Deep Into The Night (Hartz Island Series)

by Loy, Tracie Ingersoll

  “Did they have a tattoo?”

  “I didn’t stick around to see that part.”

  Jack parked the truck. “Any chance you got the license plate?”

  She coughed.

  “I take that as a no.” He opened his door and stood on the running board, looking around. “I see more than one white van.” Closing his door, he surveyed her. “I think it’s time for a disguise.”

  It only took a few minutes for Cassie to get ready. Jack adjusted his ball cap and pulled his collar up around his neck.

  “This is what we’re going to do. We’re going to walk up the lanes, and I’m going to snap photos of the license plate with my phone. You’ll be ahead of me, blocking me in case anyone is watching. Try and keep your head down. Just go to the very end and look out at the water.”

  Now a blond, Cassie moved along slowly and gestured with her hands, relating some story to Jack. About every ten steps, she turned around for emphasis. When they reached the front, he joined her looking out. The day started to clear with the clouds breaking up; the sun cast its sheen across the bay.

  “In a few minutes, we’ll head up to the passenger deck, but go up on the other side. Just do what you were doing. I’m still not sure what you were doing, but it worked well.” Somehow, Hollywood missed her talent, he thought.

  “I was explaining nothing of importance.”

  In a few minutes, she pointed upward and Jack followed. They found seats up against a wall for privacy. Jack sent the photos to Ray Carlson so he could run the plates through the state’s database.

  “Are you ever going to tell me exactly what’s going on up here?”

  “I thought I did,” he replied.

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “We think there is a sex trafficking ring going on, starting over in Victoria. Women are being smuggled in here via the islands. I’m pretty certain those young women at the massage parlor are part of it.”

  “And so are Rob Armstrong and the minister’s wife.” She looked at Jack, who nodded. “They make me sick.” Her jaw clenched and she stared out the window.

  “Hey.” Jack rubbed her hand. “I’m going to get them.” He put his arm around her and pulled her in tight. Casually, they’d glance at the people walking by, but mostly they watched the scenery. “Either we missed them or they stayed in their van. Let’s go check the other side.”

  They came down the steps to the car deck. Spotting only one white cargo van parked on the outside lane, Cassie turned to Jack and said, “Just follow my lead.”

  He grinned, thinking of her antics. He could be her wingman. Cassie walked down the middle lane of parked cars with Jack following.

  “Honey,” she said loudly, stopping and looking back at Jack, “I know it’s parked on this side. You are wrong. Wrong.”

  She flipped her hair with her hands, moved over to the next lane of parked cars, and started walking toward the back of the ferry, turning around when she neared the van to give Jack grief again. This continued until they reached the end of the line where Cassie ducked up the stairs that connected to the other side. Jack joined her, and they made their way to the Tahoe. Once inside the truck, Jack checked the photo on the phone and sent it off to Ray.

  The ferry docked at Friday Harbor, and all the vehicles disembarked. Jack swung around to the holding area and was now first in line for Hartz Island. With time to kill, they walked the short distance to historic Friday Harbor. They passed a sandwich shop. Cassie grabbed Jack’s hand and pulled him in.

  “I’m starved, I’m buying. What do you want?”

  He told her, and she rolled her eyes.

  “Fine, then make it whole wheat and not white. Add some lettuce.”

  They sat at the window, ate their sandwiches, and watched the people walking by. Jack’s phone started dinging with text messages. “From Ray,” he said. “One of those vans from the first group is registered to a Korean mission church.” His eyes squinted, staring through her. “The coincidences are mounting up. I don’t believe in coincidence.”

  They finished their sandwiches and headed back out on the street. Even though they were strolling arm-in-arm, it didn’t take much for Cassie to figure out he wasn’t interested in window shopping. She stopped, and he nearly tripped over her.

  “Jack, you’re miserable. Please go back to the truck, and do whatever it is you want to do.”

  His face split into a big smile. “Thank you.”

  He kissed her and was out of there. She’d guessed correctly, even though he’d tried to hide it.

