Secret Need (The Harper Sisters Book 2)

by Satin Russell

  “Leave the car running. I’ll go in and pose as a concerned family member looking for my brother. Hopefully, someone will be able to direct me where to go from there.”

  Liz gripped the wheel nervously. The shadows had already started to shrink in the morning light and she could hear birds chirping in the trees nearby. It was a new day, and yet it felt like they were no closer to clearing her name than they had been yesterday. If anything, she was afraid running had made her look guiltier.

  “I don’t know about this. What if you walk into the hospital and they recognize you? You may have been implicated by now. Your face may be all over the news just like mine.”

  Alex reached over and took her hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Then the hospital employees will call the police. Chances are, we’d still be able to get out of here before they arrive. Worst case scenario, I’d be taken in. If that happens, I’ll tell them my side of the story and hope for the best. But, Liz, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “But…”

  “Look, I know it’s a long shot, but I don’t know how else to find him. This is a risk we need to take. If we can find another witness to corroborate our story, it would be huge. I promise to be as fast and discreet as possible. Just give me half an hour to see what I can find out. Take off if I’m not out in thirty minutes.”

  Liz nervously plucked at her newly washed, if somewhat battered, yoga pants. “You’d better make it back, Alex.”

  Taking her face gently in his hands, Alex leaned forward. She could feel his breath feathering her lips, but it was his eyes that had her pinned. “I will. But if I don’t, I need you to promise me you’ll leave and head back to the house.”

  His lips brushed against hers, as light as butterfly wings, yet the energy that crackled between them was anything but fragile. He was like a flame, drawing her into his light. All the restless energy that had kept her awake the night before came rushing back.

  She leaned towards him to deepen the kiss just as he shifted back in his seat. His expression was a mix of regret and promise. The car door creaked as he pulled on the handle.

  He turned to her. “Remember, thirty minutes. If something happens, I’ll try to meet you back at the house.”

  Liz felt her lips with her fingertips. It was almost as if the kiss had been the last vestiges of a dream, one quickly fading in the harsh reality. “I promise. Please be careful.”

  He nodded, then strode across the lot towards the brightly lit double doors of the hospital.

  *

  Thirty-five minutes later, Liz tapped her fingers on the steering wheel and quietly drove herself insane. She was not the kind of person to just sit on the sidelines and wait for things to happen, and she hated having to rely on someone else.

  Where was he, anyway?

  She checked the time on the dashboard clock for the third time in a minute and debated how much longer she should give him before taking off. It didn’t feel right leaving him, despite her promise.

  Liz flicked the radio on and scanned the stations, wondering if there was any news being reported about her and the garage. After making her way through the dial, she turned it back off. No news was good news in this case, right?

  The digital display clicked past another minute.

  She was just about ready to call it quits when she noticed his tall frame striding out of the building. Relief and a shock of something deeper filled her chest as she noted his naturally confident gait and broad shoulders. At least he didn’t seem to be under duress.

  As a boy, he’d always had a certain charisma about him. But now, as a man, she realized he’d found a way to harness it. He exuded more than just charm. There was also an element of power and confidence that was incredibly sexy.

  Liz shook her head. Of all the inappropriate times to be attracted to somebody, this had to take the cake. Here she was, on the run for her life, accused of drug trafficking, assaulting an officer, and who knew what else, and she was lusting after a guy like a cat in heat.

  Alex scanned the parking lot before making his way over to the car. She couldn’t tell if he looked relieved or peeved that she was still there. He climbed into the passenger seat. “I thought I told you to take off.”

  Peeved. His tone of voice instantly doused all of the uncomfortable feelings she’d been harboring for him. “Don’t pretend you weren’t happy to see me.”

  “I always am. But that doesn’t mean you weren’t taking a big risk.”

  He always was? What did that mean? She brushed the comment aside, afraid to attach too much weight to his words. “So, what’d you find out?”

  “Well, a lot, actually. Did you know this hospital actually runs its own addiction resource center?”

  “What? I had no idea.”

  “Yeah, that’s why it took a little longer than I was expecting. Instead of just asking for directions, I ended up going to the clinic and talking to the woman in the intake department.”

  “So, did you ask her about Peter? Does she know who he is, or where we can find him?”

  He gave her a rueful smile. “She’s not actually allowed to divulge that kind of information because of doctor/patient confidentiality. She wouldn’t say much even after I told her he was my brother.”

  Liz let out a disappointed sigh. “Now what?”

  “Well, she wasn’t allowed to give any specifics, but she did suggest I go check out a certain apartment building. Told me to ask around. I think we should head over there and see if anybody is willing to talk.”

  “Okay.” Liz leaned forward and put the car in gear, happy to have something to work with.

  Before she could get going, Alex placed his hand on her arm. “Liz, it’s not the best part of town. Are you sure you don’t want to hang back and just let me go?”

  She shot him an incredulous look. “Not a chance. If we’re in this together, then we do this together.” Pulling forward, she added under her breath, “Besides, I’ll go crazy if I have to sit here alone again.”

