by Mark Nolan
On his way out the door, Jake stopped and stood close to Sarah. “Let’s have dinner tonight.”
She smiled at him but shook her head. “I think I’m going to take a night off to rest up. After work I just want to take a hot bath, have a glass of wine, and go to bed early for a good night’s sleep.”
“We could just relax, watch a movie, and get a pizza.”
She rolled her eyes. “Netflix and chill? I know how that would end up. You’d be having your way with me on the couch. Hold that thought for tomorrow night, okay?”
Jake put his hand behind the small of her back and pulled her against his body. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Mmmm-hmmm,” she said as he kissed her.
He smiled against her mouth, and she smiled back. Then she put the palm of her hand against his chest and pushed him away. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
Jake shrugged. They gazed into each other’s eyes. Promises were made and agreed upon, without any words being spoken.
A horn honked in the parking lot and Sarah’s phone buzzed. She headed toward the door with Jake close on her heels.
Jake locked the sliding door behind them, and everybody stepped off the Far Niente. On the way up the dock, Cody trotted along protectively beside Sarah as she made her way to Madison’s vehicle.
Levi moved toward his vehicle, and Jake said, “Just one sec. I’m expecting something important in the mail.” He stopped at the row of marina mailboxes and unlocked his box. He flipped through several more letters from collection agencies, courtesy of his former fiancée. She’d gone on a spending spree with his credit cards and emptied his bank accounts right before he’d broken up with her.
At the bottom of the stack was one envelope he’d been waiting weeks for: the admission packet from the California State Bar Association. He opened it and read the cover letter stating he had completed all the requirements for membership. It felt surreal to read those magic words.
“After you have forwarded the completed membership enrollment card, which has the oath on the back, to the State Bar’s Membership Records office, you are eligible to start practicing law.”
Jake resisted the urge to yell in victory. He put the membership card and the cover letter into his jacket’s inside left pocket and then stuffed everything else back into his box, closed the door and moved toward Levi.
The evenings and weekends of internet law school had finally paid off. He felt grateful that he lived in a state that allowed online law students to sit for the bar exam and become lawyers. He’d kept it a secret from his friends and family because he didn’t want to hear their negative opinions and their endless lawyer jokes. Few people knew that most of those started out as racist jokes, and people simply substituted the word “lawyer” for a racist word.
Sarah was still in the lot and was down on one knee, inspecting the stitches that ran along Cody’s side. Satisfied, she gave him a hug, and then stood up. “Your stitches are in fine shape, but don’t do anything that might pull them loose. Promise me that you and Jake will try to stay out of trouble.”
Cody barked once at Sarah and pressed his head against her stomach. With a final pat, Sarah got into Madison’s car and drove away.
Cody ran back to Jake, and they got into Levi’s vehicle. As they sped toward the Pacific Heights mansion of Levi’s new client, he briefed Jake about the situation. Levi was hoping it was only a case of a runaway husband.
Jake silently hoped so too, but he had a bad feeling that it could be something worse—far worse.
Chapter 8
As Jake was riding in the car, he received a text message from his ex-fiancée, Gwen.
Jake, I’m sorry. I apologize. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?
Jake had no idea what to say, so he didn’t reply. As Will and Ariel Durant had said when they were asked what they’d learned while writing the history of the world, “One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do, and always a clever thing to say.”
Jake did the clever thing and said nothing. He hoped Gwen was doing okay in rehab, and he wished her the best in life, but their relationship was beyond repair. When he’d called off the wedding, she’d thrown a champagne bottle at his head. He’d then walked out, saying goodbye forever. Enraged, she’d called the police and falsely accused him of domestic violence. The next day she’d emptied his bank accounts and run up debts on his credit cards.
Levi’s car arrived at a Pacific Heights mansion that was surrounded by a stone wall and high privacy hedges. The black wrought iron gate in front swung open on silent hinges powered by an electric motor and granted them entry to a sweeping driveway.
Jake was surprised at the size of the estate. The property went on and on, with an acre of perfect lawn in front of the home, and more lawn on each side. The artfully manicured landscaping included bushes that were trimmed into the shapes of circus animals. He’d been expecting something grand, but this was on par with the old mansions of San Francisco’s gilded history—and now the more recent internet startup business millionaires.
Several of Levi’s employees had already arrived and were patrolling outside the house.
Once they were out of the car, Jake dressed Cody in a service dog vest and clipped a leash onto his collar.
Cody looked around, sniffed the air, and pawed at the lawn.
Jake, like many dog handlers, could sense Cody’s energy up and down the leash. He had a feeling there was something unusual going on here—far more than a runaway husband.
Levi tapped his phone. He waved to a woman, and she jogged over to him.
She was in her early thirties, wore a dark pantsuit, police-style shoes, and a starched blouse. The tell-tale bulge of a pistol under her suit coat told Jake she was equipped with a concealed weapon.
She tilted her head and glanced at Jake and Cody, curious.
Jake gave her a polite, respectful nod in reply.
Levi made the introductions. “Kim, this is Jake Wolfe and his search dog, Cody. Jake, this is Kim Buckley, the number one most reliable member of my team.”
