"Logan," he greeted me with a nod. "What brings you here?"
Pushing off the wall, I returned his nod and then followed him into his office. "We gotta talk, brother." After closing his door, I sank into one of the dark brown leather chairs in front of his desk.
Eli rubbed his face with both his hands and let out a sigh. "Look if this is about that woman-"
"Dammit, Eli!" My voice bounced off the walls. "She's not who you think she is and even if she was, don't you even care that she means something to me?"
Dragging his fingers through his hair, my brother fell back against his seat. "It's because I care. I've seen first-hand how a woman can blind you and then tilt your world on its axis."
I moved to the edge of my seat and rested my arms on the smooth surface of his desk. "She told me about the name change, in fact, she told me all there is to know about her. And before you ask, I'm not going to tell you anything, it's not my place. I'm here to tell you to lay the hell off of her. She's got enough troubles; she doesn't need to add you to the list."
I stared into the eyes that reminded me so much of my own. Eli knew pain, he'd been living with his for the past seven years. But, he needed to understand that not every woman was as rotten as Melissa, especially not Harper.
With a huff my brother broke eye contact and yanked on one of his drawers. He pulled out a folder and slammed it down in front of me. "She tell you about this too?" Eli ground out.
I pulled the folder closer and opened it, expecting to find the story Harper had told me last night. I didn't. As my eyes scanned over the document, the evil that was following my girl became clear.
According to the report Sarah Mercer had tried to kill her husband before stealing his money and going on the run.
A normal person would've had doubts settle in at around this time. Not me, though. I knew without a single ounce of doubt that what Harper had told me was the truth and these words on the paper were nothing but, "Lies!"
I shoved the folder back at Eli. "You expect me to believe this nonsense?" Angry, I pushed to my feet and planted my palms on the desk. "Maybe if you'd asked Harper instead of accusing her, she'd have told you the truth."
Eli shook his head and spread the papers on his desk. "Don't be stupid, Logan. This guy-" my brother poked at the paper with his index finger. "-is a decorated detective. Why would he lie?"
Pushing off the desk, I threw my arms up in the air, "Oh, I don't know, maybe because he used to use her as a punching bag?" Dammit, I didn't mean to spill Harper's secret. But I couldn't allow Eli to believe that after Harper tried to kill that idiot she apparently went on the run.
My brother's brows drew together as he started shuffling through the pages. I shook my head and dragged my fingers through my hair. "You'll believe some crappy report but you won't take my word?"
"This doesn't add up. What reason does he have to lie and how does the boy fit into this?" His frown deepened as he began looking through the pages more frantically. I got the feeling that his strange behavior had something to do with that phone call earlier. Thinking about it, Eli had been acting a bit off for a while now.
I took a deep breath and then walked over to where my brother was still scanning the documents. Flattening my palm on the paper, I gained his attention. "Flynn is the reason Harper ran, to begin with. The detective doesn't know about him. Look-" I let out a sigh, I couldn't believe what I was about to say. "-I'll go get Harper, convince her to explain all of this to you herself."
"You get her to come here and tell me all of this is lies and I'll look into her version of the story."
Eli wasn't going to give me any more than that. I knew it, that was why with a brusque nod of my head I turned and hustled to my truck. The closer I came to Harper's house, the louder my heart pounded.
Not even twenty-four hours ago, she'd trusted me with her secret and what did I do? I spilled it all to my judgmental brother and now I had to somehow convince her to retell her whole tragic story again.
Yeah, I wasn't feeling particularly good about myself.
An eerie feeling ran down my spine as I pulled to a stop in Harper's driveway. Doing my best to ignore it, I hopped out of the truck and headed for the front door. My walk turned into a jog when I saw that the door was ajar.
The thundering in my chest became almost unbearable when I pushed at the door and found telltale signs of a struggle in the living room. Broken frames and vases were scattered on the floor beneath my feet. Her little coffee table tipped to its side.
