The world around Riley came to a complete stop.
Chapter Eighteen
The restaurant at the inn was teeming with guests sitting down for lunch. Tables were filling up fast, and Agent Wallace hadn’t come down from his room. Josh’s diver’s watch indicated Wallace had two minutes. If the man weren’t on time, Josh would go to him. One of Josh’s flaws was impatience, which had gotten him into trouble a time or two. In fact, it had almost gotten an American killed.
His team had been surveilling a known enemy of the US in the mountains of Afghanistan. Their job had been to gather data—who went in, who came out, and any activity that would help them find two reporters who had been captured. Their commander had told them not to engage under any circumstances.
But the gun to the reporter’s head had spurred Josh into action, and his instinct had been to save the hostage. Hell, it was a normal human reaction. Luckily, one of Josh’s teammates caught him before he’d ruined the mission, and even though they’d been successful in saving the two Americans, he had gotten his butt chewed out, and he’d deserved it.
Right now, though, Josh wasn’t spying on a known terrorist. He didn’t have to worry about others getting killed. He just needed answers. Time was ticking away, and the more days that passed, the more his hope of finding Liza dwindled.
The elevator dinged, and Wallace sauntered out as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He’d ditched the suit from yesterday and donned a pair of black slacks and a white golf shirt with the FBI emblem embroidered in the upper left. Josh expected to see a gun at the agent’s hip or a holster around him, but Wallace came across like a man ready to play golf.
Josh dipped his head in the opposite direction of the restaurant. “Let’s use my office. I need the space quiet so I can hear you.” They didn’t need anyone eavesdropping either.
When they were seated inside, Wallace asked, “How did you lose your hearing?”
The man wanted to chitchat, when all Josh wanted to do was tell him to cut the bull.
“I see from your tat that you were a SEAL? A mission gone wrong?”
Josh briefly glanced at his tat, which read, “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.” That was the truth. No one understood the meaning more than SEALs. Regardless, Josh decided to humor Wallace to give himself a chance to calm down. Otherwise, the meeting wouldn’t go well. Or worse, it could land Josh in jail for assaulting a federal agent.
“I was in an explosion on a classified mission. I hate to be rude, but what’s the breakthrough you mentioned?” Josh picked up a pen that was lying right where he’d left it after signing employee checks.
Wallace grinned as though he was proud of Josh for getting straight to the point. “Where’s Riley? We need her to look at some photos of the men in the SUV.”
“Shouldn’t you be showing them to Taylor?” She’d gotten the best look at the men.
“We will.” He gave his phone to Josh. “Is that the SUV you saw at Liza’s apartment?”
Josh studied the photo. He could see two men through the windshield, which wasn’t tinted. The driver had dark hair as Riley had mentioned, but the passenger was the man Taylor had described—bald head and goatee. He also had tanned skin; dark, beady eyes; and a piercing in his left ear.
If Josh weren’t mistaken, Baldy was glancing out the driver’s side window, giving Josh the impression that the man had seen Riley.
Josh’s blood gelled. If Baldy had seen her, then she could be in danger too. “Do you know who these men are?”
Wallace crossed one leg over the other. “Riley might be right about Moretti’s men showing up in California. We pulled a video from the cameras on the street that Liza lives on. The bald guy we believe works for Moretti. The driver is none other than Moretti’s son.”
Josh’s muscles tensed. “Seems to me they’ve pegged Riley. She could be in danger.”
“Where is she?”
“She went into the city to talk to Taylor. She still believes Taylor is hiding something.”
Wallace collected his phone. “That may be, but all we could drum up on Taylor was she’s a rich girl from a rich family, with daddy issues.”
That explained her expensive clothes, and daddy issues might’ve explained why she was living in a run-down building. Maybe Rich Girl was trying to show her father that she could cut it on her own.
“Dennison and I are headed out to meet two agents from the SF FBI office at Liza’s place. Then we’ll stop by and show these photos to Taylor. In the meantime, my team is working on getting a better angle of the SUV and the license plate. I’ll text you the photo.”
