by Crissy Smith
“Sure, we appreciate any help you can give,” Haas replied.
“Give me a few hours and I’ll give you a call. This afternoon I’m on one of the search party teams but I’ll find why that name rings a bell,” he promised.
“Thanks, man,” Garrett said sincerely.
“Sure.” Mike waved them off. “Now get out of here. I’ll call you.”
Haas gripped Garrett’s shoulder so he turned and followed the investigator down the hall and out of the door.
“The law firm is the connection,” Garrett said after he was back in Haas’ SUV.
“Let’s head to the Bolton house before I take you into my office,” Haas suggested.
He nodded in agreement. “He might have taken some files home. That might be why whoever started the fire did so.”
“I agree,” Haas said.
He grabbed his backpack and pulled out a small notebook. Garrett wanted to get his thoughts down. They now knew that the connection was Randy, Mike and the law firm. That was more than they’d had the day before. He also wanted to go back and search through the files for everything on the names that Mike had given them. He was especially interested in the young man who’d tried to sue the owners of the hardware store. The threats he’d made could have led to going after the lawyers. The question was how they would connect with the other fires.
As Garrett scribbled down the avenues he wanted to proceed, Haas drove them toward the Bolton house. By the time they pulled up in front of the half-burnt structure, Garrett was done and replacing his notebook. He climbed out of the vehicle before swinging his backpack over his shoulder.
Garrett paused halfway up the walk to the house. It was funny how when he went back to a house that had been on fire it always struck him how different the place looked when there wasn’t smoke or flames billowing out. Or without the firefighters, cops and other authorities that were always out during a fire.
What he’d worried would be a complete loss now sat tall with minimal damage.
“The kitchen and living room are the worst,” Haas told him. “They’ll be able to fix them up.”
Garrett nodded. At least Nick wasn’t going to lose his home. Well, if they found his dad. No one had told Nick how bad it could be. Randy might already be dead. Garrett hoped not. He wanted to reunite Nick with his dad, but sometimes the evil in the world won. “Let’s find something.”
He followed Haas up to the porch. It wouldn’t be until they got inside the house that they really had to be cautious in case the structure was unstable.
Haas unlocked and pushed open the door, allowing Garrett to enter first. He pulled his flashlight from the front pocket of his bag and turned it on. There wouldn’t be any electricity until the structure was inspected to ensure there weren’t electrical issues that could cause another fire.
The interior of the house was damp from the water that had been sprayed. The scent of the soot filled the area and made his eyes water. He glanced over his shoulder but noted that Haas didn’t seem to be having any problems. That surprised him, since he knew that shifters had better senses than humans.
“Let’s see if he has an office here,” Haas suggested.
Garrett nodded. It was a good bet that Randy did, being a lawyer. They passed the room that he’d found Nick in, the next was what appeared to be the master bedroom.
The cops were right. It was clear that a struggle had taken place. Items were littered on the floor, a lamp had been knocked over and even a picture had fallen.
“They took him from here,” Garrett guessed.
“Looks like it,” Haas agreed.
Garrett continued on past the bathroom to the only other entrance. The place was wrecked, just as Randy’s office had been. Someone had been looking hard for something and since they’d taken Randy, they probably hadn’t found it yet.
“What do they want?” he asked out loud.
“Whatever it is, we need to find it,” Haas said.
“I’ll take the right side of the room,” Garrett offered.
“Okay.”
Garrett set his backpack down on the desk and crouched beside it. There wasn’t much water damage in here but it was a mess. He started to shuffle through the papers and found several legal documents and hand-written notes. He quickly scanned them before stacking them out of the way. He moved on to the next pile and saw that Haas was doing the same thing over on his side of the room. He left the broken pieces of furniture alone and stepped over them, going to the filing cabinet at the corner on his side.
He pulled open the top drawer but it was empty. The second and third were as well, so he guessed that was where all the papers on the floor had come from.
The bottom drawer’s handle was bent, and when he tried to open it, it stuck. He yanked harder but it still wouldn’t budge. He peered over his shoulder at Haas. “Help me with this?”
Haas dropped the pages in his hand onto the desk before making his way over. “Grab a hold of the cabinet so it doesn’t tip,” Haas said.
Garrett braced the cabinet against the wall as Haas bent and tried to pull it open. Haas gave a few more tugs before he shook his head. “It’s not budging. Someone obviously tried before us. I really want in there.”
“Hang on,” Garrett said before rushing over to his bag. He pulled out the knife he had hidden in an inner zipper pocket. It was as long as he could legally carry and should work. He flicked it open before handing it to Haas. “Let’s see if we can pry it open.”
Haas shoved the blade into the opening and at the same time used what Garrett could only describe as shifter strength, and a loud pop sounded. The drawer came falling out as the knife dropped.
“Damn,” Garrett said, impressed.
“I hope I don’t have to pay for that.” He pointed down at the drawer that was hanging off its hinges.
“I think if we find Randy he’ll forgive us breaking his filing cabinet,” Garrett told him.
Haas snorted. “Good point.”
Garrett dropped to his knees and peered inside the now open drawer. All that was inside was a gray metal lockbox. “There’s not a bomb in it?” he asked, only half joking.
