Fugitive Trackdown

by Sandra Robbins

  She stood there, not knowing what to do. Had Adam overheard her conversation with Molly? Just because he didn’t share her belief in God was no reason for him to get angry because she spoke about it to someone else. Someone who was hurting and needed to hold on to her faith to get her through the trying days ahead.

  Adam might not realize it, but he needed that same help. She hoped that what he’d overheard hadn’t made him more determined than ever to ignore the need for God in his life.

  The front door slammed shut, and Claire squared her shoulders. If Adam was angry with her, it was better she find out now instead of later. She clenched her fists at her side. She needed to get to the car right away.

  * * *

  Adam jerked the car door open and crawled into the driver’s seat. He grasped the steering wheel with both hands and squeezed. His heart pounded, and his chest felt as if it was about to explode. What was the matter with him?

  He’d been fine until he decided to see what was keeping Claire so long, and he’d stepped up to the door just in time to hear her and Jonathan Fields’s wife talking about faith. He’d listened for a few minutes without being affected until the woman had asked how she was going to bear living with her husband’s death.

  Claire’s answer about how God would help had stunned him. He’s right there with you, taking every step alongside you. He’ll give you the strength to make it through each day. And as you do, you’ll find that each one will get easier, she’d said.

  He closed his eyes as the memory of watching his best friend take his last breath on the horrible day the roadside bomb had shattered his body. He remembered how the corpsmen had worked to revive him, but in the end it had done no good.

  One more useless death in battle. And now Jonathan Fields had become another who hadn’t deserved to die. Would his wife gain consolation from what Claire had said to her?

  The door on the passenger side opened, and he turned toward Claire as she climbed inside. A small frown wrinkled her forehead. “Adam, are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” He put a shaky hand on the ignition, but she reached over and stopped him.

  “What’s the matter? You looked so angry when I saw you in the hallway. Then you rushed out of the building like a madman. Did I do something to make you angry?”

  He sighed and raked his hand through his hair. “No. It wasn’t you. It’s me. I overheard what you were saying, and I had to get out of there.”

  “Why?”

  He thought for a moment before he answered. “You know that I grew up with parents who love God. They tried to teach their children about Him. But when I went into the army, I began to wonder how God could let such horrible things happen to the men and women around me. What kind of God does that? Let mothers and fathers be killed?”

  “Like Jonathan Fields?”

  “Exactly. I don’t understand. God must not exist or He would have taken care of them.”

  Claire reached out her hand to him. “Everyone dies, Adam. And it’s not always at the time that we would choose. We have to have faith and believe God will help us get through the hard times that come with such experiences.”

  “Yeah, getting cut down in battle is definitely a hard time for the one hit.”

  She didn’t say anything for a moment. “Were any of your friends who died believers?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m sure they were comforted by God’s presence.”

  Adam glared at her. “You seem to have an answer for everything. Except one. When you come right down to it, you can’t prove to me God is real.”

  A sad smile pulled at her mouth. “I’m sorry to hear you say that, but I wonder something.”

  “What?”

  She leaned closer. “If you’re so sure that God doesn’t exist, then why do you get so angry and upset when you think about it? If I didn’t believe, like you say you don’t, I wouldn’t waste my energy giving it a second thought. I’d just live it up every day without getting all angry about people who don’t agree with me.”

  He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. “I’m not angry.”

  A smile curled her lips, and she reached over and covered his hand with hers. “You could sure fool me, but I don’t want to argue with you. It all comes down to whether or not we choose to believe. The Bible tells us, ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ I’m praying that you will find it in your heart to accept what God offers, but you’re the one who has to make the decision.”

  He looked down at her hand covering his and then to her. His heart thudded at the glow on her face. He’d never seen her more beautiful, and in that moment he wished he could be more like her. He’d never known anyone like her, and she affected him in a way that no other woman ever had.

  He wrapped his fingers around hers. “I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for my behavior. Maybe I’m feeling guilty about Jonathan’s death. I’m glad you talked with his wife. I’m sure it helped her.”

  “I hope so. But I want to help you, too.”

  “Sometimes I think I’m beyond being helped.”

  “That’s not true, Adam. God loves you. But you’re the one who has to make the choice about whether or not to believe in Him. Just think about what I’ve said.”

  He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then let his index finger trail down her cheek. “You make me want to be a better person, Claire. I wish I could see things through your eyes. I don’t know if I can, but I’ll think about what you said.”

  She smiled. “That’s all I’m asking you to do.”

  He pulled his hand away from her face and took a deep breath before he reached out and turned the ignition. “Now I’m going to take you to your father’s house so you can pack a bag. While you were talking with Mrs. Fields, I called Serenity Wellness Spa and booked us each a room starting tomorrow. Maybe we can find out if Peter has connections to the spa other than the loan from the bank.”

  Her eyes grew wide, and she shook her head. “Adam, this sounds expensive. I can’t afford to stay there.”

