by L. Wilder
So, you aren’t going to tell me?
Me:
What’s the fun in that?
Max:
You’re an evil one, Ms. Campbell
Me:
You have no idea. I’ll be waiting, Mr. Lanheart.
Once I got to the grocery store, I filled my cart with enough food to feed an army. I wanted to fix something Max would like for dinner, so I bought everything I’d need to make lasagna with garlic bread and a salad. Hoping it might snow, I also bought some hot chocolate and marshmallows. By the time I got back to my car, I was feeling less stressed about my missing journal, and I was excited about spending a quiet night with Max. Just having him back in my life made me happier than I’ve been in years, and there was no way I was going to let something as trivial as a missing journal get me down. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, losing it wasn’t that big of a deal. I knew my characters by heart, and my ending was just a few chapters away. It was just a matter of sitting down to write, but before I could do that, I needed to unpack my groceries and clean up the mess I’d made in the cabin.
I was just a few miles from the cabin when the snow started to fall. Excitement surged through me as the large, fluffy flakes drifted down from the sky and covered the rooftops like a white blanket. I was practically giddy as I parked the car at the cabin and opened the trunk. Trying to only make one trip, I filled my hands full of grocery bags and was completely overloaded as I headed up the steps. When I got to my door, I noticed some broken glass scattered along my welcome mat. I looked around but couldn’t see any broken windows or fixtures. I was puzzled, but the snow was starting to pick up and my arms were aching from the weight of the bags. I decided to go inside and put them down first, then I could go back and see if I could figure out where the broken glass had come from.
When I walked in, my mind was bombarded with everything—the mess, the groceries, the broken glass. I just wanted to get everything done before Max got back, so I hurried around the kitchen, putting the perishables in the refrigerator. I was almost done, when the hairs on the back of my neck started to prickle against my skin. It was the oddest sensation. It was the same feeling I’d had when I was on the beach, like someone was watching me, and when I turned around, I finally saw him standing there.
Shocked by the intrusion, I dropped the carton of eggs on the floor as I screeched, “What are you doing here?”
CHAPTER 19
Max
A fter spending most of the day with Jay, I realized he knew more about trucking than Nitro and I combined, which wasn’t hard, because I didn’t know shit about it. I knew basics. There was a load, a route, and a final destination, but everything else was lost to me. While I didn’t know all the ins and outs of distribution, there was one thing I knew for certain—confidence makes all the difference in the world. As I sat there talking to Jay, it was clear that he had what it took to take the reins at the warehouse, and he knew it. Through the military, he’d learned the importance of respect and a good work ethic, and he and I both believed he’d make a good replacement for Frankie. Hell, he even looked the part. The fancy watch and rings were gone, and he was now wearing a basic plaid shirt with khakis. He wanted the job, and as much as I wanted to think he was our man, not knowing who our rat was made it difficult to know for sure. The not knowing made me even more eager to hear something from Big, but I knew he wouldn’t contact us until he knew for certain that he’d found our man.
We were wrapping up for the morning, when I told Jay, “We’re sticking to basic deliveries for the next few weeks.”
“Yeah, I got it.”
“And prepare your guys for the weather. It’s supposed to get rough.”
“I heard they’re calling for ten inches by morning, but don’t worry. A little bad weather isn’t going to slow us down.”
“Good. Nitro will get with you later today to go over anything we might’ve missed.”
“So, Frankie’s really out?”
“Yeah. He decided on early retirement,” I lied.
“If you ask me, it’s the best thing that could’ve happened. Don’t get me wrong; I respected his old man and liked working for him, but after a few months of dealing with Frankie’s shit, I was ready to walk out the fucking door. And I wasn’t the only one. There’s a lot of guys around here who are gonna be glad he’s out of the picture.”
“Then, you know how important it is for you to do a good job.”
“I do.”
“You think you can keep your distractions to a minimum?” I taunted.
“What distractions are you talking about?”
“We both know you have a thing for married women.”
“Yeah?”
“That’s a distraction, Jay.”
He shook his head and smiled. “Nah, brother. You’ve got it all wrong. Dating married women is the only way to go when you’re not looking to get hitched. You don’t have to worry about getting tied down. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy dates, and you’re still guaranteed to get laid.”
“Guess I never thought about it like that.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I plan to settle down one day. And after spending all these nights with these married women, I’ve learned exactly what I need to do to keep my woman satisfied, and it’s on me if I don’t.”
“That’s fucked up, man,” I scoffed. “But at least you’re learning.”
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”
“Just keep your focus on work when you’re at work, and we’ll be good.”
“I will. You have my word.”
“Good to hear.” I stood up and as I started for the door, I told him, “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Max, and thanks for the chance.”
