Exposing a Killer

by Laurie Alice Eakes

  * * *

  Everett tore his gaze from Helena Maddox’s clear green eyes with an effort.

  Being this close, he could see the obvious differences between Helena and her twin. Zoe’s picture, taken from a security camera in the early morning hours just a week ago, displayed a hard edge that he didn’t see in this pretty state trooper. Zoe might be considered by some to be more beautiful, but he found light sprinkling of freckles across Helena’s nose rather cute.

  Oh, no. That’s not right. He didn’t notice women. He didn’t call them cute or beautiful. He wasn’t interested in dating or any of that relationship stuff.

  Losing his wife and infant son three years ago had been the worst day of his life.

  His fault. They were dead because of him. Because of a rookie mistake he’d made. Not that he’d been a rookie, which is why he should have known better.

  Losing Sheila and Collin had left a gaping hole in his heart. One he had no intention of filling ever again.

  “So, you never answered my question,” Helena said, jarring him from his thoughts. “What are you doing all the way out here?”

  “Hiking.” It wasn’t a lie. He had been hiking, while also searching for an indication of Zoe Maddox being nearby. “I’m staying here for a bit.”

  “In Denali?” Helena’s bright green eyes rounded in surprise. The way she stroked her dog’s fur, murmuring reassurances to the animal, almost made him want to smile. Almost. “How did you manage that? Reservations for any of the lodging sites here, including the campground, need to be made months in advance.”

  “I’ve had the same cabin rental reserved for the month of July for the past several years.”

  She frowned. “You’re trying to tell me you’re being here is just a big fat coincidence?”

  He shrugged. “Believe what you want.” He wasn’t about to get into the details around his personal life. Coming to the mountain cabin had been Sheila’s idea initially, and after losing her and Collin, he’d continued the tradition in their absence.

  Even though being here, relaxing in the mountains without his family, had been impossibly difficult. The gaping wound might have scabbed over, but the barest hint of a memory would bring waves upon waves of pain bubbling like lava through the crater of his heart.

  Frankly, he was grateful for the distraction of following a lead that indicated Zoe was here in Denali. After failing to find her in Anchorage over the past two weeks, he hadn’t delayed in making the four-plus-hour drive to Denali.

  “I see.” Helena’s expression was still skeptical as she gave the dog one last pat. “Well, I need to talk to the park rangers. Not that there’s much for them to do to help us track down the perp. We can walk the area, but finding a brass shell casing out here will be like searching for gold in the Savage River.”

  “I’ll come with you.” He glanced around and rose to his feet. “I know where the ranger station is located.”

  “I’m sure you do.” She stood, her head barely reaching his chin. “Come, Luna.”

  He was impressed with how well the furry beast listened to her. The animal wore a K-9 vest and seemed eager to please. Everett’s experience with the K-9 cops was limited, but he’d liked seeing the variety of breeds they used. Helena rained attention on the animal then opened the back of the SUV. Without hesitation, the dog nimbly leaped inside.

  “What were you doing out here?” he asked, eyeing the plastic bag containing what appeared to be a red scarf dangling from the utility belt of her uniform. Actually, now that he eyed her clothing, he wondered if his theory about the shooter mistaking her for Zoe was wrong. The state trooper uniform consisted of a light blue short-sleeved shirt paired with navy blue slacks. Helena wasn’t wearing her trooper hat, though—he’d noticed it sitting on the passenger seat. “Are you on duty?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t elaborate, which made him suspicious.

  “You can’t work cases in Denali without cooperation from the Park Service.” He knew that because, to search for Zoe, he’d had to get special dispensation himself. The park rangers were busy in the short summer months of Alaska, so they hadn’t argued when he’d presented his case, relieved to have his help.

  “I’m aware. Trust me, the K-9 Unit works closely with all aspects of law enforcement.” She shut the hatch of the SUV and arched her brow. “Even local cops like you.”

  He felt the corner of his mouth twitch in what might have been a weak attempt at a smile. Climbing into the passenger seat, he moved her hat to the back and pulled on his seat belt.

  The drive to the park rangers’ headquarters didn’t take long.

  Everett followed Helena and Luna into the building, listening as she made her statement. He added the pertinent details from his end, and Ranger Arch Hanley took tons of notes.

  “And you’re sure you don’t have any idea who may have done this?” Arch asked.

  “No.” Helena didn’t look at him or offer the possibility of being mistaken for her twin as the reason she might be in danger.

  “It’s not often poachers shoot at state troopers,” Arch pointed out. “Maybe it was an attempt to scare you off.”

  “Yeah, well that’s not going to work. I need to continue canvassing the area.” Helena thrust her chin forward, revealing a stubborn streak. “I only wanted you to be aware, in case anyone from your team stumbles across someone with a gun.”

  “Guns aren’t allowed in the park outside of hunting season. You can be sure that anyone with a weapon will be questioned.”

  “What about those with concealed carry permits?” Everett asked.

  Arch grimaced. “They’re allowed in.”

