by Piper Stone
Good. Imagine what I’ll do when I see you again.
Giggling, she sent a smiley face and barely hit send when her phone rang. Unknown. Fuck. One, two, three, four, five. She answered. “I told you, fucker, to leave me alone.”
“I guess I don’t have to ask why you’re calling.”
The voice was male and gruffer than she remembered, but still the same teasing demeanor. “Detective Braxton. I’m sorry. I just... I didn’t know who was calling.”
“Unknown caller. Remember? The protocol? I must admit, I enjoyed your tirade the other night.” His laugh was genuine.
“What? You called me before?” Stunned, she clenched her other fist, resisting jumping up and down. She should have guessed, remembering from before.
“A few times in fact. I apologize, but I didn’t want to leave a message. Just in case,” Detective Braxton stated. “Can you talk?”
“I can. I thought someone, I thought he found me.”
“That’s why I was trying to call you, to give you some good news for a change.”
Nervous, she walked to the front window, placing her hand on the glass. “Please tell me he’s in jail.”
“You bet he is. He was tried and convicted to a life term. The charges are extensive and there’s no way any slick attorney is going to get him out of jail this time. Tony Scavuli won’t be bothering you any longer.”
She began to pant and slid down on the floor, lightheaded and nauseous. Visions of the fire, the courtroom and the constant threats flooded her senses, filling her ears with echoes.
“Laney. Are you all right?” The detective’s voice held concern. “Are you still in Pennsylvania?”
“I’m fine and Montana. Seemed like Missoula would be a good place and away from everyone. Are you certain, Detective? I mean, what about his goons? They did all the dirty work. Remember? They were…” Horrible. Cruel. She could still see grinning faces, ugly scars. Why hadn’t she known from the beginning?
“Breathe for me. Okay? Two were shot last year and four convicted with him. The men who threatened you won’t be bothering you any longer. I waited until I was certain.”
Tears streamed down her face and she cowered next to the wall, rocking back and forth. “It’s over? It’s really over?”
Detective Braxton laughed. “It’s over, honey. You’re free to live your life. I hope this makes you breathe easier.”
“It does. Oh God. Do my parents know?” When he hesitated, she gripped the phone tighter. “What? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Your dad is very ill.”
The words hit her hard. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Cancer. I don’t know all the details. I wish I did. As you can imagine, I haven’t been able to talk to them at least until now. I paid them a visit last week to give them the news about Tony. I thought that might ease the pain of your death. They were still upset as you can imagine,” he said then sighed. “I know this is hard, Laney, but at least you can live. You don’t have to run ever again.”
She coughed as the tears continued to fall. She’d gone along with the plan, allowing everyone to think she was dead to protect them. The ruse had worked. “Is it okay to call them?”
There was silence on the other end.
“Detective, I can’t lie to them any longer! If I’m truly safe and no one can get to me, I should be able to call them,” she insisted.
“You’re right but keep in mind, this will be a significant shock. Give them a call, but I’d still maintain a quiet lifestyle. I’m not suggesting there is any reason to fear anyone else in Tony’s life, but playing it safe isn’t a bad idea.”
“I understand. I just… My parents are all I have.” She could hear the crack in the detective’s voice. She’d never be completely free. Tony had too many connections, but at least she didn’t have to run away again.
“You deserve a life. Give your mother a call. I’m certain she’d appreciate it.”
“Thank you for everything. All the years helping me. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I don’t know how to thank you.” The words sounded garbled, echoing in her ears.
“Just have a happy life. I’ll keep the number active in case, but I don’t anticipate you needing to use the connection any longer. I’m so glad, Laney. Just so glad.”
“I am too. Thank you again.” As he ended the call, she folded and eased onto the floor, cradling her arms. “Topper. It’s over. The nightmare is over.”
Topper bounded on her, nuzzling her neck, her arms and licking her face.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down onto the floor. “Baby. We’re safe. Mommy is safe. I love you so much. We have a home, a forever home.”
The world seemed to move by slowly, so much so she could hear her heart thumping, the beating against her chest. She was in a vacuum, the ringing remaining. Wiping tears away, she managed to sit up and was suddenly so cold. There were so many things she wanted to do. Run in the snow, scream from the mountains, but as her thoughts moved to her father, and his condition, she stiffened. She hadn’t been able to be there for him or for her mother. How could she forgive herself?
She knew her mother’s number by heart, had memorized the change the day her parents had been forced to move. As she picked up the phone, staring at the screen, she smiled and forced the tears to cease. This wasn’t a time to be crying. Her hand shook so badly as she tried to dial that she had to try three times before she hit the correct buttons. When the phone started ringing, she almost chickened out. Half expecting an answering machine, when she heard her mother’s voice, she began to weep. “Mommy?”
Garcia rubbed his hands on his jeans before entering the hospital. He hated these places. As he walked toward the main desk, he stared at the text. At least she’d responded.
“Can I help you?”
“James Hatcher?”
“Yes, he was just moved to 510. Are you a family member?” she asked, a curt look on her face.
“Just a friend.”
