Holly, Ivy, & Intrigue

by Celebrate Lit Publishing

  Karen gave her a long look. “I understand. I have a younger brother, too. But if you find Liam, bring him in.”

  “I know.”

  Unlike Liam, Karen’s brother, Jack, had never given his sibling much headache. If Brianna didn’t love Karen like a sister she’d never had, or had known about, she’d have a twinge of envy. Jack lived in the center of San Angelo now, worked as a salesman, and visited his family on weekends and holidays. In fact, he was supposed to arrive soon. Jack and Liam had been friends while growing up as neighbors, but once Jack had moved out, so had his influence on Liam and Liam’s good behavior.

  Karen didn’t ask her how she was holding up, didn’t hand her tissues for tears.

  Brianna was grateful for that. She didn’t have time for any of that when her brother’s life was at stake.

  She talked to Mr. and Mrs. Bergmann again, but they had no clue where Liam might have gone.

  “You’re welcome to stay with us while your house is being repaired. In case there’s a lot of damage from the fire.” Concern shone in Mr. Bergmann’s eyes. “Karen’s room is empty since she moved out.”

  Brianna shook her head. “Thanks, but no. I have to leave as soon as possible.”

  “You’re going to look for your brother, aren’t you?” Mrs. Bergmann asked.

  Her heart aching for Liam, Brianna nodded.

  “We’ll pray for you both,” the couple said in unison.

  “Thank you.” Brianna shot outside.

  Her house didn’t look horrible, and the tight band around her lungs let go a bit. The firefighters seemed to contain the fire.

  Karen rushed to her. “I was looking for you. I got some news. We found the car Liam stole.”

  “Yes?” Brianna was all ears. “Was there a corpse inside?” Then she stared at her friend. “Oh. I know you’re not supposed to share details about ongoing investigation.”

  Karen grimaced. “But I don’t want you to die, either. So here goes. The car belonged to a cop, Ross Porter.”

  Brianna tensed. “No wonder my darling brother didn’t want to get the police involved. Was the victim someone you knew?”

  “Well, Liam probably didn’t want to get the police involved because he was guilty of a crime.” Karen shrugged. “Most likely, he didn’t know he was stealing a cop’s personal car. And no, I didn’t know Ross Porter. Judging by license plates, he came from Arlington.”

  Arlington.

  Maybe she did need to call Richard, after all.

  “Thank you.” Brianna tried to wrap her mind around this new development. “Cause of death?”

  “Shot.” Karen didn’t elaborate. Her hazel eyes darkened.

  Worry for her little brother twisted Brianna’s gut.

  She hoped to do the following things: find Liam and keep him safe without bringing a tail to him, find out who’d killed Ross Porter, and stay alive.

  Judging by the gunfire and arson, the last item on the list would be the most difficult one.

  Brianna studied her friend, reluctant to get her involved.

  Karen might’ve figured out her dilemma. “If you need my help, I’m game.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, Brianna moved closer to her friend and told her about her ideas, just like when they’d been teenagers and plotted some mischief together. It had been Brianna who’d decided to enlist in the army after graduating from high school, and she had talked the shy and reserved Karen into it too. Military had provided the former foster kid an opportunity to serve the country, see the world, acquire valuable skills, and so much more. It had given Brianna the identity, the sense of belonging she’d longed for since realizing that not even her own parents had wanted her.

  Ironically, after a five-year stint in the army and their simultaneous honorable discharge, Karen had decided to continue to protect the public and had become a cop while Brianna had craved peace and quiet and wanted nothing to do with firing weapons or fighting.

  And here she was, doing just that.

  She was grateful to her military experience for teaching her how to shoot, hand-to-hand combat, and camouflage, among others. Hopefully, it would be enough.

  It had to be.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  As Brianna drove along the streets of San Angelo the next morning, she couldn’t help noticing all the Christmas decorations. So many Christmas lights were strung under the roofs and around the trees in residential areas with their reindeer and snowmen populated lawns.

