Bounty Hunter (Classified K-9 Unit)

by Lynette Eason

  “You don’t think the chopper will be too much of a neon sign, saying, ‘Hey, we’re here and looking for you’?” Riley asked wryly.

  Max shook his head. “They know we’re here. Maybe if we keep their attention on the sky, they won’t see us coming from the ground.”

  Riley nodded and shrugged. “Works for me.”

  “All right. We’ll start first thing in the morning.”

  A quick stop at one of the local fast-food places filled their bellies and a short time later Max pulled into the motel parking lot followed by the other four agents. She appreciated their concern and their willingness to rush to the rescue. She worked with good people.

  As far as she knew.

  Jake was one she just wasn’t sure about.

  Harper knew one thing. She was tired. She loved her job, no doubt about it, but it was demanding and high stress and she’d admit she was ready to unwind for a little while. Maybe watch some television with Star curled up at her feet.

  And Riley at her side.

  She blinked. Now where did that come from?

  She huffed. She might as well admit it. She found him attractive. There. She said it. Well, thought it anyway. But it didn’t matter. There was no way she was getting involved with him.

  Then again, why not?

  Because he hadn’t come out and said he was interested? Okay, there was that, but she had a feeling he was.

  Then there was the small fact that he lived ten hours away from her.

  She thought about her small one-bedroom condo back in Billings, Montana. White walls, a few pictures of her and the team and Star, of course. But mostly stark and blank, it was simply a place to sleep and shower. Longing crashed in on her, threatening to smother her. She wanted more than that. She wanted a home, a family, a place and person to call her own.

  Harper drew in a deep breath and pushed aside the feelings. She had a case to solve. Dreams were nice to have if they were one day attainable. Harper wasn’t sure hers were. She wasn’t even sure she knew how to have a relationship at this point. Her parents hadn’t exactly been domestic role models. Although, at least she knew what she didn’t want in a marriage.

  “Harper?”

  She blinked. Riley stood in front of her, Star had joined her at her side. And she didn’t even remember climbing from the vehicle. She cleared her throat. “Sorry, I was thinking.”

  “Deeply. You okay?”

  “Sure. I’m fine.” She looked behind him to see Max studying her, a frown on his face. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

  She headed to her room, her heart in conflict. She could have died tonight. But she’d come close to death several times so what made this time different?

  The fact that Riley was with her and he could have died, too?

  Maybe.

  Inside her room, Star settled herself on the bed and Harper removed her gear. She checked her weapon and made sure the safety was on, then unstrapped the knife at her ankle and set it on the end table along with her phone and little black notepad.

  As soon as she flopped onto the bed next to Star, her phone buzzed. She groaned and rolled to snag it.

  Riley.

  Harper sat up. “Hello?”

  “I know you’re tired and if you’d rather just sleep, I understand, but you want to get a cup of coffee in the lobby?”

  “As long as it’s decaf.”

  “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Give me five.”

  Harper hung up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. All of a sudden, she wasn’t tired at all. She chuckled to herself. If the thought of spending time with Riley could banish her fatigue after a long, tumultuous day, she needed to take him with her on all of her assignments.

  She ran her fingers through her hair and noticed it had grown quite a bit. When was the last time she’d taken time to have it cut? Harper wondered if Riley preferred long hair or short.

  She huffed at her thoughts. What did it matter? They could be friends, nothing more. She wasn’t going to do a long-distance relationship assuming Riley was even interested.

  So why was she running gloss over her lips?

  Ugh. Harper tossed the tube back into her toiletries bag and zipped it.

  She donned a light jacket with a side pocket and slipped her weapon inside then checked outside her room using the window and the peephole. Riley stood to the side waiting on her. Harper opened the door and stepped out. Her heart thudded an extra beat at the sight of him. He’d dressed in sweat pants and a dark blue T-shirt that brought out his tan—and stretched nicely over his shoulder muscles. She cleared her throat and realized she was going to have to come to terms with the fact that she was drawn to this man. And not just because he was good-looking, but because she liked him. A lot.

  Riley smiled. “That was fast.”

  “I’ve learned how to get ready to walk out the door in under a minute. You shouldn’t be waiting out here in the open.”

  “I was only here a few seconds before you opened the door.”

  “Doesn’t take long to pull the trigger once you’re in the sights.”

  “Noted.”

  They started walking. He stepped around her and she instantly noticed the protective gesture. Harper cut her eyes to him. “I’m not the one he wants to kill,” she said softly.

  He shrugged and kept walking. “Maybe not, but he won’t mind going through you to get to me. I’m going to do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  Her own protective instincts surged, but she squelched them. Riley was old-fashioned enough to respond to his natural instincts when it came to women and danger. And yet he wasn’t offensive about it or thought she couldn’t take care of herself, he just wanted to do it.

  Frankly, Harper was surprised she’d picked up on that aspect of his personality so quickly. And actually liked it. She was always taking care of other people. It might be nice to be taken care of for once.

