Living in Shadow

by Georgia Florey-Evans

  “She yanked off part of a fake wig, so we know he was disguised. Our best artist is there working with her on a composite sketch as we speak. Besides the Chicago PD stepping up security around the hospital, the FSA is putting Fletcher and Warburton on the job. Your parents are safe.”

  “What can I do?” There had to be something. “Should I come up there?”

  Elliott’s voice was troubled when he spoke. “I think it’s safer for your family right now if you stay away. Maybe this was a fishing expedition to see if you’re still alive. Try and get you to come out of hiding to take care of your mom.”

  The idea his parents may have been used like pieces on a chess board didn’t sit right with him at all.

  Elliott’s voice came across the line again. “Do you think we need to move you, Beau? What do your instincts tell you? Has Dohner found out you’re still alive?”

  Hardy forced his hectic thoughts to slow so he could think logically. “What does Fowler say about the undercover operation?”

  “Still not even a hint the old man knows you’re alive.” Elliott sounded dubious. “We have to consider whether or not we have someone close enough to know everything he thinks.”

  “No information from Fowler”

  “He has one agent working in Dohner’s office, but most of the time she’s fending him off. He couldn’t tell me about anybody else.”

  Protocol. Hardy sat silently for a few minutes, considering his options. “Can you fax the sketch Mom comes up with down here to the sheriff’s office? If I recognize him as one of Dohner’s men, we’ll have to consider relocating more than just me, Elliott.”

  “I know.” Elliot sounded very unhappy. “But if it’s not one of Dohner’s men, we’re shooting in the dark, Beau.”

  Shooting in the dark. That’s the same way he felt about the cases he was working there in Shadow. “It seems like there’s an awful lot of that in my life right now,” he admitted. “Let’s just sit tight until I see the sketch. I’ll go down to the station and wait. Then I’ll call you back just as soon as I see it.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” Elliott agreed. “Are you sure you still want to help the sheriff down there?”

  Elliott hadn’t liked it, and Rich Stephens had been nearly apoplectic when he told them about his decision to extend his stay in Shadow. But Hardy knew what he had to do. “Unless I know for sure Dohner is onto me, I have to stay and help clear this up. There’s too much of a chance I’m the cause of it, and I’m not going to run off and leave a mess for other people to clean up. I feel like I already had to do that once when I left the Dohners.”

  “You did what you had to do,” his brother-in-law reminded him. His tone of voice changed. “Why don’t you take a minute to call your mom? It will make both of you feel better.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt her work on the sketch.” Hardy said.

  “So, don’t talk to her very long. Just hear her voice and know for yourself that she’s okay,” Elliott urged.

  They made arrangements for what to do once Hardy saw the sketch. Then after Elliott once more assured him that his family, including Callie and the kids, were safe, Hardy hung up.

  His hands were shaking as he retrieved a soft drink from the small refrigerator of his camper. His mom could have been hurt, or if she hadn’t shown up when she did, his dad would be…No. It didn’t do any good to think like that. He opened the can and took a drink that left it half empty before picking his phone back up.

  Sharon Davis answered on the second ring.

  “It’s me, Mom.”

  “Oh, Beau, I have never in all my life been as furious as I am right now.” He had expected his mom to sound afraid, not outraged. “The nerve of that beast to come in here and try to kill a defenseless man. If I’d have had a better grip on that bedpan, he’d have a good knot on his head.” Satisfaction filled her voice. “At least he’ll have a shiner.”

  Hardy had to ask. “You blackened his eye with a bedpan?”

  “Well, it was the only thing I could reach.” Defiance laced his mother’s voice. “I wish I could have stuck the IV pole—”

  “Dad’s okay, though, Mom.” He knew his parent well enough to know she would be mortified later if he let her finish that declaration. “How’s the sketch coming?”

  “As good as it can.” She seemed calmer. “I got a good look at him, and you know how I remember faces, Beau, but he was wearing a wig and beard that could have come off a cheap Halloween costume. I am sure he’s not even six feet tall because I didn’t have bend my neck to look up at him.”

