Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #1

by Margaret Daley

  Jonah said, “She did work at the zoo. Maybe she knows something, or might remember something. It doesn’t have to be simply her being hired back that’s the reason she’s being targeted now.”

  “Guess you should find out.”

  Jonah shook his head at Parker’s cynicism. Some woman had clearly burned him if he was this distrusting of any female he met. Jonah would have asked him who she was, but they didn’t talk about their personal lives.

  “So, who looks good for this?”

  Eric said, “The zookeeper was killed in the flood. The few employees of the zoo found jobs elsewhere. There wasn’t much call for their skills after the zoo was destroyed, and a lot of the staff were volunteers, anyway. The vet moved his practice across town, but he apparently still works with the zoo’s animals at the sanctuary and even houses a few at his own practice. The rest were transferred out of town for the time being.”

  “We should go talk to him. If he’s not the one causing all this, he could be in danger also.”

  Jonah agreed with Parker’s assessment. “You and Ames take the vet. Hanning, go meet up with Shelder and cover Elise. I’m going to head in to the office after I coordinate with local police on their investigation into Colombes’s death. They need to know what we suspect happened. I’ll work on locating Fix Tanner.”

  There wasn’t anyone else connected with the zoo who was still around. And yet someone was trying to bury information—and people. Who was so intent on keeping their secret that they blew up the zoo office and then tried to shoot Elise in broad daylight? Sniper training and the ability to kill with a single, accurate shot.

  Was there anyone previously associated with the zoo who hunted or was ex-military?

  Jonah spoke with the cops working the scene and then excused himself. As he was walking out, his phone rang.

  “Yeah, Mom?”

  “You’re busy.” Bernadette Rivers had always had perfect diction. She’d despaired over her sons’ rambunctious behavior, and hadn’t particularly approved of either of them going into the military. That was his father’s influence, encouraging them to do something honorable that challenged them and at the same time meant they gained self-respect. Too bad he never got to see them do it, as he’d died when Jonah was in high school.

  “It’s fine.” He walked out of the house, down the street to his car.

  “Uh…I heard about Elise.”

  The statement was telling in itself, given the fact his mom never hesitated about anything. “I know you’ve heard that she’s back in town.”

  “How is she?”

  There was no surprise over Elise’s return, only concern? His mom had never once thought to keep her opinion of Elise to herself.

  “She was freaked out, last time I saw her.” He’d seen that wide-eyed stare of Elise’s many times, when her mom went on one of her drinking binges. He didn’t like it now any more than he had then.

  “Maybe I should come by, bring a casserole or something. She’s staying with you, right?”

  His mother wanted to bring Elise a casserole?

  “I know you probably want to meet Nathan. He’s a great kid, Mom, but he’s probably also overwhelmed. They’ve been here less than two days and already his mom’s almost been killed twice.” The teenager seemed to be handling it well enough, but was he going to share with Jonah if he wasn’t? “You should probably wait a few days, give Elise some time to settle and find her feet.” To heal.

  Dom had already spent time with her. So why did Jonah feel the need to keep her to himself for the time being? Elise needed to be the one to decide if she even wanted to see Jonah’s mom or not. They’d never gotten along—the debutante and the girl from the trailer—both with a chip on their shoulder. It didn’t get better after Elise had married Martin. Jonah’s brother hadn’t worried over the tension between his wife and mother; he’d simply left them to figure out their differences.

  Now was apparently a different story. For some reason—he was guessing Nathan had a lot to do with it—his mom wanted to make amends.

  Bernadette Rivers sighed. “If you think that’s best, I’ll abide by your wishes.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Dom said she didn’t look too good. You’re probably right.”

  His mom usually wouldn’t have taken someone else’s feelings into account. She’d been different lately, and it wasn’t just since she’d married Dom. She was softer now. He liked the change, even while he didn’t really understand what had happened to her.

  “What’s up with you lately, Mom?”

