by Laura Scott
But when he’d lost his family, he’d lost his faith. Oh, he still believed in God, but Everett didn’t think that He cared about him or his family.
God certainly hadn’t protected Sheila and Colin from the drug addict who’d shot them.
Frankly, Everett had been unable to tolerate attending church after their funerals. The memory was too fresh and raw.
Even now, just the idea of being inside a church made him break out in a cold sweat.
Enough. No reason to rehash the past. He needed to focus on the next steps of the investigation.
By the time he’d finished cleaning up the kitchen and washing the dishes, the rain was beginning to let up. Instead of coming down in droves it was now a light, soothing sprinkle. Dark clouds still hovered overhead, even though the sun wouldn’t set for hours yet.
Christine began to fuss again, so he picked her up and walked in circles, the way he used to with Colin. As he soothed the baby, he wondered about the attack on Helena on the heels of her and Luna’s attempt to track Zoe.
He paused to stare out the window. Was someone still hanging around out there somewhere? And if so, why? What good would it do to take Helena out of the investigation when he was still actively working the case?
Was that why Zoe had left Christine here? As a way to distract him? No, she had to know that if anything happened to him or to Helena, this little girl would end up a ward of the state.
A grim thought.
He’d suspected that maybe one of the hotels at the base of Denali might be Zoe’s next target. But which one? And which event? There were many things going on in the height of the tourist season.
And how did these attacks on Helena fit in? Considering she’d been wearing her uniform both times, the attacker couldn’t have mistaken Helena for Zoe.
Christine had fallen asleep in his arms. Her sweet face was so innocent, he couldn’t help but smile at how she looked resting against him.
His heart squeezed painfully as he relived the loss of his family. He’d had all of this once.
And had lost it in a heartbeat.
He gently set Christine back in her carrier. Glancing at Helena, who was also sleeping, he decided a walk would do him good.
Not just to put some distance between himself and this pseudo family he’d been saddled with. Checking the perimeter was important; maybe he’d find some clues as to who had attacked Helena.
It made sense that the shooter and the attacker was the same perp.
Spurred with a renewed sense of purpose, he fastened his shoulder holster then pulled on his rain slicker. He also grabbed a flashlight, because the storm clouds made it difficult to see in some areas.
Luna lifted her head, gazing at him with curious, dark eyes.
“Stay,” he whispered. “Guard,” he added, unsure if that was even a command the animal understood.
Luna continued watching him as he quietly left the cabin. For some reason, he felt guilty tiptoeing away, which was ridiculous. If Christine began to cry, Helena would hear her and so would Luna. They would be fine.
No reason to hover over them while they slept.
Outside, the rain had cleansed the air, leaving a fresh scent behind. Even with the dark clouds swirling in the sky, the areas of the mountain that he could see were stunning.
This was the part of being in Alaska that he loved.
He inspected the ground around the back of Helena’s K-9 SUV. There were a lot of footprints in the muddied ground, but nothing distinctive, from what he could see.
Everett widened his search area, trying to figure out if there was a distinct path the attacker had taken.
The rain slowed even further until it became a fine mist. As he was about to turn back to the cabin, he noticed a thread hanging from a thorny bush.
Crouching, he played his flashlight over the thread. Could this have been here for days, or even a week? Doubtful. He pulled a baggie out of the pocket of his rain slicker and put the thread inside, even though he knew it might not be significant.
Another few feet away, he found a footprint and a cigarette butt. The butt could have DNA evidence or a fingerprint, so he placed that carefully in another evidence bag. The toe of the print was pointing in the general direction of the front door of the cabin.
The tread looked to be that of a hiking shoe. Using his own foot as an estimate, he decided the owner was a man wearing a size twelve shoe.
Could be a woman, he supposed, but not likely. Zoe was small, like Helena. They believed three men were orchestrating the thefts around Anchorage, along with Zoe, who allegedly was in a relationship with one of the guys involved. Unfortunately, Everett didn’t know who.
Had the crime ring moved to Denali? They’d already hit two weddings, an anniversary party and a retirement party.
They preferred cash—didn’t everyone? But would also take jewelry or any other small, easy-to-carry valuables. And the last heist after the anniversary party had included a large diamond ring and several gold chains left on the dresser in a guest room, accessed by one of the maid’s master keys. He suspected Zoe had presented herself as the maid.
None of the goods had showed up at any local pawn shops. At least, not yet.
Galvanized by finding clues, he continued searching, taking the route he now believed the assailant had used to approach the cabin.
When he realized he’d been gone the better part of an hour, Everett turned and headed back to the cabin. He took his time, keeping a keen eye out for additional clues. Finding another hiking shoe print, he took a moment to photograph that one, too, making a note in his phone about roughly where it was located.
Rocking back on his heels, he realized this was a footprint headed away from the cabin. The perp hadn’t used the same route back and forth.
Interesting. Did this mean the guy was familiar with the area?
As he came around a large bush, he caught a glimpse of something blue moving up ahead. His pulse skyrocketed. Someone was heading to the cabin!
