WindSwept Narrows: #11 Mariah Peyton

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  It was too modern a world for foot patrols, she mused, sitting atop a small grade and peering down at the quiet. She turned the lights off on the bike, and silenced the engine, blending in with the darkness for several long, quiet minutes. There was a very steady set of lights moving around the complex construction area. If she could spot something off, why couldn’t their security people?

  Because their security people were hired off the shelves, her memory recalled. That was the position Eli was taking with Morgan and Zach. She’d seen him working on the laptop, roughing out his plan for getting things in place from the very start.

  Mariah leaned back on the bike, sighing heavily. Impulse issues, she thought, one booted foot lifted to rest on the handlebars. Is that the category that Eli fit into in her life stream? An impulse.

  Well, maybe she could spot a vehicle and at least get a plate number to Morgan. Lights and engine came to life at her touch, hands expertly gliding the heavy bike around the dirt roads around the construction site. She killed the lights and let the silent glide engine barely reveal them in the darkness.

  Leaving her helmet in place, Mariah parked the bike out of sight, kicked the stand into place and pulled the very sharp knife from the special pocket on her boot. She had them all in her sights as she crept around the large dark van, puncturing first one and then another tire. She froze, listening quietly to the voices.

  “This was a damn good tip from Milton,” one of the young guys said with a chuckle, his arms filled with tubing and wire.

  “Just keep loading. I don’t wantta be here all damn night.”

  Neither do I, Mariah thought, creeping cautiously back to the bike. She mounted and quietly let the bike glide away, moving herself to a higher spot where she could watch. She tapped 9-1-1 into her phone and waited.

  “I want to report a robbery in progress…Pacific Rim and Duncan…at the construction site…looks like about five…maybe six guys and a dark van being loaded up,” Mariah tilted her head to the side with a slight crack.

  “I have officers in route, ma’am.”

  Mariah didn’t wait for more conversation, closing her phone and sliding it into her jacket. She tugged the zipper higher and watched the van. A long groan broke free when the lights and sirens began. What the heck is wrong with stealth, she thought angrily, watching the men scatter. One of them jumped into the van and turned the engine over, only to jump out again and take off running when the rims hit the frozen ground.

  Mariah shook her head and headed down the road toward home. It had been a long couple hours and she was worn out. She had tried to keep her mind on everything else but going to an empty house. She parked the bike and went to the patio door, the number tapped in and helmet set on the table. She made sure all the locks were in place before going to the bedroom. The second heavy boot hit the floor before the long stemmed red rose lying on her pillow caught the corner of her eyes.

  Hot moisture filled her eyes as she lifted the single rose and the small note lying beside it.

  “Give me a chance to fix this, Eli.”

  “Oh, Eli…” Mariah laid the note and rose on the nightstand, her eyes catching on the foil packets he’d bought for them. She striped quickly and climbed between the thick quilts, her head no sooner on the soft pillow when days of exhaustion took her.

  Chapter Seven

  It was almost nine before the sound of her phone broke into the deep sleep. Tangled, dark hair fell over her eyes when her face came up off the pillow, sleep filled eyes blinking repeatedly, her brain trying to focus. Her jacket, was the first thing her brain came up with, long legs shoved over the side of the bed, ten fingers dragging the long hair back from her face. She squinted at the clock, groaning as she went to the shower.

  Wearing a tank top beneath the simple button shirt, she tucked things into her jeans and had her boots zipped into place before wandering to the lower level. She knew she must have been tired to have left her phone out of arms length. It was almost ten when she slid the phone open and peered at the incoming calls.

  Five calls from Eli. One from Morgan. That was odd. Eloise, yes, Morgan, though…she was still pondering this as she poured juice and the knocking began on the outer door. A glass of juice in one hand, she pulled the door wide and stared at the three males on the other side.

  “Morgan,” She said with a greeting nod.

  “Hi, Mariah…can we come in?” Morgan asked politely, gesturing to the other men in turn. “Zach Covington and Detective Hollester, in charge of grand theft robbery.”

