by Rachel Dylan
***
Hope had gotten sidetracked with some legal work that had to be completed before the close of business. So it wasn’t until early evening when they stood in a conference room at Wakefield filled with dozens and dozens of banker’s boxes of documents when Gabe looked over at her.
Gabe was asking so much of her. And she was asking a lot of herself, too. In addition to the very real personal danger she was facing, now to take on the role as a confidential informant might prove to be too much for her. Could she take the stress without crumbling? She didn’t see any alternative, so she she’d just have to keep her head up and push forward. There was no turning back now.
“So are we just going to look through each box?” he asked.
“Well, I’ve got an idea of a few boxes to start with based on how our records department labeled the files. Why don’t you start looking through these?” She pointed to a stack of boxes on the floor. “And I’ll look through these.”
“And it most likely won’t be in there loose, right?”
“Exactly, most likely my secretary or the records department would have placed the jump drive into an envelope and put it in a folder and labeled it as client files.”
“I’m on it.” He opened the first box and started searching.
“Don’t go too fast. Sometimes things get stuck together or fall in the bottom of a folder.”
“I’ll be careful.”
An hour later, neither one of them had found anything.
“This just doesn’t make sense,” she said.
“Or it makes perfect sense. Nola knew the general process for the files, and he got here before us.”
She kicked one of the boxes showing her frustration. He walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, Hope.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You aren’t the one they want dead.” She stood with her hand on her hip.
“Would Nola keep it himself or hand it off to someone else?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” she said. “We don’t even know who else he is working with.”
“You’re right. And that can be one of the first things you find out.”
“You really think this plan will work?”
“It’s our best chance. He’s really taking a liking to you. You’ve proven to be tough, resilient, and savvy. Add ambition and desire to rise to the top to that mix and he probably sees you as someone who could be very valuable to him.”
“Is that how you see me? Ambitious? What else?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Wait, I meant all that as a compliment.”
“I’m just a big city lawyer and social climber.”
“Whoa, now, where is all this coming from?”
She sighed and sat down on one of the boxes. “I’m sorry. I’m feeling frustrated.” She pulled her hair back and twisted it up into a bun only to have it fall a second later.
“I really didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“I know. But you’re right. I am obsessed with my career. I need that stability. I need to feel like I’ll be okay all on my own. I won’t worry about money or security.”
“You mentioned your childhood. I can imagine that really has shaped your feelings on your work.”
“When I was growing up, I told myself that I would work tirelessly to make sure I never went to bed hungry again. If that meant going to school and studying around the clock so I could have a stable well-paying job, then so be it.”
“How did you pay for school?”
“Loans. I got a lot of public funding since I was so poor. But I also had to take out some private loans for law school. I’m still paying them off, but it was totally worth it.”
“Where are your parents now?’
“They’re both dead. My dad had a heart attack and my mom had problems with alcohol. It was really tough.”
“You’ve been through a lot in your life, Hope.”
“I don’t want your pity, Gabe. Just your respect.”
“I’m not pitying you. And you earned my respect more quickly than most. It’s not an easy task. I just can’t help but think how different our lives were growing up.”
“I’m sure they were. But I’m here now, and we need to figure a way out of this before it’s too late.”
“I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we get out of here? I can take you over and show you my house. Fix us some dinner there and you can meet my better half.”
“Huh?”
“My Labrador Zeke. Caleb dropped him off a little bit ago because I wanted to run home and see him and get some more stuff from my house.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
“You have to eat. And I’ll feel safer at my place than out somewhere in town.”
She was tired and hungry so she didn’t argue with him. It would also be nice to meet his dog. Maybe that would cheer her up.
As she buckled her seatbelt, she looked in the rearview mirror. No sign of anyone. She was no longer in a state of paranoia. Her fears were justified. “How far away do you live?”
“I’m just a couple miles out.”
“So further away from town?”
“Yeah. I like it out there. It’s still not far away from everything. But it gives me my privacy, and I have a little bit of land for Zeke to run and play.”
“I guess in a small town it can get frustrating with everyone knowing your business.”
“That’s true. I’ve gotten used to a lot of it, but it can still be difficult. So I wouldn’t move closer into town if you paid me.”
A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of a large cabin. “Wow. It looks like a country cabin out of a magazine.”
“Can I take that as a compliment?”
“Yes. It’s gorgeous.”
“Thanks. It’s my design. I can’t take credit for building it, but it was definitely my vision. Turned out exactly how I wanted it to.”
“Kinda big for you, though.”
“Well I built it in mind that it would house my family someday.”
“Oh,” she said silently. Why did it bother her that he said that? She had no claim on him. They were friends. Partners. Nothing more. Like she would ever live in this cabin in the country. Like he would ever want a woman like her.
She stepped out of the car and heard loud barking.
“That’s Zeke welcoming us. Come on.” He took her by the hand and guided her up the front porch steps.
Two rocking chairs and a swing sat on the well-lit porch.
