Christmas Haven

by Hope White

  That was Morgan’s goal, to open her eyes to her own sense of self-forgiveness.

  Dane slept on and off throughout the night, with Julie by his side. The medical team felt confident that he was well enough to be released, and although Morgan wasn’t completely comfortable with bringing Dane back to Port Whisper, the kid didn’t have anyplace else to go.

  The doctor told Morgan the bloodwork results indicated something in Dane’s system could have caused the dehydration, but they couldn’t identify it. The mystery drug Henson was testing? The doctors couldn’t be sure.

  Julie finished up the paperwork and paid for the medical charges. She said it was the right thing to do. As they rode the elevator to Dane’s floor she asked, “Did you speak with Ethan?”

  “Yes. He’s the lead on Andy’s death investigation.”

  “You mean murder?”

  “They’re not calling it murder…yet.”

  “What did he say?” She fought back a yawn as they stepped off the elevator.

  “He’d call when he had something solid. In the meantime, he notified the DEA about our mysterious Mr. Henson and his associates.”

  Julie stopped in the middle of the hallway and squared off at Morgan. “It’s been a week and I don’t feel like we’re any closer to resolving this.”

  “Anxious to get back to work?”

  Sadness colored her golden eyes and he wondered what’d he’d said to upset her. “Jules?”

  “I want my life back, Morgan, and I want to put these creeps behind bars.”

  “Let’s get Dane and head home.” He took her hand and she didn’t pull away. They held hands as they walked down the hallway to Dane’s room.

  He relished the feeling, the warmth of her fingers entwined with his. He’d enjoy this for as long as he could, still hoping, praying, that she’d give love another chance. With him.

  They turned the corner into Dane’s room.

  The bed was empty.

  “Dane?” she said. Her head spun around to eye the bathroom. The door was open. No one was inside. She pinned Morgan with panicked eyes.

  “Come on.” He led her to the nurses’ station, where a nurse was keying something into her computer. “Excuse me?”

  The nurse glanced at Morgan.

  “We’re supposed to take Dane Simms home today, but he’s not in his room. Is he with a doctor?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  A second nurse came out of a room and wandered up to the station.

  “Paula, do you know where Dane Simms is?” she asked.

  “The boy in 314?”

  “Yes,” Julie said.

  “No, I haven’t seen him since the doctor signed his discharge papers.”

  “I need to speak with security.” Morgan flashed his badge.

  The nurse behind the desk punched in a number and handed Morgan the phone. Julie pulled away from him, probably to search the floor.

  “Nuh-uh.” Morgan grabbed her arm. “You’re staying right here with me.”

  “Security,” a man said on the other end of the line.

  “This is Morgan Wright. I’m the police chief in Port Whisper. A patient who’s supposed to be released to me today is missing. I need your help locating him,” Morgan said in a calm, controlled voice. He hoped his demeanor would calm Julie’s panic.

  “We don’t have the staff to search the entire hospital, but I can put the word out that he’s missing.”

  “Great.” Morgan gave him Dane’s description and asked to see the security tapes. The security officer agreed and Morgan led Julie into the elevator.

  The doors closed and she paced the small space. “This means they’re close, doesn’t it? They found him. They took him,” she said.

  “We don’t know that. Dane could have gone out for a walk, or gone to get something to eat.”

  She nodded, but he knew he hadn’t convinced her. The doors opened and they headed toward security. Once there, Morgan asked to cue up video from that last hour on the third floor. He motioned Julie to a chair and stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

  They watched the video for fifteen minutes until they spotted Dane coming out of his room. With a paranoid whip of his head, he looked both ways, then shot down the hall to the stairway.

  Morgan’s instincts went on full alert. The kid left on his own? Was this a setup to flush Julie out of hiding?

  “Why would he leave like that? I told him we were taking him someplace safe,” Julie said, glancing over her shoulder at Morgan.

  “Here’s my cell number.” He handed the security officer his card. “Call me if you see him.”