  He heard a sound, like a gasp. “I’ve been waiting for you to ask, honey. Can I tell you? Is that okay?”

  “Sure, Mom. Tell me.”

  “I’m so happy you’ve noticed. That’s what I wanted. Not just to make this decision and then tell everyone before I knew what it meant, or how to really live it. I’ve been born again, Jonah. Like your father always talked about.” She laughed. “It was Dom who brought me to church, and now I’ve made a decision to be a Christian, because God loves me so much, what else can I do but follow Him?”

  Her excitement was infectious. “That’s great, Mom.” He didn’t totally understand it, not when his adulthood had found him on a different path, and he struggled with the faith he’d once placed so much importance on. Perhaps her experience would help him find his feet again.

  But later. Right now Jonah had a woman to protect, and more than one man to find.

  *

  Elise waited for Hailey to open her door. The marshal scanned the area, one hand on the gun on her hip, while Elise climbed out of the car. It had been Nathan’s suggestion that they come to the ranch and check on the bigger animals.

  “I called ahead. Sienna’s ready for us.”

  Elise smoothed down the bottom of her jacket. “Okay.”

  Sienna was a fairly new resident who loved animals and didn’t live far from the zoo, but far enough that her property had been above the water line and she’d been able to buy the house when most people were rebuilding. She’d volunteered to house the animals long-term until the zoo was back up and running. And her place was close enough to the zoo that Elise could check on the animals frequently.

  She could see the zoo, and its destruction, from the hill where Sienna’s ranch was.

  Elise, Hailey, Nathan and Eric trailed past an old, nasty red pickup that looked like it didn’t even run. A striking woman dressed in skinny jeans, knee-high cowgirl boots and a lumberjack shirt strode around the house. Her eyes darted between them, obviously nervous at the influx of newcomers. Elise knew how she felt.

  She gave Sienna an unobtrusive wave. “Hi, I’m Elise.”

  Sienna smiled wide and stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet ya.” Her accent was thick Boston, but she looked like any other country girl in Oregon.

  “How are the animals?”

  “Oh, they’re fine.” Sienna waved them all toward a barn. “Someone’s been eating Train’s food, and Eleanor seems like she has a cold or something. The vet is due any minute to look at her.”

  “Great.” Elise was glad they were being taken care of. It took a load off her shoulders that she didn’t have to supervise the cleanup and rebuilding at the same time as taking care of the animals. They needed their long-term home back.

  Sienna pulled the barn door open. Warming lamps had been set up for the turtle in its enclosure. Farther down, the minihorse with a cold, Eleanor, stood beside the llama, Francis. Both eyed their visitors until Nathan pulled two apples from his pockets. The teenager always had snacks on him for the animals; she should’ve known he’d bring some from Jonah’s house.

  Eric stopped several feet behind them to pull out his phone. Elise watched him type a message and then slide the cell back into his pocket before he took up a station by the door. She understood they were protecting her, and she wasn’t going to be ungrateful. But she also wasn’t used to it and didn’t know if she ever would be.

  “I also keep spotting the
tiger, Shera.”

  Elise spun back to Sienna. “Seriously?” She had no idea the tiger who’d escaped from the zoo was the same old, blind Bengal that had lived there years ago when she volunteered. “Shera’s still alive?”

  Sienna grinned. “I’ve heard all about the old gal. Figured she’s pretty hungry, so I keep leaving out some raw steak. Spotted her creeping along the fence line a couple of times, so I left the gate open when the horses were inside. Food was eaten, but I haven’t seen her up close. I’m not even sure if I want to.”

  “She’s pretty harmless, since she has no teeth. And she’s too old to hunt. But just a swat with one paw could do some serious damage. She can get berries, and fruit, but she’ll favor deer. She’ll probably stay clear of most other animals.”

  “Good to know.”

