“I’m not sure. He said he had to talk to a few people and would meet me back at Camilla’s.”
“Camilla?”
“Cousin, she lives over there.” He pointed in the direction of the building but continued to study Ryan. The position of the body, the way the medics worked on him, the shallow breathing, all told a story.
“What’s your name?”
Tag tore his gaze from Ryan and stared down at the man. “Tag. Yours?” He did a quick sweep. Loose tie, button missing from the collar, top button undone, ketchup stain on light blue cotton shirt, black cotton pants creased and black shoes polished to a shine.
“Detective Arnold Ivory.” He straightened and met Tag’s gaze. “I’m handling this case.”
Tag stiffened as heaviness filled his belly. “Case? Is there more going on here?”
Ivory’s gaze narrowed. “You’ve been staring at him all this time and didn’t ask any questions about what happened to him, why is that?”
Tag returned his gaze to Ryan. The paramedics were loading him in the vehicle. He took a step to go with him but Ivory placed his hand on his arm.
“Answer me, first,” Ivory demanded.
“I assumed he was mugged and that you didn’t know what happened.” Tag glanced down at the hand on his arm. “May I go now?”
Ivory released him. “I hope you’ve been telling me the truth otherwise you and I are going to have a long conversation at the precinct.”
Tag didn’t bother responding; instead he ran to the back of the ambulance and hit the closed door. When it opened, he gestured toward Ryan. “That’s my brother.”
The attendant looked over his head then allowed Tag to hop in.
“What’s his name?” The attendant asked as they moved onto the road.
Tag took Ryan’s hand and squeezed. “Ryan Lee. What happened to him?” Ryan wore a brace around his head and neck. Black and purple marks covered his face. His eyes were the size of ping-pong balls and his cheeks resembled a chipmunk. Seeing him up close, Ryan was in really bad shape.
“Friend hurt, Grizzle hunt.”
“Not yet.”
“The doctor will talk to you –”
“I know that,” Tag snapped.
Grizzle grunted in anger over Ryan’s condition and his failure at protecting him.
“Damn, it looks like someone took a bat and slammed him across his face and chest.” He inhaled again and frowned. Why would a bear scent be on Ryan? It made no sense.
“Bear hurt friend? We hunt,” Grizzle said.
“Not yet, we wait until we know more,” Tag said using every bit of patience he possessed to placate his beast, otherwise they’d never make it to the hospital.
The attendant turned to look at the equipment. “They used something.”
Tag pulled out his phone and sent Lorenzo a text. Next he sent one to Tyra informing her of Ryan’s destination. When they arrived at the hospital, he was shuffled aside to give information on Ryan to admissions. The stringent disinfectant in the hospital interfered with his sense of smell and he couldn’t decipher the odor he’d picked on Ryan earlier. Tag wiped his nose several times to clear the cloying odor but nothing worked.
Most of the paperwork he couldn’t answer but enough to satisfy the woman behind the desk. He met a teary-eyed Tyra and Jewel in the waiting room. A police officer watched him then spoke into his radio. Tag heard the detective’s name and pulled the two roommates close.
“I told the cops I was Ryan’s brother,” he whispered, expecting the detective any minute.
Tyra frowned. Her eyes were shiny as she spoke in a hushed voice. “I don’t know anything about Ryan’s family, just that he’s Camilla’s cousin. That’s what I told the cop when he asked a few minutes ago.”
Jewel nodded. “I met Ryan for the first time yesterday. I don’t know him.” She and Tyra held each other in a loose embrace as they stared up at him. “How’s he doing?”
“I don’t know… yet.” He looked over their head. Another cop joined the first.
“What’s going on?” Tyra asked, tears rolling down her cheeks. “First Camilla’s missing, the cops won’t go look for her.” Her voice rose as she looked over her shoulder at the uniformed officers. “And now somebody attacks Ryan in the park? Nothing has ever happened in that park before. I don’t understand what’s going on.”
