Valley of Shadows and Stranger in the Shadows: Valley of ShadowsStranger in the Shadows

by Shirlee McCoy

  “Exporting goods?”

  Doom cast her a curious look. “That’s the business Mr. Morran started. The boys have done quite well with it, but it’s not what has gained them enemies.” She gestured Miranda into a bright kitchen and pulled out a chair at the round teak table there. “Sit here.”

  “Then what has gained them enemies? His work against drug dealers?”

  “Yes. Hawke has invested time and money in that pursuit. This compound, the people that work for him here are all part of that. Hawke has built a business much different than the one his stepfather began. Its sole purpose is to fight against the Wa. You know the Wa?”

  “Hawke mentioned them.”

  “A bad group.” Doom shook her head as she placed a plate of toast and fruit in front of Miranda. “They control many exporters to one extent or another, paying money to have their heroin shipped out of the country. Mr. Morran, he wanted nothing to do with that. When the Wa approached, he went to the police and turned in the local man who was working for them. A few nights later he, his wife and daughter were dead.”

  Miranda’s stomach clenched and she pushed the toast away. “That’s terrible.”

  “It was a very terrible time. Simon was only thirteen, staying with a friend for the night. That was what saved him.”

  “And Hawke?”

  “Away at school in the States, getting his master’s degree. He flew back from college as soon as he heard and has been here ever since, going after every drug dealer, every courier.” Doom shook her head again. “That’s what his life has been about. I think he is ready for something different.”

  “Then we need to pray he gets an opportunity to have it.”

  “Pray. Yes. That’s something I’ve been doing every day since I came to work for the Morrans.”

  A sound from the front of the house interrupted the conversation. An opening door, footfall, loud voices. Miranda jumped up from the chair, racing into the hallway after Doom.

  What she saw there brought her skidding to a halt, her heart stuck in her throat. Five men dressed in black stood near the door, guns in their hands, their faces set in hard, angry lines. A sixth man stood in the middle of the group, his brightly colored shirt and small build setting him apart from the others.

  The door flew open again and Hawke strode in, Apirak close behind him. Both men had guns in their hands and dark scowls on their faces. Hawke’s eyes glowed light gray and cold, his focus on the brightly dressed man. He said something in Thai, the words more growl than language. The man jumped, turning to face Hawke, words pouring from his mouth in a quick, breathless stream.

  For a moment Hawke said nothing, just stared at the man with the same hard look. Then he nodded, gesturing with a hand and stepping back as the black-clad men moved in. They weren’t gentle as they urged the sixth man up the stairs, their booted feet pounding against the floor.

  In the wake of their departure, the foyer fell silent, the tension thick. Miranda spoke into it, anxious to know what was going on. “Did you find your brother?”

  Hawke’s cold gaze focused on her and she resisted the urge to take a step back. “No, but we’re going to.”

  Disappointment and sadness made her step toward him. She touched the rigid muscle of his bicep, wishing she had words that would ease the pain he must be feeling. “I’m sorry.”

  At her words, his expression softened and he pulled her into a tight hug. “Me, too, but I know where he is. Nothing is going to keep me from bringing him home this time.”

  “You know this is a trap and you’re going to walk right into it.” Apirak spoke English and Miranda wondered if he did it purposely to pull her into an argument she had a feeling had been going on for a while.

  “What’s going on?” She pulled back from Hawke’s arms, trying to read the truth in his face.

  “We found Sharee where he said he would be, but my brother wasn’t with him. A little encouragement and he was able to tell us where he left Simon.”

  “Left him?”

  “Austin gave him instructions to keep Simon alive until he had the documents in hand, but to not let us near each other. Simon’s in a warehouse in Mae Hong Son. I’m going to get him.”

  “Austin will be waiting for you. And he won’t be alone.” Apirak spoke again, his frustration obvious.

  “Sharee wasn’t alone, either, and we were fine.”

  “Sharee is a fool. Austin is not.”

  “Anyone who does what he has done is a fool.” Hawke dropped the pack he was carrying.

  “And going up against him alone isn’t foolish as well?”

  “Alone?” Miranda interrupted the argument, not liking what she was hearing.

  “It’s the only way to make sure no one knows I’m coming. The only way to keep Simon from being killed.”

  “You’re not the only one able to move quietly and quickly, Hawke.” Apirak dropped his own pack on the floor, his jaw set.

  “Which is easier to spot, my friend, one tiger lurking in the grass or two?” Hawke’s tone was almost gentle and Miranda knew he understood his friend’s worry. Just as she knew he didn’t plan to let it stop him.

  “Tigers hunt alone.”

  “Exactly. I’m going into the warehouse and I’m getting my brother. I want you here with Sharee until someone from the Royal Thai police comes to collect him.”

  “You’ve got five men guarding him. You do not need one more. The truth is, you know you are probably walking into a death trap and you refuse to bring any of us with you.”

  Hawke didn’t deny it and Miranda went cold with the truth of what Apirak had said. “Hawke—”

  “Call Jack, Apirak. He’s on his way to Mae Hong Son. Tell him that I’m headed to the old warehouse south of town. He’ll know it. If anything happens, you’ve got the documents. Make sure he gets them.”