Haas shoved his shoulder. “Just pick it up.”
He did so before he cautiously shook it. It didn’t sound like anything too heavy was inside.
“I think it’s just papers,” Haas said as he leaned forward.
“Great, more paperwork to go through,” Garrett bitched. The small latch had a padlock. He raised an eyebrow at his partner.
With a heavy sigh, Haas picked the knife back up and in only a couple of seconds had the lock open. Garrett lifted the lid. Inside was one manila file folder. He picked it up and opened it as he sat back onto his butt. It was a legal document and the names jumped out at Garrett.
He glanced over his shoulder, Haas reading from behind him. “I guess we know where to start,” Garrett said.
“I need to call the Alpha,” Haas told him.
Garrett’s cell started to ring. He dug the device out of his pocket and saw Mike’s name on the caller ID. “I bet he found what we did.”
Haas grinned. “Let’s get things moving. We’ll get that boy reunited with his dad soon.”
Chapter Five
Lily moved the bag of breakfast sandwiches to her other hand as she tried to balance the drink carrier of lattes so she could knock on the front door. She also had her laptop bag with her papers inside. She could hear Nick yell before the big wooden door was opened.
Nick stood grinning at her. “Did you bring me a sausage and cheese biscuit like I asked?”
She laughed. “You bet.” Lily was glad she’d called ahead and asked Julie if it’d be okay if she brought breakfast for her visit. The smile on Nick’s face was worth the wait in the busy café.
“Come on!” Nick grabbed the bag out of her hand and raced away.
Lily shook her head at his energy so early in the morning. She’d slept great the night before and could only credit Ga
rrett for that. She’d been exhausted by the time she’d made it back to her apartment, had barely been able to undress and pull down the covers. With the unpredictable hours that her job required it was hard for her to maintain a relationship. If she met a man that wasn’t in some kind of public service career she found that they quickly got tired of her having to leave in the middle of a date or the night. The only serious relationship she’d had had ended over a year ago. She’d dated a police officer who was also a member of the Pack. Evan had understood the obligations she’d had as he also had the same. Lily didn’t know when it had happened but somewhere in the time they’d been seeing each other their relationship had turned more to friendship instead of them being lovers. They’d tried a little longer to bring the passion back but it had been a fruitless effort. They remained the best of friends but that was it.
She had hope that Garrett wouldn’t be threatened by her work like some of the others. He didn’t seem like the type that’d stray because she wasn’t around. Add in the fact that he was putting his case before the start of anything with her, as he should, spoke of like-mindedness.
That hadn’t stopped her from pulling out her favorite vibrator that morning and fantasizing that it was him pleasuring her instead of her toy. She’d climaxed hard with his name on her lips. Now she couldn’t wait to see him again. She knew that he wouldn’t be at his sister’s this morning but she could still pick up traces of his scent in the air.
Julie came around the corner and smiled. “You better hurry or Nick’s likely to eat all the food.”
“He was pretty excited,” she agreed. She held up the carrier with the three to-go cups. “I bought the adults lattes.”
“Awesome!” Julie took the drinks and turned back toward the kitchen.
Lily hurried to follow behind. Nick was pulling out the wrapped packages and setting them in the middle of the table. Tom stood over his shoulder helping as Nick talked non-stop. “My dad takes me to the café every Sunday to get these sandwiches,” Nick said as he climbed onto his knees to be higher in the chair.
Lily was even happier that she was able to bring something to Nick that meant so much. She hoped that Garrett, Cooper and the others were closer to finding Randy. The last few days had been hard on the boy but that was nothing compared to what Nick would go through if Randy wasn’t found.
The Pack was searching the city up and down but last she’d heard there’d been no sign of where Randy could have been taken. She’d placed a call to the Alpha on her way over and even he had sounded more worried than he had before.
“Well, I hope to see you both there soon,” Tom told Nick. “I’ve only been there a couple of times but every meal I’ve eaten has been fantastic.”
“My dad says we go once a week ’cause it’s a tradiction,” Nick shared.
“Tradition?” Julie corrected gently.
“Yeah! That!”
Lily laughed. “That is important,” she agreed.
Nick started to put his food toward his mouth but paused. “I’m gonna see my dad again, right?”
“We’re doing everything we can,” Lily assured the boy.
“Okay,” he said then stuffed his sandwich into his mouth.
The smile on her face didn’t seem to want to go away. Lily opened her own breakfast and began to eat. “So what do you have planned for today?” she asked after swallowing her last bite.
“Tom’s going to show me how to breathe,” Nick answered.
Lily glanced up at the other shifter.
“Relaxing techniques,” Tom clarified.
“That’s a good idea,” she said and meant it. With everything that Nick was going through, the last thing they needed was for the boy to shift. The trauma of not knowing how to control the animal or transform back to human could devastate the boy.
Most shifters changed for the first time when they hit puberty. Of course, a small percentage transformed earlier or later than that. But as young as Nick was, he hadn’t started the training provided by the Pack to make sure he was ready. He still had a few years so Tom’s help would come in handy. Especially if the worst happened and Randy wasn’t found soon and wouldn’t be coming home to Nick.
