Beastly Winter — Chapter 34

Lance stood in the tub, lifted the window, and aimed his gun at the deputy’s windshield. The car suddenly reversed, raced backward then spun out so only the passenger side faced Lance.

Zellner shifted again and raced the car forward, moving around to the windowless side of the cottage.

Damn. Lance sat back down in the tub, pulled the shower curtain halfway closed, and pointed his gun at the cracked-open bathroom door, waiting for Zellner to come inside.

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Zellner stepped from his squad car, hoping Lance thought he would stay outside in a standoff. He turned the corner of the house and kept low beneath the window. At the front door of the cottage, Zellner turned the knob. It was unlocked. Standing at the side of the door, he pushed it open a crack.

He was sweating, even in the ice storm of pellets that bounced off his shoulders. Finally, he looked quickly through the opening, then pulled his head back. Lance wasn’t in sight. He could be anywhere inside.

What the hell? How had he put himself in this position. He’d just have to risk it. He leaned the riot shotgun around the door jamb and pulled the trigger. The boom of the shotgun blast would have been extremely loud within the cottage.