by Betina Krahn
“When I came back from my first tour, I spent a lot of time planting things.” He paused beside an overachiever of a bougainvillea and ran his hand over its brilliant fuchsia blooms. “When you’ve been in a place that’s dry and brown and arid—a place where nothing but strife and hatred grow—you begin to appreciate green. And peace.” He shrugged. “I guess I wanted to make a place where life could grow and good things could happen. It didn’t quite turn out that way. Every time I came back from deployment the yard would be a mess.” He gave a bitter laugh. “Ben’s mother didn’t exactly share my vision.”
“So, you lived here together?”
He nodded. “For a little while. Then she went back to work and asked my mom to come and stay with Ben while she went on business trips. When I got home from my fourth deployment, she had her bags packed—cleaned out every trace of her presence from the house—said goodbye and walked out. I think she wanted to think that Ben and I never happened. Haven’t heard from her since.”
She was silent for a minute, having a hard time imagining any reason a woman would just walk away from Nick and a wonderful child like Ben.
“It must have made it that much harder for you to adjust to being home,” she finally said, squeezing his hand.
He nodded, raised his head and looked around at the trees and the purpling sky. “But I had Ben. And I’d walk through hell to see him safe and cared for. Those first weeks after she left were pretty bad. He cried himself to sleep and kept asking when she’d be home. That was when I called my mom, took a discharge and joined the FHP.”
“A lot to deal with.”
“Yeah, but we got through it. My mom was a rock. She spent hours and hours with Ben and helped me make peace with his mother leaving. As much as she could. I can’t swear that if that woman knocked on our door today, I wouldn’t want to punch her right in the nose.” He gave a rueful laugh.
He was probably entitled to that feeling, but she sensed there wasn’t much heat behind it. Kate grinned and looked around the beautiful yard.
“You have made a good life here, Nick.”
“Yeah. But it could be better.” He squeezed her hand. “A lot better.”
She raised her face to him with innocent provocation.
“Oh, right. You don’t have a dog yet.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I’d be tempted to get one, if it came attached to you.”
They watched a movie later, with Ben snuggled on the sofa between them, and Nick shepherded him to bed as soon as the credits rolled. Sarah hugged Kate good-night and headed for bed, too.
When Nick returned a few minutes later, Kate was curled around a pillow, her eyes closed.
She felt his weight settle on the sofa and didn’t resist as he pulled her over and into his arms. She opened her eyes sleepily and he kissed her nose.
“Go back to sleep, Kate.”
“I ought to...go home,” she said, fumbling to sit up.
He chuckled. “You’re dead on your feet. If you set foot in that car, I’ll have to ticket you for unsafe operation.” His strong arms wrapped around her, supporting her in all the right places. “Just relax, sweetheart. I’ll get you home before sunrise.”
She relaxed into him, savoring the feel of his broad chest and big arms around her. She hadn’t felt this secure, this wanted in...well, she couldn’t remember ever feeling this right. So, she did go back to sleep. With a smile.
Nick watched that smile, feeling it wrapping around his heart. And for a few minutes, it was hard to see through the tears brimming in his eyes.
* * *
KATE CALLED GRAN the next morning on her way to work. She mentioned that Nick was thinking about taking Soldier and Goldie, that he’d agreed to have them come for a “visit.” Nance was surprised, but after a moment gave a quiet chuckle.
“Something happened to him at the rescue. Had to be those puppies. Before then, he wouldn’t get near one. Afterward, he couldn’t get enough of them. I saw the way he held on to them...and you. Shows he’s finally got some sense. With you around, that boy’s gonna be all right.”
Kate wished she could reach through the phone somehow to hug her stubborn, wise and bighearted grandmother.
“Like my gran always says, good friends make good medicine.”