  If she hadn’t been on such high alert, she would have sung along to a Christmas song on the radio. Her air freshener emanated the peppermint scent, a reminder of hers and Liam’s favorite candies. She had to block out thoughts about Liam to be able to concentrate on her surroundings.

  She’d spent the rest of the day searching for Liam at his favorite hangouts, visiting his friends, boss, coworkers, former girlfriends, anybody Brianna could come up with. She’d bought a disposable phone and called her former foster siblings and foster parents.

  Brianna had turned up nothing, and her heart sank.

  Karen had called about an hour ago. Her friend had put out a be-on-the-lookout on her father’s vehicle and tried to track down Liam’s phone. Neither BOLO nor phone tracking had produced any results.

  When Brianna drove toward downtown, she checked her rearview mirror and spotted someone tailing her. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. One consolation was that her next errand wasn’t a secret one. She went to a bank and withdrew the largest amount possible from her savings account. By the time she got back to her car, she wondered whether it was bugged. While in the military, she was trained to be prepared for everything. If a criminal wanted to track her, placing a bug on her car could be logical.

  Frowning, Brianna paused but didn’t bother to look under the car. Finding bugs wasn’t her strong suit.

  She slid inside the car and pulled up the schedule of flights. It might be a good idea to go Arlington, but she didn’t need to bring a tail with her. As a diversion, she bought a ticket to San Antonio. But to make it work, she needed someone else to travel to San Antonio as Brianna Rockwell.

  Karen?

  Although they did have similar heights and builds, Karen’s hair was black and cut short while Brianna had waves of chestnut colored hair cascading down her back. But they did have access to plenty of wigs, thanks to the amateur theater they’d participated in. This was worth thinking over.

  Brianna scanned the area as she drove away.

  Richard would’ve known how to spot a bug.

  She brushed aside the thought like she’d wave off a pesky mosquito.

  Richard was far away in both geographical and emotional senses.

  As Brianna navigated the streets, she paid close attention to the rearview mirror. This time, she spotted two tails. She made about ten turns, and just when she thought she’d lost a black sedan following her, she noticed one she’d seen before, a white one three cars behind her.

  Brianna tensed and tried to find something positive in the situation. Maybe it was a sign her car wasn’t bugged. Several tails and a bug would be an overkill.

  Clenching her teeth, Brianna turned on the left run blinker and turned to the right. Then she changed lanes, passed cars, took a shortcut through the parking lot of a gas station, and did everything she could to lose both tails.

  Just what had her brother gotten himself into?

  Panic crushed her heart.

  Where could he go if he hadn’t stayed in San Angelo?

  Arlington?

  They’d once live there, and Liam liked the city, even thought of moving there once upon a time. It was also the place where Ross Porter had been from. And Richard lived there.

  Brianna changed lanes. Her heart shifted in her chest when she thought of Richard. She’d be going to Arlington not because she wanted to see Richard. Not at all.

  But wherever she went, she’d better not bring a tail with her.

  Slowing down around a corner, Brianna called her frien
d on the hands-free-phone.

  Karen answered on the first beep. “What happened?”

  “Could you pick me up at the back of the gas station in ten minutes?” Brianna rattled off the address of the gas station while watching the road and the rearview mirror. “I’ll be wearing a man’s black coat and a fedora drawn low. Oh, and I’ll have a moustache and beard.”

  Karen coughed a little. “Sure thing. I’ll bring you car keys.”

  “Thanks. Could you also bring that collection of wigs from the theater? Do you know where they are?” Brianna quickly described what she needed as she changed lanes again.

  “No problem. What else?” Karen said.

  Brianna explained her idea about trading places. “Unless you’d rather not.”

  “No, I can do it. I’m off duty today. I’ll see you in a few.”

  “Thank you.” Brianna disconnected.

  For about five minutes, Brianna made so many turns her head spun.

