HazardsDare

by Frances Stockton

  Checking his phone again, he frowned. It was so odd for Avery not to text or call or be so silent. When they weren’t in bed, they talked a lot, laughed a lot. He’d hoped to hear her soft chuckle again.

  Deciding to give her a call, he didn’t like that it went to voicemail. Next, he called her apartment, again, she didn’t answer. Since it was possible she was caught in traffic, he thought to text Alex to see if he knew what time Avery had left Danvers.

  Alex called within a few seconds. “Osbourne, why are you asking me about Avery. She’s supposed to be with you by now.”

  Hazard frowned. “She’s not. I’m worried, Alex. It’s unlike her to leave someone hanging like this. Could traffic delay her this long?”

  “Logan can be tricky to navigate. Try her home number, but if you don’t hear from her in five minutes, call me back.”

  “I called her home and cell numbers. Could she have car trouble?”

  “Not very likely, her CR-V is brand new. Doc helped her pick it out when she moved here. Give it a few more minutes. If she doesn’t call or show, call me back.”

  “I will,” Hazard mumbled, ending the call.

  Ten more minutes passed, increasing his concern. He didn’t wait longer to call Alex.

  “Alex, there’s been nothing from her for too long. I’m going to rent a car. I’ll make my way to her apartment.”

  “If she’s tied up in traffic, she won’t answer her phone or text. She doesn’t have Bluetooth on the phone and doesn’t like the hands-free earpiece. Let me call Ethan. He’s in Boston with his wife right now. I’ll see if he can find out anything regarding traffic reports or accidents.”

  “Okay, I’ll wait.” Hazard ended the call, looking about him in the hopes of seeing a small SUV pulling up. There were plenty of cars pulling up for passengers, some were CR-Vs, none were Avery’s.

  An unfamiliar call came through his cell. A quick check of the screen showed E. Maddox.

  “Hello, Detective Maddox,” Hazard answered.

  “Forget the formality. Alex Grant’s freaking out and gave me your contact information. You okay, my man?”

  “I’m worried. Avery should be here by now.”

  “I’m on my way to you. I’ve checked traffic reports and dispatch, there are no accidents through the tunnel or along routes she might have taken to reach the airport. Boston traffic is always a bitch.”

  “If it’s a problem, I can call a taxi or rent a car.”

  “It’s not.”

  “Something’s wrong, Ethan, I feel it.”

  “I hear you. Morgan’s with me. She’s upset.”

  “She knows something’s wrong?”

  “She’s getting one of her visions. You’ve no idea how much this shit scares me right now. But making sure Avery’s all right is the only reason I’m not shaking Morgan out of what she’s going through.”

  “Will it make her sick or hurt the baby? Avery told me Morgan’s pregnant.”

  “The baby will be fine. When she has a vision, she often gets a migraine. At this point, I’m ending this call so I can drive safely.”

  “Be safe, bro.”

  “You got it.”

  Through conversations with Avery during the week, he knew that Alex had contacted Sawyer Hamilton regarding his investigation of John Redman. From what they’d discovered, including PI Phalen Maddox’s research, Redman’s bank account and ATM usages showed that the former ballplayer was in Kentucky.

  Why he started thinking about Redman, Hazard didn’t know and didn’t like the direction of his thoughts. But no matter what he did as he stood outside the airport terminal, he couldn’t stop worrying about the possibility that John Redman was the reason Avery was missing.

  Ten minutes later, an Acura sedan drew up to the curb, Ethan hopped out to open the trunk and let Hazard stow his carryon. “Let’s go, Osbourne.”

  “Call me Hazard,” he told the detective.

  “Got it,” Ethan said. “Climb in.”

  Hazard saw that Morgan was in the front passenger seat, her face cast downward. She wasn’t asleep, but he didn’t disturb her as he folded himself into the backseat.

  Out of precaution, he waited for Ethan’s cue to speak. He didn’t want to cause Morgan unnecessary discomfort.

  “How you doing, Hazard?” Ethan asked softly.

  “Feels like I’ve been bowled over by a three-hundred-pound center,” Hazard admitted, doing his best to copy Ethan’s calm tone. “Have you gotten any news from Alex?”