  He opened the door and held it while she stepped inside the lobby. “The problem is,” he said, “I can take all the precautions in the world, but eventually, you and I both know that if Blackman wants me dead, if I don’t get him first, he’ll get me.”

  “Let’s make sure we get him first, then.”

  They went to the coffee urns and helped themselves. Harper and Star took a seat in the far corner with Harper placing her back to the wall and her front toward the door. It was a habit she knew she’d probably never break.

  Riley maneuvered a chair so he could sit next to her. Apparently it was his habit, too. She took a sip of the hot brew and smiled into the cup before looking up. “How’s Asher doing?”

  “Hanging in there.”

  “And your mother?”

  “The same.” He frowned. “I could hear the fatigue in her voice when I called tonight. She rarely goes home and it’s taking a toll on her.”

  “She won’t let anyone else sit with Asher?”

  He shrugged. “Every once in a while. The ladies in her Bible study group are wonderful. They offer, but she says it’s just easier to stay than to worry from a distance. If I were there, she would go home more, I’m sure.”

  “You’re questioning whether you should continue the search or go to Asher.”

  He raised a brow. “I am.” He shrugged. “In fact, I discussed that with Mom again tonight. She promised to let me know if it gets to be too much for her, but I doubt she will.”

  “I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this.”

  He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I am, too. But once Van is behind bars and Asher has had his surgery, it’ll all be uphill from there.” He sipped his coffee and stared at the front door and Harper figured his mind was on his nephew.

  He blinked and shook his head.

  She covered his hand with hers. When he looked up, she said, “Tell me about your sister. What was she like?”

  A glow entered his eyes. “She was an amazing big sister and a natural mother.
She was three years older than I and, trust me, she practiced her mothering skills on me when we were younger. She liked black licorice and coke when she watched a movie.” He grimaced. “I never could stand that stuff. The licorice, I mean. She had a heart for the less fortunate and often volunteered on holidays to feed the homeless.”

  “What about Asher’s father?”

  Riley cleared his throat. “Bryce McDowell. He was a good guy. He and Charlotte were high school sweethearts and got married right after graduation, but couldn’t figure out what he wanted to do with his life so he joined the military. He wound up serving in the Middle East. Before he left, she got pregnant with Asher, and then he was killed about two months after he was there.”

  “Oh, how awful for her.”

  “Yes. Asher never knew his father. Then when Asher was three, Charlotte met Van Blackman. He wooed her and she thought he was the best thing. We all did. One afternoon, about two years after they were together and talking marriage, I came out of a restaurant and saw him coming out of a hotel across the street at the same time. I started to call out to him when a pretty blonde walked up and kissed him.” He glanced at her. “And trust me, it wasn’t a sisterly kiss.”

  She grimaced.

  “Anyway, I confronted him and he tried to lie his way out of it. I refused to believe him and he took a swing at me.”

  “How did that work out for him?”

  A grim smile pulled his lips flat. “I ducked. He didn’t. I told my sister what I saw and she asked him to explain himself. He admitted the woman was a former girlfriend and had asked him to meet her. He did, but said he immediately regretted it and begged her forgiveness. She told him she wanted some time to think about it.”

  “And he started stalking her?”

  “Yes, but she didn’t mention it until it was really too late for me to do anything about it. He killed her the next week after I’d started the process to procure a restraining order.” He rubbed his eyes. “Some days I wish I’d never said anything.”

  “Could you really not have told her?”

  He shook his head. “No. I had to tell her, I just wish I’d been more careful, more watchful—more aware. I was a cop and I missed it. Completely. It’s hard to forgive myself for that.”

  “She never told you he was stalking her?”

  “No. And I’m not sure it occurred to her to label it stalking. She’d mention seeing him in strange places. He’d show up at her job, at her church, at the same restaurant if she was out with friends, but she never said he was stalking her. In hindsight, that’s what it was, of course.” He cleared his throat and looked away. She let the silence fill the space between them.

  He finally looked back at her. “What about you? You told me about your parents and a little about what your childhood was like. Do you have any other family?”

  “I have a few aunts and uncles that I never see. They were around some when I was younger, but not anymore. I suppose that’s why I want to have a big family one day.”

  “How big?”

  “I don’t know. Several kids, I guess. I want the proverbial white picket fence, too.” She laughed then sighed. “Maybe I’m asking for too much. I want a guy who’s crazy about me, kids and dogs.” She shrugged. “One day.”

  “So you want to quit the Bureau?”

  She frowned and pursed her lips then shook her head. “No, not really. I love what I do. It’s been my life for a long time now so I’m not sure I could quit even if I wanted to, but I wouldn’t mind the option.”

  “I see.”

  * * *

  Riley stiffened. Her words threw his guard up. What was he doing talking about the future? Or even thinking about it? He had a murderer to catch and a nephew to care for. He didn’t have time for romance. No matter that the attraction and temptation to get to know her better was strong.

  Why her?

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You just got all quiet. What are you thinking?”

  “A lot of things. Mostly that I wish I could picture that same scenario as part of my future, but don’t think I can.” He sighed. “I was thinking that there might be something between us, something that could develop, but I’m just not sure. I don’t think I can be that guy in your scenario.”

