Haley sighed when she saw the almost hidden road to her cabin. “Just in time, Sampson. I’m hungry, and I’ll bet you are, too. But you’ve been a good boy and did well with just a few stops. I have a special treat for you tonight.” She glanced back after the turn and saw the puppy watching her attentively.
“This will be so much more fun with you along.” Haley kept her eyes open for any change in the shrubbery that grew beside the narrow roadside. It didn’t look like it had been disturbed for a long time.
“I’m feeling better about my decision to come here for my vacation.” It was good to have someone to talk to, even if he couldn’t respond. Haley parked her car in front of the cabin and got out, taking a deep breath. The fresh air and beautiful scenery lifted her spirits. She threw her arms wide and twirled around.
“When I’m here, I always feel younger, lighter. Peace is all I want.” She let Sampson out and watched as he ran around the open space surrounding the cabin.
Once he’d had enough play time, she put him in the cabin and unloaded the car. Then she set up his bed and bowls, one for water and one for food. At the bottom of the bag were several types of treats.
“Sampson, come here.”
The puppy continued to explore his new surroundings. Haley bent down and told the puppy to come. Sampson briefly looked up at the sound of her voice, but ignored her command. Haley repeated the word “come,” and patted her hand on the floor. The puppy showed interest and walked toward her. “Good.” She opened a bag and gave him a treat and praised him. She’d read one of her books tonight and see how to proceed.
The sun was setting when Haley locked the empty car. She went inside and stared out the front window. From here, she could easily see moonlight sparking off the river’s surface. She headed to the kitchen to take out crackers and a can of soup for dinner. She was more tired than hungry. Soup and crackers would satisfy her.
My stress since my rescue has exhausted me, but having arrived at the cabin I already have begun to relax. Haley glanced at Sampson, playing with a new toy. He’d behaved well on the trip unless he wanted to bark. Stopping and letting him run around for a few minutes tired him out and solved Haley’s problem. I’m glad I have the pup’s company.
When it got dark, she rechecked the doors and windows to make certain they were locked. Usually, she kept a few windows open and enjoyed the breeze, but tonight she didn’t feel as safe as she usually did on arrival.
What’s wrong with me? No one knows where I am, including any bad guys. “I’d better check my soup before it boils over.” Just then, she heard the sizzle of liquid hit the hot stove top.
“Damn, damn, damn. I’m not starting as I’d hoped, and talking to myself is not something I usually do.”
After eating and cleaning up, Haley arranged blankets on the couch near Sampson and tried to sleep. “As though you could protect me,” she said and laughed. Sampson ran over on his little legs and put them up on the side of the sofa.
“All right, you can sleep with me this one time, but don’t you dare wet my sofa.” Sampson licked her hand and neck and settled against her. His warmth and softness lulled her to sleep.
Haley startled awake and the pup whimpered. She’d heard a noise, a loud crack. Like someone stepping on a stick. Carefully, she moved Sampson to a cushion and tiptoed to the window to look around the curtains she’d drawn closed last night. The early morning sunshine helped her see the open area and the edge of the woods.
Her heartbeat raced when something moved in the forest. She smiled in relief as she made out the large buck, it’s magnificent head turned toward the house. Early morning sunlight shone on him as it got lighter. The buck looked around the area and then turned his head toward the house again. Haley had the sensation he stared right at her, before he disappeared into the trees.
Sampson licked her leg. He stood beside her, his little tail wagging. “I suppose you’re hungry and need to go outside. I’m hungry too, but I’ll take you out first. It was silly of me to be so frightened last night,” she said while walking out the front door. “All the naysayers got in my head, and almost had me convinced to return to the city.”
By the end of the day, Ranger and his group hadn’t found any clue as to which direction Haley had driven.
“It’s like she vanished,” Alec said. “Even the helicopter didn’t spot her car.”
Ranger hit the steering wheel with his fist. “Her car. What if she didn’t drive her car, but rented one?”
