Against the Tide Read Online Free

sobs.
    Garret slipped a comforting arm around her shoulders, holding her closer. “It’s okay,” he said gently. “You have the right to cry. You’ve been through a lot.”
    She leaned into him, letting her emotions and tears flow freely, until she finally started to feel self-conscious. As always, she wanted to be strong, in control. She was Rory McCallister’s daughter, after all. Sitting up straighter, she squared her shoulders. “It’s just that—well, first Dad is gone. And then this happens. It’s all so shocking.” She wiped her wet cheeks with the backs of her hands. “So frightening. I feel so confused.”
    He was still looking intently into her eyes. “That’s not surprising. You’ve been through quite an ordeal. And you could’ve been killed.”
    Her hand went to her throat as she remembered that moment when she expected to die. “I was so scared. I’ve never been that scared before. I still don’t know why he wanted to kill me. I even offered him money to let me go.”
    â€œReally?” Garret frowned. “And he wasn’t interested?”
    â€œNo.” She shook her head. “Isn’t that odd? Most criminals are looking for cash.” She took in another deep breath, hearing the sounds of sirens approaching. “How’d he get in?”
    â€œLooks like he used a crowbar to jimmy the back door.”
    He nodded toward the front windows, where red and blue lights were flashing outside. “The police are here.” With his arm still around her shoulders, he helped her stand, guiding her toward the front door.
    By the time they got outside, a couple of police cruisers were double parking and to her relief, Lieutenant Michael Conrad was getting out of the first one. Although he was a few years younger than her dad, the two men had been good friends for as long as Megan could remember. Lieutenant Conrad was a good guy.
    â€œMegan McCallister,” he exclaimed as he approached the building. “Is that really you?”
    Megan confirmed this as they shook hands, then Garret quickly explained about the criminal getting away and the route he may have taken.
    â€œThe dispatcher already sent someone that way,” Lieutenant Conrad told him. “So you interrupted a robbery in process?” he asked Megan.
    â€œI thought that was it,” she told him, “but when I offered him money to let me go, he didn’t seem interested.”
    â€œHe threatened her life,” Garret said solemnly.
    Megan explained about the knife and how Garret had arrived just in time. But because a curious crowd was gathering, Lieutenant Conrad urged them to go back inside.
    â€œThe perpetrator broke in through the back door,” Garret explained as they went inside. Lieutenant Conrad paused, calling out to the other officers to check out the back of the building.
    â€œDid you get a look at his face?” he asked her as they entered the building. “Can you identify him?”
    â€œHe was Caucasian, looked like he was in his twenties. Bad complexion. And he was dressed in all black. Black jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt.”
    â€œHeight? Weight?”
    â€œMaybe six foot?” Megan said with uncertainty.
    â€œHe was a little shorter than me, so six foot sounds about right,” Garret confirmed.
    â€œMedium build,” Megan suggested.
    â€œDid you see a vehicle?” Lieutenant Conrad asked Garret.
    Garret shook his head. “I lost him while he was on foot. Those dark clothes were hard to see at night. I didn’t see a vehicle speeding away, but the town’s pretty busy. Lots of traffic out there.”
    â€œLet me get this info out.” Lieutenant Conrad pulled out his phone and, stepping away, began to relay what they’d told him.
    Megan glanced out the window, looking at the blur of flashing emergency lights and the busy street. “Do you think the