Harper

by Kathi Daley

  ******

  “ʻClosed for the season.’” She groaned as she read the sign nailed to the front of the motel, gas station, and eatery she’d remembered. It had taken her forty minutes of steady walking to arrive here, and she couldn’t remember there being another town for a good twenty to thirty miles more. She needed to get the baby inside and out of the cold, so, making a quick decision, she made her way over to the small motel and used the multiuse knife she always kept in her pocket to break into one of the rooms farthest away from the road. Once the puppy, the baby, and she were inside, she tried the lights, but the electricity was turned off. She used the flashlight she still had in her pocket to provide at least a modicum of light. She unzipped her jacket, removed the bundled-up baby, and laid it on the bed. The puppy jumped up onto the bed and stretched out next to it.

  “Hey, sweetie, how are you doing?” she cooed to the child.

  The baby opened its eyes.

  “I know that you are probably wet and hungry. Hopefully, there will be supplies in the bag that will take care of both those problems.”

  She slid the diaper bag off her shoulder and emptied its contents onto the bed. A package of diapers, baby wipes, a can of powdered formula, several bottles of purified water, a couple of pairs of warm pajamas, and a thumb drive. Everything made sense except the thumb drive. She slipped the drive into her pocket and unwrapped the baby from the blanket. She took off the wet diaper to find that her traveling companion was a little girl. She quickly changed the baby’s diaper, then dressed her in the warmest pajamas she could find. Once she was clean and dry, she wrapped her in the blanket she’d found her in, then pulled the blanket from the bed over her as well. Harper had no way of knowing when the baby had last been fed, but her tiny little whimper seemed like a feed me sort of cry, so she read the instructions on the can of formula, mixed up a bottle, and then held it to the baby’s lips. She took a single suck, then began to cry. The bottle was ice cold, and having had three younger sisters, Harper could remember that babies liked to have their bottles warmed. She made sure the baby was tucked securely on the bed, then went into the bathroom, praying for hot water. Just because the electricity was off didn’t mean the gas was off as well.

  She held her breath as she turned on the faucet. The water was ice cold at first, but after a moment it began to warm up. She filled the basin with hot water, then held the bottle in it until the formula felt warmer. She made her way back to the bed, arranged the pillows against the headboard, and leaned into them as she cradled the baby in her arms. Thankfully, she devoured the bottle as the puppy snuggled in next to them and fell fast asleep.

  “So, what on earth have you gotten yourself in to?” she asked the tiny baby as she sucked the bottle. “You seem a little young to have made enemies, yet there apparently are some really bad people after you.” She remembered the man in the uniform. “Or at least one really bad man.” She wondered if the man who’d shot the accident survivor was a dirty cop, or if he was an assassin who had stolen a uniform. The man who had been traveling with the baby had told her not to trust anyone, which led her to believe that he knew that whoever was after the baby had connections in high places.

  Once the baby fell asleep, she tucked her under the covers and then got up and took a look around the room. She needed a plan that included something other than just sitting around waiting for the man to find them. She wasn’t even sure it was safe to stay in the room until morning, although taking the baby out into the chilly night air wasn’t an option either, so she supposed her best bet was to hunker down and wait for sunrise. The question was, what then?

  She didn’t have her phone, ID, wallet, credit or bank card. The man in the car had said to trust no one, but she did have people in her life she knew she could trust. Her mother, grandmother, and four sisters would all help her in a minute, but she didn’t want to drag any of them into whatever was going on until she figured out exactly what was going on. The man in the CHP uniform had taken her registration, but the address on it was that of her apartment in San Diego. Still, the man had her name, and she was afraid that once he figured out who she was, he would be able to backtrack and find her family in Minnesota, so perhaps she should warn them. The problem was that she didn’t know how to warn them without worrying them.

  She paced around the room as she tried to work out her options. Thinking of her family made her think of her hometown, Moosehead, and there was one person there she could trust who would have the skill set necessary to do whatever he had to in this situation. Ben Holiday was a private investigator and an ex-cop. He had moved to Moosehead after she had moved away and was married to an old high-school friend of hers, Holly Thompson. Or at least she had been Holly Thompson before she married the handsome PI, opened a foster care home, and built a family. Harper had met Ben three years ago, while she was living in San Diego. He’d been hired to track down a missing teenager who’d last been seen near Coronado Island. Holly knew that she lived in the area and suggested that Ben contact her for help with the search. In the end, she had helped him track down the missing teen and, in the process, made a lifelong friend.

  The more Harper thought about it, the more she realized that contacting Ben was her best bet. Now she just needed to figure out how to get in touch with him without a phone. A quick search of the room confirmed that there wasn’t one in it, but maybe the office? The electricity had been off, but the gas had been left on, so perhaps the phone had been left on as well. It would make sense the phone would remain in service so that anyone who called the motel unaware that it was closed for the season could leave a message on an answering machine, which, she bet, was the sort of messaging system this old motel would use.