  Great. That meant more folks than not likely had weapons. Maybe not a rifle, though, outside of hunting season, which is what he believed he’d heard. Especially since the shot had come from a distance.

  Not that it mattered. In the end, there wasn’t anything else for the ranger to do.

  Helena appeared just as frustrated when they went back outside. “I don’t like this. If the shooter took aim at me to get me away from the area, then I need to go back and continue searching.”

  He tensed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You and the dog are vulnerable out there in the open.”

  “Luna is a K-9 cop and I’m a state trooper. We are both very well trained. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” The stubborn thrust of her chin was back, and he tried not to show his annoyance.

  She and the dog had been shot at. Wasn’t that enough of a close call?

  “Do you mind giving me a lift back?” Everett didn’t wait for permission but headed for the passenger side door. He worked with plenty of female officers and trusted them as much as his male counterparts, but he didn’t like the idea of Helena going back to the scene of the shooting, alone.

  Even with a K-9 partner. The dog couldn’t shoot a gun.

  Although he’d sensed the animal would have taken a chunk out of him if Helena hadn’t called her off.

  Luna jumped into the back of the SUV. Turning in his seat, he was impressed with the heating and cooling system, as well as the cold water dispensing device located in the back, ensuring the animal wouldn’t become dehydrated.

  Helena shot him a withering look as she slid in behind the wheel. Pulling out of the parking space, she said, “Listen, I know you suspect my sister of being involved in some big crime ring, but I’m telling you that isn’t Zoe’s style.”

  “You’re saying she hasn’t been in trouble before?”

  “Oh, she’s been in trouble.” Helena sighed. “But stupid stuff, like shoplifting, disorderly conduct and underage drinking. Nothing like being a willing participant in organized crime.”

  “I understand you don’t want to think the worst about your twin. But I’m afraid your loyalty is misplaced.”

  Helena didn’t answer, her gaze focused on the road.
Tour buses were busy this time of the year. The summer months, July in particular, were the height of tourism for Alaska. People came from all over the lower forty-eight and from other countries to experience the last frontier.

  Clueless visitors who weren’t smart enough to leave their valuables at home. Was that what had drawn Zoe here? He suspected the answer was a resounding yes.

  Her radio crackled again. “Find anything, Will?”

  “Only if you count bats and other creatures,” her teammate responded dryly. “No sign of—”

  “Thanks,” she said, quickly cutting him off. “I’m with Everett Brand, one of the local cops from Anchorage, so I’ll check in with you later, okay?”

  “Sounds good. I have to head back to Anchorage anyway...the colonel called to let me know there’s a potential drug bust going down.”

  Before he’d hung up, Will didn’t sound as if he’d noticed that anything was amiss. But Everett knew Helena’s team member had been about to mention something significant.

  He glanced down at the evidence bag hanging from her waistband, then back at the large Norwegian elkhound in the back of the SUV.

  “You’re searching for Zoe.” He felt like an idiot that he hadn’t picked up on the fact sooner.

  She ignored his remark. “Do you want me to take you all the way to your cabin?”

  What he wanted was to go with her, especially if she was going to continue looking for her twin. He knew K-9s had an amazing ability to track people down by following a scent.

  Maybe Helena was right in that the shooter had only intended to scare her away from the area. But something in his gut told him the danger was far from over.

  His phone signaled an alarm. He pulled the device out of his pocket and scowled at it. “Yes, please. I need to get back. Something triggered the alarm.”

  “Probably a wild animal.” Helena didn’t look concerned.

  Normally he’d agree, but most of the wildlife roamed away from the cabin, not usually right up to the front door. He tried focusing on the camera he’d installed but it must have been disconnected as he couldn’t see a thing.

  Not good.

  “Which way?” Helena asked as they approached the sloping hill where she’d been targeted.

  “Keep going straight, there’s a gravel road off to the right about a mile from here.”

  She arched a delicate brow. “The dirt road leads to your place?”

  “Yes.” He stared at his phone again. Was he overreacting? If Helena was out here to find Zoe, he intended to be there, too.

  The SUV rocked and rolled up the gravel road to his rental cabin. It was located pretty far off the beaten track. Although there were several people, like the rangers, who knew its location.

  “Stay here.” Without waiting for Helena to bring the SUV to a complete stop, he pushed open the passenger door and jumped out. Two giant steps forward and he was at the front door of the cabin, glancing around expectantly.

  Nothing.

  Then he noticed the door was ajar. Pulling his service weapon from the pocket of his cargo shorts, he pushed the door open and listened.

  Was that—a baby crying?

  He shook his head, hoping he wasn’t losing his mind. Crossing the threshold, he entered the cabin, stumbling to a halt when he saw the infant carrier sitting on his sofa, a pink bag next to it.

  Not his imagination. His heart squeezed painfully in his chest, his thoughts going back to those early days after Colin had been born. The crying infant reminded him of his son.

  Who had broken into his cabin to leave a baby behind?

  Copyright © 2021 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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  ISBN-13: 9780369716156

  Exposing a Killer

  Copyright © 2021 by Laurie Alice Eakes

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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