by D'Ann Lindun
“Spill it, what’s wrong?”
“Nothin’, kid. Let it go.” Jake heard paper rustling. “Tell me this broad’s name again.”
Still worried, Jake knew it wouldn’t do any good to press his partner. When he didn’t want to talk, nothing could force him. Pulling out his fingernails with pliers wouldn’t even do the trick. “Her name is Patty, probably Patricia, McRae. Around thirty I’d guess. Maybe a bit older. Strawberry blonde hair, stands about five-five.”
“I’ll get on it in the morning. Where will you be?”
“Payson, then after that I’m not sure. Leave me a message on my cell. I don’t have it on most of the time,” Jake said.
“How’s the girl? You steering clear of any entanglements?” Kelso sounded suspicious, but he always sounded suspicious. Twenty-five years of police work could do that to a guy. Or maybe it was Jake’s own conscience raising its ugly head to bite him in the butt.
“She’s fine. She has no idea I’m a cop.” Jake thought of her warm, soft lips against his and he hoped to hell Kelso wasn’t a good enough detective to hear the telltale guilt in his voice. But of course he was.
“You having any trouble staying undercover?”
“No,” Jake said shortly. He rubbed his shoulder. “Drop it.”
“Sounds like we’ve both had a long day,” Kelso muttered. “So how about we call it a night?”
“Yeah, good idea.” In a moment of sentimentality Jake added, “Take care of yourself, old man. Get some rest.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Kelso hung up.
With a smile, Jake laid his cell phone on the nightstand. Kelso’s bite was about as bad as his bark, but he was a good cop and a good man. Jake had been lucky to have him as a partner. When most of law enforcement would have liked to see Jake punished over the Kingston fiasco, Kelso had stood by him. At one point, Jake asked Kelso if he wanted a different partner assigned to him, and the older agent had looked at him like he was crazy. “Not on your life,” he’d said. And that had been the end of it. Jake couldn’t let him down again.
~*~
Castaña sat at the table drinking coffee when Jake walked in the kitchen. Instead of staring at her, admiring how great she looked with damp hair hanging past her slim hips, he headed for the coffee pot. “How long have you been up?”
“A couple of hours. I’m anxious to go talk to Patty. But I want to go with you to pick up Briar Rose first and help get her settled. Do you know when she’ll be released?”
“She said early.” He glanced at the clock. “We should be able to get her anytime. I’ll call the hospital and check.” He took the phone from the hook on the kitchen wall and found a phone book under the counter. After finding the listing, he dialed. Someone on the other end answered and he said, “I’d like room 205, please.”
“I’m sorry, sir. That room is vacant. It says here the patient was released a little over an hour ago.”
After a moment, he said, “What? Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who picked her up?” Fear began to build in him. What if the Family of the Sun had tracked down Briar Rose and spirited her out of the hospital? Was she back in their clutches? If she had left voluntarily, where had she gone? As far as he knew, she had no money.
“I’m sorry, sir, I’m not at liberty to give out that information.”
“Her sister-in-law is standing right here. Talk to her.” Jake wanted to tell the girl he was FBI, but he knew it wouldn’t do him any good. He’d have to show his credentials. His tone must have alerted Castaña that something was wrong and she watched him with wide eyes.
“Please, sir, I cannot give out patient details over the phone.”
“Okay. I understand.” He hung up with a little more force than necessary. He turned to Castaña. “You aren’t going to believe this.”
“What? Is something wrong with Briar Rose?” Castaña’s face leached white. “Or the baby?”
“No. At least I don’t think so. She checked herself out of the hospital over an hour ago. Because I’m not a family member they won’t tell me any more than that.”
“Maybe she’s on the way home,” Castaña suggested. “Maybe she hired a cab.”
“Did she have any money? And why would she leave? I told her I was coming to pick her up this morning.” Jake began to pace. “I think we need to run into Payson and see if we see her. Maybe she’s in the lobby.”
“Let’s go.” Castaña was already moving toward the door.