  “You should wait for him to arrive and go together,” Miranda tried again, but Hawke seemed determined to ignore her protest.

  “I can’t waste any more time. I’ve got to go.” He turned to his friend. “I’m trusting you to take care of Miranda while I’m gone. However long that might be.”

  He was asking for more than a few hours or even a few days. He was asking a man Miranda didn’t know to protect her for as long as was necessary; to take responsibility for her life if he could no longer do it.

  But her life was her responsibility and Miranda had no intention of staying safe in Hawke’s compound while he walked into danger alone.

  She thought about arguing with him, but knew she wouldn’t change his mind. She’d let him leave and then she’d find a way to follow.

  Apirak’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashed, but it seemed he, too, had given up the argument. “You are a brother to me. Of course, I will do as you request.”

  Hawke nodded, then pushed open the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I have Simon.”

  Miranda thought he’d walk away without another word, but his gaze swept from Doom to Apirak and finally came to rest on her. “Stay with Apirak.”

  “I will.” For as long as it took for her to find a ride into town.

  “Promise me, Miranda.” His gray eyes speared into hers.

  He knew. She was sure of it. He’d seen her plan written on her face or in her eyes and he wanted to keep her from following through on it.

  Too bad. She wasn’t promising anything. “You’d better go. Your brother needs you.”

  “Babe, I’m not going anywhere until I have your word you’ll stay with Apirak. Every minute you refuse to give it is another minute Simon is in the hands of brutal men who have no conscience that can’t be bought.”

  He knew her too well. Miranda couldn’t imagine how that was possible after so few days of knowing each other, but he d
id and he’d called her bluff.

  She swallowed back her protest, threw her arms around his waist, holding him tight for just a moment, feeling his warm strength and vibrant life.

  And she couldn’t imagine going back to a life without him in it.

  “Be careful, Hawke.”

  “You know I will.”

  “Then I’ll promise to stay with Apirak, but I’m not happy about it.”

  He tilted her chin, staring down into her face, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You don’t have to worry about me, babe. You know that faith you were talking about? I’ve finally found it and one way or another, I’m thinking I’ll be just fine.”

  With that, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips and walked away.

  Apirak pulled the door closed, his stiff shoulders and angry scowl telling Miranda just how unhappy he was to be left behind.

  “Do you think he’ll be okay?” She knew there was no answer to the question, but asked it anyway.

  “I think I would be happier if I were going with him.”

  “We need to call Jack. Maybe he’ll be able to get there with some agents.”

  “He won’t bring any agents in with him. Too big a show of force and Simon will be killed outright. It is better for a few highly trained men to go in.”

  “But not one?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Hawke never would have allowed any of us to go in alone. He goes himself, though, to protect his men and his brother.”

  “But what does any of that matter if Hawke and Simon don’t have a chance?”

  “They have a chance. They’d have more of one if I could be there. Come.” Apirak took her arm and led her into a large office. “I need to call McKenzie.”

  He picked up the phone, dialing a number he must have memorized. While he spoke, Miranda paced the room, restless energy shivering along her spine and demanding she take action. Prayers flitted through her mind, barely coalescing before they took flight. There had to be something she could do besides hide away in the house waiting for Hawke and his brother to be murdered.

  No, there wasn’t. She’d given her word to stay close to Apirak.

  To stay close to him.

  Miranda’s heart skipped a beat, then accelerated. She’d given her word to stay close to Hawke’s friend. She hadn’t given her word to stay in the compound. Should she try to get Apirak to take her to the warehouse?

  Lord, I don’t know what You want me to do. Please, give me some idea of what path I should take. The prayer whispered from the deepest part of her soul. Making a mistake, doing the wrong thing, could quite possibly get her and several men killed. And doing nothing might mean Hawke and Simon’s death.

  There had been so many times in her life when she’d hesitated, so many times when she’d missed opportunities and blessings because she was afraid to trust God’s ability to steer her course.

  This would not be one of those times. In her heart, she knew she had to go after Hawke. For now, that was all that mattered.

  She’d waited until Apirak hung up the phone and then she set to work convincing him that her plan was a much more reasonable one than Hawke’s.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Hawke felt the cool metal of the gun he’d pulled from its holster and the soft kiss of mist pressing against his skin, but only as periphery sensations. His focus was on the warehouse that sat in the midst of overgrown grass and overflowing garbage bags. Years ago, he’d played here with friends, exploring the building with both fear and exhilaration, the empty warehouse too tempting for the children to ignore. Then, as now, the building held an air of secrecy, the mist drifting over the empty parking lot and the fields that surrounded it making it seem haunted and lonely. If Simon was there, Sharee’s men would be there, as well. And Hawke had no reason to doubt Sharee’s word on the matter. The man was a coward. Without men and guns to back him up, he’d caved, sputtering places and names with abandon, confirming Hawke’s belief that Austin had set up Simon’s kidnapping and insisting Hawke’s brother was still alive.

