When I Found You

by Kate James

  “It should be. When did you have the lock rekeyed?” Max asked Aaron.

  Aaron rubbed the small goatee on his chin. “Oh, uh...about a week or two ago, I guess.” He fidgeted with the key ring. “One of the airlines let a baggage handler go who said he’d lost his keys, so we rekeyed.”

  “Did he have keys to anything other than the baggage storage areas?” Max asked.

  “Just that. His access card was lost, too, but it’s been cancelled.”

  “Well, make sure this lock, and any others that might’ve been rekeyed, get rekeyed again to the master.”

  “Okay. I thought it had been. I’ll take care of it right away. Do you need anything else from me?”

  Max looked at Logan.

  Logan shook his head. “No. That’s it. Thanks.”

  “Sorry to waste your time,” Logan said to Max, after Aaron had locked the door again and left.

  “No problem.”

  “Just one question...” His words trailed off as he saw Ariana approaching at a quick pace. It didn’t seem to matter how often he saw her, each time it felt as if he took a hard punch to the gut.

  “Officer Clemens, Logan.” Ariana greeted them with a smile and handshakes, while obviously trying to keep a maximum distance from their dogs. Logan held her hand a few moments longer than might have been expected. He liked the feel of it in his. Warm and solid.

  “I’m sorry I took so long, but I just missed the shuttle. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “No problem. Thank you for coming.” Logan wondered if his smile looked as silly as it felt, but he couldn’t help it. He was glad to see Ariana. “I was just asking Max why a baggage handler would change a lock and not go through security.”

  Ariana raised questioning eyes to Max.

  “The baggage handlers work for the airlines and the bags are the responsibility of the airlines, too. So technically, this storage area is their space, but we have to have access in case of fire or other emergency. They shouldn’t rekey locks themselves, and they know they have to be keyed to the master, but sometimes these things happen,” Max said.

  “I’m not sure I understand. This lock isn’t keyed to the master?” Before Max or Logan could respond, she pulled out her keys and slid her master into the lock. She turned the knob and the door swung open.

  Max looked flustered. He pulled the door closed and tried his key again with no success. “I don’t understand. Why does your key work,” he asked Ariana, “and mine doesn’t?”

  “My key is a grand master,” she explained, “but for this lock, it shouldn’t matter. Yours should work, too. Please follow up with the airline when you get a chance.” She turned back to Logan. “The more significant question is, is there a problem with this space that I should know about?”

  “No. We were doing a follow-up on Darwin’s training. He’d alerted to something in this room the other day. We wanted to check it out. I hope that’s not a problem.” God, he wanted to reach out and touch her! Just the arch of her cheekbone or the curve of her neck.

  “No...not at all.”

  Logan could see that she wasn’t buying it. At least not completely.

  “Well, thanks again,” Logan said and extended his hand to Max, then to Ariana. “I apologize for taking up your time.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” Shannon said as she and Logan were walking out to their vehicles.

  “It’s better to be safe than sorry. You and Darwin both did well,” he added as they stopped by her SUV. “And we might be on to something.”

  “The coffee beans you put in the evidence bag?” she asked.

  He smiled. “Yeah.”

  “Okay, but why?”

  “Darwin was very interested in something that was in the room when you were last there. Today, he found the beans, but he wasn’t nearly as engaged, am I correct?”

  She nodded, but her expression showed her confusion.

  “Coffee beans have a strong and distinctive smell. They’re often used to mask other scents dogs might pick up—explosives or narcotics, for example.”

  Shannon came to an abrupt halt and stared at Logan. “You mean Darwin might have been on to something and I missed it?”

  “Don’t beat yourself up. Rick and Nitro cleared the area, and Nitro’s accuracy rate is nearly 100 percent. What the baggage handler supervisor said is plausible, but we’ll check it out.”

  “You didn’t mention it to Ariana and Max.”

  “No. As I said, it’s a long shot, and they have enough to worry about right now. Who unlocked the door for you the day of the explosion?”

  “It might have been the same guy. He was wearing similar overalls.” She gave Logan an apologetic look. “I know I should remember, especially with that facial hair, but there were so many people around and...I was a little nervous.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Shannon. It’s all part of the learning process,” he said and waited for her to put Darwin in the back of her vehicle and get in herself. “See you back at the division.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  THE BACKGROUND CHECKS on the injured passengers didn’t produce any major revelations. Logan interviewed each of them out of an abundance of caution. Of the three, two were possible targets: a man whose wife caught him cheating, leading to a recent and messy divorce, and a financial planner who’d lost sizable amounts of her clients’ net worth in the economic downturn. The man’s ex-wife was eliminated as a suspect. Not only did she have a solid alibi—she was hosting a charity luncheon—there didn’t seem to be any lingering ill will. She was happy in a new relationship while her ex’s love interest had left him shortly after the divorce papers had been filed. She didn’t appear to have probable motive.

