by Stone, Piper
“More?” When Gage hesitated, I planted my feet back onto the floor.
“Damn it! Just goddamn it. Okay? There are some records sealed. Okay?”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning regarding her birth records. You know I have zero access to those, but I’m not certain someone else didn’t find a way in.”
I held my breath, trying to figure out what he was saying. “Cut to the chase.”
“I think she might have been adopted.”
The news wasn’t shocking but depending on her real parents, there could be a ploy used, but by whom? “The assholes in California?”
“That’s my thinking but for what reason?” His eyes twinkled. “That’s what I asked myself anyway, so I did a little digging into the Landosa family.”
“They’re criminals.”
“Bingo, buddy. Maybe you should have considered a career in law enforcement. The entire Landosa clan is so connected to some dark shit that your head would spin.”
“No wonder they gave you a song and dance about embezzlement or extortion.”
Gage shifted, nodding a couple of times. “There’s more to this interesting puzzle we have going on.”
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“Sheriff Davis? He went to school with none other than Carmine Landosa, the father of the Landosa corporation.”
“What the hell?” Given my muddled mind, I couldn’t make heads or tails of why this information might matter.
“Uh-huh. I don’t believe in coincidences. Do you?” Gage seemed pleased with himself.
“Not in the least. What could have happened to Kelly and why was my place torched?”
“You’re a steamroller, Hawk. If I found out you were asking questions in little ole Hamilton, don’t you think the players in this sordid game did as well?”
A growl formed in my throat. “They planned on killing her. That fire was set on the mountain.”
“This hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I talked to a few of the firefighters who were on the scene at the warehouse. It appeared that the fire was set by someone who knew exactly how far it would spread. Chemical plant and all but the signs were there. As far as your place, damn coincidental. My opinion? I’ll agree with you. Someone set you up. The only why I can think of is because you stuck your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“Goddamn fuckers.” I was pitted with frustration, drained from the fire, and riddled with guilt for leaving her in the first place.
“I don’t think you want the news getting out that you were harboring this girl.”
“Not sure that it matters now.” I could barely look him in the eye.
Exhaling, Gage nodded several times. “We’ll keep this on the down low but I’m willing to help you get to the bottom of this. I don’t like seeing pretty ladies given the shaft.”
If he was trying to cheer me up, it certainly wasn’t working. Time was of the essence.
“I’m pretty certain there were no bodies in the rubble, but I’ll check with the fire investigator again. He should be finished with his report by tomorrow, but if I were a betting man, I’d suggest that this was a very well planned scheme.”
A quiet tension settled in.
“I did go by her place,” Gage muttered.
“And?”
“Ransacked.”
So many angry, muddled thoughts ran through my head. “Why is Kelly so damn important? None of this makes any sense.”
“No, you’re right. That’s exactly what we need to find out, buddy of mine. Either she must have something big on the Landosa family or there’s a connection from the past. Maybe this information was what the assholes were looking for when they broke in. Either way, I doubt she’s told you the entire story. Has she?”
“She answered every question I asked her,” I snapped.
He lifted his eyebrows. “Then you weren’t asking the right questions.”
“To hell with this. I need to get the hell out of here. Her life is undoubtedly in danger if she’s even alive at all.” I bit back a series of exclamations. Thinking negatively wasn’t going to do me any good.
“You need your rest or you’re not going to do a damn bit of good.” He walked closer to the window, staring out at the late afternoon sky.
“What else aren’t you telling me?”
Gage hesitated once again, throwing a glance over his shoulder. “Rusty is out of the hospital. No charges have been placed on him whatsoever. He’s a free man.”
“Then Kelly is a sitting duck.”
“We don’t have any indication of anything at this point and you’re not a detective. I’m going to snoop around and you’re going to recover and if I have to, I’ll place one of my deputies on your door. You hear me?”
“You’re not keeping me here, Gage. Not a chance in hell.”
Gage hissed, twisting his mouth. “Fine. Then you’re going to stay with me so I can keep an eye on you. We’ll get you some clothes and other shit.”
“First, I need my truck. I have a second set of keys at the station.”
“You sure you want to go back there?” He folded his arms as he continued to glare out the window. He had the same kind of look on his face as the day he’d found me with the barrel of a gun in my mouth. Perhaps I owed him my life, but this was something I had to do alone.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I thought about everything he’d told me, and my body began to shake. “I can’t lose her, Gage. I won’t lose her. Whatever it takes, I’m going to find her and when I do, I’m going to kill the person responsible.”
And I meant every word. I would have no issue taking a life.
Chapter Eleven
Hawk
The warmer weather seemed out of place to me, as if the snow should continue blanketing the mountain, especially the area surrounding the cabin. At least three inches had already melted, creating mud mixed with soot. I couldn’t believe the sight of the damage. You truly never know how catastrophe is going to hit you when it involves your home. Your stuff.
Everything had happened so damn quickly during the fire, my muscles jacked by fear and anger. As I moved from Gage’s Jeep, a lump formed in my throat. The cabin had been my respite after Chantal, the only location in the world I believed I could catch my breath.
