by Debbie Mason
“No one in town knows about Elijah’s connection to the murder, so I doubt Agnes does. Sadie wouldn’t tell her. She’d protect her.”
“That’s a decision she needs to rethink, for both their sakes,” Chase said. “Sadie agreed to help us. Her compliance is the only thing that stands between her and a jail cell. If she reneges on the deal, I’ll have no choice but to arrest her for aiding and abetting.”
“That’s cold, man.”
“It’s my job.” One he was actually good at. At least he had been, before he’d gotten involved with this case and Sadie. He glanced at the bars on his phone as they stepped into the clearing. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I need to make this call.”
It took a couple minutes for him to be connected to the special agent in charge. As he waited, he glanced at Hunter. He was on his phone too. Chase had sensed Hunter’s disappointment in him. It bothered him. He admired the man. He also wanted to trust him. He didn’t want to think Hunter would jeopardize the case to protect the Grays.
The last thing Chase wanted to do was arrest Sadie, but the laws were in place for a reason. They were there to protect the public and their safety, to protect democracy. No one was above the law.
Including his own superior, he thought, when his boss’s voice came over the line. “Roberts, I thought we agreed there’d be no communi—”
“You have two minutes to tell me exactly who Nathan Black is and what his connection is to you before I go over your head.”
His boss swore. “I’ll call you back.”
Chase brought his phone from his ear to stare at it. He’d hung up on him. Seconds later, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “You’re calling me from a burner.” His voice was tight with barely restrained anger as his suspicions were confirmed.
“I can explain.”
“You can try.”
“Nate is my brother-in-law.”
The tension in Chase’s shoulders loosened. He’d been afraid Black had something illegal on his boss and was using it against him. “Be aware that I can and will verify that you’re telling me the truth.”
“I have no doubt you will. It’s one of the reasons I agreed to this in the first place. I knew you’d keep Nate in line.”
“Is he an agent with NCSBI?”
“Technically, no. He’s on mandatory leave. I’ll let him explain why. Despite him being a hothead with no respect for authority, something the two of you have in com—”
“I respect authority but not when someone is using their position to thwart the law.”
“I’m not. The operation is off-book to protect you and Nate.”
“And yourself.” He glanced at Hunter, who’d pocketed his phone. “We can talk more about that at another time. Right now, you’re going to tell me everything I need to know about Black. Everything that is relevant to the case.”
Five minutes later, Chase disconnected from his boss.
“Did your boss clear up your concerns about your partner?” Hunter asked, gesturing for Chase to go ahead of him.
Chase nodded. “Black is an agent with NCSBI.” It was best if no one other than Chase knew of Black’s current status. Things made more sense to Chase after talking to his boss. It certainly explained why Black had so easily acquiesced to Chase calling the shots.
“Did he shed any light on the missing information in Black’s file?”
Chase should have been more circumspect. It wasn’t like him to be so forthcoming with a man he barely knew. His gut may have told him he could trust Hunter, and over the years, his instincts had proved reliable, but he was out of his element here. Which was why he’d felt the need to confide in someone who had a knowledge of not only the area but also the players.
He stopped, turning to face Hunter. “Do I have your word that this conversation goes no further than us?”
Hunter’s mouth twisted to the side, and then he nodded. “Yeah.”
The fact he’d taken a moment to weigh his answer made Chase feel better. “According to my boss, Black was messed up after returning from Afghanistan.” Someone else might have missed it but Chase caught the flicker of emotion in Hunter’s eyes.
Chase had looked into him and knew that Hunter would understand what he’d just shared better than most. He’d lost his best friend in a military operation he’d led in Afghanistan. Upon his return to Highland Falls, he’d cut himself off from his friends and family. Then Abby had come into his life.
“He found another band of brothers when he got stateside. He rode with an MC—motorcycle club—for three years until my boss recruited him for an undercover op.”
“Why would he choose Nate for the op?”
