Dead End

by Susan Sleeman

  She stared at the pages and shook the cash in her other hand. “What in the world is this all about?”

  Reed had the same question. What in the world was Eddie Barnes up to with hiding these items, and did they have anything to do with his embezzlement and disappearance? A question Reed would find the answer to no matter where it led.

  “You can’t be serious.” Sierra stared at Reed and crossed her arms, trying to make herself seem larger and in charge as she stood by her car in the dusky shadows near Eddie’s cottage. “I’m not giving these things to you. I located the evidence in my father’s house, and I will retain them in my possession.”

  “I get that, but it’s still evidence in my investigation.”

  “You don’t know that there’s a connection.” She tugged her light jacket closed to keep the sharp ocean breeze out, but there was nothing she could do about the damp fog that wafted in and chilled her to the bone.

  “But I also don’t know there’s not one.”

  “No.” She resisted stomping her foot and slammed the trunk instead. “I’m not letting you take it.”

  “Sierra.” His warning gaze was unsettling but she shoved her keys into her pocket and ignored him. “I could arrest you for impeding an investigation.”

  “How am I impeding it? You’re more than welcome to come to the lab with me so you’re there to see everything I turn up. And after I process the ledger for DNA and prints, I’ll make copies for both of us.”

  “And what about when this goes to court and the defense attorney raises the question of why you took possession of this evidence, perhaps calling it into question?”

  “We work for law enforcement all the time, and we do know how to handle evidence, you know.” She crossed her arms. “We can each testify that we were both on scene and vouch for the chain of custody.”

  “I don’t know.”

  Sierra remembered when Emory was involved with Blake in an investigation into her missing sister, and she’d gotten him to hire Veritas so they could both work the case. That could solve Sierra’s problem, too. “You can always hire our agency. We would turn around the information faster than your lab in Quantico and our quality is equal to theirs or better.”

  “I don’t know,” he said again and bit his lip.

  This was the only time she’d seen him the least bit indecisive, and she knew she’d made progress. “Call your supervisor.”

  “He won’t likely approve paying your lab for this investigation.”

  “Then we’ll work for you for a dollar. Surely, he’ll authorize that.”

  He watched her for a long moment, clearly suspicious of her motives. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I have a lot at stake here in finding Eddie.”

  “And your partners will agree to this?”

  “Of course. We’re like family.”

  His eyebrow rose, narrowing one eye and reminding her of a pirate in the thick fog. “Thought you didn’t like being part of a big family.”

  “This is different. We look out for each other, but know when to back off.”

  “That’s how a lot of families work.”

  She didn’t like how he was avoiding the issue at hand. “Let’s stay on task here. Will you call your boss?”

  He didn’t respond.

  “It’s either that or arrest me, because I’m not giving up this evidence.” She held out her hands so he could clamp on handcuffs if he so desired.

  He took a long breath and let it out. “Fine. I’ll call, but don’t expect him to say yes.”

  “Why would he say no? There’s no downside here at all.”

  He got out his phone and stepped out of earshot. She hoped he sold the upside to this offered deal. If he sounded skeptical, his boss could pick up on that and say no.

  She went back into the cottage and helped Chad load their supplies into the van. They’d worked together for three years, and he was a top-notch lab assistant who was clamoring to be more than an assistant running tests in the lab and assisting at select crime scenes. He was ready to handle some things on his own, but she didn’t think he was ready to take on a complete investigation by himself. Still, he was dedicated and a valued member of the Veritas staff, and she appreciated his help.

  Each time they stepped outside, she checked on Reed, and he was still on the phone. He’d clamped his hand on the back of his neck. Not a good sign.

  “I’m off,” Chad said, taking her attention. “You gonna be okay alone with this guy?”

  She glanced at Reed still on the phone, and it was no hardship to look at his broad shoulders in his fitted shirt. She wondered what he would look like in casual attire and what he might choose to wear.

  “Sierra?” Chad asked.

  “You go. I’ll be fine.” But would she? Not standing out here gawking at this fine-looking man. If they were to work together for days on end, how could she keep her thoughts on business?

  She waved goodbye to Chad and went back into the cottage to look around. This time not as an investigator, but as a daughter. She brushed a hand over her bangs to settle them in place after being blown outside and removed her jacket. The place smelled faintly of bleach, and she’d first thought someone had cleaned up blood, but there was no sign of it. Just a sparkling clean kitchen and bathroom.

  The décor had a decidedly feminine touch. The furniture was well-worn, and she suspected he’d never changed the place after his parents died. The only thing that looked newer at all was a flat-screen television mounted over a large wood-burning fireplace. The cottage confirmed what the shopkeepers had said about him not overtly spending money.

  His kitchen counters were dingy brown Formica and worn, his appliances old. His refrigerator held little more than condiments and bottled water. In his freezer she found Vodka, ice cream, and ice cubes. It was like he hardly lived here. Maybe if he golfed every day at his club, he also ate there.