Nance had Soldier and Goldie ready to go the next afternoon when Nick, Kate and Ben arrived at the farm to pick them up. She sent along water bowls and a couple of their favorite toys. Ben wondered aloud if the dogs would be afraid in a new place, then turned to them and hugged each, telling them he’d show them the ropes and they’d love the yard and that he and his “nana” had baked some special dog biscuit treats with peanut butter.
Nance chuckled, elbowing Kate and muttering, “Good luck getting them into the car to bring them back to me.”
Kate rode up front with Nick while Ben buckled himself into the middle of the rear seat with a dog on either side of him. As they headed back to town, he told Goldie and Soldier all about the place they were going, including the great backyard, the strict rules—“no snitching or begging” and “no digging around Dad’s plants.” Nick held Kate’s hand and could feel her chuckling silently at the combination of mature tone and kid-like detail in Ben’s lecture.
They were halfway home when Nick spotted an old stake-bed truck just ahead of him and had to slow for the truck to make a turn into a convenience store and gas station. Something about the vehicle and its crumpled license plate seemed familiar. He came alert.
Kate looked around the parking lot, remembering the place. She looked to Nick, intending to tell him that this was the place the boy, Miguel, insisted they drop him off. But Nick was already pulling off the road and into the parking lot.
“I know that truck,” he said, pulling around to the side of the convenience store. “That’s the one that picked up the kid who brought the puppies to Harbor. I’d bet my badge on it.”
“Miguel,” she prompted as they watched an older youth in jeans, a T-shirt and work boots leave the truck and enter the store. “That must be Miguel’s cousin.” She was out of the car before he had a chance to object. He opened his door and called her name, but she was already at the entrance and then inside the store.
Miguel’s cousin—Alejandro, she remembered—was at the counter. Edging closer, she heard him say something to the clerk in Spanish that included Miguel’s name and saw the clerk shake his head. Alejandro looked unhappy, thanked the clerk and bolted back out the door to his truck. She followed but was intercepted by Nick.
“What the devil do you think you’re—”
“It’s what I was afraid of.” She leaned around him to see the old truck pull back out onto the highway. She grabbed Nick’s arm and urgently turned him back toward the SUV. “That’s Miguel’s cousin, Alejandro.” As they climbed in and buckled up, she explained, “He was asking the clerk about Miguel. I think he’s looking for him. And he’s heading for—”
“Clara Crowder’s,” Nick said, frowning as he put the SUV in gear.
“Did something happen to Miguel?” Ben asked.
“Good question,” Kate said with a sharp glance at Nick. A second later they were pulling out onto the road, heading away from Alejandro’s truck. “What are you doing? We need to follow him and find out what happened to Miguel.”
“I have to drop you and Ben off first,” Nick said, his jaw set.
“You’re not dropping me off.”
“Yes, I am.” He gave her a glare, and she glared right back.
“You’ll lose him if you do. What if he isn’t going to Crowder’s? What if he’s going to another place Miguel has worked? Just, go, Nick. All we want to do is ask him about Miguel.”
“That’s all you want to do. I want to question him about things the sheriff has been finding out at the Crowder place.”
“Then turn around and catch up with him. What harm can it do? From what Miguel said, Alejandro helped him bring the puppies to Harbor. He’s a good kid, Nick.”
Nick pulled into an office building parking lot, stopped the car for a minute and looked over his shoulder at Ben and the dogs. He gave Kate a grudging nod and put the SUV in gear.
“If he’s really a good kid, then he won’t mind telling us what he knows.” He pulled out onto the highway and put his foot down.
Alejandro’s truck soon came into view, and Nick slowed, keeping just close enough to see where he was going. With every mile, Kate grew more anxious. She dreaded going back to the place where she had encountered so many heartbreaking situations. But what if Miguel’s uncle had learned he was responsible for the puppy raid? Could Miguel be in trouble?
Even though she wanted to catch up with Alejandro, she wasn’t happy that Ben was along and that they had two dogs in the back seat that were not exactly known quantities in touchy situations. Somebody would have to stay with Ben and the dogs while somebody talked to Alejandro. And she had a fair idea who Nick would nominate for the job of staying behind.
