by Jill Sanders
“Hey.” He frowned down at the images of a younger and much chubbier version of himself looking up from the pages in Mia’s hands.
“Hey.” She smiled up at him and he instantly knew that she’d been crying.
“You okay?” He frowned, looking between her and his mother.
“Yes.” She waved him off and wiped a tear from her eyes. “Your mother was just telling me about something funny.”
She stood up and shut the photo book, then turned and hugged his mother.
“Thank you, Rea, for… everything,” Mia said softly.
“You’re welcome.” His mother beamed up at Mia. “Come back anytime.” His mother reached up and touched Mia’s cheek with her hand. Then she turned to him. “We’ll see you this weekend.” His eyebrows shot up in question. “Mia has invited us over for dinner on Saturday. That’s Tom’s first evening off.”
“Sure,” he said, taking Mia’s hand in his. “Ready?” He wanted to fill her in on what he’d discovered. He hoped to have a chance to swing by Nick’s place, since he knew the man started his night shift soon.
“Thank you, Rea.” Mia kissed his mother on her paper-thin cheek. As they started walking out, his mother rushed over and handed Mia a bag.
“Don’t forget your bag.”
“Oh, thank you so much. I’m going to cherish these.” Mia hugged the bag to her chest.
“You’re welcome.” His mother stood in the doorway as they drove away.
“What’s in the bag?” he asked.
“Your mother gave me one of the T-shirts she makes.” She pulled out a pale-yellow T-shirt. There on the left side was a small black crow. His spirit animal or so the elders had said every time his mother had taken him to see them.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Your mom makes and sells these.” She smiled down at the shirt in her lap, then pulled out a pair of silver earrings with topaz crows. “They’re beautiful.”
“She does?” He frowned at the items. His mother had always made items like this, but she’d never sold them before. “Since when?”
“She said since Blackfoot passed away,” Mia answered.
Brian’s chest tightened. “He did?”
“Yes, did you know him well?” Mia asked.
“He was my grandfather,” Brian answered softly. He wondered why his mother hadn’t let him know.
“I’m sorry.” She reached over and touched his hand.
He shrugged and tried to put the hurt behind him. It wasn’t as if he’d been close to the old man. Hell, he’d been a hundred years old when Brian was a kid. He should have expected the old man to pass long before then.
“Where are we going?” Mia asked, looking up.
“There’s just one more place I want to check out. It’s an old cave. The one my uncle used to stash Kristen when he kidnapped her.”
“That’s right, your mother was telling me all about how you discovered Dennis was your uncle. It’s just all so… strange. Your father, your uncle.” She shook her head. “I mean, the strangest thing in my family is that my mother is a police officer.”
“Oh?” he asked. “Not a lot of cops in your family?”
“No, my family is old mob.” She sighed. “My great uncle is doing time for giving a pair of shoes to a man back in the eighties.” She smiled.
“Shoes?”
“Cement ones.” She shook her head.
“They actually did that?”
“Yes. My great-grandfather was one of the first mob bosses in Chicago.” She looked out the window.
“What about your dad’s side?”
“I’m not sure.” She shrugged. “My mother doesn’t really talk about them. I’ve never met anyone from his side. After he died, it’s like he never existed.” She turned back to him. “Your mother seems to think I have some American Indian blood in me.”
He thought about it and glanced her way. “I can see that. I mean, a lot of people do and don’t know it.”
“I suppose,” she said. “So, what did you find out?”
He filled her in quickly and told her that they would make tonight’s outing a trip to Nick’s place. The guy was still living in the same old house that his folks had abandoned years ago for the city, and Brian knew where he hid his extra key.
They parked the rental on the hillside in the parking lot at the base of the nature trails. Even though the snow was still falling, the trails were all muddy and cleared of snow thanks to a brief burst of sunlight.
He waited as she pulled on the hiking boots that he’d put in the back of the car for her. Then he pulled out a backpack full of snacks and water that he’d put together for their journey.
“You came prepared,” she said, tying her boots.
“I grew up around here, I know how quickly weather can come in. The last thing we’d want is to get stuck up in the hills without supplies. It’s supposed to keep snowing.”
He glanced up at the sky just as more clouds covered the sun, sending the area into shaded darkness.
“Okay, thankful you know what you’re doing.” She fell in step with him.
“You’ve been hiking before,” he said.
“Sure,” she said sarcastically.
“You haven’t?” He frowned at her.
“No, I’m a city girl.” He watched her dodge a tree root.
The trails were muddy, but the rest of the area was still blanketed in white snow. Some rocks and tree roots were jutting out of the cover, but for the most part, everything looked clean and freshly covered with white powder.
He stopped quickly, sending her falling into the back of him. He turned around and smiled down at her.
“So, you’re a hiking virgin?” he joked.
She shoved him in the chest, making him laugh.
“Get going, Laster.” She nudged him again, and he chuckled and started walking again.
“So, there are a few caves.” He motioned to the pathways ahead of them. “We’ll take the closest ones first.” He thought about the area and knew that it would be a perfect spot for drug drops.
