Riley looked away and rubbed his chin. “Maybe.”
“It’s a good analysis, Mrs. Martelli,” Harper said. “Maybe you should apply to work for the FBI.” She kept her tone light in the heavy atmosphere.
The woman gave her a sad smile. “It’s just called experience.”
“Yeah.” Harper sank into the seat next to her and joined them in the wait.
For the next six hours, they alternated pacing, dozing, sipping decaf coffee and waiting for the hourly updates on Asher’s progress.
A nurse appeared in the doorway and Riley shot to his feet. She held up a hand. “Asher’s doing great. The bullet has been removed and they’re patching him up now.”
Riley blew out a breath and slumped back down into the chair. “Thanks.”
“The doctor will be out shortly to talk with you, but it’s looking good for Asher.”
Riley swallowed and nodded, not even bothering to try to hide the sheen of tears in his eyes. His mother clasped his hand and Harper placed hers over theirs and squeezed.
Finally, the doctor stepped into the waiting room. He removed his surgical mask and gave them a smile accompanied by two thumbs up. “It went perfect. Asher did amazing. The bullet was right where the X-ray showed. It didn’t do any damage to the spine, but the tissue around it was so inflamed, it was what temporarily paralyzed Asher. Now that it’s gone, once the inflammation goes down and the incision heals, I think there’s real hope he’ll be able to walk again soon.”
His mother began to cry and Riley wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders. “God came through,” she whispered. “Thank you, Jesus.”
Harper’s phone rang and she stepped away to answer. “Hello?”
“It’s Max. Today was a bust. Mostly. We did find someone who recognized Jake from the park’s general store, but couldn’t tell us where he was camping or if he was still around.”
Harper rubbed a weary hand across her eyes. “When did the person see him?”
“Yesterday morning.”
“All right. So, I guess we continue going on the assumption that he’s staying put for now.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure how long that will last,” Max said. “He knows we’re here looking for him.”
“Is there any indication that Penny has left the area?”
“Nothing. No hits on her passport or credit cards.”
“Then Jake’s probably not going anywhere, either. We need to keep searching.”
“I agree. Can you join in first thing in the morning?”
“I can. Where do you want to meet?”
He told her then said, “I’ve got a vehicle for you. It’s being driven here overnight and you’ll have it first thing in the morning.”
“Perfect.” That would help. As much as she knew Riley didn’t mind them using his truck, the official vehicle would make things easier all around.
“Now, how’s Asher? The team is begging for an update.”
She filled him in.
“Glad to hear the boy’s doing well. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you then.”
When she returned to the waiting room, Riley was pacing and his mother had resumed her knitting. He enveloped her in a hug as soon as he spotted her. “He’s going to walk again.”
“That’s the prayer.” She breathed in his masculine scent and found she didn’t want to leave his arms. The thought unsettled her.
But she felt powerless to move away.
He finally let her go and cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re here.”
She smiled mistily. “I am, too.” She settled into the chair beside him. It was going to be a long night.
* * *
Harper and Star arrived in the national park just as the sun rose in a brilliant splash of oranges, reds and yellows. Riley pulled in beside her. He’d insisted on driving his truck just in case he had to leave fast and get back to Denver and Asher.
He climbed out of his truck and into the passenger seat. “I never get tired of watching that.”
She agreed. The sight nearly took her breath away and she paused for a brief moment to simply savor it.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Riley asked softly.
She nodded. “Absolutely incredible.” She paused. “Are you sure you’re okay being here instead of with Asher?”
“I’m sure. The doctor said even though Asher is doing fine, they’re keeping him sedated while his back heals a bit. He won’t know I’m not there and Mom will call if anything comes up. I’ve got my truck, I’m good.”
“All right, then.”
He patted the leather armrest. “Nice wheels.”
“Only the best for us,” she drawled.
He looked at her. “You’re not a typical agent, are you? Or group of agents, I guess I should say.”
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re more subtle. You have amazing resources, Max is the leader of your team and he calls the shots, but...” He shrugged. “I don’t know. You just seem different than other agents I’ve known.” He snapped his fingers. “For example, you don’t have partners. You all work together as a team.”
“Nice observation.”
“So, what are you?”
She smiled. “Exactly what you see, Riley, I promise. We are special, yes. We do more classified work, I suppose, than other agents. And we have the incredible resources you mentioned. So, yeah.”
Max and Ian pulled in beside them, cutting off the explanation. Max rolled down his window and did the same. “Just got a call,” Max said. “Jake’s been spotted.”
Harper tensed. “Where?”
“Over near a campground where some kids are.”
Riley blanched. “I wonder if that’s the group Asher’s teacher referred to while she was visiting Asher.”
“Could be,” Harper said.
Max shoved his Suburban in gear. “Let’s head that way.”
“I’ll just ride with you,” Riley said.
A short time later, she pulled into the campground and noticed the cabins located to her right situated into a nice circle. A building sat in the middle and she assumed that to be the bathhouse. Various vehicles were scattered about and someone had set up an area with a stage and bleachers.
