Page 40 of Nanny for the Firefighters

"This ends now," I growl, my focus narrowing to a single point—taking this guy down.

The suspect sees us converging and makes a last-ditch effort to flee, but he's out of options. With a roar, I launch myself forward, tackling him to the ground. We hit the dirt hard, the impact jarring every bone in my body.

"Stay down!" I command, but the man thrashes wildly, fighting with the strength of desperation.

Theo is there in an instant, trying to pin the man's arms. The suspect's elbow catches him in the jaw, sending Theo sprawling. I tighten my grip, determined not to let him get away.

"You're not going anywhere," I hiss, struggling to keep hold.

The man twists, his hand reaching for something in his pocket. Instinct kicks in, and I slam his arm down, pinning it under my knee. "What's he got?" Marcus demands, arriving at my side and grabbing the man's other arm.

"He's got something!" I reply, my voice strained with effort.

Theo shakes off the hit and dives back in, helping to immobilize the suspect. The man howls, thrashing beneath our combined weight. "Hold still!" Marcus barks, his voice brooking no argument.

I feel a sharp pain in my side as the man kicks out, but I grit my teeth and hold on. "Get his other arm!" I shout, and Theo grabs it, wrenching it behind the suspect's back.

With a final, ferocious effort, we manage to subdue him, his struggles gradually weakening. "Got him!" I pant, my heart pounding.

The man writhes like a fish out of water until the captain takes control.

"Stop right there!" Marcus commands, his tone brooking no argument.

"You're done," I growl, my body coiled like a spring. "There's nowhere left to run."

He struggles, thrashing and kicking, but we pin him down. "Stay still!" Marcus growls, securing the man's wrists with cuffs.

The man's twisted smile fades, replaced by a snarl of rage. "You don't know what you're doing!" he spits, his voice trembling with anger.

"We know exactly what we're doing," I reply coldly, "and you're not getting away."

As we pull him to his feet, I notice the notebook peeking out of his jacket pocket. I grab it, flipping it open to see pages filled with disturbing drawings and notes, all focused on the park and the children.

"Jesus," I mutter, showing it to Marcus. "This guy is sick."

He looms over the creep, anger evident in his eyes. But one thing about Marcus—he knows when to step back and let the law do its thing.

If only it could work faster than it usually does. I'm sure the police will get here in time and arrest the guy, but from there to however long it takes to find Sarah, we're doing nothing but wasting time. Time that is incredibly precious.

Just then, I hear sounds coming from the shed nearby, sounds that are a lot like a child weeping. "Theo," Marcus calls out urgently. "Check the shed while I deal with this asshole."

19

THEO

The terrified whimpers coming from the dilapidated shed make me turn away from the creep we were chasing. Marcus and Ethan have enough of a hold on him as Will calls back to the station to rendezvous with the police. Marcus is talking low to the man, telling him that admitting what he's done means everyone will go easier on him.

The shed looks like it's barely standing on its own, decrepit wood that would only take a few good kicks to break in half. The sides are coated in peeling white paint and weather stained along the bottom foot. A one-inch gap at the bottom of the corroded metal door is enough to stick fingers under and let rodents through, but it's not much leverage. A deadbolt holds it closed at the top, and another padlock secures the bottom.

It would be easy to bust my way in through the side, but not knowing where Sarah might be keeps me from just kicking willy-nilly. Besides, that kind of move might make the entire thing topple.

"Guys. We need a crowbar. She's in there, but we can't just bust through." I point at the locks, at how the hinges are hidden inside. It won't be too difficult to get in there, but we need to be careful.

"Check him for a key," Marcus tells Ethan, his grip shifting to take better control as Ethan does as ordered, patting the guy down for a key, but he comes up empty. When he shakes his head, I nod off before running to grab one from the back of Marcus's truck.

I tap on the door and speak softly to Sarah inside. "I'm going to break the locks and open the door. Keep back so it doesn't hit you, sweetheart."

I don't hear a response, but I can't wait any longer. I jam the end of the crowbar under the latch at the bottom and break its hold without needing to break the lock. Wiggling the end higher between the door and the wood, I yank, making the wood crack around the metal door.