  “Sure…I’ve got a few minutes before I have to go out,” Mariah turned and went to the counter, perching on a stool and waiting.

  Zach found her silence amusing, taking a stance near the door and just watching the detective. Morgan sighed.

  “Ms. Peyton,” The detective began slowly, bringing a small notebook out to write in as he talked. “You phoned 9-1-1 last night to report a robbery at the construction site?”

  “It’s Doctor Peyton, Detective. Or is it officer? And is that a rhetorical question?” She returned, one brow arched curiously. “You’re here. Technology is such that you know who made the call…if it’s confirmation you want, yes, I confess, I made the call.”

  Zach lowered his gaze to the floor and cleared his throat, ignoring the laughter in Morgan’s eyes.

  “Why didn’t you remain on the line, ma’am?” The detective asked, seeming not to notice the others.

  “Nothing more to say,” she said with a simple shrug.

  “Why were you out there at…eleven at night?”

  “Does Tacoma have a curfew?” She looked from one to the other. Mariah put her elbows behind her, leaning back on the counter top. “I finished at the kids party at the Emporium and didn’t want to go home yet. So I ride when I can’t sleep. It was a glorious night,” she told them with exaggerated facial expressions. “Dry roads, beautifully clear skies and Christmas lights everywhere you look! There were even stars in the areas with insufficient street lamps, like the construction zones.”

  “So you just happened to be riding around the downtown area…”

  “That’s me…I happen in a lot of places…and I don’t particularly enjoy being treated like I’m the thief because I reported a crime in progress,” She said sourly.

  “Mariah, we, Morgan and I, are extremely grateful that you did,” Zach said honestly. “We don’t know how they got through the alarm system, but we found the guard unconscious inside the building.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t go onto the property,” She said with a sigh. “I wondered where your guards were…”

  “Did you see the police arrive?” The detective picked up with his questions.

  “Yes…and you might issue a little delicacy training that when a call is made and says ‘in progress’ they don’t come in with lights brighter than the skyline and sirens waking up the dead,” she returned flatly. “You might actually have caught a couple of the fools if you hadn’t announced your arrival.”

  “You saw that? Why didn’t you speak to the police officers?” He demanded hotly.

  “Nothing to say at that point. I didn’t see any of them enough to offer a description. Most of them had caps pulled over their faces…those ski ones…” She shrugged, dismissing his question. “I came home. The truck didn’t go anywhere, so the stuff was safe.”

  “You flattened the tires?”

  “I flattened the tires,” she admitted tiredly.

  “You were that close and didn’t see their faces?”

  “I told you…I did…with ski masks over them,” she looked at Morgan and then Zach. “You know someone named Milton? One of them made a comment while I was adjusting their air pressure…that they got a damned good tip from Milton.”

  “Milton?” Zach’s voice was low and flat, his gaze on Morgan’s. “I warned Logan and Cade…”

  “Who is Milton?” The detective demanded.

  “I’m sure,” Mariah tipped her wrist over and stood up.
“You guys can find someone else’s home to talk in the middle of…I gotta go out for awhile.”

  “Thanks, Mariah.”

  “No problem…just glad I could stop them,” she said honestly. “I don’t know what your security plan is, and you can chuck my suggestion out the window…but if I were you, I’d get some permanent fencing around those sites before idiots wreck the plans…or lots of big dogs…with guns…” she offered a crooked grin at their laughter and closed the door, going in search of her wallet and jacket.

  Mariah was on the bike when Morgan approached from the side. She lifted the visor and waited.

  “I know this probably isn’t my business,” Morgan began uncomfortably. “But it’s bothering Eloise…”

  “What is? She hasn’t said anything…” Mariah returned anxiously. “Is she alright?”

