He jumped to his feet and began to run toward the car just as the gunman slid into the front passenger seat of the black sedan.
Seconds later, it peeled away from the curb.
8
Di couldn’t believe the gunman fired at them again in broad daylight! She pushed herself to her feet, glancing around to see if anyone had been hit. An older woman lay moaning on the ground. Di hurried toward her. “Ma’am? Are you okay?” Raking her gaze over the woman, she didn’t see any obvious signs of blood.
“Someone pushed me.” The older woman blinked in confusion. “What happened?”
“I’m sorry you were hurt.” Di slipped her arm around the woman’s shoulders to help her sit up. “Did you hit your head? Do you want me to call for an ambulance?”
“No need. I’m okay.” She winced but allowed Di to help her to her feet. The woman patted her arm. “Thanks for helping me.”
“Of course.” Di forced a smile and turned to make sure nobody else was injured. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries.
Jarek strode toward her, his face a mask of anger. “I couldn’t get the license plate; it was covered in mud. I’m calling this in.”
“Okay.” She rubbed the lump on the back of her head, ignoring the pain. “I didn’t get a good look at the shooter’s face. All I have are the basics: male, white, five feet nine inches tall, and roughly a hundred and fifty pounds.”
“Yeah, I caught that much too.” Jarek looked disgusted. “I’m upset he did this in broad daylight.”
She wasn’t happy about it either. “I’m just glad no innocent bystanders were hurt.”
“Praise God,” Jarek said.
Hearing sirens, Di swallowed a sigh. She wasn’t looking forward to another interrogation by the less than astute Detective Andrews. She eyed the police cruiser as it pulled up in front of the café. She recognized Officer Kent, the guy who had been partnered with Jarek yesterday.
Kent looked from her to his partner and back again. “These guys sure have it out for you.”
“I’m aware.” She tried not to roll her eyes. “Jarek got a good look at the car, but the license plate was covered in mud.”
Kent glanced at Jarek who nodded. “Yes, it’s an older model Honda Accord, black with some rust spots along the lower edge of the frame. I’d like you to issue a BOLO for the make and model and the muddy plate.”
“Consider it done,” Kent agreed. “Nobody was injured?”
“Not yet. A woman was pushed to the ground, but she wasn’t hurt badly.” Di frowned when she realized the woman had already left. It would be difficult to question the café patrons now that they’d all fled the scene.
Not that she could blame them for taking off. If she had her way, she wouldn’t have stuck around either. Teaming up with Jarek had forced her into becoming a law-abiding citizen. Not that she’d broken the law on a regular basis, at least not since she’d joined the army, but she hadn’t been nearly so conscientious during the time she’d gotten involved in the K2 Bloods gang.
Unfortunately, it was too late to try infiltrating the gang again. They already knew what she looked like.
Turning, she looked at the front of the café. Narrowing her gaze, she zeroed in on a chunk of brick that was missing. Moving closer, she could see a slug was embedded in the side of the building. “Jarek? We’ve got a bullet here.”
“Only one?” Jarek crossed over to stand beside her. The bullet hole was roughly the height of her waist. Which, now that she thought about it, would have been the same level where her head was while she’d been seated in the chair.