~*~
On the way toward the hospital, Jake wrestled with his choices. He either had to let the cat out of the bag and let Castaña know he’d been acting undercover or he had to keep quiet and not get the information he needed. Either way stunk. Still debating, he pulled into the hospital parking lot. Maybe he could pull this off. He turned to Castaña. “You go check her room. See if one of the nurses will tell you something. I’ll try the lobby and the front desk.”
“Okay.” She jumped out and headed through the front doors.
He was right behind her and when she turned to go up the elevator, he headed for the information desk. An older woman wearing a pink smock sat in front of a computer. Her nametag read Eileen. “Excuse me.”
She glanced up at him. He showed her his badge. “Jake Breton. FBI. I need some information about a patient. Her name is Rose Davidson and she was in the maternity wing last night. I called about her a few minutes ago, and she had been released.”
Eileen’s eyes narrowed. “Yes?”
He held his impatience. “I need to know who picked her up.”
Making a great show of her irritation, Eileen turned to her computer screen. “It doesn’t say. Just that Ms. Davidson checked herself out this morning at about seven-fifteen.” She peered over her glasses at him. “That’s all I know.”
“You didn’t see her down here in the lobby? She’s young, blonde, very pretty with a newborn baby.”
“No.”
“Damn.” Jake stuffed his badge in his pocket. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Eileen said primly and turned back to her work.
Jake spotted a security guard near the front doors. He approached him and again flashed his badge. “How long have you been on duty today?”
The guard took his time examining Jake’s badge before he answered. “Can’t be too careful these days.”
Jake smiled in commiseration and stuffed the badge out of sight in his pocket. “Sure.”
“I came on right at five this morning,” the guard said.
“Have you been at the door the whole time?” Jake glanced at the guy’s nametag. Stuart.
“Yes, sir. Right here.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying I slipped off?” He held up a Styrofoam cup. “’Cause I get my coffee right over there in the cafeteria and I can see the door from there . . .”
“No, no.” Jake assured him. “Nothing like that.” He again described Briar Rose and the baby. “Did you see them?”
Stuart shook his head. “No, sure didn’t.”
“Do you have video tape?” At his hesitation, Jake said, “This is a possible kidnapping.”
Stuart jumped to action. “This way.” They entered a small room off the lobby where the hospital’s surveillance equipment was set up. “Right here,” Stuart said. “What time frame?”
“Start at seven a.m. and go forward.” Jake leaned over Stuart’s shoulder and watched the grainy black and white tape. In just a few seconds, he found what he was looking for. At exactly 7:35 this morning Briar Rose carrying Arielle, slipped out the front doors of the hospital. For the next few minutes, no one else came through until an elderly couple walked in then Jake saw himself on the screen. He straightened. “That’s it. Thanks.”
“What now?” Stuart asked excitedly. “Do we go to the State Police? Or will your agency take charge?”
“We’ll handle it from here.” Jake used his best FBI voice. “You’ve been a big help. If we need anything else, I’ll let
you know.” He took his phone out and dialed the home office. He gave Briar Rose’s name, description and the last location where she’d been seen. “Head toward Sunspot, outside of Phoenix. There’s a cult compound there. She may be going back against her will. Let me know if you hear anything.” He hung up. “Thanks for your help.”
Stuart puffed up like a rooster. “Yes, sir.”
They entered the lobby together and found Castaña looking around. A look of relief covered her face when she spotted him. Jake gave Stuart a little nod and hurried toward her. “Did you learn anything?”
She shook her head. “Nothing useful. The nurses told me Briar Rose just up and left. The doctor was supposed to come in around nine, but she didn’t wait. None of them actually saw her leave though.”
“I did,” Jake said. “On the security tape. She has Arielle and they’re alone. No one made her leave. At least not physically.”
“Why? I don’t understand.”
“Me, either. But she’s a grown woman with her own mind. Let’s see if she shows up at the ranch.”
