Midnight Reckoning (Leave No Trace Book 1)

by Jannine Gallant

“You’ve already talked to him?” His voice rose. “Before you even asked my opinion?” Her words stung, and he didn’t make any effort to hide his feelings.

  “I knew what you’d say, and I wanted to be able to ease your mind. The detective’s been out tracking down some lost hikers, which is why he hasn’t called recently about Cooper’s case.”

  “Did he find the people?”

  “Yes. The man has skills. Anyway, he’s back in the valley now and asked me to give him a twenty-four-hour window before I set something up with Rosa so he can plan to be there to vet the meet location beforehand.”

  “What if Rosa doesn’t wait to take action. If you spooked her, she could make another attempt on your life up here. Or hire some goon to do it for her.” He stuck the keys in the ignition and cranked the engine. “Which means I’m not going anywhere tonight.”

  She didn’t respond as he pulled out of the lot and drove toward the barbecue restaurant on the edge of town. When they arrived, he parked and looked over at her. “Since we already had the argument, do you want to eat inside or get our food to go?”

  “To go. I did want to talk to the owner about catering one of the parties I just booked, but I can do that while we wait. If he’s available.”

  “Multi-tasking at its finest.” Levi got out and gently shut the door instead of giving it a hard slam. The fact that she was still in work mode didn’t really upset him. The problem was—everything. They hadn’t even gotten to the big issue of what a future together might look like. Apparently, they might not make it past the present.

  “I can call the owner tomorrow instead. I just thought since we were here . . .”

  “It’s fine, Raine.” When his phone rang, he pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Weird. It’s Matt Foster. Why don’t you go order dinner while I see what he wants? I’m not picky about what we eat.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  Levi swiped to connect as Raine walked toward the building. “What’s up, Matt? How are you?”

  “Good. Great.” He paused for a moment. “Hey, I had an idea I wanted to run by you. I just talked to Ava, and she’s still kind of a wreck after what happened to Cooper.”

  Levi leaned against his truck. “I imagine she is.”

  “Yeah, she loved the guy. Even though he probably didn’t deserve her. Anyway, Ava said she needs closure . . .” His voice trailed off. “We talked about a few of us going back to Yosemite. Maybe it would help her come to grips with his death if she’s there where it happened.”

  “Good God. Won’t those memories be a little too fresh? Seems like a bad idea to me.”

  “Sometimes you have to rip off the bandage for the wound to heal. I asked Bobby if he wanted to go, but he said he’s too busy. When I suggested we call Rosa, Ava refused. Those two have always had a few issues. But if you and Raine wanted to join us, maybe together, we could help Ava get the closure she needs so she can move on with her life.”

  “I don’t know—”

  “Why don’t you at least ask Raine.”

  “Fine. I’ll talk to her. Although with her new business, I can’t imagine—”

  “I have work commitments next week, but I don’t want to put this off too long. Ava suggested early August. Just a short trip. Hopefully you can both make time.”

  “I’ll check my schedule and get back to you, Matt. It’s nice of you to try to help Ava.”

  “Hey, we all have to do what we can. Right?”

  “Sure. I’ll be in touch.” Levi disconnected and stuck his phone into his pocket. Staring out into the gathering dusk, his brow creased.

  What the hell was that all about?

  Chapter Seventeen

  The gravel road had turned into a rough dirt track that seemed to be going nowhere. Raine swore as she rolled to a stop. The potential client had mentioned the house was secluded, but surely not this far out in the middle of the woods. Somewhere in the last couple of miles, she must have taken a wrong turn.

  Gritting her teeth, she pounded her fist on the steering wheel. For the first time since leaving San Francisco, she missed traffic-clogged streets and the hustle and bustle of humanity. Currently, the only sound in the vast forest was the low hum of her engine, the whisper of the breeze swaying the tree branches, and a single squawk from a Steller’s jay.

  Time to make a decision that didn’t involve calling for directions since she’d lost cell service shortly after turning onto this poor excuse for a road.

