Perfect Night (Mason Creek)

He rolled me onto my back and kissed me before jumping out of bed. He rushed to get dressed. It didn’t escape my attention when he strapped on a bulletproof vest and a shoulder hostler before leaving.

“Be safe,” I said as he left.

Was this what all spouses and partners felt when their significant other left for duty? I talked myself out of worry because we didn’t live in LA. This was Mason Creek. Nothing ever happened here, except my dad. Aiden would be okay. He had to be.

Chapter 26

Aiden

As much as I wanted to stay with Emma, Sam had called for backup. He pulled over a vehicle because of a busted tail light. There was something in the hole that made it suspicious outside of the normal repair that needed to be made. He followed procedure and was waiting for back up before he approached.

Based on his account of what was happening, I didn't like the sound of things either. It worried me that Sam was alone on a two-lane road on the outskirts of town. I didn't waste time and put on my issued bulletproof vest and holster before jogging down the stairs. Once I was in my vehicle, I tore down the highway like Sam's life depended on it because it may very well be.

I pulled behind Sam’s service vehicle. I radioed over to him that I would approach the vehicle. Because it was after hours, county dispatch was on the line and not Bess.

My hand was on the butt of my weapon as I approached the vehicle Sam had pulled over. I signaled to him to watch my back as I did so, though he was trained to do just that. Wyatt was en route, but he’d been on the other side of town.

The older model sedan engine was still on. As I got closer, I signaled for the driver to roll the window down. The back windows were tinted. That left me at a disadvantage to see if other occupants were in the back. The driver rolled down the window a few inches.

“I’m Chief Deputy Sheriff Faulkner. Do you know why you’ve been pulled over?”

“No, sir.”

It was a good sign that they’d complied so far. But that didn’t mean I would take my hand off my weapon.

“You have a busted tail light. Driver’s license and registration,” I asked for.

“Sure man.”

While he was retrieving that, I asked, “Did you know that your tail light was broken?”

“No, sir.”

There was too much movement in the car I couldn’t see, but I heard.

“There is something sticking out. Can I check your trunk?”

“Why?” he asked.

I didn’t have the ability to compel the driver to do so without probable cause that someone’s life was in immediate danger. “It’s dark. There is something sticking out.”

“I don’t have to, do I?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “So no,” he slurred.

He’d given short answers before. His slur had me worried he was driving under the influence. The next minutes would decide the outcome of this traffic stop.

“Please exit the vehicle,” I commanded.

Several things happened at once. A muffled cry and pounding could be heard from the back, possibly the trunk, as the driver said, “Aww man. You shouldn’t have,” to either me or the person trapped.

There was a flash before the sound of a gun discharging. I had my gun out as the punch hit my chest taking me off my feet. I got off a shot before I saw stars as the back of my head hit the pavement.

Chaos ensued. With my vision off, my ears took over. I heard Sam shouting for whoever to get down as sirens approached. I rolled to my side, not wanting to make myself a bigger target as the back door flew open.

I aimed and fired on the person attempting to exit the vehicle with what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun.

It was over shortly after that. I rolled on my back still trying to catch my breath.

“Aiden, are you okay?” Sam said, crouching next to me.

I nodded. “Did you check the trunk?”

His eyes widened.

“You didn’t hear?”

“I’m on it,” he said and left.

Though it hurt like a son of gun, I was pretty sure the bullet caught my vest.

“Shit,” Sam called.

I forced myself to sit up. “What do you see?”

“A girl,” he said.

Wyatt was there with a helping hand. I got to my feet and shuffled over to the trunk. There, bound and gagged, was a young girl. Though I couldn’t be sure, I had a feeling she was the missing girl from the BOLO. Her foot was lodged in the left back taillight.

“Call the paramedics,” I directed, but not for me.

Wyatt used his radio to inform dispatch as Sam and I helped free the young girl. By the time an ambulance arrived, we had the girl sitting in Sam’s squad car with a blanket around her.