“I want to go with you.” Josh knew that wouldn’t be allowed, but he asked nonetheless. Dad had always said it never hurt to ask. All a person could do was say no. “I know Liza’s neighbor. He might open up more if I’m there.” Part lie. Part truth.
Wallace leaned forward. “The best thing for you to do is stay put. My team and I got this.” He rubbed his thumb over his forefinger. “You miss the hunt, the adrenaline rush of missions. Don’t you?”
Josh hitched a shoulder. “I’ll never be a SEAL again.”
“No, but have you thought about law enforcement?”
Josh let out a laugh as he pointed to his left ear. “Completely deaf in this ear.” Then he touched his right. “I can barely hear out of this one. What makes you think I could protect my partner’s back if I was a cop or an agent?” Josh was digging the idea until he thought of his dad.
“Josh.” Wallace used a fatherly tone. Which might have been fitting. He seemed old enough to be Josh’s father. “The DEA is always recruiting. You could be a dog handler. Where is your service dog by the way?”
Josh stood, extending his hand. “Home with my dad. Thank you for the advice, and as much as I would love the idea, I couldn’t entertain anything like that since my dad’s health prevents me from doing anything other than managing the inn.”
They exchanged a handshake.
“I’ll give you a call later this evening,” Wallace said. “Dennison and I will be staying in the city.”
“Let me see where Riley is. She might be on her way back.” Josh tapped on her number in his phone then hit the speaker button. The line went directly to voice mail.
Surely, she should be finished with Taylor by now. It was well after noon. Granted, the drive there and back would take hours, let alone the fact that two women could talk for a long time.
Wallace padded to the door. “If Riley does get anything of value from Taylor, please call me.” Then he waltzed out.
Josh rubbed his jaw, deciding what to do next. The FBI’s breakthrough was weak at best. They were no further on finding Liza than the SFPD.
Josh’s phone rang, and Riley’s name came across the screen.
“Are you okay?” Josh answered. “Where are you? Did you get any info from Taylor?” He couldn’t contain himself. His breathing sped up.
“Josh, Liza just called me.”
“What! Where is she?”
“I don’t know. I lost the connection. She sounded rushed and frightened.”
He chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Where are you?”
“I’m at a coffee shop one block down from the Stitches office building. I’ve been hoping she would call me back.”
“Redial the number. Did she call you from her phone?”
“That’s the problem. The call came in with no caller ID.”
Josh started for the door. “Stay put. I’m on my way. Text me the name of the coffee shop.”
“We should tell the agents.” Her voice cracked a little.
“Not much to tell them if you don’t know anything, and you don’t have a number they can trace.”
She expelled a heavy sigh.
“Riley, I want you to watch over your shoulder. Wallace found out that the dark-haired man you saw in the SUV is none other than Moretti’s son. The verdict is still out on the bald guy.”
Her tone rose in pitch. “For real
?”
“Baby doll, don’t move from that coffee shop. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She whimpered. “I like it when you call me baby doll.”
Man, if she whimpered one more time, Josh might have to take a cold shower.
Chapter Nineteen
With shaky fingers, Riley texted Josh as soon as they hung up, although when he’d called her baby doll, she’d melted into a puddle of mush where she sat.
The Coffee Bean Factory was busy with patrons coming and going for their afternoon caffeine fix. Many were absorbed in their phones or talking to their friends. Riley would’ve given anything to talk to Liza again. One moment, she had been there, and the next, she’d been gone.
Riley sat at a table near the window with her phone in front of her, willing Liza to call again. She bit on a manicured nail, ruining the fresh coat of polish she’d gotten before she’d left Boston.
She shifted her attention out the window. The streets were jammed with cars stopped at the red light. Business people—big, small, tall, short, dressed in jackets with scarves around their necks—hurried in all directions. Some waited for the signal to cross the street.
The sun’s rays sprayed down in between the dense cluster of buildings in the financial district.