I could hardly breathe as I rushed through the house, just to find room after room empty. This could not be happening! Defeated, I slumped against the wall and slid down until my ass hit the cold surface of the tiles. I pulled my legs up and dropped my head to my knees. "Where the hell are you, Sugar?"
And then it hit me: The bastard had found her. I hadn't been gone that long, an hour tops, so they didn't have that big of a head start. Pushing to my feet, I felt the air return to my lungs as a plan formed in my head.
I was on such a mission that I almost plowed straight over Mrs. Jensen from across the street. Gripping her slender shoulders, I apologized, "I didn't see you there, Mrs. Jensen."
Her elderly hands came up to pat mine. "Oh, that's alright. I was wanting to tell you that I saw Harper leave with a blonde man. She didn't look too pleased to go either."
Fear gripped my heart and squeezed. "Did you see which way they went?"
"No, dear. I'm sorry."
After I sidestepped the little old lady, I sprinted for my truck. I didn't care what Eli believed to be true, he was going to help whether he wanted to or not.
All the way to the Sheriff's office I prayed that I wasn't too late. I'd just found my family I couldn't lose them now.
"Where are you going?" I huffed out while trying to catch my breath, apparently, Drew's punches still had the power to leave me winded.
"We are going to get our son and then-"
"He's not yours!" I didn't even care that he could hear the desperation in my voice; this man had no business near my boy. Flynn was better off with Logan.
Next to me, Drew let out that cruel laugh that always managed to terrify me. "Really Sarah? Looking at that child is like looking into a mirror."
My stomach started to churn and I closed my eyes, hoping and praying that this was nothing but a bad dream and that I'd wake any second with Logan's arms still securely wrapped around me.
"I have to give it to you," Drew sneered, reminding me that this was not a dream at all. "You're good at hiding. If it wasn't for Sheriff Jackson, I wouldn't have found you."
Damn you, Eli Jackson, you just couldn't keep your nose out of my business.
"He wasn't too keen on a fugitive dating his little brother," Drew continued. "Speaking of which, your standards have clearly dropped. That's the kind of man you bring into my son's life?"
For the first time since I'd met him, I glared at Drew. "Logan is more of a man than you could ever hope to be. And if my son grew into even half of the man he is, I would be one proud mother."
The sports car came to a screeching halt and almost instantly Drew's hand came up. But just before he could deliver the slap, he seemed to realize where we were. Gritting his teeth, he eased the vehicle into gear and it began to steadily roll forward.
Reaching down, I tried the handle again, hoping that by some miracle the door would be unlocked now.
It wasn't.
"I'm going to enjoy putting you back in your place, my dear Sarah."
"I'm not yours anymore, Drew."
The corners of his mouth lifted into a malicious smile. "Don't worry; soon you'll know exactly who you belong to."
Just as I opened my mouth, we pulled up in front of Flynn's school. An uneasy feeling settled over me. How the hell did he know where Flynn went to school? How long has he been watching us?
"Months." Clearly, I had voiced my questions. My gaze flicked back to Drew, who was watching me with so much hate burning behi
nd his eyes. Hate, I had no doubt, he'd take out on my boy just to get to me.
"Drew, please-" I begged. "-please, you have me. Leave Flynn here, he's happy."
He snorted and shook his head, "Oh no, Sarah. I'm not leaving this dreadful town without you and my son." He threw a cell phone in my lap. "Call them and tell them to bring the boy to the car."
When I frowned, he said, "I'm not stupid. If I let you go in there, you'll just try and run and I need to save my energy, I have big plans for you later."
Yeah, I bet those plans included beating me within an inch of my life. I made the call and decided then and there that Drew wasn't going to win this fight. I couldn't run forever, it was time I stood still and fought back.
When Zelda brought Flynn to the car, she gave me a curious look. I couldn't blame her, not only was I in a stranger's car but I was sitting there in Drew's passenger seat still wearing my pajamas.
"Everything alright, Harper." The older woman's gaze flicked between me and Drew.