  “Will do.”

  Morgan motioned Julie out of the office. “We need to retrace his steps. See if he dropped something or left us any indication of what happened.”

  “He has to be okay, Morgan. He just has to be.”

  Anger flared in Morgan’s chest at the possibility that the kid was part of a plan to find Julie. No, if Julie had faith in Dane, Morgan needed to follow her lead and give the kid the benefit of the doubt, as well.

  They got to Dane’s room and searched the floor, the bed and the closet. Nothing.

  “Let’s check the stairs,” he said. Although he considered the threat to Julie if they found Dane with the man who set this up, Morgan couldn’t leave her alone and vulnerable. Besides, she’d never let him take off in search of Dane without her.

  He pushed the door open to the stairs and guided her behind him. “Stay back.”

  She nodded and they started down the stairs. Morgan didn’t want to draw his firearm, but had no choice given the circumstances.

  They got to the second floor and he opened the door, peered down the hall. Empty.

  Halfway down to the first floor, he stopped at the sound of a whimper echoing up the stairs. Morgan put his finger to his lips and Julie shifted behind him. A few more steps and…

  Morgan spotted the boy huddled on the bottom step. Dressed in his hospital gown, he clung to his clothes, his shoulders jerking as he fought back tears. Morgan holstered his gun and motioned Julie ahead.

  “Dane?” she said.

  He wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand and glanced up. “I didn’t know where to go. You weren’t here and…he called. He said Andy was dead and they were coming for me.”

  She sat next to him and put her arm around his shoulder. “Who called?”

  “Henson. He said I should have come back, but I didn’t so they killed Andy. It’s my fault, he’s dead because of me!”

  “Shh, calm down.”

  “And now they’re coming for me!”

  Julie glanced at Morgan with worry in her eyes.

  “How did he call you?” Morgan asked.

  “On my cell.”

  “Where is it?”

  Dane reached into his jeans bunched in his lap and pulled out the phone. Morgan grabbed it. “We need to leave. Now.”

  “Morgan?” Julie questioned.

  “We can’t risk them tracking his GPS. We need to dump the phone and get back to Port Whisper.”

  “Do you want to get dressed?” she asked Dane.

  “No time,” Morgan said. “Come on, let’s get to my truck.”

  He guided them down to the basement level and pushed open the door. Scanning the parking garage, he spotted a delivery van unloading supplies. Morgan handed Julie his keys.

  “Get to the truck.”

  Morgan kept watch as Julie led Dane to the truck. Once they were safely inside, Morgan went to the delivery van and slipped Dane’s phone under the front seat. He figured the van had other stops and would hopefully be headed in the opposite direction of Port Whisper.

  Casting one last glance around the garage, and feeling confident they weren’t being watched, he got into the truck and started it up.

  “Dane, I need you to stay down. Can you do that for me?” he said.

  “Yeah.”

  Dane disappeared from the rearview mirror. Calming
his adrenaline rush, Morgan pulled out of the lot, keeping a keen eye out for vehicles that might be following them. A gray Chevy pulled out behind him. Actually, this could be a good thing, an opportunity to stop and challenge the driver and get some answers. If the guy was sent by Henson, this could be a solid lead.

  Before pulling onto Highway 101 North, Morgan slowed down and signaled.

  “What’s wrong?” Julie asked.

  “Someone’s following us. I want to see what he does.”

  Instead of pulling over behind Morgan, the Chevy passed them. Morgan jotted the plate number on his dashboard notepad. He didn’t want to sit on the side of the road any longer than necessary, so he handed Julie his phone. “Call Scott for me. Speed dial two.”

  She did and put the phone on speaker. “Hey, Chief.”

  “Scott, I need you to run a plate for me.”

  “Sure.”

  Julie read him the number.

  “Get back to me as soon as possible,” Morgan ordered.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “How’s everything in town?” Morgan asked.

