Читать книгу Mountain Hostage - Hope White - Страница 15

The mission was on indefinite hold. Although three teams were ready to go, the weather had taken a turn for the worse. They wouldn’t be going out tonight to search for Shannon Banks.

Instead of heading back to his rented hotel room, Jack sat in his SUV eyeing the small house in the distance. When he’d left the hospital earlier, he’d gotten a call from Leslie that she’d found the silver dove necklace belonging to Zoe Pratt. He’d gone to retrieve it in the hopes it might comfort Zoe, yet now he hesitated to knock on the front door of her friend’s house where she was staying. Why?

The woman’s fragile emotional state made him uncomfortable. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing, didn’t want to upset her again. After all, she was still angry with him for speculating about her friend’s association with questionable persons.

He eyed the silver dove in his palm. There was no downside in giving her the beloved trinket. Then again, his very presence would remind her that the search had been suspended.

He was overthinking things. Nothing new.

A low growl emanated from the back seat. Romeo sensed something outside.

Jack opened his door. Listened.

He decided it was an owl discussing evening plans.

Romeo barked repeatedly. Maybe he needed a bathroom break. Jack let him out of the truck and the dog bolted past him, sniffing the ground intently. It wouldn’t be the worst idea to bring the canine along when Jack encountered Zoe again. Romeo’s presence might take the edge off their human interaction.

Romeo bolted up the stairs to the front porch.

Jack started to have second thoughts. What if Zoe thought he was bringing news about her friend? She’d be sorely disappointed and possibly more upset. Yet he wanted to offer her comfort in the form of her necklace. It also wouldn’t hurt to recalibrate their relationship with a positive interaction. Assuaging things between them could help Jack become more familiar with her missing friend. If Shannon Banks had been able to escape her captor, Jack understanding her thinking process could potentially expedite the rescue.

He knocked firmly on the front door. Waited. Had Zoe already gone to bed?

He tried again.

Romeo’s ears pricked.

Jack studied him. This made no sense. They weren’t in the field, weren’t tracking scent.

Romeo bolted around the side of the house. Jack followed and found the dog barking furiously at a side window. Jack peered through a crack in the curtains but couldn’t see much as the room was pitch-black.

“Come on, before we get arrested for peeping.” Jack commanded his dog to accompany him to the front door.

He knocked again.

Romeo anxiously paced back and forth.

Dogs know things humans don’t. Words spoken by Jack’s mentor and dog trainer, Riley Cooper.

A crash echoed from inside the house.

Jack twisted the door handle. Locked.

He shouldered the door once, twice. Decided not to dislocate his shoulder.

Another crash and a woman’s scream pierced through the window.

He scanned the porch for potential spots to hide a key.

Under a planter. No.

Behind the rocking chair. No.

Aunt Margaret hid hers beneath the...

He flipped over the colorful, braided welcome mat and grabbed the key.

“Romeo, wait,” he ordered, not wanting the dog to be harmed.

Jack unlocked and flung open the door. A large man charged Jack, slamming the door shut and pinning Jack against the wall. Romeo barked from the front porch.

The man slugged Jack in the gut, then spun him around and applied some kind of choke hold. Jack shoved the assailant back against the kitchen counter, hoping the pain of making contact would weaken him. Instead the guy clung tight to Jack’s neck, putting pressure on his windpipe. Swinging Jack to the right, he smashed Jack’s head against the refrigerator.

Jack was not a rag doll to be tossed around at will. He had the strength necessary to free himself. He was not that weak kid anymore.

He jerked his elbow into the guy’s stomach once, twice. On the third jab, the attacker’s grip loosened enough for Jack to slip out of the hold and stumble away. Sucking in air, he fought to clear the stars from his vision. He had to think, strategize.

The assailant turned, his face red with anger. He had black hair, dark eyes and an angry expression. The guy was about to charge again. Jack scanned his immediate surroundings for a weapon.

“Not happening, dirtbag!” Zoe cried.

The guy turned toward her.

Jack charged him and put a hold of his own on the attacker.

Zoe had other plans. She was aiming what looked like a canister of pepper spray at the guy. “Get down, Jack!”

He pushed off the man and hit the floor. A hissing sound was followed by the guy’s howl of pain. From his position on the floor, Jack watched the assailant stumble across the room toward the back door.

