Harper and Star took off to the back of the house. She approached Ian and nodded.
“Entering the premises,” he said and used a hand to push the door open slowly. Harper’s adrenaline spiked, but she kept control over her breathing even while her pulse pounded. “Star, search.”
“Careful.” Max’s voice came into her ear.
Ian held King back. Star would alert if there was anyone there. Harper looked around the large open living area and found it to be nice and homey. A sofa against the wall. A coffee table and two end tables. Lamps on the end tables in their upright positions. The large area rug was clean and matched the quilted throw someone had thrown into the recliner opposite the fireplace. No sign of a struggle, no sign of anything other than that the occupants weren’t there. “Clear in here.”
Star headed down the hall, nose in the air, tail wagging. She returned a moment later and sat in front of Harper, tongue hanging from the side of her mouth. “Good girl, Star.” Harper relaxed her defensive stance. “It’s clear. There’s no one in here.”
Ian lowered his weapon and nodded to the kitchen. “Glasses on the counter.”
Harper unlocked the front door and Max and Opal stepped inside. “Sit,” Max told the dog. She sat. “Stay.”
Harper walked over to look in the refrigerator. She pulled out a pack of ham. “Expires two weeks from now.” She uncapped the milk and sniffed. “Still good.”
“So someone has been living here. I’m going to check the closets.”
He disappeared down the hall toward the bedrooms. Max placed his hands on his hips and pursed his lips. “All right, let’s search the rest of this place and see what we can find.”
Harper pulled the bag from her belt and opened it. Inside was a scarf that they’d taken from Penny’s home for the dogs to use for tracking. She took it from the bag and held it out to Star. “Search, Star. Find Penny.” Star sniffed the item then went to work once again.
“Search.”
Star went straight to the wingback chair next to the fireplace and sat next to it. “She was here,” Harper said. She praised the dog and offered her some food. Once Star devoured the treat, Harper encouraged her to search more. The canine covered every inch of the house, noting that Penny had been in each room. She then made her way to the sofa where she stopped and sniffed again. Then moved to the back of the couch and pawed at it. Harper pulled the cushions off.
Nothing.
“Max?”
“Yes?” He stood in the kitchen going through the rest of the items in the refrigerator.
“Help me move the couch, please?”
He headed over and together they moved the sofa away from the wall. Harper spotted what had gotten Star’s attention. She picked up the cell phone with her gloved hand. “What do we have here?” She scratched the dog’s ears. “Good girl, Star.”
Max took the phone from her. “We’ll get Dylan to work with this and see if he can trace it back to the owner.”
“Could have been there awhile.”
“True.”
Harper pulled the packet of dog food from her pocket and gave Star some more. The dog ate it and then sat, ready to go to work again whenever Harper was ready.
Max tapped the screen. “Battery is low, but it’s not dead. And it’s not password-protected.” He held it up and shook it slightly. “Between the food in the refrigerator and this, I’d say we missed Penny by a day or so.”
“If not hours,” Harper said. “We can send the phone off with the note that was left on my motel door earlier.”
A knock on the door sounded and Riley poked his head in. “Is it all right if I come in?”
“Thought you promised to wait in the car.”
He frowned. “I did, but Julianne said it was all clear and I could approach.”
Harper shrugged. “The house is empty but they were here. Penny was anyway. The evidence shows we didn’t miss them by much.”
Max focused back on the phone. “Last number called was just two hours ago.” He looked at Harper. “You nailed that one. We missed her by hours.”
He dialed the number and put it on speaker. “Red Robin Inn, would you like to make a reservation?”
“Possibly,” Max said. “Could you give me directions on how to find you?”
The man did so. Max thanked him and hung up. He looked at Harper, Ian and Riley. “I don’t want to ask him anything about Penny or Jake over the phone, but that must be where she’s headed. I don’t want any possibility that he could tip them off. It’s about thirty minutes from here. Let’s get over there and see if she’s checked in.” He paused. “And don’t everyone pull in the parking lot. Stay against the curb in the street. Harper...”
“Yes?”
“You talk to the guy at the front desk. I’ll back you up. Ian, you and Julianne take the back of the building in case she somehow gets tipped off that we’re coming.” He frowned. “I’m tired of being one step behind. Let’s go.”
The team and their dogs once again piled back into the vehicle and caravanned it out onto the highway that would lead them to the motel. Harper eyed a stone-silent Riley in the passenger seat. “You okay?”
He glanced at her. “Sure. Why?”
“You seem quiet.”
“Just thinking, I guess.”
“About?”
“About my nephew and all he’s been through over the past few months. I’m thinking how innocent people get caught up in things that can quickly spiral out of control through no fault of their own—and thinking that it’s really not fair at all and that I hate feeling powerless to do anything about it. I really can’t stand injustice.”
She nodded. “I know. I see it all the time. Life definitely isn’t fair, but we haven’t been promised fair, just that we don’t have to walk this journey alone.”
“You’re talking about God, I guess.”
“I am.”
“I’ll admit, I’ve been pretty mad at Him for letting it all happen,” he gritted out.