  Cassie wandered around Friday Harbor, looking in the shop windows, thinking of Jack. A feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time washed over her: happiness. Then the “what ifs” clouded her brain. Her mother always said “actions speak louder than words.” If she didn’t matter, Jack wouldn’t be doing all the little things that showed he cared. He wouldn’t have put his phone on silent, and he wouldn’t have bought her that beautiful coat and the gloves. Jack cared, and she mattered. Simple.

  At the end of the main street, she crossed to the other side. A small bakery had a display of mouth-watering cupcakes. The perfect treat for Jack. She did feel a little bad about giving him grief over his sandwich. Cassie stepped inside and waited behind a petite blond woman, who stood at the display counter pointing to this cupcake and that one, filling a large box. Finally, the woman finished. She turned to leave, almost bumping into Cassie. Their eyes met, and Cassie felt like someone had zapped her. The woman sniffed and exited. Twice in one day, Cassie had been surprised.

  “I think I knew the woman who just left, but I can’t place her. Do you know her?”

  “That was Mrs. Black.”

  “As in Margery Anne?”

  “Yes.”

  Cassie thanked her and left the bakery. She moved swiftly down the street. Jack was on the phone, writing something on a yellow pad of paper when she climbed into the Tahoe.

  “Hang on a minute,” he said. “Cass, what’s up?”

  “I just saw Margery Anne, the Minister’s Wife, in the bakery. She bought an enormous amount of cupcakes.”

  He nodded, and then relayed the information. Cassie held open the box for Jack. Not surprisingly, he picked out a chocolate cupcake. She chose red velvet. He finished his call and pointed at the box.

  “Are you saving those?” he asked.

  With her mouth full, she shook her head. He took another one.

  “Tell me everything.”

  Cassie related the brief encounter and Jack listened. When she finished, he added notes to the yellow pad and studied what he’d written.

  “You know we could park on one of the side streets and watch who’s getting on the ferry. No one will pay attention to us. You can use the zoom lens and get all the photos you want.”

  His eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea.”

  Before she could reply, Jack had the truck in gear, heading out of the parking area. He made a couple of circles around the old historic area until he found the perfect spot with a clear view of the ferry traffic.

  So far, they’d seen nothing out of the ordinary for a San Juan Island; plenty of bicyclists, kayaks, and canoes were being transported. Other than a couple of white cargo vans, Jack hadn’t found anything to photograph. It was time to get back in line for Hartz Island.

  Once again, they were parked last in line. After Jack shut off the engine, the attendant braced the rear tires with blocks.

  “What do you want to do?” she asked him.

  “What I want to do?” His eyes narrowed and he frowned. “What I want to do is rip open the back of every white van, see what’s inside, and hopefully find the bastards.” He continued grousing, slapping his steering wheel.

  Cassie tensed and sucked in her breath, watching him.

 
; He stopped his ranting. “That was just letting go of hot air and frustration.” Jack looked at her and nodded. “I scared you, didn’t I?”

  “We all get frustrated.” He had scared her, but she didn’t want him to know. Discreetly, she let out her breath and smiled at him. “What we can do is go look for white vans and head up to the upper deck.” She pulled off her wig and shook her hair out. “I’m switching my look just in case we run into MAMW, as you all call her.” Cassie checked her appearance in the visor mirror. “I just keep wondering why she bought all those cupcakes.”

  “You’re concerned about cupcakes?”

  “Yes. There’s more to those cupcakes than you realize. They weren’t all for her.” Cassie turned around in search of her overnight bag. She pulled out one of Jack’s hoodies and switched her leather coat. “I’m ready.” She flashed him a smile in hopes of lightening his mood. His serious expression relaxed into an easy smile.

  The outgoing ferry to Hartz Island had a light Saturday load. Only one white van caught their interest. The rest appeared legitimate. Once they reached the upper deck, Jack had Cassie casually walk around on one side, looking for anyone of interest, while he did the same on the other, meeting up at the front. Along his way, he stopped and bought them coffee.

