Soldier's Christmas Secrets (Justice Seekers Book 1)

by Laura Scott

  Granted, a terrible tragedy could change a person’s outlook on life, altering how they saw the world, but it couldn’t change who you were deep within.

  Or could it?

  She didn’t want to entertain the notion that he might be right. Not after how Hawk had acted around her since the night he’d caught those men sneaking into her home. She’d witnessed Hawk’s actions firsthand over these past few days and knew that he hadn’t changed much from the man she’d fallen in love with. A little, sure. But not a lot.

  After all, she’d changed, too. Hawk didn’t seem to appreciate the ways she was different. Was that because he didn’t remember their lives before his deployment as clearly as she did?

  Those days were gone, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t experience them again in the future. Even if they decided to give their relationship a try, especially since Hawk deserved to be in close contact with Lizzy, she wasn’t sure that he’d understand her need to maintain her financial independence. She was on Christmas break now but planned to be back in her classroom at Brookland Elementary when school resumed after the New Year.

  James had told her he preferred her to stay home once they had a family. He’d been a latchkey kid and hadn’t liked it, so he’d wanted something different, something better, for his own children.

  Yet upon learning of James’s death, she’d faced the cold, hard reality that she needed to be able to support herself and Lizzy. Thankfully, she’d finished her teaching degree and was able to find a job, but it hadn’t been easy.

  Now that Hawk was back in her life, she understood he may be able to provide for her and Lizzy financially, but she wasn’t about to give up her hard-earned independence.

  Nope. Giving up her teaching job wasn’t going to work for her. She liked spending time with her students. They certainly kept her on her toes. Even more important, she enjoyed her admittedly minor role in shaping their future. Any one of these children she taught had a chance to do something amazing with their lives.

  Especially Lizzy.

  She thought about what to make for breakfast and wished she hadn’t made the hard-boiled eggs yesterday. She didn’t mind having them for breakfast, but Lizzy wasn’t a fan. There might be pancake batter, which would work, but she couldn’t remember if there was any syrup.

  Realizing she couldn’t stay here any longer, she slid out of bed and padded across the room, hoping not to wake Lizzy.

  When she opened the door she was surprised to find Hawk and Ryker seated at the kitchen table. The scent of coffee was welcome, so she slid through the doorway, softly closing the door behind her.

  After quickly using the bathroom, Jillian entered the kitchen and helped herself to a mug of coffee.

  “Good morning.” Hawk’s greeting was sweet. The man she’d met a few days ago had never indulged in small talk.

  “Morning,” she returned, adding milk to her mug. “What’s going on?”

  The two men exchanged a glance that made her put her mug down on the counter. Something was obviously up and she sensed she wouldn’t like it.

  “We found Yonkers,” Hawk finally admitted. “And we’re thinking of going after him.”

  Yup, she didn’t like it. Not one bit. “Why? Isn’t this a job for the police? Can’t you call in the authorities and make them take care of him?”

  “Based on what proof?” Ryker asked reasonably. “A grainy five-year-old photo? It’s not enough.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but Hawk held up his hand. “Jilly, hold off a minute. We just want to talk to Colin Yonkers, nothing more.”

  “He has a sister in the area,” Ryker continued. “We’re going to head over there as soon as the Callahans return.”

  She still didn’t like it. “His sister is innocent. Why drag her into this?”

  “So are you and Lizzy,” Hawk countered. “And again, we’re not going to hurt her or drag her into anything. We just need to talk to her brother.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling helpless. She didn’t want to be left with one of the Callahans as a babysitter again. The time she’d spent yesterday, waiting for Hawk to return, had been interminable.

  The sense of dread wouldn’t go away. It made her think that if Hawk left her again today, he wouldn’t return.

  TWELVE

  The hurt, disappointment and despair in Jillian’s green eyes made him feel like a jerk. He understood where she was coming from, but it wasn’t as if he and Ryker were going to hurt Yonkers’s sister, Olivia Habush.