“Wouldn’t other hikers stumble across the caves?” she asked.
“Sure, everyone in town knows of them, but still, it’s a suitable place for drops. Not a lot of people hike when it’s cold. It’s one of the main reasons Dennis put Kristen here.” He glanced over his shoulder. “They wouldn’t have found her if Dennis hadn’t left her shoe in his back seat.” He shook his head. “That man was always stupid.”
“How long was she in the cave?” Mia asked.
“Too long,” he answered as they started heading up the pathway. He tried not to think of the times he’d been rude to the woman who was now married to his cousin.
Hell, being home, he found it hard to not think about all the jackass things he’d done to others in town. How was he supposed to be a changed man when everyone in town looked at him like he was still the old Brian? Everyone except Mia.
Chapter 9
She tried to keep up with Brian, but she was struggling now. His legs were longer than hers and the hill was slippery.
When he glanced back and noticed she was falling behind, he came back for her and took her hand to help her through the worst of the muddy path.
When they reached a small crest, he turned to the left and she could finally see the caves he was talking about.
One of them was no more than a hole in the rocks and mud. Still, he pulled out a flashlight and shined the light around the small space.
“It doesn’t look like anyone’s disturbed this one for a long time.” He dusted off his jeans from the snow and mud. “We’ll head up to the next one.” He motioned towards the larger caves a few yards up the hillside.
By the time they made it to the entrance of the first one, the snow was falling even more. They’d had a slight break earlier, which had caused most of the white stuff to melt and turn into sludge. She doubted the pathway would still be clear when they headed back to the car.
The next cave was big enough for them both to walk into. They used the flashlights that Brian had packed in his bag and looked around.
Other than a few hibernating bats, which totally freaked Mia out, they didn’t find anything.
The last cave was the largest. There were makeshift walls, including what used to be a large wooden wall with a door in it. The door was lying on the cave ground in pieces.
“This is where Kristen was kept,” Brian said, nodding to the small space.
She couldn’t imagine being kidnapped and stuffed in the dark hole. How had the woman survived?
“Was it in the winter?” she asked, feeling the chill race through her. She had the benefit of her coat and sweater, along with her jeans and boots, and wondered what Kristen had been wearing. “If so, how did she stay warm?”
“Thankfully, it was spring. Still, it was during a storm. They found her wrapped up in an old sleeping bag.” He shook his head. “It was a miracle she survived.” His flashlight moved around the small space.
“Looks like someone has been here.” He nodded to the dirt and she could see fresh footprints and a spot that looked like a large crate had sat there recently.
She glanced around. “Whatever and whoever was here they’re obviously gone now.”
“We’ll add this to our rotation of places to check back. Come on, let’s get back down before it gets too slippery.”
When they stepped out, she could tell it was going to be a rough trip down the hillside.
“I’ve got you,” he said, taking her hand. “Step on the sides of the trail, keep out of the slick mud.”
She did as he suggested and found it easier to make her way down the hill. By the time they hit the bottom, she was exhausted. Her thighs burned from the excursion and her toes and fingers were numb from the cold.
“Are you okay?” he asked when she started rubbing her hands together. Her fingers started stinging and aching, and she felt like they would never get warm again.
“Sure. Maybe next time bring some gloves,” she added as she got into the car.
“Right.” He sighed. “Sorry.” He turned the key in the ignition, but nothing happened. Not even a sputter from the engine. “Damn.”
“What?” She thought about freezing in the car until a tow truck could make it there.
“I’ll look.” He pulled the hood release and got out.
She wasn’t about to get out and look under the hood of the car. She didn’t know anything about it, anyway, and wanted to stay where it was at least warm enough that she wouldn’t freeze.
He looked under the hood for less than a second, then came back and got behind the wheel.
“What is it?” she asked, hoping the car would start now.
“Someone took out the battery.” He frowned over at her.
“What?” She sat up a little more.
“It’s gone.” He pulled out his phone.
“The whole thing?”
He dialed a number and then waited while the phone rang. “Hey, it’s Brian. We’re up at the state park.” She heard a man talking while Brian listened. “Right, well, we came back and someone’s stolen our car battery. I don’t know how they got into the hood… yeah.” He waited. “Alright. See you soon.” He hung up.
“Well?” she asked, reaching into the back to see if there was anything else she could throw over herself to keep warm.
“Tom’s on his way up here with a new battery.”
“How does he know what kind?” she asked.
“He saw the rental the other day.”
“Why would someone steal our battery?” She glanced around into the almost white-out conditions that surrounded them. “What did you say as you were asking around?”
“Not much, I thought, but obviously I ruffled someone’s feathers.” He sighed and leaned back. “Our cover might be blown.”
She thought quickly about having to go back home to her empty apartment or even the possibility of going onto another job. In the past, she would have thought nothing of it, but now… she didn’t want to leave Haven, not yet. Not like this.
