Chris laughed over the speaker. “Why doesn’t that surprise me any?”
Landry chuckled.
“Oh, is that Miss Parker again? Hello. I’m Chris. Chris Graze.”
She grinned as she leaned toward the phone on the console. “Hi, Chris. I’m Landry.”
Nickolai didn’t want to stop and analyze why he got a rush that these two seemed to hit it off, in a teasing and accepting kind of way. “Okay, now that the introductions are over, about that favor.” He pulled the Jeep back on the road toward Apache Junction.
“What do you need, Baptiste?”
“Phillip Fontenot. You said you ran a background on him.”
“I did. I already told you what popped up.”
“You also said some things had been discovered that you couldn’t share.”
“I did and there are.”
Nickolai grinned at Landry. “Can you tell me if any of that has to do with Phillip Fontenot’s medical record?”
“I can tell you, and the answer is no. What’s the deal?”
Nickolai rested his hands on the bottom of the steering wheel as he drove. He’d been so certain. “Can you get a copy of his medical records?” He knew before he asked how Chris would react. He wasn’t disappointed.
“Man, you know that’s a no-no. HIPAA would crawl up sideways if someone’s medical records were breached unauthorized.”
Unauthorized meant without a warrant.
“Is there reason for me to look?”
“Not enough that a judge would sign off on the request.” There just wasn’t any evidence that would validate the request for a warrant.
“Sorry. You know I’d help you if I could.”
“I know. I’ll let you know if I come up with anything you can use.”
“Thanks. Bye, Landry.”
“Bye, Chris.” Her smile reached her voice.
Nickolai hung up the phone.
“So that’s a dead end.” She leaned back against the seat of the Jeep, her disappointment evident.
“What? You’re going to give up that easily?” he teased as he eased the Jeep off the exit for Apache Junction. The Superstitions loomed, huge and beautiful. But did they hold secrets of gold and mines and ghost Indian warriors?
She grinned. “What’s your plan?”
He held up a finger then dialed. He didn’t put this call on speaker, though. EmmaGrace was only a friend, but she was the biggest flirt he’d ever met. Chris wouldn’t even talk to her on the phone when his wife was around, that’s how intense some of EmmaGrace’s teasing and flirting could get.
EmmaGrace answered on the second ring. “Nickolai Baptiste, what’s a girl to think? You’re going to turn my head.”
Nickolai felt the heat on the back of his neck, creeping around to his face. He resisted looking at Landry, hoping his voice sounded just as even as when he’d talked to Chris. “I need a favor.”
“Oh, I’m sure you do, honey. What can EmmaGrace do for you, sugah?”
He ignored her come-ons. That was just her way. He happened to know for a fact she was happily married now but would clam up if you so much as mentioned her private life. He’d made that mistake once and wouldn’t make it again. Especially not now. “I need the medical record of Phillip Fontenot from New Orleans. Major medical claim, possibly treated within the last three years at LSUS Medical.”
“Oh, you know how to get a lady all worked up.” EmmaGrace laughed. “You’re going to owe me dinner and a movie.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. If you could put a rush on this …”
“My, my, Nickolai. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had a crush on me.”
“Thanks, EmmaGrace.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I find something.”
The phone went dead, and he set it on the console. “We should hear something back soon. Probably not until tomorrow.” EmmaGrace was good, but she wasn’t a miracle worker.
Landry nodded and turned to look out the window, but not before he caught the microexpressions that crossed her face: inner corners of her eyebrows drew in and up, corner of her lips were drawn down, and her jaw came up.
Sadness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Monday morning brought even warmer temperatures to Apache Junction, Arizona. Landry almost couldn’t believe it was February. Soon, she’d be back home, getting ready for Mardi Gras, but right now, she needed to get a move on. She rushed from the shower to get dressed. She and Nickolai planned to meet at eight and find Stan and Phillip.
