With a Vengeance by Annette Dashofy

unlike last night, the weather would prevent the state police helicopter from searching, and the rain would offer a challenge to the K-9s. Pete wondered if this elusive shooter had intentionally used the inclement forecast to his advantage.
    One other difference between tonight and last…Zoe wasn’t in the passenger seat beside Pete. He knew who the victims were from the phone conversations he’d had with his men. He knew Zoe was unharmed. But damn it, some maniac was going after first responders. Paramedics. Firefighters. They may not have been part of the brotherhood of law enforcement, but they were definitely close cousins.
    And Zoe was closer yet.
    The narrow country road approaching the Loomis farm was clogged with police and fire vehicles. By the time Pete made it into the driveway, the old barn had succumbed to the flames. Fire crews continued to pour water onto the still-burning debris.
    He eased off the lane, making room for an exiting tanker headed for the nearest hydrant. Or farm pond.
    Figuring he wasn’t about to find a parking spot any closer to the action, he turned off the ignition, pulled on a slicker, and stepped out of the Explorer.
    Pete located Baronick standing outside the Mobile Command Center being briefed by a pair of county officers and a state trooper. They acknowledged Pete before excusing themselves. Baronick motioned for Pete to follow and led the way to the big truck’s door.
    Once inside, the detective swept his hood back. Water splattered everywhere, earning him a dirty look from the computer techs. “Sorry, guys,” Baronick said.
    “What have we got?” Pete asked.
    “Not very much. Just like last night, he pulled a hit and run. Two men down.” Baronick held up one finger. “But unlike last night, he left a pair of uninjured witnesses. There were four firefighters manning the first truck on scene. The first two off the truck were gunned down. The other two stayed inside and radioed EOC for police backup.”
    “Did either of them see anything?”
    “They were able to give us an idea of where the shots came from. Not exact because it happened fast. Bam bam and outta here.”
    “That’s it? They didn’t see our guy?”
    “Nope. They said the shots came from the tree line about two-hundred yards away. I have men over there searching along with the K-9 unit, but with this rain…”
    Pete shook his head. “Last night, he used a stolen ATV as bait and the setting sun to his back to conceal himself. Tonight, he sets a barn fire on a night when evidence is going to be obliterated before we can find it. Is he that lucky or that smart?”
    Baronick raised an eyebrow. “I had an instructor in the academy who taught me there are no such things as coincidences. And in my mind, luck constitutes a coincidence.”
    “Must have been a good instructor.”
    “He was all right.” Baronick gave a hint of a grin. “Some guy named Adams.”
    “Smartass.” Pete dug out his notebook, trying not to drip on it. “Looks like we’re back to square one where suspects are concerned. Even if Snake had a motive to go after firemen, he has the IQ of a wood duck. No way he’d think to plan a hit around the weather forecast.”
    “Rules out the girl too.” Baronick’s phone rang. He turned away to answer it, plugging his other ear with a finger.
    Who the hell was doing this? Pete dug out his own phone, hesitated, then punched in Zoe’s number.

      
    The Emergency Department of Brunswick Hospital was jumping. As if two shooting victims from Vance Township weren’t enough, one of the nurses told Zoe there had been a multi-vehicle accident on the eastern side of the county with five patients either already arrived or in transit.
    After transferring Yancy to a cubicle where a nurse and an aide had taken charge of his care, Zoe found a quiet spot in the hall, parked her empty gurney, and stripped the soiled linens from it. As she tossed them into a nearby bin, her cell phone burst into its