  The tone in her voice dared him to laugh at her, so she was relieved when he didn’t argue. “Fair enough. Hang a right at the next light.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Alex assured her that it wouldn’t take long to get to the area the nurse had specified. As they followed her directions, Liz became increasingly baffled.

  It was nice. The wide, tree-lined road wound through neighborhoods filled with well-maintained older homes, with friendly front porches, and clean lawns. Sedans were parked in the driveways, and flags hung by the front door.

  In fact, the most remarkable thing about the place was that there was nothing remarkable about it.

  “Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Liz asked for the second time in as many minutes.

  Alex didn’t even bother to look at the address he held in his hand. “She did say it would start to get seedier a few blocks from here. Apparently, the town has been trying to gentrify this area, but it’s obvious where their efforts have stopped.

  Sure enough, in another five minutes of driving they were looking at a combination of gas stations, car dealerships, thrift stores, and empty buildings. They pulled up to an apartment building that looked like it had seen better days.

  Liz parked in the side lot and got out, taking a look around. Salsa and hip hop tumbled out of the front door and warred over the air waves. As Alex and Liz approached the entrance, they noticed the door was propped open with a half empty bottle of what looked like urine. So much for building security.

  There was a small manager’s plaque hanging on the first door to the right.

  “This seems like a good place to start. Are you ready?” At her nod, Alex rapped on the scarred wood. A loud thump sounded from within the apartment, as if someone had fallen off a chair. The banal banter of a morning talk show was abruptly cut off before muffled footsteps approached the door.

  They cast each other a glance, realizing that someone must be looking at them through the peephole.
A moment later, they heard a deadbolt release and the sound of a chain being removed.

  The woman who opened the door wore a polyester pink bathrobe that barely came down to the middle of her thighs. Her hair was a washed-out brown, streaked with gray, and wound haphazardly in a bun. Eyes the color of faded denim peered at Liz, squinting slightly as she scanned her face. Liz fought the urge to fidget under her perusal. After an uncomfortably long moment, the woman settled her gaze on Alex.

  “If you’re looking to sell something, I’m not buying – religion or otherwise.” She had a deep throaty voice that would have been better suited singing the blues. Clutching a cigarette in her right hand, she took a long drag and waited for their answer.

  “Oh, um…” Liz looked towards Alex, unsure of what to say. What if they were in the wrong place? How did one go about asking after a heroin addict, anyway?

  Alex stepped forward and shot the lady his most charming smile. Liz watched with fascination as the expression on the woman’s face visibly warmed. “We’re sorry to bother you, ma’am. My name is Al and this is…Beth. We’re looking for my brother and were told he may be in this neighborhood. Could we ask you a few questions?”

  A shrewd light entered the woman’s eyes, but she stepped back from the threshold and gestured for them to enter. “Your brother, huh? I doubt that. But you have nice manners, so we’ll see what I know. I’m Marsha, by the way.”

  The two followed her into the tiny living room and sat on the old couch she indicated. Liz noticed it was covered with a patchwork blanket that had faded over the years. Marsha may not have much, but it was obvious she’d done what she could to make her home comfortable.

  The woman groaned as she sat in the only other chair in the room. “So, who is your brother and why do you think he might be here?”

  Once again, Alex took the lead. “His name is Peter. He’s about 5’9” and has blue eyes.”

  Liz leaned forward. “Some of his friends may call him Pecker, or Peck.”

  Up until that moment, the woman had been shaking her head, but when she heard the name Peck she nodded. “Did you say Peck? Sure, I know Peck.” She reached over towards the coffee table and tapped her cigarette into the overflowing ashtray. “Nice guy. He carries my groceries in for me sometimes. Even fixed my sink about a month ago. He’s a good sort, when he’s in his right mind. What do you all want with him?”

  “What do you mean when he’s in his right mind? You mean when he’s not high?” Liz couldn’t help the note of disappointment that crept in her voice.

  The other woman narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you be judging him, missy. We all have our demons to fight. Some of them are just more socially acceptable than others.”

  Alex cleared his throat. “Well, that’s why we’re here. We’d heard he’s been having some trouble. We thought he could use some help fighting those demons.”

  “Oh honey, some demons can’t be slayed by anyone but the one that’s cursed.” The woman gave him a look of pity and took another drag. “If you are his brother, why haven’t you tried to help him before?”

  He looked down at the floor. “I’m ashamed to say that I was so eager to shake this small town I failed to keep in touch after I left. If I had known what kind of trouble he was in, I would have tried to help him sooner. Jonesy let me know what was going on when I ran into him the other day.”

  “You know Jonesy?”

  At Alex’s nod, she stopped for a moment, as if trying to make her mind up about something. Silence stretched between the three of them to the point of discomfort before she cleared her throat. “He’s usually upstairs in apartment 306. If he’s high, he’ll be passed out in one of the back bedrooms.”

  Alex and Liz both thanked the woman and stood up. Once again Liz found it hard to believe how far Peter had fallen since their time in school together. Marsha walked them towards the door. She placed a hand on Alex’s arm, taking a moment to squeeze her fingers and revel in the muscle she found there. “Don’t get your hopes up. You probably won’t like what you find. But if anyone ever deserved some help, it’s him. I wish you luck.”

