by Terri Reed
“You like him,” Rob stated, his voice gruff.
Yes. She couldn’t lie to herself. She more than liked Tyler. Alarm fluttered through her.
But she was unwilling to engage in a conversation with Rob about her affection for the DEA agent. Instead she held up the two keys. “Let’s see if these fit the padlock.”
Rob inclined his head. “After you.”
She motioned to Tyler, letting him know where she was going, then walked with purpose to Santa’s House. The line had thinned; she’d bring Colin over for his picture with Santa after looking in the supply closet to see if Seth’s journal was hidden there.
She and Rob slipped inside the house. Thankfully, the big chair Santa sat in hid her and Rob from the camera’s lens as the last of the visitors had their picture taken with Santa. She fit the tiny key in the lock. It worked.
Pleased, she undid the padlock and cracked open the door to peer inside. The interior was dark. She groped for the chain that would turn on the single overhead light. Her finger curled around the chain and she tugged. Light dispersed the shadows. The closet had been emptied of the supplies it was supposed to hold. Instead, there was a small desk and a chair. A black book sat on the desk.
“Apparently Seth made himself a private little office,” Rob observed.
Excitement revved through Heather’s blood as she fingered the black book. This had to be Seth’s journal. He’d made himself a small refuge where he could make notes on all he had learned about the illegal drug operation. Heather picked up the book and thumbed through the pages, seeing names and dates and other notations. She wasn’t sure what they meant, but she knew she’d found Seth’s elusive notebook.
Closing the book and hugging it to her body, she quickly locked the closet back up; then she and Rob went outside. Heather wanted to show Tyler the book right away, but he was still talking on his cell. His gaze met her across the expanse separating them. She patted the book. He gave a thumbs-up sign, then held up a finger, which she figured meant he needed a few more minutes on his call.
Rob’s eyes narrowed, making the puckered scars on his face appear molten. “What did you find?”
“Another of Seth’s journals.” Though it was technically true, she couldn’t divulge the uniqueness of this particular notebook. “Did you know he kept journals since he was very young?”
“No, I didn’t know.”
“Liv found one from his high school years in his things at her town house,” Heather said. “Did you know that Seth was driving the car when my parents died?”
Something flashed in Rob eyes. Fear? Dismay? Guilt?
Heather couldn’t be sure. Rob seemed to be struggling with some inner conflict.
“Rob?”
Finally he looked up. His twisted and scarred face was awash with regret. “Seth confided in me not long after he was released from the hospital.”
Seth had suffered minor injuries. She’d never thought to question why he hadn’t been more banged up. The grief of losing her parents, after suffering the loss of Ken, had been almost more than she could bear. Those first few months were a fog. She’d cried herself to sleep many nights.
She pinned Rob with a direct look. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” Rob shifted on his cane.
“Heather?”
At the sound of her name, Heather turned around to find Liv hurrying toward her. Heather wished she’d thought to hide the book beneath her coat. Hugging it protectively, she smiled as Liv came to a halt in front of her. “Hi, Liv. How was your day?”
Liv’s focus was riveted to the book. “What’s that?”
“Oh, nothing much. Just a book,” Heather said, not wanting to get into a discussion that might lead to revealing what was going on at the tree farm.
“Is it another of Seth’s journals?” Liv lifted her gaze.
The hard coldness in her eyes confused Heather. She sought for some way to answer the direct question without lying. Seeing no other option, she said, “Yes, but it’s not a personal journal. It’s a ledger of farm transactions.”
“I want to see it,” Liv said and grabbed for the book.
Stunned, Heather tightened her hold on the journal. No way was she giving it up after all the time and energy, not to mention pain, she and Tyler had gone through to find it. Besides, what would Liv want with the book? “Liv, please. This isn’t for you.”
Liv tugged and twisted. “Give it to me.”
“Olivia! Stop.” Heather didn’t know how else to respond to Liv’s childish behavior.
“I want that journal!” Liv raked her fingernails across Heather’s knuckle.
“Owww,” Heather cried, involuntarily loosening her hold on the book. “Liv, what’s gotten into you?”
Rob reached for Liv’s arm. “Miss Dorsett, you need to let go.”
With Rob’s help, Heather regained her grip on the book and wrenched it away from Liv. “Olivia, why are you doing this? What does this book mean to you?”
Rob grabbed Liv again when she raised her arm as if to hit Heather. Liv let out a growl of pure rage and pushed Rob, hard enough that he stumbled to the ground on his unsteady leg. Then Liv ran toward the parking lot, her boots kicking up gravel in her wake.
Heather helped Rob to his feet. After assuring herself he was unhurt, she stared after Liv. She’d parked her car just outside the gate. Her sedan shot forward, spitting gravel as she took off at a fast speed down the village’s long drive. Then she hooked a right, tires squealing on the pavement, and disappeared from sight.
“That was so weird,” Heather said. “I’ve never seen her act so...”
“Crazy?” Rob supplied.
“Exactly.”
The sound of pounding feet drew her attention. Tyler and Nathanial ran over to Heather and Rob. “What was that about?” Tyler asked, his eyes dark with concern.