“Would she do that?” Erik asked.
“She’s smart. Yes, she would and laugh about us running in circles. If I ever find her, I may spank her before I say hello.”
“I can’t blame you. Haley’s a wild one. I’m not surprised you fell for her. It’d take that type of woman to get your attention,” Kijika said.
“What now?” Erik asked.
“I know where she lives. We’ll see if her car is in her garage.” Ranger turned his vehicle around and headed toward the hills of San Diego and Haley’s house. He called Jackson and explained how they had found no trace of Haley. “I think she may have rented a car or gone by bus. If her car’s in the garage, we’ll check the car rentals, bus stations, and trains.”
“She’ll want a car in case she needs more supplies. I think your first idea is the best,” Jackson said.
“Me, too. You all haven’t been called out for a mission yet?”
“No. The FBI is having a problem locating the group.”
“Well, keep me informed.”
“Will do.”
Ranger made several more turns and finally turned onto Haley’s street. He pulled into the driveway.
They all got out and searched around the house. The garage had no window.
“Erik’s good at picking locks,” Alec said. “Let him try to get into the house, and then we can check the garage.”
“Go ahead,” Ranger said and motioned to Erik.
Erik had the lock on the front door open in less than a minute. “This isn’t a very secure lock. When she gets back, she needs to change it.”
“I’ll get it done before she returns. She’s the most hard-headed woman I know and would argue even if she agreed.” Ranger walked through the kitchen to the garage door. He unlocked it and turned on the light. The glow shone on Haley’s red car.
“We’re right. Now we have to find out which rental company she used out of all the ones in San Diego and the suburbs.” He ran his hands through his hair and swore.
“Perhaps she got careless and left a scribbled note with the phone number or the name of the place somewhere around here,” Kijika said hopefully.
“Let’s search everywhere.”
When they didn’t find one clue, Alec reiterated, “She’s one damn smart woman. I may try and take her away from you, Ranger.”
Then he howled with laughter when Ranger stood over him and said, “Don’t even think about it.”
“All right, all joking aside, who might she confide in about personal stuff?” Kijika asked as he watched Ranger pace the living room.
Ranger stopped walking. “The only person I know she’s close to is Ava, but I’m not sure she’s that close to her.”
“Do we know her number?” Erik asked.
“We don’t, but I know the guy on another team that she’s dating. I called him once and have his number in my cell.” Ranger went through his contacts until he found the number.
“Hi, this is Kirk Sadler. I’m not available right now. Leave a message, and you may get one back.”
“Kirk, this is Ranger from Jackson’s team. We need Ava’s phone number. It’s very important.” Ranger hung up. “We seem to be running around in circles. Any idea who else we might call?” They all seemed as stumped as he was.
“Let’s go home, eat and invite some of the others from my team and yours to join us for beers and ideas,” Alec suggested. “There isn’t much more we can do tonight.”
“I hate taking more time, but we do need
other advice. We can go to my house and Kijika, you call our team and see if they’ve been deployed. Alec, get in touch with as much of your team as you can.”
“Sounds good. I’m hungry, too,” Erik said.
Alec grinned. “Ignore him. He’s always hungry.”
Ranger frowned and closed his eyes. I can’t fail her. Damn it, Haley, where have you gone?
Haley and Sampson explored the woods around the cabin. Sunshine and a breeze from the river made perfect weather. There were large mountain ranges not too far away. Haley had always loved this place. When they got to the edge of the river, Sampson ran in before she could stop him. He ran back to her just as fast, soaking wet and shivering.
“I didn’t expect you to jump in without sniffing first. The water’s cold most of the year.”
Luckily, she’d brought a towel in case Sampson got wet. Haley had to laugh as she briskly dried his fur and it formed a spiky fuzz around his face. “Now you’ve had a lesson about being more cautious.”
She spread a larger towel on the ground, under a nearby tree, and lay watching the floating clouds. Sampson slept beside her.
