Midnight Reckoning (Leave No Trace Book 1)

by Jannine Gallant

  When Raine jerked on the handcuffs and tried to speak, nothing but a few muffled sounds emerged.

  “No one will be able to hear her if she screams. Go ahead and peel off that tape.”

  The big man rolled his eyes. “Christ, Ava. The longer we wait, the greater the chance we’ll get caught.”

  “Maybe, but I need a few answers first.”

  Eyes darkening in irritation, her tormentor approached the bed. Raine cringed as he grabbed the edge of the tape and yanked.

  At the searing pain, a sharp cry escaped. Her face burned, and tears sprang to her eyes as she glared at him. “That hurt.”

  “Lady, you have far bigger problems than losing a little skin.”

  Blinking away the moisture, she focused on Ava. “Why would you do this to me? Maybe we were never exactly friends, but we have a bond since we both put up with a lot of crap from Cooper. I can’t believe—”

  “I assume that bond is why you didn’t tell the detective investigating Cooper’s death what you saw that night. Cooper screwed you over royally, and he sure as hell didn’t deserve your loyalty. But from the comments you made before the memorial, I could tell you were beginning to waffle.” She shrugged. “Better safe than sorry, right?”

  “But I didn’t see anything. Until two minutes ago, I had no idea you were the one who pushed Cooper off that cliff.”

  “Lying isn’t going to save you now, but I would like to know how much you told that detective. I can only assume he’s still looking for evidence to back up your story.” Her eyes narrowed. “He won’t find any. I destroyed those trackers we wore on the hike, and if you’re not around to testify, the cops won’t be able to charge me.”

  “I’m telling you the truth. I didn’t see you that night. I saw a shadow. Period. We thought it was Matt since he’s the one with mob connections. If you hadn’t sent this asshole after me—” Raine’s gaze darted to the man standing at Ava’s side as she let out a slow breath. “—I would never have known it was you.”

  “But the comments you made . . . even last night at dinner. You said—”

  “If I said something, it wasn’t directed at you. We came here trying to trip up Matt, thinking he was the one working with this jerk. Your guilty conscience twisted my words.”

  Ava studied her intently for several long moments. “Jesus. I think you actually mean it.”

  “I do. If you’d left me alone to begin with, you probably would have gotten away with killing Cooper. But as it is, every official in the park is probably looking for me right now. The smartest thing you can do is let me go.”

  “That isn’t going to happen.”

  “We’ve wasted enough time, Ava.” Her partner crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s ditch her body and get the hell out of here.”

  “Don’t you think Detective Gilbert will be the least bit suspicious when you don’t come back to our camp?” Her voice shook, and she tried to steady it. “Maybe you could plead insanity for shoving Cooper, or convince a jury it was an accident, but they won’t cut you any slack if you murder me in cold blood.”

  “Probably not, but I thought about all the possible ramifications. I’m not an idiot, so I fully intend to go back to our campsite. Sullivan is going to drop me off at Glacier Point and then get the hell out of here. I plan to hike down the Four Mile Trail to the valley floor and catch a shuttle to the campground. I’ll tell Levi and Matt I needed some time alone to grieve for Cooper and be properly horrified to hear you’re missing.”

  “No one will believe that.” Raine yanked against the handcuffs as the big man took a step forward.

  “Sure, they will. My guess is it’ll be quite some time before anyone finds your body. This can still work. Maybe even better if the detective is already suspicious of Matt. He won’t be focused on me.”

  “Are you done talking to her?”

  Ava nodded. “Take her into the woods and get rid of her.”

  “What, you can’t face killing me yourself?” Raine kicked out when the man Ava had called Sullivan reached for her.

  “I’m not a murderer. I didn’t mean to kill Cooper. I was just so damn mad because he’d been flirting with those other women in the campground. And then he threw you in my face one time too many. Said he wished he’d kept you around in college instead of hooking up with me since I’m such a bitch.” Her eyes darkened, and she gritted her teeth. “What happened that night was an accident, but I don’t intend to spend a single day in prison, even for manslaughter. And Sullivan owed me.” She patted his arm. “He volunteered to make my problem—namely you—go away.”

