“You’ve got it. I’ll meet you there,” Monty said. “I’ll phone when the uniforms call in.” He disengaged the call.

Laurel swerved around a minivan, her heart racing. “I sent Walter there with Dr. Franklin. Just the two of them. I should’ve had the local police provide backup.” What had she been thinking? Had Walter fired his gun? If so, why wasn’t he calling in? He had to be all right.

At least she knew that Abigail was at the school, so she hadn’t been shot. “This is my fault,” she muttered.

“You sent an armed FBI agent with a witness in the middle of the day,” Huck countered. “This killer has struck at night—only victims who were alone and vulnerable. Shooting at people hasn’t been his MO.” He looked down at his phone as if willing it to ring. “This could be nothing. We get more calls about morons hunting out of season near homes than you can believe.”

She wanted to think the shots were unrelated to her case. Yet Walter wasn’t answering his phone. Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d let the battery on his phone die. The agent seemed to miss the days when cell phones didn’t exist. “Huck? I texted a picture from Christine Franklin’s phone to mine, so her phone number would be in my received texts.”

Huck grabbed her phone off the dash and scrolled through. “Here it is.” He pressed a button and then pressed the phone against his ear.

Laurel held her breath.

Nothing. Seconds ticked by as if in slow motion. Finally, Huck spoke. “Dr. Franklin, this is Captain Huck Rivers from Washington Fish and Wildlife. I need you to call me back as soon as you get this message.” He rattled off both his and Laurel’s numbers. “Please. This is an emergency.” He set the phone back in place.

Laurel shook her head. “Her phone might be off. Just in case she thinks the stalker can track her.” A hollow feeling dropped into her stomach.

Ten minutes passed. Huck’s phone buzzed and he clicked a button. “Monty?”

“Yeah, Huck. We’re en route and the uniforms called in an officer down. FBI agent,” Monty said, his tone tense.

Laurel’s chest compressed. “Status?”

“Don’t know yet,” Monty said. “Officers are there performing first aid, and the ambulance should arrive any second. I’m just pulling into the subdivision now and will call you.” He clicked off.

Laurel floored the gas pedal, already driving beyond the speed limit.

“You need to get a siren for your car.” Huck grabbed the handle above his door.