“What do you think of this trip?” he asked.
Cheryl raised her eyebrows quizzically at the black-haired man, whose physique and good looks had made her a little weak in the knees when she’d first started working for the kennel.
“I think it’s great that Gracie was able to actually get a vacation,” she answered in wide-eyed innocence.
Jim huffed and laughed. “You know what I’m getting at. What do you think about her and Marc?”
“I hope they’re figuring things out. But it’s really none of my business,” she answered diplomatically. “What do you think of this trip?”
“I think it’s a mistake, myself.”
“Really? Gracie was pretty excited about spending time with Marc. She may come back with a ring.”
Jim began pacing and gazing at the floor.
“I don’t think she could handle being married to a cop. She …”
His cell phone began ringing. Jim glanced at the readout and chuckled. “Speak of the devil,” he said, answering the call.
Cheryl suppressed a grin, watching Jim’s face light up. This little vacation was proving to be quite an eye-opener for the Milky Way Kennel staff.
CHAPTER 6
Gracie drummed her fingers on the arms of the overstuffed chair, waiting her turn with the DEA agents, who were grilling Hank at the moment. Oddly, his short-lived disappearance had tweaked Amanda something fierce. An awkward scene between the two in the kitchen had forced Gracie to relocate immediately to the reading room. She picked up a trail map that lay on the bench next to her, hoping the interviews wouldn’t last long. Marc had left to take Max to a vet appointment for a follow-up on the German shepherd’s foot injury. He’d promised a jaunt to Ramsey Canyon Preserve after lunch, which would be a welcome distraction after so much sitting around.
She traced a finger over the map, finally locating the trail she and Amanda had started yesterday morning. After the switchback, it evened out and wound gently to the mountain peak. She noticed that another trail marked Trail #283 led to two abandoned mines. That would be interesting to check out. If there was lost treasure up there, why shouldn’t she have a look? Maybe she could get Marc to explore the sites. If the old equipment were still around, it would at least make for some unique vacation photos rather than touristy ones of Tombstone gunfight reenactments.
The office door opened, and Hank made a hasty exit without acknowledging Gracie’s presence. By all appearances, Mr. Ramage’s interview hadn’t gone well. The man’s change of demeanor since their last meeting at the restaurant was odd. His friendliness had evaporated with no explanation. A sandy-haired DEA agent stood in the doorway, watching Hank leave. He smiled and motioned her into the office.
“I’m not sure how I can help,” she started.
“We’re trying to get an idea of times and the whereabouts of the trail crew when the body was discovered,” the agent said, sitting at the desk. “I’m Agent Miller, and this is Agent Galvez,” he said with a nod toward his shiny-headed partner. “Have a seat, Mrs. Andersen. I don’t think this will take long.”
Gracie felt her heart start pounding with anxiety as she sank into the leather club chair. She knew absolutely nothing that would help the agents, but why did she suddenly feel like a suspect? Disagreeable memories of quality time spent with Investigator Hotchkiss, who was relentless in her interrogation tactics, must be the reason.
“We understand that you accompanied Mrs. Littlefield yesterday. Were you with her when the body was found?”
“That’s right. We were on our way to meet the trail crew.”
“Did you see anyone around the area at the time?”
“No. Amanda called for help, and the guys came down within a few minutes.”
“Who was in the group?” Agent Galvez asked, placing a foot on a square black leather ottoman and leaning toward her.
The agent’s body language made her distinctly uncomfortable, and she tried to shift discreetly away from the man. What was he trying to do? Make her nervous?
“Uh … the crew leader, Gary. I don’t know his last name. And Hank Ramage.”
Gracie looked the agent in the eye, hoping he’d back off. When he didn’t, she rose from the chair. Sitting on its cushy arm, she gained a little confidence from the greater height.
“Anyone else?”
“Well, first the Border Patrol agents arrived. I don’t know their names. Then the two men showed up, and then the park ranger.”