Last night, she and Nickolai had been more than frustrated that they couldn’t locate Stan or Phillip to talk with them. They had planned to divide and conquer: Landry would see if Stan knew if Phillip had ever been treated for prostate cancer, and Nickolai would talk with Phillip, man to man. Their plan had been a bust when by ten o’clock, there still hadn’t been a trace of either man.
Landry didn’t want to think what that meant. She’d spent time in prayer last night trying to come to grips with the possibility of this all being part of God’s bigger plan. She didn’t see it, definitely didn’t understand it, but knew from experience that this was often the case.
Her cell rang, Marcie’s ring tone filling the motel room.
“Hey, Marcie.”
“Landry, are you okay?” Worry weighed every word of Marcie’s.
“I’m fine. Why?”
“I just got a call at the office. A man said if I valued you as a friend, I’d advise you to get back to New Orleans where you belonged.”
“Oh, Marcie, I’m so sorry.” Landry dropped to the edge of the bed.
“This has gone on long enough. This person knew you well enough to know you’re my best friend and was able to call my office.”
“Did you recognize the voice?”
“Not at all.”
“What else did he say?”
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Hang on, Marcie. Nickolai’s here. Let me let him in.” Landry opened the door and motioned him inside. She shut the door. “Marcie just received a call about me.” She pressed the SPEAKER button and put her cell on the little table. “Marcie, you’re on speaker. Repeat what the caller said to you for Nickolai’s benefit.”
Nickolai sat in the chair at the table while Landry sat on the bed, drawing her knees to her chest.
“I’m at work. A call rang in on my direct line. I answered it, and a man said, and I quote, ‘If you value Landry Parker as a friend, you should advise her to return back to New Orleans where she belongs,’ end quote.”
“Your direct line?” Landry asked.
“Yes.”
Landry looked at Nickolai. “That number isn’t listed. Only her personal clients, family, and friends have that number.”
“Does your phone system at work have caller ID?” Nickolai asked.
“No. I think you need to come back, Landry. This person knows you well enough to know I’m your best friend, and knew my direct line. It creeps me out.”
“Could you detect any accent?” Nickolai asked. “Like did he say New Orleans or New Or-leans?” That would give him a bead on where the person called from.
“He said New Orleans, just like we do.” Marcie’s voice wavered.
“So it’s not someone from around here.” Nickolai stood and paced. “Have you mentioned this case to anyone, Landry?”
She shook her head. “The only ones who know are you, Mrs. Winslet, Stan, Phillip, Marcie, and my neighbor who is feeding my cat and watching my house.” A thought occurred to her. “Marcie, Mrs. McMillian hasn’t called you, has she?”
“No. Do you think she might have gotten a phone call, too?”
“Maybe.” Landry had a sick feeling. If anyone even remotely distressed Mrs. McMillian, Landry would … she didn’t know what she’d do. She tightened her arms around her legs, hugging them to her chest.
When her father had died, Landry had thought about selling the family home but just couldn’t bring herself to do it. The
re were too many memories, too much love. But she’d been unable to stay there herself, so she’d rented it out and took out a lease on a condo. Her next-door neighbor there, Mrs. McMillian, was an older widow who had fallen a little in love with Landry’s cat, Whiskers. It was rare for Landry to be out of town, but when she was, Mrs. McMillian graciously took care of Whiskers and collected Landry’s mail and papers.
“I can run over and check on her and Whiskers, if you’d like.” Marcie knew how Landry felt about the sweet lady who’d befriended her and acted as a surrogate mother.
“Thanks, Marcie. I’d really appreciate it.”
Nickolai stopped pacing and dropped back into the chair. “Did the caller say anything else?”
“No. I tried to ask who it was, but he hung up.” Marcie’s tone lowered. “I’m not going to lie, it’s really unnerving. Like someone is watching me or something.”
Landry dropped her head to the tops of her knees. She’d brought danger right to her best friend’s door.