  There’d been a wide spot not too far back. She could reverse to that point and try to turn around, or she could keep going forward and hope for the best. Never one to give up, Raine let her foot off the brake and gave the Jeep some gas. She’d gone maybe another quarter of a mile when a chain strung across the road between two posts came into view. A no trespassing sign hung from the rusted links, and a fat padlock held the barrier in place.

  This was obviously the end of the road.

  “Damn.” She frowned at the sign—pockmarked with bullet holes—and wondered if this was the place. “Not very welcoming,” she muttered.

  Deciding she had nothing to lose, Raine grabbed her purse and notebook and opened the car door. Her feet hit the ground with a thump. At least she’d worn a pair of canvas deck shoes instead of sandals. After stepping over the chain, she picked her way up the rutted track and rounded a bend—only to stop cold.

  “Well, hell.”

  The structure before her looked like the remnants of an old hunting cabin or backcountry ski hut. Half the roof had caved in, and the door sagged open. The property certainly wasn’t the rustic estate the man on the phone had described.

  She’d definitely taken a wrong turn somewhere and just hoped to God she hadn’t gotten completely lost.

  Behind her, an engine droned, growing louder. Instead of relief, uneasiness shivered down her spine. She was alone and defenseless in the middle of nowhere. Eagerness to discuss a potentially lucrative job had made her careless. If someone had followed her . . .

  Plunging straight into the woods, Raine circled back toward where she’d left her car. Staying hidden behind a giant ponderosa pine, she took a quick peek toward the dirt track. A dark gray SUV was parked directly behind her Jeep. The driver stepped out and slammed the door. After glancing into her vehicle, he stepped over the chain and hurried toward the decaying shack.

  The same man who’d run her off the road. She hadn’t seen his face well enough to identify him, but she recognized his tall, broad figure. The Explorer with the top carrier covered with pro-gun stickers was definitely the same.

  Once he disappeared from sight, Raine took off running through the forest, staying close to the road to avoid getting hopelessly lost. Heart pounding, she dodged through the trees, only pausing to jerk her purse free when it caught on a bush. She’d gone maybe a half mile when the sound of an engine carried on the slight breeze. Sunlight glinted off a window as she angled deeper into the woods and ducked behind a manzanita bush. The Explorer backed down the road and swung into the wide spot to make a three-point turn.

  Legs trembling, she didn’t move as the driver accelerated away. When the rumble of his motor faded, she sank to the ground and tried to steady her breathing. A cold sweat had dried on her skin when she finally rose to her feet, but fear froze her in place.

  What if the man hadn’t left the area? What if he was simply waiting somewhere ahead for her to drive out?

  Pulling her phone from her purse, she checked for bars. Still no service.

  At least on foot, she had the advantage of staying hidden. Stuffing her phone and the note book she was still holding into her purse, she swung the strap over her head and across her chest. Feeling a little more comfortable, she set off at a quick jog. If she had to run all the way back to the main road, which was probably a good five miles, she would.

  She’d run for nearly twenty minutes and was starting to regret not exercising more regularly with Levi when voices drifted through the forest. Male v
oices coming from her left. Her pace slowed as she reached a singletrack. A pair of mountain bikers approached, riding fast. When she jumped out in front of them and waved her arms, they skidded to a stop.

  “Jesus, lady. I almost ran you down. Are you okay?” The boy in front looked like he was in his late teens.

  Relief flowed through her as she gave her unwitting saviors a shaky smile. “Actually, I got a little lost and then had some trouble. Unfortunately, I don’t have any cell service.”

  “Yeah, it’s sketchy out here.” The second kid pulled a water bottle from the holder on his bike and took a drink. “What can we do to help?”

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d call my friend once you have service. There’s a road just to our right. Can you give him directions to it and tell him to drive to the end?”

  “Sure. We’re only about five minutes away from getting a bar or two, but it’d take you a lot longer on foot.” The first boy pulled out his phone. “What’s his name and number?”

