In the Arms of the Enemy

by Carol Ericson

  He yanked the door of the shop open for her, feeling irritated with himself. He didn’t need any more complicated women in his life—no matter how good she looked in her skinny jeans.

  Linda glanced up from helping a customer and smiled.

  She probably thought her little matchmaking scheme had come off famously. Cole would let Caroline break the bad news to her and tell her what had gone wrong, because he sure as hell didn’t know.

  * * *

  NOT WANTING TO get into any small talk with Cole, Caroline wandered around the shop, picking up and replacing items she saw a hundred times a day.

  Where had her preference for the desert come from? The fact that she’d blurted it out to Cole had to mean her memory was coming back, unless she’d been influenced by the hypnosis. She’d have to watch what she said around the DEA agent.

  DEA agent looking for a suspect in Johnny’s murder was better than drug dealer looking for his missing cash, but only marginally. If he had any idea that she’d been the last person to see Diamond alive, even if she couldn’t remember it, he’d haul her into custody so fast her head would spin.

  The customer finally left the shop and Caroline asked, “Did you get your car fixed?”

  “I did. Did you get to your appointment okay?” Linda glanced quickly at Cole.

  “It’s okay. Cole knows I was seeing a therapist.”

  “And I wholeheartedly approve—” he held up his hand “—not that Caroline needs approval from me.”

  “And you?” Linda hunched forward, folding her arms on the counter. “Did you find what you needed at the Port Angeles library?”

  He slid a sideways glance at Caroline before answering. “Yep.”

  Cole hadn’t asked her to keep quiet about his real purpose in Timberline, but who was she to spill anyone else’s secrets?

  “We even had a bite to eat before we hit the road back to Timberline,” she said.

  Linda’s eyes sparkled. “Sounds like a nice day. I’m glad Cole could step in and give you a lift.”

  “It worked out.” Caroline pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to give Linda any ideas about her and Cole. Even if she were in a position to start a relationship, it wouldn’t be with a DEA agent.

  “It’s always nice getting to know someone.” Linda beamed.

  “We did get to know a little more about each other.” Cole crossed his arms. “What I learned about Caroline is that she doesn’t know much about her adopted home.”

  “Timberline?” Linda’s smile froze on her face. “She never visited before, but she’s learning something new every day.”

  Caroline nodded as her stomach sank. Linda needed to stop talking before she revealed too much information, and maybe she needed to leave town so she wouldn’t be putting Linda in any more awkward situations where Linda had to lie—especially to DEA agents.

  Dr. Shipman had indicated that hypnosis could work for her, so it could probably work for her anywhere and with anyone. She should try to recover her identity far, far away from Timberline—and Cole Pierson.

  “She didn’t even know that the biggest mystery out of Timberline, the kidnapping of those three children, had been partially solved. But I guess you had your own issues to deal with, didn’t you, Caroline?”

  Caroline ground her back teeth together. Did he suspect her again? He kept swinging back and forth between believing she was Linda’s cousin looking for a fresh start and suspecting she might be the woman in Diamond’s motel room at the time of his death.

  “Yeah, I haven’t been paying much attention to the local news.”

  Linda sighed. “I’m glad the authorities finally identified who took those kids. Now if someone could only figure out what Rocky did with them.”

  “Rocky?” Caroline stopped swinging the key chain around her finger as her heart skipped a beat. Rocky was the name on the text Johnny had gotten on his phone.

  So she was connected not only to a drug dealer, but to a kidnapper. What kind of madness had she escaped?

  Chapter Seven

  “R-Rocky?” Caroline swayed on her feet and dropped the key chain back in the bin.

  Linda responded in a hard voice. “Rocky Whitecotton. He was Quileute, although they’ve all but disowned him. One of their own, Scarlett Easton, made the connection between Rocky and the Timberline Trio, along with a former member of the Lords of Chaos.”

  Cole had moved closer to Caroline, almost hovering, but she didn’t turn his way. What would he see in her face?

  “Lords of Chaos?” She sounded like a parrot, but she couldn’t form a coherent thought in her head.

  “That motorcycle gang. I think I mentioned it to you before.” Cole’s voice sounded close, almost like a whisper in her ear, almost accusing.

  She swallowed and scooped her hair back from her face. “Wow, Timberline does have quite a sordid history. Are you going to put all of this in your book, Cole?”

  He jerked back sharply and sucked in a breath. “Not really the kind of thing my books focus on. I want to show the charm of a place, not unearth all of its dirty little secrets.”

  “Your books? I thought this was your first one.”

  “This one and the ones I plan to write in the future.”

  Linda had been glancing between the two of them with a crease between her brows. “Anyway, the FBI knows that Rocky was responsible for the kidnappings, that he gave the Lords of Chaos drugs to do the dirty work, but they don’t know why he did it, or what he did with the children.”

  “I’ve heard all this before.” Cole jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to hit the road, but I think you left your phone in my car, Caroline. Do you want to come out with me to get it? Or I could drive you home.”

  “I’ll do a little work here and go home with Linda, but I’ll come get my phone.” She patted her throwaway phone in the pocket of her jacket just to make sure it was there, and then followed Cole through the door.