  Hawk chose to believe that finding Olivia lived in Madison, less than an hour from their cabin motel, was an indication they were on the right track. That this next step was meant to be. Maybe even a sign that God was showing them the way.

  He’d begun to realize the importance of having faith and believing that God was watching over them.

  Additionally, there was a remote possibility that Yonkers was staying with his sister, or someplace close by, not caring that his actions could place Olivia in danger. Or maybe too arrogant to believe he’d be discovered.

  “Please don’t do this,” Jillian said in a husky whisper. “I can’t bear the thought of putting more innocent lives at risk. There has to be another way.”

  Hawk didn’t want to upset Jillian but knew they were running out of time. He was running out of time. His shoulder wound was worse today. Not only was it throbbing like crazy, but the edges of the wound were red and puffy. He knew there was an infection brewing deep within.

  It wouldn’t be long before he’d be too sick to keep Jillian and Lizzy safe.

  “I promise we won’t hurt her,” Ryker spoke up. “That’s not the kind of soldiers we are. We were trained to keep innocents safe from harm, and that includes Yonkers’s little sister.”

  Jillian’s pleading gaze drilled into Hawk’s as if Ryker hadn’t spoken. “It’s not just that. I’m afraid of losing you, too, Hawk. You and the others helping us.”

  He didn’t think it would help to point out that he would do whatever it took, even putting his own life on the line, to save her life and Lizzy’s. “I know. But once we talk with Yonkers, we’ll have what we need to put this issue to rest once and for all. This will all be over soon. Just another twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

  Jillian pressed her lips together in a tight line. “Forty-eight hours brings us to Christmas Eve. Is this how you want to spend your first Christmas with your daughter? On the run from the bad guys? Doesn’t Lizzy deserve something better?”

  Ryker shifted uncomfortably in his seat as the disagreement turned personal. He abruptly stood and made his way to the door. “I’ll—uh, leave you two alone for a bit. I need to check the perimeter, anyway.”

  Before Hawk could say anything, Ryker disappeared outside, closing the door firmly behind him. Hawk couldn’t blame the guy for ditching them. This was between him and Jillian.

  He rose to his feet and stepped closer to his wife, wishing he dared to pull her into his arms. But her defensive stance warned him off.

  “I need you to trust me on this, Jillian,” he finally said. “I need more information before bringing my case forward to the authorities.”

  “Need or want?” Her tone was full of challenge.

  “Both,” he admitted. “I told you before, it’s not easy to hide from men in power. If Senator Barton spins some tale that makes it look like I’m the bad guy, I’ll be tossed in jail or killed. They’ve already tried to silence me once. No reason to think they won’t do it again.”

  “But you know more now,” she persisted. “You’ve put some of the puzzle pieces together. Can’t Mike or Matt Callahan help protect you? They’re cops, aren’t they?”

  Hawk suppressed a sigh. It wasn’t that long ago that Mike was in trouble himself, and being a cop hadn’t saved him. In fact, each of the Callahan siblings had overcome adversity over the
past couple of years. Unfortunately, he knew only too well that there was a dark side to law enforcement and within the government.

  No one was immune to greed.

  And the photo of Yonkers selling weapons to the enemy proved it.

  “Soon,” he promised. “When we have more than an old photo and my fragmented memories to go on, we’ll turn everything over to the police. Or maybe the FBI.” The idea of going to the federal government had been nagging at him for a while now. The locals didn’t have jurisdiction over crimes committed overseas. But the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives did, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

  Maybe he should contact both agencies, just to cover his bases.

  “Mommy, I’m hungry.”

  Lizzy’s plaintive tone diverted his attention to his daughter. She looked adorable, with her pink cheeks and hair messy from sleep.

  “Let’s use the bathroom first, okay?” Jillian left the kitchen to take care of Lizzy.