  The front door opened, and Reed entered. The moment they’d arrived at the cottage, he’d rolled up his sleeves, revealing tanned arms. She looked at her own arms. Pale. She didn’t do much outdoors except jog or go to the beach sometimes, and she only ran outside when she got up extra early in the summer. Definitely not in their rainy winters. She typically ran on the indoor gym track when she went to work out. But it made her wonder what he liked to do outside. Definitely something else they didn’t have in common.

  She looked at his face, trying to get a read on what his supervisor said, but he hid his emotions well.

  “Well?” she asked.

  “He agreed on both counts.”

  “Both?” she asked, confused.

  “Your team can be read in on the investigation, and if you’ll forward a contract to him, he’ll sign it and get a check cut for the dollar.”

  She wanted to shout in victory, but at his frown, she held back. “Why don’t you sound happy about it?”

  “Honestly?” His eyes bored into hers.

  “Yeah.”

  “I like to be in charge and don’t like the way you’re horning in on my investigation.” He curled his fingers into tight fists. “But I like the thought of arresting you even less, so we’ll do this your way.”

  Yeah, she’d thought he would have a hard time with letting go. Just like her brothers. Though their actions were motivated by love. What Reed’s actions were motivated by she didn’t know. Other than consideration at the moment, as he said he wouldn’t want to arrest her.

  “But I’ll be coming back on that helo with you and the evidence,” he added. “And I’ll be with you every hour you’re working.”

  She crossed her arms. “I work long days. Very long. And with this being about my father, they’ll be longer.”

  He put his fists on his hips. “I can handle it.”

  She lifted her chin. “You’re going to be bored out of your mind sitting in my lab while I work.”

  He loosened his arms and shrugged. “Might learn a thing or two and appreciate our ERTs even more.
Plus, I have work I can do from your lab.”

  She kept her arms crossed. “You’ll have to promise not to distract me.”

  “I promise.”

  Right, like he could promise that when all he had to do was step into view to distract her. But he didn’t know that.

  “Then let’s head out to the heliport and get this evidence loaded in the chopper.” She started for the door.

  He took hold of her arm. “One thing before we go.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Promise me you won’t do anything on this investigation without me knowing about it.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can promise that. What if you’re not around and a lead comes in? It might be critical, and I can’t wait for you to show up.”

  “No worries there. I won’t be leaving your sight except to shower and change.” He firmed his stance. “And if I could find a way to do that at your lab, then I’d do that there, too.”

  She thought about him heading for a shower, and she couldn’t believe her mind went to such a personal place. Heat climbed her neck and consumed her face. She rushed from the cottage before he caught a look at her blushing face and asked about it.

  Having him at her side for the unforeseeable future? That she couldn’t imagine. But now he could share what he knew about Eddie and help her locate her biological father. For that, she would put up with her unpredictable emotions.

  8

  Carrying his go bag containing law enforcement essentials from his SUV, Reed boarded the helicopter, and after weighing his options, he took a seat next to Sierra. Emory, Blake, and Grady sat across from them, and Nick and Maya were settled in comfy seats on the other side of Sierra. Blake put his arm around Emory, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Reed had noticed her engagement ring and figured they were a couple. Kelsey was the only other team member wearing a ring on her left hand. He assumed the others weren’t married, but the guys could be engaged, as there were no man rings for such an occasion.

  “Headset’s behind you,” Sierra said, settling one on her freshly washed hair.

  He reached back, his leg brushing hers, and he was even more aware of her. He wanted to get married and start a family soon, so maybe thinking about that a lot lately was the reason she was getting under his skin so much.

  “What did Mayor Parks have to say?” Sierra asked Blake.

  “A lot, but not much of it was helpful,” he replied. “He did say that he didn’t believe Eddie embezzled from his clients.”

  “He say why?” Grady asked.

  “Eddie’s had the same clients for years. Since his dad ran the business. Parks figured they wouldn’t stay with Eddie if they weren’t happy.”

  “Doesn’t mean anything,” Reed said. “They’ve been with him so long they might not know the amount of money they’re losing out on and how much income they could be making.”

  “Parks said Eddie’s occupancy rates were some of the highest in the area,” Blake said.

  “Doesn’t mean they generated the best revenue, though,” Reed said.

  “Did Parks have any idea where Eddie might have gone?” Sierra asked.

  Blake shook his head. “He said Eddie rarely left town except to go to Portland. He went there a couple times a year.”

  “He could’ve made those trips to take pictures of Sierra.” Reed explained about the photos and articles they’d found in Barnes’s closet.

  “That must have been a pleasant surprise.” Emory smiled at Sierra.

  She nodded. “After I got over the creep factor of being watched.”

  “There would be that.” Maya looked at Sierra. “But still, he was interested in your life.”

  Sierra’s eyes glistened with tears, and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. Reed started to reach for her hand, but stopped. He was on the job. Hand-holding was far too personal for a work relationship, and he surely wouldn’t hold her hand with her partners watching his every move.

  “We’re cleared for takeoff,” the pilot they’d called Riley said. If he was an example of the people Gage Blackwell hired, the man found professional and sharp workers.