“It could just be a break-in. Someone needing some extra cash.” She thought about it. “Back on this job in Bozeman, someone broke into my rental and stole the battery and the stereo. I was told there was a group of thieves busting into the hood and taking what they could sell. Batteries are a quick fifty bucks. Doesn’t seem like much, but it’s enough to buy drugs, and junkies will do anything to get a fix.”
Brian sighed and glanced around. “Yeah, but this isn’t Bozeman.”
“No, it’s not.” She ran her hands up and down her arms, trying to get warm.
“Here.” He removed his coat and handed it to her.
“I can’t take your coat; you’ll freeze before Tom gets here.” She tried to hand it back to him, but her hands were shaking too bad.
“I’m actually still hot from the hike. Go on, I’ll let you know if I get cold.”
She doubted it, but after he laid it over her, the warmth felt too good to deny.
“Okay, but the moment you get cold…”
“I’ll let you know.” He pulled out his cell phone and shot off a text. “I’m just letting Carter know what’s happening,” he said, before hitting send.
“What does he say?” she asked after hearing his phone chime with a response.
“Stay put. It could just be a coincidence,” he answered with a sigh.
“See.” She rested her head back and closed her eyes. “God, how did Kristen survive even an hour in that cave?” She felt her entire body shake.
“Hey.” Brian’s voice was closer to her and when she opened her eyes, she could see worry behind the blueness of them. “Stay with me. Tom’s here.”
“He is?” She frowned. She had just shut her eyes for a moment. How had the man gotten up to them so quickly?
“Yeah, are you okay?” He touched the back of his hand to her forehead. “Damn, you’re burning up.”
“I am?” She rested her head back and closed her eyes. She didn’t care, she felt like she was freezing. What she wanted was another hot bath and something warm to eat and drink.
“Mia?” When Brian’s voice woke her again, she frowned at the sound of the car’s engine and realized that they were already back in town. “You with me?” he was asking her.
“Yeah, I’m here.” Her head felt dull and even though the car was warm and the heat blasting her, her body still was shaking.
“I’m taking you to the clinic.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Insurance will give us away.”
“What?”
“Our insurance is government funded. Any of the medical staff will know that.” She closed her eyes again. “I just need some aspirin and a hot bath,” she said, falling asleep again.
“Damn,” she thought she heard him say as the car turned around.
She woke when he lifted her out of the car.
“I’ve got you,” he said softly.
“I’m just cold and tired.” She hated the sound of her voice as she whined.
“We’ll get you inside and warmed up.” His chest vibrated under her ear as he talked. She sighed, enjoying his warmth and the feeling of his hard chest under her head.
She drifted in and out as he carried her up to her room and removed her jacket and boots. When he started to tug her jeans down, she helped him and tried to climb under the covers of the bed.
He stopped her. “Let’s get you in a warm bath,” he suggested.
“Hot,” she corrected.
“Warm, lukewarm to cool. I Googled it. Here, take these.” He handed her two pills.
She swallowed them down and finished pulling off her clothes, only then hearing the water in the next room running.
Trying to stand, she felt her head swim and was quickly picked up.
“Sorry.” She sighed. “I hate being sick.”
“Yeah, who doesn’t. You climb in.” He set her on the side of the tub. “I’ll go
make you some hot tea.”
“Okay.” She looked down at the sudsy water. He’d poured some bubble bath into her water for her. Smiling, she tossed off the rest of her clothes and climbed in. Shivering at the chilly water, she turned the knob until hot water came out, sending steam into the room. Tucking her legs tight to her chest, she closed her eyes and rested her forehead on her knees.
“Here,” he said, waking her once again. “That’s too hot.” He turned the water to cool again and she shivered. “Your tea.” He held out a mug.
“It’s too cold.” She frowned at the cup.
“The tea or the water?”
“Both,” she said after a drink.
“Babe”—he touched her forehead again— “you’re running a fever. Everything’s too cold.”
“Right,” she said as her teeth started chattering. She took another sip and then set it on the side of the tub.
There was a shelf running around the large sunken tub. It was why she’d chosen the room in the first place. It even had a pillow for her to lay her head on. Resting back, she tried to tell her mind that she was not cold. That the water was hot. Soon, she was able to relax as the shivers slowly stopped.
“Better?” he asked, and she realized that the water had cooled even more. He must have left her alone in there for a long time, since she felt like she’d slept a little more.
“Yes.” She did feel better. Her head was clearer, and she’d lost the feeling that she was cold. Her body ached, as if her skin had been shattered and cut. Still, she knew that the worst of the fever was over. Now, all she needed was something warm in her stomach and a very long nap in a soft bed.
“Ready to get out?” he asked. “I’ve made some soup for you.”
“Yes,” she sighed, thinking about enjoying something hot to eat.
He held out a large white towel for her to step into. When she stood up, she felt instantly light-headed. His arms wrapped around her instantly, holding her in the towel as he helped her step out of the deep tub.
“Okay?” he asked.
“Yes.” She chuckled. “I just feel very weak.”
“I shouldn’t have taken you up the hill in the snow. I could have gone myself.”