“His wife threatened to divorce him if he didn’t help get her brother out of the life. Black has five older sisters, who, according to my boss, think he walks on water.”
“That speaks well of him, at least. But why didn’t your boss bring him into the FBI?”
“Unlike his wife and sisters-in-law, he doesn’t think Black walks on water. They don’t exactly see eye to eye. On much of anything.”
“You trust him now?”
“Black or my boss?”
“I’m sensing that’s a no on both.”
“You have excellent senses.” Chase went to walk ahead and then turned back. “Who were you talking to on the phone?”
“I didn’t give Sadie a heads-up, if that’s what you’re worried about. I called your boss, the other one, and told him you broke your foot and would be out of commission for a couple weeks. He told me to tell you to take all the time you need,” Hunter said, clearly fighting back a grin. Then he added, “Someone spotted Elijah near Bridal Veil Falls earlier today. It’s about an hour from the caves, so it looks like he’s on the move.”
“Any idea where he’s headed?”
“No, but Sadie might.”
An hour later, with a blow-up boot on his foot courtesy of Hunter’s doctor friend, Chase called Black from his car. “Where are you?” he said as soon as his partner answered.
“Aren’t you in a fine mood? I guess I can’t blame you. Word of your exploits—”
Chase cut him off. “We need to talk. I’ll be at the store in ten minutes. Meet me in the back.”
“Don’t bother. I’m sitting outside the cottage on Willow Creek. Sadie—”
“Is she okay? What’s wrong?”
“Relax, she’s fine. Well, sort of fine. She’s not impressed with you at the moment so you’d best be prepared. Then again, when I share what I found on her phone, you’re not exactly going to be thrilled with her either.”
Chapter Eighteen
Do you hear that?” Sadie asked Abby, getting up from the table where they’d been working on a plan to turn around I Believe in Unicorns’ fortunes.
“How can you hear anything over Michaela crying and the dog howling?” Abby reached down to pat Finn, who was hiding under the table. “I think it’s hurting his ears. I know it’s hurting mine.”
“I told you leaving her in her crib to cry it out doesn’t work. Now maybe you’ll believe me.” Sadie moved toward the kitchen window, pushing the curtain aside to glance outside. She hadn’t been imagining things. Chase and Nate were arguing.
No, she thought, leaning closer to the glass to get a better look. Chase was yelling at Nate. Her mouth fell open when he limped away from the other agent, a blue boot encasing his foot to his calf. Her irritation that she’d been saddled with Finn because of him was forgotten.
She ran to the door, stepping back when he walked inside. “What happened? Everyone said you walked away from the bear incident unscathed.” They’d had a lot more to say but she hadn’t cared. All she’d been worried about was Chase. Now it seemed she had reason to be.
“I did. I…didn’t know we had company,” he said, glancing at Abby sitting at the kitchen table, watching them with interest. “Hey.” He nodded at Abby and then gave Sadie a look she didn’t understand until he pulled her against him. “You do
n’t have to worry about me, honey. I’m fine.” He bent his head and kissed her.
It took a moment for her to realize why he was kissing her—they were supposed to be in love. But her lips were quicker than her brain and got with the program. Not really a surprise since his lips were warm and firm, and he tasted like spearmint gum. There was also the simple fact that she’d wanted to be kissed by him since the moment she’d looked into his kind blue eyes.
Despite there being no tongue and no heat—well, maybe a little heat—she was enjoying the kiss very much. He seemed to be too. His arm wrapped around her, bringing her in nice and close. The kiss hadn’t completely wiped out her ability to think. The thought that they were a perfect fit came clearly to mind. Her hearing was another matter. She no longer heard her daughter crying. She heard…Abby clearing her throat.
They both stepped back, Chase shaking his head as though trying to clear it. She was glad she wasn’t the only one affected by the kiss.
“Sorry for interrupting. I just wanted to make sure you two remembered I was here. Your welcome-home kiss looked like it was getting a little steamy.”