She shot him a glance then focused back on the road. “That’s understandable.”
“Maybe. You told me about your past, growing up with a dad who bailed on you and your mom. That had to have been hard.”
“I’m sure it was. I don’t remember much about it, to be honest. I just remember the fights stopped and that made me glad. It wasn’t until I got older that I pieced together the whole story from relatives and my mom’s drunken ramblings.”
He gave her a contemplative look. “You ever get mad at God about it? Wonder why He didn’t do something about it?”
“Sure, I’ve been there.”
“But now?”
She shrugged. “I’ve made my peace with Him—and my past. In spite of my lousy upbringing, He’s proved none of it took Him by surprise and now I can see how He’s worked through the bad to bring good.”
Riley fell silent again and Harper wished she could read his thoughts. “I don’t think any good can come out of my sister’s murder.”
“I’m sure it looks that way now—and it may always look that way to you—us.” She sighed. “I don’t pretend to understand the ways or thoughts of God. I just know that He is good. He delights in us even in our imperfections and He despises evil.” She cleared her throat. “And He’s a just God. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t do what I do. But murder is evil and you may never see any good in your sister’s death.”
“Seriously, what good could come of it?” he asked harshly.
She hesitated then lifted her shoulder in a slight shrug. “Maybe it’s not a matter of looking for the good that can come from it, maybe it’s more of just not letting Blackman win.”
“And how do I do that?”
“As long as you and those who loved her become better people in spite of the pain that he’s caused you by his evil actions, then he doesn’t win. As long as you don’t allow him to steal your joy and your love of life, then he doesn’t win. If you go around hating him and being bitter the
rest of your life, then essentially, he manages to kill you along with your sister.” She released a breath. “You’re not the same person now that you were before she died simply because what happened is a life-altering thing. But that difference doesn’t have to define you or your future. You can still have a good life, Riley.”
He swallowed hard but nodded for her to go on.
“Remember Charlotte and all she meant to you, teach Asher about her and keep her memory alive for him because he’ll want to know more and more about her the older he gets. Don’t let hating Blackman steal those moments that are sure to come.”
Silence dropped between them. “I...never thought of it like that,” he whispered. “I can’t see past her death.”
“It’s only been a couple of months. It will take time. And when I said that good can actually come from bad,” she said softly, “I suppose what I mean, in my case anyway, was that I chose to use that bad to bring good into the lives of others.”
“Can you explain that?”
She drew in a deep breath. “I was faced with choices just like anyone else. Certain choices would bring good things. I could help others who were going through what I had already been through. I could give others hope that they could come out of their situation and be able to smile again, to be happy and...free.” She sighed. “Or I could choose to go a different route and let anger and bitterness dictate my life. I didn’t want to choose that route. But, because of what I’ve been through, I have a perspective that others don’t have and I can help people in the same situations deal with their emotions and feelings in a constructive way.”
“You became a better person in spite of your parents.”
“Yes. That was a really rambling way of trying to make my point. I hope it made sense.”
“It did.” He fell silent yet again. Every so often she glanced at him, wondering what he was thinking. Her life hadn’t been a bed of roses, for sure, but she was in a good place, proud of what she’d overcome and determined that she’d share her story with anyone she thought it could help.
She felt his gaze on her and glanced at him. “What?”
“You’re different.”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged and let out a low laugh. “I’m not sure what I mean, to be honest. I just don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you.”
“So is that a good thing?”
He smiled. “Yeah. It’s a good thing.”
Harper’s insides twisted at his words. Why was he able to do that to her? Why did she have to meet him now when everything was in chaos? He needed to find Van and she needed to find Jake. Romance, attraction, dating...whatever. It was all a bad idea at this point in time and the thought saddened her more than she wanted to admit.
She concentrated on the driving and keeping her mouth shut. The more she opened it and shared with this man, the closer she grew to him. The more she talked, the more she invited him in to know the real her. Which kind of scared her.
Would he run away or stick around if he got to know her on a deeper-than-shallow-friendship level? Did she want to find out?
Yes.
No.
Maybe.
She wasn’t going to answer that mental question right now. She was going to focus on her job.
The minutes passed and Harper finally pulled into the parking lot of the Red Robin Inn.
The others followed orders and parked on the street. She climbed from the vehicle and Riley did the same. Together they walked into the lobby of the motel with Star trotting at her side. “You don’t get to go to the room, Riley.”
“I know. I’ll get back in the car when you tell me to.”
Harper nodded and noted the motel smelled of cleaning solution and chlorine. To the right was the entrance to the indoor pool. To the left was the registration desk. A young man in his midtwenties chatted on the phone, his back to them.
Harper approached the desk and waited a moment. Then she slapped the old-fashioned bell sitting on the counter. The clerk jumped and spun. Then flushed. “I gotta go, Jess. Talk to you later.” He hung up and cleared his throat. “Ah, sorry about that. What can I do for you?”
He seemed nice enough, just young.
You’re not that much older, her inner voice mocked.