Heather shook her head. Her hand stung where Liv had gouged her. “I think Seth’s death is catching up to Liv and making her act out of character. She’s usually so composed and elegant.”
“She was pretty desperate to get her hands on the book Heather found in the closet,” Rob stated. “I don’t think it was grief driving her.”
Heather stared at Rob. What was he saying? Did he know what the journal contained? Did Liv?
Tyler noticed the book pressed to her chest. “Is that...?”
She said in an even tone, “One of Seth’s notebooks.”
Understanding and excitement built in his gaze. “Okay. Well, let’s get you back to the farmhouse so you can read it.”
“Heather, wait.” Rob assessed Tyler. “You’re not her business partner, are you? You’re some sort of law enforcement. DEA?”
Heather’s breath hitched. How did he know? Her attention flew to Tyler. The tense line of his jaw hardened his features, and the dangerous glint in his eyes made her want to step back.
“What makes you think that?” he asked.
Tyler’s voice was quiet, and yet the sharp, jagged tone sent a shiver down Heather’s spine. She’d never seen him like this. This was the cop who brought down drug dealers for a living.
“I’m observant.” Rob leaned on his cane. “I’ve noted you snooping around, asking questions. And if I have, so have others.”
“Others like who?”
Heather was glad Tyler asked the question because she wanted to know, as well.
Rob glanced around. “Not here. Let’s take this discussion to someplace more private.” Rob hobbled away toward the back of the buildings, where there was a small outer building used by the employees during their breaks and lunches. Nathanial was on Rob’s heels within seconds.
“Heather, you should stay,” Tyler said, holding out his hand for the book. “If this is some
sort of trap, I don’t want you anywhere near.”
Hanging on to the book, Heather shook her head. “No way. I’m not letting this book out of my sight until I’ve looked through it.” She lifted her chin. “Besides, you and Nathanial will protect me.”
His mouth pressed into a thin line. “Fine.”
She had to double her steps to keep up with his long stride as they made their way to the break house, as the employees affectionately called it. Heather followed Tyler inside and shut the door behind her.
Though it was only the four of them inside the building, Rob pinned her with a direct look and spoke in a low voice. “Do you believe your brother overdosed?”
She inhaled sharply at the question. Her gaze sought Tyler’s, but his focus was trained on Rob. She licked her lips and shook her head. “No. I don’t.”
“He didn’t,” Rob said with certainty. “I can’t prove it, but Seth was in trouble.”
She nodded, aware that Tyler’s hand rested on the butt of his weapon beneath his shirt and jacket. “What do you know?” she asked Rob.
“I know the people behind his death are ruthless,” he answered.
“Do you know who they are?” Tyler practically barked at Rob.
“A few months before Seth’s death he confessed to me that he’d allowed himself to be roped into permitting the farm to be used by a very vicious drug cartel. He was scared and wanted out but didn’t know how to get out from under the bad deal he’d made.”
Since it seemed Rob wanted to address only her, Heather asked the question Rob had ignored. “Do you know who on the farm is working for the cartel?”
“I have a few suspicions,” he admitted. “But nothing concrete. I didn’t want to get involved.” He turned to Tyler. “That’s why I implored Seth to contact the drug enforcement agency.”
A muscle in Tyler’s jaw twitched.
“Why didn’t you contact the police?” Nathanial asked.
Rob shrugged. “I’m not very popular around here. People believe that I murdered my wife and son. I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself.”
Pity stirred in Heather, but she couldn’t stop a spurt of anger, as well. If Rob had taken a chance and called the authorities, maybe Seth would be alive. And probably in jail.
“I tried to warn you, Heather,” Rob said. “When you returned home, I knew you were in danger.”
“You’re the one who called?”
He nodded. “Yes.” His face twisted. “I’m sorry I didn’t do more to help Seth.”
Finding compassion within her, she said, “He did listen to you. He called the DEA.” She put the book she held on the table. “And he kept records.”
“So you two are with the DEA,” Rob said.
“I’m DEA. Nathanial is with the Canadian Customs Border Patrol.”
“And the other one? Blake?”
Tyler raked a hand through his hair. “ICE.”
“I thought so. It seemed a little too coincidental that he had family to visit in Canada.”
The excuse Blake used as to why he wanted to drive the refrigerated truck across the border. Unfortunately, their hopes of catching the people waiting for the drugs hadn’t panned out. Hopefully they’d find what they needed to take the drug cartel down in the notebook. Heather sat at the table with the journal in front of her. Tyler dragged a chair over to sit next to her. Nathanial leaned over Tyler’s shoulder while Rob hung back.
“I should leave you to your investigation,” Rob said.
Tyler and Nathanial exchanged a look rife with meaning. Heather supposed the men still didn’t trust Rob and were afraid he’d either skip out or tell someone they’d found the book.
“For now, we’d like you to stay,” Nathanial said in a tone that left little doubt his words were a command and not a request.
Rob nodded but stayed far back as if getting too close to the book might somehow taint him.
Opening the book, Heather stared at Seth’s neat script.
“Look at this.” Tyler pointed to the notes. “Seth got names, dates and times. This is great.”