I gave her a reassuring smile and said, "If you could just call Logan and let him know I've already picked up Flynn that would be great."
"Dammit, Sarah," Drew gritted out from beside me. He leaned over and I felt the unmistakable feel of his pistol dig into my side. With as much sweetness as Drew could muster he addressed Zelda, "We're kind of in a hurry if you don't mind…"
Her smile was weak but still, she opened the back door and loaded my boy into the car. My heart plummeted, I was hoping Drew would get agitated and leave without Flynn.
The moment the door closed Drew stepped on the accelerator, the momentum of his speedy pull-away pushed me back into the seat.
"Mommy?"
That one word just about broke my heart. In all the years and places we had lived I had never, not once, heard that fear in my little boy's voice. I needed to somehow reassure Flynn that I wasn't going to let anything bad happen to him.
I reached around the seat until I felt his little hand in mine. I squeezed as hard as I could, "It's okay, baby. We're just going for a drive, okay?"
Drew opened his mouth but before he could speak, I leaned over to him and whispered, "He's five and he doesn't understand what's happening right now." I could just hope that some part of that man was still human enough not to want to frighten a scared little boy even more.
Drew gripped the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip, but surprised me when he didn't say a word. As we continued on our way out of town, I prayed for courage and strength to do what I needed to do when we reached our destination.
It wasn't long before we turned onto a narrow dirt road, shadowed by the enormous trees of the surrounding woodlands. After about ten minutes we reached a little cabin that was completely isolated. You didn't have to be smart to know why Drew had picked this place.
I knew two things without a single ounce of doubt: I wasn't that same weak woman Drew used to push around and there was nothing I wouldn't do to keep my boy safe.
The ten-minute drive back to Eli's office felt like ten hours, especially when every single second counted. Once I arrived, I didn't even bother switching off my engine; I just hopped out and sprinted into the building.
I was vaguely aware of officers yelling after me, but I honestly did not have the time to stop and explain the situation to them. Eli was busy on the phone again, so I did what anyone in my position would do; I pulled the receiver from his ear and dropped the call.
"What the-"
"What car does Drew Mercer drive and what the hell does the bastard look like?" I knew I sounded manic, and I didn't give a damn; my girl was in trouble. I couldn't even stand still; pushing my fingers into my hair I started pacing in front of Eli's desk. "I shouldn't have left her alone this morning," I mumbled to myself.
"Logan, what's going on?"
I stopped my pacing mid-step and glared at my brother, whose confusion was evident on his face. "Harper is gone." I heard the blame in my voice. "Her place is a mess, and she's nowhere to be found. Mrs. Jensen saw her leave with a blonde guy and apparently she did not look happy about it."
Just then my cell rang. I was about to dismiss the call when Zelda's name flashed across the screen. My heart stopped beating. With an unsteady finger, I poked the green button on my phone. "Zelda?" My throat constricted and my voice came out hoarse.
"Normally I wouldn't bother with things that aren't my business," she started, sounding nervous. "Harper just picked up little Flynn, but something seemed off, Logan. I can't be sure but she looked frightened."
I closed my eyes and tried to calm my breathing and my racing heart. "Hold on," I pulled the phone from my ear and pressed the little button that put it on speaker. "Can you say that again, Zelda?"
As Flynn's teacher repeated what she'd just told me, I saw the blood drain from Eli's face. I'd had a feeling that my brother was responsible for that bastard finding Harper, my suspicions were confirmed.
I ended the call and slammed my palms down on Eli's desk. Leaning over, I ground out, "What the hell did you do?"
My brother shook his head in disbelief, "I sent that email months ago, dammit, I thought she was a fugitive." He looked up at me, his eyes wide. "He is a detective, Logan. How the hell was I supposed to know?"
"You could've just asked her but instead you led her nightmare right to her front door." Fear reached out, wrapped its cold fingers around my throat and squeezed. "You have to help me find them, Eli. I can't lose them."