Where are you, Liza? What in the world is going on?
Tears stung Riley’s eyes as anger gripped her stomach. Liza was alive. Riley should’ve been relieved, but she wasn’t. She was confused and ready to scream at her best friend. Liza had let her friends and family believe she could be hurt. Let Riley believe that.
Josh pinged Riley with a text. I’m stuck in traffic.
No surprise there.
She sighed at the thought of Josh. A man she hardly knew who had all the qualities of a perfect boyfriend, husband, and soul mate was seeping into her heart little by little. Aside from how attracted she was to him or how much he occupied her mind, Riley was grateful he was helping her. Sure, he was Liza’s family, but he had a major priority in taking care of his dad and running a business.
Riley replied. Liza hasn’t called again.
Are you sure it was her?
Riley didn’t have to think about that question. She knew Liza’s voice, especially the line, “Oh my God.” Liza always punctuated each word in a dramatic fashion. Riley had always teased Liza about how expressive she was. Her response had been, “I’m a valley girl through and through.”
Riley smiled at that. She missed her friend. They were supposed to have had fun the past week. Yet the only good thing that had happened since Riley had landed in the Golden State was meeting Josh.
Riley, are you there?
Yes. I’m sure it was Liza. How long do you think you’ll be?
She couldn’t sit around much longer. If Taylor had spoken to Liza, then she might know where Liza was.
Riley typed a response to Josh. I’m going to find Taylor and make her talk.
No. Wait for me.
Riley would seriously wait for him forever if Liza weren’t in trouble.
Her phone danced on the metal table, displaying the words “No caller ID.” Liza.
Riley snatched up the phone. “Where are you?” Her voice was hard and high.
“Sorry,” Liza said, out of breath. “I thought Moretti’s men had found us.”
“Us?” Riley had suspected Moretti’s men were in town, so that wasn’t a surprise.
“Haley and I are in hiding.”
“Hurry up,” Riley heard a mousy voice say in the background.
“Where are you? Hell, woman, Josh and I have been worried sick. So has Drake and Josh’s dad. What is going on?” Riley’s voice ticked higher and higher on each word.
“I can’t talk. I need your help.”
Riley let out a nervous laugh. “Now? Why not a week ago?”
Maybe they weren’t as close as Riley thought they were.
“Riley,” Liza said, tone warning. “I don’t have time to explain. Please.” She lost the hard edge to her voice on the last word.
As much as Riley wanted answers, the plea broke her heart, tempering her anger for the moment. “I’m listening.”
“I was talking to Taylor, when she hung up on me. Now I can’t get ahold of her. Can you track her down? Have her go into my office and look for a green thumb drive.”
Riley massaged one side of her head. She could feel a headache blooming.
“Riley.” Liza sounded irritated. “Are you still there?
Maybe in body, but not mind. Liza was going to croak when she heard Taylor got fired. “Um. Mr. Gansett fired Taylor.”
“What?” Liza’s voice hitched. “How do you know that?”
“Long story.”
“Liza,” the mousy voice said. “Hurry up. They’re probably tracking the call.”
“One minute, Haley,” Liza barked. “If we don’t get that drive, we’re both dead.”
“We’re dead anyway,” Haley snapped.
Hearing the word “dead” made Riley feel as if a thousand needles were poking her all at once. She swallowed thickly. “What can I do?”
“Can you go to my office? There’s a short filing cabinet next to the window. The green thumb drive is taped to the underside of the top drawer.”
“Sure. I’m at The Coffee Bean Factory a block from your building. I just need to figure out how to get past the piranha, Candace, your receptionist.” Riley might have to barter with the woman again, which was totally fine. Maybe Riley should just plan Candace’s wedding free of charge. She could use that as an excuse to return to California. After all, Liza owed Riley a tour of the state, and Riley wouldn’t mind seeing Josh again.
“Figure something out. Better yet, find Taylor. She’ll help you.”