Sadie ignored her friend. “You should sit down, honey.” She took him by the arm but he didn’t move. Finn had come out from under the table to sniff Chase’s boot.
“What’s Mrs. McNab’s dog doing here?”
“Aww, isn’t that cute?” Abby said when Finn stood on his hind legs to put his paws on Chase’s shoulders. “He wants to welcome you home too.”
Chase’s eyes narrowed. “Home? What does she mean home?”
“According to Zia Maria, you’ve—I mean, we’ve—inherited him.”
“How are you supposed to look after a dog? You’re having a hard enough time…” He grimaced, attempting to push Finn away. “Down.”
Sadie crossed her arms. She knew exactly what he’d intended to say, and while there might be some truth to it, she didn’t appreciate him reminding her she wasn’t exactly doing a stand-up job with motherhood. “I guess you didn’t hear me. I said we, but I was right the first time. Finn is your responsibility, not mine. We just happen to be living together.” Her tone made it clear she might be changing her mind on that.
Her lips tingled, reminding her about the kiss they’d just shared. Clearly, her body was on board with receiving more. Which was a pretty shocking development, considering she’d sworn off men and sex, and had been quite happy about doing so.
“Zia Maria didn’t give Sadie a choice, so don’t blame her,” Abby defended her. “Mrs. McNab broke her hip, and everyone blames you because you told her to put Finn on a leash. Zia Maria’s right though, Finn really does seem to like you. Or he just wanted your wallet.” Abby laughed when the dog darted away with Chase’s wallet in his mouth.
“Finn, stop. Drop it,” Chase ordered, and the dog skittered to a stop. In the nursery, Michaela stopped crying. Probably in anticipation of Chase coming to her rescue. Finn cocked his head, looking like he’d made the connection between Chase and the silence that followed. He dropped the wallet, tongue lolling.
“Wow, that’s seriously impressive.” Abby cast Sadie a this guy is a keeper glance. “Maybe you’ll be able to break Finn of his kleptomania.”
Chase looked up from retrieving his wallet. “He’s a kleptomaniac?”
Abby nodded. “He is. He lands himself in doggy jail every second month.”
“That’s just perfect,” Chase said, wiping off his wallet. “Sadie, I need a minute in private with you.”
Sadie frowned as he walked past her toward her bedroom. He’d lost the exaggerated limp.
“Go, go.” Abby waved her off. “I want to call Hunter anyway.”
“I won’t be long.”
“Take as long as you want. I would if I were in your shoes.” She beamed at Sadie. “I’m so glad you finally found your one, sweetie.”
“You think I found my one?”
“Don’t you? I thought—”
“Yeah, of course I do,” she murmured as Chase came out of the nursery with her daughter in his arms. “I just wanted your opinion. You were never a fan of Drew. You or Mal.”
“And we were totally right. But just like me and Mal, you had to walk through the storm to find your rainbow. If you hadn’t been with Drew, you might not have recognized how wonderful Michael really is. Now go.”
A few days ago, Sadie had believed Michael was wonderful. That she’d finally found her prince after kissing so many frogs. Only to have him turn into Chase, an FBI agent who believed her brother was guilty of murder. A man who might just as easily believe her guilty of the same crime if he found out about her gun.
She had to find her phone and talk to her brother. Maybe together they could figure out what was going on. Unless she was wrong, and he really was involved in Brodie’s murder.
She forced the worry from her face and opened her bedroom door. Chase was lying on his side on the bed with Michaela gurgling happily beside him. The smile he’d been sharing with her daughter disappeared when Sadie walked into the room.
He sat up and held out her phone.
Her legs went weak as she crossed the room to retrieve it. “Where did you find my phone?” Despite her best efforts, there was a nervous hitch in her voice. She prayed her brother hadn’t texted her while Chase had her phone in his possession. “I’ve been looking all over for it.”
He didn’t let go when she tried to remove her phone from his hand. He held her gaze. “Nate took your phone.”
