by Laura Scott
“All changed,” Helena announced, carrying her niece into the living room. “But she seems a bit cranky.”
“I made a bottle for her. I’m sure she’s hungry.” He gestured toward the rocking chair. “Have a seat.”
Helena sat and accepted the bottle. “You’re always one step ahead, aren’t you?”
“Not always.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “We don’t have anything to eat for dinner, so I’m going to head out to pick up some groceries.”
“Shouldn’t you wait until we can all go together?”
“I’d rather you stay here with the baby, just in case the SUV is a target. The shooter might know the license plate. Besides, I’m confident Luna will guard you.”
She frowned then reluctantly nodded. “Okay, but if you’re not back in thirty minutes, I’ll calling the park rangers to put out a BOLO for you.”
That made him smile. “Deal.” He still had the keys to the SUV, so he headed outside, glad for something constructive to do.
He parked in front of a small convenience store, pulled out his phone and called the ranger station. “This is Officer Brand, any hits yet on the cigarette butt I dropped off yesterday?”
“Not yet,” Ranger Jeff Langley said.
“Any chance you can put a rush on it?” Everett asked. “I know you’re busy, but it’s important.”
“They’re all important,” Langley grumbled. “And yours isn’t the only case we have. All our evidence goes to the crime lab in Anchorage, and it looks like yours went out right after we checked it in. We should have results soon, but I can give them a call.”
His lack of enthusiasm made Everett grind his teeth. But he kept his tone genial. “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”
After disconnecting the call, he headed inside the store. He’d only pick up the bare necessities, since there was no guarantee they wouldn’t be forced back on the run.
It still bugged him that their previous safe house had been found so quickly. And despite his concern over Norbert being compromised, he really didn’t think his informant had been the source. Anchorage was four hours away, and these attacks were coming quick.
Not knowing where the danger was coming from was more frightening than anything.
When he had the groceries stored in the SUV, he took another circular route back to the cabin. This time, he looked not just for a tail on the road behind him, but for any sign of a flash of sunlight glinting off glass, indicating a shooter might be hiding and watching through binoculars.
Thankfully, there was no sign of anyone lurking around. He desperately wanted to believe they were safe, here. Yet secretly wondered if they’d be safe anywhere.
If the guy in charge of the criminal ring knew Everett and Helena were on to him, then it was likely the attacks would continue.
Unless the Denali Grand Chalet was the last big heist?
Nah, if they got away with stealing from a billionaire, what would be the motivation to stop?
Everett returned to the cabin and unloaded the groceries. “I picked up rotisserie chicken for tonight, hope that’s okay,” he said from the kitchen. “Figured neither of us was in the mood to cook.”
Helena rose from where she’d been playing with Christina to join him. “Great idea,” she said. “Thanks.”
“Not a problem. I hope your warrant comes through so we can find Zoe.”
“What’s your plan if Zoe is an employee of the Chalet?” Helena joined him at the table to eat. “Are you going to get her boss to turn her over to us?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’d like to do. Safer for everyone involved that way.”
They ate their meal in silence, and he suspected Helena was considering his plan.
His cell phone rang. Recognizing the number for the ranger station, he quickly answered. “Brand.”
Everett put the call on speaker so Helena could listen in.
“This is Jeff Langley. Believe it or not, they lifted a partial print from the cigarette butt you found.”
“Were they able to find a match in CODIS?”
“Yeah, the fingerprint belongs to a Gareth Cantwell. You know him? He has an extensive criminal history, although nothing that popped in the past few years.”
Everett locked gazes with Helena. “Yeah, I’ve heard of him. And you’re right, he’s done time for armed robbery in the past. Thanks, Langley. You’ve been a huge help.”
“Gareth Cantwell?” Helena echoed once he’d put the phone down. “A known felon?”
“I’m afraid so.” He sat back in his seat. Knowing Cantwell was involved in the incidents against them, was huge.
But he still didn’t know if he was the guy in charge—or a hired gun sent by someone else to do his dirty work.
EIGHT
Helena pulled up Gareth Cantwell’s mug shot on her phone, feeling sick at the possibility he could be Christine’s father.
Cantwell was handsome in a daredevil way and she could easily imagine Zoe—who’d always been drawn to the bad boys in town—getting involved without realizing the types of crimes he’d committed.
Until it was too late.
“Christine doesn’t look anything like him,” she said.
“We don’t know what role Cantwell plays in this,” Everett cautioned. “He may not be Christine’s father, but someone hired to do a job.”
“Maybe.” Privately, she wasn’t convinced. He looked like Zoe’s type, down to the tattoo of a skull and crossbones on his right bicep that the mug shot information had noted as an identifying mark. She couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away from it.
“Don’t, Helena.” Everett’s voice was soft. “We need to stick with the facts at this point, okay?”
She forced herself to nod. “The fact is, this guy was outside the cabin you’d rented under your name. The same cabin Zoe brought Christine to for safety.” That was another reason to believe Gareth Cantwell was Christine’s father.