  Before he could open his mouth, she spun around on him. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell Linda or anyone else that you’re DEA. Did you think I would?”

  “I didn’t think so.” He scratched the sexy stubble on his chin. “But for a minute in there, I thought you were going to blow my cover. I’m sorry I’m asking you to lie for me. I don’t like that, but you did go snooping through my wallet. I just don’t want the locals to know that I’m looking into Johnny Diamond’s past.”

  “Maybe the good folks of Timberline would be able to help you. I doubt anyone here has any loyalty to some scumbag drug dealer who’s connected to an outlaw biker gang.”

  “You never know about these small towns. I’m sure there are still a lot of people here who have connections to the Lords. A few of them were just in town last month, causing trouble, as usual.”

  “They were here? In Timberline?” Caroline crossed her arms over her stomach.

  What did she think she’d find here? She’d discovered nothing about her identity, but had plenty of reason to regret her decision to come to Timberline. She should’ve stayed in Seattle, a big city where she could get lost. She could’ve found a hypnotherapist there, worked things out in relative safety and anonymity.

  Of course, if she hadn’t come to Timberline she never would’ve heard Rocky’s name or found out that a DEA agent was hot on her heels.

  She never would’ve met Cole at all.

  He squeezed her shoulder. “Are you okay? It’s not like the Lords are going to come after you or wreak havoc through Timberline.”

  No, just wreak havoc with her mind—like Cole was doing now with his comforting hand on her shoulder. Maybe she should confess everything to him. He’d want to know that Diamond had received a text mentioning Rocky. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Rocky was not a common name. Did that mean tha
t Diamond also had something to do with the Timberline Trio? Maybe his connection to Rocky could help the FBI find out what had happened to those kids twenty-five years ago. Didn’t she owe it to them to speak up?

  “I just hate the thought of violence. I really do. I couldn’t harm a spider—and I hate spiders. I don’t understand people who commit violent acts.”

  Cole tilted his head to one side, studying her face. “Just keep seeing Dr. Shipman. I’m sure you’ll work things out, Caroline.”

  She stiffened. That sounded like a goodbye. Maybe he didn’t want anyone around him who knew his true business in Timberline. She bit the inside of her cheek to bring herself back to reality. This was what she wanted—get rid of Cole and his questioning eyes, his hovering presence, his suspicions.

  “You’re right. Once I get sorted out, I probably won’t even stay here in Timberline. I’ll most likely get lost in some big city.”

  “In the desert.”

  “What?” Her gaze flew to his face.

  “You said you liked the desert. You could head to Phoenix or Albuquerque. Hell, even L.A.’s a desert.”

  “I might do that.” She plucked her phone from her pocket. “I know I don’t need my phone from your car, so thanks for the ride and...and say goodbye before you leave town.”

  “I will.” His fingers brushed her cheek and he turned toward his car.

  She didn’t wait for him to drive off. She pivoted toward the store and shoved the door hard, setting off the tinkling of the bells.

  “What happened? Didn’t you two hit it off?” Linda screwed up her mouth. “I sensed a lot of tension between you.”

  “I appreciate your efforts, Linda, but I’m not ready for any romantic entanglements right now.”

  “But if you were—” Linda winked “—Cole would be just the man to start with. He’s so...safe. A girl would feel protected with him.”

  Linda must be picking up on Cole’s law enforcement vibe, just as Caroline had. As a DEA agent, he was accustomed to being large and in charge. He was even here in Timberline on his own time. He was obviously dedicated to his job and justice—and that would mean moving heaven and earth to find Diamond’s accomplice.

  Caroline could never tell him about her role in Johnny Diamond’s life. He wouldn’t understand. For all his smiling helpfulness, the man had a hard edge. She saw it in his eyes when he talked about the drug dealers and the kidnappers and the outlaw biker gang. He had little patience for people like that—people like her.

  The lawman and the criminal—ha, that would never work in a million years.

  “I’m sure he’ll make some woman a great husband. He even likes babies.”

  “Just not you.” Linda came from behind the counter and gave Caroline a hug. “How did your therapy go? Do you think it’s going to help you? I really think it saved my sister.”

  “I think it will help.” Deserts, large families and escape—it was a start.

  * * *

  LATER THAT EVENING, Linda was feeling social and invited Caroline out to dinner. Caroline wanted to stay away from Sutter’s, since that seemed to be Cole’s dining choice most evenings, but when Linda went out for dinner that’s where she went.

  A quick survey of the dining room assured Caroline that Cole had either chosen another place tonight or hadn’t made it over here yet. She and Linda took a table in the middle of the room—another of Linda’s conditions. She liked to see and be seen when she went out. She missed her sister more than she let on.

  Caroline pulled out her chair and then paused, her gaze following the bald man who was making his way to the bar. She nudged Linda. “Do you know that guy? The one with the shaved head and green scarf?”

  Linda leaned to the left and squinted. “Never saw him before in my life. Could be a new Evergreen employee. Why?”

  “He came into the store the other day. Bought a frog.”