The agent eased back from his intimidating posture and stood.
Agent Miller smiled and scribbled on a yellow legal pad. “What time was this, Ms. Andersen?”
“I didn’t look at my watch, but it must have been around 9:00. We got to the trailhead about 8:30, I think.”
“Did you know the victim, Manny Enriquez?”
“No. I’m here on vacation. At least, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Are you a friend of Mrs. Littlefield?” Agent Galvez asked.
“Well, not really. I’m staying here, and she’s been kind enough to show me around since my boyfriend, Deputy Marc Stevens, who’s on your special task force, has been working more than expected.” She hadn’t planned to throw out the cop card, but Agent Galvez was getting her riled.
“That’s right,” Agent Miller chimed in with a soothing tone. “What about Mr. Ramage? Was he with Gary Regan, or did he arrive separately at the scene?”
Gracie swallowed hard, her throat dry. “He was with Gary. They arrived at the same time.” She glanced at her watch, hoping the dynamic duo would wrap up the excruciating interview.
Agent Miller stopped writing and stood. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Andersen. Enjoy the rest of your stay.”
“That’s it?” The abrupt end took her by surprise.
“That’s it.” Agent Galvez managed an unenthusiastic smile and opened the office door for her.
Apparently, her lack of beneficial information had earned an early dismissal, which suited her fine. She found Amanda in the kitchen, working at her laptop.
“That was short and sweet,” Amanda commented, looking away from the screen.
“Very much so. I’m not disappointed in the least. Now maybe I can focus on my vacation.”
“I hope so. Is Marc coming back?”
“As soon as Max is checked out by the vet. I hope it’s not a serious injury. If it is, it could ruin his chances for the training in El Paso.”
“Marc’s really counting on that training.” Amanda closed the laptop. “It’s all he’s talked about lately. He and Cal really hit it off right before Cal was sent to Afghanistan. I don’t know if he’s said anything, but we sort of took him under our wing until he found an apartment that would allow Max as an occupant.”
“Marc’s mentioned your hospitality for those first few weeks and how helpful you were.”
“We know what it’s like to be in a new place and not have connections. Cal and I have always tried to help the newbies.” Amanda sighed, tapping a finger on the computer. “I guess I’d better see how much Hank was able to finish this morning.”
“Speaking of Hank, is he a suspect in this murder?” Gracie felt compelled to ask.
Amanda raised her eyebrows, frowning. “I’m not sure. Did the agents ask about him?”
“Yes. They wanted to know if he arrived with Gary.”
“They asked me the same thing.”
Amanda rose from her seat. She plucked a large strawberry from a wooden bowl on the kitchen counter and downed it with one bite. “Hank has been on the trail crew for a couple of months, but he’s always avoided working with Manny. Hank’s a bit of a loner. They would speak to each other, but I’ve always had the feeling that they didn’t hit it off.”
“Really? Hank told me that Manny was a good friend yesterday.”
Amanda shrugged. “Maybe I have the wrong impression. Anyway, Hank’s sure not himself today. In fact, he took off to work on another job a few minutes ago. Asked me if we could d
elay the rest of the work for a week or two. It’s not an emergency job, so I’ll let him cool off.”
The sound of a vehicle pulling into the parking area caught Gracie’s attention.
“Marc’s back,” she announced. “I’m going to try to talk him into hiking up to an old mine off the Hamburg trail.”
Amanda laughed. “That’s a pretty good hike. Be sure to take enough water if you go.”
Gracie nodded and went to greet Marc in the foyer.
“What’s the verdict on Max?”
“He’s out of commission for a couple of days. The worst news is that we were turned down for El Paso,” Marc reported glumly.
“I’m sorry.” She felt the complete inadequacy of her words.
“I know. I know. It’s stupid, but it happened.”
“So, are you available for some hiking, or aren’t you in the mood?”
“I should go check on Max. He’s supposed to be resting for a couple of days. This is really going to put a damper on our plans.”