The snow was really coming down as I headed out to my car. I called Nitro to fill him in on my day with Jay, then started towards Harper’s. I tried calling to let her know I was coming, but she didn’t answer. Assuming she was busy writing or fixing dinner, I didn’t think to worry. Even when I got to her cabin, I had no idea anything was wrong. When I pulled up, her car was in the driveway and the lights were on in the cabin. As soon as I got out of my car, the wind howled and the snow came barreling down around me. When I got up on the front porch, I knocked on her door, but she didn’t answer. I waited for a moment, then knocked a second time, doing so a little harder, and the door eased open.
I called out her name as I stepped inside the cabin, but there was still no answer. Panic rushed through me as I searched every room looking for her, all the while calling out her name. She was nowhere to be found, and I was about to lose it when I forced myself to stop. I took a deep breath and slowly scanned the room. I saw the cushions on the floor, the open drawers, the grocery bags, the freshly broken eggs scattered on the floor, and her purse on the kitchen table. It was like she’d just been there. Thinking she might still be close by, I rushed out on the porch and started calling for her. Still, no answer. I looked for foot prints, but the snow was falling too quickly. Whatever was there had been erased by the onslaught of fresh white snow. I was about to go back inside to call Nitro, when I felt something crunch under my foot. I knelt down, sifting the snow to the side, and discovered several shards of broken glass. Having no idea where they’d come from, I took a step back and checked the windows and lights, but none of them were broken. Then, I glanced higher and noticed that my security camera was in shambles. Damn.
There was no doubt someone had taken her. The only question was—who? Enraged, I rushed back inside. I wanted to install a full blown security system with motion sensors and alarms, but Barry wouldn’t go for it. He was adamant that the area was safe, that there were only families and old retired people staying in the cabins, and I was being overprotective. I should’ve pushed harder, but there was nothing I could do about it now. Hoping the security cameras might’ve caught something, I went over to Harper’s laptop and turned it on. I could’ve used my phone, but I knew the screen was
too small to see anything, especially with all the snow. Unfortunately, Harper’s laptop was locked, and I had no idea what her password was. Knowing I had no time to wait, I picked up my phone to call Nitro, hoping he was somewhere he could pull up the link on his computer.
I didn’t even have a chance to speak before he said, “It was Derrick.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Derrick is our rat.”
“Derrick the dock manager? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No joke. The motherfucker is in with the Hoods. He’s been in hiding for the past twenty-four hours. I’m guessing that’s the only reason the Blades haven’t gotten to him.”
Everything stood still as I stood there thinking about what he’d just said. Derrick was the fucking informant. Derrick. The guy with the friendly smile was in with the Hoods. The last man I’d ever expect had given them everything they needed to steal from us. Fuck. He had to know it was only a matter of time before we found out what he’d done. And then, the pieces started to come together. I remembered his reaction to getting the freight logs. His interest in why we needed them. And Harper. My God, Harper . He’d just met her, and while they were talking, she told him where she was staying at Whiskey Creek. It’d only make sense that he’d use her as a safety net to protect his own ass. “Are you close to your computer?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I need you to look at Harper’s security footage and see if Derrick’s the one who took her.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“She’s gone, man. I think he’s the one who got her.”
“Okay, just tell me where to look.”
After I gave him all the information, I started towards my car. I’d just started the engine when he said, “Man, I don’t see shit. Just a bunch of fucking static.”
I knew there were other cameras that he could check, but it would take time to get to them. “Where is Derrick now?”
“Ryder’s on his way to get him. He tracked his phone and found him a few miles from Harper’s place. He’s bringing him over to my office.”
“I’m on my way.”
I was half out of my mind when I pulled out of the driveway, and with the roads being covered with snow the car kept fishtailing, and I almost wrecked it more times than I could count. I didn’t care. My mind was set on getting to Harper, and nothing, not even Mother Nature herself, was going to stand in my way. Bile rose to my throat as I thought about what was happening to her. I loved her, and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to her. Unlike Brody, there would be no question of who was to blame. It would be the choices I’d made in my life that had put her life in jeopardy, and if she was hurt … or worse … it would be all on me. It would be my fault, and I just couldn’t live with that.
I thought back to Derrick and all the times we’d crossed paths, and never once had I ever thought he was anything but an all-around good guy. While I wasn’t at the warehouse often, whenever I came around he always greeted me with a friendly smile and asked how I was doing. He was always hustling, loading trucks, or issuing new routes, and he’d given me the impression that he was truly a hard worker. I’d always prided myself in being a good judge of character, but where Derrick was concerned, I couldn’t have been more wrong. And now, the person I cared most about was in danger because of it. If I managed to get her out of this, I would do whatever it took to make sure no harm ever came her way again, even if that meant walking away from Nitro—the man I considered to be a brother.
When I pulled up, I found Ryder’s truck parked next to Nitro. Hopeful that he’d found Derrick, I rushed inside. When I walked into the office, I was relieved to see that Derrick was sitting in a chair with his hands bound behind his back. Ryder and Nitro hovered over him, and I could see the sweat beading across Nitro’s brow. “Where are my guns?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll get them for you. I give you my word, Nitro. I’ll get them back for you.” Derrick promised.