  “You don’t still think Larry is sending spies out here, do you?”

  Linda raised her brows in a way that made Caroline flush three different heat levels. She had to suffer through those looks if she wanted to keep up the pretense of the abusive husband. Neither Linda nor Cole would think she was so silly and paranoid if they knew her real reason for being in Timberline and jumping at every loud noise.

  “He just seemed suspicious.” Caroline flicked open the menu and sniffed. “I know it’s ridiculous. I just can’t help it.”

  Linda’s face softened. “I know, dear. You have every right to be on edge. I don’t know the man, but I can find out who he is. Even with Evergreen setting up shop, Timberline is still a small town and I have my sources.”

  That inconvenient guilt niggled in her belly. It had never occurred to Linda that Caroline might be lying about everything and that Cole could be, as well. The man with the shaved head could be lying to the bartender right now.

  Chloe, their waitress, came up to the table, tapping her pencil against her notebook. “Hi, ladies. What can I get you tonight? Start you off with a glass of wine?”

  “That sounds perfect.” Linda nudged Caroline’s arm. “Let’s indulge, just one and I’m driving.”

  Caroline hadn’t had any alcohol since she’d been born in that motel room, but surely she could stop at one and not fall into an alcohol-induced conversation with Linda.

  “I’m in. I’ll have the house white, whatever that is.”

  Chloe raised her pencil in the air. “It’s a chardonnay from the Willamette Valley. Is that okay?”

  “That’s fine.”

  “And you’ll have the same, Linda?”

  “Yes, thank you, Chloe.”

  “Do you want me to bring a carafe?”

  “Oh no, just a glass for each of us is fine.”

  As Chloe turned from the table, a twentysomething man with long black hair caught in a ponytail nudged her back. “I need to talk to you. Now.”

  She brushed him off. “I’m working here, Jason.”

  “Hello, Jason.” Linda gave the young man a smile.

  “Hi, Ms. Gunderson. Sorry to interrupt.” He nudged Chloe in the back again.

  “We can wait for our wine. Have you met my cousin Caroline Johnson?”

  Jason held up one hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Go see what Jason wants, Chloe.”

  As Jason and Chloe wandered away, heads together, Linda took a sip of water. “Those two are such a nice couple. Jason’s Quileute, from the reservation. Hardworking young man.”

  Caroline covered a smile with one hand. Linda obviously enjoyed seeing love flourish.

  When Chloe came back with their wine, her smooth brow was creased with worry.

  Linda didn’t seem to notice and Caroline didn’t know Chloe well enough to inquire, so they ordered their food.

  Caroline kept up the conversation with Linda while glancing toward the bar every once in a while. The bald guy hadn’t spoken to anyone except the bartender, Denny, and didn’t seem to be meeting anyone, since he’d already started eating his burger.

  Linda had drained her wineglass, and when Chloe returned to deliver their food, she ordered a second glass.

  “I’m eating a big meal.” Linda waved her fork over her plate, which was overflowing with a thick pork chop and mashed potatoes and gravy. “I should be okay to drive.”

  “If you say so.” Caroline took a sip of water and tossed her napkin on the table. “I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

  She scooted back from the table and veered toward the perimeter of the room. She glanced over her shoulder before entering the short hallway to the bathrooms and the exit.

  The man at the bar was still eating and hadn’t noticed her. She washed her hands at the sink and took a deep breath before stepping into the hallway. She flattened her
self against the wall and hunched forward a little until she could see the bar.

  She didn’t know what she hoped to discover about the man from here. She’d gotten lucky the night she’d overheard Cole on his cell phone. Luck like that wouldn’t strike twice.

  Nothing about the man screamed biker, drug trafficker or even cop.

  So why had he made her senses spike? Because he’d been watching her from the end of the alley the night she’d suspected someone had broken into her place? The night of the pouring rain, when Cole had rescued her from the mud and had made everything okay?

  She huffed softly through her nostrils. He was in law enforcement. That’s what those guys did—set everything right again. Could he set her right again?

  No. Once he discovered her identity, or at least what she knew of her identity, that hard, cold look would come into his eyes and they’d turn to green chips of ice.

  A pretty blonde stopped next to the man with the shaved head and perched on the stool next to him, facing him. They chatted, heads together, and then she handed him some papers.

  Maybe Linda could ID the blonde, Caroline thought. Before she could peel herself from the wall, Chloe and her boyfriend stumbled into the hallway, their voices harsh whispers as they argued about something.

  Caroline cleared her throat. Two sets of eyes pinned her, so she gave a weak smile, eased out of the hall and scurried back to her table. She didn’t want them to think she was eavesdropping. She had enough of her own problems.

  Caroline widened her eyes when she saw a half carafe of wine in front of Linda, who was chatting with one of her card-playing friends.

  “Here she is, my sweet cousin Caroline.”

  Caroline smiled at the other woman. “Irene, right?”

  “You have a good memory.”

  Caroline coughed to mask the laugh bubbling from her throat. “Linda talks about her good friends all the time.”

  “Linda’s lucky to have you here while her sister is gone. When is Louise coming back, Linda?”