Burning Proof Read Online Free Page A

car open with the Jaws of Life to free the passenger, a young girl about the same age Molly had been when she was trapped in the trunk of a car ten years ago.
    But Molly’s ordeal had not been the result of an accident.
    And now the horror of that black day clutched at her from the past, seizing her by the throat. And she didn’t know why. She’d worked through that day long before this, put it behind her, come to terms with it. All the normal platitudes had been applied to her situation and she’d moved on. The fact that she did this job   —well, according to the commendations on her wall   —bolstered her confidence.
    So why was the past, that dark incident, stalking her, striking with sharp teeth at her heart when she could least afford it?
    Concentrate, she told herself as she gritted her teeth, knowing her partner and   —most of all   —this young girl depended on her to keep it together.
    But it was only the grip she had on the rail of the stretcher that kept her hands from shaking. She wondered if she’d lose it altogether right here and suddenly need rescue herself.

CHAPTER
- 4-
    LUKE SAW HIS LIFE pass before him. He thought of his daughter, his mother, and he thought of Abby Hart.
    He stepped back and looked for cover or an escape route. The gate still separated them. There was no way he could take the gun away from the fugitive.
    “Kinda sorry you did that favor now, aren’t you?” Oscar said, viciousness in his eyes.
    Luke peered over Oscar’s shoulder and held his breath. Woody, gun in hand, was slowly creeping up behind him.
    Cardoza noticed Luke’s gaze and sneered. “You think I’m gonna fall for that trick, you’re crazy. I haven’t stayed free all these years by being stupid. Step over to the padlock. I’ll show you what I do with nosy PIs.” He dropped his free hand to the ring of keys on his belt.
    “Think.” Luke raised his hands, stalling, giving Woody time to get closer. “I don’t have to tell anyone you’re here. I can keep a secret.”
    The old man cursed. “The only reason I won’t shoot youwhere you stand is because I can’t drag your body where I want it. You shouldn’t be poking your face into other people’s business.”
    “And you shouldn’t be hiding out on a property with holes in the fence.” Woody placed the barrel of his gun in the old man’s back.
    Luke watched the shock spread, saw Oscar blanch. The gun dropped from his hand.
    Hands raised, he stammered, “Aw, I was just trying to scare you. I wasn’t serious.”
    “Yeah, right,” Woody said. “And I’m a big gray-headed Easter bunny.” He unclipped the ring of keys from Oscar’s belt and tossed them to Luke. “Open the gate, partner. Let’s secure this clown.”
    Luke caught the keys and fumbled with them for a moment before he found one that looked as if it fit the lock. He slid the key into the padlock and let the chain fall, then pulled the gate open. He always carried plastic restraints with him but had never had to use them before this. Once he had Oscar’s hands secure, Woody put his gun away and picked up the dropped .22.
    The fugitive’s tone changed. “Why, you guys just might be doing me a favor. I’m dog-tired. Not going to fight you. Tired of running and hiding and looking over my shoulder. Don’t figure now that prison will be any worse.”
    Woody just glared at him, and Luke had to stifle a chuckle. All cop, even out of uniform, Woody’s expression and posture would brook no nonsense.
    “Do you have a working phone in your house?” Luke asked Oscar.
    “Nope. I’m as off the grid as I can be.”
    Luke had not planned on transporting the man but saw no other course of action.
    Woody seemed to read his mind. “You live with anyone? Anyone else home?”
    Oscar shook his head.
    “I’ve got him,” Woody said. “Why don’t you go check out the house, then lock it up?”
    “Great idea.” He looked at Oscar. “Do you need anything from inside?”
    “Nah, what’s