  “His name is Levi Hill. I’m Raine.” She recited Levi’s phone number while the boy typed it into his cell.

  “Wait. I know that guy.” The second rider grinned. “My older brother has run ultras with him. Hill crushed him.”

  This time a real smile curled her lips in response. “Levi’s pretty fast. Thanks a lot for helping me. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem.”

  “Hey, can you tell Levi to keep an eye out for a big guy in a dark gray Explorer? Tell him it’s the same person I had issues with before.”

  The first boy put away his phone and frowned. “You sure you’re going to be okay out here alone? Did some dude hassle you?”

  “I’ll be fine until my friend gets here. Honest.”

  “If we see the Explorer—”

  “Just ride past.” Raine cut him off. “Thanks, but I don’t want any trouble.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  The boys took off, leaving a trail of dust behind them, and Raine let out a long breath. Turning, she headed back into the forest. As long as she stayed hidden until Levi arrived, she just might make it out of the woods alive.

  * * * *

  Levi rounded a tight corner and nearly ran into the Explorer parked along the side of the rutted track. He jerked the steering wheel right as his gaze locked with the driver of the other vehicle. Recognition registered in the man’s eyes. The asshole gunned his engine and peeled out, sending up a spray of dirt as he just missed clipping the bumper of Levi’s pickup.

  Staring hard into his rearview mirror, he made out an X and a C on the license plate, but the rest was too smeared with mud to read.

  “Shit!”

  The urge to pursue the man was strong, but by the time he got his truck turned around, the Explorer would be long gone. And Raine was waiting for him. Afraid and alone.

  Even if this foolish situation was her own damn fault.

  Letting the bastard go pissed him off to no end, but he’d already been in a foul mood. Getting a phone call from a couple of mountain bikers with the news that Raine was in trouble had made him want to punch something. Preferably the smug face of the idiot currently driving in the opposite direction.

  Since calling the police to report the man wasn’t an option, thanks to no cell service, he eased his foot off the brake and continued down the road. Ten minutes later, Raine’s Jeep came into view. As he pulled up behind it, she ran out of the trees. Despite the fear shadowing her eyes and twigs decorating her tangled hair, she was so damn beautiful his heart ached. Turning off the engine, he stepped to the ground and held open his arms. When she reached him, he pulled her tight against his chest in a hard hug.

  “What the hell were you thinking?”

  “Obviously, I wasn’t. But the guy on the phone who asked me to meet him at his estate sounded like a harmless grandpa.” She sagged against him and wrapped her good arm around his waist. “At first I thought that jerk just followed me, but after going over the call in my mind a half-dozen times, I realized the whole thing was probably a set-up.”

  “I would assume so. There aren’t any homes anywhere near here.” Levi let out a ragged breath. “I’m just happy you’re safe.”

  “Me, too. Thanks for dropping everything to come meet me. I was afraid if I tried to drive out, that creep might be waiting for me somewhere.”

  “He was. The dude recognized me and took off when I passed him. He either got a decent look at my face the evening he hit your Jeep and knocked me senseless, or he noticed me hanging out with you sometime before this.”

  “Which means he’s been watching me when I didn’t know it.” Raine shivered. “I’m glad I always set the alarm downstairs when I’m alone in my apartment.”

  “I would hope so.” His voice was abrupt.

  She pulled away slightly, and a frown creased her brow as she looked up at him. “I know I was careless, but I shouldn’t have to worry that a call about a job might be a freaking trap. Do you know how angry that makes me?”

  “Probably almost as mad as I was letting that son of a bitch drive away.” He stroked a whisp of hair off her cheek. “I guess Rosa decided it would be easier to let her friend or lover or paid assassin—whatever the hell that guy is—take you out up here rather than risk meeting you in person.”

  “Maybe.” Her eyes darkened. “Maybe not. Rosa and I talked this morning after I scheduled the appointment with the fake client. Why would she call me if she knew her plan was already a go?”

  “I don’t know. She could have wanted a back-up strategy in place if her goon failed.”