She scrutinized him, including his attire before nodding. “Fifteen minutes. He needs his rest. There’s been too many people trying to see him during the last two days.”
He thought about the comment, remembering he had no one, and nodded. “Fifteen minutes. Promise.” He found the elevator easily enough and tried to figure out who might have come to see him. Family. Between what he’d heard just after the fire to what his captain had told him seemed entirely different.
Garcia stood outside the man’s room for a full minute before going inside. He could tell the man was sleeping. Very quietly he walked closer and was able to smile. Mr. Hatcher was resting comfortably, a single IV in his arm.
As if sensing his presence, James opened his eyes, fear flashing in them at first then recognition. He reached out, patting Garcia’s hand. “You’re the boy who saved me.” His voice was scratchy but strong.
“I’m one of the firefighters, yes, but there were others. How are you doing?”
“I’m in here,” he huffed and shot a look to the door.
“I’ve heard you’re going to be good as new,” Garcia said, resisting laughing. With all the visitors, there were no flowers or cards or any acknowledgment that anyone had been to see him.
“Remains to be seen.” James scooted up in bed. “I thought you might be one of them.”
“Them?”
“Cops. Fire investigator. Forgot what his name was, but not a nice man.”
Garcia grinned as he pulled the single chair closer and sat down. “Frederick Nelson and he’s one of the good guys.”
“Very accusatory if you ask me,” James sneered.
“I wanted to ask you if you remember asking for help, at the fire I mean.”
James glanced at Garcia up and down, a faraway look in his eyes. “Son, I hate to say this, but I don’t remember too much about that day. I was scared. Not gonna lie. The fire was so damn hot and happened so fast. After the smoke started rolling in, I had trouble breathi
ng and remember almost nothing until I woke up in the hospital. Except I remember your face so thank you for what you did.”
Garcia wasn’t certain if he was disappointed or relieved. Rising to his feet, he patted James’ hand. “I’m just glad Stoker and I were there to save you as well as your animals.”
“My animals. I miss them. I hear my neighbor is taking care of them.” James seemed to fade away, the light in his eyes dimming.
“I’ll let you rest now.” Garcia walked toward the door and turned back. James seemed preoccupied, almost as if he didn’t know Garcia was in the room. Sighing, he walked out. Maybe Stoker was right. He’d pushed himself to find some magical key to life, longing to be a hero just like everyone else seemed to be. Time to be himself, live his life as he wanted to. Time to grow up.
He had some thinking to do, but for the first time in months, a light seemed to be shining ahead of him. Things were going to get a hell of a lot better.
As he walked out of the hospital and toward his truck, he couldn’t stop thinking about the two men who’d shot at him. Were they after him or some hidden treasure at the Hatcher place? You bet he was going to continue snooping.
Monday morning dawned with a slender view of the sun, but Garcia remained apprehensive. He’d driven back to the Hatcher ranch and found nothing indicating a reason for the intruder’s visit. Perhaps they’d been hired to watch the place. But by whom?
He’d found the address easily enough. Troy Bruester worked for a small but reputable attorney firm located on the Northside of town. While his office wasn’t in the most fashionable district of Missoula, he’d heard enough to know every attorney made good money. He parked and stood outside of his truck as he figured out what he was going to say.
Well, he’d think of something by the time he met with the man. Everything he’d found out about Troy indicated he’d taken a very different career path after moving from Miami. His career in Miami had been initially measured by lavish dinners and other corporate events. Then, he’d dropped out of sight. Even with the digging he’d been able to do, the only additional information he found was a newspaper article from four years before. At only two paragraphs long, there was little information and had left him with too many questions.
He’d made a note with the reporter’s name, but doubted his recent email message would yield anything worthwhile. Yesterday’s news was just that.
He stood as the receptionist finished a phone call, tapping his fingers on the sleek looking counter. The building had seen better days, but the furnishings were a recent purchase and no doubt high dollar. He was in the wrong line of business.
“Can I help you?” she asked, her eyes obviously happy to see him.
“Troy Bruester?”
“Do you have an appointment?” she purred.
“No, I honestly don’t. I just need a few minutes of his time. Garcia Puevos. I gave a presentation at his son’s school.” Grinning, he scanned the entire area as she checked what had to be Troy’s schedule.
“Tell you what. He’s here. Let me take you back. He has a client coming in about fifteen minutes but I’m certain he’d want to meet with you. I’m Angela by the way.” She gave him a more than polite once over as she beckoned him to follow her down the hall to the last door at the end. “Right in there.”
“Thank you.” Garcia waited until she was out of his view before tapping on the door and just walking in. “Troy?”
Troy looked startled as he looked up then rose to his feet. The recognition came within seconds. “The smokejumper. Right?”
“That’s me. I came to ask you a few questions.”
“About?”
Garcia closed the door. “Laney Cavanaugh. Do you want to tell me why in the hell you’re stalking her?”
“Hey, Dad! I got an ‘A plus’ today. Didn’t I, Miss Cavanaugh?” Jaime’s face was lit up, his eyes bright and shining as his father walked into the room.
