Tracking Stolen Secrets

by Laura Scott

  There was a very slight pause before Norbert responded. “No, why? Is he involved?”

  Without looking into his beady eyes, Everett couldn’t be sure Norbert was telling him the truth. That pause made him think the other man had indeed recognized the name.

  “If I find out you’re holding back information from me, I’ll make sure everyone and their brother knows we’ve been talking,” Everett threatened. He didn’t really plan to out the guy, but he really needed to know about Cantwell. “I can tell you recognize his name, so stop stalling.”

  This pause was longer than the first. “Okay, yeah, I recognize the name. But he’s way above my pay grade.”

  Anticipation swelled. “What do you mean by that?”

  “He does big jobs, not small ones. You know what I mean?”

  Everett was afraid he did. “Do you think he’s the guy in charge of the entire operation?”

  “Maybe...” Norbert hedged. “He’s known to be ruthless to those who dare to double-cross him, so I have stayed far away from the dude. I don’t need that kind of trouble.”

  The edge of fear in his tone sounded too real to be faked. “Any idea where I can find him?” Everett asked.

  “No. Haven’t you been listening? I steer clear of guys like Cantwell.” Norbert abruptly disconnected from the line.

  Clenching his jaw, Everett handed Helena the phone. “We didn’t learn much, I’m afraid.”

  “Other than Gareth Cantwell is bad enough to scare your informant.” She spun away, pacing the small interior of the cabin. “I hate knowing Zoe is involved with him.”

  “I know.” He watched her pace, noting Luna’s gaze followed her handler’s movements. “I’m sorry.”

  She grimaced. “Not your fault.” She dragged a hand through her hair, and her jerky pacing continued. “Maybe we should get his mug shot over to the park ranger station. Their team may have a better chance of running across him than we would.”

  It wasn’t a bad idea. “I’ll send the photo via email, and we can also check in with them in the morning.”

  “Denali is huge, with far too many places to hide,” she continued as if talking to herself. “He could have Zoe anywhere.”

  Everett wasn’t convinced Cantwell was holding Zoe hostage, yet couldn’t deny any threat toward Christine may be enough to keep Helena’s twin in line. “We’ll find him.” He injected confidence in his tone.

  Helena abruptly stopped pacing and pulled out her phone. He couldn’t see who she was calling, but it didn’t matter as the call ended as quickly as it started.

  “She’s still not answering,” she said in a low voice. “He must have taken her phone away after she tried to contact me.”

  Anything was possible, so he wisely held his tongue.

  “DNA,” she said, turning to him. “We know his fingerprint is a match, but what about his DNA? When can we get those results?”

  Everett followed her gaze to Christine. “You want to find out if Cantwell is Christine’s father?”

  “Yes.” The flash of interest in her dark eyes faded. “It doesn’t matter, though, does it?”

  “No. I mean, we’ll find out eventually, but won’t get the DNA results before the grand opening.” He couldn’t stand watching her pace. He crossed over and gently held her slim shoulders with both hands. “Helena, we can’t keep thinking about the worst-case scenario in all this. Right now, we need to find Zoe, and Cantwell, preferably before they pull off another big heist right under our noses.”

  Her body went still, her eyes downcast. “I know you think Zoe is a willing participant in all this, but what if she isn’t? He took her phone for a reason. And she went to great lengths to drop Christine off at your cabin.”

  “True,” Everett agreed. As much as he wanted—needed—to keep his distance, the fear and worry in her eyes was too much for him to resist. Gently, he pulled her into his embrace. “We’ll find your sister, Helena.”

  “I hope so—” Her voice cracked and then her body began to shake with sobs.

  He cradled her close, telling himself she didn’t feel perfect in his arms.

  Her crying jag didn’t last long. Once she pulled herself together, she lifted her head to gaze up at him, a chagrined look on her face. “Sorry to get your shirt wet.”

  “I’ll survive,” he said wryly. “I’m more concerned about you.”

  “Thanks.” Their gazes caught and held. Every muscle in his body tensed when his eyes dropped to her mouth. The logical side of his brain told him this was a bad idea, but he ignored the tiny voice, going with his instinct instead.

  And when his mouth captured hers, he felt the impact of their kiss all the way to the soles of his feet.

  NINE

  Helena lost herself in Everett’s kiss, reveling in the sensation of being held and cherished in a way that made her heart swell with hope.

  It had been so long.

  Too long.

  But the unexpected kiss was over far too quickly as Everett lifted his head, swallowed hard and took several steps back. “I—shouldn’t have done that.”

  The regret in his gaze made her sad. “No apology necessary, and I appreciate your support. Thinking about Zoe being mixed up with Cantwell...” She shook her head and shrugged. “I know you were just trying to comfort me.”

  He looked relieved at her words, as if he’d thought she’d expect something more after a mere kiss.

  Christine began to fuss, so she turned her attention to the baby. “Must be time for one last bottle before bed.”

  “I’ll do it.” Everett was all too eager to get the supplies from the diaper bag and head into the kitchen.

