Carried Away by Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  "I see what you mean. Okay, now where to?"

  "See this street. If we can find a way to get into this section, we might be able to find the treasure." Dani looked up and grinned at him. "I need to snap pics of each section of this map and the next pages too."

  "Lay out the pages you want and I'll help you. We'll get done faster." He took out his cell and clicked on the camera app.

  They worked steadily through the needed pages and Hunter soon helped Dani replace the large book to the bottom of the pile on the lower shelf.

  As they emerged into weak sunlight, Hunter laughed at the site of the rumpled, smudged, dusty woman beside him. A few cobwebs coated her hair.

  "And what is so funny?" Dani demanded.

  "You should see yourself. All ready to go trick-or-treating. We'll have to go back to the room before we can get any lunch unless we do the drive-thru. They'd kick us out," he chuckled. Taking note of the location of their tail, he walked Dani to the car and unlocked her door.

  "You're a little worse for wear too, there, Slick," she pointed out as she slid in and put her bag at her feet. He had black smeared over one cheek and on his forehead where he'd smoothed back his hair. And his shoulders sported dust and cobwebs.

  "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. Really, you're kind of cute all frazzled and mussed. Maybe the blokes following will think we were making out all this time."

  "Oh, mercy – in the records office?" Dani's mouth fell open and she stared at him.

  Hunter laughed loudly at her astonishment. "Well, some people find it exciting to make out in all kinds of places – especially where they might be discovered at any minute. Don't tell me you're strictly an in bed, missionary type?" he teased.

  Embarrassed, Dani crossed her arms and looked straight ahead as she felt a hot blush spread up her neck and over her face. "That… That definitely is none of your business." She wasn't about to tell him she'd not experimented enough to know and something always seemed to be missing.

  "Oh no, Dani darling, I hit the nail on the head, didn't I?" Now he looked at her with an amused smirk on his face and a definite twinkle in his eyes.

  "I am not discussing this with you. We need to get cleaned up and eat. We missed lunch, in case you didn't notice," she reminded him. "And I can't wait to get to work on this," she finished eagerly.

  "We will discuss this again, but at a later date," he conceded with a wink. "After we get better acquainted." He drove into the hotel lot and parked the car.

  Abby waited for them in the room and Hunter felt it would be safe enough to leave the two of them together while he showered and changed in his room.

  Dani showered off the cobwebs and dust, and then downloaded the plat pics from their cell phones to Abby's computer, printed them out, and put them in the proper order to form a map of sorts. She refused to leave the room to eat and hardly noticed when Hunter returned.

  He and Abby ordered and ate club sandwiches from the restaurant. Going back and forth between the journal and the traced pages, Dani ignored them as she carried pieces of her own sandwich while searching for more clues to the hidden money, often mumbling and muttering to herself.

  Hunter started to interrupt her several times to offer his help or ask if she wanted anything, but Abby always stopped him. Finally, during his last attempt to reach her, Dani grabbed some papers and the journal and locked herself away in the bathroom.

  Abby pulled him to the other side of the room near the door. "Leave her alone and let her work. We need answers and you're distracting her. Go take a walk or something. You're oozing sexual tension all over her."

  Hunter realized he did need a physical outlet for his frustration as he couldn't sit still. "Okay, I'll see if I can't get rid of some of this tension you think I'm oozing," he joked. "I'm going downstairs. I think I saw a weight room. Swear to me you won't open the door for anyone but me, and you won't let Dani out of this room," he insisted.

  "I can do that," she chuckled.

  After making sure she had his cell phone number, he checked the location of the SUV from the window, and then slipped out the door. He waited in the hallway until he heard the locks click into place and then walked briskly to the elevator. What he really should do – visit a bar and pick up a willing sheila.

  * * * * *

  Dani sat in the corner of the bathroom floor and held the cracked leather journal in her hands. "Come on, Lottie. Help me find your treasure," she mumbled and turned to the first mention of the hidden coins. Closing her eyes, she saw the blond haired, blue-eyed girl dressed in a fairly plain green-gingham-checked dress standing in front of a spotted oval mirror.

