Cold Highway: Ellie Kline Series: Book Four

by Stone, Mary

  “He’s missing, Eleanor. Isn’t that what you do? Find missing people?”

  “Missing?” Her gaze fell on Decker, who froze with his mouth open, about to take a bite out of a pink donut covered in sprinkles. “Did you say Nick is missing?”

  “Yes. I need you to find him.”

  “How do you know he’s missing?”

  “His mother said he was supposed to be there last night. When he didn’t show up, they called his phone, but he never answered. She went by his house and the coffeemaker was nearly full and ice-cold. He hasn’t been home.”

  Her cheeks flushed as she stepped out into the hall, the most likely scenario popping into her head immediately. “Mom, he said he was going to start seeing other people. He probably just had a date and decided to…stay the night.”

  “Oh. Well, maybe, but he still wouldn’t disregard his family like that.”

  Clay joined her in the hallway, silently watching her.

  “Mom, I can’t file a missing persons report on a grown man just because he stood his parents up for dinner. He hasn’t even been gone twenty-four hours. Tell Mrs. Greene to let me know if she doesn’t hear from him by later today. I’m sure she will. I have to get back to work now, so I’ll see you on—”

  “Eleanor, listen.” Helen’s tone switched to the same one she’d used to stop her children in their tracks when they were young. “Don’t you dare hang up on me. Nick didn’t stand only his parents up. They had a family get-together last night.” Her mother’s Southern drawl became more pronounced. “He’s been looking forward to the party for weeks. You know Nick better than anyone. Has he ever ignored his family over a woman?”

  The question didn’t require much thought. “No.”

  “There you have it. You have to look into this. He could’ve been in an accident.” Helen finally lowered her voice, as if she was sharing a secret. “You could be right about Paul. What if Nick’s business partner isn’t who he says he is?”

  The admission left Ellie stunned. “Are you serious? Nick doesn’t show up at a family get-together and now you believe there might be something shifty about Paul Strong?”

  “Don’t you?”

  Ellie focused her gaze on the ceiling, taking a slow, deep breath before she responded. “I’ll check it out. Just don’t say anything to anyone yet. There’s not a lot I can do without an official report, if you get my meaning. And if Nick is just taking a break from his life, I don’t have any reason to call his parents with an update once I find him.”

  “You can’t just let them know what you find?”

  Ellie glanced at Clay munching on a doughnut, far enough away he probably couldn’t hear Helen’s voice over the phone. “No, Mom, I can’t. Not unless he says it’s all right.”

  Helen let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m not sure what harm it would do, but I don’t care as long as you look for him.”

  “I can’t promise that, but I will see if there’s any reason to suspect he’s in danger.”

  “I knew you’d do the right thing, honey. You always do.”

  Ellie ended the call, chewing on her lower lip as she replayed the conversation in her mind. When she finally lifted her eyes to meet Clay’s, his ever-present smile was gone. “I guess you figured out what that was about?”

  “Sounds like Nick needs some space from his life. Was that your mother, or do you call his mother ‘Mom?’”

  Ellie shoved a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I never called her Mom. She’s always been Mrs. Greene.”

  “How very Southern of you.” His smile returned. “Should I be surprised that your mother put herself in the middle of this?”

  “Not even a little bit. Mom is good at that sort of thing. She’s convinced that Nick has disappeared, and not on his own.”

  “What do you think?”

  Ellie pressed her lips together, thinking through all the possibilities. “Something doesn’t feel right.” She held up a hand before he could go on. “I know. I know. But not because we just broke up and I’m feeling some kind of way about it all. Nick doesn’t just run off. This isn’t like him at all, even if he’s under a lot of stress.”

  “He does have a remote cabin on a lake his parents didn’t know about. I’m not trying to split hairs here, but we’re all capable of running away from our lives when things get to be too much.”