Unfortunately, Tag had an idea. Ryan must have asked the wrong question or got too close to finding clues about what happened to Camilla. Damn, if only they had switched lists. Now he would need to recreate the entire list with Gus. Then track down whoever did this to Ryan to satisfy both parts of his nature.
“I don’t know but I need one of you to remain with Ryan at all times. Tell them you’re his fiancé or something,” he said watching as a third officer joined the other two. What did they expect him to do in a hospital? Fight? Cause a scene? Geesh. At any moment, Ivory would appear and take him away.
“I’ll do that,” Tyra said quickly then glanced at Jewel. “Unless you want to?”
Jewel wiped the tears from Tyra’s face with her fingertips. “No. You’ll be more believable. I’m here to support you.”
Tyra turned and laid her forehead on Jewel’s shoulder. Jewel stroked her head and smiled at him. “I’ll take care of her and once he can have visitors, one of us will remain with him.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Something’s going on over there.”
Tag followed the direction of her glance. Once again, cinnamon and raisins filled the air. He braced for Ivory’s bullshit.
“Tag? I have some questions for you. We can talk here or at the station. Your choice,” Ivory said, his entire manner cocky and condescending.
“Here is fine.” Tag kept his hands to his side and watched the uniformed officers’ move closer.
“Where were you during the time of the assault?”
The open-ended question was designed to trip him up. Amateurs. “I don’t know when Ryan was assaulted but I can give you a list of people who I was with since I saw him last. I had just left Mr. Flicke’s house then drove to the condo to meet Ryan for dinner. That’s when I saw the police cars and ambulance.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket and held it out for Jewel and Tyra. “Mr. Flicke gave me this, hang on to it and give it to Ryan when he wakes up. You may be able to go here after the wedding.”
Tyra moved close and took the flyer about a private hotel in the mountains. Flicke practiced nudism and suggested he try it.
“What’s that?” Ivory said looking at the paper. Tyra showed it to him. Ivory’s cheeks pinkened then he met Tag’s gaze. “Old man Flicke’s been going there for years.”
Tag didn’t respond.
“Give me the names of the people you were with so I can verify the times.”
Surprised he hadn’t been arrested for lying, Tag pulled the folded paper from his pocket and started reading. The detective watched him rather than jotting down names.
“I know them.” Ivory tapped his forehead with his finger then crossed his arms. “What were you and Ryan doing talking to these folks?”
Tag inhaled wishing he could get a better read on Ivory but the smell in the hospital jacked his senses, other than the cinnamon smell, he got nothing.
“Camilla’s missing. Ryan and Tyra filed a missing person’s report. We were talking to people who may have seen her that morning in the park.”
Ivory frowned. “Why in the park?”
“That’s where she was last seen.” Tag allowed his contempt at the man’s complete lack of investigative skills show. If Ivory had taken a few minutes to check into Ryan’s background, he should’ve realized Ryan had been at the police station yesterday.
“He filed a missing person’s report on your cousin and today he’s attacked,” Ivory said re-stating the obvious.
“Yes.”
Their gazes clashed for a few seconds.
“Grizzle hunt.” His beast demanded to be released to find the bear who attacked Ryan.
“Not now.”
Grizzle growled at the challenge and for a moment there was an internal tug-of-war. Tag forced his beast down but didn’t glance away.
Ivory blinked and took a step back. His hand fell to the butt of his gun. The uniformed officer’s eyes widened at Ivory’s actions and stepped closer, mimicking Ivory’s stance. Onlookers stopped and stared at the police officers.
“Is there a problem?” Tag asked, knowing Ivory couldn’t identify what he’d just seen but if the BMP were watching they’d take him in for an examination immediately. A shifter unable to control his beast would be terminated rather than incarcerated.
Ivory looked strained around the mouth and straightened. “No. I’ll be in touch.” He turned and left.
Chapter 8
Tag took another sip of steaming black coffee as he watched Brody’s travel agency from his car across the street. Slivers of sunlight streamed through the early morning mist. Brody arrived 10 minutes ago, but hadn’t turned over the open sign on the door. The darkening sky confirmed the weather report of a morning storm. Temperatures plummeted. A few brave souls out and about pulled their jackets close as they moved briskly along the street.