  “It’s okay, sweetie, your bottle is coming.” Luna stayed close as she cuddled Christine, swaying back and forth, the way Everett had done, in an attempt to soothe the baby.

  For years, since her fiancé, Kade Jones, had made her choose between him and her career, she’d remained focused on work. Her job was important, critical, really, to the State of Alaska where law enforcement officials were difficult to find. Being a part of the Alaska State Trooper K-9 Unit was a rare opportunity and one she’d cherished.

  But looking into Christine’s wide eyes, she thought for the first time that she might be missing something in her life.

  A family.

  Was she crazy to think that Kade might have had a point? Not that he should have made her choose between her career and him, but maybe her job shouldn’t be her highest priority.

  A family was far more important than any career.

  “Here you go.” Everett handed her the bottle.

  She shifted Christine, settling her into the crook of her arm, and sat on the sofa, offering the nourishment. Luna joined her, sitting at her feet.

  The way the infant put her hands up on either side of the bottle, as if to help hold it in place, made Helena smile. “I guess she was really hungry.”

  Everett tucked his hands in the pockets of his uniform pants and nodded. “And she’s sleeping through the night, which is great.”

  “Don’t most babies sleep through the night by this age?” Her knowledge of infants was sorely lacking.

  “No.” The corner of his mouth tipped up in a crooked smile. “Colin was fussy and didn’t sleep through the night hardly at all...” His voice trailed off as his expression turned somber.

  She realized Everett’s wife and son had been killed before the baby had gotten a chance to do much of anything.

  Including sleeping through the night.

  She couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be to have Christine here in the cabin with them, a constant reminder of what he’d lost.

  Although, deep down, she considered that this could be a part of God’s master plan. A way to force Everett into moving forward with his life. To show him that it was okay to experience joy while inte
racting with another baby.

  Children were God’s gift to the world. It was only right to cherish them.

  It was impossible to understand why He had taken Everett’s wife and young son. But life did go on, and maybe, just maybe there was still joy and love waiting out there somewhere for Everett.

  If he found a way to let go of the guilt he carried with him like a shield, warding off anyone who dared get too close.

  Hard to believe he’d actually kissed her. At least, before his brain had gotten involved.

  Maybe his shield of guilt was becoming too heavy to keep lugging around. She hoped she’d be there when he set it aside, for good.

  “I, um, think we should call it a night,” Everett said, breaking the prolonged silence. “We’ll plan our stakeout at the Grand Chalet in the morning.”

  “Okay. But it’s possible Zoe is working evenings instead of days if she’s really been put in a position to participate in a big theft.”

  “I thought of that, too,” he admitted. “And I’m still hoping we’ll get the search warrant by morning, which will make our job much easier.”

  She nodded then removed the bottle and put the baby up against her shoulder to burp her. “All right, we’ll check in on the status of the warrant in the morning.” She paused then added softly, “Good night, Everett.”

  “Good night.” Once again their gazes clashed and she thought she saw something—maybe a flash of regret in his eyes?

  More likely her imagination playing tricks on her.

  When the baby finished eating, eyelids drooping heavily, Helena set the bottle aside and simply stared into Christine’s peaceful face, her heart swelling with love.

  “We’re going to find your mommy,” she whispered, trailing the tip of her fingertip down her niece’s satiny cheek. “You’ll be together again, very soon.”

  Helena stood and gently set Christine in the infant carrier. The little girl shifted slightly but didn’t wake.

  “Come, Luna.” Helena took the dog outside, to alert for anything out of the ordinary, before bringing her K-9 partner back in.

  Helena picked up Christine. Luna followed her into the second bedroom and Helena prayed once again, for God to keep them safe while helping them to find Zoe.

  * * *

  Despite his bone-weary exhaustion, Everett didn’t sleep well.

  He never should have kissed Helena. Because now that he had, he couldn’t seem to erase the impact of their brief embrace from of his mind.

  This weird attraction for Helena had to stop. Right here and right now. He wasn’t interested in being involved romantically. With anyone.

  So why on earth had he kissed her?

  And worse, why did he want to kiss her again?

  This enforced togetherness was getting to him. It was a reminder of the family he’d once taken for granted.

  The wife and child he’d lost.

  The family he’d never have again.

  He must have dozed a bit, because Christine’s babbling woke him. This sixth sense he had in responding to the baby must be a holdover from those early days with Colin.

  Padding into the main cabin, he went straight over to pick up Christine, who looked as if she was ready to cry. Tucking her close, he prepared a new bottle.

  “Cool your jets, little lady,” he said in a low voice. “No need to wake the others, okay?”

  While feeding the baby, he thumbed through his messages with one hand. Nothing from Trent on their warrant.

  The day shift didn’t start until eight, and it was only six thirty now, so he’d have to wait a bit before calling.

  But why was the paperwork taking so long? Normally, a warrant could be turned around within a day, two at the most.

  With a wry smile, he realized today was just the second day. With everything that had been going on, it seemed far longer.

  “Morning,” Helena said with a wide yawn as she and Luna emerged from the bedroom. “Did I sleep through her crying?”

  “No, she was just gearing up when I heard her.”