Gracie’s heart sank. Of course, he needed to check on his injured dog. She should help him and forget about the hike. It wasn’t the end of the world. And Marc’s world had now changed in a big way. Not snagging the drug detection training with Max was a huge disappointment. It could also be a sign that his “opportunity” wasn’t quite right. Maybe he’d begin rethinking the Arizona plan. She certainly was.
“It’s fine. It’s kind of hot to be hiking anyway. I’ll go back with you and help with Max.”
“So, how’s the big guy? Is he okay?” Amanda asked, entering the foyer.
“Not really.” Marc recounted Max’s medical woes.
Amanda tut-tutted and shook her head in sympathy. “Poor Max. You can’t leave him in that apartment on his own.”
“I know. We’re headed back to sit with him. He’s supposed to be kept quiet—which will be a challenge.”
“So, you and Gracie are going to sit and keep Max quiet until she goes home?”
“Well, at least …” Marc stumbled over his answer.
“It’s all right, Amanda. Dogs are my business, and Max is a special case. We’ll be all right,” Gracie hastily came to Marc’s rescue.
“Don’t be crazy. Bring him over here. I’ll watch him while you two go have a good time. He can hang out in my quarters. Molly and Cochise will be glad to see him too.”
“That’s a lot to ask,” Marc hesitated. “He really needs to rest so the pad has a chance to heal well.”
“I can do that. I’ll turn on Animal Planet to keep him entertained. Go pick him up. Since the DEA boys seem to have monopolized my office for the day, I’ll be working from my living room.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Gracie brightened.
Exploring the mine area was once again an option.
.
CHAPTER 7
By the time they’d reached the halfway point, Gracie couldn’t recall what had made her believe a hike up the side of a mountain to see holes in the ground might be romantic. She stopped to take another swig of lukewarm water, while Marc leaned against the trunk of tree.
“How much farther?” she asked, trying to sound enthusiastic as she shoved the water bottle into the holder on her backpack.
“Not far.” Marc glanced at the map. “Another mile probably. You sure you’re still game?”
“I’m now committed to the mission,” she half-joked.
Resting with Max might have been the better choice. They’d left him comfortably ensconced on a dog bed, with Amanda hovering, bacon treats in hand.
“All right. If we’re going to make it there today, we need to move out.”
“What a slave driver! I’m ready when you are,” she blustered good-naturedly.
Gathering the remains of her dissipating stamina, she followed Marc through the trees. The rocky trail gave way to smoother terrain, and the elevation leveled off. The trail widened, and they were able to walk side-by-side.
“Have you had time to think about my idea?” Marc broached.
Gracie nodded. “A little bit. It’s an exciting proposition actually. To establish a breeding kennel for drug dogs isn’t anything that I would have considered.”
She smiled, recalling Marc’s passionate pitch at the restaurant. It hadn’t been quite as romantic as she’d anticipated, but it had captured her interest. But her churning emotions about making such a wild change and actually thinking about Jim’s reaction if she sold her share of the kennel was eating at her stomach lining. Then there was her house. All the remodeling and landscaping that she’d done in the last couple of years would be someone else’s. The house would be hard to sell because of its proximity to the kennel, and the tangle of problems only worsened—her family being at the top of the list. They’d be totally shocked and probably resistant to support such a drastic new direction.
“The property that’s perfect isn’t all that far from the Red Hen Ranch. We can check it out tomorrow, if you want. I contacted the realtor.”
“That soon? Well, good. You’ve talked with the breeders in Belgium too?”
She hoped her expression was convincingly positive, because everything that was wrong with dropping her irreplaceable business partner in New York was a runaway slideshow presentation in her mind. She felt as if she was on a teeter-totter, one minute up in the air about the possibilities of the new venture and the next slamming to the ground when faced with reality.