  “Waddingham’s dog bit the Kingston kid and we had a fender bender on Front Street, but otherwise same as usual. Where are you?”

  “On my way back. I’m bringing one of Julie’s boys with us. We think he’s involved in this case.”

  “Are we locking him up?”

  Dane sat up, worried. Morgan eyed him in the rearview.

  “No, he’ll be a guest at Dad’s house. Speaking of which, could you have a cruiser swing by the house every half hour or so, just until I get back?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thanks—” Morgan paused “—Chief.”

  “Very funny. Get back here before the place falls apart.”

  “Check that. ’Bye.”

  Julie pressed the end button and placed the phone into the cup holder. “Do you think they’ve located your dad’s house?”

  “No, but it doesn’t hurt to have a police presence cruise by.”

  Morgan glanced in his side-view mirror. “Dane, want to help me out?”

  “It depends.”

  “Dane,” Julie warned.

  “Can you keep an eye out for cars that might be following us, especially a gray Chevy?” Morgan asked. “I’m going to pull off the highway before we get back to Port Whisper just to be sure, but I could use another set of eyes to keep watch.”

  “Sure, okay.”

  “And we’ll stop by a Target to get you some clothes.”

  “What’s wrong with my clothes?” Dane said.

  “Thought you’d want something clean, but hey, if you want to wear those…”

  “No, that’s okay, I guess.”

  Julie glanced at him over the seat. “How about ‘thanks, Morgan.’”

  “Thanks,” the kid grunted.

  Morgan eyed Julie. “Keep an eye on your side-view mirror for me?”

  She glanced at her mirror. “I don’t like the sound of you calling Scott ‘Chief.’”

  “It’s temporary.”

  She shot him a worried look. “I hope so. I would never forgive myself if I ruined your career.”

  “Do you ever forgive yourself for anything?”

  She refocused on the mirror.

  “Jules?”

  “What?”

  “I made the decision to step down, Lana made the decisions she did in high school that got her into trouble and Suzy made the choice to take the boat out at night.”

  “Don’t.”

  “What, point out the fact that this whole beating-yourself-up thing is dangerously close to narcissism?”

  “Morgan,” she protested.

  “Sorry, but it’s a logical conclusion. You hold on to other people’s angst and sorrow like you’ve created it for them. You didn’t throw the street kids out of their homes, you didn’t get them hooked on drugs. You—”

  “That’s enough,” she said, her cheeks reddening.

  “Why? What are you afraid of?”

  “Everyone knowing the truth.”

  “Which is?”

  “I’m a failure. I failed as a friend or Suzy would still be alive, I failed as a girlfriend and I failed as a counselor.”

  The car fell silent. She turned to look out her window and he regretted pushing her. She’d admitted to the demons chasing her, but to what end? Did speaking it out loud purge the fear from her system or just solidify it? He wished he didn’t need to be so focused on avoiding their pursuers and keeping her safe.

  He wished he could pull her into his arms and tell her that she was anything but a failure, that she was kind and smart and brave, for starters.

  “Miss Burns?” Dane said from the backseat.

  “Yes?”

  “I just want you to know, I would have been dead by now if I hadn’t met you.”

  The sight that greeted them when they pulled up to Morgan’s house nearly took Julie’s breath away. Mom had not only found the Christmas decorations, but had put them up in record time. Colorful lights trimmed the roofline of the house, spruce garland was wrapped around the porch railing and a fresh pine wreath with multicolored lights hung on the front door.

  Morgan eyed the front door. “Now, I know they didn’t find that in my garage.”

  “I don’t want to know how Mom got the lights up on the roof. I don’t like the thought of her on a ladder.”

  “I’m guessing Anderson helped out, or Scooner, or maybe even Sketch.”

  “You’re not upset, are you?”

  He parked in the back and glanced at her. “Why would I be upset?”

  “I sensed you didn’t want her finding the Christmas decorations.”