“You’d better get out of here!” Zoe shouted. She opened the front door and let Romeo inside. The dog took off after the assailant but the screen door slammed shut before the dog could follow him outside. Romeo kept barking and jumping at the back door, wanting to go after him.

“Romeo, stop,” Jack said, then glanced at Zoe. “Call 911.” He leaned against the wall, finally able to catch his breath.

She knelt beside him. “Are you okay?”

“911,” he repeated, not wanting her to waste time worrying about him when police could be in pursuit of the attacker.

She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and sat beside him on the floor. As she made the call, she scrutinized Jack’s forehead and cheeks for signs of injury. The attention made him uncomfortable.

Romeo plopped down, laying his chin on Jack’s thigh. With soulful eyes, he looked up, and Jack stroked the dog’s head. “It’s okay, buddy.”

Zoe finished giving a description to the 911 operator and ended the call. Jack glanced at her worried expression. An expression that reminded him of his failures. An expression that made him feel ashamed.

“I’m fine,” he said, starting to get up.

Zoe pressed her hand against his shoulder. “Can we wait for paramedics to confirm that?”

“I don’t need paramedics.”

“You were violently assaulted.”

It wasn’t the first time, Jack thought.

But it was the second time in one day that Zoe had been brutally attacked.

“Did he...hurt you?” Jack asked, his gut twisting into a knot in anticipation of her answer.

“Scared me mostly.”

He nodded, relieved.

“You saved me again,” she said.

He shrugged, not knowing if her remark required a response.

“Why did you come back?” she asked.

“To give you this.” He pulled the silver dove necklace out of his pocket.

Her face brightened as she took it from him. “Oh, thank you.”

“And to apologize,” he said.

“For what, being honest?”

“You were angry with me for being honest.”

“Actually, I think I was angry with myself.”

“I don’t understand, but then I don’t understand a lot of things when it comes to human interaction.”

“I should have done more to help Shannon, for one. Plus, you had a valid point. But if she were in trouble, you’d think she would have told me.”

“You live five hours away. Why would she tell you?”

“Distance shouldn’t matter. Friends confide in each other.”

“Okay.”

“What, don’t you have any friends?”

Riley came to mind, but no one else. Volunteers he’d met through SAR weren’t close friends; they were teammates, work associates.

“You shouldn’t have to think about it,” Zoe said. The left corner of her mouth turned up slightly.

“You’re making fun of me,” he said.

“No,” she said, touching his shoulder. “I’m teasing, joking around.”

When he didn’t respond, she continued, “You know, making light of something?”

He knew what she meant, yet in his experience teasing someone made them feel small and foolish. Zoe’s comment didn’t make him feel that way. This felt...different.

“I didn’t mean to offend you,” she offered.

He shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t always understand people.”

“I’ve been there, too.” She reached out to pet Romeo. Jack noticed her hand was trembling.

Although still shaken, she was down on the floor trying to console Jack. He didn’t need consoling. He wasn’t traumatized by the assault as much as disappointed in himself that he hadn’t restrained the guy for police.

“I’m going to get up now,” he said.

“Okay, sure.” She straightened and extended her hand.

Jack ignored it and stood on his own, wanting to let her know he wasn’t seriously injured, and she didn’t have to worry about him. From her wistful expression, he wondered if he’d made a mistake.

They sat at the kitchen table and Romeo trotted up to Jack, waiting for direction. Jack pointed at Zoe. “Go help.”

Romeo went to Zoe’s side and waited expectantly.

“Pet him,” Jack encouraged. It always made Jack feel better when his fingers touched Romeo’s soft, Bernese–border collie fur.

A few minutes later the tension in Zoe’s features softened. Good, it was working.

“Did you recognize the man who broke in?” Jack asked.

“No.”

“Did he steal anything?”

“I don’t think he was a burglar.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because...” she hesitated “...he said, ‘Where is she?’”

“She? As in... Shannon?”

“I guess? This whole thing is so—”

“Puzzling,” he said.

“And scary. I mean, one guy kidnaps Shannon and another is trying to find her?” As she kept stroking Romeo’s fur, Zoe’s expression grew contemplative.

“Would you like me to make you some tea?” he offered.

His question elicited a slight smile. “Tea?”

“Tea calms the soul.” He repeated the phrase he’d learned from Aunt Margaret. Whenever he’d get tied up into knots about kids taunting him, or he felt like an idiot because he didn’t know how to interact properly, Aunt Margaret would brew two cups of tea and sit with him at the kitchen table.