Laney noticed how haggard Troy seemed, his face pinched and his skin carrying a grayish color. “You did such a fantastic job on the report. You deserved the grade.” She walked behind Jaime as he jumped up and down, this time acting like a kid instead of an adult. “Hi.” Then she noticed the cut on his lip and the yellowing around his eye. “Whoa. Were you in a fight?”
“Dad. You look terrible. I think you need a vacation,” Jaime huffed.
Troy offered a waning smile before crouching down, pulling his son into an embrace. “Very proud of you, son, and Dad is just fine. Just fell in the parking lot.”
She could see a change in the man, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. The hug was tight, longer than she’d normally seen. “Fell, huh? That looks less like a fall and more like…” She didn’t finish her sentence given Jaime’s presence. There was no doubt he’d been in some kind of fight.
“I’m fine. Really. Worked all weekend. The grind. Paying the bills. I wasn’t paying attention and tripped on some concrete earlier today. I should sue the owners of the building.” The laugh was hollow.
Nothing about Troy seemed the same, but he didn’t seem to want to open up to her. “I understand. Well, Jaime did great today. He’s doing so much better with his schoolwork. I see marked improvement. Whatever you’re doing is working.”
Troy nodded and looked away. “Jaime, honey. Can you give your teacher and me just a couple minutes?”
“Uh-huh, Dad. You want to ask her out, don’t you?” Jaime grinned and ran toward the door.
Breathing out, Troy laughed, wincing when he did so. “Kids.”
She bit back a laugh and folded her arms. “Do you need some ice?”
“No, really. I’m fine. I just wanted to let you know that your boyfriend made it very clear that you belong to him. I mean, I don’t blame him at all. You’re a beautiful lady. I’ll back off. Okay?”
“My boyfriend?” Laney could feel heat rising in her face.
“Garcia. He’s very, um…” Troy laughed and touched his face.
“He did this to you?” She was horrified and would never have expected Garcia to do anything like this.
Troy shrugged. “Look. He just wanted to talk to me about why I was stalking you and honestly, it must have looked like I was. I’m sorry. Okay?”
She blinked several times as her anger increased. “I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry. He had no right to come talk to you and to hit you is just…”
“Wait. Don’t blame him because—”
“No. He doesn’t speak for me. He and I haven’t even gone out on a date, for Christ’s sake,” she interrupted. Why had he overreacted? Granted, her story and her heightened level of fear, but to beat up Troy?
“He cares about you. I can see that.” Troy gave her a genuine smile.
“I’m sorry, Troy. I really am. I’m honestly not certain I want to see anyone right now. Just getting my life in order.”
“Finally. That’s good. I’m glad to hear it.”
Finally. The word was the truth. She had no idea what else to say.
“Well, I should go. Going to try and rest tonight.”
“Get some ice on that eye,” she whispered.
“I will.” Troy turned to go then tipped his head. “I come on hard, but I know when I’m beaten. He’s a lucky man.”
She watched as he walked out, his head held down, riding a look of defeat. “Huh.” After grabbing her bag, she stormed out of the school to her car.
Laney easily found the address of his house and wasn’t surprised he lived near the river. By the time she drove up to the small ranch, she was furious. Yes, they’d spent time together, having sex and yes, she’d told him more personal aspects about her life than she had anyone. But to go to a man’s office and beat him up? That was more than just uncalled for.
She’d changed into jeans and boots and the car was barely slammed into gear, the engine cut off when she was out the door and stomping toward the porch. Her boots thudded against the wood as she stormed onto the platform, s
macking her hand against the wood.
Bam! Bam!
Only seconds later, she heard footsteps and huffed as she placed her hands on her hips.
The door was swung open, a look of shock on Garcia’s face.
Wham!
Her fist hit him across the cheek, the force just enough he was shoved back, tumbling on the floor.
“What the hell?” Garcia reacted, slapping his hand over his face as he narrowed his eyes. “What is going on?”
“That’s for what you did!” she snapped and remained in the doorway.
“You’re going to have to be a little clearer.” He managed to get to his feet and held out his hand. “Powerful swing you got there. Goddamn.”
“For accosting Troy. Why in the hell did you do that?”
Garcia grunted. “Do you want to come in and talk about it or stand out there in the cold?”
“Tell me!”
“Because you’re terrified of him.” He walked toward her, shaking his head back and forth. “Because I care about you.”
The angst in his voice and the way he held such concern in his eyes as he towered over her was so powerful. “I was overreacting. I told you that.” She couldn’t look him in the eye. Poor Troy had nothing to do with her irrational fears.
“Will you come in now, so we can talk about this?” He tugged at her arm until he could close the door.
She pulled away from his hold and walked further into the living room. “I can take care of myself.”
“I never said you couldn’t, but from what you told me, whoever is after you is a dangerous person. You said you were bothered by the attorney, so I checked him out.”
“Checking him out is one thing but taking out your aggression and your concern? He has a child to take care of. What do you think that poor little boy thought seeing his daddy’s face beaten up?”
Garcia reared back then shook his head. “What are you talking about? Yes, I went to his office and confronted him, even calling him a stalker, but that’s it. We had a basic conversation and I believe he’s nothing more than an infatuated guy.”
