Witness Pursuit Read Free Page A

over.”
    â€œQuarter of a mile south of the cabin, over.”
    The ambulance peeled up the driveway and the paramedics hopped out; one was Cassie’s cousin, and Ryan’s sister, Maddie McBride.
    â€œWait until Officer Carrington gives the all clear.” Nate took off toward the trail, Officer McBride right behind him.
    Nate withdrew his firearm. The guy still had to be here, right? Jogging up the trail, Nate steadied his breath, occasionally glancing over the edge. She could be anywhere down there.
    The trail forked, and Nate pointed for Officer McBride to go left. Nate continued another few minutes.
    The sound of a barking dog echoed from below. Nate knelt to look over the edge.
    â€œCassie! Cassie, you down there?”
    The barking intensified, but there was no response from Cassie.
    Had the guy climbed down there and...
    Nate would not allow himself to go there. He holstered his gun and secured the rope around a tree trunk nearby. He had to get down there and make sure she was okay.
    Because if she wasn’t...
    Something slammed against Nate’s back and he lurched forward, over the edge.

TWO
    N ate had experienced his share of falls, and that experience taught him how to survive even in impossible situations. As he tumbled off the trail gripping the rope he’d secured to the trunk, his back smacked against the mountain wall. He clenched his jaw against the pain. He glanced up, but didn’t see his attacker peering over the edge.
    â€œMcBride!” he called out to his junior officer, as Nate clung precariously to the rope.
    Silenced echoed back at him. He planted his boots against the mountain wall and lowered himself. A few seconds later, a splash of bright blue caught his eye below, in contrast to the rich green surroundings.
    Cassie. It had to be. She usually wore bright colors, much like her bright personality.
    Totally inappropriate time to be thinking about her fashion choices, Nate.
    â€œCassie?” he said, getting closer.
    Nothing. He released the rope and dropped to the ledge. He was desperate to check on Cassie, but needed to alert his men.
    â€œThis is Chief Walsh,” he said into the radio. “The perpetrator is still on the premises, over.”
    â€œAre you okay, over?” Red said.
    â€œAffirmative. McBride, check in, over.”
    Silence.
    â€œRed, we need backup. Call County, over.”
    â€œTen-four.”
    Although Ryan McBride was an exceptional police officer, Nate worried that the perp had surprised and attacked Ryan before coming after Nate.
    The dog growled, protective of the woman he guarded.
    Nate knelt beside Cassie. “Good dog. Now let me have a look.”
    She lay on her side, unconscious. “Cassie?”
    He hesitated before checking her pulse. Don’t be stupid. She’s a young, healthy woman. A fall like this wouldn’t kill her.
    Pressing his fingers against her neck, he caught himself wanting to ask God for a favor, not for Nate, of course, because he knew better, but for Cassie.
    Her pulse tapped steadily against his fingertips. He took a deep breath. With a trembling finger, he trailed golden-blond strands of hair off her cheek. Redness discolored her head above her right eye, but he didn’t see any lacerations. He wished she’d open her eyes.
    â€œChief, what’s your twenty, over?” Red asked.
    â€œAbout a quarter mile south of the cabin off the trail on the right. We’ll need SAR to lift Cassie McBride off a ledge, over.”
    â€œAiden McBride is already here, over.”
    â€œOf course he is,” Nate muttered to himself. “What about Officer McBride?” he said into the radio.
    â€œHe hasn’t checked in, over.”
    â€œBe on the lookout, over.”
    â€œTen-four.”
    Nate glanced across the mountain range. The sun had already started its descent. He wanted to get Cassie off this ledge so they wouldn’t have to do this in the dark.
    â€œAm I in