  “It’s about Eli…” He watched the dark eyes narrow slightly, a guard going up that wasn’t a surprise. “Yeah…I figured that might be your reaction. And before you jump to conclusions, believe me, he hasn't said a thing to me. Eloise…mumbles in her sleep…”

  Mariah shook her head, laughing softly. “She’s so sweet…okay…give it to me…what do I need to know that will vindicate him?”

  “First off…Eloise is concerned she let him get close to you…when it had nothing to do with her,” Morgan paced slowly. “Second, he’s not a one night stand kind of guy. I’ve known him a long time…I also know…from experience…being tossed into the middle of the Paddington clan when you’re not used to it…or looking for it…can be a little smothering…and even a little scary…”

  “Morgan…I’ll find a way to reassure Eloise that I’m okay,” Mariah pulled her gloves on and shook her head slowly. “As for Eli…if it’s meant to be, it will. I don’t have any living relatives…not close ones…I think a big part of me wanted to run when Eloise made her offer. But I didn’t know what I was running to…or from…and to be honest, I was exhausted. Ten long years seemed to catch up with me all at once that night. Eloise offered me peace and quiet…or not…and it is my choice,” she smiled warmly. “I’m off to the health center…I’ll see you later…oh…Morgan…he must be a good guy if you’re vouching for him…thanks.”

  “Be careful out there…and thanks again for the thing last night,” Morgan wandered back to the front where he’d left his car, watching the large bike guided expertly out of the compound.

  Mariah had been forming a plan of sorts. One thing she learned early on in life was that males had a tendency to believe women with plans were a danger to themselves and something to be avoided at all costs. So she rarely discussed her ideas with anyone.

  She parked close to the center, her helmet tucked beneath her arm as she strode into what would become her home away from home, she thought with a warm feeling spreading as she wandered. She caught sight of Anya and waited to the side for her to be free.

  “Mariah! Come to explore?” Anya took a long drink from the bottle of chocolate liquid in her jacket pocket. “Chocolate soy milk…delicious.”

  “And good for you…actually…do you have a little time? I’ve got a suggestion I’d like to talk over with you,” Mariah followed her to the side corridor.

  “I am free unless something crazy happens,” she admitted, sinking gratefully behind her desk, her palm naturally going to the small bump growing in her middle. “I do not know which will drive me mad first…this child kicking like an international soccer player or Ian constantly thinking I am starving,” she confided with a happy laugh.

  “You look happy…no baby could ask for more,” Mariah said warmly. “Which brings me to my offer…I want to take an eight to four a.m. shift from now until the first of the year,” she held up a palm at the open mouth. “A minute…I don’t have kids…I don’t have a reason to sit around and do nothing…I want to take the shift so people who have places to go and people to be with…can…please…”

  Anya exhaled slowly. “You will make a great many friends, Mariah…are you sure? We have your office empty and being outfitted now…I can show you where it is…but for the shift you are suggesting, you won’t need it. The ER is staffed with an attending, you, a resident, an RN and a C N A for the hours you want. Unless something big happens…”

  “All I’d need is a place to put my gear when I come on duty,” Mariah told her with a casual shrug. “I bring sneakers in my bike…so I just need a place to store my helmet, jacket and boots…and my case with my laptop and wallet.”

  “You can use my office…here…that is not a problem…” Anya rubbed her neck. “I can not think of a reason to deny you…what you’re offering…” she met the wide brown eyes with a nod. “Alright. Yes…when?”

  “Tonight works for me. I’m helping with the little kids at the Emporium charity party until seven…then I’ll change and come right over,” Mariah nodded and smiled. “It’ll be good…”

  “You realize with the exception of large accidents like the other night, our evenings are filled with mostly over indulgence problems…the occasional incorrectly opened bottle of wine or champagne,” Anya remarked dryly. “You would be wise to have your computer to use or lots of books.”

  “It’s new…and just what I need right now, thank you,” she stood up and offered a palm to help Anya up. “You know it’ll only get more difficult with time…”

  “Yes…but it is not a bad thing…not at all,” she whispered lovingly. “It is the best ever Christmas gift to me…”

  “I’ll see you tonight. You’ll take care of the schedule?”