The dashboard clock read 8:40am. Tapping his fingertips on the steering wheel, Tag glanced at his cell hoping to hear from Tyra or Lorenzo.
Last night Ryan regained consciousness but couldn’t recall anything. When he realized he was in the hospital and couldn’t search for Camilla, he broke down in tears then started gasping for air. The nurse came in and ushered them out for upsetting her patient. Tyra begged to be allowed to remain with her fiancé; her performance softened the heart of the nurse who granted her request.
Tag had waited in the hall and dealt with an aggravated Grizzle. The beast wanted to hunt down Ryan’s attacker. Each delay made Grizzle harder to handle. An hour later, Tag went in to see a much calmer Ryan.
“Will you find her for me?” Ryan asked in a low, somber tone. Fire blazed in his swollen eyes and Tag knew if he said no, Ryan would find a way to leave the hospital. Seeing such painful determination, Tag could only think how he’d feel if one of his sisters were missing and he couldn’t look for them. His throat squeezed so tight he could barely speak past the pain. Ryan had stepped into the gap from the death of Camilla’s father just as Tag would.
“Yes. I will,” Tag promised. With that commitment, finding Camilla Lopez became his mission. Grizzle grunted his agreement.
A tear rolled down Ryan’s cheek and he blinked a few times. He couldn’t use his arms so Tag moved closer, grabbed a tissue and wiped them away. “Thank you,” Ryan whispered.
Tag cleared his throat. “No problem. I’ll head to Loveland in a bit, watch the place and see what’s going on.”
After leaving the hospital, Tag returned home, shifted and released Grizzle in the mountains. Hour after hour Grizzle hunted for Ryan’s attacker until just before dawn, exhausting them both. Tag slept for two hours before heading to Loveland. Now he waited for an update on Ryan from Tyra and more news on this Brody character from Lorenzo.
Another hour passed. Very little activity happened on the street, shops opened but there wasn’t much foot traffic. His stomach growled. The massive breakfast he’d eaten at the buffet this morning wouldn’t hold him much longer. Just as he decided to go find food, a late model BMW pulled up in front of the agency.
Out of habit, Tag wrote down the license plate even though he’d remember. A tall, medium-built male stepped out the car and looked around. Tag rolled down his window and inhaled as the tailored man’s gaze locked on Tag for a brief second. Dark wavy hair, pin-striped custom suit, white shirt, red print tie, high-polished loafers and expensive cologne. Tag catalogued the man in a brief, thorough stare down. After one last look around, the man straightened his jacket and walked inside.
His cell vibrated. Lorenzo. “Talk to me,” he said looking in the rearview mirror and watching the street.
“Brody’s got a personal offshore account and he does a lot of travel work for the city manager, Rex Green. Also there are random deposits for various amounts that don’t make sense.”
“So? The guy’s a travel agent, people pay him at different times.”
“Right, so why does he make deposits once every two weeks? Plus I couldn’t find any tours that his company has booked from the Loveland office in a year. That job with the baker may have been his first and last legitimate job.”
“Legitimate? What makes you say that?” Tag wanted to believe Brody snatched Camilla and had her stashed in one of the backrooms across the street. And all he had to do was walk in and save her. If the polished man made a fuss, Tag could release Grizzle, let him have some fun. But that happened in movies, not real life. He needed facts to track her and prayed it wouldn’t be too late.
“Paper trail. This guy has these agencies and isn’t doing business with the public. If he has one client, then why all the offices? Is he using the buildings for something else? Plus he makes deposits like he’s on commission or something. Never the same amount but always every two weeks.”
“Sounds like a pattern. Check out this license plate. This guy is inside with him now.” He rattled off the numbers.
“Got it,” Lorenzo said. “How’s Ryan? Any news?”
“Not yet. They messed him up man, gotta tell you. It’s going to take him a while to recover.” Tag hated leaving Ryan unprotected but he couldn’t be in two places at once. A beep sounded indicating he had another call.