  “He went to Avery’s apartment. She wasn’t there and her car’s gone. But it was obvious that she was preparing for you to arrive. There was no evidence of a struggle or any visible reason to worry.”

  “Here’s where the inevitable but comes in,” Hazard said.

  “Not long after Morgan and I got home, she had the feeling that something was wrong with Avery. She became spacy and kept talking about cookies.”

  Hazard grimaced. “Cookies?”

  “Avery’s where the cookies are,” Morgan murmured so softly Hazard barely heard her from the backseat.

  “One thing I’ve learned, Morgan’s visions are usually spot on. They may not make sense right now, but they will when we get to Avery’s apartment.”

  “Do you know anything about Phalen’s investigation of John Redman?”

  “My brother’s been communicating with your friend out in Nevada. Redman’s supposedly in Kentucky. He’s rented an apartment and has put in job applications around Louisville at sporting goods stores.”

  “Sawyer Hamilton discovered that Redman served time for his involvement in an illegal porn ring. Avery told me the other night that her brother and Redman had a brief history.”

  “Phalen confirmed what your friend told you. Alex told us about his relationship with John Redman. We’re not sure why he took an interest in Avery. Alex suspects it was a way to get back at him.”

  “So I’m right to worry. You all think her disappearance has to do with Redman.”

  “It’s a suspicion, mainly because we don’t know what happened to his boyfriend, Billy,” Ethan stated. “He’s totally off the grid. Try not to worry, Hazard. We’ll find her.”

  “I’ll try. Can’t promise anything,” Hazard admitted.

  “Phalen knows Avery better than I do, but from what I do know of her, she’s smart and savvy. My partner, Sam Riley, is already heading up a group to search Salem and Danvers.”

  “If I don’t say it later, thank you for helping.”

  “Anything for a friend, we’ll find her.”

  Hazard hoped so. It was unnerving to hear Morgan whisper things that came to her mind as Ethan drove them toward Danvers.

  As worried as he was for Avery, he shared Ethan’s concern about Morgan’s headache and only spoke if Ethan asked him something or to help calm Morgan when she muttered or rubbed at her temple.

  She kept focusing on cookies.

  Hazard prayed she was right.

  Where the cookies were, Avery would be.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hazard had no real idea how long it took to reach Avery’s apartment complex.

  He didn’t bother getting his carryon bag out of Ethan’s car when they parked in a spot designated for Avery’s apartment. Worry had begun to gnaw at his insides and all he saw was the empty parking space with her number painted on the front curb.

  Where was her CR-V?

  The second they headed across the parking lot, Alex Grant came out of the apartment building and headed straight for them. Ryan Hathaway and Phalen Maddox were right behind Alex, each man looking serious and concerned.

  “Have you heard anything?” Hazard asked, looking at Alex.

  “Wish I could say yes.”

  “Sam Riley phoned me a couple of minutes ago. Said the Salem and Danvers police department have officers searching the area for Avery’s vehicle,” Phalen commented. “Taran’s helping in the search of the area.”

  “Could she have been carjacked?” Hazard que
stioned, not wanting to think that way.

  “It’s a possibility,” Phalen answered. “Her car keys aren’t in the apartment. When you see it, you’ll know that she had everything prepared for her weekend with you.”

  “The winter coat she normally wears with a dress is gone and there’s an empty dry cleaner bag and hanger on the back of the bedroom door. Makeup’s a bit scattered around the bathroom, but that’s not unusual for my sister,” Alex said.

  Outwardly, Alex Grant appeared calm. However, Hazard could tell Alex was worried. Dark as it was outside, streetlamps reflected the concern in his eyes. His jaw was tight, his words clipped.

  “Have you found the cookies?” Morgan interrupted.

  “What cookies, darlin’?” Phalen questioned softly.

  “Can we get my wife inside?” Ethan interjected.

  Dr. Hathaway came forward and immediately went to Morgan’s side, touching her forehead gently. “You sure you want to do this, Morgan?”

  “Hmm,” she answered, nodding. “Need to see Avery’s apartment.”