  “All right, I see your point there. Maybe he’ll answer his phone and I can convince him to call home.” She dialed the number, her frown deepening when the call went to voicemail. “Maybe you should try from your phone. He probably won’t answer my call anyway.” She gave a quick shake of her head. “Never mind. I’ll just text him. Even if he ignores it, the preview shows up on the lock screen. At least if he reads the message, I’ll know he’s okay.” Her thumbs flew over the keyboard, and she hit send.

  Clay’s brown eyes narrowed at her. “You’re not going to be satisfied with that, and you know it.”

  She glanced at the glass door that led into the Violent Crimes Unit. Detective Decker caught her looking at him and gave her a thumbs-up. He popped what was left of a chocolate-glazed donut into his mouth, closing his eyes and relishing the last bite before licking his fingers.

  “I guess the donuts were a hit.” Several cops and doughnuts jokes rolled through her head, but she wasn’t in the mood to joke. “Who would’ve thought something that simple would make a good peace offering.”

  “I don’t know why you have to bring the offering, when they treat you like shit.”

  “Someone has to take the first step.”

  He grinned at her, finishing off the rest of his own donut. Unlike Decker, Clay used a napkin to wipe the glaze from his fingers and tossed the used napkin in the trash can next to the office door. “It doesn’t hurt when that first step includes gourmet donuts. Not my first choice for an afternoon snack, but I’m not going to complain. I’m hesitant to ask how much two dozen gourmet donuts like that go for.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Was it delicious?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then don’t ask.”

  “All right, then let me ask what you’re going to do about Nick.” He rocked back on his heels, assessing her with his intelligent gaze. Ellie thought sometimes that he saw too much. “Do you really think this is nothing?”

  “I want to say yes, but the truth is, I’m scared for him.” She paced the hallway, running over in her mind all that she’d brought up to Nick Sunday night. “I realize the Greenes have known Paul Strong for years, but the whole thing just seems so coincidental.”

  “What seems coincidental?” He stepped in front of her, forcing her to stop her pacing.

  She raised her head, and their eyes met. Her skin flushed and heat filled her belly. Automatically, she extended one hand, palm up, and took a step back. “The sudden business proposition right after Dr. Kingsley disappeared. The fact that Paul hasn’t met with Nick in person yet. Isn’t that enough?”

  “Do you really think it could be Kingsley? There hasn’t been any activity from him, not on his credit cards or his bank accounts.”

  Ellie zeroed in on Clay, going on the defensive. “Have you been watching Kingsley and didn’t tell me?”

  “I’ve been watching for him to show up. He is on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You made it sound like you’ve been looking into him personally.”

  “I have.” He gave a curt nod. “I have to keep my partner safe.”

  Color crept up her throat and into her cheeks. She turned away, embarrassed his words would have that effect on her. He was merely her partner, and he was doing something any partner would do. “I didn’t know.”

  “I have access to resources you don’t.” Clay stepped closer. “Honestly, I think underestimating Kingsley is a death wish. The man is resourceful and smart, with seemingly endless access to money and contacts all over the world.”

  “I thought there was no activity from his bank accounts.”
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  “The ones we know about. He could have millions stashed away in offshore accounts we know nothing of.”

  Ellie chewed her lip again, staring down at the floor as the weight of Clay’s words settled on her heart. “Do you think Nick is in danger?”

  “I’m not sure, but I think it’s worth looking into since the family is worried.” He nodded toward Fortis, who was enjoying a donut of his own at his desk. “I’m not sure I would tell Fortis, but a quick investigation couldn’t hurt anything. You just have to find a way to do it off the record.” He rocked back on his heels. “I don’t know about Charleston PD, but the FBI doesn’t typically let agents search for their own loved ones.”

  “What if the loved ones have broken up?”

  “Then they would be the main suspect in the disappearance.”

  A laugh bubbled up from her chest, bursting from her before she could stop it. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

  He showed his teeth in an exaggerated smile. “At least I made you laugh.”

  Moving toward the elevator, Ellie lowered her voice. “I know where I can get some information without raising suspicions with Fortis.”

