by Dani Pettrey
“We met about a year back.”
“Where at?” Todd popped his soda open.
“On the slopes.”
“You two hang out a lot?” He bit into his sandwich.
“I wouldn’t say a lot, but we had some mutual friends.”
“Like who?”
“Megan Whitaker and Tess Girard.”
“Tess is a cool chick. How about you?” He fingered her hair, which had to be flat and snow-flaked. “Piper, isn’t it?”
Okay, maybe Landon was right and Todd was a player. While she normally wouldn’t give a player the time of day, she needed whatever information she could get. For Reef. “That’s right.” She smiled up at him.
“Are you a cool chick?” he asked, his voice deepening.
She fought the urge to hurl. “I like to think so.”
“Cool like Karli?” He winked.
She forced herself to maintain her smile. “I think we all fall short of Karli’s level of coolness.”
He chuckled. “So we’re having a party tonight at my place. Just the crew and a few guests of our choosing.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“So you’ll come?”
“Sure. What time?”
“Ten. Just leave your friend behind.”
“My friend?”
“The guy you came with. I’m assuming you two aren’t an item?”
“No.” How could they be if Landon wouldn’t open up to her?
“Cool. So leave him behind.”
Landon would never go for it. “How come?”
“Guy-to-chick ratio. Need to keep it even. That’s not a problem, is it? Because if you’d rather hang with him . . .”
“No, it’s not that. He’s just protective.”
Todd wrapped his heavy arm around her shoulder. “Tell him not to worry. I’ll take good care of you.”
Yeah, that’ll help.
“No way!” Landon roared.
She hadn’t expected anything less. “But it may be our only chance to get information.”
“We’ll find another way.” He paced the length of his room, his shoulders rigid.
“Come on . . .” she said, remaining on the couch, refusing to give in to his hurried stride. “You know this will give you the perfect opportunity to get in to the staff storage area. Todd said nearly all the staff is coming, plus a lot of the guests. Besides, they’ll be drinking.”
He halted briefly at the mention of alcohol. “Yet another reason I don’t want you going in there alone.”
“I understand, but the employees are way more likely to talk freely with a few drinks in them.”
“They are way more likely to do a lot of things with alcohol in them—none of which I’m okay with. You don’t know these people.”
“I’ll take my phone and text you at the first sign of any trouble.”
“Cell service is sketchy at best up here.”
“Todd’s cabin is less than a hundred feet from the lodge. I can come back if anything feels wrong.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“Well, it’s going to have to be.” She was going. It would give Landon time to find Karli’s locker and could be what they finally needed to break the case open. She got to her feet and headed for the door, praying she’d reach it before he could stop her. “We have to do whatever it takes to help Reef.”
He clasped hold of her arm. “Not whatever.”
She ignored the intensity in his eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“But those guys don’t.”
“I can handle them, and you know we need this.”
“No lead is worth risking your safety.”
“It’s just a party, Landon. There will be tons of people. I’ll be okay, I promise.” She wasn’t giving him a choice, and the resignation in his gaze said he knew it.
35
Darcy approached the small mobile home on the outskirts of Homer. Three wooden steps led up to the door. She glanced back at Gage, and he lifted his chin, prodding her on.
Taking a deep breath, she rapped on the storm door, praying they’d finally found Henry Mars. The low murmur of a TV hummed in the background. Steeling her courage, she knocked again, louder this time. The murmuring ceased, and a moment later the door cracked.
“What do you want?”
“Mr. Mars?” She tried to peek in the crack. Light emanated from it, but she could make out little else.
“Who wants to know?”
“My name is Darcy St. James, and this is—”
“Gage McKenna.” He stepped beside her on the wooden stoop and extended a hand.
The slit in the door didn’t widen. “What do you want?”
“We’re here about Karli Davis.”
“Never heard of her.” He shut the door.
Darcy knocked again.
No answer.
She had to break through to him. They needed answers only he held. “Karli’s dead,” she said, loud enough for him to hear through the door.
The door swung open, and Darcy held up the article covering Karli’s murder from the Tribune. The man stepped back and ushered them in. His living quarters were reminiscent of her grandmother’s. Floral wallpaper in shades of rose, blue, and mauve covered the top half of the wall while wood paneling covered the bottom. Blue shag carpet blanketed the floor, and a TV teetering on a rickety table flickered without sound.
Henry Mars lifted the remote and clicked the TV off. Turning to face them, his shoulders bowed. “How?”
Gage cleared his throat. “Her throat was slit.”
Henry winced. “And the killer?”
“That’s who we’re after.”
“You two?” Humor danced across his weary features. At least he was too polite to laugh outright.
“We’re just helping track down leads. A law-enforcement officer is hunting the killer.”
“Does he have any decent leads?”
“That’s where we’re hoping you’d come in.”
Henry said nothing, just stared at the lifeless TV.
“So how long were you with the Marshals Service?”
“Thirty-two years.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.”
“Or crazy.” Henry slid into his easy rocker. “All depends how you look at it.”