“Marcie, I’m going to call my friend at the eighth district there in New Orleans. I’ll give him a rundown on what’s happening so he’s in the loop. I’m going to have him call you so you can get his cell number. If you have any problems, even a funny feeling, you can call Chris and he’ll be there. Okay?”
“Yeah.”
“He might want to send a unit to put a trace on your phone if you get another call.”
“I’d prefer he didn’t. I don’t want my firm to get caught up in anything.”
“A trace probably wouldn’t work with a large system and a short call anyway,” Nickolai said.
Landry groaned. “I’m so sorry, Marcie.”
“Come home, Landry. Just come home. This is getting out of hand. I’m afraid for you.”
Aching, Landry moved to the edge of the bed. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”
“I’ll loan you the money you need. I always would have, and you know it. I’ll give you anything so you can just come home and be safe.”
Landry’s cheeks blazed. She hadn’t told Nickolai the main reason she took this case was the money. “I know you would, but you know I can’t.” She swallowed. Hard. “I have to finish this. I have to see it through, Marcie.”
“But at what cost?” Marcie’s voice rose an octave. “Nickolai, I don’t know you, but do you think she’s safe?”
Landry met his stare.
“I think she’s right—that she does need to finish this. Otherwise, whoever called you wins. We think we’re really close to figuring it all out.”
“But what about the slit tire, cut brake lines, and trashed motel room? Surely you see those are blatant attempts to get y’all to back off? If that isn’t enough, a note telling her to go home most certainly is. I know she’s stubborn and hardheaded, but what do you think?”
Landry mouthed the word please.
Nickolai let out a slow breath. “I understand what you’re saying, I truly do. And I’m worried about her as well.” He leaned closer to the phone. “But I promise you, Marcie, anyone will have to go through me to get to her.”
Landry couldn’t stop the gasp, nor the quickening of her heart. This man …
“I’m going to hold you to that, Mr. Baptiste,” Marcie said.
“I expect nothing less. Now, I’ll call Chris and have him call you. Let us know if you get any more calls or anything.”
“Landry, you be careful.”
“I will, Marcie. Again, I’m really sorry. I love you.”
“I know. And I love you, too. Call me tonight.”
Landry ended the call and turned to Nickolai. “It’s crazy, right?”
He was already calling Chris. He quickly gave a rundown before he asked for Marcie’s number. He gave it to Chris then tossed his phone on the table beside Landry’s. “Do you have any clue who could’ve called her?”
Landry shook her head. “I’ve been trying to think and nobody comes to mind.” She chewed her bottom lip.
“But?”
“The only people who I can think might be suspect is Stan or Phillip.”
“Yeah, me, too. But how would they get Marcie’s direct number?”
“I don’t—” She had a thought. “Let me see something.” She picked up her cell, activated the contacts, and pulled up Marcie’s name. Sure enough, her direct number was listed under OFFICE. “If they were able to get into my phone and check my contacts, they’d have the number.”
“What’s your setting on screen locking?”
“Five minutes, I think.”
He took her phone and checked. “Yes. Woman, that’s way too long.”
She took it from him. “It’s never been a problem before.”
“Well, it could be either of them. We’ve eaten with them and spent time. I guess they could’ve seen it. Or they have access to us through Winifred and probably have ways to get information just like we do. Nothing is a secret anymore.”
“True.”
Nickolai stood. “Neither Stan’s nor Phillip’s rentals are here. I guess they either didn’t come back last night or they left early this morning.”
“I can’t imagine the two of them being together.”
“Me, either, but stranger things have happened.” He looked out the window. “Still not here.”
“So what do we do now?”
He looked out the window again then back at her. “I say we can’t wait around on them. I think we should take the copy of the map you have, as well as the picture of what you got from Tarak’s mapping, and head out to the Superstitions. Maybe we can find the man’s camp who actually has the map. We can recover it and get back home, which will make Marcie happy and put your mind at ease.”
She smiled. How well he knew her already. “Sounds like a great idea.”
“Obviously the terrain is a bit much for what we have. We should probably get some supplies from that military surplus store.”