  A deep-throated truck pulled up outside. Minutes later the zoo’s vet strode in, carrying a medical bag. His gray hair was covered by a cowboy hat, and his mustache twitched at the sight of all of them. “Quite the crowd for one mini.”

  Sienna introduced them all, and Elise got to visit with the minihorse while the vet did his examination. She could have diagnosed the animal’s sinus infection herself, but it was nice to have a licensed professional on hand. It wasn’t worth her missing something more serious.

  While the vet did the treatment, Nathan distracted the antsy llama.

  That was how Jonah found them, surrounded by furred creatures and stepping in animal droppings in a barn that might smell bad to most people—but to Elise, it smelled like safety.

  Jonah’s gaze didn’t even stop on them, zeroing in on the vet instead. “I’ll need a word outside when you’re done.” He folded his arms, and the vet—seeing his seriousness—nodded.

  “Is there a problem?” Sienna looked suddenly nervous.

  Elise shot her a reassuring smile. “Jonah’s an old friend. He’s helping me out with a problem right now.”

  “Good friends are hard to find.”

  Elise nodded, wondering at the obvious pain underneath her words. She looked at Jonah. “Everything okay?”

  Hailey said, “I thought Parker and Ames were covering the vet.”

  Jonah lifted his chin to her. “They’re checking a possible address on Fix. I traded with them.”

  Elise studied the man before her. He glanced over, and his brow twitched. Apparently the two of them hadn’t lost the connection they’d had years ago, which didn’t require any words to be spoken for them to communicate.

  Jonah smiled. “Doing better?”

  He knew how she felt about caring for animals, or just being around them and spending time with them. “Nathan had a good idea.”

  Her son grinned his father’s smile. “It’s been known to happen.”

  The smile dredged up long-buried memories. She’d had a heady teenage crush on both Rivers brothers, but after Jonah left and broke her heart she’d found love with Martin. Then her husband had done his best to make his big brother proud and joined the army. Jonah had cost her the two best friendships in her life, not to mention her husband’s future—their life together. Her husband’s need to live up to his older brother had cost her son his father.

  However much Jonah wanted to rekindle some kind of rapport, or a friendship, she wasn’t going to let that happen. No matter how much their connection was still there. She would happily concede the fact that he was capable of protecting her from harm, but he’d never protected her heart.

  “Whoa.” Eric ducked inside and slid the door shut. “There’s a tiger outside. I’m not even kidding.”

  Jonah’s face washed white. Elise laughed and turned to the vet. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be reconnecting with an old friend. Only, could I borrow some tranquilizer?”

  “I don’t have a gun. Only a needle.”

  “I should be able to get close enough for that.” It was risky, but if she was presented the opportunity she’d do it. She’d rather it was her and not a kid out biking who ran into the aging tiger.

  Elise took the full needle and made for the door. Nathan fell into step beside her. “I’ll help.”

  Elise stopped at the door. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “No. No way. I don’t think so.” Jonah strode over. “There’s a tiger out there? We need to call animal control.”

  “They haven’t managed to catch her so far.” Elise bit back the snort. “Animal control will have no clue what to do with a tiger. I do. And so does Nathan.”

  “Isn’t it dangerous?”

  “It’ll be more dangerous to other people if we keep letting her roam all over the place. Shera could hurt someone.” Elise didn’t wait for him to argue more. She just slid the door open and slid it closed behind her, dismissing Jonah.

  “Elise—” His shout was muffled by the barn door. And so was the female laughing—either Sienna or Hailey or both. The two women could quickly become Elise’s friends, if she had any free time outside the zoo to spend with them.

  She scanned the area as she walked. When the barn door slid open, she looked back to see Jonah emerge with his gun out.

  “No way.” She stopped and turned to him. “You cannot shoot this animal.”

  “I’m not here to protect you from the tiger. This is to protect you from the person trying to kill you.”