I wonder if being a mother would be this much fun. To watch your baby sleep and comfort him or her. Watch your child grow up confident and able to do whatever career they wanted.
Suddenly, she pictured Ranger. “No way,” she said out loud. She shook her head. “Where did those thoughts come from?” Sampson popped his little head up and looked at her.
“Are you hungry?” Haley got up, shook out the towels, and headed for the cabin with Sampson running at her heels, and thoughts of Ranger trying to come back.
After eating, she and Sampson lay on the sofa to take a nap. She’d opened several windows and loved feeling the cool air flow across her. She covered herself and the puppy in a light afghan and drifted off.
Chapter 5
Up early the next day, Ranger took a quick swim and walked around his back yard.
There must be something I’m missing. Kirk hasn’t called. He’s probably at Ava’s. I can’t blame him, but I need to speak with him or someone who knows Ava’s number. Calls to Haley’s cell had gone frustratingly unanswered. Knowing her, she’s probably using a cell she bought at the gas station on her way. The woman is ingenious. I’ll call the captain.
“Hello, Ranger. Any luck?”
“No, sir. We keep coming up with ideas that lead us nowhere. I’m trying to find out her friend’s phone number. All I can remember is her name, Ava.”
“I can try and reach their boss. He’d know it. Give me some time and I’ll get back to you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it, Captain.” Ranger clicked his cell off, and it immediately rang.
“Hi,” Alec said. “Did you hear anything since we left yesterday? We’re ready to go with you again today.”
“Thanks. I’m waiting for a call from Captain Buchanan. If he can find out Ava’s number, she may give us some ideas. I’ll call you when I know something, but don’t wait around if you have plans or want to do something else.”
“I’ll have my phone with me, just in case.”
Ranger tried to stay busy. He did his laundry, cleaned the kitchen and his bedroom. “At least I’ll have a clean house,” he hollered over the loud music he had playing. It kept his mind from thoughts of what might happen to Haley wherever she’d gone.
When the phone rang, he almost didn’t hear it. “Hello,” he yelled.
“Shut off the loud music,” his captain hollered back.
He quickly turned off the music and the vacuum cleaner. “Sorry, I was drowning out my thoughts.”
Buchanan laughed. “And busting all your neighbors’ eardrums. I got in touch with her boss. He wasn’t much help. She’s never told him anything about the cabin other than the fact it’s isolated. He doubts Ava knows either, but take down this number.”
After writing it down, Ranger thanked Buchanan again. “Have you heard anything about helping the FBI?”
“No. It’s strange, but the Naldo group has gone undercover. No one’s seen them. The FBI is considering returning in the next day or two.”
“That doesn’t sound good. What if Naldo and his group find out where Haley is?”
“If we can’t find her cabin, I doubt they will.”
“Unless there’s a traitor in the FBI.”
“Now you are going off the deep end.”
“I must be. Thanks for your help.” As soon as Ranger shut his phone off, he called Alec.
“Did you find out something?” Alec asked as soon as he answered.
“Not much, except no one knows where the Naldo thugs have disappeared to. I’m worried they may have found out where Haley’s staying.”
“They can’t know any more than us.”
“Unless Haley told someone she thought was trustworthy.”
“I doubt she’s told anyone if her boss doesn’t even know. Look, I just got my truck cleaned. I’ll head over to your house. Perhaps since we had a good night’s sleep, we’ll get an idea of where to start looking.”
“Sounds good. I just got Ava’s number from the captain. I’ll call and see if she’s home.”
“See you soon.” Alec hung up.
Relief flooded through Ranger when Ava answered after two rings. “I’m so glad to hear your voice. I’ve been trying to reach you all weekend.”
“Who is this?”
“Ranger.”
“Oh, no wonder I didn’t recognize the voice. What’s up? You sound anxious.”
“I am. We’ve been trying to find Haley.”
“I thought you knew she’d be going to her cabin.”