  “Absolutely. I will begin calling now and altering things…I will not be here, but I will leave you a copy for your records, Mariah,” Anya wandered off talking to herself, her note pad pulled from her pocket.

  Mariah rode through streets and wandered in small shops, stowing her purchases carefully before heading home to wrap things and put them beneath the tree. She grabbed a quick sandwich and checked her phone, her smile a little crooked. She hadn’t blocked him. Just put him on silence. He wasn’t calling but sending her cute text messages, most of them ending with his phone number.

  She was still shaking her head as she took off running through the lower level of the Emporium, unzipping her jacket as she ran. Breathless, she made it into the office, waving at the other two as her breathing caught up with her and she shed clothing, changing into the elf costume quickly.

  “I…was wrapping…things…” Mariah growled at the front of her outfit, sighing when Eloise stepped forward and straightened things out, helping with the laces. "I have got to leave the floor at seven,” she said as the three of them walked toward the carousel room. “I’m taking the eight to four shift at the health center until the New Year. That’ll give me time to change and get there…”

  “No problem…dad is usually reading to most of them by then,” Eloise said with a cheerful smile. “Two more nights until Christmas Eve!” She bubbled excitedly, her feet doing a hasty little jig.

  “You two better inform me on family traditions so I don’t screw up,” Mariah told them as they entered the large room, laughing, bouncing kids and parents all around. The parents were given a chance to shop with a gift certificate from the Emporium while the kids remained with Santa and the elves. Tonight, a lot of the parents opted to explore and probably just breathe for a few hours.

  Mariah lost herself in the games and laughter for a little over two hours before looking up and seeing Eli watching her, his hands shoved into his pockets. She bit her lip and turned back to the coloring book she was working on with the four year old on the center of the floor, both of them lying on their stomachs and studying the pictures before them. At seven, she got up and took the child with her to Eloise, whispering to her and disappearing out the side entrance.

  The night was very cool and very clear and dry. She couldn’t stop the image of Eli from her thoughts, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip as she rode. She didn’t want to hurt him, she just wasn’t sure what to say to him right now.
>
  Chapter Eight

  By midnight, Mariah was shaking her head as she left one of the bays, the stethoscope hanging freely from her neck as she let Carlie help the woman dress. Anya was right. Over indulgence of either food or alcohol seemed a way too common reason to visit the health center. Now she understood the supply of laxatives in the medicine cabinet. Sitting kicked back with your feet up was the best way to spend the night, she knew that from experience.

  She wasn’t aware of the man standing behind her when she lifted the heavy stainless tray and swung it hard against the back of a very large, bulky man’s head. He went down like a rock.

  Mariah dropped to her heels, her hand out to check his pulse before she hung her head and groaned aloud.

  “Clear! Help me get him in restraints,” she called out loudly, his presence finally registering when he stepped forward, familiar boots in her eye line.

  “You are the most unusual doctor I have ever met,” Eli said with genuine amazement in his voice as he moved to the guys shoulders. “I can get this end.”

  “Carlie!” Mariah took one leg and her nurse the other, both breathless by the time they had the brawny guy on the gurney. She watched Carlie and Doug fasten and tighten the restraints on the man’s wrists and ankles. “Put a large one around his chest. I want this sucker secure,” she growled. “Where do we hide the ice packs? And I want anything breakable moved to the edges of this room…”

  “Cabinet D, top drawer, back,” Carlie answered immediately, giving instructions to the C N A to help her move things around in the bay. “I’ll pull a copy of the video and put it with the night logs, Mariah.”

  Eli put his palm up, tilting her face toward him and wincing at the dark bruise forming at her temple. “What happened?”

  “Night security found him on the ground after closing and brought him here,” Mariah dropped to a stool and slammed the ice pack to the counter to activate it before holding it to her temple. “Tox screens are pending, but he’s on something…or even more than one something…he was unconscious…then all hell started breaking loose…”