  “Do you mind?” She pointed to the outer bow deck. Standing at the rail, they sipped their coffee and viewed the scenery. “I love watching the water, looking for seals, always hoping to see an orca. All very serene.” She sighed. “I never understood when my mom would remark how the islands gave her strength and renewed her spirit, but I do now.”

  He shook his head. “I see mysteries.” He pointed to an inlet on a passing island where a large group of kayakers had stopped on a rocky beach. “And at the moment, one big headache.” Jack looped his arm around her. “But I do know what you’re saying. When I get home to Colorado and head to the mountains, same thing.”

  The breeze permeated her sweatshirt; she shivered. “Let’s go in.” Cassie took the lead and headed toward the back. A blond woman sitting alone looking out the window caught her eye. Stopping two rows behind her, Cassie said, “These seats are perfect.” She sat down and slid over to the window, indicating for Jack to join her.

  He kept looking around, so Cassie cleared her throat and motioned with her hand. Cassie pointed to the woman and traced the letters MAMW on his leg. Now he got it.

  Jack pulled out his phone and went into the notes application. “R U sure?” He handed her his phone. She keyed in, “Not 100%. Didn’t see full face.” Cassie then added, “Do U C a large box of cupcakes?” Jack rolled his eyes, and then added, “I’ll look.”

  “Hey, honey, do you want something more to drink?” he asked Cassie. He slid across the bench seat and stood in the aisle.

  “Sure.”

  Jack started walking away, and Cassie called after him, “Sugar Bear, wait.”

  Jack halted directly across from the woman. He turned around and gave Cassie an indulged look.

  “Can you see if they have anything good to eat, like…cupcakes?”

  He took his time answering. “Why not?”

  The woman continued to stare out the window. She hadn’t even flinched at the word cupcake. Even though she had only seen Margery Anne twice in person and once in the photos, Cassie felt certain it was her—a porcelain china doll with a blond chignon.

  Jack returned and scooted in next to her, handing Cassie her cup. He shook his head no. The engines of the ferry slowed, and the woman still hadn’t budged. Jack nudged Cassie and motioned for them to get going. Neither spoke until they reached the privacy of the Tahoe.

  He started to say something, but Cassie cut him off. “I know that was her.” Within seconds, she’d stripped off the hoodie and fluffed her hair. “I’m going to be a walk-off.” She kicked off her shoes and pulled on her leather boots and her new coat. “I’m also going to figure out what happened to those cupcakes if it kills me.”

  “I hope it doesn’t.” He regarded her with amusement. “I wouldn’t want to miss out on all your leather.”

  “Thank you for reminding me,” she said softly, lowering her eyes. She made a show of pulling on her leather gloves.”

  “Don’t leave until I get hold of Ray Carlson.”

  Cassie outlined her eyes with charcoal eyeliner and applied siren red lipstick while Jack talked to Ray. When he finished, he said to Cassie, “FYI, Ray’s going to be in the parking lot in a black hard top Jeep Wrangler watching. If you feel like hopping in, go for it. Otherwise, I can pick you up.”

  From the sounds of the engines, the ferry was coming into port. Cassie headed down to the car deck. A small group of walk-ons, not unlike the size a few days earlier, stood ready to disembark. The very expensive purse that Cassie had recognized from before hung from the blond chignon woman’s shoulder. Cassie maneuvered up next to her and deliberately bumped gently into her. She apologized, but sure enough, Margery Anne frowned. No bakery box, no shopping bag, but now her purse.

  Cassie stepped behind Margery Anne and followed her off the ferry. A late model tan Taurus swung around and tapped its horn. Margery Anne got inside and the driver circled out ahead of the other ferry traffic. A Jeep Wrangler was parked off to the right. Cassie walked over to it and opened the passenger door but didn’t get inside.

  “Hi, Ray. Did you see MAMW get off the ferry?”

  “I did.”

  “Who picked her up?”