“Then Julie said she’d play some board games with me. She has them all!”
Julie laughed. “Maybe not all but we do have a lot. We host a lot of barbecues with the Pack.”
“Maybe I can come next time,” Nick said.
“You’ll be the very first invited,” Julie told him.
“Thanks!” Nick bounced in his chair. “You wanna play?” he asked turning toward Lily.
“I’d love to but I have to go to work,” she replied. She made a pouty face. “If I don’t, my boss will show up here looking for me.”
“They can play too,” Nick offered.
“That’s very sweet,” Lily ran her hand over Nick’s hair. He was such a kind boy. She wanted to meet Randy and tell him what a fine job he was doing raising Nick.
Tom’s cell rang, drawing their attention. He pulled the phone from his back pocket to glance at the screen. “I’ve got to take this,” he told them before he stood and exited the kitchen.
“Is there anything that you need, now that you’ve had time to go through the bags I brought last night?” she asked, getting to the purpose of her visit.
Nick shook his head while Julie smiled at her.
“I think we have everything we need. I washed the clothes you brought earlier so he’ll have plenty of clean ones. I always wash new items since there is no telling where the store kept them. He loves his stuffed wolf,” Julie said.
“When I got scared last night I hugged him like Garrett told me and I felt better,” Nick said.
“That’s good.” Lily patted his hand. “That’s why I brought him to you.”
“I think my dad will like him too,” Nick said.
Tom entered the room, and Lily could easily pick up the scent of excitement. “Hey, buddy, why don’t you wash up and meet me in the living room.”
“’Kay,” Nick said as he climbed down from his chair.
“What is it?” Lily asked after Nick was gone.
“That was Garrett. They think they’ve found the guys. They’re getting ready to go after them,” Tom said.
Lily jumped up. “Really?”
“That’s great.” Julie was next to her.
Tom strolled closer. “Hopefully Randy will be there. They found an abandoned property that would be perfect for hiding someone,” Tom said quietly.
Lily glanced back toward the doorway that Nick had gone through. “Let’s pray.”
Tom nodded. “I’ll stay here and make sure no one comes after the boy. They’ll call as soon as they know for sure.”
“Can you stay?” Julie asked her.
“Of course,” Lily replied. “We’ll want to see how Randy is doing but our first priority is to reunite Nick with his dad.” She would have to call into the office but she had no doubt that her boss would want her with Nick while the cops did their job.
“I’m going to try to keep Nick and myself distracted. I’m going to go ahead and work with him. We don’t know what condition Randy will be in,” Tom said.
“Yeah,” Lily agreed. No matter what, Nick would need to see his father to know that he’d really been found.
“I’ll make some more coffee,” Julie offered.
“Thanks,” Tom said before he went to join Nick.
Lily walked back to the table and sat. “I hope this is really it.”
“Garrett wouldn’t give us false hope. They must have something solid if he’s calling Tom,” Julie stated.
Just hearing Garrett’s name had Lily’s body flushing with heat. Julie laughed, making her glance up.
“I used to react the same way when anyone mentioned Cooper. Should I ask what your intentions are toward my brother?” Julie teased.
“Depends,” Lily joked back. “Are you asking about the next forty-eight hours or long-term?” Because she
knew how she wanted to celebrate with Garrett. Her plan would involve the closest flat surface and her and Garrett naked. She probably shouldn’t mention that to Julie.
“Forget I asked,” Julie grinned while waving her hand in the air.
* * * *
Garrett watched as more Pack members showed up at Haas’ office to help with the search that they were heading up. Cooper and his partner, Josiah, had been the first to arrive, followed closely by the Alpha, Beta and several guards. It was lucky that the Clear Creek police and fire departments had so many shifters in their employment. But he wasn’t certain that would’ve mattered anyway. He had a feeling that the Pack would have shown up either way. Garrett spotted Steve entering the office and rose to check in with his friend.
“Tom’s going to stay at your sister’s house to make sure she and the kid are safe. The social worker is over there too. Hopefully by the time we get through with this that boy will have his dad to go home with,” Steve told him.
He had to hope. Garrett didn’t know how most of the cases like this turned out but he wanted Nick to go home even if Garrett would miss him. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Nick that Garrett would be around. Now that he’d spent time with the boy he had an interest in ensuring that Nick remained happy and healthy. He was going to do his best for the child. Since they were Pack and Garrett was allowed to mingle and attend Pack functions due to his sister, he wouldn’t lose track of Nick.
“I don’t want to get his hopes up but I really think we’ll find Randy on this property,” Garrett confessed. “It just makes the most sense.”
“So we’re not dealing with shifters? And this threat isn’t to shifters, just to Randy specifically?” Tom asked.
“From all the intel we gathered, Randy has been the target the entire time. Ralph Money went up against him in court. He’d been injured and tried to sue his employer. He’d been hurt on a camping trip with some friends. Randy interviewed those guys and that’s when he first met Rodney Hampton and Alex Franks.”
“How’d they go from a lawsuit to arson and kidnapping?” Steve questioned.