Nick slowed as they reached little-used roads and let Alejandro increase his lead. It was a risk, but he said he didn’t want to spook the boy and have him drive off before they had a chance to talk to him. Kate leaned forward, watching the distant plume of dust that showed Alejandro was going exactly where they expected. Fifteen minutes that seemed like fifty passed before they approached the Crowder farm and spotted the truck turning into the overgrown drive. Nick waited a couple of minutes before pulling in and stopping to block any possible exit.
“Stay here,” he told Kate and Ben as he put on the emergency brake and left the engine running. “I’ll call for you when it’s safe for you to come up and talk to the boy.”
“I should be the one to go,” she objected. “He won’t bolt at the sight of a woman the way he will at the sight of a big guy.”
“No. And that’s all there is to it. Stay put, Ben, and don’t touch anything.” He stepped out of the vehicle and she got out as well, her mouth tight with determination. “Kate!” he growled. “Get back in the car.”
“I’m going.” She copied his loud whisper. “Get over it.” She headed up the drive and he muttered a few choice words before striding after her.
The truck was parked in the gravel yard, and Alejandro was nowhere in sight. They halted at the rear of the vehicle, listening, and heard Alejandro calling for Miguel. He was searching for his cousin, and it sounded like he was in the old woman’s house. They crept toward the back door, which stood open, and focused on the sound of the youth’s voice.
Alejandro reappeared in the doorway and surprised Nick. In a heartbeat the youth reversed direction and ran through the house for the front door. Kate ran around the house to catch him and found him headed for his truck. She changed direction and got there just ahead of him, planting herself in front of it with her arms spread.
“Stop, Alejandro! We just want to talk to you!” The youth stared at her, confused by her use of his name. “You’re looking for Miguel, yes? We are, too. We think he’s in trouble of some kind.”
“I don’ know any Miguel.” He spotted Nick charging toward them from the rear of the house, panicked and tried to bolt around her for the driver’s-side door. Kate grabbed his shirt and held him. Nick arrived in time to catch him from behind and lift him off the ground.
“Take it easy! We’re not here to hurt you,” Nick barked close to his ear. “We know you’re Miguel’s cousin and that you helped him bring dogs to the Harbor shelter. We just want to know what’s happened to him and to ask you a few questions about this place.”
Alejandro seemed to realize he had no chance of escape and quit struggling. Nick set him on his feet, but still held him.
“Miguel is missing?” Kate asked, watching for confirmation. A brief nod was all she got. “How long since you’ve seen him?” When he didn’t answer, she moved closer and lifted his chin to make him look at her. He jerked it away, but she persisted.
“You’re afraid for him.” Her voice softened when he looked down, seeming angry and anxious. “We’re worried, too, Alejandro.” She paused to let that sink in. “What made you think he might be here?”
“You are doctor?” he asked.
“Yes. Did Miguel tell you how he helped us find this place? Did your uncle find out, too?” The youth said nothing at first.
“Please, tell us what you know. Miguel may be in trouble.”
Alejandro jerked, trying unsuccessfully to free himself, then slowly sagged in Nick’s grip and nodded.
“Uncle hear Miguel tell me an’ he hit Miguel—again and again. I try to stop him—he hit me, tell me he make me a dog, use a hot stick.” Nick released him.
Kate took the youth’s arm gently and turned it over. Pairs of blackened burn marks ran up the tender inside flesh, evidence of his uncle’s abuse. “My God. Did he use that hot stick on Miguel, too?”
Alejandro shrugged. “I did not see. I was...sick.”
Nick turned the boy to look at him. “We’ll help you search.” His voice was hard with barely controlled anger. “If he’s here, we’ll find him. And we’ll see your uncle doesn’t hurt him or you ever again.”
Kate nodded and gently touched Alejandro’s shoulder. He still seemed skittish, but when she asked where he had already looked, he pointed to one of the sheds.