  Hawke prayed the second part was as true as the first. He hadn’t expected Simon to be in the village, but his disappointment had still been real. Now he was counting on finding Simon in the bowels of an abandoned warehouse. If his brother wasn’t there, Hawke would keep searching, keep questioning until he found him.

  For now, he’d focus on this moment, this goal.

  He eased toward the building on his belly, using thick mist and shifting shadows to hide his movements, his gut screaming for him to hurry, his mind insisting he continue the slow, plodding pace. The area surrounding the warehouse offered plenty of cover. The parking lot and open fields that used to resound with activity and motion had been abandoned years ago and were now filled with debris and car carcasses.

  Hawke used the refuse to his advantage, slithering behind piles of garbage and rusted vehicles until he was close enough to see inside the broken windows. He stayed there watching, waiting for any sign the warehouse was occupied. It came within minutes, a dark figure passing in front of the broken glass. A sloppy move. One that could cost a man his life. Minutes later, a guard moved around the side of the building, careless and at ease. Which meant the element of surprise was still with Hawke.

  He waited until the man turned the next corner, then moved up behind him, knocking him out with the butt of his gun and catching his body before it could hit the ground. Now he moved quickly around the back of the building, his senses on high alert, his body humming with adrenaline.

  The back of the warehouse was clear of guards and he moved to a window there, pulling a cutting tool from his belt and using it to remove the glass. Noise drifted from deep inside the old building, muted voices and laughter that set Hawke’s teeth on edge. Sharee’s men laughed while Simon suffered, but it wouldn’t be for long.

  Hawke eased into the dark room beyond the window, the scent of decay and the musty odor of age hitting him in the face. He ignored it, concentrating his attention on the voices and laughter, straining to hear any sound of approaching footsteps as he tried to picture the building’s layout in his mind. Offices along the back wall, a hallway that led out into the open part of the warehouse and an upper level that housed a kitchen, dining area and one more office. If Hawke was keeping a hostage that would be the place he’d do it, not on the lower level where escape would be easy. There were two sets of stairs—one off the main warehouse area, the other at the end of the hallway outside the door.

  Hawke eased the door open, peering out into the dark hallway. Nothing moved and the voices remained muted. Sharee’s men were as foolish as their leader. He moved silently, the carpeted floor making soundless movement easy. The stairwell was empty, the darkness above suggesting that the upstairs was empty, too. Hawke took the stairs two at a time, pausing at the top, listening to the silence. From here, the voices were almost inaudible, the hollow empty feel of the upstairs hallway doing nothing to ease Hawke’s alert state.

  The hair on the back of his neck stood up, his nerves humming a warning. Something was wrong. As much as he believed Sharee’s men to be fools, they wouldn’t leave a prisoner without a guard. Either Simon wasn’t here, or they were so confident he couldn’t be freed, they had nothing to worry about.

  Either was bad news and Hawke moved with caution, peering into the open doorway that led into the employee cafeteria. There was little left there. A few chairs, a table, layers of dust and rat droppings that showed no sign of having been walked through recently. The kitchen was the same, empty, layered in dust, the smell of old food still hanging in the air.

  The office was at the end of the hall, the door closed, no sounds coming from beyond it. It wasn’t locked, and Hawke knew that if Simon were inside, he wouldn’t be alone. He pushed it open anyway, knowing that was his only
choice.

  “I thought you’d be here sooner. I guess I gave you more credit than you deserve.” The voice was smooth as honey, the man who stood on the other side of the door tall, lanky, with blond hair and deep brown eyes.

  Austin. Hawke recognized him from the pictures he’d seen at the apartment. “And I thought someone who worked for the DEA would have more honor than to sell secrets to the Wa.”

  “What is honor worth? Not much in today’s market.” Austin smirked. “Put your gun down, Morran. I wouldn’t want your brother to get hurt after you took the time to come save him.” He gestured to the left, and Hawke caught sight of his brother. Seated in a metal folding chair, his hands tied behind his back, his feet tied to the chair legs, he looked haggard, bruised and as cantankerous as ever.

  “Like I said before, it took you long enough, bro.” Simon’s voice was raspy and he winced as he spoke, his normally tan skin pale beneath the bruises.

  “I was trying to give you plenty of time to escape on your own. I didn’t want your youthful self-esteem to be injured by having to have me rescue you.” As he spoke, Hawke took stock of the two men who stood on either side of Simon. Both were armed and built like fighters.

  “I hate to cut this touching reunion short, but you’ve got something I want. Hand it over now before I lose what little patience I have left.”

  “Let my brother go. Then the papers are yours.”

  “You don’t hold all the cards this time, Morran. I do. Now, drop your weapon and give me the documents.” Austin nodded toward one of the men, his dark eyes flashing as the man put a gun to Simon’s head.

  “Don’t do it, bro.”

  The man slammed a fist into Simon’s head and Hawke lunged forward, ready to do battle for his brother. The click of a gun safety froze him. The barrel of the man’s gun pressed into the soft flesh beneath Simon’s jaw. And Hawke had no choice but to place his gun on the floor and wait for Austin’s next move.