If not save my sanity.
Now it was gone.
The only thing left was the chimney, the craggy bluestone remaining almost fully intact, almost like a beacon of hope. There was no hope left in my heart, certainly no false pretenses either. If Kelly was still alive, I doubted she would be for long. Whatever the cover-up, the scheme was much bigger than I believe she suspected. Could she have been lying to me the entire time? I had to admit that it was possible, but my gut told me otherwise.
The waning sun sliced through the trees, the glimmer I’d always loved seeing every time I drove out of the forest toward Buck and home. This time, the colorful hues of tangerine and fuchsia highlighted what little was left of my life. I sauntered closer, drinking in the devastation. I had no emotions, no lingering feelings in any regard. While a psychologist might have a field day with my reaction, I knew this was the calm before the storm.
Before I sought revenge.
“Christ,” Gage said from behind me, a whistle blowing through his teeth.
We both heard a howling noise from the distance, the sound no longer eerie in my mind. Nature and wild beasts I could deal with. It was humans I could no longer stand.
“Fuck me. You weren’t kidding about the wolves. Why in the hell did they attack you? That just doesn’t make any sense. The lure idea is beginning to make more sense.”
“They wanted us on edge.” Sure, I had an idea or two, including traps placed in strategic areas drawing them in a circle around my place. Were the assholes just trying to use scare tactics? Well, that kind of crap wasn’t going to fly.
“I’ll nose around, see what I can find.” Gage trotted off in the direction of the forest while I stood in the exact same
spot for a full three minutes.
Maybe I didn’t want to see the carnage after all.
Sighing, I rubbed my eyes and walked around back, scoping the woods. There were no telltale signs of foot traffic or a vehicle of any kind, simply piles of debris scattered everywhere. I moved back around toward my vehicle, brushing my hand across the surface as I walked all the way around.
At least the truck had been parked far enough away that it didn’t appear to have any damage. What I did notice was the rifle I’d handed her was nestled just inside. Maybe she’d been planning on leaving after all. Had she been scared off or considering returning at some point. I had more questions than answers. Did she have the expertise to torch the cabin?
Had she been forced to leave on foot?
Had she planned this all along?
Hissing, I slammed my fist against the hood, angry with myself for doubting her.
I headed directly for the front door, my eyes darting right and left as I stepped over what had once been the threshold. The yellow caution tape was already sagging, flapping in the light breeze, the investigation concluded. As I hunkered down, the wretched stench still remained even through the smoldering had stopped.
What I did detect was the odor of a chemical, something I certainly hadn’t stored on the property. Bristling, I also noticed scorched patterns on the portions of metal studs that had been used instead of wood. Damn hot fire.
“That’s what insurance is for, buddy,” Gage said quietly, only inches from my crouched position. I had a feeling he was going to be my constant shadow for a little while. I had no intentions of trying to off myself over this.
“Yeah. Insurance.”
“Don’t you still have some things in storage?”
I’d all but forgotten that I’d packed up the majority of my life, including photographs and what few items that belonged to Chantal in one big steel box. Never to be opened again. I wasn’t entirely certain why I was holding onto the items. I could never touch them. The reminders of a fake life that I’d bought hook, line, and sinker.
“I don’t need things, Gage. You know that.” I felt the weight of Gage’s hand on my shoulder.
“I know what you need. We’ll figure this out.”
“Any sign of the wolves?”
“Blood,” he said so quietly that I glanced up into his eyes.
“Human or animal?”
“That I don’t know but I will find out. Already took a sample. I’ll pass this through myself.”
The news was more unsettling than I could have imagined. If she was hurt, she’d never survive the elements.
Or the wild beasts.
The weight of everything slammed against my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I’d never set out to fall in love or give a damn about anyone for that matter. Kelly bored a hole through every bit of armor, her disappearance leaving me far too vulnerable. I had to shut down everything but common sense in order to figure this out.
“Maybe there’s an injured animal out there and that’s why the wolves attacked,” Gage assured me.
“And you know better than that, Gage. There are very few animals cunning enough to outrun a hungry pack of wolves. Even a bobcat.” Someone had chased her into the woods. I’d bet my world on it. My mind shifted to rescuing her from the mountain, the way she’d felt in my arms after dragging her to the surface. I rubbed my hands together, trying to abate the cold shivers.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
I noticed a section of the frame that had been placed on the mantel. The curled edge of one section of the photograph itself had managed to survive. There was no reason for tears to form in my eyes now, but they did, forcing me to blink. I wiped them furiously, sadness too much to bear right now.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here. Maybe I’ll put a couple steaks on the grill.”
I rose to a standing position, staring at the sky through what would have been the roof. “This fire was intentionally set. An accelerant was used and not gasoline either. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.” I shot him a look. “And I’m going to bet it’s the same accelerant used on the warehouse fire.”
“We’ll see what the investigator has to say.”
“Too coincidental. You know it. I know it. You need to figure out the connection.” My tone was demanding but Gage only frowned, finally nodding in acquiescence. I strode past him, yanking the keys from my pocket. At least I’d had a single change of clothing in my locker and the hot shower had washed away some of the aches and pains. The rest wouldn’t occur for some time.