“And you worked with Karli?”
“From the time they joined the program until the day she walked away.”
“They?” Darcy asked.
Henry looked at them as if trying to decide whether to tell them what he knew, and then he shrugged. “Karli and her mom, Regina.”
“Why’d they join?”
“No choice.” He set his mug down on a doily.
Darcy wondered if there was a Mrs. Mars and, if not, where all the feminine touches had come from.
“No,” Henry said wistfully, “I suppose that’s not correct. Regina made a choice. A very brave choice to enter the program.”
“Would you tell me about her?” Darcy asked, picking up on the tenderness in Mars’s tone whenever he spoke of Regina.
“Regina?” Henry gazed off in the distance. “Her real name was Michelle Evans, and her daughter was named Angela.”
Darcy looked at Gage with unbridled excitement. Piper had told them that Karli had filled out papers, listing Michelle as her middle name. Guess she wanted to keep her mom with her in some small way.
“Michelle’s husband, Bryan, was with the Mongols.”
“The outlaw motorcycle gang?” Gage asked.
Henry Mars nodded. “Michelle had firsthand evidence of their corruption. She brought it to us in exchange for protection for her and Angela.”
The repercussions of that ricocheted through Darcy. “You weren’t kidding when you said Michelle was brave.”
“Her testimony helped put a handful of very powerful criminals, including her husband, in jail.”
“How old was Karli”—Darcy shook her head—“I mean Angela, when she and Michelle entered Witness Pr
otection?”
“Calling her Karli is fine. That’s what you knew her as, just as I knew Michelle as Regina. So she’ll always be Regina to me. It’s easier to latch on to one name and stick with it. Karli was born Angela Evans, and then she became Suzanne Wilson and her mom Regina Wilson when they entered the program. After Regina was killed, Angela aka Suzanne became Tori Anderson, and finally after leaving Witness Protection she took the name of Karli Davis.”
“That must have been hard, always losing her identity.”
“Life in Witness Protection certainly isn’t easy. And to answer your original question, Karli was six when she and her mom entered Witness Protection.”
“Did Karli know? I mean, did she fully understand the situation at any point?”
“Her mom told her that bad people had killed her dad and that they were after them. Regina wanted Karli’s dad to be dead to her. She felt it was way better than the alternative of Karli learning that truth.”
“It’s better to think your father is dead?” Gage asked.
“Better than realizing he’s a hardened criminal? Yes,” Henry said unequivocally. “Regina did what she did to protect her daughter. Besides, if Karli knew her dad was still alive, there was always the chance that she’d try and contact him.”
“Did Karli ever learn the truth?”
“I don’t know, but she didn’t learn it from her mom. Regina went to her death protecting her child.”
“When did Regina die?”
“They got her five years ago.”
“Got her?”
“The Mongols tracked her down and killed her.”
“But not Karli?”
“No. Karli survived because she wasn’t where she was supposed to be.”
“Where was she?”
“She’d snuck out to meet a friend.”
“How did Karli react when she discovered her mom was dead?”
“How do you think?” A mixture of heartache and guilt weighed down Henry’s features. “We told her that the men after them had found them and that we had to move her somewhere safe.”
“How’d she deal with it all?”
“Not well. Her mom was everything to her. She blamed us. Blamed me.”
“For not protecting her mom?” Darcy asked.
“Regina and I . . . we grew close over the years. Karli held me personally responsible for her death. She wanted nothing to do with me after her mom’s death, so I placed her with another handler. A female who posed as Karli’s aunt, but Karli was angry and restless and . . .” He shook his head, sadness welling in his gray eyes. “She took off first chance she got. I’d track her down, bring her back in, and she’d just bolt again.”
“And go where?”
“Anywhere she could. The last time was to join the circuit. I tried to warn her it was too dangerous, that if she was good she’d be in the public spotlight, but there was no reasoning with Karli. She said hiding hadn’t done her mother any good, besides she’d only been a child when they’d entered the program. She doubted anyone would recognize her, even if she made the news, but I knew better. I’ve been dreading this day ever since.”
“So you believe her past finally caught up with her?”
His forehead creased, his salt-and-pepper brows bunching. “You don’t?”
“That’s why we’re here. Who do you think killed Karli? Surely not her own father?” Darcy couldn’t even fathom such a thing.
“They say Bryan came out of prison a different man, but the Mongols have codes of loyalty that I’ll never understand. Still, I wouldn’t peg Bryan for the hit. My bet would be someone else in the gang. Someone more detached. You’ve got to remember Regina’s evidence put a handful of men behind bars, each with an axe to grind.”
“There were some gouges on Karli’s leg,” Gage said, pulling the crime scene photo from the file. He handed it to Henry. “Any chance that’s a Mongol symbol or insignia?”
Henry pulled his glasses from his sweater pocket and slipped them on. He took a moment to carefully study the photograph. “Not as is, but it appears to be unfinished.”
“That was the medical examiner’s opinion as well.”
