by Laura Scott
The man glared at him for a long moment. “Maybe you are part of the security team, but you still need to leave until I’ve spoken with my boss.”
“Okay, fine.” Helena called Luna over. “But anything that gets stolen tonight is on you.”
Everett hid a smile as they made their way out of the grand ballroom. “I think you hit on the perfect cover for tonight,” he said in a low voice.
“What’s that?”
“Security.” It was so simple, he couldn’t believe they hadn’t thought of it before. “I’ll see what we can do to get added to the security team.”
“Sounds good. But for now, I need to find a spot close to the kitchen,” she murmured. “I really think Zoe is working as a server.”
“I’ve never been inside the kitchen of a hotel, but let’s see what we can find.” Everett glanced over and spied a side door. He tried to imagine where the employee entrance was located in relation to where they were standing. “Maybe the kitchen is behind the ballroom. Let’s check the door over there.”
Helena offered the scent bag to Luna one more time then commanded her to seek Zoe. Luna put her nose down and began her zig zag pattern.
“It won’t be easy to track indoors,” she told him. “The scent cones are too narrow and there are so many of them.”
Suddenly, Luna lunged forward, sniffing eagerly around the base of the doorway. Then she sat, looking up at her handler.
“Good girl!” Helena praised. “You’re a very good girl.”
Everett reached past Luna to try the door but, of course, it was locked. Then he pressed his ear to the doorframe. The muted sound of clanking dishes confirmed his suspicion.
“The kitchen is back here.”
She nodded. “Zoe must be part of the kitchen serving crew.”
“If so, she won’t be there now, but later tonight,” he felt compelled to point out.
“I know.” Helena sighed. “Guess that means we’ll have to catch her during the party.”
It wasn’t optimal, but at least they had a plan.
Everett could only hope everything would go off without a hitch.
FOURTEEN
Helena couldn’t believe they’d gotten so close to finding Zoe, only to be put off by a locked door.
If they really were part of the security team, they’d be allowed everywhere in the hotel. Okay, so having a dog in the kitchen wasn’t exactly sanitary, and likely violated all kinds of state health codes, but still.
“I need to call Colonel Gallo,” Helena said while following Everett back to their suite. “She needs to get us on the security team as soon as possible. That’s our best chance of catching Zoe before the party.”
“Okay, but you do realize your sister may not be working until later, right?” Everett glanced at her as he unlocked the door with the keycard. “I mean, it’s not likely she’d be working early in the morning and throughout the day until whatever hour this party ends.”
She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I know. But maybe we can intercept her when she arrives for work. Surely she’ll get here before the party starts.”
“Okay, make your call.” He opened the door and waited for her and Luna to precede him inside. “It may take a few hours to get this all figured out anyway.”
“Find anything?” Trent asked.
“Just more evidence that Zoe is working here.” Everett looked over at Christine. “She give you any trouble?”
“Not at all.” His buddy stood and stretched. “I’m going to do my own walk around the hotel.”
“Go ahead.” Helena waved her hand. “Better go now, because it’s likely we’ll need to head out again in the next hour or so.”
Trent nodded and left the suite. She called Lorenza, watching as Everett took Christine out of her carrier and set her on a blanket that was stretched out on the carpeted floor.
“Hi, Helena. What’s going on?” her boss asked.
“Luna alerted on a doorway leading into the kitchen, so we feel certain Zoe is working here as a server. The door was locked, though, so we didn’t get inside. I think it might be helpful to have both Everett and I brought on board as security personnel. Any idea how to make that happen?”
“Security would give you access to the entire hotel,” Lorenza agreed. “Let me make a few calls, see what I can do.”
“Thanks.” Helena let out the breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding. “I think we’re very close to breaking this case wide open.”
“Understood. The only problem I foresee is that the hotel owner prefers to run things his own way.” Lorenza’s tone was wry. “He thinks money buys him the best security, but he’s wrong about that.”
She didn’t even want to think about what would happen if the billionaire refused to let them be a part of his security team. “Hopefully common sense will prevail in the long run. Keep me posted.”
“Will do.” The colonel disconnected from the line.
“Problems?” Everett asked.
“Maybe.” She updated him on what her boss had said. “Do we need a plan B in case she can’t get this to work?”
“We could act as servers, as you’d originally suggested, but that would limit our ability to use Luna,” Everett pointed out. “And her skills have been invaluable to this case.”
“Yes, they have.” She ran her fingers through the elkhound’s fur. Thankfully, Will had a good supply of dog food, so both K-9s had been well fed and were ready to work. “Luna is our best chance of finding Zoe.”
There was a slight pause before Everett said, “When we find your sister, you’ll need to convince her to cooperate with us to circumvent jail time.”
She glanced up in surprise. “Really? You think there’s a possibility she can avoid being arrested?”
He grimaced. “She might be arrested, Helena, but if she cooperates, I’ll work with the DA to minimize her sentence.”