“I did, but things have changed. No one knows where the group that kidnapped Haley is hiding. They’ve gone off the radar just as Haley took her vacation. I don’t like the coincidence.”
“Her brother’s with the FBI team,” Ava said. “She might have confided in him.”
“He knows we’re all looking for her. I’m sure he’d have told someone by now.”
“I don’t know anyone else she’d trust. She sure didn’t tell me or hint of her destination. She did say once it took several days to get there, but who knows she may have said that to fool all of us.”
“That’s a little help. You don’t know of any other close friends she might have confided in?”
“Nope. I had a difficult enough time getting to know her and earn her trust.”
“Call me if you remember anything else.”
“I will. Now I’m very worried about Haley. You might have someone check her office. It’d have to be an FBI employee. Speak to our boss. Do you have his number?”
“Captain Buchanan does. I’ll ask him to give your boss another call.”
“Good. I hope you can find Haley. But if you can’t, I doubt the bad guys will.”
“I think someone she trusts may have betrayed her.”
“You think I’d do such a thing?” Ava spoke sharply, sounding agitated.
“No, no. I’m talking about others.”
“As far as I know, there are no others. I don’t think Haley trusts her own family. It took me two years to get her to trust me the little she does.”
“I’ll try to get her office searched. We have to find her before Naldo and his crew does.”
Haley walked Sampson through the trees and down to the water. Thankfully, she’d brought a towel along again. After they’d played in the water, she wrapped the wet pup in a towel warmed by the sun and walked the long way around to the cabin. Birds chirped, and once in the distance, she saw another deer.
She took a deep breath, enjoying the clean air and the peacefulness. But I’m not as relaxed as usual. She couldn’t stop thinking about her capture and what it would mean if they caught her again. There’d be no chance of escape. Luis Naldo would enjoy watching and participating in my torture, and then he’d kill me. Slowly. But I’ve walked all around here and haven’t caught a sight of anyone else.
Haley shook her head.
“I’m spooked because of all the warnings I got before I left town,” she said to Sampson, who blissfully slept in her arms.
She placed Sampson in his puppy bed and went to the kitchen to get out a roast from the refrigerator. She’d brought it in a cooler, full of food she liked. She opened a cupboard and added the spices she wanted for seasoning. After preparing the meat she placed it in the crockpot. Luckily, the cabin got electricity from the small town nearby. Haley smiled thinking about how her grandmother had sweet-talked the town manager into having the electricity run to her cabin.
It was still early, and the roast had plenty of time to cook before dinner. She added potatoes and carrots.
Sampson slept on. I must have worn him out at the river. Just looking at him made her smile. He stirred.
When Sampson opened his eyes and saw her, he barked and ran to her side. Haley reached for his dish and poured some puppy food into it. She checked his water bowl, and it was almost full.
“I’m glad I got you, Sampson.”
His little head perked up at the sound of his name. Haley smiled. “Yes, I’m talking to you. As uneasy as I am, I’d have left by now if I didn’t have you to talk to and keep me calm.”
Haley laughed. “I don’t know what I’d do if they did come around. I really should have gotten a guard dog, but…” She bent down and patted his head. “You were so darn cute.”
After lunch, they sat on the porch and watched for deer and other animals. Once or twice, Sampson ran off the porch and into the edge of the woods, but he never got out of sight and soon returned to her side.
She sketched pictures of Sampson and the woods. Her drawings were a secret hobby. She’d never shown her finished pictures to anyone. “I’m not any good,” she said to Sampson, “but I enjoy doing it better than any other hobby I’ve tried.”
The puppy wriggled his tail and looked up at her beseechingly.
“I suppose you want a treat.” Haley put her hand into her pocket and brought out the treat she had put there. First, she picked Sampson up and hugged him. Then she put him down and threw the treat across the porch. Sampson ran for it. It landed close to the edge of the long open veranda.
The SEAL’s Surprise Mate - Rachel McNeely Page 6