  While they were in the bathroom, he rummaged for something to make for breakfast. There was more oatmeal, and the hard-boiled eggs Jillian had made yesterday. Worked for him, but he suspected Ryker may want something more substantial.

  They could stop by a grocery store on their way to Madison. He quickly made two bowls of oatmeal and peeled two hard-boiled eggs.

  Ryker returned as Jillian and Lizzy were eating. Hawk told him they’d stop for something to eat along the way, and Ryker nodded in agreement.

  “Everything okay?” Ryker asked in a low tone.

  “For now.” Hawk knew things wouldn’t be okay until the danger was over. “Find anything outside?”

  Ryker shook his head. “It’s all clear. But I have news. I called Mike and Matt and they’re going to be here within the hour.”

  “Good.” Hawk liked the idea of Matt Callahan and Duchess watching over Jillian and Lizzy.

  “Listen, I think we should convince Mike to stay here, too,” Ryker added. “We’ve been here for two days now, and that’s a long time to stay in one place.”

  Hawk understood Ryker’s reasoning. Staying in one place for too long would eventually expose them to danger. Sure, they’d used disposable phones and a satellite computer, but a senator wielding enormous power could infiltrate any precautions.

  “We’ll check out other places to stay while we drive,” he agreed.

  “As soon as the Callahans arrive, we need to hit the road,” Ryker said.

  Hawk glanced over at Jillian, who was wiping oatmeal off Lizzy’s face and hands. “Yeah, I hear you,” she said without looking him in the eye.

  “Let’s get you changed,” she told Lizzy, taking her into the bedroom.

  Hawk hated the tension widening the gulf between them. But not enough to change his mind about what he and Ryker needed to do.

  They had to find Colin Yonkers. No matter what it took.

  * * *

  Jillian wanted to scream in frustration when Hawk and Ryker left the cabin, leaving Mike and Matt Callahan to babysit.

  Lizzy was thrilled to see Duchess, the only bright spot of the day.

  Ignoring the men hovering in the kitchen, she played Go Fish with Lizzy. The way Mike and Matt exchanged glances she could tell they knew she was upset, but they had no idea how to deal with it. She understood that Hawk’s plan wasn’t their fault, but they hadn’t even tried to talk him out of going to see Colin Yonkers’s sister.

  As an only child she could only imagine what it was like to have siblings, but she highly doubted that any sister would turn on her brother.

  This was nothing more than a fool’s errand. One she hoped and prayed didn’t turn deadly.

  Thirty minutes later, Jillian’s anger and frustration faded. She had never been good at holding a grudge. And when she had Lizzy settled on the sofa watching a Disney movie, she returned to the kitchen.

  “What can I do to help?”

  Mike raised his eyebrows as Matt hid a smile. “You’re helping by letting us stay here.”

  “That’s not enough. I’m too restless to sit around like this. There has to be something I can do to assist with the investigation. I may not be a computer whiz, but I can still help with whatever you’re searching for.”

  Again the men exchanged a look that made her grind her teeth with annoyance.

  “Why not?” Mike finally said, turning the computer toward her. “We’ve been searching for photos of Senator Barton and Colin Yonkers. So far, we’ve only found one of them together.”

  She remembered seeing the picture last evening. “Did you find a picture of Colin’s sister, Olivia?”

  “Yes.” Matt took over the computer keyboard so he could bring up the picture they’d found on a social media site. “Don’t worry about Olivia. Ryker and Hawk won’t hurt her.”

  She truly wanted to believe that. Scrolling through the photographs, she stumbled across one that brought her up short.

  “Wait a minute. Who is this guy?” She pointed to a man sitting next to Olivia with his arm around her shoulders.

  “Probably her husband,” Mike offered. He leaned close to see the image more clearly. “Her last name is Habush, so it stands to reason she’s married.”

  Jillian stared at the image for a long time. Something about the guy nagged at her. He looked familiar. But where would she have seen him?

  “I can find his first name easily enough.” Matt once again took over the keyboard while Jillian searched her memory. It was there, just out of reach. She’d seen that man before.