Max and Ian pulled in beside her. First they’d talk to the leaders of the camp and try to get a good idea where Jake had been spotted. Then the searching would commence once again.
Harper stepped out of the vehicle and let Star out of her area. A bell rang and children began to come from the cabins. Harper judged them to be between eight and twelve years old. A few caught sight of her and pointed.
A young woman dressed in jeans and a pullover hoodie spotted her and smiled. It was the same woman she’d seen walking out of Asher’s hospital room the other day. She walked toward Harper. “Hi. I’m Beth Smith.”
Harper shook the woman’s outstretched hand. “I’m Special Agent Harper Prentiss and this is Star. I think you know Riley.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Ms. Smith looked at Riley. “And good to see you again, Riley. How’s Asher?”
“Doing well.” He gave her the short version of how the surgery came about.
“That’s wonderful,” she said. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
Max and Ian and their dogs finally joined them. After Harper made the introductions, she said, “I hear you spotted a man we’re looking for.”
Ms. Smith rubbed her hands together and looked around. “Yes. He was down near the river getting some water. One of the children and a chaperone, Gary, spotted him. Gary had been in the general store in Drum Creek and saw the news flash on the television that you were looking for him. He told me and we looked up the number and called it in.”
“We appreciate that. Could we speak to the chaperone who saw him? Gary, right?”
“Right. He’s in the second cabin on the right just past the bathhouse. He’ll be helping some of the younger children get ready for t
he day. We’re doing an early morning swim. The brave ones who want to, anyway. It’s too cold for me.”
“Thanks again,” Max said.
They went to the cabin and knocked on the door. A little boy about nine years old opened it. His eyes widened when he saw them. “Dudes! It’s the 5-0! And they’ve got dogs!”
Within seconds, they were surrounded by ten eager boys ranging in age from eight to ten. Harper and the others let them pet the animals for a moment before their chaperone moved them back into the cabin then stepped outside. “Sorry about that.”
“Not a problem,” Harper said, flashing him a warm smile.
“Are you Gary?” Max asked.
“I am. You people are fast.”
“We’re here with one purpose. To find our agent and bring him home,” Max said. “So what can you tell us?”
“He was down by the river. I think he was filling a canteen. When he looked up and saw me, he just nodded and walked away.”
“Which way?” Max asked.
“North.”
“What was he wearing?”
“A pullover sweatshirt and jeans. And he had a ball cap on.”
Harper frowned. “And you recognized him?”
“Well, he took the hat off and dunked his head in the water before he pulled the hat back on. That’s when I realized who he was.”
Max looked at Harper. “We’ll head north. You go south just in case he made a U-turn somewhere. Stop everyone you see and show his picture. We’ll do the same. Use the radios to stay in touch.”
“Got it.”
She and Riley headed back to her vehicle while the children and their leaders made their way to the lake for a chilly morning swim.
“Riley?”
He stopped and Harper saw Ms. Smith motioning him back to her. He shrugged. “I’ll meet you at the truck in a minute.”
Harper nodded and led Star to the Suburban where she turned on her radio. She fitted the earpiece into her right ear. “You guys there?”
“We’re here,” came Max’s instant response. “Are you headed out?”
“Almost. Riley’s talking to one of the chaperones. I’ll check in shortly.”
“10-4.”
She looked back to see Riley and the teacher still deep in conversation about thirty yards away. Probably about Asher. They had their backs to her, Riley’s dark head bent over hers. The woman placed a hand on his arm and Harper stiffened. Was that really necessary?
She grimaced. She was not jealous. She had no right to feel sharp pangs in her gut at the sight of them together. But come on...would the woman ever stop talking? They weren’t in a hurry per se, but Harper was ready to get on with the search. She shot the two one more glance and saw them step into the nearest cabin.
“Great.”
Harper turned her attention to Star who seemed restless. She paced to the front of the vehicle then back. “What is it, girl?”
The dog sat at her feet and leaned against her. Harper scratched her ears then opened the door for her to hop in. At first Star didn’t seem to want to cooperate, but at Harper’s urging, she complied. Harper shut the door and reached for the driver’s handle. She’d wait for him in the truck; she liked to do her sulking in private.
A cold blade at the base of her throat froze her. “Jake?” she whispered.
“Actually, no. Try Van.”
A chill slithered through her. “What do you want?”
“Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Excuse me?”
“Riley!” Van yelled. “Where is he? He’s always with you, but you’re getting ready to leave and he’s nowhere to be seen.”
Her gaze flicked to the cabin where Riley was and prayed he stayed put. “He’s with some of the other agents. He won’t be alone. He’ll always have someone on him from now on. You won’t be able to get to him so you might as well remove that knife from my throat.”
Van cursed. A low, menacing slew of words that expressed his severe displeasure. The hand that held the blade was steady. Decisive. She didn’t dare yank away. “Well, then, I guess I get to move on to plan B,” he finally said.
“Which is?”
“Your friends get you back when I get Riley.”
“You’re going to kidnap a federal agent?” She grasped her keys in her right hand and let her thumb rove over the controls of the remote.