  “That was her husband, the minister.”

  Her mouth dropped slightly open in surprise, and she stared down the road.

  “Are you riding with me?” Ray put the Jeep in gear.

  “No, I’ll wait for Jack.”

  “I’m following the white van, and here it comes now. I’ll see you later on then.”

  Cassie stepped out of the way, and Ray slowly moved into traffic, slightly behind the van.

  The area emptied out quickly, and Jack pulled up next to her. She hopped in and before she buckled up, he was on the road.

  “That was Margery Anne’s husband who picked her up.”

  “I know,” said Jack. “Ray texted me.”

  “Interesting. So, did you text Ray about the cupcakes?”

  “No. That will be your job when we all meet up tonight.”

  “Oh.”

  “We’re still working out all the details.”

  “So that’s what Ray meant when he said I’ll see you later on.”

  Jack turned on the side road and followed it to Blue Heron Lane. He stopped and pointed. She sighed and ducked down until he entered their property.

  “You’re being excessive.”

  “Cautious,” he replied.

  Just inside their gate, Jack stopped again and got out. This time, he opened the hatch and pulled out a battery-operated screwdriver. Curious at what he was up to, she hopped out and watched him unscrew all the little bolts from their family sign. He put the sign and his screwdriver back in the truck, rummaged around in a box, and pulled out old leather gloves. With the gloves on, he then scooped up handfuls of dirt and rubbed where the sign had been attached to the old post. He did this several times. When he was finished, Jack tossed the gloves in the back of the truck and slammed the hatch down.

  “I’m not even going to ask why.” She threw up her hands and climbed back in the truck.

  “Good.”

  Jack started down the wooded lane and stopped. “Do you see anything I should be concerned about?”

  Was he serious? Cassie peered out the window and stared down their dirt driveway. “It all looks normal.”

  “It’s not. Someone has driven down this drive recently. The tire marks are fresh.”

  Taking a closer look, yes she did see marks.

  He smiled and put the truck in gear. �
�I know who it is, but I want you to think about this. These are the sorts of things you need to be aware of.”

  His steel blue eyes narrowed looking at her. Cassie had a distinct feeling there was more to Jack’s message than what was being said.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  "Well, are you going to tell me?” Cassie asked.

  Jack parked just outside the kitchen entrance. “Go look for clues while I start unloading.”

  She knew if she didn’t indulge him, he wouldn’t let up. “So what do I get if I figure it out?” she teased.

  He tilted his head, and a slow smile formed. The desire in his eyes caused her heart to race and heat to rush through her.

  “I’ll start looking.” Her eyes locked into his.

  “Hurry. We don’t have a lot of time.”

  Cassie pushed open her door and practically fell out, moving fast. She decided to start where the drive opened to the wide open space. Jack had driven straight up to the kitchen door. Studying the ground, Cassie spotted the V where the Tahoe’s tire marks veered slightly left and straight ahead, and the visitor’s smaller tire tracks went right. Whoever it was had parked on the side of the house, out of sight of any neighbors. Cassie had a hunch who it might be by the way Jack smiled, but she wanted to be sure.

  It wasn’t obvious where the person walked after they parked, but Cassie figured the beach was the most likely spot. She crossed in front of their deck, walking toward the beach, but stopped when she saw the ladder on the ground. This wouldn’t have fit in a smaller car; therefore, it must have come from the shed. Cassie picked it up and carried it back to the shed. On close examination, shoe prints and markings where the ladder had been dragged were evident. Cassie stared at the markings and started smiling, which turned into laughter.

  Jack knelt in front of the wood burning stove and watched the fire take hold. The mudroom door closed, and the kitchen door opened. In less than a minute, he would know if Cassie had figured it out. He stood up and watched her come around the corner. Oh, yeah, he thought, she knew. His face split into a wide grin as he watched her approach. The gentle sway of her hips sent his body into overdrive. Cassie stopped in front of him and grinned mischievously. She reached for his jean’s waistband and unbuttoned his Levi’s.