  “Sounds shady.” He laughed, following her onto the elevator. “I like it.”

  She rolled her eyes, waiting until the doors closed before she spoke again. “Carl, in the tech lab, can help.”

  “Carl’s lab needs a cooler name. Like ‘Tech Squad’ or ‘Techies United,’ or something like that.”

  Ellie arched a single brow. “I’ll do the talking.”

  The doors opened and Clay followed her down the hall. His deep, rich chuckle made her feel warmer than she should on an errand that ought to send chills down her spine.

  Carl looked up from his computer screen, his forehead wrinkling when he spotted Clay behind Ellie. “I thought the FBI had their own lab.”

  “I need a favor, Carl,” Ellie said.

  “Of course you do, you’re down here, aren’t you?” He winked at her, chuckling. “How’s Jillian?”

  “Better every day.” She wrote Nick’s cell number on a sticky note taken from Carl’s desk and handed it to him. “Can you ping this cell phone and see where it is?” She leaned over his desk and spoke in a low voice. “This is strictly off the record.”

  “Whose phone?” He held up his hand for the note. “Wait, I’m sorry I asked. I don’t want to know.”

  “I like this guy.” Clay nodded his head in approval. “We could use someone like him in our offices.”

  Carl scoffed as he turned back to his computer. “Not a chance.”

  Ellie stifled a laugh, but Clay was unbothered, his smile in place. Wherever he was, he always seemed to be in his element. A little ribbing from Carl wasn’t going to throw Clay off his game.

  Carl typed so fast, Ellie could hardly keep up. After a minute, he leaned back, and she moved closer to look at the map on his computer monitor. “There he is. Pinefield Drive.”

  “Pinefield Drive…why does that sound familiar? Can you change this to a satellite picture?” Ellie leaned in closer to view the connecting streets.

  “Yep.” With a few keystrokes, the picture changed, and Carl zoomed in so Ellie could get a better view of the location.

  She sucked in a quick breath and turned to Clay. “He’s in trouble. We have to go.”

  “What? What is that place?” Clay looked to Carl for an answer, but he only shrugged.

  “It’s not the address itself, but what’s next to it. That is Dr. Powell’s house. Well, it was his house before his death. He mentioned a defunct property next door, an old bed-and-breakfast.”

  “He talked to you about that?” Clay asked.

  She kept her gaze on the screen as Carl pulled up the ownership information on the property where Nick’s phone was located. “I had therapy sessions with him, months before we found out that he was Kingsley’s assistant. Sometimes we chatted about nothing important, so I could relax enough for hypnosis. It wasn’t a long, drawn out conversation. He mentioned it sort of in passing.”

  “The records show the property’s still in Powell’s name.” Carl typed as he spoke, pooling his resources to find more than a simple web search could. “There’s no activity on the property next door. It’s still owned by a real estate company, hasn’t changed hands.”

  Ellie turned to the tech, her face too grim to force a smile. “Thanks, Carl.”

  She left the office without waiting for Clay to follow. When he joined her in the elevator, she was blinking back tears.

  “He’s going to be okay.”

  “You can’t know that.” She punched at the button so hard it hurt her finger. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to snap at you, but what if this is my fault? I knew his business venture was too good to be true, and I told him the man he was working with couldn’t possibly be Paul Strong. But Nick was so convinced I was just being paranoid.” She sucked in a shuddering breath. “It all makes sense now. Kingsley has been hiding. What if he’s been living in Powell’s house this whole time?”

  She rushed off the elevator as soon as the doors slid open, half running down the hall toward the side door that led to the parking lot. Clay was right behind her, hopping into the passenger side of her SUV when she disarmed it.

  “Do you want me to drive?”

  Ellie shook her head, throwing the Q3 into gear and peeling out of the parking lot. “I know these streets. It’ll be faster if I drive.”

  He tightened his seatbelt. “Just try to get us there in one piece, okay?”