Kim reached out to shake his hand. “We got the text saying not to pet the dog.”
Jake nodded at her while Cody sniffed the air and looked around the grounds. One of his eyebrows twitched.
Levi said, “Kim, I want you to drive the kids to school, and bring the nanny along for the ride. Take the armored Suburban, but just tell them it’s a limousine. Keep in constant contact by phone. Stay alert and watch your six. We’ll be tracking you via a beacon in the vehicle. If you see anything unusual, return here immediately.”
Kim nodded. “Is there any immediate perceived threat I should be aware of?”
“No, we’re simply operating on standard procedure. We’re going to level-three security as a courtesy to our new client, until her husband is located.”
“Understood. Will the mother speak to the nanny and kids first, so they know what I’m doing?”
“Yes, they’re expecting you.”
“I’m on it.”
“Wait a minute,” Jake said.
They both turned and looked at him.
Jake glanced at the armored Suburban. “Are you sure you want to send the kids off to school?”
“Yes, Mrs. Stephens requested it,” Levi said.
“Kim, please give me your phone number,” Jake said, pulling out his phone.
Kim looked at Levi, who nodded. She recited her number. Jake sent her a text, and her phone buzzed. “If you notice anything remotely odd on the drive to school, call me immediately, okay?”
Kim looked Jake in the eye, and then nodded. She glanced at Levi curiously.
Levi said, “I’m giving Jake a lot of latitude. No time to explain right now.”
Lauren came out the front door with her children and the nanny. As the two kids climbed into the brand new SUV, they acted as if they thought this was a fun change of pace from the daily routine.
; Jake observed the nanny. She seemed doubtful, and uncomfortable with this change in routine, but wasn’t really acting secretive or guilty. She obediently climbed into the front passenger seat, going along but appearing worried and overprotective of the kids. Jake’s impression was that she seemed bright, aware, and sincere. He intended to talk to her when she returned, to get her honest opinion about Lauren’s husband.
The SUV drove away, with Lauren waving goodbye and smiling as if everything was just fine. Her body language told a different story.
Jake noted that Lauren was in her late twenties, of average height and weight, with wavy dark hair and smart eyes. Levi had told him she owned an apparel company that had become an internet sensation and made her a millionaire. Jake watched the SUV leaving, crossed his arms and frowned.
Levi said, “Kim is my most reliable employee, and she’s well-trained as a bodyguard.”
Lauren took deep breaths, bit off part of a manicured fingernail, and then quietly cursed.
Jake said, “I was impressed with Kim. I’m sure she’ll take good care of your kids.”
Levi introduced them. “Lauren, this is Jake and his dog, Cody, of our K-9 team. They’re going to search your house.”
Lauren looked Jake up and down with the appraising gaze of a boss evaluating her new employee. It appeared that she was about to give a speech.
Jake held up his hand and cut her off. “My dog has to smell your husband’s shoes, to get his scent. Cody will then track his movements step-by-step until we find out exactly where he disappeared to.”
Lauren’s face went pale when Jake stated the cold reality so bluntly. She nodded.
Jake decided to set some boundaries. “If you agree to this search, I’m in charge of it, not you. You’ll do whatever I say. Please tell me you understand and agree; otherwise I’ll leave now, and you can try to find another private K-9 team to help you on such short notice.”
Lauren stared impatiently at him for a moment while she thought it through, and said, “Okay. You’re in charge of the K-9 search. Everyone will cooperate with you for one hour, including me. I give you my word.”
“Fair enough, one hour works for me,” Jake said. He gestured at Cody. “And another thing—everybody in your house has to be careful around Cody. He may be huggable-looking, but he’s a war dog. He was deployed overseas, where he once had to kill an enemy combatant. His training has made him one of the most intelligent animals in the world, but he has a mind of his own and he’s not one hundred percent obedient.”
Lauren took a step back. “Is it safe for him to come into my home?”
“Do you have any pets or family members who might get in his face?”
“No pets.”
“Okay. Then we should be good to go.”
“How did you come to own a war dog?”
“Cody used to live with my friend Stuart, who’d served as a Marine dog handler, like me. When Stuart died of a drug overdose, I adopted Cody.”
She looked at Cody and then at Jake. “I’m sorry to hear about your friend, and I’m counting on you to keep Cody under control while he’s in my home. Is there something wrong with him?”
Cody barked twice at Lauren. It seemed as if he shook his head.
She looked at him in surprise. “Does he know we’re talking about him?”
“Of course; we’re saying his name. All dogs know their name.”
Lauren stared at Cody for a moment and he stared back at her with his bright, intelligent eyes and raised one eyebrow. Lauren got goosebumps, turned away and walked toward the house.
They all went inside to the master bedroom where Jake gave commands and Cody sniffed the husband’s shoes. After he got the scent he circled around the room. He went to the bed and alerted at an oblong, tube-shaped pillow.
“Electronics?” Jake asked.
Cody barked once.
“Leave it.” Jake had seen that special kind of pillow before. It looked as if it was designed to go under the back of your neck, but he knew it was a hiding place for personal items—the kind that vibrate.