“Looks that way, doesn’t it? Now move before those kids get back and someone has to get hurt.”
He reached around her to open the driver’s door and she took a chance. She pressed the button that would release Star. The door swung open on command. The knife slipped, nicking her skin, but she ignored the sharp pain, dropped the keys and grabbed Van’s wrist that held the knife against her throat.
“Attack!” She yanked his arm, the knife moved from her throat by a mere inch, and Star dove for his leg.
Van cried out and went down. Harper spun away from him. He swung the knife at Star, but the dog moved at the last minute and by chance, he missed. But Harper could see his intent to stab the animal.
“Star, release. Come now!” And just like in their training exercises, the dog released her victim and darted to Harper’s side.
Harper pulled her weapon, but Van was stumbling away. “Stay put, Van!”
He ignored her and continued his fast limp-jog away from her. She could send Star after him, but he still had the knife in his hand and Harper wouldn’t take a chance he’d try to stab Star again.
“Harper? What’s going on?”
Riley had come out of the cabin and was running toward her. “Get in the car!” She pressed the button on her radio as she raced after Van, Star at her side. “He’s here. Van Blackman showed up and attacked me. I’m fine, but he’s getting away.”
The roar of an engine caught her attention and she crested the hill to see a green pickup speed away, down the dirt trail, kicking up dust as he went.
“He’s heading east. I’m going to try and follow him.” It took a few precious seconds to get Star back in the vehicle as well as Riley, but she finally was on the road Van had just taken.
And there was no sign of him.
“What happened?” Riley asked.
“Van showed up and attacked me.” She made a sharp right turn to stay on the dirt road.
“He did what?” She heard the venomous tone in Riley’s voice.
“He caught me by surprise while you were in the cabin with Ms. Smith. Where is he?” she muttered, seeing nothing to indicate the direction he’d gone. “How does he just disappear like he does?” She slowed, unsure where to go.
“He could have turned off any of the little side roads along here,” Riley said. “There’s no way to tell which one he might have chosen.”
“Harper?” Max asked, his voice coming over the earpiece.
“He’s gone,” she told them, seething at once more losing the man. It was now personal for her, too. “We’re heading back toward Riley’s truck.”
“10-4 on that,” her boss said. “See you in a few minutes.”
Riley’s phone rang, and he sighed even as he snagged it. “It’s my mom.” He pressed the button to connect the call. “Hello?”
Ten minutes later, Harper stood beside the vehicle with her weapon at her side while Riley spoke on the phone with his mother. It didn’t appear that anything was wrong, she was just passing on an update.
Max and Ian arrived. Max stepped out of the Suburban and came to her. “Are you all right?”
She waved a hand and holstered her weapon. “I’m fine.”
In the side mirror, she examined the nick in the side of her neck. It still seeped blood but wasn’t deep enough for stitches.
“What happened?” Max demanded. “You said Blackman attacked you?”
“Yeah. He was there at the cabins. Riley and Ms. Smith were still talking so I went on to the truck. They stepped into one of the cabins and Van came up behind me and held a knife to my throat. He was going to take me as a
hostage and trade me for Riley. I decided I didn’t like that plan and changed it for him.”
She rummaged in the truck and found the first aid kit.
Riley had hung up and was listening to the end of her explanation. He blanched and punched a fist into his opposite palm. “Unbelievable. The man has no fear that he’ll be caught.”
He took the antibiotic cream from her and used a gauze pad to clean the area then apply the cream. She winced at the sting but didn’t move. He was seething but his touch was gentle. She looked into his eyes and saw the conflict raging inside him.
“We barely touched the surface of our initial search before your call came in,” Max said. “We’ll head north again and you two stick to the original plan and go south.”
Harper nodded. “Got it.”
Riley affixed a band aid over the area and closed the kit.
“Then let’s find these guys and end this thing,” Ian said.
Riley nodded. “I’m all for that.”
Harper went ahead and transferred her equipment into the new Suburban.
The dogs sensed they were going back to work and nearly vibrated with excitement.
Max slammed his door and rolled his window down. “Stay in touch with the radios and let us know if you need backup. We’ll do the same.”
Harper let her eyes focus on the area where they would search. “I had Blackman in the palm of my hand and he slipped away to disappear in this massive area. It’s going to be like a needle in a haystack.”
Max blew out a breath. “Yes, but it’s the only option we’ve got for now. Jake’s out there, too.” He paused then shook his head. “It’s brilliant, really. Tons of places to hide. Lots of open areas to see if someone’s coming. Yep. If I were wanting to slip off the radar, this is exactly the type of place I’d pick.”
“Well, we know Van’s around here,” Ian said. “Let’s see if we can find them both. I’m ready to head home.”
Harper held out the bag that had Jake’s baseball cap to Star. The dog sniffed it and lifted her nose. She started walking so Harper and Riley fell in behind her. “See you in a while.”
She and Riley walked several miles, stopping each time they came across a camper or an RV to question the occupants and to show them Jake’s and Van’s pictures.
Bounty Hunter (Classified K-9 Unit) Page 11