  “What color was his hair?” Maybe a general description would jog his memory.

  “The wig was black, but I think there was light blonde or white hair poking out from underneath it.” She sighed. “I might have just imagined it, though.” Confidence filled Sharon’s voice. “But his eyes are blue. Not a pretty blue, either. An ugly, evil blue.”

  That told Hardy something. He was positive Dohner wouldn’t have a man dressing in a cheap disguise. In fact, Dohner would be embarrassed, and he didn’t handle that emotion too well. “How is Dad? Is he staying awake any longer yet?”

  “He was awake off and on all day, but he slept through the whole thing. H.B. didn’t even stir when that oaf knocked me over, and the bedpan clattered across the floor. I’m just thankful I came back into the room when I did.”

  “Me, too, Mom,” he admitted. “I’m proud of you, by the way. You surprise me.”

  A low laugh came across the line. “Didn’t know your mother had it in her, did you? Well, let me tell you this, Harding Beauregard Davis. If a mother bear gets riled, folks best get out of her way. And I am officially good and riled.”

  “Just be careful.” Hardy felt he needed to caution her, lest she start thinking she could take on an entire street gang armed with her bedpan. “Please do what the FSA agents tell you. They know the best way to keep you and Dad safe.”

  “Oh, you mean Charlie and Freddie.”

  “Who?” Elliott had told him two seasoned agents were taking care of his parents, not a couple of young rookies. “Elliott told me Fletcher and Warburton were taking turns.”

  “They are.” His mother spoke soothingly. “Charlie is here during the day, and Freddie will come after dinner to spend the night. They’re nice young men.”

  Even in this dire situation, Hardy felt himself fighting back laughter. He could only imagine how the two rough, seasoned agents handled being addressed as 'Charlie' and 'Freddie'. “Only you, Mom.”

  “And don’t you ever forget it.”

  “I’ll let you go so you can finish the sketch. Give Dad my love, and I love you, Mom.” Hardy suddenly realized he wanted to see his parents with his own two eyes.

  “I love you, too, Beau.” His mom’s voice was warm. “Stay safe.”

  “I will.”

  Hardy sat on the edge of his bed and stared at the phone in his hand for a few minutes, lost in thought.

  He once thought his job was the most important thing he’d ever do with his life, but what had it cost him? Five years with snippets of stolen time spent with his family, no real friendships, the uncertainty as to whether this might be the day his cover was blown, casting aside his beliefs and morals so he could fit in with the gang he was infiltrating…He had given up too much.

  And what would it still cost him? The people he loved and residents of Shadow were in danger, most likely because of him. And Haley . . . He would never know if his feelings for her would grow to be as deep and true as he thought. Because of his job.

  Okay. You have my attention. Is that what you wanted? I don’t even know if you’re listening to me right now, but if you are, please don’t take anybody else away. I still haven’t gotten over Kari Jeffries’ death. I couldn’t bear it if one more person dies because of me.

  What was he doing? He wasn’t a praying man anymore, so why was he talking to God now? He hadn’t said a prayer in over a year and he wasn’t about to start wasti
ng his time doing it now.

  He put his phone on the table and quickly showered and dressed for the day. Picking up the phone, he dialed the number Mitch had given him if he ever needed to call him directly.

  “Sheriff, I have a fax coming into the station within the next hour or so, and I don’t want anybody else to see it. Can that be arranged?”

  Mitch’s calm voice came over the phone. “I’ll let Haley know to watch for it. She’ll make sure nobody but her sees it. What do you want her to do with it?”

  “I’ll be there in a half hour. If it comes in before I get there, have her keep it in a folder. The guy in the sketch they’re sending tried to kill my dad yesterday.”

  “Have you been found?” Mitch’s voice was sharp.

  Hardy managed to keep his voice level. “That’s what I’m going to find out when I see the sketch. Hopefully, I’ll recognize him if he’s one of Dohner’s goons.”