“Your word doesn’t mean shit, Derrick. You proved that when you stole from me.”
“You’ve gotta believe me, Nitro. None of us knew your guns were even on that truck. I didn’t know they took them until it was too late.” His voice cracked as he spoke and there was no doubt that he was terrified as he added, “You gotta know I’d never steal from you.”
“No, I don’t know that, Derrick. I don’t know that at all. I sure as hell didn’t know you were tied up with the fucking Hoods. What the fuck were you thinking?”
I didn’t give a fuck what he was thinking. I didn’t care about any of it. I just wanted to know where Harper was. That was the only thing that mattered to me. Unable to wait a moment longer, I walked over to him and placed my hand around his throat, cutting off his air supply as I asked, “Where is she?”
He shook his head, letting me know he couldn’t answer. I released my hold on his neck, and as he coughed and gasped for breath, I placed the barrel of my gun on his kneecap. I started to squeeze the trigger as I asked, “Where the fuck is she, Derrick?”
Derrick’s eyes grew wide as saucers as he mumbled, “Who?”
“You know damn well who I’m talking about! Where is she ?” I growled. “You’ve got two seconds.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, Max.”
“Times up.” I pulled the trigger, and his tortured screams filled the room. Without wasting any time, I moved the gun over to his other knee and asked again, “I’ll ask you again … Where is she?”
“I’m telling you, man … I don’t know who you’re talking about! I swear.” He shook his head frantically as he pleaded with me. “I’ll admit, I helped them get the drugs. I called the weigh station about the load. I told them where we stashed the drugs. I admit it. I did all that, but I swear I don’t know about any girl.”
“Harper. Where is Harper?”
He gave me an odd look, and my heart sank when I realized he had no idea what I was talking about. Nitro came up behind me and said, “Take it easy, Max. You need to hear him out.”
“I swear I don’t know where that girl is at. I haven’t seen her since the day you brought her by the dock. I swear it, Max.” Derrick started to cry as he said, “I wouldn’t ever hurt no girl. I wouldn’t. That ain’t me. None of this is me … The only reason I even got involved with the Hoods was because of my boy. He’s sick, man. He’s got the cancer, and our insurance won’t cover shit. Went to Frankie for help and he wouldn’t do it. He said his hands were tied, but we all know that was bullshit. My boy was dying. I had no choice.”
Nitro looked over to me and said, “I believe him. I don’t think he has her.”
“And neither do I.”
Ryder stepped forward with a puzzled look. “Then, who the fuck has her?”
CHAPTER 20
Harper
I looked around the room and was surprised by how much the cabin looked like mine. It even had the same colorful Afghans draped over the sofa, and the same oak leaf screen sitting in front of the cozy fireplace. Unlike my place, his was immaculate. Everything was in its place, including the magazines that were displayed across the coffee table. When I glanced back over to him, I found him sitting the same way he’d been sitting for the past twenty minutes—staring at me like a lost puppy. While I’d never seen the man before, there was something oddly familiar about him. Maybe it was the fact that he looked so much like my grandfather with his balding gray hair and wire-rimmed glasses, not to mention the plaid flannel shirt, baggy khakis, and orthopedic shoes he wore. Needless to say, it was hard to feel threatened by an elderly kidnapper, but the gun he had pointed in my direction was a different matter altogether. I could see by the way he was looking at me that he was contemplating his next move.
Ever since he brought me over to his cabin, he hadn’t spoken a word to me, and I was beginning to wonder if he ever would. Not knowing what else to do, I finally asked, “Could you at least tell me your name?”
I’d heard the name before. I knew I had, but I just couldn’t remember where. “Have we met before, Oliver?”
“Not exactly.”
“So, we’ve met indirectly?”
“I guess you could say that.”
His short answers weren’t making it easy, but I had to keep trying. “Could you tell me how you know me?”
“It’s a long story.”
I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. “I’d really like to hear it. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”
“I don’t want to talk about that right now.”
“Oh.” Feeling disappointed, I replied, “Okay. Is there something else you’d like to talk about?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. What?”
“Your book.”
Surprised by his response, I asked, “What about my book?”
He pushed his glasses up against his forehead and with a stern tone he replied, “You can’t finish it.”
“But why?”
“You just can’t. That’s why I’m here.”
I was confused beyond reason. “What do you mean?”
“I’m here to make sure you don’t finish that book.”
“I don’t understand.” I just could fathom why he would care about the book I was writing. It just didn’t make any sense. “Please tell me what’s going on.”
I could see the turmoil in his eyes as he lowered the gun to his upper thigh and let out a deep breath. He brought his hand up to his face and wiped his eyes before he looked back over to me. “I’d never believed in soulmates. I thought it was just something people made up in romance books, until the day I met mine. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Eyes as blue as the sea and hair that was long and golden like the sun. She had a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms.”
His voice cracked and it was obvious from the look on his face that he was hurting. It was hard not to feel sorry for him. “She sounds wonderful.”