  Then she pulled to the gas station, grabbed her bag, took out a baseball cap, and put it on. She’d spent the night at her neighbor’s home, but had been allowed to pick up a few things at home today. Thankfully, she had some supplies left from the last show she and Karen had played in. If Brianna had known how useful the disguise would be now, she wouldn’t have protested playing a guy two months ago.

  Brianna sprinted inside the gas station. Keeping her voice and her head low, she asked the clerk for a key to the restroom. Given it, she hurried to the restroom.

  Once there, Brianna hid her hair under a fedora, not wasting time on a wig, and slid into a coat. She wrapped the scarf around her neck. She figured if Karen arrived too early, she’d drive around the block instead of parking. Most of her time went on applying the dark moustache and beard, and Brianna did her best to hurry up.

  Finally, Brianna gave herself a critical look in the mirror, barely able to recognize her own reflection. Then she left the key in the door and headed to the back exit. Her heart hammering in her chest, she opened the door slightly and studied the street.

  A patrol car slid slowly to the curb, and Brianna gave a sigh of relief at seeing Karen behind the steering wheel. Brianna ran outside and jumped inside the patrol car as soon as it was safe to do so.

  “You look funny,” Karen said as she took off.

  Brianna sighed. “I have an idea.”

  “Liam will be okay.” Karen navigated the streets skillfully. “We’ll find him.”

  Brianna felt tears burn behind her eyes. She looked back, her senses on high alert. “Then he’ll face charges.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Karen’s voice was strained. “Unauthorized use of motor vehicle. Failure to report a crime. Tampering with evidence…”

  “I’m sure he didn’t tamper with evidence!” The need to defend her brother rose inside Brianna. “As for reporting a crime, he was too busy dodging bullets. As for the unauthorized use of motor vehicle…” Brianna came up empty here. “Anyway, he’ll deal with all these if he survives.”

  “No ifs and buts. That’s not the Brianna I know. Your brother is an awesome driver and has great skills with cars.”

  “Too great.” Brianna wished they didn’t include hotwiring ones.

  Karen pulled into the parking lot of a supermarket. “I’ll meet you at the airport. Please be careful.”

  “I will. And… thank you.” Brianna gave her friend a quick hug and hesitated. “Maybe you don’t need to get into all this. I don’t want to put you in danger, and I don’t even know what we’re dealing with here.”

  “Here’s your copy of the key.” Karen placed the cold metallic piece in her hand. “See that red sedan between a silver truck and an SUV? That’s your car for now.” She grabbed a plastic bag from the back. “Here’s my share of the wigs, clothes, and makeup. Oh, and leopard-print boots.”

  “This stuff came in handy.” Brianna allowed herself a small smile, despite dire circumstances. “I got accustomed to this, but I used to hate putting on makeup, wigs, and acting. The only reason I joined the drama club and now the amateur theater was because of you.”

  “Unlike you, Ms. Track Star, I never liked running. But I went for runs with you until I’d almost collapse.” Karen shot back.

  “Okay, we’re even.”

  Karen gave her an encouraging glance. “See you soon.”

  Brianna took the key and the bag and stuffed the latter into her carry-on which now took a huge effort to close. She glanced around the parking lot. Not seeing anything suspicious, she bolted to the red car.

  As she slid inside the vehicle and took off, she thanked God for a friend like Karen.

  As Brianna blasted the heater, the faint scent of strawberry air freshener greeted her.

  Karen.

  Nothing said friendship and support to her more than Karen, and nothing reminded Brianna of Karen more than the scent of strawberries.

  By the time Brianna made it to the airport, she’d turned so many times she never wanted to go in a round-about way anywhere ever again.

  She pulled up to a parking spot, feeling a sting of guilt. Liam and she had never known their parents, being thrown around foster families until an elderly couple had adopted them. But for the last three years, she and her brother had been on their own. Maybe if she’d hadn’t enlisted in the army, Liam wouldn’t have turned out the way he did.

  It was all her fault.

  Well, enough of the pity party.