  Placing a few coins into an empty tobacco sack, the full-figured Lottie talked to herself, "So I had me a bit left this week after my share of the food bill. Just a five-dollar gold piece and a bit o' silver. If I kin stick back this much ever week, why, I'll soon have me a fortune. Now, off to find me a good hidey-hole. Somewhere that nosy Maggie won't be finding it."

  She tightened the string on the small pouch and tucked it down into her camisole inside the bosom of her dress. Lottie picked up her reticule, checked her hair in the mirror, and left the room. In a small yard, wash hung on a line and chickens scratched in the dirt. Lottie turned left and crossed a small alleyway to walk along behind another building. The muddy yard caused Lottie to lift her skirt and dance around the puddles.

  'How do, Mrs. Sung,' she called to a Chinese woman who waved, but quickly returned inside. Lottie felt a twinge of pity for the woman. The Sungs worked at a bathhouse and laundry in the lower rooms and lived above-stairs. Paid barely enough to feed their young'uns, the Sungs seemed glad of the work and a place to stay.

  Lottie went past the corner of the house and turned right to head for the main street. As she came out onto the corner, the mercantile stood directly across the street and the saloon was two buildings down on the left.

  A thud then a scream pierced Dani's ears and the mental images faded.

  She heard another thud and a muffled grunt. Scurrying across the floor, Dani cautiously opened the bathroom door a crack. A tall man wearing a full Halloween zombie mask held onto Abby, while another shorter man in a monster mask grabbed papers from the bed.

  Abby caught a glimpse of Dani from the corner of her eye and tried to motion her back into the bathroom.

  Dani shook her head no and signaled going to sleep to Abby.

  Abby understood and pretended to faint, going totally limp in her captor's arms. At the same time, Dani rushed from the bathroom and grabbed the nearest weapon – a lamp – from the dresser. She swung it at the man who reached for her and caught him across the forearm, smashing the lamp to pieces, but slowing him down. Then she gave him the stiff-armed heel of her hand to his face, barely missing his nose.

  Abby stomped down on the instep of the man restraining her then elbowed him hard in the stomach. The man yelped as he let go and staggered backward.

  Hunter burst through the open doorway to see Dani and Abby fighting with two men in dark clothes wearing masks. He reached Abby first and stepped in front of the man after her. Hunter rammed him headfirst into the wall then quickly headed for the other man who cursed a blue streak as he grabbed for Dani again. One punch to the back of the head had the fellow scrabbling across the floor.

  Then the intruders gave up and raced from the room. Their footsteps pounded down the hall as Hunter gave chase. When they threw open the door leading to the stairwell and disappeared, Hunter let them go and returned to the girls.

  "Are you two all right?" he wanted to know as soon as he entered their room.

  "If you had held off – a few more minutes," Dani huffed, "we would have made mincemeat – out of them." She dropped to the floor and hugged her knees, trying to get her breathing back to normal.

  "Yeah," Abby agreed shakily. "We had it – under control." She sank down on the edge of the bed and put her head lower to clear the sudden lightheadedness threatening to consume her.

  H
unter hurried to the window to check on the green car. It raced off down the street, taking the corner at an alarming speed.

  The hotel security supervisor followed by two uniformed security guards knocked at the open doorway and Hunter went to speak with them as Dani and Abby tried to recover. Hunter returned to them a few minutes later and suggested they move across to his room while they waited for the police to arrive.

  Dani stiffly rose to her feet, said, "Back in a minute," and stepped gingerly over the shattered pieces of lamp. She firmly closed the bathroom door behind her and scooped up papers from the floor. Securing them and the journal in the front waistband of her slacks, she washed her hands and rejoined the others.

  Hunter ushered them across the hall to his room. "Did they get anything? What in bloody blazes happened?" he demanded as soon as they were alone.

  Abby slid into the only easy chair because it was closest. Her knees still trembled and her legs felt decidedly weak. "I don't know if any of the map pages are missing or not." She looked to Dani.