His offer warmed her heart. “I’m glad you’re willing to do that, Everett. Thank you.”
He offered her a crooked smile. “It’s better for Christine to have her mother.”
“Yes.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “And it seems pretty clear they’re using her daughter to make her cooperate.”
Minutes crept past slowly, to the point Helena was practically crawling out of her skin by the time Colonel Gallo returned her call.
“I hope you have good news,” Helena said by way of greeting.
“I do. The guy in charge of security is Ben Watterson. He wasn’t happy, but finally agreed to let you and Everett fill in as part of the security team.”
She closed her eyes in relief. “Thank you so much.”
“Yeah, well don’t thank me yet. He wants to meet with the two of you and didn’t sound at all happy about having a dog involved.”
Helena glanced at Luna stretched out next to Christine. It was uncanny the way the K-9 seemed to understand it was her duty to protect the baby. “We’ll convince him that it’s only to his advantage.”
“True, but I was thinking that maybe you’ll be less noticeable without your K-9,” Lorenza said slowly. “We don’t want to tip them off as to your being there.”
Her boss had a point, but she couldn’t imagine working without her partner as backup. “We’ll find a way to use Luna while keeping a low profile.”
There was a slight hesitation before the older woman said, “Okay, I’ll trust your judgment on this.”
“When do we meet with Watterson?” Helena asked.
“He’s expecting you both at noon.”
“Perfect.” Helena looked at Everett. “Thanks again for all your help on this case.”
“Just get it done,” Lorenza said gruffly. “And call me with any updates.” Her boss treated them like family but wasn’t one for mushy stuff.
“Oka
y, thanks again.” After ending the call, she filled Everett in on their plan to meet with Ben Watterson at 12:00 p.m.
“The security office is a few doors from the human resources’ office space,” Everett said with a grin. “I hope I get a chance to say hello to Ms. Farnsworth. She’ll be oh so happy to see me.”
“Not,” Helena added with a smile. Then she frowned. “I wonder if we’ll need to buy our own uniforms or if they’ll provide them.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Everett gestured to Luna. “I heard what you said about using Luna in security while keeping a low profile. Are you sure it’s a good idea to have the K-9 involved?”
“I’m not sure about anything,” she confessed. “We can blend in with the security team better without Luna, but I can’t see leaving her behind.”
“Except that the dog would provide another layer of protection for the baby,” Everett noted. “Something to think about.”
“Yeah, for sure.” She was troubled by the conundrum. What if seeing Luna scared the bad guys off? Would they pick a new target, forcing them to start all over again? To have come this far without bringing the person in charge of these crimes to justice was unfathomable.
“Maybe there’s a place I can keep her nearby,” Helena said. “So that I can get to her quickly if needed.”
“Maybe.” Everett didn’t sound hopeful.
Frankly, she wasn’t feeling good about the possibility, either. For one thing, they’d have to be able to freely move around the hotel to figure out who and what might be the main target.
Helena closed her eyes and lifted her heart in prayer.
Guide me on Your path, Lord. Show me the way.
* * *
Everett moved over to where Helena stood with her chin down and her eyes closed. He rested his hand on her shoulder, offering comfort.
“We’ll figure it out, Helena,” he said in a low voice.
“I know.” She lifted her head and smiled at him. “I’ve decided to put this dilemma in God’s hands.”
In recent years, he’d have scoffed at such an idea, but since being paired up with Helena the past few days, he was beginning to realize that maybe God was still watching over him, despite the way he’d turned his back on Him.
Everett had been the one to stop attending church services. And praying.
Until recently. Christine being in danger had sent him back into his former ways of coping.
And that included instinctively praying in times of trouble.
“I know it’s difficult for you to believe,” Helena said softly, “but I know God is watching over us, keeping us safe.”
He gently squeezed her shoulder. “I still find it difficult to understand why God took my wife and son from me, but I can’t argue that we’ve been blessed so far on this journey, escaping danger at every turn and finding new places to stay. Maybe it’s a good idea to put this in God’s hands.”
A broad smile bloomed on her face. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.”
Helena was so beautiful, her green eyes mesmerizing. Stepping closer to him, she lifted her face and, before he could pull away, she closed the gap and kissed him.
He gathered her to him, deepening the kiss. He could have cradled her in his arms like this forever, but the click of the door unlocking had them jumping apart like guilty teenagers.
Trent entered the room, eyeing them with a raised brow. “Something up?”
“Huh? Oh, no.” Everett hoped his buddy couldn’t see the wild beating of his heart. Why couldn’t Trent have waited just a few more minutes before bursting in? “Glad you’re back, though. We have a meeting with the head of security at noon.”
“Security? Good call.” Trent pocketed his keycard. “The place is really big and spread out—it won’t be easy to cover for a possible theft.”
“I know.” He cleared his throat, unable to meet Helena’s gaze for fear his feelings would be broadcast for everyone in the entire hotel to see. “We’re going to focus on trying to find Helena’s twin sister, which should help.”