Riley shook her head, even though Liza couldn’t see her. “She won’t. Trust me.”
“Riley, Taylor will.”
Maybe she would if Riley could find her. “What do I do when I get the thumb drive?”
“I’m working on that,” Liza said. “I got to run. I’ll call you tonight. Take Josh with you for protection.”
A flirty and nervous laugh escaped. “Speaking of Josh, why haven’t you called him?” He had courage, strength, probably weapons, a take-no-prisoners attitude, and he was an ex-Navy SEAL.”
“You’ve met my cousin, right? He’s ready to strap on a gun and all his SEAL gear and fight again. We don’t need mafia men all over Redwood Cove.”
Met him, kissed him, held his hand, flirted with him, slept in his house, and will probably cry when I have to leave him.
The small, sleepy resort town didn’t need men with guns storming the streets and neither did the inn. The agents had shown up, but they were the good guys. Speaking of the FBI…
“Liza, one more thing.”
Silence filled the line.
“Liza.” Riley glanced at her phone, and the screen showed all her apps instead of a connected call. Well, crap on a cracker.
Sighing, she sat for a minute, debating whether she should wait for Josh. He might be able to use his handsomeness and gentlemanly charm on Candace.
Time was of the essence, though, and Josh was stuck in traffic. He could’ve been a good hour or more away. Besides, Riley could get the drive and be back at the coffee shop before Josh even got into the city.
Fifteen minutes later, she was walking back into Stitches, Inc. The reception desk was empty, and the fifteenth floor was quiet, too quiet. Biting her nail, Riley debated whether to wait for someone before she went snooping around. The last thing she wanted to do was get thrown out before she retrieved the thumb drive.
She steeled her nerves, rushed into Liza’s office, and closed the door with gentle ease. Riley swallowed her nerves then found the short filing cabinet that Liza had spoken of. Riley stuck her hand in and felt around on the underside of the top, but the wood was smooth with no signs of a thumb drive. Maybe she hadn’t heard Liza right. Riley turned, and when she did, she squealed and slapped a hand over
her heart.
“Looking for something?” Mr. Gansett asked in a not-so-nice voice.
What the heck happened to the nice guy I met earlier?
Riley tried to speak, but words failed her.
He tucked his hands into his pants pockets. “I’ve been through this office, and you won’t find what Liza is looking for.” His tone was devoid of any emotion.
“Let me guess. You have the thumb drive.”
“Actually, I don’t. But you’re going to lead me to it.”
Immediately, Taylor came to mind. She had to have it.
He whipped out his phone. “Get up here.”
Riley’s pulse started to gallop. All she could think about were Haley’s words. “We’re dead anyway.”
Riley didn’t want to die, but she also wouldn’t go down without a fight. The problem was she had no way out except past Mr. Gansett. He was a large man and could probably stop her in a flash.
As she thought of her next move, Riley couldn’t help but remember something her mom had warned her about. “Sweetie, men can strap on the charm, but underneath all that chivalry can be a snake waiting to bite.”
Mr. Gansett was a snake and a great actor. He’d given Riley no indication he was in bed with the mafia.
Riley tossed a look over her shoulder for nothing more than to give herself a minute to think of an escape route. But jumping through a window fifteen stories up wasn’t an option.
Her body stiffened when she saw two large men in the reflection of the window. Her blood froze solid. Riley turned ever so slowly, trying not to panic, but that was futile.
One of the men had biceps the size of Mount Everest. The other had a muscular build, but what rendered Riley speechless was his bald head. He was the same dude she’d seen in the black SUV.
Mr. Gansett waved them in. “Take her and get me her phone.”
Riley should’ve been shaking in her flats. She should’ve been screaming bloody murder. But Ross had always taught her to stay calm if she were ever cornered.
“The more you fight, the more you run the risk of getting hurt, or even worse—killed,” he’d said. “Wait for the right moment to attack when they’re not expecting it.”
Rescuing Riley: The Gold Coast Retrievers, Book 2 Page 11