  The most likely target was the financial planner. In her case, there was a clear motive and a number of possible suspects. It seemed that it wasn’t only the economic downturn that resulted in her clients losing a lot of money. She was more interested in lining her own pockets through exorbitant fees than ensuring that her clients realized healthy returns on their investments. If they went by the amount of money lost, there were at least a dozen potential suspects. Logan wanted a thorough check of the woman’s clients.

  When Logan had broached the subject of someone targeting Ariana personally, she’d been genuinely dismayed. She obviously hadn’t taken that possibility seriously. He understood it. It was sobering to think someone had it in for you that bad. He wanted to take her into his arms when he saw the horrified expression on her face, but they had been in her office, with the door open.

  He encouraged her to think about it carefully. She said she had, and the only person she came up with was, again, her former employee Dave Langdon. As for the extra time Langdon had spent at the airport after his appointment with the Human Resources Department, it was still unaccounted for. He didn’t appear on any other cameras and no one remembered seeing him or speaking to him. With the size of the airport, fifteen minutes wasn’t a long time, she had rationalized, to do anything significant. Ariana had dismissed any possible correlation, but Logan wasn’t prepared to leave any stone unturned and personally interviewed Langdon, too.

  Langdon had shown surprise seeing Logan at his front door. He’d remembered him from the drunken-women-on-the-plane incident. He’d assumed that was why Logan was there. Logan’s gut told him this wasn’t their man. At least not directly or knowingly. His shock was too authentic. Despite being a former cop and fully aware how the process worked, Langdon didn’t squawk about lawyering up. Another point in the guy’s favor.

  A lengthy discussion with Langdon corroborated what Logan had suspected at the outset. Langdon didn’t seem to have motivation, other than his dislike for Ariana, and that wasn’t a compelling enough reason, since he seemed to have an aversion to just about everybody they’d touched on. Nor did he have
the skills, in Logan’s estimation. He’d also told Logan the name of the person he’d spoken with during the fifteen minutes that had been unaccounted for. They could verify it easily. Yet Logan didn’t strike him off their list of possible suspects.

  The coffee beans also led to a dead end. There was no explosives dust or residue present. Nothing noteworthy. Plain, simple coffee beans.

  He needed to talk to Ariana again. It wasn’t just because of the investigation. She was constantly on his mind. The more he tried to block thoughts of her, the more entrenched she seemed to become in his mind. He had to see her.

  No time like the present, Logan decided. As he gathered what he needed, he felt downright cheerful!

  * * *

  ARIANA WASN’T IN her office when Logan arrived. Her assistant, Cynthia, told him that she was doing a walkabout of the airport. He caught up to her in the terminal. There was no mistaking that mass of dark chestnut-colored hair, today loose and cascading down her back, even at a distance. She was near the foreign currency kiosk, crouched down in front of a blonde girl.

  As Logan strode toward her, he noticed that the little girl was clutching a cat and the girl’s cheeks were damp. Ariana was saying something to her. Whatever it was, it had the little girl giving Ariana a weak smile.

  Ariana took the cat and lifted it up in front of her face, as if she was talking to it. Then she held the cat to her ear, obviously pretending that it was responding. Next she cradled the cat in her arms and petted it gently while she talked with the child. At the little girl’s uncertain nod, she carefully slid the cat into a pet carrier on the floor.

  Ariana rose, handed the carrier to the woman standing beside the little girl and had a short conversation with her. The woman nodded. With a touch on the child’s shoulder, she guided them toward a check-in counter.

  When Ariana started to walk away, Logan called to her and jogged to catch up.

  Based on how she’d spun around, he’d obviously startled her. It shouldn’t have surprised him. Everyone involved in the current investigation was on edge, and likely no one more than she.

  Yet she continued to hold it together. He would have respected her for that alone, but there was so much more.

  He could see her relax when she saw him.

  “What was that about?” he asked as he caught up to her, curiosity getting the better of him. She seemed so caring with the little girl...and the cat.

  Ariana glanced at the retreating back of the child and her mother. “Oh, their family is moving to Washington. Kerry—that’s the little girl—Kerry’s father is already there, and they’re flying to join him. Kerry said her cat was afraid to fly. She wouldn’t get on the plane without her cat.”

  Ariana smiled, and Logan had trouble remembering what they’d been talking about.

  “I think it was really about Kerry. She’s never flown before.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “So we made sure her cat was comfortable with flying.”

  Logan laughed. “So you have a soft spot for kids and cats... Why not dogs?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “I have time. Tell me why you don’t like them.” He kept pace with her as she resumed walking.

  “Oh... I don’t dislike them. They... I really wish it wouldn’t be the case, but I’m just not...not comfortable with them.”

  “Hmm.” That got him thinking. “Do you have some time?”

  “We didn’t have a meeting, did we?”

  “No. No meeting.”

  “Is there a problem?” she asked quietly as they turned a corner.

  “No. If there had been, I would have told you already. I can update you about the interviews I’ve had with the injured passengers and your former employee, but that can wait.”

  She glanced to his right and waved to someone behind him. “Oh...?”

  There was that urge to touch her again. Her face. Her shoulder. Her hand. Just for a minute, to make a connection. To resist the temptation, he slid his hands into his jacket pockets. “So, can you take some time?”