“That’s illegal.” Her heart jumped to her throat. She’d been about to text her brother when Abby and Mallory walked in, seconds before her phone disappeared. Moments before Nate had gone looking for her grandmother.
“So is aiding and abetting a known fugitive.” Chase released her phone and then scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t agree with what Black did, but I also expected you to be aboveboard with me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t been communicating with Elijah.” She lowered herself to the edge of the bed, wanting nothing more than to open her phone. Instead, she put it on the comforter and reached out to stroke Michaela’s soft curls. She wanted to pick her up and run but she’d lost that chance.
“But you were going to. You’d started to text him when you were interrupted. What did you need to talk to him about? You said it was urgent.”
Thank goodness she’d had the luxury of twelve hours of sleep. Her brain was actually functioning today. “My brother has men chasing him. They tried to kill him. Of course I’m going to try and contact him.” She moistened her lips. “Did he reach out to me? Is he okay?”
Chase studied her face with the same narrow-eyed intensity he had back in February. Only now that she knew who he was, his intent stare felt more threatening than curious.
“Don’t hold out on me, Sadie. I can’t protect you if you do.” He glanced at Michaela, reaching back so she could grab his finger.
He didn’t need to say the words aloud. She knew exactly what was on the line. For her brother’s sake and for her own, she had to figure out who’d used her gun to murder Brodie, and she had to figure it out sooner rather than later.
“I know.” She picked up her phone, rubbing her thumb along the edge. “What did my brother say?” She steeled herself for Chase’s answer.
“He sounded panicked. Worried that you hadn’t responded to his messages. Aside from your attempt to reach out to him this morning, there was only your conversation about the meet in the woods on your phone, so I’m assuming you set up another form of communication. Where’s your laptop, Sadie?”
“I haven’t contacted him yet.”
“Because you didn’t plan to or you just haven’t had the time?”
“I haven’t had time.”
“We have time now.” Finn barked, and Michaela startled. Sadie reached for her, picking her up as Chase got off the bed.
“What happened to your foot?”
“It’s nothing, just a minor spra
in. This”—he pointed at the boot—“is to give me a believable excuse to get out of working for the forestry service. Now I’ll be able to devote every minute of my day to protecting you and Michaela and finding your brother. And dealing with Finn,” he added when the dog’s barking didn’t subside. If anything, it had turned low and menacing.
Chase went to the window, separating the wooden slats with his fingers. He drew back. “We’ve got company. Come on.” He helped her off the bed, keeping his hand on the small of her back as he guided her out of the room. “Abby,” he called to her friend, who looked up from bribing Finn with a doggy treat to get him to stop barking.
“Sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. I couldn’t get him to be quiet.”
Chase held open the door to the nursery, patting Finn’s head when the golden retriever came to sit at his side. “Good boy,” he murmured to the dog. Then he said, “I want the both of you to stay in here. Sadie, call Gabe and tell him to get here ASAP. Let him know that two deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department have come to call.”
Abby looked from Sadie to Chase. “I don’t understand. That’s a good thing, isn’t it? They’re trying to find the person who killed their colleague. He was with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department,” she explained to Sadie like she didn’t know.
“Two nights ago, there was another shooting in the woods. Luckily, no one was hurt,” Chase told Abby, sending a pointed glance at Sadie that she hoped her friend had missed. “But until I know they’re actually with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, we need to be careful.”
He unholstered his gun. “Abby, do you know how to shoot?”
Abby stared at him. “You think we’re in danger?”
“Better to be safe than sorry.”
“She doesn’t know how to shoot as well as I do.” Sadie handed the baby to Abby and took the gun from Chase. She held his gaze. “Be careful.”
Something softened in his eyes, and he leaned in, touching his lips to hers. “You too.”
This time it didn’t feel like he was playing a part.
Sadie put the gun on the dresser and called Gabe. He picked up on the first ring. “Chase told me to call. Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department are here.” At the sound of a loud knock and then the front door of the cottage opening, her stomach fluttered with nerves.