“If finished, could it be a Mongol symbol?” Darcy asked.
“Not a symbol, but maybe their initials. Could be the start to an M.”
Darcy smiled. Now they were getting somewhere. She couldn’t wait to call Landon and Piper and share the good news.
36
Landon watched from the shadows, impervious to the storm raging around him. He didn’t trust a single man at Todd’s party, but short of holding Piper against her will, there had been no stopping her. Now he waited for her to come safely back to him.
He observed several more women arrive at the party and felt slightly better about having to leave his sentry spot, however short his absence might be. As much as it pained him to leave, Piper was right. Todd’s party provided the perfect opportunity to search for Karli’s storage locker. It was late; most guests were in bed, and the majority of the staff were at the party. Only a newbie manned the front desk, with a couple of maintenance guys on call if anything cropped up.
The gal at the desk didn’t even notice as he entered the Staff Only stairwell and proceeded down to the lowest level of the lodge.
The floor was dark, save for a few lit Exit signs. The metal doors along the corridor were solid, giving him no idea of what each room contained. He started with the first door on his right, found it locked, proceeded to the next, and found it locked as well.
Having to pick every lock just to see what every room held was going to take a lot more time than he’d hoped. He prayed Piper was being wise and that she kept her promise to call at the first sign of trouble.
A frustrating hour later, Landon popped the lock on the last door along the right-hand side of the corridor. He clicked the light on and smiled at the row of orange lockers and storage cages before him.
Considering what they’d learned thus far about Karli, he doubted she’d leave anything personal behind, at least nothing that identified the contents as belonging to her. Her years in Witness Protection had surely drilled that into her. But Tess had assured him that while traveling the circuit, the athletes were forced to pack light, so the bulk of their belongings remained wherever they called home. For Karli, Glacier Peak had been that place, at least the most recent one, temporary as it may have been.
Todd, wearing a lopsided Santa hat, draped an arm over Piper’s shoulder in the close quarters of his cabin’s front room. “How you doing, babe? Having fun yet?”
Bored to tears. Drinking parties were about as far from her idea of a good time as a lobotomy, but with nearly everyone who’d worked with Karli present, she couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to get some answers, so she forced a smile. “Doing great.”
“Let me get you something to drink.”
“I’m good, but thanks.”
“Not a drinker?”
“Not really.” She waited for his displeasure as was often the case with guys like him, but Todd surprised her.
“How about a soda, then?”
“That would be great.” Even though it was eighteen below outside, Todd’s cabin was roasting with everyone jam-packed inside.
“You got it.” Todd winked. “I’ll be right back.” He quickly disappeared through the crowd that had taken over his front room. Music blared over the stereo, but with the high-pitched buzz of the crowd, she couldn’t make out any of the lyrics, could only feel the bass vibrating the walls of the tiny cabin.
Piper found an open spot along the wall and leaned against it, skimming the crowd, trying to determine who to chat with next.
Landon slammed the door of Karli’s locker. Just as he’d feared. Some clothes, bedding, but nothing helpful. He propped his arm against her locker. The girl was nearly impossible to track down.
Even her personal effects taken into evidence from the crime scene back in Yancey had contained nothing identifying. Had she
never taken pictures? Never applied for a driver’s license? Never written anything of significance down? It was like she was a ghost.
Tess had been so sure that anything Karli wanted saved would be stored here.
Tess.
Landon exhaled, scanning the rest of the lockers and smiled. Of course.
Piper finished her soda and moved to set it on the table beside her. It took her a couple tries before she managed to set it upright. The room was sweltering. She felt dizzy and drowsy, much as she had after getting her wisdom teeth pulled.
“Hey, babe. You want another drink?” Todd asked. “Maybe something stronger this time.” He chuckled.
She shook her head, and the room spun.
“Whoa! Looks like you could use some fresh air.” He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Come with me. I’ll take good care of you.”
She leaned into him as he pushed through the crowd, the air cooling as they moved farther from the noise.
Todd opened a door, and darkness surrounded them.
“Are we outside?” It still felt too warm and the air too thick. She tried to take a step but wobbled.
“I gotcha.” Todd lifted her into his arms and carried her a few steps before laying her down.
The surface moved wavelike beneath her, and her stomach mimicked the motion.
Something was wrong—very, very wrong. “Landon?”
“Shh.” Todd clicked on a lamp beside them. “My name is the only one you’ll be calling out soon.”
Panic swarmed in her belly, and her vision narrowed, but not before she realized where she was.
Todd stepped to the bedroom door and locked it.
Struggling to lift her arm, she forced her nearly limp hand to her pocket and pressed the first button on her cell phone she came in contact with.
Rage tore through Landon as he barged through Todd’s front door screaming Piper’s name. Everyone gaped as he shoved them aside. Where was she? How could he have left her, even for a second? “Where is she?” he roared.
“Duuude.” One of the partygoers grabbed his arm. “Chill out.”
Landon pulled his gun from his holster and aimed it at the man’s face. “Where are Piper and Todd?”