Castaña’s shoulders sagged. “What is she thinking taking off with a brand-new baby like that?”
“I have no idea.” Jake took Castaña’s hand and squeezed it. “But try not to worry. You have other fish to fry right now.”
“You’re right. I just don’t like to leave Briar Rose out wandering around by herself somewhere.” She bit her lip and his heart twisted into a tight knot. All she’d done since he’d met her was worry. First about her wayward brother, now Briar Rose. Jake wished he could take away her fears, but his were nearly equal in proportion. Maybe worse. He knew about the Family of the Sun and what their leader was capable of. And he feared the worst for Martin. Jake’s gut said Martin was dead. “Let’s go back to the ranch, pick up the horses and go to Eagle’s place. I want to see if we can find Heather and Lacey’s camp again. I think they might know more than they’re saying about Briar Rose.”
“I want to ask Patty what game she’s playing,” Castaña said. “And it better be good.”
~*~
Loading the horses didn’t take long and Castaña and Jake were on the road to Eagle’s place by 9:30. The ranch came into view by 10:00.
Castaña clenched and unclenched her fingers wrapped around the steering wheel. If Patty had any idea what happened to Martin Castaña didn’t know what she’d do. Hurt her maybe. At the ranch, she barely had the rig parked before she jumped out and half ran toward Eagle’s house.
Eagle must have seen her coming and opened the door. “Hi, there. What’s your rush? We’re ready to go.”
“Is Patty here?”
Eagle’s eyes widened at her tone and Castaña made an effort to control her temper. “Please.”
“Inside.” Eagle stepped aside and Castaña entered.
Patty sat by the kitchen table. She looked up in surprise as Castaña barreled toward her with Jake hot on her heels. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.” Without waiting for an invitation Castaña plunked down in the chair opposite Patty. “I had an interesting conversation with my farrier yesterday. He told me all about the government, specifically the BLM putting the Apache-Sitgreave Forest horses up for sale.” Patty’s friendly smile faded and her face paled. “And he told me someone bought the contract to round up and dispose of the mustangs. Any guesses who?”
Patty opened and closed her mouth.
Castaña waited. She could feel Jake and Eagle behind her. “Well?”
“Yeah, I know who it was,” Patty finally managed. “Me.”
In the silence that followed her statement, the only sound was the drip-drip of the kitchen faucet.
Castaña pinned a deadly glare on her. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“It’s not what you think.” Patty’s words came in a rush. Her voice shook. “Yes, I bought the contract. I didn’t tell you because your brother and I butted heads at every turn. I didn’t know if you were just like him. I had to wait and see.”
“Do you know where Martin is? Did you do something to him?” Castaña’s controlled her voice like a tight rein. “Because if you did—”
“God, no.” Patty shook her head vehemently. “No.”
“Start at the beginning and tell us what you know.” Jake laid a hand on Castaña’s shoulder and she took a deep breath. She had to calm down. Giving into temper wouldn’t gain her anything.
Eagle pulled up two chairs, and she and Jake sat near Castaña. “So, talk.”
“As you know, the BLM wanted to clear all the horses out of government property. They don’t think the land can sustain them because there are too many for the amount of grass. They put out a contract for the public to bid on. It enraged your brother. He went off the deep end at the auction and threatened the BLM, me, and anyone else who tried to touch the horses. He swore he’d kill anyone who dared to take them away from the forest.”
In her mind’s eye, Castaña saw the scene play out. She’d witnessed it often enough when Ramon and Martin had felt the horses were threatened.
“Then what happened?” Jake asked.
“Nothing.”
Castaña pinned Patty with a stony look. “What do you mean ‘nothing’?”
“I left the auction without talking to Martin again. A few days later, the two BLM agents who were supposed to check the horses and give me the final go-ahead were shot and killed at Angel Falls. No one’s seen Martin since that day.”
Castaña processed that for a minute. “You had every reason to get rid of my brother. When those horses were rounded up and sold you stood to make a small fortune. We know Martin tried to hide them from you.”