“You’re an interesting guy,” Zoe said.

“So, yes? You’d like tea?”

“Yes, that would be nice.”

Good. It gave him something to do, a way to make her feel better. A challenge, since his skill set did not include nurturing.

“I’m sorry about before,” Zoe said.

“Before?” He flipped the gas burner on beneath the stainless teakettle.

“Being rude when you said Shannon could have gotten involved with the wrong people.”

“I wasn’t trying to be malicious.”

“I know.”

“I’ll try to be less insolent next time.”

“Interesting choice of words.”

A word that his grandmother once claimed defined Jack.

“Why ‘insolent’?” Zoe asked.

He pulled two mugs out of the cabinet and formulated an answer, not sure how much he wanted to share.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” she said.

“You apologized for being rude earlier, yet I come off as rude more often than not,” Jack said. “It’s the way I am. Rude, insolent, impertinent.”

“Whoa, which adult used those words against you?”

He turned to her. How could she possibly know?

Sirens echoed in the distance. “Police will be here soon,” he said. Excellent timing. He didn’t like talking about himself, his childhood.

“You should consider relocating,” he said.

“I feel close to Shannon in her home. Besides I want to be here when they bring her back.”

Zoe would risk her own safety to be here for her friend if authorities found her? It didn’t seem like a wise choice to Jack.

“Is there anyone who can stay with you?” he said.

“No, I don’t know anyone in town other than Shannon, her friend Kelly and...” she hesitated “...you.”

Unfortunate. More people in the house would discourage the attacker from returning. But not just anyone. That gave Jack an idea.

“What is it?” she said.

“Excuse me?”

“You got...” she motioned to her face “...a look, like the gears were spinning in your head.”

Wait, she recognized a change in Jack’s features when an idea was forming? How could she read him better than most of his closest associates?

“What do you do for a living?” he asked.

“I’m a counselor for adolescents and teens, why?”

That explained why she was able to read him so easily. Counselors were trained to identify feelings buried beneath the surface. He’d have to be more careful with Zoe. He didn’t want a repeat of his ex-fiancée, who used her intimate knowledge of Jack against him in the worst way.

“I expect you’re good at your job,” he said.

“Some days better than others. How about you? What do you do when you’re not rescuing damsels in distress from a mountain?”

“IT security. I own my own business.”

“I’m guessing that’s lucrative.”

“Privacy is priceless.” He wondered if she caught on to the double meaning.

“That sounds like an ad campaign.”

He glanced at her.

“Teasing again, sorry,” she said.

“Don’t apologize for my shortcomings.”

“I don’t see it as a shortcoming. Making light of things is simply not something you do. That’s okay. So, IT security, rewarding work, is it?”

He suspected she was making conversation to distance herself from tonight’s attack. “Rewarding enough, for now.”

“And what happens after now? I mean, you seem like the type of guy who would have a plan.”

Of course, it wouldn’t take long for a woman in her profession to assess his personality and figure out his type.

“My plan is to sell my business and travel the world.”

“Sounds lovely,” she said.

Her tone belied her words. He wondered why she disapproved.

“You won’t miss people when you move away?” she asked. When he didn’t answer right away, she said, “You have to have some friends, Jack. Or family?”

“Between the business and SAR, I don’t have time for a social life.”

Now she was the one to look confused.

Someone knocked on the front door. Romeo charged across the room, and Jack ordered him back to his side.

“It’s Detective Perry,” a voice called.

Good timing. Jack was growing more uncomfortable by the minute. Sharing intimate details about his life, his future plans, was not something that came easily to him.

Zoe stood and went to let the detective in, giving Jack the breathing space he needed to process their conversation. Regardless of feeling exposed to her in a way he hadn’t felt in years, Jack had an intense need to protect her, a woman who touched things in his psyche he’d thought lost or damaged or...nonexistent.

Detective Perry entered with another officer Jack recognized as Sergeant Peterson. Jack was relieved to see the sergeant, considering Perry’s obvious dislike of Jack.

“Jack,” Sergeant Peterson greeted.

“You again,” Detective Perry said to Jack.

“I was returning something to Zoe.”

“Something that could be used as evidence in this case?” Perry pressed.

“He brought me my dove necklace.” Zoe held it out between her forefinger and thumb. “It represents the Holy Spirit and Jack knew how important it was to me.”