  When Raine kicked out again, he grabbed her foot and squeezed.

  “Stop that, or I’ll knock you senseless.” His tone lacked any emotion as he yanked hard before taking a key from his pocket. “This can be relatively painless—or not. You decide.”

  Fear curled in Raine’s stomach as she held out her shaking hands. “I’ll cooperate.”

  For now.

  He chuckled. “Good choice.”

  * * * *

  “If the blue camper van didn’t show up at Wawona or Glacier Point, but it was spotted entering the tunnel by a ranger at the viewpoint, where the hell did they go?” Levi leaned forward against the dash of the detective’s official vehicle, as if he could force more speed out of the SUV by pushing.

  “We have personnel checking all the turnouts and parking spots along both roads. A ranger is at the Badger Pass Ski Area now, but he reported the van isn’t in the lot.”

  Levi glanced over at Gilbert as they entered the tunnel. The detective had been adamantly opposed to bringing him along, but had finally agreed when Levi pointed out he had every intention of following him.

  “But?” He gripped the dash even harder. “You sound like you know something you aren’t saying.”

  “I don’t know anything. It’s just a hunch. If the van disappeared in this general vicinity, they’d need someplace to hide where there aren’t a lot of people.”

  “This is freaking Yosemite in August. There are people everywhere.”

  The SUV shot out of the tunnel, and Gilbert took the corners of the winding road as fast as was safely possible, tapping his siren now and then to pass slower moving vehicles.

  “Not at the ski area, which is off of Glacier Point Road. Sure, people park in the lot to hike, but there are several dirt service roads used to maintain the ski lifts, and not a lot of workers around in the summer. Someone could easily drive down one of those tracks and get completely out of sight of any casual observer. Hell, they could park in the trees somewhere, and it would take a good amount of skill and effort to find them. Luckily, I’m pretty experienced at finding people.”

  “How long until we get there?”

  “Ten minutes. Sit back, and listen up.” His dark eyes flashed. “I agreed to bring you, but you aren’t going to get in the way of me or the ranger currently searching the area. I don’t care what you see. I’ll lock you in the back of my vehicle if I have to.”

  “I’m not going to endanger Raine or do anything stupid. I just want to be available once we find her since who knows what that asshole has put her through.”

  The detective gave him another look, like he didn’t quite believe him. “You’d better keep your word. You’ve been pretty level-headed since we started working together. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.”

  Levi didn’t respond, but he released the dash and gripped his knees instead as they approached an intersection. Gilbert made a left turn onto the road to Glacier Point.

  “What’s your ETA, Detective?” The voice rumbled from his radio.

  He depressed a button. “Five minutes. Any sign of the van?”

  “Negative. There are several service roads with branches leading all the hell over the place. I checked a couple of them and asked a group of hikers if they’d seen a blue van. They hadn’t.”

  “Just sit tight until I get there.”

  “10-4.”

&nb
sp; They drove in silence for the next few miles. Gilbert slowed to turn into the ski area and stopped facing the mountain. Letting the vehicle idle, he leaned forward to survey the terrain.

  “What are we waiting for? Shouldn’t we start looking for Raine? Who knows what that freak is doing to her.”

  “If you wanted to remain unnoticed in a vehicle, where would you go?” The detective’s tone was cool. Controlled.

  Forcing himself to calm down, Levi let his gaze wander over the open space in front of them, which was dissected by a dirt road that wound into the trees farther up the mountain. “Anyone hanging out in the parking lot would notice a vehicle travelling across that section of ground.”

  “Exactly. But there’s a road over to our right that skirts the far edge of the ski area. Better cover.” When a NPS vehicle pulled up beside them, Gilbert rolled down his window. “Lansky, I’m glad you stuck around because I have a feeling I might need some backup.” He pointed. “Let’s search over in that area first. I’ll be driving slowly, looking for any sign they left the track.”