  “His name is Timothy Habush,” Matt announced. “Seems they have a son, Aaron.”

  The memory clicked into place.

  “That’s it! He came to Brookland Elementary, claimed he had a son named Aaron going into second grade. Asked the principal if he could watch my class for a while.” Jillian couldn’t believe she hadn’t remembered sooner. “But according to this social media page, his son is only three years old. He lied.” The sick feeling in her stomach intensified. “He’s a part of this. Maybe he was one of the soldiers in the Alpha team. We need to call Hawk and Ryker to warn them.” She fumbled for her disposable phone, but Mike already had his cell in his hand.

  “Hawk? Where are you?” Mike demanded.

  Jillian held her breath, wishing he’d place the call on speaker.

  “Good, stay put. We’re coming out to meet you. We have new information that will impact your visit to Yonkers’s sister.” There was a pause as Mike listened. “I know you don’t want them in danger, but this is important. Just stay where you are, we’ll meet up with you soon.”

  “Where are they?” She pounced on Mike the moment he disconnected from the call. “Did they already meet up with Olivia Habush?”

  Mike held up his hands. “No, they actually just finished breakfast and were about to head out when I caught them. Apparently they were planning their strategy over steak and eggs.”

  Jillian felt dizzy with relief. “Good. That’s good. Let’s go.”

  “Hold on, Jillian.” Matt placed a hand on her arm to stop her. “There’s no reason for all of us to go.”

  “I’m not staying here alone.” Jillian narrowed her gaze. “We’re all going, understand?”

  “She’s right,” Mike interjected. “I don’t want to leave her without a vehicle. Besides, we may need a different strategy altogether. Let’s just head to the restaurant and figure out where to go from there.”

  Jillian didn’t waste time. She had Lizzy bundled up for the trip, her Belle doll and teddy bear along for comfort.

  As Mike drove, she replayed the day she’d met Timothy Habush at the elementary school.

  Why had he come to her classroom? To scope out where she taught? Had he been one of the ski-masked men who’d come to her house that day?

  She pressed a hand to her racing heart. It was
a good thing she’d insisted on helping, or Hawk and Ryker may have walked into a deadly trap.

  * * *

  Sitting at the family restaurant, waiting for Jillian, Lizzy, Mike and Matt to arrive, chafed at Hawk’s nerves. Logically he knew Mike wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t urgent, but he still resented the Callahans for dragging Jillian and Lizzy along.

  They were so close to finding out the truth. Madison was just fifteen minutes away. They could be in and out with a location for Colin Yonkers before anyone was the wiser.

  “Here they are now,” Ryker commented.

  “About time.” Hawk knew he sounded grumpy. “This better be good.”

  He and Ryker had asked for a table large enough to seat all of them comfortably, including a booster seat for Lizzy. When everyone was settled and had fresh coffee, Hawk pinned Mike with a glare.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Olivia’s husband Timothy Habush came to visit my school last week,” Jillian said. “The day after I made the call to Fort Bragg.”

  “What? Are you sure?” Hawk couldn’t believe what Jillian was telling him.

  “I’m sure. We found his picture on social media.” Jillian took a sip of her coffee. “He claimed he had a son named Aaron going into second grade and asked to watch my class for a few minutes. But he lied. His son is three, not seven.”

  “So he’s a part of this.” Hawk was dumbfounded. This was an unexpected twist. One, he realized grimly, he should have anticipated.

  “Tim Habush,” Ryker repeated, his forehead wrinkled in a frown. “I can’t place the name.”

  “Me, either, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t part of Team Alpha.” Hawk thought about it for a moment. “Or maybe a different team.”

  “What do you mean?” Ryker asked.

  He shrugged. “Think about it. Yonkers wasn’t in charge of the Alpha team, but he could have just as easily been coordinating the gun sales with another team. Not Bravo, because I was in charge there and we were friends, but another one.”