Heather wished she could share in his enthusiasm. But seeing the evidence that Seth died to keep hidden only filled her with sadness.
“This is bigger than we thought,” Nathanial pointed out. “Look at this. He names the suppliers in California who are bringing in the cocaine from Mexico.”
“And here.” Tyler’s voice echoed with excitement. “He gives the name and location of the Canadian buyer of the farm’s drug-stuffed Christmas trees.”
“And look at this.” Nathanial pointed to another notation. “Now we know what will be coming in with the balsam fir trees. OxyContin. Didn’t Don say that buyers from as far away as California would be picking up their trees?”
“Yes, he did,” Tyler said. “We need to bring Don in for questioning.” Tyler took a small notebook out of his back pocket and ripped out a page, then twisted in his seat to look at Rob. “I want you to make a list of anyone you suspect might be a part of the drug-smuggling ring.”
“Sure, I can do that,” Rob said and moved to the other side of the table. He took a pen out of his shirt’s breast pocket.
Heather turned the page and froze. The words written there jumped at her. Seth had named Olivia Dorsett, his fiancée, as the US contact for the Mexican drug cartel. Heather’s jaw dropped open. No way. This can’t be true.
Tyler’s hand covered hers. “That’s unexpected.”
But was it? Liv and Seth had met in rehab. She’d ingratiated herself into their family. She probably had seen a perfect opportunity to manipulate Seth into using the farm as cover for the drug cartel. Had she even loved Seth?
Heather’s nausea came back full force. She jammed her hands into her pockets to keep from showing how shaky they were. Her fingers flexed, then fisted. A terrifying thought screamed through her brain. Had Liv somehow orchestrated Seth’s overdose? Her breath stalled. Spots danced at the edges of her mind.
“I’ll let the bosses know,” Nathanial said and walked out with his cell in his hand.
Tyler closed the book and put his hand on her shoulder. “Breathe.”
Forcing air into her lungs, Heather tried to grapple with the revelations, but her mind didn’t want to believe it. “I want to go back up to the house.”
“Of course.” Tyler helped her to her feet. “We’ll stop by the bakery and pick up Colin. He was having a blast when I checked in on him. They were making marzipan.”
Before they left the break house, Tyler took the page filled with names from Rob. “Thank you for this. And for trying to protect Heather.”
Rob’s mouth twisted. “The Larsons are as close to family as I’ll ever have.”
His words filled Heather with tenderness. She laid a hand over his. “Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you and Colin,” Rob said in a voice thick with emotion. “Your parents believed in me when no one else would. I owe them so much.”
She nodded. Anxious to get Colin and go back to the house, she left the break house at a brisk walk. The gates were closed and only a few stragglers remained. She entered the bakery with Tyler close behind her.
The bakery was empty.
A tight fist of anxiety slammed into Heather’s gut. “Where? Oh, no. Where’s my son?”
A banging came from the back of the building. Tyler ran forward. The storage closet where Mrs. Theid kept her supplies was closed, the door locked. From inside, they could hear Mrs. Theid and Deputy Potter.
Tyler broke the lock and opened the door. “What happened?”
Mrs. Theid bustled over to Heather. “It was awful. Seth’s fiancée and a nasty man came in with a gun and forced us into the closet.”
“Colin?” Tyler asked the question that was lodged
in Heather’s throat.
Deputy Potter’s grim expression didn’t bode well. “They took him.”
Heather’s world shifted. Her knees buckled. Tyler caught her.
Her worst nightmare hadn’t prepared her for the searing agony slashing through her. “Liv has my son.”
THIRTEEN
Tyler held on to Heather and slowly eased into one of the bakery chairs. Deputy Potter was already on Tyler’s phone calling in the kidnapping. The distress of learning that Liv had taken off with Colin swept through Tyler.
He hadn’t seen that one coming. Liv had snowed them all with her very convincing act of the grieving fiancée. To think she was the one to orchestrate bringing the drugs into the state of Idaho and using the Larson Christmas tree farm as a way to smuggle illegal substances across the Canadian border boggled the mind. Tyler had to give Seth credit for going against the woman he’d loved by being willing to bring down the cartel. But why hadn’t Seth told Tyler Liv was involved? Had he hoped by keeping her part in the drug cartel secret that somehow the authorities wouldn’t find out she was in league with the ring and would therefore avoid prosecution?
Tyler crouched down next to Heather and smoothed back a lock of dark hair that had covered her face. Her knuckles turned white with the grip she had on Seth’s journal. Her face lost all color, and her breathing was rapid. Shock was setting in. He had to bring her out of it. “Heather, honey, look at me.”
She took an audible breath. Fury deepened the color of her eyes. “She has my baby,” she ground out. “We have to find her. Now.”
Not shock. Fury. A mother’s fury. His surprise rapidly morphed into admiration at the fire he saw, hot enough to bring back the color to her face. She was a strong, capable woman with a fierce love for her son. She was a fighter. Good for her. “We will.” He almost added I promise but they’d already had that conversation. So instead he said, “We’ll do everything humanly possible to find Colin. You have to trust me and God.”