"You won't," my brother promised. His fingers flew over the keyboard of his computer and a minute later the printer in the corner started spitting out pages. Eli grabbed the papers and handed me two. I stared at them as he spoke, "A guy like that will surely stick out in our little town. We'll ask around, maybe someone has seen him or knows where he's staying. There's only one road leading in and out of town, I'll send officers."
I left the Sheriff's Office feeling both determined and helpless–what a combination. My first stop was the shop where I found Brett working on Lizzy's yellow beetle.
"Someone has to tell that woman that this car needs to be retired," he said by way of greeting. When I didn't answer him, his head popped up from under the hood. "You okay, man?"
I shook my head and proceeded to tell him the short version of everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. With a low whistle, Brett took the papers from me and studied them.
"Hmm, explains why she always kept to herself," he lifted the first page and stared at the second before handing it back to me. "I've seen that guy hanging out at Joe's a couple of times. Logan, he's been in town for a while."
"I was afraid of that," I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling. "Where the hell could they be?"
"Have you asked Lizzy? The Diner is the only decent place to get breakfast and lunch around here; chances are he's been there. And you know Lizzy, she would start up a conversation with a rock."
My friend was right! If anyone knew anything about newcomers, it was that woman. I gave him a quick pat on the back and then raced to the diner. Luckily the worst of the breakfast rush was over.
"You know it's way too early for pie, right?" The smile she always greeted everyone with faded when she laid eyes on me. "What happened?"
For what felt like the millionth time that day, I recounted everything that had happened. Lizzy's expression morphed into one of mortification when I showed her the photo of Drew. Her hands flew to her mouth, and she mumbled out an, "Oh shit!"
"You've seen him? Here? In the diner?" I peppered the poor woman with my questions. "Do you know where he's staying?"
She covered her face with her palms, flaming red curls swishing back and forth as she furiously shook her head. I didn't know what was going on with her, but I didn't have time for a breakdown. I reached up and gripped her wrists before dragging her hands from her face.
Thick tears were rolling over her cheeks. "I didn't know. I swear, I didn't know," she whispered.
I was getting absolutely nowhere.
Still holding on to her wrists I stooped, so we were eye to eye. "Lizzy," I said firmly, "Do you know where I can find that man?" I made sure to punctuate every word.
For long seconds, she just stared at me; eyes wide and a river of tears spilling from them. Then ever so slowly she began to nod her head. For the second time that day, I allowed myself to have just a sliver of hope.
"Okay," I breathed. "Where?"
Lizzy tried to compose herself as much as she could. "I'll show you."
I didn't have to be told twice, turning on my heel I headed for the exit. Following her directions, we made our way out of town. It wasn't long before Lizzy told me to turn onto a narrow dirt road, surrounded by an endless amount of trees.
Behind my breastbone, my heart started beating at a furious pace. Images of Harper and Flynn being hurt flashed behind my eyes, I had to force them away.
"There," Lizzy's voice sounded from beside me. She looked about as close to death as I felt. "That's his car."
I turned my gaze to where she was pointing and sure enough, there was the blue sports car parked in front of the cabin—the only cabin for miles, I might add. Slowly, I pulled to a stop. Without turning off the engine, I reached into my pocket to pull out my cell.
"Shit!" Frustrated, I dropped the dead thing to the floor. "Do you have your phone on you?" I asked Lizzy who immediately began to shake her head. I turned my attention back to the cabin in the distance. There was a good possibility that my family was in there with a psychopath.
Leaning over, I placed my hands on Lizzy's fidgeting ones in her lap. "You're gonna have to go back to town and get Eli." On autopilot, her head bobbed up and down. "Lizzy, this isn't your fault, you hear me?" More nodding.
I wasn't a heartless man, but I wasn't a man with time on my side either. Sliding out from behind the wheel, I waited till Lizzy took my place. "Go get Eli." With that, I ducked into the woods and started for the cabin.
Shattered (Willow Creek Book 1) Page 15