  "I have the journal and the pages I was studying. That's why I went into the bathroom. If they got some of the other pages, it's no big deal. What did happen, Abby?" Dani sat on the arm of the chair and hugged her friend.

  "I'm not really sure. Someone knocked at the door and I thought it would be Hunter. Wait – I didn't open it – I looked out the peephole, like I'm supposed to," she pre-empted the expected scolding. "No one was there. I thought someone had the wrong room or something and I was turning away when it – the door, you know – just flew open. That guy rushed in and grabbed me. There wasn't anything I could do. My mind went numb...until I saw Dani..." Abby looked up at Dani, seeking her understanding.

  Dani nodded, familiar with the feeling.

  "I can't leave you two alone at all, can I?" Hunter asked. A knock on the door drew his attention. He stepped out into the hallway to talk to the head of hotel security and a detective.

  * * * * *

  "I was so close, Abby. Lottie had the first sack and was looking for the hiding place. Then – it was gone," Dani sighed tiredly.

  "I'm sorry. I just knew something like this was going to happen. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you." Abby laid her head over on Dani's leg.

  Dani stroked her blond hair soothingly. Abby often experienced heightened intuitive moments, but felt too insecure to share them. "It's okay, Abs. We will just have to be more careful. Maybe if I can get below ground, it won't take long for this to be over." She stood when Abby pulled away and paced around the room. "Wonder what that's about?" Dani tilted her head toward the door.

  "Who knows? Cop talk, probably. Don't you think Hunter was once a cop or something?"

  "Or something, I'd say. He works with Derek, don't forget. And he's very secretive about – well, everything. He won't even tell me the rest of his name. I don't know if Hunter is his first, last, middle, or only."

  Abby laughed at her. "You know the most important things, though. He's a hunk, you like the way he kisses, he's lusting after you, and did I mention he's a hunk?"

  Dani was laughing when Hunter came back into the room, but it died when he went directly to his overnight bag and took out a holster and ominous looking pistol. After checking the clip and sliding a shell into the chamber, Hunter holstered the gun at his back.

  The girls exchanged looks, but didn't challenge his decision to carry the weapon.

  "The hotel management is having a security suite prepared for us to make up for the break-in. I told them we'd gratefully accept." Hunter stretched and groaned. "It would be nice to have a good night's sleep. And, man, do I need a shower."

  Dani winked at Abby then wrinkled her nose, "Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but…"

  "Hey, I just finished a hard workout down in the weight room and came back to find you two in trouble. Who's had time for a shower? I now believe everything Derek said about you two."

  "Ohhh – wait just a minute," Abby spluttered. "What did that reject from the Dark Ages tell you about us?"

  Hunter chuckled as he gathered up his things and packed his bag. "Reject from the Dark Ages – good one." He checked the room to be sure he had everything. "Okay, ladies. Let's get you packed up and then our new quarters should be ready."

  The suite contained two bedrooms, a sitting area, and a small but well-appointed breakfast bar complete with fridge and microwave. There was a whirlpool tub in the large bathroom which Abby loved on sight and the wide flat screen TV and plush sofa won Hunter's instant approval.

  Hunter opted to take the sofa, which would be a definite step up from the cramped chair of the previous nights. That left a bedroom for each of the girls, and they would share the bathroom. He secured the door, even placing a chair under the doorknob then checked the windows before heading for the shower.

  Dani unpacked in her room. It would be wonderful to have some privacy after what seemed like days of being constantly with other people. She needed food, a little sleep, and then to get back to Lovely Lottie and the ghosts of the past.

  Chapter Eight

  Abby sat at the bar reading a newspaper and drinking coffee when Dani emerged from her room well after dawn. At Abby's questioning smile, Dani glared at her.

  "Don't even think of saying a word until I've had coffee." She'd dreamed of Lottie then of Hunter and his kisses during the short time she slept, which made her frustrated and irritable.

  "Oh my. Who poured cold water down your back? There's coffee on the counter. The manager is still trying to make up to us for the break-in and sent it and croissants up earlier this morning."