In reality, she might not be but a few years older in numbers, but in life experience, chances were she was light-years away from this guy. She flashed her badge, which was overkill since the khaki pants and shirt with the FBI logo emblazoned on it stood out. Star sat at her side and waited for her orders. “I’m looking for a young woman by the name of Penny Potter. She would have been traveling with a little boy. A toddler.”
The clerk, Jason, according to his nameplate, swallowed again and his eyes shifted to the door. “Ah, who? Oh, um, yeah, Ms. Potter. Let me check.” He clicked a few keys on the computer while his eyes kept going toward the door then down to the phone.
“Something wrong?” Riley asked.
“What? Wrong?” He let out a nervous laugh. “No. Why?”
“Because you’re awfully jumpy.” Harper frowned. “Is Ms. Potter in your system or not?”
“Um. Yes. Yes, she is. She’s right here. Yep. Here she is. She...ah...checked in about two hours ago. With a toddler.” Another nerve-grating laugh.
What was wrong with this guy? “Give me her room number and a key, please,” Harper said.
He flinched. “A key? And her room number? Why?”
“Because I asked for it. I’m working a case. You want to interfere with it?”
“Um. No. Of course not.” With shaky fingers, he pulled a key from the stack and ran it through the machine. “There. 104. Just...um...around the corner.”
Harper took the key. “Thanks.”
Ian stepped inside. “Max sent me in to see if you needed any help.”
Harper nodded at the clerk. “As a matter of fact, I need you to babysit for a few minutes. Make sure our friend here doesn’t touch that phone until I give the all-clear, okay?”
“Sure thing.” King settled himself beside Ian while Harper and Star readied themselves to head toward the room.
Harper drew in a deep breath. “Finally.”
“What?” Riley asked. He walked beside her and stopped at the vehicle where he would wait.
“We’re going to get some answers.”
SIX
Riley sure hoped so. He was ready for this wild chase to be done with so he could get the money and head back to the hospital to be with Asher.
But until then...
He stayed back as ordered. It made his nerves itch to wait. He wanted to be in on the action, but while he was a former cop while living in Denver, until he earned a badge in this area, he’d have to hang back.
At least he had a good view of the room. He sat in the SUV with Max and Opal with the vehicle’s windows down. Leo and True followed close behind Harper and Star. The other team members were poised for action as well, but would keep their distance until needed. Riley understood Max’s desire for staunch caution. They didn’t want to go bursting into the room without knowing where Penny and Kevin were—and where Jake might be with his gun.
Harper knocked on the door. “Housekeeping!”
No answer.
She tried again.
Again, nothing.
“Penny? You in there?”
She nodded at Leo. He nodded back. Harper swiped the key card and then they were in the room.
Riley realized he was holding his breath and forced himself to draw air into his lungs. For a moment all was quiet. Then Harper appeared in the doorway, her weapon lowered. “All clear,” she called.
Max slammed a fist against the dash and Riley jumped then raised a brow. “Tense much?”
The man shot him a wry smile. “A little.” Then he was out of the vehicle and joining the others.
Riley followed at a slower pace. Once at the room, he looked inside. Harper held the bag with Penny’s scarf in her hand. Star con
tinued to sniff the floor, the perfectly made beds, the chairs, the bathroom. Then she came to her handler and sat in front of her.
Harper let out a sigh. “She was never here.” She swept a hand at the room. “I almost don’t even need Star to tell me that. Look at this place. It’s been cleaned and is ready for the next occupant.”
“What?” Riley said. “I thought that guy said she checked in two hours ago.”
“Obviously he lied. Or if she checked in, she never came to the room. I’m leaning toward him lying. Let’s find out.” Her nostrils flared and Riley was surprised he didn’t actually see steam escape. She marched out of the room and down the sidewalk to the lobby. Riley stayed right behind her. No way was he missing this.
Harper strode past Ian and planted her hands on the chest-high counter. The young clerk gulped and took a step back. “Um...yes?”
“She was never in that room.”
“Well...ah...why do you say that? Of course she was.”
“Star says she wasn’t. And my dog is never wrong. Which means you’re lying and I want to know why.”
He opened his mouth and she held up a hand. “Did she pay with credit card or cash?”
The man snapped his lips together.
Harper narrowed her eyes. “And before you answer, let me just help you out here. This is a federal investigation—one that is very important and is costing a lot of money. Now, you just sent us on a wild-goose chase. If you don’t want to be arrested for obstructing justice, you’ll tell me what you know and you won’t leave out a single detail. Including the truth about whether or not Penny Potter and her son checked into that room.”
The more she talked, the wider Jason’s eyes grew. His Adam’s apple bobbed continuously in his skinny throat while he listened to Harper’s tirade. Finally, he held up his hands as though to ward her off. “I... I don’t want any trouble.”
“Good. Talk.”
“A...um...a woman called a little while earlier and said if anyone came looking for her and a kid to tell them that she’d checked in. She said if I did, she’d give me a hundred bucks. I said okay. I didn’t know it was the cops looking for her. I promise.”
“You knew it when I walked in here.”
Bounty Hunter (Classified K-9 Unit) Page 6