The other man nodded slowly but, before he could say anything more, Will and Scout entered the suite. Luna jumped up and went over to greet her fellow K-9 in a way that made him smile.
“How did it go?” Helena asked.
“I have a good map of the exterior in my head,” Will said as he filled Scout’s bowl with water. “And you know, I found the entrance to the cave Scout and I found the first time we were here.”
Everett glanced at Helena. “Like the one we were in?”
“Similar probably, but remember I mentioned I came out of the woods in a different spot. This cave is located several yards from the back of the hotel,” Will explained.
He frowned. “That’s the complete opposite direction.”
“There are many caves here, thanks to the old mining days.” Will shrugged. “And who knows? They could be connected. Honestly, I didn’t go very far inside.”
“I can’t blame you for not wanting to go in too deep. Those tunnels have been around for a long time, no telling how stable they are.” Everett glanced at his watch. “Helena, it’s almost time for our meeting with Watterson.”
“I know.” She took a moment to fill her teammate in on their role as being members of the security team and clipped a leash to Luna’s collar. Then she straightened and met Everett’s gaze, a faint blush tinging her cheeks. “Let’s go.”
He held the door open for her then shut it behind them. He wanted to say something about their kiss but couldn’t seem to think of a way to broach the subject as they walked.
“I keep thinking about those tunnels.” Helena’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“What about them?”
She shrugged. “It seems like Cantwell, or his boss, may be using them to get around Denali. It’s a good way to stay off Denali Park Road and remain hidden from view. And it explains how the guy who’d left the hotel employee entrance had disappeared. He may have gone into the cave.”
She seemed determined to keep the conversation on a professional level. “You have a point, and it could be how they followed us without our noticing.”
“Exactly.” Helena glanced at Luna. “I wish we’d found them earlier. Now it’s almost too late to explore them.”
“Just remember, Luna didn’t alert on Zoe’s scent in the cave we were in a few hours ago,” he said, leading the way to the security office. “For now, the party is still our best option.”
“You’re right.” She squared her shoulders. “Let’s meet our new temporary boss.”
Ben Watterson was former military and no-nonsense all the way. He stared at Luna for several long moments before meeting their gazes.
“I have uniforms for you to use and radios, but I have reservations about the dog.”
“Luna is well trained,” Helena assured him. “She’s no different than some of the K-9s used in the military.”
“Okay, fine.” He waved a hand. “But if I hear complaints, she’s gone.”
“Understood,” she agreed.
Everett still wasn’t convinced that having Luna with them would help them stay undercover, but there was time yet for Helena to figure out what to do. “What time does this shindig start?”
“Seven o’clock this evening, but I’ll want you here dressed and ready to go by six.”
“That’s not a problem,” he assured the other man.
They both got fitted for their uniforms, which turned out to be black slacks and shirts, with a security logo on the breast pocket. It felt odd to wear a uniform that wasn’t issued by the Anchorage PD, and he could tell Helena was just as uncomfortable.
When they were finished with their uniforms, they were led to a table where there were several earbud devices connected to a radio so they could keep in contact with other members of the security team. After eac
h of them taking one, there was one radio left, and Everett subtly pocketed it without anyone noticing.
Afterward they hauled everything back to the suite, to join Trent and Will. “They gave us radios,” Everett explained. “I have an extra one for you, Will, for when you’re stationed outside the premises. They use channel five, and you can listen in on that one, too, to know what’d going on. But if we want to talk without them listening in, use channel eight.”
“Good idea,” Will agreed. “Five for the hotel team and eight for us, alone. I like having the ability to chat amongst ourselves if needed.”
“Me, too.” Everett watched as Helena fed Christine. All they could do now was wait until it was time to report for duty.
And pray that they’d find Zoe.
* * *
Stomach knotted with tension, Helena changed into her security uniform. She figured she’d leave Luna in the suite for now, until she understood exactly what her assignment entailed and if there would be a spot to keep her K-9 close by.
As she and Everett walked down the hall toward the security office, their fingers brushed. She felt the impact shimmer all the way up her arm.
It had been difficult to concentrate after their brief but toe-curling kiss. One she’d initiated.
She had no idea what Everett thought of her doing such a thing; they’d been interrupted by Trent before they’d had a chance to discuss it.
Then, afterward, she’d felt foolish for thinking about his kiss when they were here to find Zoe. Her twin was her top priority. Deep down, she had a horrible feeling that Zoe’s life wouldn’t be worth much to the criminal ring after this last heist was finished.
The sense of urgency was impossible to ignore.
She and Everett were two of at least a dozen officers who reported for duty. After a quick rundown, they were sent to stand near the entrance of the grand ballroom.
At first, she felt conspicuous, as if everyone knew she and Everett didn’t really belong. But, after several minutes, it was clear that none of the security members were chatting with each other. Their razor-like focus was clearly on the task at hand.