“I did right before you got here. Two of the main suppliers for the Border Patrol were in the area. One of them is looking to retire from the business, and he has three males and six females for sale. They’re all excellent foundation stock. The property has a couple of decent outbuildings. We could have horses and …”
Agitated voices filtered through the trees.
Gracie stopped, listening intently. “Oh no, it’s Frick and Frack.”
Marc followed suit, frowning. “Who?” He cocked his head to make out the conversation.
“Sorry. Amanda’s names for them,” she whispered. “It sounds like the guys who’re looking for treasure. They’re trying to produce a TV show about their adventures, I guess. The DEA was very interested in them this morning.”
“With good reason. Let’s take it slow and see if we can hear what they’re up to,” Marc whispered back.
Gracie shadowed Marc’s steps, carefully avoiding any loose rocks that might betray their presence.
The voices grew louder. Gracie and Marc entered a shady grove of pines slightly off the trail. Thick beds of needles deadened their footsteps.
The men were clearly visible below them and their conversation remarkably distinct.
“I told you. I left it in this cave. Somebody must’ve taken it,” Alex grumbled.
“Are you sure it was this one? We left stuff in about a half-dozen places. I think you’re wrong,” Justin argued.
“It was here. I’m not an idiot. Somebody stole it. What are we going to do when the crew gets here? We don’t have time―”
“Shut up, Alex. We’ll have to move stuff from another cache.”
“We don’t have the frickin’ time, I said,” Alex growled.
Marc inched forward and motioned for Gracie to stay put under the pines. She pretended not to notice. They squatted near a red-barked manzanita bush, peering through the tangle of leaves down at the pair. The men seemed to be searching in a large outcropping of rock.
A noisy group of hikers announced their arrival behind them. Gracie swung around to see several couples outfitted with walking sticks and binoculars amble down the trail. The pair below looked around nervously, quickly disappearing into the piñon forest. Marc stood, shaking his head.
“That’s too bad. They took off when those hikers showed up.”
“That group made enough commotion to spook all the wildlife within five miles,” Gracie added, brushing pine needles from her palms.
“Well, those boys bear more watching. I’ll let the team know.”
&nb
sp; They quickly found their way back to the trail, resuming with the last turn to the saddle of the mountain.
“I’d love to know what they’re hiding up here. Since Manny was found with cocaine on him, I’m wondering if these two are stashing drugs around.”
Marc turned and shot her a warning look. “Like I said, the drug business is extremely dangerous. Please stay away from those two. Don’t give them any reason to take off. If they’re involved, we’ll pick them up when we have our ducks in a row.”
“Understood, sir,” she joked weakly. “Have they found that other boy? You know, the foster kid.”
“No. The boy we found may cooperate, but we think this Ricky Fuentes may have slipped across the border.”
“Why would he go into Mexico, and furthermore how?”
“It’s not that hard to get across the border, going either way. Most likely he has family over there who’ll take care of him.”
Marc’s answer momentarily silenced Gracie. The only border she’d ever crossed was on the Peace Bridge, going from Niagara Falls into Canada. That was all very official and organized. Apparently, the southern border was a different story, or maybe she wasn’t fully informed on borders in general.
“Is there any way to find him, if he’s skipped the country?”
“Not likely. It’s easy enough to disappear when you want to.”
“If he comes back though or didn’t actually leave, there’s a chance. Right?”
Marc grunted noncommittally and then pointed toward the lower branch of a tree right ahead of them.
“Look there,” he whispered, stopping to steer Gracie’s gaze.
A striking red-breasted bird, with green and white markings, sat peering at them from its safe perch.
“Ohhh … what kind of bird is that?” She reached awkwardly into her pack for the bird guide she’d purchased at the Nature Conservancy’s store near the trailhead. Her sudden movement put the bird to flight. “Shoot. I should have this in my hand, I guess.”
“We may see him again. Pretty unusual-looking bird though. This is supposed to be a spectacular area for birdwatching.”
Washed Up (A Gracie Andersen Mystery Book 4) Page 4