Gabe unlocked the door and a huge black fluff of a dog jumped around at his feet.
“Hey, big guy.” Gabe squatted down and loved all over his dog. Zeke’s tail wagged quickly, and he let out a few excited barks. But then Hope realized the moment when Zeke focused in on her. The newcomer.
“Don’t worry,” Gabe said. “He’s huge, but he’s friendly. Or at least when I tell him to be.”
She couldn’t help but smile as Zeke ran over to her and started licking her hand. His dark fur felt so soft and warm under her touch. “He’s beautiful.”
“No, beautiful is for ladies. He’s handsome.” He laughed.
“All right. Zeke, you are very handsome.” His tail wagged faster and faster. Then he ran to the other room and came back with a tennis ball.
“Oh no, Zeke. Let Hope get settled in before you start harassing her to play fetch with you in the yard.”
Zeke stood undeterred, with his tail held high and the yellow tennis ball firmly entrenched in his mouth. “It’s okay, Gabe. I’d love to play with him.”
“If you’re sure. I’ll start dinner then. Let me show you out back. I’ve got a fenced in area for him.”
He guided her out the back door where there was a screened in porch. “I love this porch,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s great. Especially nice to sit outside and not be bothered by the mosquitos. Zeke hangs out here a lot.”
She looked and saw a huge blue dog bed in the corner f
illed with bones and stuffed toys.
He opened the door and she walked down the steps with Zeke right beside her.
“I’ll turn on the floodlights.” He reached for the lights inside the porch and then the backyard was fully illuminated. Zeke barked impatiently. “Have fun, and don’t let him wear you out. He could go all night. Just come in when you get tired.”
She took a tennis ball and threw it hard and Zeke took off running. While he retrieved it, she inhaled a deep breath, letting the mild air fill her lungs. This was the first moment of true peace she’d felt since she arrived in Maxwell.
Zeke came running full out toward her, with ball firmly in his mouth. She thought for a moment he was going to mow her over, but he stopped promptly in front of her dropping the ball at her feet. Then he let out a single bark. “I get it, Zeke.” She laughed to herself and threw the ball until her arm felt like it was about to fall off.
“All right, Zekester. You’ve worn me out. Let’s go inside and relax.”
He listened to her although she could tell that he would play as long as she was out there. “Good boy.”
When she walked back into the house, the smell of tomato sauce filled the air.
“Hey, I thought I was going to have to go out there and save you.” He stood at the stove stirring the sauce.
“It was fun.” She paused. “And that smell is amazing.”
“Just some spaghetti. Easy enough.”
“Well regardless, it smells wonderful. Thanks for cooking.”
“Just needs a little time to simmer. Then we can eat. You’re also going to be happy because I have bread from the bakery downtown.”
Her stomach rumbled at the thought. Then she heard the front door open and shut.
“Dear, you’re cooking.” A female voice rang out.
Uh oh, she thought. She turned expecting to see a young female. But instead the voice belonged to an older lady with short silver hair. She wore a periwinkle scarf over her navy sweater.
“Oh, Gabe.” The woman’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
Gabe walked over to the lady. “No problem, mom.” He grabbed her into a big bear hug. “I’m always happy to see you. Mom, this is Hope Finch. She’s one of the lawyers in town working on the Wakefield trial.”
“Yes. I’ve heard all about that.” She walked over and extended her hand. “I’m Ruth. We’re so glad to have you in Maxwell. This trial is the talk of the town.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“And how did you meet Gabe?”
Before she could answer, he piped up. “I’m doing some consulting for Wakefield.”
“That’s nice. You work too much, though, son. You need time to yourself.” Her blue eyes narrowed at him accusingly. “Have you lost a few pounds?”
“No, Mom. I haven’t.”
She turned toward Hope. “I have to keep my eye on this one. He needs someone watching out for him. So consumed in his work.”
“Mom, do we really need to have this discussion right now?” he asked.
She laughed. “I’ll let you two get to dinner. If you need anything at all while you’re in town, Hope, just let me know.”
Before either one of them could say anything, Ruth was patting Zeke’s head and then walking out the door.
“I’m sorry about that,” he said. “My mom can be a bit invasive—in the nicest way possible. And she has no problem jumping to conclusions.” He filled up a dog food bowl and set it down for Zeke.
“You mean thinking that there’s something between you and me?”
“Yeah, and I can’t blame her. She knows I rarely bring women over to my house.”
“And why is that?”
“I like my privacy. I like my space. It’s just better that way.”
“I understand. I’m the same way.”
“The invitation stands about going to church, though.”
“I just don’t know if I’m up for that.”
“If you change your mind, just let me know.” He turned around back to the stove. “It’s time to eat. Sit down and I’ll bring you a plate.”
“You’re doing well in the kitchen to be a bachelor.”
He laughed loudly as he sat down the huge plate of piping hot spaghetti in front of her with a large roll on the side. “I have to be good in kitchen because I’m a bachelor.” He paused. “You mind if I say grace before we eat?”