  Thankfully, the car Karen had given her had tinted windows. Brianna slid in the back and changed. She’d leave the coat and the Fedora here. Her skin burned a little as she peeled off the moustache and the beard, but she was glad to get rid of both. She liked her next disguise even less than she liked this one, but desperate times called for desperate measures. She put on her bright outfit and boots.

  After scanning the parking lot, Brianna left the borrowed car and sauntered to the entrance. She glanced around as she made each step. Even though her nerves were strung tautly to the limit, she forced herself to relax her shoulders and her gait. The latter wasn’t easy, and she stumbled several times, unused to boots with high heels.

  Brianna strolled to the counter to claim the ticket she’d bought online. She drummed her long, scarlet fingernails against the counter as the clerk was printing out the ticket. Those artificial nails, bright makeup, as well as a pink fur coat barely reaching her knees and boots with leopard print were far from her style.

  The clerk handed her the ticket to San Antonio.

  “Thank you,” Brianna sing-songed in a high-pitched voice.

  Hopefully, the clerk would remember all this pink and leopard.

  All the time, she was aware of her surroundings. So far, she couldn’t tell whether anyone from the multitude of people around her were her tail. So many people traveled for the holidays…

  She spotted Karen entering the airport and heading into a restroom. Karen didn’t make any indication she’d noticed Brianna, but Brianna was sure she had.

  Karen’s posture was confident, and her steps brisk.

  Army had toughened Karen up while putting a mountain of guilt on Brianna’s shoulders. Worry knifed through her. What if Liam was hurt?

  Or… worse?

  Brianna couldn’t let herself think about that now. She couldn’t fall apart.

  Not seeing anything suspicious, she headed to the restroom. Karen’s signature scent of strawberry shampoo greeted her. Thankfully, there were no other women there.

  Minutes later, Karen left the restroom dressed in a pink fur coat and leopard-print boots, with blonde hair cascading down her back and a scarlet lipstick on her lips. She also held a ticket to San Antonio in her pocket. Brianna slid out of the restroom dressed in a brown leather jacket, a Stetson drawn low over raven-black hair reaching her shoulders, dressed in blue jeans and cowboy boots.

  Brianna watched as Karen sauntered toward security and touched with her fingertips the printout in her pocket of the ticket to Dallas that Karen had bought in
Brianna’s name. Once that pink coat disappeared into a sea of travelers, Brianna found a seat from which she could watch people around her while waiting for her flight. All her disguises would be for nothing if she were discovered.

  A guy in a black coat in a row of seats opposite her glanced her way. His dark gaze lingered on her.

  Brianna tensed.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Then the man in the dark coat headed to board a plane, and Brianna relaxed a fraction. Seconds, then minutes trickled away.

  Happy greetings of families reunited for upcoming Christmas tugged at her heartstrings. She loved Christmas, especially after her adoptive parents had explained the true meaning of Christmas to her and Liam.

  They’d gone to church that day, worshipped the Lord, and the service had touched something in her heart. She’d felt loved. The warm rays of that love had reached even the darkest corners of her soul that day. Then her adoptive parents had read the Bible to Liam and her at home, which had become a tradition. The next year, she’d participated in a Christmas play. She’d been so nervous right before the play she’d almost forgotten what to do. But as soon as the play had started, calmness overtook her and she’d remembered everything. By the end of the play, she’d had a feeling of elation she’d never had before. Joy always warmed her heart during Christmas.

  A deep longing to spend Christmas with a family appeared inside her, sharper now that her adoptive parents had passed away.

  She prayed for all lonely people in the world.

  This year, most likely, she wouldn’t even spend it with Liam, Karen, and her family as she’d done in recent years. The hole in her heart grew bigger. Had her birth parents ever thought about her and Liam?

  Brianna squared her shoulders.

  She trusted in God, but maybe she should trust in God more. Brianna prayed for Liam’s safety.

  When she was done, she scanned the area again. So far, she didn’t notice anything suspicious. Her phone pinged with an incoming text from Karen. Brianna hurried to open it up.

  A smiley.

  A wave of relief swept over Brianna. The text meant Karen arrived safely and there was no tail.