  She walked over to the bed to check on the baby, who was still asleep next to the puppy. Making a quick decision, she grabbed her pocket knife and flashlight and then headed out into the cold night air. The motel office was just off the highway, so she knew she’d need to be careful not to be seen, but while this area was popular with hikers and campers during the summer, the place would be all but deserted on a cold night in February.

  She had just left the shelter of the room at the back of the lot and had started across the pavement when a set of headlights appeared from the south. She quickly ducked behind a large redwood, where she waited until the car drove by. When it had passed, she continued toward the office and café. She was just passing the gas pumps when another set of headlights appeared on the horizon. Apparently, she’d been wrong about the place being deserted. She ducked behind one of the pumps and watched as a CHP vehicle slowed and then pulled into the lot. She froze as the car stopped in front of the motel office. A tall man got out and walked over to the door. It wasn’t the same one she had seen shoot the two car accident victims, but not knowing who to trust, she stayed put. The man knocked on the door, then tried the lock. He shone his flashlight around, missing her hiding spot by inches. He walked back to the car and then pulled out a handheld radio. “Redwood Junction is clear. The place is locked up tight and there is no sign of the driver of the vehicle or the baby. I’ll continue to keep my eyes open. They can’t have gotten far unless the driver managed to hitch a ride.”

  He took one last look around, got into his car, and drove away. She let out the breath she’d been holding since he pulled into the lot. She figured she was safe for now, but come daylight, it would be a different story altogether. After making sure there were no other headlights in either direction, she ran to the front door of the motel office. She quickly picked the lock and slipped inside. She knew she couldn’t risk a light, even the one from the flashlight, so she felt around until she found the desk where she suspected she’d find the phone. She let out a long sigh of relief when she got a dial tone. She momentarily wondered whether using the phone might somehow give away her location, but right now she needed a way out of this mess, so she took a chance and dialed the familiar number.

  She listened as the line was answered by a recording. �
��You have reached Holiday Investigations. We are currently unavailable or on another line, but if you leave your name and number, someone will call you back.”

  “Ben, this is Harper Hathaway. I need help. Don’t call my cell or text or try to reach me using any of my known contact information. I’m going to try your cell. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try back in a half hour.”

  She hung up and then dialed Ben’s cell.

  “Harper, I just got your message. I was hoping you’d try the cell. What’s going on?”

  She explained about the accident, the baby, the warning issued by the man in the car, and the uniformed officer who had shot him.

  “Wow.” Ben paused. “I’m not sure what to say. I can’t imagine what is going on that would cause a highway patrolman to shoot a man and a woman in cold blood.”

  “There was a thumb drive in the diaper bag that might explain what is going on, but I don’t have a way to read it. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t have transportation, ID, or money, and the man who was driving the car with the baby said not to trust anyone. After seeing a man in uniform shoot him and the woman with him with my own eyes, I’m hesitant to call 9-1-1. I don’t think that staying here is an option. The highway patrol seemed to be checking on the place. It is cold and damp and I am traveling with a puppy and an infant. I need help and I need it fast.”

  Ben paused for a moment before replying. “I have a friend, Michael Maddox. He is a tech wiz and we have worked together on a few cases. He is actually in California this month, setting up a security system for a financial planning firm. I’m going to give him a call. If he is still in the same location he was when I last spoke to him, he should be able to get to you in five or six hours.”

  She let out a sigh of relief. “That would be great.”

  “Since I can’t call you, how about you call me back in thirty minutes?”

  Chapter 2

  Michael Maddox pulled into the lot at his hotel. He’d been in California for a month now and was beginning to feel the tug in his chest calling him home. Not that he really minded that his job as a cybersecurity consultant and software developer took him all over the world, but after this long on the road, he always felt the urge to head back to Minnesota. Today was his last day on this particular job, so it wouldn’t be long before he would be able to leave the temperate climate of Central California for the subzero temperatures in the north.

  With the completion of this job, he would basically be unemployed for the next six weeks. He was sure he could rustle something up if he really wanted to work, but it had been a while since he’d had time to relax. Maybe he’d take some time off to enjoy the rest of the winter. It had been eons since he’d gone ice fishing. Maybe he’d call his friend, Ben Holiday. It had been forever since the two of them had taken a guys’ trip. Of course, Michael acknowledged, Ben was a busy man. Not only was he married to a popular advice columnist who traveled for work almost as often as he did, but the couple had built a blended family consisting of biological, adopted, and foster children that appeared to keep him on his toes.

  He turned off the ignition and was beginning to gather his belongings when his phone rang. He answered without bothering to check his caller ID. “Maddox here.”

  “Michael, it’s Megan.”

  Michael smiled at the sound of his middle sister’s voice. “Meg, how are you?”

  “Busy. I only have a minute, but I wanted to call to make sure you’ve made your travel reservations.”

  “Travel reservations?”

  “Mom and Dad’s anniversary. You do remember? You promised.”