  “Okay. Come, Luna.” Helena led her K-9 outside.

  By the time Christine was fed and changed, and they’d had their own breakfast, the hour was close to eight o’clock.

  “I need to check on the status of the warrant,” he told Helena.

  “Okay. I’m going to work with Luna outside for a bit. With everything going on, I haven’t spent much time playing with her.”

  “Playing?” He lifted a brow. Since when was playing with a dog a priority?

  “It’s a key element of her training,” Helena explained. “Dogs respond really well to play time...it’s why they’re so eager to work.”

  “Huh. Learned something new today.”

  After Helena and Luna went outside, he called his buddy Trent. There was no answer, so he left a message, urging the officer to call him back about the search warrant. If this didn’t work, they’d have no choice but to go through with the stakeout. No easy task considering they had Christine to care for.

  They’d have to find a good spot to hide while keeping watch with binoculars. But even then, the idea of possibly putting Helena and Christine in harm’s way didn’t sit well with him.

  Not when their last two safe houses had ended up compromised.

  His phone rang about ten minutes later. His pulse kicked up as he recognized Trent’s number. “Tell me you have good news,” he said by way of greeting.

  “Hello to you, too, Brand.” His buddy’s tone was dry. “And yes, I have good news. The warrant was just approved. I’m in the process of getting a copy sent over from the courthouse.”

  “Will you scan it and send it to me? I need to present it to the hotel human resources department.”

  “Yeah, but give me a few minutes, okay? I’ve barely finished my first cup of coffee.”

  “I’m on my third cup, but I’ve been up since six thirty,” Everett replied. “Thanks again, Trent. Really appreciate this.”

  “Yeah, I know. And it’s all for the greater good of capturing these crooks. Keep an eye on your email, should show up shortly.”

  Everett ended the call with a feeling of relief. Finally, they had something concrete to go on.

  Impatient, he watched his email like a hawk. The warrant finally arrived about fifteen minutes after the call.

  “This is it, Christine,” he said, waving the phone at her. “We’ve got what we need to find your mom.”

  Helena and Luna walked into the cabin a minute later. She quirked her brow at his wide grin. “Looks like you’ve got good news.”

  “We have the warrant. Time to head over to the Denali Grand Chalet to get their employee list.”

  “Wonderful! I’ll be ready to go in a couple of minutes.”

  While he waited, he tucked Christine’s things back into the pink diaper bag and emptied the contents of the fridge, as well. Based on the past few days, he wanted to be prepared in case they couldn’t get back to the cabin for some reason.

  Safer to have everything they could possibly need in the SUV with them, just in case.

  Helena emerged from the bathroom wearing her uniform, which surprisingly looked better than it had the day before. “Steam from the shower,” she said as if reading his mind. “And at some point, we need to go back and get my hat.”

  “Sorry about that.” He still felt guilty for leaving it behind. “I have Christine’s things packed, you might want to grab Luna’s dishes, too.”

  Her expression turned grim. “You’re right.”

  Traveling with a baby and a dog took time and planning, but soon they were settled in the police SUV and on their way down to the Chalet.

  “I hope Zoe is working the early shift today,” he said, breaking the silence. “We really need a break in this case.”

  “And Christine needs h
er mother,” Helena said with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

  “I know she does,” he hastened to reassure her.

  Helena glanced back at the baby but didn’t say anything more.

  When he pulled up in front of the Chalet, he glanced at her. “You want to stay here with Christine?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Okay, but let me know what you find out as soon as possible.”

  “I will.”

  “Oh, and don’t talk to Zoe alone if you find her. Have her brought to a conference room so we can all be in there together,” Helena added. “I think it’s important for her to see Christine.”

  “Understood.” It was a good plan, but first they needed proof that Zoe was even there. “I’ll call you as soon as I know when and where she’s working.”

  “Thanks.”

  Everett slid out from behind the wheel, holding the door open so Helena could switch places. He hoped she wouldn’t need to make a quick escape, but anything was possible.

  Walking inside the Grand Chalet, he felt as if he’d entered an alternate universe. High cathedral ceilings with fancy chandeliers wasn’t exactly what he’d expected for a resort in Denali. Most of the hotels had a more rustic theme, but not this one. There was a lot of glass and chrome, making him wonder about the clientele the owner was trying to attract.

  People from outside the state, most likely. Although, in his experience, those who came to visit from the Lower 48 came specifically to experience the great outdoors and to appreciate the natural wildlife.

  Whatever, the business plan for the Grand Chalet wasn’t his problem. The fact that the hotel reeked of money, made it even more likely this was the next target. There wouldn’t be a better place to find a lot of people with jewelry and cash, so why not make this the big event?

  His job was to stop it.

  He went up to the desk, showed his badge and the warrant and requested to speak with someone in charge of human resources.

  Two minutes later, a beautiful woman wearing high heels and a red suit approached him. “I’m Claire Farnsworth, Director of HR.”

  “Ms. Farnsworth, I’m Officer Everett Brand from the Anchorage PD. I have a warrant here requiring you to release a list of all employees.”