  Reed sat back and enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness as the helicopter whirred smoothly up into the dark night. The town was soon just twinkling lights below, and then clouds wrapped around them and left nothing to see out the window.

  Blake took out his small investigator’s notebook and held it out to Sierra. “The top three guys Eddie golfed with, including the last guy who saw him. I’ll follow up by calling them, and if I think they need interviewing, I’ll come back here tomorrow.”

  Sierra took a long breath and nodded. Reed was impressed with the way Blake returned Sierra’s focus to the investigation.

  “Let me get a picture of the names.” She took out her phone and snapped the shot.

  Nick leaned across Sierra to eye Reed. “Maybe now would be a good time for you to read us in on your investigation.”

  Was Nick just another partner wanting to keep Sierra’s mind occupied or was it more? They proved their willingness to support one another, so Reed thought Nick could be acting in her best interest, too. Regardless of the reason for the guy’s comment, Reed was happy to oblige. “I called a fellow agent who’s going to meet me at the lab when we arrive with copies of my case book. I think it’s easier if you all read the file, and then ask any questions you might have.”

  “That will give us the facts,” Blake said. “But then we’ll want your take on the details as I know that won’t be in your official file.”

  Reed was beginning to see Blake was a strong investigator with plenty of experience. Including knowing that law enforcement officers didn’t record theories and supposition in official records.

  Nick skimmed his gaze over Reed. “Will the information you turn over include an image of his hard drive?”

  Reed shook his head. “It will include a report from our techs, but I’ll see what I can do about getting that drive for you.”

  Nick still looked skeptical about Reed following through. His continued doubt in Reed’s integrity made Reed determined to prove Nick wrong.

  Reed got out his phone and set a calendar reminder to ask about Eddie’s hard drive tomorrow when the techs were back in the office. He shoved his phone back into his pocket and looked up to find Blake watching him.

  Blake squinted. “Did you find anything on Eddie’s phone records that we should know about?”

  “Yes and no,” Reed replied. “All numbers except one were legit and we ruled them out. One number that Barnes called tracked back to a burner phone. We know he called the number on a regular basis and also on the afternoon he was last seen. We requested the burner’s call log from the phone company to review other calls made from that phone, but Barnes’s number was the only one listed.”

  Grady rubbed his jaw. “So the owner of the phone used it exclusively for Eddie, but Eddie didn’t feel a need to use a burner in return.”

  Reed nodded. “Makes me believe the burner owner has something to lose. Barnes not so much. I personally think he used it to make his travel arrangements.”

  Nick made eye contact again. “I assume you checked his banking records to look for any tickets he might have purchased.”

  Reed nodded. “Nothing. And we also checked flight manifests along with bus and train tickets. But after he moved the money to an offshore account, he could’ve used that money or cash to buy a ticket under an assumed identity.”

  Sierra sighed and looked at him. “And yet, he not only left his gun behind, but the stack of cash, too. I find that odd.”

  Reed turned to face her. “He could buy a gun anywhere, and he had plenty of money.”

  “A quarter of a million bucks in my account or not, I wouldn’t leave ten grand behind,” Grady said emphatically. “And I sure wouldn’t leave my piece behind.”

  “Yeah, but that’s because you’re a former Marine Scout Sniper and live for guns,” Sierra said, sounding li
ke she didn’t understand his infatuation with weapons.

  “Never a former Marine,” Grady said adamantly. “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

  “I wouldn’t leave my weapon behind either,” Nick said.

  “But you’re former army,” Emory said.

  “Then let me weigh in.” Maya patted her handbag. “No military service, but I wouldn’t leave home without my Walther PK.”

  Reed was surprised she carried as not a lot of women did, and he wondered who else in the group did, but before he could ask Blake started speaking.

  “Let’s assume Eddie would take his Glock if given the chance.” Blake shifted to look at Reed. “I can’t imagine having that much money, but I don’t think I’d leave a sizeable sum behind when I might need cash to move around. And let’s not forget that ledger. It could be the key to finding Barnes.”

  “I totally agree with Blake.” Emory patted his knee. “And it says to me that Sierra’s theory that Eddie didn’t leave of his own volition is a valid one that we need to explore.”

  Sierra looked at Reed. “Will we find anything at all in your report about the possibility of Eddie being abducted?”

  He shook his head, but hated her disappointed look. “I know you want your father to be innocent. That everyone here wants to support you. I get that and honestly wished I could get on board with the theory, too, but even with the recovered blood and these two items, all the other evidence points to Barnes taking the money and running. Including his vehicle disappearing along with him. So you should also consider that Barnes wasn’t wounded in his office, but that he hurt someone else.”

  Sierra frowned. “I guess I’m doing exactly what I accused you of doing. Setting a case theory and then trying to prove it.”

  He was impressed that she could admit that. “Hey, I’m glad to have you prove me wrong.” He smiled at her. “If you can.”

  She arched a delicate eyebrow. “Is that a challenge?”

  He nodded.

  “Oh, man.” Grady huffed a sharp breath. “You really stepped in it now.”

  Grady gave Sierra an exaggerated look of horror, and when she rolled her eyes, he laughed. The others joined in.