  25

  Ellie turned down Pinefield Drive, only slowing when the road took a tight turn, giving Dr. Powell’s house a cursory glance as she passed it. “There it is.”

  “The gates are closed.”

  “I know.” She pressed the accelerator to the floor, heading straight for the entrance.

  “Shit.” Clay grabbed the oh-shit handle above his door, cringing as the front bumper of the Audi slammed into the middle of the gate.

  There was a loud squeal as the motor that closed the gate fought against the sudden pressure, then the gate gave way, popping open as the hinges twisted from the force of the impact. Ellie sped down the paved drive as the heavy metal panels clattered to the ground behind them.

  “You really should get a cattle guard,” Clay said in a deadpan voice.

  “Hold on.”

  “Oh boy.” He braced himself as Ellie took the last curve at breakneck speed, drifting sideways, and skidded to a stop in front of the building, throwing the SUV in park.

  They opened their doors in unison, and she hit the ground at a run, her hand on her holster, scanning the area around her for threats.

  Clay was on her heels, his own weapon already drawn. “Ellie, we should wait for—”

  Without breaking stride, Ellie slammed into the front door, flinging it open and rushing into the building.

  “Nick!” Her voice bounced off the walls. There was no answer. “Where is he? He’s supposed to be here.” Holding her breath, she strained her eyes for any sign of Nick, but there was nothing. Her heart raced and her fingers shook as she dialed Nick’s number again.

  Beside her, Clay was silent as he surveyed the room, moving to a side room and clearing it before heading to the next. He was doing the job Ellie was too panicked to do, and she was grateful for his solid presence.

  The sound of a phone buzzing across the large office set Ellie into motion, her eyes locked on the only other closed door. Clay followed close, gun ready, covering Ellie as she kicked the door open before jumping back against the wall.

  When no shots were fired, they filed in, covering the space as if they’d been doing so for years. The room was empty.

  On the floor a few short feet away, Nick’s phone lay facedown, moving on the tile as it vibrated with every ring. Picking it up, Ellie checked the screen, noting dozens of missed calls since the night before.

  Ellie pointed at the white tile floor. “My guess is he slid the phone in the
gap under the door or it was knocked out of his hand and ended up there.” Her bottom lip quivered. Catching it between her teeth, she closed her eyes against the panic welling in her chest. “He’s not here.”

  Clay went back into the lobby, standing in the middle of the room and taking it all in. “I don’t want to alarm you further, but there’s blood on the wall.” He indicated an indentation in the sheetrock. “Right there, and with the fading streak, it looks as if the person slid down the wall to the floor.”

  Chest tight, Ellie cleared her throat. “Oh my god.” She thought she might pass out when Clay pointed out the drops of blood near the front door.

  “I’m sure he’s alive. If he wasn’t, they wouldn’t have needed to move him.”

  Ellie closed her eyes, letting that knowledge sink in and calm her racing heart. “You’re right. So now we just have to find him.”

  “Does he have a second phone for business?”

  “No, he just has the one phone.” Hope swelled in her chest. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? “He has a smart watch. I got it for him for Christmas last year.” She held down the power button on Nick’s phone, not sure if the two were connected.

  “They would’ve taken that from him.”

  She shook her head, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waited for Nick’s phone to power down. “Nick didn’t like the look of the digital display, so I bought him a hybrid smart watch. The face looks just like a regular wristwatch until you press the function button. There are only a few functions on the watch, but Nick and Wes messed with it for hours on Christmas night. He can read a text but can’t send them.”

  “Does it have its own number?”

  “Yes! We can trace it.” She took out her phone, rattling off the number for Clay to call in to ACTeam, then she dialed Nick’s number, remembering out loud the way he worked his phone and watch. “When his phone is off, he has his calls go to his watch.” She was breathless as she smiled at Clay. “It’s ringing.”

  “Ellie.” Nick’s voice was barely above a whisper, cracking on her name. “I’m hurt.”