Carpathian 09 - Dark Guardian

feeling persisted. Drake was busy this night. Barry? She couldn't bear it if Barry was killed.
    "I'm sorry about all this," Tom said. "But Radcliff is tough. No one is going to get to him easily. Besides, Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    they have guards all over the place."
    "Thanks, Tom," she murmured softly and bent to take a drink of water. It hit her then. The feeling was far too strong for the distance between the stationhouse and where Barry was located.
    She straightened up, pressing a hand to her stomach, turning to look over her shoulder at Tom. "He's here."
    "What? Who? Who's here?"
    "Drake is here. Somewhere in the building, in this building." She pushed past Tom and began to move swiftly down the hall toward her desk.
    "Are you nuts? Jaxx, this is the police station. He's the most wanted man in these parts. Do you really think he's that stupid?" Tom was whispering, trying to protect her from her overactive imagination. He didn't blame her, but he didn't want anyone else to witness her breakdown.
    Jaxon didn't answer him; what was the point? How could she explain? She just knew it. She knew things. She knew Drake was in the building, stalking more victims, people she worked with. Maybe stalking Tom himself. Her desk drawer contained a gun and a spare clip. She pocketed the clip and moved around Tom. "Just stay here in this room. He won't come in here where there're so many witnesses. He's probably targeted every one of you in my unit."
    "Are you sure about this?" Tom was beginning to believe her. Jaxx might have gotten sick, but she was as steady as ever. There was that look in her eye, the one that always kept their butts out of trouble.
    "You think he's here?"
    "I know he's here. You're in terrible danger, Tom. Stay here and call the others in our unit and warn them. Anyone in the building should come here. It will be safer if you're looking out for one another. I'm going to hunt him."
    "Not alone, you're not." Tom was appalled. "Not only would the captain and Radcliff kick me to hell and back, but that fiance of yours would be likely to break my neck. He's no one to mess with, Jaxon. He said to keep you safe."
    "Shut up, Tom, and do what I said. This is Drake we're talking about, and no one else knows him like I do." She was halfway down the hall, heading for the stairs. Above her was the second story. It was night, and not too many officers would be on duty, but two homicide detectives, the vice squad, and several uniforms were roaming around up there. Below her, on the basement level, would be only two officers, maybe three, and perhaps a handful of prisoners waiting to be transferred to the overnight cages.
    "You're not thinking straight, Jaxx. You're a cop. Be a cop. You can't round us all up and put us in a safe place while you hunt. Get organized."
    Jaxon shoved an impatient but rock-steady hand through her hair. "You're right, Tom, thanks. I think I just wanted to face him."
    "Let's do it right then."
    Jaxon nodded and moved back down the hall to the phone. "Call them in then, use our code, and get everyone a radio." She tapped her foot as Tom did as she ordered, anxious to get moving. When the Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    group was assembled, she looked them over carefully, ensuring Drake hadn't penetrated their forces.
    "We sweep the building. Tom, take them to the top. Look at everything, no matter how ridiculous. The air vents, under desks, anyplace he could fit. He's incredible at hiding out in the open without being detected. Each of you should have a number and count off regularly so that he can't join you. No one go off alone, and never forget he's a highly trained killer. You can't hesitate to kill him, because he won't hesitate to kill you. Start upstairs, and don't leave anything to chance. I'll keep in touch by radio. I'm going to the basement to see what's going on down there. Does anyone know the exact prisoner count?"
    "A drunk driver, a couple of petty thieves, and we have Terry Stevens down there waiting for transport."
    "And the officers?"
    "Two—Kitter and Halibut," Tom replied.
    "Let's do it then," Jaxon said. "Be careful. He's extremely dangerous."
    "Take someone with you, Jaxx," Tom insisted.
    "I'm just going to make sure everyone's all right down there. I'll get Kitter and Halibut to look with me."
    The basement was a maze of pipes, file cabinets, and the cages. Jaxon had a