  EIGHT

  Elise lifted a charred piece of wood and tossed it aside. All that fuss at Sienna’s ranch and they hadn’t even found Shera. Now it was getting dark and the old tiger was probably cold, and hungry. Then she’d had to look at photos to officially identify the reporter, even though he was dead.

  She threw another piece of wood, narrowly missing Jonah.

  “Watch out, Lise.” His eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of humor there as he turned to her. “What did I do now?”

  He looked so boyish, Elise couldn’t help laughing. Then it wouldn’t stop. She set her hands on her knees and bent over, trying to suck in air.

  “Uh-oh. It’s never good when you get all hysterical.”

  Nathan chuckled, across the entrance pathway, clearing his side. “She’s snapped.”

  Elise straightened. “I have not. But if I had, it would be entirely justified.” She put a hand on her side. “Ouch, my ribs hurt.”

  Jonah crossed the distance between them, and she noted Nathan and the marshals all strategically turning away. Did they think something was going on between Elise and Jonah? Because there most certainly was not.

  “Are you okay?”

  “What?” Elise jumped, and turned to him. “Uh, fine. Thanks.”

  Jonah reached up and tugged on the growing-out strand of her bangs. “No bruises from the mailbox incident?”

  Elise shook her head. She didn’t think she could talk. Jonah had done that pulling-on-her-hair thing when she was a teenager, but it hadn’t felt like this. Serious crush or not, Jonah back then had nothing on the grown-up version.

  Jonah stepped back, his face awash with mischief. “You should get back to work. There’s a lot to do.”

  Elise narrowed her eyes. If he wanted to stick around for the hauling and sweating part, what was it to her? She knew he was primarily here to protect her, but he could have claimed that meant he needed to be watching and not working. Yet here he was. Still as honorable as ever.

  She swiped her notepad from her backpack and started making a list. They could clear debris, but soon enough they would need a construction crew with heavy equipment to remove what was unusable. After that the crew would have to start reconstruction of the buildings and the animal enclosures. There was a lot that had to be done before the zoo could reopen, but this would help her start making a list on paper.

  Jonah looked aside at her. “Can I ask you a favor? I was thinking maybe you know some people Fix used to hang out with. Anyone I wouldn’t know to talk to.”

  Elise tried to think if there were friends of her brother who might still be in town. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to know who is here and who i
sn’t.”

  “What about your mom? Could she have stayed in contact with Fix? Did she ever mention him?”

  She stilled. “Are you working right now?”

  Jonah shook his head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I mean, you’re interrogating me. You want information, so you’re working me right now.”

  “Elise—”

  “For your information, I have not once in the whole of Nathan’s life said one word to my mother. Apart from the fact that her trailer never had a phone, and I haven’t been back here, I don’t see how you’d think I would even keep in contact with that woman.” She sucked in a breath. “You know, Jonah. Of all people, you know.”

  His gaze dropped, and why not? Jonah had been driving the truck half the times they’d had to pick her mom up from whatever bar she’d passed out in. Fix had always been conveniently too busy to deal with her, which left the baby of the family—though she’d been in high school—to head across town after midnight. Jonah had never let her go alone.

  There had only been one time Martin had been busy, but that wasn’t important, and he’d loaned her Jonah’s truck.

  “I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I’m here to protect you, but I’m also here because there’s a chance Fix will show up again. It’s where he was running to last night. I’m not going to lie to you, Elise. My team and I are working right now.”

  “And I’m the job?”

  He looked disappointed. “On paper maybe. But you know that’s not the truth. You’ve nearly been hurt twice in as many days. I’m looking for Fix, but there’s no way his running into the zoo yesterday was a coincidence. If it was, I’d be seriously surprised.

  “Until I know for sure the threat against you has been resolved, or that it has nothing to do with my case, I’m your shadow.”

  “And if it has nothing to do with my case?” Elise didn’t know that she liked it being called that. A file was too bland to represent her nearly being killed.

  “I’ll have to turn your protection over to the police, just like the investigation into the bomb and the reporter’s death.”