  “Oh, yes, you can. I’ll pay for it through the Knight Agency.”

  “But finding Peter isn’t going to help your business in any way. He’s my responsibility.”

  He paused before putting the car in gear and scowled at her. “Are we going to argue again? I want to find Peter as much as you do, and I’m going to pay for us to stay at the spa. Okay?”

  Her mouth opened, but she didn’t speak for a moment. Then she shrugged. “Okay. If you say so.”

  “I do. And while you’re packing, pick out your prettiest dress to bring along. Something that will complement those big blue eyes of yours. After all we’ve been through in the past few days, I think we deserve some fun. I’m taking you to the swankiest restaurant in East Memphis tonight for dinner.”

  She batted her eyelashes at him and grinned. “Why, Mr. Knight, are you asking me out on a date?”

  His skin grew warm, and he swallowed. “I guess I am. Is that all right with you?”

  “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

  A warm feeling curled in the pit of his stomach. “Me, either.”

  He stared at her for a minute. A voice in his head urged him to reach across the seat and pull her into his arms, but she probably wouldn’t like that. He shook the thought from his head and pulled the car into the early-afternoon traffic.

  NINE

  Claire closed her eyes with pleasure as the last bite of crème brûlée slid down her throat. When she opened her eyes, Adam was staring at her across the table. Her face warmed, and she glanced around the crowded restaurant.

  “Did anyone see me enjoy that last morsel of a fabulous dessert?”

  Adam picked up his coffee cup and stared at her over the
rim. “I don’t think so. But from the way you’ve eaten tonight, I’d say you’ve really enjoyed the food.”

  “Oh, I have. Thank you for bringing me here, Adam. I could never afford this place on my salary. If the bounty hunter business pays enough to afford places like this and the spa where we’re going tomorrow, then I may decide to change my mind and stay in Memphis.”

  He took a sip of coffee and set his cup back down. “We’d all like to see you stay in Memphis, but I don’t know about you taking on the job of a bounty hunter.”

  She pushed her plate out of her way and crossed her arms in front of her on the table. “I’ve learned a lot from you in the past few days. I’m sure by the time we catch up with Peter, I’ll be a seasoned bounty hunter.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t count on it. It takes a while to get used to this kind of life.”

  “Jessica seems to like it fine.”

  “Yes, but Jessica’s had a lot of law enforcement training that has helped her. I don’t think a librarian’s job offers that much practical experience for chasing down bail jumpers.”

  Claire couldn’t help but laugh. “You may have a point. But what I lack in skill I make up for in determination.”

  He arched his eyebrows and nodded. “You can say that again.”

  She was about to respond when an unfamiliar voice sounded behind her. “Well, look who’s here. I didn’t think you were the dating type, Knight. Now I see you out on the town. From all the talking and laughter that’s been coming from your table, I’d say you’re having a good time.”

  Claire glanced up at the large bald-headed man who stopped next to their table and smiled down at them. When he reached out to shake hands with Adam, she almost gasped at the number of rings he wore. She’d never seen so many diamonds on one person in her life.

  Adam grasped the man’s hand and smiled. “Wes, good to see you.”

  Wes glanced at Claire, then winked at Adam. “It looks like you’ve been holding out on me. I had no idea you had such a pretty friend.”

  Adam chuckled. “Claire, this is Wes Stratton. Wes, Claire Walker. She’s a longtime friend of the family.”

  Claire’s forehead wrinkled. “Stratton? Are you the owner of the Bond Squad Bail Bond Company?”

  “I sure am, Miss Walker. I hope you’ve never had to use our services.”

  She shook her head. “No, but I’m running my father’s business at present, Walker’s Bail Bonds.”

  The smile disappeared from Wes’s face. “So you’re Henry Walker’s daughter? I was so sorry to hear of your father’s death. I hope you got the flowers we sent.”

  “Yes. They were beautiful. Thank you.”

  He narrowed his eyes and stared at her for a moment. “So you’re running your father’s business?”

  “Right now I am.”

  An amused look flashed on his face. “A bail bond business is not the place for a pretty woman like you. Have you given any thought to selling?”

  Claire clenched her fists in her lap and struggled to control the anger that surged through her. “Mr. Stratton, my father told me that you tried repeatedly to buy his business, and that you had already bought up a lot of the smaller ones. But he wasn’t interested in selling and neither am I. If you’re looking to have a monopoly on the business, I think you’re going to have a rough go of it in a city as large as Memphis.”

  He laid a hand on his chest and widened his eyes as if he was surprised at her outburst. “Why, Miss Walker, I was only trying to help your father get out of a financial disaster, and I’d like to do the same for you. But if you’re not interested, I won’t approach you again.”

  “Thank you.”

  Wes glanced over at Adam, who had remained silent. “By the way, Adam, I received a call from the police that James Lester’s body was discovered in his car this morning. The money I forfeited to the court when he jumped bail will be returned, and I intend to pay your fee even though you didn’t bring him in.”