“Yes.” Everett stood and came around to look down at the picture on her phone. “I don’t remember seeing the tattoo, but he was wearing a long-sleeved jacket. And once he took a shot at me, I hit the ground.”
Remembering how close Everett had come to being hit by gunfire made her shiver. “You did the best you could.”
“I guess. Things happened pretty fast.” He scowled at the image. “But I’m fairly certain Cantwell was the shooter I chased off.”
“That’s more than we knew an hour ago.” Helena tried to think positive. “When we get the warrant for the HR records, we can look for Cantwell’s name, too.”
“As a felon, he wouldn’t pass the background check.” Everett stacked their dirty plates and carried them to the sink. “But Zoe would.”
Yes, her sister would pass a background check. Her parents had always bailed Zoe out of trouble. Until they’d moved to Arizona to retire. Leaving Zoe to fend for herself. And Helena refusing to take up their bailing-out role, telling her twin to be responsible for her own actions.
Had she been too hard on Zoe after their parents’ move? Had she pushed her twin over the edge, so that she’d felt her only recourse was to join forces with Cantwell?
Helena felt certain the answer was a resounding yes.
Christine’s cry caught her attention. Turning toward the infant carrier, she smiled when Luna gently nudged the baby with her nose. Christine offered a toothless grin and reached out to grab a handful of Luna’s silver-gray fur.
“Your K-9 is very protective of her, isn’t she?” Everett was watching the interaction, too. “I think she’d rip apart anyone who tried to harm the baby. I never realized how much a dog can contribute to law enforcement activities.”
“Yes. Luna, in particular as a Norwegian elkhound, has good tracking and suspect apprehension abilities, in addition to being extremely protective.”
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“I can see that.” Everett leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “One thing I still don’t understand is why Cantwell came to the cabin in the first place. If that first shot at you was a warning, he’d know about the K-9 and had to realize we outnumbered him.”
“It’s been bothering me, too. Not just that first attack, but all of them. It doesn’t seem to be a good use of their time to keep coming after us.”
Everett’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Maybe they think they’ll be in the clear if they take us out of the equation.”
“But murdering two cops would bring all kinds of law enforcement down on their heads,” she countered. “Bringing way more focus on whatever they have planned at the Grand Chalet.”
“True.” His brow furrowed. “Or maybe these attacks are just bad enough to make us keep moving, rather than trying to take us out of the picture.” He grimaced. “If that’s their strategy, it’s working.”
She glanced again at Christine. Was it possible Cantwell wanted the baby back, to use as leverage against Zoe? Maybe the attacks were his way of proving the baby was still vulnerable if her sister didn’t do what he said.
Her phone buzzed. Recognizing the colonel’s number, she quickly answered. “Maddox.”
“Helena? It’s Katie. The colonel wants a staff meeting ASAP. Are you able to participate by video conference?”
“Yes, of course.” Katie Kapowski was Lorenza’s administrative assistant and was very good at making sure everything ran smoothly. “It’s six o’clock in the evening, which is an unusual time for a staff meeting, has something happened?”
There was a momentary hesitation before Katie responded. “I’m not sure. Lorenza said this is an update on recent evidence that’s come in related to the missing bride.”
“Okay,” Helena agreed.
“Shouldn’t take long,” the other woman assured her. “I’ve sent everyone a link, join as soon as you can.”
“Will do.” Helena disconnected from the call and quickly checked her work email for the link. In a few minutes, she could see that several other team members were already on the call.
“Maddox checking in,” she said.
“We’re just waiting for Will—Oh, there he is now.” Lorenza nodded. “Okay, thanks for joining everyone. I wanted everyone to hear the latest on our missing bride. Will and Scout have been following up on the tip identifying Lance Wells and Jared Dennis being seen in Anchorage. Any update on that, Will?”
“Unfortunately, not,” Will said, frustration lacing his tone. “We’re still searching, though.”
“Okay, then,” Lorenza said briskly. “Tala, would you provide your update?”
“Sure.” Tala Ekho sounded a tad nervous. “I did a DNA check on the gum wrapper found at the Family K Reindeer Sanctuary...” The forensic scientist hesitated before adding, “The DNA indicates there is a family connection.”
“Impossible,” Katie interjected loudly in an unusual outburst. Normally, she was there to take notes, but since her aunt owned the reindeer sanctuary located a few miles outside Anchorage, this new development clearly impacted her on a personal level. “My only living relative is Aunt Addie, there is no one else.”
“I understand this is upsetting news,” Lorenza said, “but DNA doesn’t lie. There could be some long-lost cousin of yours out there somewhere.”
“But—Aunt Addie wouldn’t lie about that!” There was a hint of desperation in Katie’s tone. “Maybe Tala made a mistake?”
“I checked the results twice,” Tala offered, not taking offense at having her skills questioned.
“Try not to overthink this, Katie. Could be your aunt doesn’t know anything about the family member,” Lorenza said soothingly. “At this point, we need to stick to the facts.”
Good advice. Exactly what Everett had said to Helena earlier.