“Then we’ll try the barn next,” she said, putting an arm around him and leading him toward the hellhole she had sworn never to lay eyes on again.
* * *
THE MINUTE HIS dad and Dr. Kate got out of the SUV, Ben realized, Soldier and Goldie started to act funny. Soldier’s nose went around the edges of the window, and Goldie sniffed the air for a while, then lay down and tucked her nose under her paws.
“What’s the matter, girl?” Ben petted her and was surprised to find her shaking. “Are you scared? Don’t be scared. I’ll take care of you.”
While he was tending to Goldie, Soldier jumped over the console into the front passenger seat.
“Hey, you can’t be up there. The car’s running. Dad will get mad, and if he does he might not let me keep you.” He pointed emphatically at the seat beside him. “Get back here. Right now.”
But Soldier whined and stuck his nose to the window, watching the brush outside as if expecting something bad to burst out of it. Before long, he pawed at the dash and then at the door and window, whining louder and barking. He wanted out in the worst way. Ben asked if he needed to go pee, but Soldier didn’t seem to hear.
“What is it? What’s the matter?” Ben was starting to worry himself. “Come on, don’t get me in trouble.”
He was relieved when he spotted Kate coming down the drive a few minutes later. She saw what Soldier was doing and hurried to the car. The minute she opened the door, Soldier bounded out, knocking her over.
“Soldier! Come back!”
* * *
SHE SCRAMBLED UP and ran after him, but the dog was soon out of sight. The brush was dense and probably full of snakes, and she didn’t want to leave Ben alone again. Worried for the dog but unable to do anything to help him, she turned back to the SUV.
“I don’t know what happened,” Ben told her, looking scared for the first time since Kate had known him. “He sniffed the windows and climbed in the front seat and started whining and trying to get out. I asked if he wanted out to pee, but he wouldn’t listen.”
She looked over the seat at Goldie, who lifted her head just enough to sniff Kate, then tucked herself into a ball again.
“She’s shaking like she’s scared,” Ben said. “Why is she so scared?”
Kate stroked his cheek. “It’s okay, Ben. We’ll find Soldier. I think maybe it’s this place they don’t like. There are a lo
t of bad smells here, things that would make dogs scared. Believe me, I’m with them. I don’t like this place, either. As soon as we find Miguel and Soldier, we’re out of here.”
She slid out of the car and went around to the driver’s side. The engine was running to keep the air-conditioning on, so she simply threw it in gear and drove up the path, through branches that overhung the driveway and beat the sides of the car and battered her nerves, as well.
* * *
NICK WAS RELIEVED when Kate went back to check on Ben and the dogs. He had come to agree that Alejandro was a good kid who was genuinely worried about his cousin. He knew all about the barns and sheds; his uncle had made him help the old woman sometimes. As they looked in covered holes and behind doors Nick hadn’t known existed, Alejandro talked about how much he hated it there—seeing the dogs starved and hurt and knowing there was nothing he could do about it. Then his uncle started letting him drive the truck, and he and Miguel figured out a way to save at least a few of the dogs and puppies.
Together they checked every place Alejandro knew, until the old woman’s house was the only place left. Was it possible that the boys’ uncle had even used the old lady’s house?
They entered through the back door, braving the stench and filth, covering their noses with their shirts. Every room presented a more disgusting scene than the last: decaying food in old cartons, beer and liquor bottles broken against walls and old cigarettes that were stubbed out on furniture. When they reached the back bedroom, Nick was ready to go, but there was one last door—a closet. When he opened it, his heart almost stopped.
A young boy, barely bigger than Ben, lay crumpled on the filthy floor, his nose pressed to the crack under the door. Alejandro cried out and fell to his knees beside the boy, shaking him and calling his name while Nick checked for breath. He was alive, but clearly in rough shape. Nick picked Miguel up, and as he cradled the boy in his arms, he saw the uncle’s rampage visible in the cuts, swelling and bruising on his face.