Patty shook her head. “You’re wrong. I tried to tell Martin I wasn’t planning to send the horses to slaughter. I had other plans for them, but he was so incensed he wouldn’t listen.”
“What’s your plan?” Jake asked calmly.
“I have a large dude ranch near here. We cater to wealthy clients who like to play cowboy. The plan is to transport the horses to our ranch where our guests would round them up once a week. It would be quite exciting for them to run real wild horses. There’d be no harm to the animals. We wouldn’t allow the young foals to be included, or any older or injured horses either. Just young, healthy animals.”
Eagle snorted.
“Isn’t that preferable to them being killed and sent to European or Japanese meat markets?” Patty challenged her. “We have ten thousand acres of fenced mountain meadows for them to roam in.”
“It’s better, but I still hate it,” Eagle said. “And so would Martin.”
Castaña changed the subject. “Are you actually part of S&R, or is that a lie?”
“I’m a member.”
“Why have you spent these extra days with me?” Castaña demanded. “What have you hoped to gain? With Martin out of the picture you’re free to do whatever you like with the horses.”
“I need to make sure he’s okay.” Patty’s voice was small.
“Why do you care?” Beside her, Castaña could feel the same question coming from Eagle and Jake. “Martin didn’t mean anything to you.”
“It’s my fault if something’s happened to him.” Patty’s eyes filled with tears and her chin trembled. She swiped at her eyes with her sleeve. “I told him if he interfered with my roundup I’d see him dead.” Tears splashed down her face. “I didn’t mean it. I lost my temper. They were just stupid, hot words. I can’t forgive myself until I find him.”
In spite of her shock, Castaña understood. Her brother’s own hot head had pushed her to say and do things she normally wouldn’t. Hadn’t she moved a thousand miles away from him because they couldn’t get along? “My brother can try the patience of a saint.”
Sobs shook Patty now. “I am so sorry.”
Castaña reached across the table and took her hand. “It’s not your fault.”
“Why didn’t you just tell us?” Jake asked.
“I didn’t think you’d ever forgive m
e for saying something so awful,” Patty cried. “I can’t believe I was so horrible.”
Castaña recalled the heated argument she and Martin had at Christmas. She had suggested he give up the fight and move to Dallas with her. He had been outraged. Just like always. “I know how stubborn my brother can be when he makes up his mind.”
“Who else might have a problem with the auction?” Jake asked. “Or you?”
Patty blew her nose. “I don’t know. Martin’s girlfriend was with him. She didn’t say as much, but she was upset too.”
“A pregnant blonde?”
She looked startled. “No. A Navajo girl. Her name is Nascha Nizhoni.”
Jake and Castaña shared a look.
Patty must have thought they didn’t believe her. “I’ve seen her with him. He’s pretty well known in this area. In the news a lot and so is she. She’s in his shadow, but she’s as passionate as he is about the mustangs.”
Eagle nodded. “Yes. I told you Nascha and Martin have been together for years. They share the same vision.”
“Who else bid on the contract?” Jake brought the subject back around.
“There were five. Me, of course. Martin. A group from North Dakota who wanted to move the horses out there to a preserve.” She hesitated. “And representatives from two slaughterhouses.”
“Oh, no.” Castaña’s stomach lurched at the thought. No matter what their pedigree—or lack thereof—horses shouldn’t be slaughtered and eaten like livestock. The thought of any horse, but especially the little foals, being killed made her sick. There had to be a better way. Although Patty’s plan wasn’t great, it at least didn’t involve killing the mustangs. Surely Martin could see that, too.
“Yeah.” Patty sighed. “I was so relieved I beat their bid. In spite of what Martin thought, I wanted to save the horses as badly as he did.”
“The BLM men were out in the forest to help you?” Jake went over what Patty had already said.
“Yes,” Patty repeated. “They were supposed to get a count on the horses, then let me know, and my crew was supposed to stage a roundup the next day. But they were shot and killed instead.”