He drew his weapon and broke into a run. Growing closer, he could see a man creeping up to the back of his place, toward one of the windows there. He was still far away, but that didn’t keep Everett from shouting, “Stop! Police!”
The perp swung around and in a heartbeat several things registered at once. The guy wasn’t in uniform but wore a frayed denim jacket and blue jeans. And he was armed. The gun swung toward Everett. He threw himself sideways, hit the ground and rolled as the gunshot echoed around him.
Everett kept his head down, bracing himself for more gunfire. Hearing nothing, he gingerly lifted up onto his elbows, his weapon ready.
The guy was gone.
No! He couldn’t let him get away. Everett lurched to his feet and ran for the cabin, raking his gaze over the area.
There was no sign of him.
He continued in the direction he felt certain the perp had gone. But after fifteen minutes of seeing nothing, he stopped.
Better to go back to the cabin, make sure Helena and the baby were okay.
Dejected, he headed back. He’d just lost the best lead they’d had to find Zoe.
FOUR
Helena had woken to the sound of Luna’s growling and gunfire. After instinctively tucking Christine’s infant carrier behind the sofa and commanding Luna to guard her, she’d tried to figure out what was going on.
There had been no sign of Everett and she was deeply concerned that he might be lying injured somewhere in the woods. But she didn’t dare leave Christine alone, or take the baby along, into possible danger, to search for him.
Should she send Luna? It was an option, but one she didn’t relish. Yet, what else could she do? Sitting here and waiting, basically doing nothing, was making her antsy. She paced from window to window, peering out while hoping and praying Everett was alive and unharmed.
&nbs
p; Then she saw him, jogging toward the cabin. Heaving a sigh of relief, she went to open the door.
“What happened?” She raked him with a keen gaze. No injuries, from what she could see.
“I lost him.” Disgust tinged his tone.
“Who?”
He shook his head. “I was searching the area around the cabin for clues and caught a glimpse of a man wearing a blue denim jacket. He was lurking behind the cabin, trying to peer into the window.”
Helena’s pulse jumped. “Did you recognize him?”
“No.” Everett blew out a breath. “I told him to stop and identified myself as a cop, but he turned, shot at me, then took off running. I gave chase but lost him.”
Helena rubbed her temple, doing her best to ignore the lingering pain in her head. “I wish I had been there to send Luna after him. She’d have brought him down in a heartbeat.”
Hearing her name, the dog came out from behind the sofa. Realizing Christine was still back there, Helena crossed over to lift the carrier. The sofa hadn’t offered much protection, but it was all she’d had. Luna nudged her, wagging her bushy tail.
“Okay, so now what?” Helena tried to concentrate on the case. “Why would some guy be lurking outside the cabin?”
“Maybe he was looking for Zoe?”
She considered Everett’s theory. “Meaning she escaped from the crime ring and they want her back? It would explain why she dropped Christine off here. Easier to go on the run without lugging a baby around.”
“True,” Everett agreed. “I found several other clues, as well.”
When he explained what he’d found, Helena couldn’t help being impressed with Everett’s tracking abilities. “The prints from the hiking boot were at the back of the cabin, despite the way I tracked Zoe in the front of the cabin, heading to the road.”
“Yeah.” Everett looked thoughtful. “The guy in the denim jacket could very well have been searching for Zoe.”
“Maybe. Or he’s the same one who fired at me earlier, when I was on the hill. And was also responsible for hitting me over the head and knocking me out.” Helena was having trouble putting all the puzzle pieces together. “The more I think about it, I’m the likely target in all this.”
“But why?” Everett frowned. “It doesn’t make any sense to go after you. And the guy who tried to shoot you earlier used a rifle—I recognized the sound. The perp at the window used a handgun. And if they wanted you dead, why simply club you in the head and leave you in the rain? Why not shoot you and be done with it?”
“Crooks often have more than one weapon, and maybe they don’t want me dead. Maybe they’re coming after me because they think I know where Zoe is.” Helena rubbed her temple again. “Regardless of who might be the target, we can’t stay here.”
He exhaled roughly. “You’re right. The guy in the blue shirt or any of his cohorts in crime could come back any time.”
“I’d like to stay in Denali, but it’s the height of the tourist season. Do you think we’ll be able to find another rental?”
“Doubtful.” Everett shrugged. “We can ask the park rangers to see if they have any leverage to get us one. I need to drop this evidence off to them, anyway.”
“Let me call my boss. She has the most leverage of anyone I know.” Helena put a call in to the colonel, surprised when Lorenza herself answered in a crisp voice. “Gallo.”
“Colonel? It’s Helena. I need a favor.” In her experience, it was always best to get to the point.
“You’ve found your sister?” Lorenza asked.
“Not yet.” She glanced at Christine. “But Everett Brand, a cop with the Anchorage Police Department, and I are working together to find her. Zoe left her baby in our care, so we know she’s here in Denali, in the same general area Eli picked up her last cell transmission.”
“Wow. A baby?” Her boss’s tone rose incredulously.
