Kidnapped by Dee Henderson Read Free Book Online Page B

guy must be pumping the gas because I would certainly remember a scowl like that. She’s part of the 1 to 2 a.m. crowd. A regular. But I haven’t seen her in the last couple days.”
    The odds they had a photo of Frank on that security tape had just gone up considerably. Luke pocketed the photos. “Thanks.”
    He walked down to where Jackie and Taylor were studying the security monitor. Buying gas at the same place was a habit even criminals had. Luke leaned against the counter to see over their shoulders. The videotape had been used so many times it was worn over and ghost images appeared in the static, but it was better than some he’d seen.
    â€œI’m satisfied,” Taylor said, stepping back. “That’s Frank.”
    It wasn’t a clear image, but the man shoving over his cash and impatiently running his left hand back and forth on the edge of the counter could be Frank Hardin, a tight haircut and an additional ten pounds since the last picture they had notwithstanding.
    Jackie sorted security tapes for the outside cameras and popped another tape into the player. She fast-forwarded to the time index in question. “Here’s another shot of him.”
    The camera, which had been focused on the far bay of pumps, showed Frank walking to a compact car, circling the rear of the vehicle, and getting into the driver’s seat. The image kept flickering in and out of focus as the camera kept blooming the exposure, its control chip dying. “There.” Jackie paused the video while the image was stable. “What’s that license number? KV7 . . . it’s fuzzy. Maybe the video guys can clean it up and get us a full plate number.”
    â€œMaybe KN7 . . . ,” Taylor suggested. “A Toyota?”
    â€œYes, with some kind of luggage rack.”
    â€œI wonder what happened to the van.” Luke looked at the time stamp, then checked the current video against his watch to make sure the camera clock was accurate. It was. “Frank was here at 6:19 tonight. He’s got a full tank of gas. If we assume he’s hitting the road to get out of this publicity, he won’t stop again until he’s at least a state away. If he’s an hour plus ahead of us . . . he’s still within a hundred miles of here.” Luke looked at Taylor.
    â€œWe’ll saturate the interstates with patrols. If he’s on side roads, we’ll still need some luck.”
    â€œFrank will likely stay on the interstate to meld into traffic,” Luke said. “Let’s get this car and partial plate added to the APB while we walk the tape through the lab to get a full plate number and find out who Frank’s traveling with now. Tell your guys to be careful; with two outstanding murders already to his credit, Hardin would kill a cop before he’d think about surrendering.”
    â€œI’ll pass the word that caution really means caution,” Taylor agreed. “Give me a minute to talk with dispatch. Do you want to shift manpower off the call-in leads to add coverage in this area?”
    It was a hard choice. Luke shook his head. “Not yet. We need another confirmed sighting to know which direction Frank is heading. That is more critical. Jackie, make a couple calls and find out which lab can give us the fastest turn on analyzing that tape, state or federal. I’ll fill up the car while we’re here so we can cruise the highways for a while without stopping.”
    â€œWill do.”
    Luke dug out his car keys as he walked outside. I’m coming for you, Hardin. This time you’re not going to slip away.
    He moved the car to a free pump and selected high octane. His phone rang as he removed the gas cap. Luke tugged out his phone and accepted the call as he started pumping gas. “Luke Falcon.”
    â€œLuke, it’s Caroline.”
    She paused but he remained silent. Her tone sounded desperate. If he said