  After adding sugar to her coffee, Dani joined Abby at the curved granite bar. Several sips later, she ventured, "Where's Hunter?"

  "He's in the shower. Have a croissant." Abby shifted a white bakery box toward Dani and stared down at her paper then said, "This attraction between you and Hunter... You have to know, as Derek's baby sister, Hunter probably considers you off limits, and may even have been warned off."

  "Yeah, I do know. But he said we're eventually going out. I just don't know if I should. I think our...um...goals would be totally different, if you know what I mean."

  Abby leaned closer and confided, "I do know, and he does come across as a Good-Time-Charlie as my granny would have said. But in all the romance novels, the reformed rake makes the best husband."

  With another blush and a sudden smile, Dani asked, "Really?"

  Abby nodded and would have said something else, but Hunter walked up behind them.

  "What are you two whispering about?" he wanted to know as he reached for a croissant from the box.

  "Nothing – really...just – nothing," Dani squeaked and wished she could fan her suddenly hot cheeks. Hunter looked scrumptious to her, and smelled even better, all fresh from the shower with his hair still damp.

  "So gang, what's the plan for today?" Abby tried to give Dani time to get herself together.

  "That's up to Dani," Hunter answered and looked questioningly at her.

  Dani told them, "We need to get as close to the actual location of Maggie's place as we can. Abby, do you have any contacts familiar with Underground Seattle? Someone who might be able to show us a secret entrance or two?"

  "A few, maybe. They're street people and don't have phones, so we'll have to look for them."

  "Okay, let me recheck my maps and we'll get started," Dani said. "Be sure you're wearing good walking shoes, and – surprise, surprise – it's raining again, so wear rain gear." She slid off the barstool and came face to face with Hunter.

  He put his hands on her shoulders. "Good morning, Dani. Not sure what I've done to put you in a snit, but I didn't mean to." Hunter kissed her on the forehead then let her go before walking into the living room to pick up his keys and his holstered gun.

  Abby waggled her eyebrows at Dani and grinned, glad to see her friend speechless at last.

  * * * * *

  Hunter deliberately left the green Chrysler sedan behind as he didn't
want to lead them to any of Abby's sources.

  After hours spent tracking down Slow Joe, they found him in an alley behind his favorite diner. Abby talked him into helping and led him inside to buy him a meal. Joe slowly described what they would be facing over a cheeseburger plate and four cups of coffee. Abby pressed money into Slow Joe's hand with the admonishment not to buy wine, once he told them all he could remember.

  After learning all they could of a secret way into Underground Seattle, Abby asked to be dropped by the newspaper offices to work while Dani and Hunter gathered the required supplies. They planned to start their treasure hunt early the next day.

  * * * * *

  Hunter pulled into a parking spot at the hotel and checked the surroundings before sliding out of the SUV. He went around to open Dani's door, extended his hand, and helped her out. He answered his cell phone as they entered the lobby.

  A frown furrowed his brow. "When? How long ago?" After listening to a brief response, Hunter continued, "No, don't call anyone, yet. We're in the lobby. You've checked it and you're sure it's clear?" Another pause and then, "Okay, we're coming up. Keep your eyes open."

  "Hunter? Is it Abby?"

  "No, not Abby. It was Derek. Hang on and I'll tell you." He punched some numbers into the cell phone, gave some brief orders, and then disconnected before turning back to her. "Derek called in a couple of extra men. He says things are heating up. One of our men arrived to stand guard at the suite here and found the door open. He's checked it and whoever broke in is gone, so it's safe to go up. Stanridge isn't familiar with our belongings and has no way of knowing if anything's been taken. I told him not to call the police or hotel security."

  Hunter urged Dani into the empty elevator and used the special key for their floor. "You and I know what they were after. Where did you leave the journal and the map pages, Dani?"

  "I hid them in my room. I didn't think it wise to take them with us on the street today." Dani hurried to keep up with Hunter's long strides. "Guess I was wrong. Who could be behind all this?"