She nodded. “I actually do have my hiking boots with me, and some rugged clothes.”
He chuckled. “Of course you’d be better prepared.”
“I am former military, remember?” She grinned, enjoying their smooth banter even with everything else going on. “Listen, would you mind going to get supplies yourself? You can take the Jeep, of course.”
“Okay. Why?”
“I think I’ll feel better if I talk to Mrs. McMillian myself. Just check in and make sure she’s okay and my cat is. And I’d like to tell her to keep an eye out. She might be a widow, but she’s a pretty strong woman.”
“I should’ve known you were a cat person.” He smiled one of those full-wattage smiles of his. The ones that weakened her knees.
“What does that mean?”
“Just that you value independence and originality is all.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and grinned at him. “Let me guess: you’re a dog person because you value loyalty and wild abandonment.”
He looked deep into her eyes until she felt the urge to squirm.
“Oh, I do appreciate those in animals and people. Loyalty, wild abandonment, and passionate zeal for life.” He took a step closer to her.
Suddenly his close proximity and the realization of where they were, all alone, washed over her.
She took a step toward the door.
He blocked her path, slowly lowering his head. His lips brushed against her forehead. They caressed her cheek. Were gentle and supple against the soft spot of her flesh just under her lobe. Then his breath was against her ear. “I’ll be back soon.”
Landry found herself breathless as Nickolai tossed her a smile, grabbed the Jeep keys from the table, and left.
Mercy, this man did things to her emotions … made her feel things she didn’t even know she could. She couldn’t imagine not having him in her life. Was this love? Infatuation? Attraction because of their working together?
She remembered his oath to Marcie, and her heart and stomach switched places. This wasn’t an infatuation. It couldn
’t be.
But was it real?
Landry shook off her thoughts and grabbed her phone. She quickly dialed Mrs. McMillian’s number. It rang once. Twice. Three times before the lady answered. “Hello.”
“Hi, Mrs. McMillian, it’s Landry.”
“Hi, honey. How’s your trip?”
“I’m okay. How is Whiskers?”
“Oh, she’s fine. She acted a little squirrely when I went to feed her yesterday, but she seemed okay today.”
Landry froze, gripping the phone a little tighter. “Squirrely?”
“She kept trying to go to the bedroom. Your door was shut, as usual, but she kept trying to claw at it. Like she wanted in. Maybe she saw a bug or something. You know how she loves moths.”
Moths didn’t crawl under doors. “Did you check my room?”
“Of course not, honey. I respect your privacy.”
Someone could’ve been in there!
“Do you want me to?”
“Oh, no. Not at all.” She thought fast. “I just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine, a man, will be coming by later today to get something out of my place. Could you put Whiskers in the guest room for me so he doesn’t scare her? Just put her food and water in the guest bathroom. Would you do that for me?”
“Of course. Honey, what man?”
Landry laughed, despite herself. “He’s a friend of a friend who happens to be a cop. I’ll tell him to knock so you can let him in, okay?”
“Sure. Is he handsome?”
Landry laughed again. She didn’t know but couldn’t explain that to her neighbor. “He’s married, Mrs. McMillian.”
“Oh, rats. Well, okay, honey. I’ll go put Whiskers in your guest suite now. You just tell Mr. Married to come see me, and I’ll let him in. Tell him to bring his badge. I like seeing those.”
“I will. Thank you.” Landry chuckled as she hung up. Before she forgot, she quickly texted Nickolai and gave him the details, asking him to have Chris go check out her condo. It was probably nothing, but with sweet Mrs. McMillian right there …
She set her phone down and checked out the window. Stan’s nor Phillip’s rentals had returned. She sighed then found her comfortable jeans and hiking boots and headed into the bathroom. Nickolai wouldn’t take long to grab supplies and head back. It was warmer than usual out, and being in the sun would be really hot. She should wet her hair and braid it as that would help keep her cooler for several hours. Especially as thick as her hair was. But she’d have to be quick.
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