“Your timing was convenient.” Detective Perry looked at Jack.

“Yes, wasn’t it?” Zoe said. “I don’t know what would have happened if Jack wasn’t here. And Romeo.” She reached out and stroked the dog’s head. She motioned the two officers to the kitchen table, and they sat down. Jack remained standing. “Jack and Romeo saved me, again.” She shot Jack an appreciative smile.

He looked away. This was dangerous, something beyond his understanding. Jack didn’t like things he couldn’t make sense of or control.

Detective Perry took their statements, including a description of the intruder.

“Midforties, about my height wearing a leather jacket,” Jack said.

“He spoke with a raspy voice and had a birthmark on his neck below his jawline.” Zoe pointed to her own neck.

“Good thing you had pepper spray,” Perry said.

“Too bad I didn’t have it with me earlier on the hike.”

As they discussed the attack, Jack texted the SAR command chief and asked him to contact certain team members to put Jack’s plan into motion. The people he had in mind were perfect for his goal of protecting Zoe.

“So, he was looking for Shannon.” Detective Perry’s comment was a statement, not a question.

“It’s possible, yes,” Zoe answered. “Which means she escaped her kidnapper. That’s a good thing, right?”

“It could be,” Perry said.

“But?”

“There are too many unanswered questions.”

“At the very least, the kidnapping and tonight’s break-in are related, right?”

“We’d be speculating,” Perry said.

“Then speculate,” Zoe pushed.

Jack had considered her fragile a few minutes ago, but not right now. Right now she was challenging authorities.

Jack’s phone vibrated with a text message. Good, his plan was coming together.

“It would expedite the investigation if we had more detailed information about Miss Banks,” Sergeant Peterson said.

Detective Perry shot him a look, then redirected his attention to Zoe.

She continued to pet Romeo, who seemed to be offering comfort. Good dog.

“How about problems at work or more specifics about her boyfriend?” Perry said.

“She hadn’t heard from him since he went to visit family in Colorado. She didn’t talk much about work.”

The officers shared another look.

“What?” Zoe said.

“We suspect she was involved in criminal activity, which is the motivation behind her kidnapping,” Detective Perry said.

“No, that can’t be right,” Zoe said, glancing at Jack.

He looked away, uncomfortable at seeing the pained expression on her face.

“What...what kind of criminal activity?” she asked.

“Drugs,” Jack guessed.

“Why would you say that?” Perry countered.

“It’s logical.”

“Is it? I don’t think so. I think you know something and you’re holding back.”

“Detective,” Sergeant Peterson intervened. “Jack’s been with Search and Rescue for four years. He’s solid.”

“Everyone’s solid until they’re not. How’s it logical, Einstein?” Perry said.

“Stop!” Zoe put out her hand like she was breaking up a fight between middle school kids. “Why do you think Shannon was involved in drugs?”

“We can’t discuss an open investigation,” Perry said.

“Fine, then we’re done.” Zoe stood and planted her hands on her hips.

The men hesitated before standing. “Sergeant Peterson is going to move you to a different location,” Perry said.

“No, thank you.”

“Ma’am, not only is it not safe for you here, but we need to send a forensic team to dust for prints.”

“Pointless,” Jack said. “He wore gloves.”

Detective Perry glared at him.

“You may leave now,” Zoe said, polite yet firm. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

“Considering what happened tonight, I would have to disagree,” Perry said.

“Well, Detective, the assailant is not here, and wherever he is, he’s in a world of hurt from my pepper spray. I am unharmed and have more spray in my possession.”

“Ma’am, I must insist—”

“Thank you for coming tonight.” She crossed the room and opened the door.

The detective hesitated as he passed her. “I can’t protect you if you make unwise choices.”

“I understand. Good night.”

Detective Perry left.

Sergeant Peterson paused by the door and handed her a business card. “My cell number. Call anytime. I can see about having an off-duty deputy watch the house, but I can’t make any promises.”

“I’ve got tonight covered,” Jack said.

The sergeant and Zoe both looked at him.

“A few SAR members will spend the night until we’re called out again tomorrow morning.”

“Wait, when did this happen?” Zoe asked.

“You shouldn’t put civilians at risk,” Sergeant Peterson said.

“Sally Frick and George Connelly are part of the group. They’ve been informed of the situation. Should be here shortly.”