“One second, I need to talk to Tyra,” he told Lorenzo.
“I’ll call back with information on the plate.”
“Tyra?”
“Yes. Sorry it took me so long to call but he had a rough night and I just woke up,” she said in a ragged whisper.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. Clouds darkened. The wind picked up debris causing papers and cans to dance in the street. He waved aside her concern. “No problem, how’s he this morning?”
She released a long sigh. “Still the same. Worried. Mad. Ornery. We’re waiting for the doctor but the nurse thinks he’ll be in here a few more days.”
Tag wasn’t surprised. Neither was he surprised when a car pulled up behind him and two men remained in their car, watching.
“Keep me updated and tell Ryan I’ll call later with an update.” He disconnected and watched as the male left Brody’s agency, climbed into his BMW then drove away. A man fitting Brody’s description walked outside the agency and went across the street to the post office without locking the door. Had someone come to work through the back? Tag had checked the rear when he arrived and didn’t see another exit which is why he sat out front. But he may have missed something or Brody was extremely trusting.
Either way, Tag needed food especially since he got very little rest yesterday. It never paid to deny Grizzle the essentials. He stepped out of his Land Rover and pressed the remote to lock the door before walking to the café a few doors down. He took a seat at the window and watched his car.
Not long after, Brody stepped inside the café. He walked to the counter and said brusquely, “Got my lunch?”
“Hold your horses, I’m coming,” the older woman behind the counter told him.
Tag didn’t turn but did inhale and picked up Brody’s scent. It matched the scent from Camilla’s phone but there was no scent of Camilla.
“What can I get for you?” another waitress asked standing next to his table.
Tag ordered and watched the sidewalk. More and more people strolled about despite the pending rain. No one entered the travel agency or stopped to look at the bright, posters hinting at the perfect vacation. Brody left holding a bag beneath his arm and strode across the street with a quick glance toward the car behind Tag’s.
After he finished eating, Tag paid his tab and followed Brody to the travel agency. A few people nodded and gave him a double glance. Being a big man most of his adult life, Tag was accustomed to the staring and paid them little attention.
A bell dinged when he entered. The place reeked of garlic, butter and strawberries. A toilet flushed in the back area. The overhead light offered little illumination against the gray skies but enough to see numerous spider webs in the corners and on the posters. A track of spot lights rested on vibrant posters of sun-filled beaches, exotic locations and smiles of people as fake as this business. The front of the agency lay empty. Tag slipped a device in the brochure holder near the office phone and moved to take a closer look at a sunny destination.
“Can I help you?” Brody asked patting his mouth while offering a smile. The door to the inner office closed softly behind him.
Tag turned, his gaze slid quickly over Brody Jensen then returned to his face. Six feet, medium-build, dark hair, longer in the front and back, slightly crooked nose, chipped front tooth. If Brody continued eating meatloaf, potatoes and gravy with biscuits for lunch and sitting at a desk, more buttons on his shirt would soon be missing.
“Yes, I’m here to find out where you took Camilla Lopez,” Tag said in a solemn tone.
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed outside. Brody turned toward the window, and then back at Tag.
Brody frowned. “Who?”
Tag detected no subterfuge but his nose never lied. This man touched Ryan’s cousin recently. “Camilla. You helped her from the park the other day, she was feeling sick and called her roommate but she was gone by the time they arrived. There’s a tape showing you putting her in your car. Where did you take her?” He rattled off the question with the same precision and intensity as he would empty a clip from his pistol.
The acrid stench of fear rose fast and swift. Beads of sweat popped on Brody’s brow. “No… I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.” He took a step backward.
Tag crossed his arms over his chest and widened his stance. “The only mistake was when you took her, where is she?” he asked, hardening his voice.
“Look, I don’t know what you think you know but I don’t know any Camilla…”
“That’s the first true thing you’ve said since I walked in here. You don’t know her but you took her somewhere. Why? More importantly, where?”
Bear with Me (Bear Mountain Patrol Series Book 1) Page 6