  “Come on, honey, I’ve got you.” Ethan took over, putting his arm around her waist and tucking her closer to his side. The moment she was held by her husband, she appeared more settled and calm.

  Hazard followed them, feeling out of step. There were dynamics within this group of friends he hadn’t been privy to yet, but he couldn’t concern himself with that. They were friends now and he needed to focus.

  A firm hand fell on his shoulder. He turned and looked at Alex Grant, only then feeling that same hand tremble. “If Avery’s missing because of me, Hazard, feel free to kick my ass.”

  “How would it be your fault?” Hazard stopped to look at his agent.

  “We can speculate all we want,” Alex answered. “We both know John Redman has something to do with her disappearance. When we find him, if I don’t kill him, do it for me.”

  “If he harms Avery in any way, he’s a dead man. I’ll let you get some licks in no matter what happens.”

  “Deal,” Alex said and squeezed his fingers just enough to let Hazard know that his agent intended to kick Redman’s ass if it turned out he was responsible for what happened to Avery.

  Alex let Hazard take the lead as they walked up the path to the apartment building’s entrance. As a lot of apartment complexes went, it was pretty standard, with eight separate buildings and enough parking spaces and walkways between them to offset each one.

  The entrance looked a little aged, though a locking mechanism on the door looked brand new. There was also a modern speaker system along the wall with a cluster of mailboxes. A security camera was aimed directly at the door.

  “Is the security setup on this door new?” Hazard asked Alex.

  “Yes. Not long ago, Cassie was the target of a psychopath. Phalen made sure this building and the whole complex revamped their security system. He did the same for Cassie’s diner and Morgan’s shop in Salem.”

  “That’s right, I remember everyone talking about that at the telethon. You did a good thing getting your athletes up here for that cause.”

  “Cassie’s my friend. I couldn’t let her down, much less the victims who have to endure the misconceptions or long-term effects of abuse.”

  Hazard agreed, although grew quiet when he stepped into Avery’s apartment.

  It was small, but she’d transformed it into a cozy home. The furniture was a mixture of comfort and design from a company called Stressless, which featured easy chairs and sofas designed for back, leg and neck comfort.

  At the moment, Morgan reclined in the easy chair, her eyes closed. Ryan stayed close to her, but Ethan knelt on the floor by her side.

  The small kitchen was spotless, with appliances that belonged in a retro sitcom. On just about every conceivable surface, candles awaited to be lit. A small dinette table set off to the right of the kitchen was set with dinnerware, wine goblets and a small bouquet of flowers.

  Phalen came out of what Hazard assumed was the bedroom. “It sure looks to me like Avery left here with the intent to meet you. The candle theme continues in the bedroom, twin roses are on the bed and there’s a bottle of fine tequila, two shot glasses, salt and a dish of lime wedges covered in plastic wrap.”

  “Alex mentioned a dry cleaner bag,” Hazard said.

  Phalen inclined his head. “My guess is she’s wearing whatever had been on that hanger. I checked her closet, she’d stowed her crutches and the ankle brace.”

  Hazard let out a deep, angry growl. “Fuck!” The red dress, she was wearing the red dress.

  “You have a clue as to what she might be wearing?” Phalen asked, coming up close to Hazard.

  “It’s a guess. I’d say she’s wearing a red cocktail dress. She wore it her first night in Dare. Redman saw her in it and made a beeline to her. I witnessed it from the stage. My friend Jax watched out for her until I could get there and protect her.”

  Ethan straightened up from where he’d been kneeling next to his wife in order to gently massage her temples. “I’m going to text Sam to let her know about the dress. It’ll aid the police in their search.” The detective quickly tapped his cellphone screen and tucked the phone away.

  Phalen pointed to his phone. “I’ve been corresponding with Sawyer Hamilton since we found out Avery’s been missing. He discovered John Redman and his boyfriend were in Reno the same time Avery was.”

  “During the convention, you mean?” Hazard asked, needing some clarification.