Lauren closed her eyes for a moment at this embarrassing invasion of her privacy.
Jake moved on without further comment.
Cody went to a nightstand next to the bed. He sniffed at a drawer and then pawed at it.
Jake opened the drawer and found a gun safe. He picked it up and saw a biometric fingerprint lock. Jake praised Cody and put the gun safe back where he’d found it.
Lauren said. “That’s my husband’s. Did it feel heavy, like his pistol is inside?”
“Yes, ma’am. I believe his weapon is still in there.”
“I have one just like it in my nightstand.”
Cody went around the bed and sniffed the other nightstand. Jake opened the drawer and found Lauren’s gun safe. He lifted it to judge the weight, put it back and nodded at Lauren. “Both feel the same. Any other weapons in the house?”
“No, just the two pistols.”
Jake didn’t say that she might be wrong, but he had married friends who hid weapons from their wives—rifles, pistols, shotguns, knives—you name it.
Cody pulled on the leash and went over to a wall, then stood up on his hind legs and sniffed at a painting. Jake turned to Lauren. “Is there a wall safe behind that artwork?”
Lauren’s face couldn’t hide her surprise at how Cody was finding every secret detail of her life. “Yes, it contains jewelry, some cash, passports, and birth certificates.”
“I need you to open it so we can see if your husband’s passport is still in there.”
Lauren blinked several times. She pulled on the painting and swung it open on hidden hinges, then tapped a combination into the digital electronic keypad to unlock the safe.
Jake watched her and memorized the combination. As he did, he asked himself why, and realized he was still feeling the influence of his brief stint as a CIA operative.
Lauren opened the safe’s door and examined the contents. Her shoulders slumped in relief. “His passport is still in here, along with the cash.”
“He doesn’t own a private jet, does he?”
“No, he doesn’t believe in buying a plane when you can just rent one, which we do quite often.”
“We need to call that aviation company.”
She nodded. “I authorize your firm to do it for me.”
Levi took out his phone. “What’s the name of the company?”
Lauren sent him a text, and he forwarded it to an employee.
Jake gave a command to Cody and they returned to the husband’s shoes. Cody sniffed them again and looked at Jake.
Jake gestured toward the bedroom door. “Where did he go, Cody? Find him now. Seek, seek, seek!”
Cody followed the scent through the house, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. He paused at the coffeemaker and then moved on. He ended up in the husband’s study, searched the room and stopped in front of a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. He sniffed all around it with an intense focus and then sat down.
Jake held up his hand. “Stay back. Cody is indicating he smells explosives of some kind.”
Levi escorted Lauren out of the room and took her a safe distance down the hallway.
Jake caught the hint of a strange and frighteningly familiar mixture of aromas. He carefully checked the bookcase; everything on the shelves appeared to be normal, except for a fist-sized sculpture of a carved amber skull. It was fastened down, but he found that he could turn it if he applied enough pressure.
There was a quiet click when he slowly turned the skull counterclockwise. The tall bookshelf slid to the left with barely a whisper, revealing a hidden doorway and a flight of stairs that went down underground.
A disturbingly familiar odor rose upward from the closed door at the bottom of the stairs. He recognized the scent from combat, but it made no sense to find it here in this family home.
Cody alerted and growled, his hackles standing up.
Chapter 9
Jake
petted Cody on the back. “Easy, now. Don’t go down there.”
Lauren walked back into the room, impatient with the delay. She glared at Jake and started to say something, but then stopped and stared at the secret stairway. She put her hand over her mouth in surprise.
Levi came into the room behind Lauren, and he let out a low whistle. “Whatever is hidden down there is probably not going to be good news.”
Jake nodded. “Only one of us should go down there. Someone has to cover this entrance, for mission security.”
Levi drew his pistol. “I’ll cover you. I’ve got your back—no surprises from this end.”
Fearing for his dog’s safety, Jake put his hand on Cody’s head. “Cody, I’m going down there alone to check it out. You stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Cody barked twice and shook his head. One of his back legs began to tremble. He let out a low growl, jerked the leash out of Jake’s hand and went down the stairs ahead of him—determined to protect his alpha from the nightmares he sensed on the other side of that door.
Jake whistled a command, and yelled, “Cody, hold your position. That’s an order!”
Cody obeyed and waited for Jake.
Jake drew his pistol. Catching up to Cody, he petted him and whispered, “We’ll do this according to protocol.”
Jake removed the clip from Cody’s collar so he could go off-leash, and they descended together as a team. The smell grew worse with every step. At the bottom of the stairs, Jake reached for the doorknob with his left hand, while his right hand held his pistol up in front of him and ready to fire. He whispered to Cody, “Kill zone.”
When Jake turned the knob and kicked the door open, the full force of the sickening aroma hit him in the face. They rushed in and Jake waved his pistol back and forth as he looked for targets. Nobody waited in ambush, but inside the secret room, something was terribly … wrong. Cody started barking, and Jake had to make an effort not to gag. He now understood the source of the smell. The room was like a scene from a nightmare.