  He looked up and saw her sitting there with her jaw nearly on the floor. She set her cup on the table and stood. “Really? And who asked you to be that guy? We’ve known each other for a matter of days and while I’ll admit I’m attracted to you, I’m certainly not ready to walk down the aisle with you. I was just sharing a dream. Something that I’d like to have in the future with someone. I wasn’t singling you out. Honestly, Riley, you need to get over yourself. I’ll see you in the morning.” She strode toward the door with Star at her heels.

  The heat started in his chest and rose quickly to cover his neck and cheeks. Well-deserved heat to go along with his complete embarrassment. He groaned and dropped his face into his hands. He was an idiot. Pure and simple.

  What was it about this woman that made him trip over his words like did when he was around her? Why did he wind up looking like a fool whenever he opened his mouth about any other topic besides business? He really had to work on that.

  His phone buzzed.

  His mother’s text flashed across the screen. Asher’s very agitated. Wants to see you. Can you come in the morning?

  Yes. I can come now.

  No, in the morning is fine. He just drifted back off to sleep.

  Text me if he wakes. I’ll come whenever he needs me to.

  See you in the morning.

  His heart heavy, his mind in turmoil, Riley wanted to hit something. Or go for a very long run.

  Harper and the team would have to search in the morning without him. His nephew came first.

  But he owed Harper an apology.

  And he didn’t want her to walk back to her room alone. He jumped up and rushed for the door. And stopped.

  She was standing just inside, arms crossed, watching him. He raised his brows and she shrugged. “Someone’s trying to kill you.”

  “And doesn’t care if you get in the way.”

  “So you were rushing to escort me back to my room?”

  “Couldn’t hurt.”

  “Right.”

  Star shifted and he looked down at the shepherd then back up at Harper. Apologize!

  “I can’t be a part of the search in the morning. My mother texted and said Asher needs me.”

  She frowned. “Is he all right?”

  He explained the conversation with his mother.

  Harper nodded. “Of course. I’ll go with you and the others can start the search. If you give them some direction.”

  “I can do that, but you don’t have to go.”

  “I think I should. Extra eyes, remember?”

  “I remember.”

  Apologize! He really should, but the ice in her eyes made him wonder if she’d even hear it. Or accept it. Uncertainty made him pause. And then it was too late. She turned on her heel and walked out the door.

  Riley sighed and caught up with her again. “Hey, hold on a second, will you?”

  She didn’t bother to turn. “What?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m a jerk. An idiot. A presumptive—”

  “I get it. Apology accepted. Now let’s get inside somewhere so that no one can take shots at us again.”

  She swiped the key card and shoved the door open. He followed her inside and shut it behind him. “I shouldn’t have assumed—”

  “No, you shouldn’t have, but it’s done, you’ve apologized, we can move on.”

  “Can we?” Because now he found himself regretting his words. Not that he was ready to walk down the aisle with her any more than she apparently was with him, but dinner out with her might be nice, along with good conversation, good food... “I spoke without thinking—or perhaps, I was just overthinking. I do like you, Harper, a lot.”

  S
he continued to meet his gaze without blinking.

  He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “Can we be friends and not let the attraction that’s between us interfere with what we’ve got to do to catch Jake and Van?”

  “What attraction?” she asked, her words frigid.

  He simply looked at her and her eyes thawed slightly. “Look, I get it, Riley. You’ve got a killer to catch and I’ve got a possible traitor to bring in. You’re right. We need to focus on that and not let anything else distract us. Especially not a possible mutual attraction.”

  “Possible?”

  “Possible.”

  He chuckled softly. “Good. Right. Exactly.” He was relieved she felt the same way. Wasn’t he?

  “So...good night.”

  He frowned. “But we’re still friends. We can still work together, can’t we?” He had no idea why he needed her reassurance on that. He did know it wasn’t just because she was his “in” to the best FBI resources that could possibly help him find Van. No. It was more than that. Way more.

  Now she smiled. “Of course we can. Friends it is.”

  She held out a hand and he shook it. When she let go, he wanted to grab it back and tell her he didn’t mean any of what he’d just said. But he couldn’t. He owed it to his sister and Asher—and any other innocent women who might stumble into Van’s path—to catch him and put him away. So, he simply inclined his head and walked out the door.

  He could feel her behind him, watching. And then he was in his room.

  Safe.

  And alone.

  And not nearly as happy as he thought he’d be. As he should be. With one more glance out the window, his gaze probing the shadows beyond the parking lot of the motel, he let out a weary sigh. He didn’t have time to be distracted and Harper was one huge distraction. Focus, Riley, focus.

  Where are you Van?

  “I’m going to find him, Charlotte,” he murmured to the empty room. “I’m going to find him.”

  He just prayed he kept his wits about him because if Van found him first, Riley was a dead man.

  NINE

  Early the next morning, Harper, Star and Riley took off for Denver, while Max and Ian and the others headed for the national park to continue the search. The chopper was already in the air and searching in a grid-like pattern. Max promised to update her hourly.