TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Chapter 26
Charlie worked well into the evening at the campus as was his usual routine. He also was waiting to know if the stakeout had been successful or not. He just couldn't even consider the fact that Amita or another student might be the next victim. Finally he locked up his office and headed for home. Pedaling his bike swiftly across the quiet campus, he slowed down as he approached the shortcut. Although Don had said, it was being patrolled, he could se no one.
Throwing caution to the wind, he dismounted his bike to wheel it through the narrower parts. He was halfway through it when he heard footsteps, Thinking it was whoever on patrol, he paid them no mind. Suddenly he felt strong hands grasping him pulling him away from his bike.
Charlie realized that he'd made a very big and possibly fatal mistake. "Help!" he screamed, kicking and twisting in an effort to get out of the grasp he was being held tightly in. "Somebody! Help!"
"Stop right there," one of the patrolling security guards yelled. He looked over to his partner. "Call it in."
Don and Terry were staked out at Target 'A' when the call came in over the radio. "All Units, converge on Target 'H'. Assault in progress."
"Maybe we'll get him this time," Don said, pulling out into the street.
Charlie felt something strike him across the side of the head and he was dropped unceremoniously to the ground. Evidently the killer had decided to flee and attack another time.
"Are you all right?" one of the security guards asked, kneeling beside him.
Charlie shook off the dazed feeling and nodded. "Yeah. Just get after him." He made no move to get up from where he was sitting.
Don and Terry were the first to arrive and they climbed out of the car, drawing their guns. Seeing Charlie on the ground, Don stopped short to ask, "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," Charlie replied. He pointed toward the woods. "He's somewhere out there."
Suddenly a girl's scream sounded and was abruptly cut off. "He's grabbed someone else," Terry said, already heading into the forest. Don gave one last look and followed her.
"We'll get this S.O.B. tonight," he said determinedly
Terry stopped when she saw a man about 5'5" or 5'6" easily carrying a young woman deeper into the dense trees. "Freeze! FBI!" she shouted, moving towards the pair.
The killer made no move to let go off his victim; he wasn't going to be denied this time. The young woman was still struggling, her frantic efforts to get away having no effect on her abductor.
Terry studied them carefully determined that the killer was going to be taken in alive. Taking careful aim, she pulled the trigger, a clean shot to the shoulder.
He dropped the victim as reflexively, he clutched a hand to his injured shoulder. "Down on the ground! Now!" She moved in, gun still aimed.
The victim was making a move to run, so looking at the frightened young woman, she said, "Its okay. You're safe now."
"Thank God," the girl said and Terry was looking at the frightened face of Dawn Landry.
"Good shot," Don said, joining his partner, his own gun trained at the man on the ground. "Go ahead, make the arrest. You certainly deserve it."
"It'll be my pleasure." She holstered her gun and pulled out her handcuffs. Kneeling so she was holding down their suspect, she roughly jerked his arms around his back to snap the cuffs on. "You are under arrest for the murder of Lorelei Harris and the attempted murders of Charles Eppes and Dawn Landry. You have the right to remain silent..."
Don listened as the rights were being read to the suspect. He had no idea why the killer had decided to break his pattern, only that Charlie had almost became his latest victim.