  The two men spoke for just a few minutes longer, with Mitch asking for only a few details before hanging up.

  It wasn’t long before Hardy found himself walking into the police station. A man he recognized as having been in the station before stood at the counter speaking to Haley. Her face was beet red, and her eyes were blazing. She looked furious.

  “Is everything okay?” he quietly asked as he walked around to stand beside her.

  “No.” She spoke curtly. “Wyatt was just leaving.” She gave the other man a pointed look. “Weren’t you?”

  “You know you feel it too.” The bleached blonde man in his expensive suit crooned to Haley. “Just come out with me once. You’ll have a good time.”

  If anything, Haley’s face became even redder. “I’m not interested. Now, please leave.”

  “But, babe—”

  Hardy had heard enough. “I believe she asked you to leave. Do you need my help to find the door?” For the first time in a long while, Hardy used the bulk of his size to intimidate a smaller man. He had barely taken two steps to walk around the counter toward the other man before the man Haley called Wyatt turned and rushed awa

  “Are you okay?” He gently placed his hand on her arm.

  Haley turned wide eyes to him. “I’m not even sure what happened. He only walked in a couple of minutes before you got here. He started right off insisting I go on a date with him. Then, once you walked in, he started that nonsense about me feeling it too. I’ve never given him any reason to think I’m interested in him.”

  Hardy reached out and softly touched her cheek. “You just have that effect on every man you meet.”

  For just a brief instant, she seemed to lean against his hand before she straightened and stepped away.

  “Your fax hasn’t come in yet.” Haley busied herself over a notepad on the counter.

  “Haley.” His voice was soft and hoarse. Her eyes slowly met his. “I wish things were different. I’ve never wished for anything more in my life.”

  A light shone from deep within her eyes. “I feel the same way.”

  Before Hardy could stop himself, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. She held herself rigid for a few moments before he felt her relax against him and slide her arms around his waist. He wondered if she could feel his heartbeat pounding with the side of her face resting against his chest. They fit together like they were made for each other, and nothing had ever felt more natural or right in his life than holding this woman.

  A throat clearing behind him reminded Hardy where they were, but he was still reluctant to release Haley, so he drew away from her gradually before turning around to face the sheriff. Mitch did not look pleased.

  “Wyatt Millan came in and upset me.” Haley’s voice was shaking as she spoke to her boss. “Beau was just comforting me. I’m sorry if I was behaving inappropriately in the office.”

  Mitch’s gaze sharpened. “When did he come in? I was only gone for ten minutes.”

  Haley seemed more composed. “He came in a few minutes before Beau got here and started saying strange things. I’m sorry I let him upset me. It won’t happen again.”

  “He was coming on to her pretty strong, and the man wasn’t taking no for an answer,” Hardy felt compelled to add. “It took a little friendly persuasion to convince him to leave.”

  The sheriff finally relaxed. “Then thank you, Hardy. Why don’t you come on into my office while you’re waiting for your fax? We have a new case you might be interested in.”

  “Sheriff? You wanted to see me?” Wayne had come in from the back door of the building.

  “Yes. Both of you come in and sit down. I’ll fill you in on what’s happening.”

  Once they were all three in the office with the door closed, Mitch spoke to the other two men. “Nobody has seen or heard from William Baxter for four days now. Hank called twenty minutes ago to advise us he’s located Baxter’s car, with no sign of the man. The keys were in the ignition, and there was nothing in the trunk except a spare tire and jack. He’s having it towed to the state impound lot, but there is no apparent sign of foul play.”

  “Who’s William Baxter?” The name was unfamiliar to Hardy.

  “He works for the post office. Delivers our mail here at the station actually,” Mitch replied. “His mom has terminal cancer. I only know because Haley put together a big fundraiser for her last spring.”

  It didn’t surprise Hardy in the least that the kind-hearted woman would take on something like that.

  Mitch was still talking.“She had to move into the Parkside Nursing home when it got to be too much for Will to take care of her. I don’t know how his financial situation stands right now. He’s a nice enough guy, but when it comes right down to it, I don’t really know much about him.”