  “Whatever you say, Detective.” The young, bearded ranger caught sight of Levi, and his eyes widened. “Uh, I’ll stay behind you and follow your lead.”

  Gilbert nodded and shifted into gear. Driving around the side of a maintenance shed and past a couple of bulldozers, he cruised down a dirt road, slowing to a crawl when they reached a fork.

  “The right branch leads straight into the trees.” Levi’s pulse sped up.

  “Yes, but the road dead ahead has been travelled more recently. There are faint tire tracks visible in the dust.” He rolled forward another hundred yards and braked to a stop. “See those low, flattened bushes. Something drove over them, and they’re only just beginning to spring back.”

  “A light flashed in the trees over there. Did you see it? Sunlight reflecting off metal?”

  “Good eye. I’m going in on foot with Lansky. I want you to stay here since we have to assume Sullivan Dwyer is armed. We sure as hell know he’s dangerous.” Gilbert opened the door and got out. “Text me if anything unexpected happens.”

  Levi gritted his teeth and nodded. The detective gave him a sharp look but shut the door softly and walked away. He spoke to the ranger for a few seconds, and the two men headed into the trees.

  After giving them a couple of minutes to disappear, Levi got out of the SUV and ran up the road a short distance before darting through the bushes. If Gilbert planned to approach the VW van from the southeast, he’d come in from the opposite direction. Picking his way through the forest, he caught an occasional glint of light off metal over his right shoulder. His heart thumped painfully as he prayed they weren’t too late.

  Raine had to be okay. Had. To. Be. He wouldn’t let himself think anything else. They would find her unharmed, and he’d hold her in his arms and never let her go.

  “Get on your damned feet, or I’ll smack the shit out of you.” The male voice sounded faintly somewhere straight ahead.

  Levi froze. Apparently, the asshole who’d taken Raine had left the van. When the man’s words were followed by a sharp cry, Levi sacrificed silence for speed to dodge between the trees. His breath came in gasps as he glimpsed movement a few yards away and crept closer.

  “Bitch. I’d slit your throat right now, but I don’t want you to bleed all over me. Just a little farther.” Gripping Raine’s arm, he dragged her along while she struggled against his hold.

  When he drew back his hand and slapped her, she screamed. A sound filled with pent-up rage. “Do you think I’m going to make this easy for you? Bastard!”

  Raine raked her nails down the side of his face, and he jerked away. Before Levi could react, Dwyer pulled out a knife. The wicked, serrated blade glinted in the sunlight shining through the trees.

  “I’m finished playing games. We’ve gone far enough.”

  Bending, Levi picked up a stout branch as Raine turned and ran. Dwyer sprinted after her. Catching a handful of her hair, he jerked her to a stop.

  With a shrill cry, she spun around, and her eyes widened as her gaze locked with his.

  “Got you!” The big man raised his knife.

  Levi charged and swung the stick at his head, connecting with a sickening thunk. Dwyer fell to his knees and pitched forward as Raine jerked to the side. Pulling free from his loosened grip, she ran toward Levi. He caught her in his arms just as Gilbert and the ranger burst out of the trees.

  With his weapon drawn, the detective cautiously approached Dwyer. Gripping his shoulder, he rolled him over. The carved wooden hilt of the knife stuck out of his chest, and his eyes stared lifelessly up at the sky. Feeling for a pulse at his neck, he shook his head.

  “Is he dead?” Levi’s tone was harsh.

  “Yes. Are you injured, Raine? Did that man hurt you?”

  After a quick glance toward the body, she shuddered and looked away. “I’m fine, other than a few new bruises. Ava was in the van with us.” Her voice broke slightly. “She was the one who killed Cooper, not Matt.”

  “We located Ms. Talbot and put her in restraints.” Gilbert met Levi’s gaze. “Can you take Raine back to my vehicle and sit tight this time? I need to take a full statement from both of you, but I have to call this in first and wait for backup to arrive.”

  “Of course.” Levi swallowed. “I hit him in the head with a branch before he could stab Raine. Did I kill him?”