Katie fell silent, but Helena sensed the assistant still didn’t believe the DNA results.
“Where’s Brayden?” Hunter McCord asked. “I just noticed he’s the only team member not on the video call.”
Brayden Ford, another K-9 Unit member, was paired up with Ella, a female Newfoundland that specialized in underwater search and rescue.
“Brayden is currently off the grid—deep in Chugach State Park, following up on a lead related to the Seavers,” Lorenza said. Helena knew the Seavers were a survivalist family who preferred to stay off grid. “We’re doing this to help Eli. His godmother is very sick and Eli is desperate to visit her.”
“Did Brayden find the Seavers there?” Helena asked.
“There’s evidence they were at the location, but they must have gotten a tip that we were out looking for them, because they disappeared without a trace.” Lorenza sounded dejected and Helena knew that when one member of the team was hurting, they all felt it. “Helena, what have you found related to your missing sister?”
She quickly explained about the multiple attacks, forcing them to move locations, along with the scant bits of evidence they’d found. “We’re waiting for a search warrant to be approved to see if Zoe might be employed at the new Denali Grand Chalet hotel, as they’re having a big-splash grand opening event on Friday.”
“Good idea, please keep us posted on any new developments,” Lorenza said. “And call if you need backup.”
“Will do,” Helena assured her. The only plan they had so far was to stake out the hotel, and she didn’t want to use their precious K-9 resources for the mundane task.
“Anyone else have an update?” Lorenza asked.
There was a long moment of silence.
“Okay, we’ll touch base again in a few days. It’s important to stay in touch when we’re spread thin like this,” the colonel added.
There was a chorus of goodbyes, and Helena felt a strange sense of sadness when the call ended. She was close to her teammates and hadn’t realized how much she’d missed them.
“Are you okay?” Everett asked.
“Fine.” She felt silly for allowing her feelings to show. “Although the progress on the missing bride case is going slower than anticipated.”
Everett nodded. “The problem with Alaska is that it’s so big and remote. It’s good if you want to hide but makes our job in bringing criminals to justice that much harder.”
“True.” Helena went over to help wash the dishes. They worked in silence for a moment, her mind drifting back to Gareth Cantwell and the criminal enterprise Zoe had gotten herself mixed up in. “One thing I’ve been trying to understand is why none of the stolen items has been recovered yet. You’d think they’d need the cash to finance their operation.”
“I agree, it’s a strange twist. Most criminals are anxious to exchange their loot for cash, but this ring seems determined to keep all the stolen items hidden.”
“Hidden where?” Helena glanced at him. “Any ideas?”
“Not a one,” he said on a sigh. “Although my gut tells me the goods are either here in Denali or back in Anchorage, as those are the two places we know they’re working.”
She thought about that for a moment. “The Denali Grand Chalet has been in the news for a while now, which makes me wonder if this target is the grand finale. The plan could be to leave the area to head down to the Lower 48 to fence the goods.”
Everett nodded slowly. “I thought the same thing. If so, then we need to catch them in the act before they have the chance to escape.”
“Yes.” Helena glanced again at Christine. The idea that Zoe’s daughter would grow up without her mother being a part of her life was unacceptable.
They had to find her sister. And soon.
* * *
Everett could see the distress on Helena’s face and wished there was something he could do to make her feel better. He cared about Helena, more than he should.
But this mess was partially Zoe�
�s doing. Sure, she may have started out innocent enough, but by now there was no way Helena’s twin sister didn’t know what was going on.
The baby began to fuss, so Helena crossed over to lift her out of the carrier. “Hmm, smells like you need a change.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to offer to do the job, but she seemed okay with the task. She rummaged in the pink diaper bag and pulled out the necessary supplies.
Ten minutes later, she brought Christine back and set her in the infant carrier once again. “How can we get more information on Cantwell?” she asked. “Someone must know something about the guy.”
“I can try calling my informant, although I’m leery because of what happened after I called him from the last cabin.”
She frowned. “What’s the alternative?”
There wasn’t a good way around it. “Maybe I should use your phone. Could be a different number will throw them off.”
Unless, of course, Norbert was feeding information directly to the criminal enterprise. This was why you didn’t trust your informants any further than you could throw them.“Sure, it’s worth a shot.” Helena handed him her phone.
“Thanks. I’ll keep it short.” He shrugged. “My main goal is to toss Gareth Cantwell’s name out there, see if I get a reaction.”
She moved closer as if wanting to listen in, so he once again put the call on speaker. There were several rings before Norbert answered.
“What?”
“Can you talk?” Everett could hear background noise and didn’t want to put his informant in a difficult situation.
Norbert muttered a curse. “Hang on.” The background noise faded. “Why are you calling from a different number?”
“Because someone is feeding information about my location to guys with guns. You know anything about that?”
“No. Do you think I want anyone to know I’m talking to you?” his informant demanded. “I have my own hide to worry about.”
Everett locked gazes with Helena, silently seeing if she thought he should continue. She nodded.
“Know a guy by the name of Gareth Cantwell?”