  She glanced around again, almost as if she was searching for a reason to say no. “All right,” she said with a doubtful expression.

  “Good. When do you have to be back?”

  “Not for a couple of hours. I was about to take a lunch break and I don’t have any appointments scheduled immediately after.”

  “Are you hungry? Do you want to grab a bite?”

  “No...”

  He could see the bewilderment in her big blue eyes. He could understand why, because from her perspective, he’d been running hot and cold.

  “I was going to take a walk outside. Get some fresh air,” she added.

  “Okay. Will you walk with me?” he asked and placed a hand lightly on her back. Seeing her with the cat and the child had given him an idea.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” He guided her out of the terminal building to the curb, and led her to his SUV. He opened the passenger door and held it for her.

  She gave him a quizzical look.

  “I want to try an experiment. Trust me?”

  “I suppose.”

  He smiled at her reassuringly. “Hop in.”

  She did, but kept casting uncertain glances at him. When he pulled into a vacant greenfield near the airport, her curiosity must have gotten the better of her. “Why are we here?”

  “You’ll see. C’mon,” he said as he climbed out.

  He went to the back of the Explorer and glanced at Ariana where she stood on the other side. “I’m going to let Boomer out. Trust me?”

  After a brief hesitation, she nodded. Logan released Boomer and clipped on his leash. He went over to Ariana, holding Boomer on a tight leash. It was for her sake, as the dog didn’t require it. “Here. Take my hand and walk with us.”

  Shooting an uncertain glance at Boomer, she put her hand into his.

  He led her to a small park that had been constructed on one side of the greenfield. It was empty. “Have a seat,” he said, pointing to a wooden bench. “Try to relax. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She nodded, but he could tell she was apprehensive. He instructed Boomer to sit-stay and unclipped his leash. He walked back to Ariana.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, casting wary glances at Boomer.

  “Demonstrating that he won’t move until I release him. His training and obedience are such that he does exactly what I say, when I say it. My life or his could depend on it.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Okay. Watch.” He walked toward his dog. Pausing, he glanced back at her. “He won’t hurt you. Without my okay, he won’t go near you.”

  Logan took Boomer’s Kong toy out of his pouch. He released the dog and put him through a number of drills, demonstrating how precisely the dog followed his commands. Although his attention was mostly on Boomer, he kept an eye on Ariana to ensure that she was okay.

  After ten minutes or so, Logan gave Boomer a drink from a water bottle, instructed him to down-stay and let him have his toy.

  He joined Ariana on the bench. “So, what do you think?”

  She had a ghost of a smile on her face. “He’s very obedient.”

  Logan nodded. “Yes, he is.”

  They watched him gnaw on his Kong for a few minutes.

  “He seems happy...and friendly.”

  Logan smiled. “Yeah. He’s both. Police service dogs enjoy their work. They’re still just dogs. You’re okay with cats,” he commented, remembering her with the little girl.

  “Yes. They’re a lot smaller than most dogs.” She smiled. “I have a cat. Mostly, I think Sabrina thinks she’s a person.”

  “Cats are like that, aren’t they?”

  She nodded.

 
“Ready?” he asked her.

  He’d been happy to see her relax while they’d been talking. But now, with his shoulder pressed against hers, he felt her tense up again.

  “Ready for what?”

  He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “To say hi to Boomer.” When she tried to pull her hand away, he held tight. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

  Standing, he drew her up and led her over to where Boomer was.

  “Boomer, stay,” he reinforced, more for Ariana’s comfort than because Boomer needed any reminding.

  Logan released her hand and squatted down in front of Boomer, petting him. Glancing up at Ariana, he was pleased to see the tentative smile on her face.

  “He’s a very handsome dog. He’s not a purebred shepherd, is he?”

  “He’s not a shepherd. Boomer was bred in Holland and he’s a Malinois. His coat isn’t coarse like most of our canines. It’s as smooth as satin. Do you want to feel it?”

  She caught her lower lip between her teeth for a moment as she considered. Logan found it incredibly appealing.

  “I’d like to,” she said.

  “Okay.” He reached for her hand. When she was crouching beside him, he held their joined hands out to Boomer, his hand on top. He let the dog sniff his hand, then turned their hands to let him sniff the back of Ariana’s. She chuckled. Boomer’s cool nose on her hand must have tickled. He reversed his hold, placing his hand on top of hers, and laced his fingers through hers. He guided her hand across Boomer’s head and along his back. “What do you think?”

  She gave a short laugh again. “He does feel silky...what I’d imagine a mink would feel like.”

  “Will you be okay if I release your hand?”

  There was another brief pause before she nodded.

  He slowly drew his hand away, and she continued to stroke Boomer gently.

  “Had enough?” he asked after a few minutes. He wanted it to be a positive experience for her. Baby steps. She rose, and he saw pleasure in the depths of her eyes. That simple thing and knowing he’d helped put it there made him feel inordinately happy. He clipped the leash to Boomer’s collar and rose, too.