  “It’s just been a long time since anything’s been celebrated in Dad’s house. I’m glad you and your family are changing that.” He placed his hand over hers and her breath caught.

  Suddenly Dane popped up in the backseat, awakening from a sound sleep. “Where are we?”

  “My dad’s house. Come on, let’s get inside.”

  As they started up the back steps, the sound of Christmas music echoed through the window. Morgan opened the back door and the aroma that greeted them made Julie’s mouth water.

  She realized she hadn’t eaten anything substantial in close to twenty-four hours and she was starving.

  The table was set, the kettle was on and Mom greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “I made your favorite, shepherd’s pie.” She glanced at Dane, who carried two shopping bags. “You’d better change, young man. We’re expecting guests any minute now.”

  Just then, Lana pulled into the driveway.

  Dane glanced frantically around as if looking for a place to hide. Or escape. Still dressed in his hospital gown beneath a jean jacket Morgan had bought him, the boy was obviously feeling exposed.

  “Bathroom’s upstairs on the right,” Morgan said.

  Dane rushed through the living room and up the stairs.

  “The house looks great, Edith,” Morgan said.

  “Thanks. We took care of the outside today and tomorrow’s goal is the living room. Are you getting a live tree this year, Morgan?”

  “Hadn’t given it much thought.”

  “I’ll never forgot the time you and Julie went to Miller’s Farm and cut down a seven-foot tree.”

  “That didn’t fit in our living room.” Julie smiled at the memory.

  Morgan glanced out the kitchen window at Lana and Ashley, who approached the back steps carrying shopping bags from Tindle’s market.

  “Is Sketch joining us?” Morgan asked.

  “I’m sure he’ll be here. Where Ashley goes, Sketch goes,” Mom offered. She smiled and checked the pie. “Kind of reminds me of you two at their age.”

  For the first time since she’d been back, Julie didn’t feel the need to scold Mom for bringing up their past. They had been close, in love, and it wasn’t right to pretend it didn’t happen.

  Or that it wasn’t happening again.

  “I need
water,” Julie said, grabbing a glass and filling it with ice. She needed to do something to shock her back to reality. Perhaps she should dump a glass of ice water over her head?

  Lana and Ashley came into the kitchen. “Wild rice was on sale, plus whole chickens and celery.” She slid the bags onto the counter.

  “You’re making more food?” Julie asked.

  “Chicken soup for tomorrow.”

  “You’re spoiling me,” Morgan said, stepping around Julie for a glass.

  “It’s my pleasure,” Mom said. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes.”

  “How can I help?” Julie said.

  “No, no.” Mom waved her off. “Sit, relax, tell us about our guest.”

  Suddenly, Sketch appeared in the doorway. “What guest?” His eyes caught Ashley’s and she smiled. Sketch smiled back and glanced at the floor.

  They were adorable. Morgan glanced at Julie and cracked his own smile. He must have been thinking the same thing.

  “His name is Dane Simms,” Julie said. “He’s upstairs changing.”

  “Who is he?” Sketch flopped down at the kitchen table.

  “One of the boys I counsel at Teen Life.”

  “Sounds like he got caught in the same net that snared Julie,” Morgan added.

  “Can he help solve the case?” Lana asked.

  “Possibly,” Morgan said.

  “He needs to take it easy,” Julie said. “We were at the hospital with him all night.”

  “Was he drugged out?” Sketch said.

  “No.” She glanced at Morgan. “He was dehydrated.”

  Sketch dumped his computer bag on the kitchen table.

  “Nuh-uh,” Mom said. “We’re setting the table. Ashley, could you do the honors?”

  “Sure.”

  “Sketch, I could use your help with something,” Morgan said. “Come into the living room.”

  “Okay, Chief.” He eyed Ashley. “Duty calls.”

  Sketch followed Morgan into the living room.

  Ten minutes later, Edith was calling everyone to the table. Julie glanced toward the second floor.

  “Do you want me to check on him?” Morgan asked.