“Not only that,” Helena went on, “but someone took a shot at me, then attacked and knocked me unconscious, and most recently fired a gun at Officer Brand. We’re in a rental cabin but need another place to stay as soon as possible. Any chance you can hook us up with something nearby?”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Trust the colonel to focus in on a possible injury to one of her team members. The Alaska K-9 Unit didn’t just work together, they were family.
“I have a headache, but am otherwise fine, thanks. And so is Officer Brand.” Helena glanced at Everett, who’d picked up Christine as she’d begun to fuss. The way he comforted the baby, made her heart turn to mush. “Any place in the general area of Denali should work.”
“Okay, give me a minute.”
She could hear the muffled sounds of a keyboard as Lorenza searched.
“Helena? There’s a vacation rental that you can use under the name of Myles Campton. It’s vacant for the week. Is that enough time?”
“Yes, that’s great. Thanks.” She was grateful for her boss’s extensive connections. One of the benefits of working law enforcement for so many years.
“I’ll send you the address and the location to find the key,” Lorenza continued. “And I’m sending Will back to act as an escort. He ended up sheltering in one of the small towns along the way when the storm hit.”
“Sounds good. I wouldn’t mind extra help, considering we have a baby to look after.”
“Okay, stay put while I send him your location. And let me know if you need additional backup. You know any of the team members will be happy to assist.”
“I know, but they’re also working other cases, not to mention searching for Violet James, our missing bride,” Helena pointed out. The bride had been missing since April and still hadn’t been found, despite the team’s efforts in searching for her. “We’ll be okay.”
“If you need anything else, I’m just a phone call away.”
“Thanks again.” Helena disconnected, smiling as she noticed how Everett was swaying from side to side to soothe Christine. “We have a new place to stay, and one of my team members, Will Stryker, will be here to protect us. Let’s pack up so we’re ready to go when he arrives.”
“Sounds good,” Everett agreed.
Thankfully, the baby’s stuff was easily packed in the pink diaper bag Zoe had left with them. Helena kept her weapon in one hand with Luna at her side, as she carried the bag and the dog’s food and dishes outside to her SUV.
The area around the cabin appeared deserted, but she wasn’t taking any chances. Luna didn’t growl, adding reassurance they were alone. She returned to the cabin to find Everett packing food in several large canvas bags. “This will just go bad if we leave it behind.”
She nodded. “Agree. Oh, and I need my uniform, too.”
“Here, take the food, and I’ll pack a duffel of clothing for us to wear.”
As Helena took the food out to the SUV, she heard the sound of a car engine. She tensed then relaxed when she saw the K-9 SUV.
“Hear you’ve had more trouble,” Will said by way of greeting.
“A little.” She smiled at Will’s border collie, Scout. “Glad you’re able to provide an extra layer of security for us.”
“Not a problem.” Will’s expression turned grave. “I heard about Zoe’s baby. Are you doing okay?”
Helena forced a smile. “How can I be upset about a baby? Christine is adorable.” Her smile faded. “We need to find Zoe.”
“And arrest her,” he added dryly.
She bristled. “It’s innocent until proven guilty, Stryker. Not the other way around. Your unwillingness to remember that is going to get you into trouble one day.”
He shrugged. “Okay, okay.”
Helena knew Will had trust issues, but before she could say anything more, Everett joined them.
“I’m ready.” Everett was carrying Christine’s infant carrier with one hand and a du
ffel bag slung over his shoulder.
“Okay, then let’s go.” Helena turned to her colleague. “Follow us?”
“Absolutely.”
Helena watched, impressed by the way Everett easily buckled Christine and her infant carrier into the back passenger seat. When he climbed in beside her, she pulled up the information Lorenza had sent to her phone and plugged it into the vehicle’s GPS.
The cabin was located on the other side of Denali, but no closer to the hotels, which might have been helpful.
Leaving the last place she knew that Zoe had been wasn’t easy. Was her sister somewhere safe?
Or still in the crosshairs of danger?
Please, God, keep Zoe safe in Your caring hands.
* * *
Everett glanced at Helena, curious about her conversation with her boss. “You mentioned that missing bride case.” Everett had taken a detour to drop off the evidence at the park ranger station but was now only fifteen minutes from the cabin. “Is that investigation still going on?” Being a cop in Anchorage, he knew about the murder of a local tour guide, hired to take a bridal party out in the wilderness. The bride, Violet James, had gone missing and her groom-to-be, Lance Wells, and his best man, Jared Dennis, were suspected of killing the tour guide and pushing the maid of honor over a cliff. Thankfully, Ariel Potter had survived. The K-9 Unit had been called in to work the case as the crimes had taken place outside local jurisdictions. The bride was from a wealthy family, and Everett had intended to be at the wedding, in case it was a target for the criminal ring.
“Yes, unfortunately. But I’m confident we’ll find her. Some of my team members are working very hard, as we believe she’s in danger, too.”
After seeing the K-9 team in action, he believed her. For the first time, he appreciated how much freedom Helena and her unit had, with their ability to work cases all across the state.
“Christine seems content,” Helena said, glancing at the rearview mirror.
“Babies love car rides.” The words popped out of his mouth before he could stop them.