  “Yes, including the same hotel. The boyfriend left Reno two days before the physical therapist convention ended. Redman arrived in Dare the same day as Avery did. The couple ended up renting a cabin owned by Grainger’s cousin. Apparently, he needed to hide from the press due to rumors of steroid abuse.”

  “The steroid use was likely true,” Hazard said.

  “Hamilton concluded the same thing.” Phalen went to stand by Morgan. “How are you doing, darlin’?”

  “Confused,” Morgan answered softly.

  “How can we help you, honey?” Ethan leaned down close to her, shifting to grab his wife’s hand.

  “Find the cookies,” she said yet again.

  Ethan looked up. “Is there anything in the kitchen that suggests Avery made cookies recently?”

  From the middle of the room, Hazard could see that the kitchen was spotless except for the candles. Avery had been planning a romantic evening to celebrate the Griffins’ win.

  It was a little uncomfortable to be among her brother and friends and know that they were as aware of the romantic touches she’d left around the apartment as Hazard was.

  Hazard needed to do something or he’d go into berserker mode. Walking into the kitchen, he cracked open the refrigerator and saw she’d stocked it with enough food to last them through the weekend. She’d bought his favorite water, iced tea and six-packs of beer and soda.

  There was an excellent bottle of wine being chilled, strawberries, chocolate sauce and several cans of whipped cream. It didn’t help that he immediately envisioned Avery wearing nothing but chocolate and whipped cream.

  Slamming the door closed, he turned around. “I don’t think she baked cookies. She wouldn’t have had time to do that and prepare all this,” he said, gesturing to the candles.

  Simultaneously, Morgan became more agitated. “I need to move around,” she said.

  Ethan made a motion to Ryan, who actually helped her stand. Hazard didn’t understand why, but the detective didn’t touch her. He did stay close, but gave her space to walk around and touch things.

  The freaky part was Morgan’s eyes. They were open, yet it was as if she could see something that wasn’t in the room. Whenever she touched an object, she spoke, telling them that Avery had been happy as she set the dinette table and planned meals over the weekend.

  In the kitchen, Morgan touched the refrigerator, but didn’t open it. She let out a girly giggle, saying, “Hmm…not a bad way to celebrate Hazard’s victory. She’d gone shopping for sup
plies on her way home from the castle. After stocking the fridge, she went on her computer to Google a recipe.”

  Morgan went over to the coffee table and touched the laptop sitting there, becoming more agitated. “He’s a bastard. She didn’t realize he was spying on her whenever she used the computer.”

  “Honey, have you any idea who was spying on her?” Ethan asked patiently.

  Morgan shook her head no.

  Hazard joined Morgan at the coffee table and picked up Avery’s MacBook. “Can you tell me any more, Morgan? If it hurts too much, don’t push yourself.”

  She reached out and touched the computer again. Ethan remained close. Ryan stayed to her left, supporting her with his hand at her back.

  “Two people spied, I believe they’re men. They’d watch her and track her movements from their bedroom. Whenever she opened the computer, the video camera would go on. Her preoccupation with getting back to work and missing you and the friends she’d made while on vacation kept her from noticing.”

  Morgan stepped back, allowing Hazard to hit a key on the keyboard. The screen came to life, revealing a recipe for tequila sunrise.

  “Did you find anything?” Alex asked.

  “A recipe,” Hazard answered. “Wait a second…”

  The sound alerted him to open the video chat service they’d been using all week. He fired up the camera and his face and the background came into view on one chat window.

  He fiddled a second, as he was more familiar with PCs than Macs, and another screen opened, revealing Avery gagged and bound to a bed that looked as if it belonged in a porn flick made in the seventies.

  Her eyes were glued on someone or something across the room. Though she looked scared, she was also angry.

  Angry himself, the only thing that kept Hazard from shattering the MacBook was the knowledge that Avery was fully clothed and she didn’t look injured. Seeing her helpless on that bed made him want to pound his fist into the cameraman’s face.

  “She’s on camera right now.” Wary of showing Alex the video screen, he carried it to his agent.

  Alex glanced at it once. “What have I done to my sister?”

  “This isn’t your fault,” Hazard stated. “If Redman’s the videographer right now, we’ll find him and I’ll crush him.”