“What are you going to do, Mandy? Shoot me? Then you’ll be in jail and won’t be able to spend a dime.”

Sirens were faint in the distance. Mandy heard them too. She started to pace, talk to herself. I remained still, hands out at my sides.

“Run, Mandy. Hear those sirens? They’re for you.”

I wanted her to get in her car because she’d put the gun down to drive. Hopefully. We’d catch her quick enough, especially since backup was coming from town and she’d run into them. There weren’t any other roads, fields all around.

She turned to look over her shoulder, as if she could see the police cars headed our direction. They’d be here soon.

“I hate you!” she snarled, then ran for her car. The driver’s door was open, and she hopped in. I moved then, cutting across the pavement to her passenger door. She was right-handed, so the gun had to be on the seat beside her.

I expected the engine to start and for her to peel out, but the car remained quiet. Mandy didn’t. She pounded on the steering wheel and started screaming at the car. “What the fuck? Work, damn it!”

I took the opportunity with both her hands in view to yank open the door and grab the gun. It was on the seat as expected.

Two police cars raced up the straight road and blocked Mandy’s car. Lights flashed as Graham and Nate, another deputy, opened their doors, squatted down behind them, and pointed their weapons.

“Clear!” I shouted. I held up the gun in my hand so they could see it as they approached.

Graham took the weapon from me as Nate moved to stand at the front bumper, gun lowered but in his hand as he focused on Mandy.

I stalked around the car and pulled her out. She barely weighed anything, her arm all skin and bones beneath my grip. She was practically feral as she clawed and resisted.

Graham joined me and helped me restrain her arms behind her back so he could cuff her. Once done, I handed her off.

“Sarah!” I shouted, spinning around toward my SUV. It was movement to my right that had me turning again. Sarah pushed herself up from the ditch and ran over. I pulled her close, hugged her fiercely.

Thank fuck she was fine. My heart was hammering.

She held something up, and I studied it. Frowned. “Is that—”

“Her starter fuse?” she asked, the corner of her mouth turning up. She tipped her head toward Mandy’s car. “It was all I could do to help.”

“Show me later where that is on a car, yeah?” I asked, then kissed her soundly.

“What do you want me to do with her, Chief?” Graham asked, holding a now sobbing Mandy.

“Book her. The list will include everything from reckless driving to attempted murder.”

“On it,” Graham replied, pushing Mandy toward his squad car. Nate followed.

I looked down at Sarah. “You okay?”