  “Dwyer must have fallen on his knife when he went down. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death, but my bet is on the knife wound. Either way, you were defending Raine’s life. You did what needed to be done.”

  “That man would have killed me if Levi hadn’t hit him.” Raine wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face against his neck. Tears dampened his skin.

  “He didn’t leave me any choice.”

  “I know that. Head to my SUV.” Gilbert turned toward the ranger. “Lansky, I want you to check on Ms. Talbot and then lead the coroner and the rest of the Park Police team back here.”

  “You’ve got it, Detective.”

  As the ranger hurried into the trees, Levi and Raine followed. Holding her tucked close against his side, he let out a long, shuddering breath. “I was so damned worried.”

  “Me, too.” She wiped the tears off her cheeks. “But it’s over now. It’s really over.”

  He nodded and kissed the top of her head. “You’re safe, and we’re together.”

  Tilting her chin to look into his eyes, she smiled. “That’s all that really matters.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Where are you?” Raine’s spoke in a low tone. “If you’re still out running—”

  “I’m on my way. Promise.” Levi raised his voice as a bird-like screech sounded in the background. “I’ll be there soon.”

  Raine glanced over at the rental agent who was also on her phone, gripped her cell a little tighter, and frowned. “She said she has two more parties interested in this place. If we don’t sign the lease and write a deposit check today, we’re going to lose the rental. And I like this one. A lot.”

  “Five minutes. I swear.”

  “Okay, but hurry.” She stuck her phone in her pocket and walked over to the sliding door that led out onto a sagging deck with a view of the forest beyond. The cabin was old and dated, but the place had two bedrooms and a large living area. She could deal with kitchen appliances from the seventies in exchange for this view and a spare room to use as a home office.

  “The neighbors on either side are second homeowners who are rarely here, so you’ll practically have the whole block to yourselves.” The agent joined her and offered a strained smile. “Is your boyfriend coming? I have another appointment in a half-hour.”

  “He’ll be here in a few minutes. The cabin is great, even though it needs some work. Finding a rental hasn’t been easy.”

  Outside, a car door slammed. Levi, she hoped. Otherwise, she might have to kill him.

  “Unfortunately, I’m
not sure when it will be ready to occupy—ideally, by sometime in September. But it depends on how soon we can get a carpenter in here to repair the deck. The owner was pushing ninety when he died, and he just let the snow pile up until it weakened the entire structure. His heirs want to use the security deposit to help pay for the deck repair.”

  Footsteps sounded on the front porch. Multiple footsteps and high-pitched giggling.

  “Oh.” Raine hesitated and glanced over her shoulder. “I guess we can wait that long.”

  “You’d only have to put the deposit down today, then pay rent when you move in.”

  “Sounds good. We’ll take it.” Levi followed Dex into the cabin. Kira was strapped into the baby carrier on his chest, babbling happily, and Woody shoved in behind him. Tail wagging, the dog strolled around the room, sniffing.

  “Is this where you’re going to live, Uncle Levi?”

  “Yep.” He glanced from his nephew to Raine and smiled. “Sorry I’m late. Dalton and Ursula had an appointment to update their trust. They needed me to watch these two.”

  All her irritation dissolved. “No problem. Do you want me to take Kira?”

  “Nope. We’re doing great. At least for now.” He faced the rental agent. “Did I hear you say something about repairs?”

  She nodded. “You’ll sign the lease today, but the cabin won’t be available until the owners get the deck fixed. I’m not sure when exactly that will be.”

  He walked over to the sliding door and rested his warm palm on Raine’s back as he studied the deck. “I can shore up the supports if they’d like to take the cost of my labor off our rent. I do handyman and carpentry work all the time.”

  “Seriously?”

  “You bet. As long as we can move in right away while I do the work, I’d be interested.”

  “I’ll talk to the owners, but I’m sure they’ll be thrilled with that arrangement. Do you want a tour before you sign?”

  “No need. If Raine likes the place, I’m happy. The location north of town is great. I imagine about a fifteen-minute drive from your warehouse?” At her nod, he continued, “Took me twenty minutes to get here from the lodge.”