  “I suppose. Anyway, she asked when I was coming down to the city. I told her tomorrow.”

  “Are you kidding?” Levi let go of her completely and stepped back. “After today’s fiasco, I hope you’ve changed your mind?”

  “If anything, I’m even more determined. Rosa said she has the day off and no plans other than doing laundry and cleaning her apartment. I said I’d call her about lunch when I get down there. I also told her you wouldn’t be coming with me since you were busy this week.” Before he could protest, she continued. “I was about to contact Detective Gilbert when one of my real clients called, freaking out about rain in the forecast for the day of her party. I calmed her down and had to leave right after that. Anyway, I still need to get a hold of him.”

  “Great. We can both talk to the detective since I have no intention of staying home.”

  “I didn’t figure you would. I simply wanted Rosa to believe I’d be alone.”

  “Oh.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Let’s get the hell out of here. Damn, I wish I’d gotten the license number off the Explorer. I don’t suppose you noticed the plate?”

  “Afraid not. I was too busy hiding in the woods. No way did I intend to mess with that guy.”

  “Smart.” He cupped her chin in his palm and kissed her, his irritation fading. “If anything had happened to you . . .”

  “I should have been more careful.” A mixture of anger and worry flashed through her eyes as she gazed up at him. “I didn’t think twice about where I was meeting clients before today, but I darn sure will from now on. I just want this to be over.”

  “So do I.” He kissed her again before letting her go. “We’ll probably have to back up quite a distance before we can turn around. Once we do, I’ll lead the way.”

  She nodded. “Fine with me. The last thing I want to do is get both of us lost.”

  “Not a problem. I run out here a lot, so I’m familiar with the area.”

  Levi got in his truck, started the engine, and waited until she did the same. Slinging an arm over the back of his seat, he negotiated down the rutted track. Finally reaching a wider stretch, he made a three-point-turn and pulled forward while Raine turned her Jeep around. Fifteen minutes later, they merged onto a paved road and picked up speed. Since he wasn’t sure what her plans were for the rest of the day, he drove to her warehouse and parked in the lot.

  She pulled up besid
e him and got out. Leaning an elbow on the open window, she gave him a tentative smile. “Do you have to go back to the lodge right away?”

  “I can spare another hour.”

  “Then come on inside, and I’ll make you a sandwich. We can talk to Detective Gilbert while we have lunch.”

  “Sure.” He locked his pickup and followed her to the front entrance. After she deactivated the alarm, he climbed the stairs behind her.

  Raine went straight to the sink and filled two glasses with water. Handing him one, she drank half of the other. “I was a little dehydrated after running around in the woods all morning. I also need to shower, but lunch first.”

  “I’ll make the sandwiches. You call the detective.” He took a swallow before setting the glass on the counter and opening the mini-fridge. “You have turkey and provolone.” He added an avocado and lettuce to the pile. “Where’s your bread?”

  “In the lower cupboard. I bought salt and vinegar chips, too, since I know you’re a fan.” She tapped her phone and engaged the speaker as it rang.

  “Gilbert here,” the detective answered. “How are you, Raine?”

  “I just spent the last couple of hours hiding from the creep who ran me off the road a couple of weeks ago. Other than that, I’m fine. Levi’s here with me now.”

  “Any chance you can identify the man?” His tone was sharp.

  “I’m afraid not. I got a good look at him, but he wasn’t at all familiar.”

  “Same.” Levi pulled out four slices of sourdough bread. “I tried to get his plate number, but it was covered in mud. I could only make out an X and a C.”

  “I’d need more than that to run a trace.” The cop sounded frustrated.

  “I did talk to Rosa Gonzales,” Raine spoke up. “I told her I’d meet her in the Bay Area tomorrow. We didn’t settle on a time or place, but I made it clear I’d be coming alone.”

  “Excellent. I can be in the city by late morning.”

  “I’ll go down with Raine to help keep an eye on her.” Levi spread mustard on the bread. “I won’t get in the way of whatever you plan to do, but staying home isn’t an option.”