The woman is likely hiding out in the shadows.
Not even two seconds later, Ashley Evans is walking out of the bar, alone, but I remain in my car. Alyssa said she was drugged, and that the woman will likely present herself.
I could intervene now and get her to safety, but that’s just a temporary fix. I need a reason to arrest whoever comes after her, and giving away my presence is unlikely to accomplish that.
Ashley’s moves are slow and unbalanced. I’m concerned that she’s going to face-plant into the stones.
“What are we doing?” Lanie says. “Should we help her?”
“Not yet,” I say quietly, watching Ashley closely.
Out of the shadows from the side of the building, a woman emerges, moving up behind Ashley. She’s too messed up to even hear the woman’s approach. She wraps her hand around Ashley’s mouth, but I’m not sure it’s necessary. Ashley’s too disoriented. The woman is having a hard time holding her up.
“Holy shit,” Lanie says, voice shaking. “Nick, we have to—”
“Look,” I say, dipping my head forward, pointing out the man exiting the bar.
“That’s him,” I say.
He’s heading toward the girls, steps quick and assured. He doesn’t even bother scanning the area. He exchanges words with his accomplice before bending down and picking a now-limp Ashley up off her feet. The woman rushes off toward a truck.
That’s when I jump into action.
“Need some help?” I say, slamming the car door behind me.
The man’s head snaps to me. “I’ve got it handled. My girlfriend is just a little drunk. That’s all.”
Ashley fidgets in his grasp.
“Not…girl…fend.” Her words are choppy and slurred, just barely audible.
“Do you know him?” I ask Ashley, knowing I’m unlikely to get a response.
But I need to do things by the book; otherwise, I’ll have nothing.
Ashley’s head shakes, just barely.
“It appears as though she doesn’t know you,” I say, eyes lasered in on the man.
“Use your fucking eyes, man. She’s wasted.”
I shrug. “Doesn’t matter. If she says she doesn’t know you, I’m gonna have to insist you put her down.”
“Who the fuck are you? Get lost, douchebag.”
I pull my badge from my back pocket, lifting it to the man’s face. “Police, asshole, and I said to put her down.”
I hear footsteps approaching from behind.
“It’s me,” Lanie calls out, rushing up to my side.
The man drops Ashley, and Lanie jumps forward, falling to her knees on the stones, doing her best to provide a softer landing for Ashley.
She’s got to be hurt, but I can’t worry about it right now. The guy is sprinting toward the truck.
Gunshots are fired, and I dive forward, tackling the skinny piece of shit to the ground. The truck tires squeal, peeling out of the bar parking lot, headed south down the road.
“Fuck,” I say, pain lancing up my back from the impact of securing one of the suspects. “You’re under arrest for obstructing justice and attempting to flee the scene,” I say, cuffing the son of a bitch.