  “Where’d Hank find the car?” Wayne asked.

  “It was parked in the old drive-in theater out east of town. Hank said it was pulled up to the speaker stand just like somebody parked to watch a movie.”

  Wayne looked at Hardy and elaborated. “It would be hard to watch a movie since there hasn’t been a screen standing out there for going on fifteen years. It’s just an abandoned lot.”

  “How’d Hank find it?” Hardy would like to have seen it in the location it was found before it was towed, but hopefully he’d see photos of it.

  “Mel Carmichael was picking his field of late corn and saw it sitting there. He didn’t have any idea it was connected with a missing persons case; he just figured some kids had been fooling around and left it as a prank.” Mitch stood and pointed to a spot on the map. “The drive-in is here, about ten miles from Baxter’s house. We need to figure out how it got there and what happened to Baxter in between.”

  “Mitch, I know you’ve had to have already searched his house, but can I just check it out?” Hardy didn’t want to step on any toes, but his instincts told him William Baxter’s disappearance might be important. “I’d just like to get a feel for things.”

  A knock sounded on the door before it opened to show Haley standing there, a file folder in her hand.

  She directed her attention to Hardy. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but your fax just arrived.”

  Hardy looked at Mitch, who with a slight nod indicated he understood what Hardy needed to do.

  “I’ll be right back,” Hardy told the other two men before standing up and following Haley out of the room.

  She turned and silently handed him the folder before speaking. “Nobody else saw it. Nobody else even knows it’s here.”

  “Thanks.” He waited until she walked over and sat back down before opening the folder. He couldn’t let her distract him from looking as closely as he could at the sketch.

  The man whose sketch Hardy found himself looking at could have been a scrawny version of Bluto from the old Popeye comic strips. The sketch artist had also rendered what he thought the man might look like without the excess facial hair, so that’s the picture Hardy focused on. He carefully studied the thick face with a squared off chin, searching his mind for any signs of familiarity.
But it didn’t matter how long he looked at the picture; he had never seen this man before. Dohner liked his employees big and tough, and from his mom’s description, Hardy estimated the criminal would be five-ten or five-eleven, tops, and of slight build. Hardy was all but certain he wasn’t looking at a Dohner employee.

  “I have to make a call,” he told Haley, who looked at him questioningly. Even though his thoughts were once more in a turmoil, he managed to smile at her before he turned and walked down the hall to the back room.

  Elliott answered on the first ring.

  “I’ve never seen this guy,” Hardy told his brother-in-law.

  “And you’re sure about that?” Elliott asked.

  Hardy flipped the folder open and looked at the sketch again. “I’m positive. If this guy is one of Dohner’s men, he’s a new one.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s good news or not.” Worry filled the agent’s voice. “If Dohner didn’t try to have your dad killed, then that means we have a new player out there after you or your family. And this guy apparently knows about the Davis family.”

  Make that two new factions if Hardy’s hunch were correct that the people committing the crimes in Shadow were also after him. He quickly came to a decision. “I’m staying here, Elliott. I don’t see how running and hiding will help anybody at this point. But you have to promise if you’re the slightest bit worried about my family, they’ll disappear.”

  “Your family is safe.” The voice coming from the phone was filled with determination. “I will keep them that way, too, Beau. If I have to hire private security for them, I’ll do it.”

  Hardy often forgot his brother-in-law was an extremely wealthy man. "I appreciate that.”

  “They’re my family too,” Elliott said calmly. “Just a second, Beau. Sherry just handed me something.”

  The line was silent for a few minutes before Elliott spoke again.

  “We ran facial recognition on the sketch, and it didn’t turn up anything.” He once more sounded worried. “Beau, I know you’re capable of taking care of yourself, but be careful. I don’t like the idea this guy who’s probably after you is off the radar. It makes me think we’re playing in the big leagues with a little league bat. Just keep your eyes open.”