  Liz watched as Alex patted her hand in reassurance. “Thank you for your help. I’ll do what I can.”

  Without sparing a glance at Liz, she gave him a final nod and shut the door. Liz gave Alex a rueful look and let out a deep breath. “Well, for some reason I get the feeling I’m not her favorite person.”

  Alex grinned and took her hand. “If it makes you feel any better, you can be mine.” Before she could respond, he began walking down the hall. “Let’s go see if we can find Peter.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Matt Hagen crouched down and inspected the pattern of heroin dusting the concrete floor. He looked up at the man looming over him in a clumsy attempt at intimidation. There was no reason for him to be standing so close.

  Matt stood, allowing his full frame to unfold until he was once again standing a couple of inches taller than the other man. He had to squash the small part of him that felt satisfied when Josh took a step back.

  “You said you found this scene at,” he checked his notes unnecessarily, “a little after six yesterday morning?”

  “I did, yeah.”

  “And what brought you here?”

  “While I was out patrolling, I noticed the door was ajar. It seemed odd, so I thought I’d check it out.”

  “And it’s been undisturbed since?”

  “Other than my initial walk-through. I was checking for any victims. You were very specific about leaving the crime scene intact. Nobody else has been here since.”

  Matt nodded. That was what he’d expected to hear. Still, something seemed off. It was a little too neat and tidy for him. His internal bells were ringing. The question was, what was his subconscious sensing?

  He’d been in situations like this before and knew that a part of him was picking up on a small detail that his conscious mind hadn’t clued into yet. But it would. Until then he’d just have to follow the evidence and feed as many facts as he could into the equation.

  Whatever it was, it may or may not be relevant. More often than not, it was the little details that got missed that would lead to solving a case. On the other hand, sometimes it was just the impatience and territorialism coming from local law enforcement that triggered his instincts. Time would tell.

  “Okay, let’s go check out her apartment.”

  “You don’t want to check out the car?”

  “No. I think I’ve seen what I need to here. I’ll come back down for a more thorough look later. Right now, it’s more important that I get a sense for who Eliza is.”

  “Liz.”

  “Excuse me?”

  A sneer crossed Josh’s face before he had a chance to school his features. “Nobody calls her Eliza. It’s just Liz.”

  Hmm, interesting. Matt gave Josh a nod. “All right, Liz then. Time to go see how she lived.”

  A loud, obnoxious ring emanated from Josh’s pocket. He gestured to the device in his hand. “Sorry, new phone.” Matt watched as the other man hesitated before answering. “Why don’t you go on ahead and I’ll catch up.” Josh turned away. “Hello?”

  Matt paused to observe for another moment before heading through the back door and climbing the stairs to Liz’s apartment. His first impression was that the place was spare, but tidy. There weren’t a whole lot of personal affects around the apartment. A fact that was surprising since, in his experience, women had a tendency to fill their homes with knickknacks and throw pillows.

  He calmly circled the perimeter of her living room, noting the blanket over the back of the couch and the phone charger set up on the table nearby. He sat down on the cushion that seemed to be her favorite and looked around. The remote control was on the table in front of him, and he turned the TV on.

  After scanning the buttons, he checked the programs on her DVR. Unsurprisingly, he found three different car shows. There were also a couple of unwatched episodes of a crime / detec
tive show and an older recording of a Foo Fighters concert in London.

  His suspect was quite the rocker, judging by this latest evidence and the musical choices on the stereo downstairs. He sighed and stood up. Nothing illegal about that.

  Matt stepped into the adjoining kitchen and opened a few drawers before finding the silverware. The handles were simple and plain, easily found at any department or big box store. He deftly fingered through the spoons, noticing none of them were misshapen or burned on the edges. If he included the one sitting in the sink by the dirty cereal bowl, there was a full set of eight.

  After confirming that little fact, he searched for and found the trashcan and recycling bins under the sink. Reaching in, he grabbed the first soda can he found and shook it. Empty. The second and third ones were, as well.

  With that, he walked out of the area and gradually made his way down the hallway towards her bathroom. In there, he checked the medicine cabinet and the trashcan. Nothing unusual to note other than the fact that she seemed to rarely wear makeup and flossed regularly.

  So far, there hadn’t been any of the typical indications that an addict lived in the apartment. Opening the door to her bedroom gave him pause. For the first time in his career, he felt like he was intruding on someone’s private space. Here, he finally felt like he was getting a sense of who Liz was.

  And here are the excess throw pillows, he thought, a bit wryly.

  Feeling a little relieved on some level to have his assumptions confirmed, Matt proceeded to move through her bedroom. On the dresser, there was a photo of her with an older man, standing in front of the building he was currently in, the name of the garage clearly visible. The man had his arm slung around her shoulders and they were both sporting ear-to-ear grins. She appeared to be fourteen or fifteen years old in the photo, and it was obvious they were related. This must be the father she inherited the shop from. Setting the frame down, he continued with his assessment of Liz’s life.