“You’re going to meet me back at my place. Right?” Gage trailed behind me.
“I have something to do first.” Jamming the key into the lock, I stopped short, recognizing a sound. Maybe it was wishful thinking.
“No, you don’t!”
“Quiet!” Holding up my hand, I headed toward the forest, turning in a complete circle. There was nothing for a few seconds then a rustling of leaves coming from straight ahead.
“Could be the wolves,” Gage whispered, his hand on his gun.
“I don’t think so.” I placed two fingers in my mouth and whistled, the shrill sound filling the sky. Within seconds, the cracking sounds were closer. My heart racing, I issued the whistle one more time then took several deep breaths.
Woof!
Buck.
I’d know his bark anywhere. As he came romping through the woods, I took off running, tears slipping past my lashes as he jumped into my arms. “Oh, Buck. Jesus. Where have you been?” He licked my face furiously, wiggling in my arms as he gave happy squeals. “Calm down, boy. It’s all right. I’m here.” What in the hell had happened to him?
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Gage laughed as he patted Buck’s head. “He must have stayed here hoping you’d return.”
I held my dog tightly until I heard Gage’s hiss.
“He’s bleeding.” He held out his hand, strings of blood covering his fingers.
I eased Buck onto the ground. He continued to wiggle and rub against my leg, allowing me to see the gash on the side of his head. His fur was matted, the blood mostly coagulated, but he didn’t seem to be in any pain. As I crouched down beside him, I was able to tell without any issue that the injury was manmade. “He was struck in the head by a blunt object.”
Gage leaned over, scratching behind Buck’s ears as he scrutinized the wound. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was from the butt of a gun. Fucking assholes. Little buddy, you are one happy sight for your master.”
Buck continued barking, his entire backside wiggling with happiness. I gazed at the forest, prickles lifting on my skin. Any tracks were long gone and I seriously doubted the assholes left evidence of any kind. My gut was churning, working overtime. The nice, neat little package had a catalyst as well as someone who’d provided information to Rusty and his boys. How much the sheriff of Hamilton had invested in or knowledge of what was going on I’d leave to Gage.
Tracking the bastards who’d kidnapped her I would handle personally.
“You can’t go off half-cocked on this. I’m going to put a fire under the investigator’s butt so we can get the final report. If there’s a connection to the warehouse fire, he’ll have figured that out. Then I’m going to have a little frank conversation with Sheriff Davis. He has way too much to lose to fuck with me. He and I are going to come to terms with what they think they have on Kelly. I’ll use the video against him.”
I could hear the glee in Gage’s voice, the tone gregarious. He wanted nothing more than to label the sheriff as a crook.
I just wanted to protect the woman I loved.
“By the way. Are you going to tell me where the truck is that she stole?” Gage’s eyes twinkled.
I rubbed my jaw, nodding toward the road. “Two miles down the road in the woods. I hid it behind some brush.”
“You really believe in this girl. Don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do. Someone is out to destroy h
er and I’m not going to let that happen.”
“What the hell are you going to do, Hawk? I know that look in your eyes and I damn well don’t like it. Allow me to do my job.” Gage was insistent.
I weighed my words carefully. “I’m going to have Buck checked out by a vet and make a few phone calls. After that, I’ll stop by your place.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but Rusty and his crew are bad dudes. Rusty spent time in prison for aggravated assault. Killed a man in a bar fight.”
All I could do was stare at him.
Holding up his hands, he took a step backward. “Don’t say it. I’m not buying the bullshit about her. Let’s just work on this shit together.”
I heard the squawk of his radio, drawing his attention.
Gage cursed under his breath as he stormed toward the Jeep, jerking the communicator into his hand. “Yeah?”
“Sheriff, we got a call of a huge bar brawl at the Ziggy’s Bar in town.”
I heard the call from where I was standing.
“Shit. All right, Valerie. I’ll be right there. Dispatch one other car.”
“Will do.”
He tossed the handheld before turning in my direction. “Don’t do anything stupid. I’m warning you. I got a few ideas I’ll check after this call. I’ll keep digging into her past as well. Have a few favors I can pull but then you’re going to owe me big time.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you back at your place.” I waited, Buck at my side until he pulled away. “Just you and me, baby.” Hunkering down, I pulled his muzzle against my chest. “If only you could talk and tell me where she is.”
Buck whined, jerking out of my hold then barking.
“What is it?”
Wagging his tail, he gave another snapping bark before taking off, heaving in the same direction he’d come from. I followed as closely as possible, trailing behind him as he took a very distinct path, every so often looking back at me. About a half mile in, he sat back on his haunches.
“What is it?”
Buck woofed again, peering at a series of fallen limbs.
I took careful steps, glancing from side to side. Narrowing my eyes, I was finally able to see what Buck was barking about. A strip of material had been caught on one of the branches. Even with the melting snow, I could tell there’d been a struggle of some kind. The piece was from a coat, likely snagged by the branch. There was no doubt in my mind what had occurred, Kelly and Buck fleeing for their lives.