  He did remember, although for the life of him, he’d been trying to forget. “I know I promised, but I’m in California on a job. It’s taking longer than I anticipated. I don’t think I’m going to make it back in time.”

  “Not making it back is not an option,” Megan insisted in a stern voice. “Neither Macy nor Marley are going to make it back, which means that it is up to you and me.”

  Michael winced. He felt bad about missing his parents’ anniversary party yet again, but he really, really didn’t want to go home.

  “Please, Michael.” He couldn’t help but hear the desperation in her voice. “I’m counting on you to be there.”

  “You know how busy I am,” Michael tried.

  “Really?” He could hear the desperation turn to anger. “You are going to use the I’m busy excuse with your younger sister, who is not only doing a demanding surgical rotation as part of her pediatric residency at one of the most demanding hospitals in the country but is applying for jobs at every major hospital in the world and is planning the entire party by herself?”

  Michael groaned. She had him there. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’ll be home. I promise. Will it just be you and me and Mom and Dad?”

  “No. Matthew and Julia will be there as well.”

  Michael didn’t reply. Despite Megan’s efforts to keep the family together, it seemed as if there had been one obstacle after another. First there was Maddie, and then there was Julia. Totally different situations, but family dividers all the same.

  “I know that Matthew attending the party is the real reason you don’t want to come,” Megan continued. “And I know you have a good reason to want to avoid him, but this isn’t about you. It is about finding a way to be a family despite our challenges, and the parents who sacrificed a lot while we were growing up so that we could follow our dreams as adults.”

  Michael hung his head. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll make the reservations tonight. I’ll call you later with the details.”

  “Thanks.” Megan sighed in relief. “I know this is difficult for you.”

  “It’s not difficult,” Michael lied. “In fact, I’m totally over it. So, how is the job hunt going?” He wanted desperately to move the subject away from his twin brother and ex-fiancée.

  “Slowly. I am more than qualified for every job I have applied for. And I have excellent references. The problem is, the other applicants who have applied for those same jobs are equally qualified. Maybe even more qualified. I have to admit that I am beginning to become discouraged. I really hoped to have a job to go to when my residency is finished in May.”

  “It sounds tough, but I know the perfect job is waiting for you. Maybe you just haven’t stumbled across it.”

  “I love your optimism, but I don’t think my lack of ‘stumbling’ is the reason I haven’t even been granted an interview.” Meg groaned. “Perhaps I should lower my standards. I really thought I would be able to snag one of the elite jobs I’ve always dreamed of, but elite jobs attract elite candidates, and there are a lot more of them than I ever imagined.”

  “Hang in there, sis. The perfect job is out there.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’ve somehow managed to do a wonderful job of stumbling your way through life without so much as the beginnings of a plan. I, on the other hand, have adhered to a rigid set of goals and objectives since I was a teenager, and where has it gotten me?”

  “A residency at one of the best hospitals in the country.”

  Meg laughed. “I guess you are right. Enough with the whining. I’m really looking forward to seeing you. We all are.”

  “And I’m looking forward to seeing you as well.” Michael looked at the screen when his cell beeped. “Listen, I have to go. Ben Holiday is on the other line.”

  “You’ll make the reservations? Tonight?”

  “I will. I promise.”

  “Don’t let me down, big bro. I’m counting on you.”

  “I’ll be there with bells on. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Michael hung up with Megan and answered Ben’s call. “I was just thinking about you.”

  “You were?”

  Michael glanced at the first drops of rain as they landed on his windshield. “I’ve finished up here and am planning to head home in the next day or two. Are you up for some ice fishing?”

  “I am. But first I need a favor. A b
ig favor.”

  Chapter 3

  Harper headed back to check on the baby while she waited. She let herself out of the office door, locked it behind her just in case, then paused, considering the small café. It was closed for the season, but they may have left something behind. If nothing else, she wanted to find something for the puppy. She pulled out her knife, picked one more lock, and slipped inside. She headed to the kitchen to find that the cabinets were bare with the exception of a few canned items. When she came across a can of SPAM, she figured that would work for the puppy, so she grabbed it, along with a can of peaches, then slipped out of the café, locked the door, and sprinted across the dark lot toward the room where she’d left the sleeping dog and infant.

  “I have food,” she said to the pup, who raised his head and wagged his tail when she came in. The baby was still sleeping peacefully, so she used her knife to open both the SPAM and the peaches. The pup inhaled the food without even stopping to chew and then jumped back onto the bed, curled up with the baby, and went back to sleep. She plucked one of the peaches from the heavy syrup and nibbled on it, but her appetite was pretty much nonexistent, so she set the can aside. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do if Ben’s friend was no longer in the area, or if he was unable to help her for some reason. Both her experience in the Army and her life as a scuba diver and treasure hunter had taught her to think on her feet no matter the situation. And she was good at doing just that, in most cases. But in most cases, she didn’t have a baby and a puppy to think about.