  “Thanks, Wes,” Adam said, “but you don’t have to...”

  Wes held up his hand to stop him. “I insist. The Bond Squad doesn’t want any bounty hunter to lose money on jobs they perform for us.” He glanced at Claire. “That’s one of the things that sets us apart from other companies, Miss Walker. I hope you’ll be able to do the same.”

  Adam pushed to his feet and stuck out his hand before Claire could answer. “I’ll send you a bill.”

  “See that you do.” He shook Adam’s hand, nodded to her and walked away from the table.

  When he’d gone, Adam sat back down and glanced at Claire. “Are you all right?”

  Claire watched Wes Stratton as he walked from the restaurant’s dining room. “There’s something about that man I don’t trust.”

  “Do you think you might be influenced by the fact that he tried to buy your father’s business?”

  “No. My father didn’t trust him, either.” When he disappeared into the lobby, she shook her head. “But maybe you’re right, and my father’s opinion influenced me. Anyway, I don’t think this was the appropriate time to bring up buying my business.”

  Before Adam could respond, the waitress stopped at their table. “Can I get you anything else?”

  “Just the check,” Adam said.

  Claire pushed up from the table as the waitress left to get their bill. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  She grabbed her purse and headed to the lobby where she’d seen signs indicating the restrooms. As she exited the dining room, she spotted Wes Stratton with his cell phone clamped against his ear going out the door. She eased over to the door and pushed it open a few inches so she could peer outside.

  The way he gestured wildly with his free hand as he talked and stormed down the sidewalk toward the side of the building made her wonder what could have upset him so much. Probably something to do with his business.

  She turned and entered the hallway where the restrooms were located. At the ladies’ room she stopped and thought about Wes again. The events of the past few days had made her view things she might have dismissed a week ago in a different light now.

  After all, Wes had a link to James Lester. It might only be that he had paid his bail, but then it could be something more. If she didn’t check it out, she would never know.

  She glanced at the door with the exit sign above it at the end of the hall. It wouldn’t hurt to see if she could find out anything. She hurried to the door and pushed it open a few inches so she could see outside.

  Wes Stratton, still on the phone, paced up and down the alley at the rear of the building. A Dumpster sat near him. Claire eased through the door and into the shadows next to the building. Holding her breath, she tiptoed closer until she reached the Dumpster and crouched down behind it.

  “I don’t care what you thought!” she heard Wes say. “I told you I’d have the money for you, and I will. I just need more time.”

  A chill rippled up Claire’s spine, and she realized for the first time she’d left the restaurant without her coat. She shivered and berated herself for following Wes Stratton. From what she’d heard, his phone call was nothing more than a bill collector trying to get him to pay a debt.

  “Yes, I know you’re charging interest!” Wes said. “But it’s going to be hard to get hold of that much money by tomorrow. All I’m asking for is a few days more.”

  Now she really wished she’d stayed inside. She shouldn’t be listening to a man beg a creditor for more time. She rose to a squat and was about to try to scoot back into the shadows when she froze in place at his next words.

  “Look, Willis, don’t threaten me. It wouldn’t be good for your business if something happened to me.”

  Claire clamped her hand over her mouth to keep from gasping out loud. Peter
Willis? That was the person on the phone threatening Wes Stratton?

  Wes’s groan drifted on the night air. “Okay, you’re right. We can work this out. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow at Serenity. And, Willis, don’t call me again.”

  Claire huddled close to the Dumpster as Wes made his way from the alley back to the front of the restaurant. She waited a few minutes in hopes that he would be gone by the time she reentered the restaurant.

  After what seemed an eternity, she pushed to her feet and took a tentative step away from the Dumpster and into the shadows. Before she could move a sharp voice crackled in the darkness.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  Claire gave a squeal of surprise, doubled up her fist and swung at the figure in the shadows. Before she could land a blow, the man ducked, grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her over his shoulder.

  * * *

  Claire writhed and kicked at him as her fists pounded him in the back. With a groan Adam loosened his grip on Claire and stood her in front of him. He grabbed her fist as she swung at him once more.

  “Claire, will you cut it out?” he yelled.

  She stilled and sucked in her breath. “Adam?”

  “Yes, it’s Adam.”

  She threw her arms around his waist and laid her cheek against his chest. “Oh, Adam, I’m so glad to see you. I thought Wes Stratton had found me.”

  For a moment he stood still, uncertain what to do. Then he felt her body tremble, and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. “Claire, what are you talking about?”

  She pulled back and stared up at him. “I was on my way to the ladies’ room and I saw Wes on his cell phone.”

  Once she started talking, the words poured from her mouth. By the time she got to the end of her story, his mouth was gaping in shock. When she finished, he took her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes.

  “Claire, what were you thinking? You should have come and gotten me. I would have followed him.”

  “By the time I told you, he would probably have been through with his conversation, and we wouldn’t know that he owes Peter Willis money.”