“No, go ahead.” This was all a bit unfamiliar territory to her, and yet it felt so comfortable for him.
He said a quick prayer and then picked up his own fork. She looked down and saw that Zeke was positioned right by her side.
“Just ignore him. He knows he’ll get in trouble if he begs too much.”
“Can’t I give him a bite?”
“No. You’ll create a monster, believe me. Labs are hyper food driven. It’s taking all his discipline to sit there right now and not whine. You saw me feed him. He’s not hungry. He just can’t help himself.”
“I’m a softie when it comes to animals.”
He smiled. “I can see that. Another side of you that’s unexpected.”
“Thanks, I think.” She took another bite and enjoyed the warm tomato sauce. “This is delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
When they finished she got up to clear the table. “You cooked, the least I can do is clean up.”
“All right. No complaints there.”
Zeke started barking and ran to the back door.
“What’s gotten into him?” she asked.
Zeke’s barking only got louder and louder.
She looked out the back window and couldn’t see anything but darkness.
Gabe pulled out his gun from his holster. “I don’t know what’s happening. But it’s not like Zeke to bark for no reason. Stay inside and lock the door behind me. Do not let anyone in. You hear me?”
“Yes,” she said. But he was already out the door. She locked it behind him, and Zeke stood at attention by her side.
A gunshot rang out, and she instinctively crouched down. Zeke barked and nudged her hand. “What should we do?” she asked him. Yes, she was talking to a dog. But he seemed insistent that they move. To where, she didn’t know.
Staying low to the ground she started making her way toward the interior bathroom. Yes, get away from all the windows, she thought. Another shot rang out loudly. She desperately hoped that Gabe wasn’t hurt. Or worse.
She grabbed onto Zeke and waited. After a few minutes with no sound, she wondered what she should do. What if Gabe was injured and needed medical attention? She knew CPR and basic first aid.
Deciding that she wasn’t going to hide any longer, she slowly turned the bathroom doorknob and it opened with a creek. Taking a deep breath, she stayed crouched down and scooted into the hallway.
Zeke took off running. Oh no. She couldn’t let him get hurt. She stood up and ran after him. He was waiting at the porch door. Yeah, Gabe had specifically told her not to open it, but she had no choice. Looking around the kitchen, she found a large knife. Grabbing it tightly in her right hand, she twisted the lock with her left and opened the door.
Silence. Complete silence. Zeke brushed by her and starting running. She’d have to rely on him to find Gabe.
She was a few steps behind Zeke, but she couldn’t see anything. Chills shot down her arms as she envisioned the worst case scenarios. Gabe was injured or dead and the shooter was now going to come after her.
Zeke started barking loudly, and she ran over quickly to where she heard him. Then she heard a grunt.
“Gabe, are you okay?” She couldn’t see much to tell how he was doing.
“Yeah. It’s just a superficial gunshot wound.”
“You’ve been shot! I need to call 9-1-1.”
“I’ll be fine, Hope. It’s more of a graze.”
“Then why were you on the ground?”
“I was waiting. I got off a few shots, but wasn’
t sure if I hit the target.”
“I haven’t seen anyone. I only heard the shots.”
“You shouldn’t be out here. It’s too dangerous.”
“I couldn’t abandon you,” she said softly.
“You’re a good partner.” He stood up and they walked back toward the house.
That’s when she heard the loan moaning sound. “Someone’s there,” she whispered.
“Run inside and turn the flood lights back on. Wait on me there.”
Knowing it probably wasn’t the time to argue, she did as instructed. She paced around the kitchen waiting. The sound of sirens soon filled the air. Gabe walked back inside with Zeke by his side.
“What happened?”
“Looks like I shot the guy in the shoulder. He’s in pain, but it’s not life threatening.”
“Were you able to question him?”
A loud knock at the door interrupted the conversation.
“That has to be Caleb.” Gabe walked to the front door and let in Caleb and a few uniformed officers. “There’s a guy in the back cuffed to the porch railing.” The uniformed officers walked out the back door.
“What happened here?” Caleb asked. He frowned as he looked back and forth at both of them.
She nodded toward Gabe to go ahead.
“We were finishing dinner and Zeke started barking. He was very persistent, not like his normal self. I knew someone had to be outside. So I went out back to check it out. The perpetrator fired the first shot at me. Missed. I returned fire. We did that three times. My final shot got him. I was flying blind because I couldn’t see him.”
Caleb turned to her. “And what about you?”
“Well I hid in the bathroom with Zeke. But then I when things got quiet, I started getting worried about Gabe being hurt. I had heard the gunshots. So I decided I needed to check it out. I went outside with Zeke and that’s how Zeke led me to Gabe. Then we found the intruder.”
Caleb paced around the living room. “We’re missing something here. Hope, they want you badly enough to kidnap you or kill you. I can’t help but think you have to have something they want that goes beyond the allegedly stolen chip.”
“Like what?” she asked. Her mind turned cartwheels trying to ascertain why they thought she was so valuable.