“Ah,” Peterson said.

“Ah?” Zoe questioned.

“Frick and Connelly are former military,” Peterson explained. “No one’s getting in the house if they’re here.”

“We’ll take turns keeping watch,” Jack said. “Zoe will be safe.”

Zoe will be safe.

Jack’s words gave Zoe enough comfort to allow her to get some sleep. That was, until a nightmare abruptly woke her the next morning.

She struggled to calm her breathing. Glanced around the room. The six-foot-tall armoire had been moved to block the window, probably to prevent the intruder from gaining access to the room.

Low murmurs drifted through the wood door from the living room. She washed up and dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. She opened the bedroom door to a four strangers with backpacks and bedrolls. She’d been so exhausted last night that she hadn’t heard the team members show up and lay out their sleeping bags on the floor.

“Good morning,” she said, searching the room for Jack, but didn’t see him.

A woman in her fifties greeted her. “Hi, Zoe, I’m Sally Frick.” They shook hands. “Sorry if we woke you.”

“You didn’t. So, you’re the heroes who stayed over to protect me last night?”

“Hero, I like that,” said a man in his thirties.

An older man gave him a playful shove. “Who says she was talking about you? Come on, let’s move.”

“Weather conditions have changed,” Sally said to Zoe. “We’re meeting law enforcement personnel and heading back up Mt. Stevens to search for your friend.”

“Where’s Jack?”

“He got an early start with the first team. Sergeant Peterson posted a deputy outside to keep watch of the house, although I think Peterson would prefer you to find another place to stay temporarily given what happened last night. We may not be back for a few days. Weather is looking good.”

“Oh, okay. Be careful.”

“Thanks, we will,” Sally said.

The group of two men, two women and three dogs headed out. Zoe watched them through the window, wishing she could have seen Jack this morning to thank him.

For coming back last night and saving her.

For going out this morning to find Shannon.

For being a grounding presence in her life.

Whoa, back up. The trauma of the last eighteen hours and possibly the concussion must be messing with her cognitive ability. It wasn’t like her to rely on a man for stability, especially a man with such opposite views on life.

Jack Monroe was an IT genius who planned to sell his business and travel the world. Where was the stability in that? She had endured too much instability growing up and had made herself a promise never to feel unsettled again. Wasn’t that why she and Tim had ultimately broken up? Because his obsession with climbing the corporate ladder and constant, last-minute canceling of their plans left her feeling untethered? She wanted to be able to count on something, someone. Tim wasn’t the guy.

And neither was a man like Jack Monroe.

This was definitely her concussion talking. She barely knew the man and had no business thinking of him in those terms.

She turned toward the kitchen a little too quickly, her body aching from the fall yesterday. Well, that and perhaps being yanked around by the creep in the leather jacket last night.

Frustration burned in her gut, as if she’d ingested a handful of chili peppers. While teams were out searching for Shannon, Zoe was stuck in the house doing absolutely nothing.

A familiar feeling of helplessness spread through her chest.

“Oh no, I’m stepping off that one,” she said, referring to an expression called the victim triangle that her counseling mentor had taught her years ago.

Deciding to be proactive, not reactive, Zoe fixed herself peanut butter on toast for sustenance. As she ate, a plan formed in her mind. She’d search the house for clues, insights into Shannon’s state of mind, and maybe even prove that police were way off base suspecting Shan of being involved with drugs. The nerve.

Opening a small, cherrywood nightstand beside Shan’s bed, Zoe spotted a pale blue journal. She turned to the first page, her gaze settling on her friend’s fluid handwriting.

She quickly snapped it shut. This felt wrong, like she was violating her friend’s trust.

But if it was the only way to gain insight into Shan’s life...

“I’m sorry, Shannon.” Zoe opened it again and began reading, first the usual stuff—frustration at work, pressure from her parents to move back home—then stories from Shannon’s work as a volunteer counselor at a local youth center.

Zoe flipped another page and landed on an entry titled “Randy and Kelly.”

I can’t believe what’s happening. I trusted them with my heart and they betrayed me. Isn’t there anyone who loves me and will protect my heart?

“Me, I’ll protect your heart,” Zoe whispered. She flipped the page.

And saw her own name.

Zoe is coming to visit. I don’t know if I have enough energy for her, if I have the strength to comfort her when my own heart is breaking.

Was that how she felt about Zoe? That she was an energy-sucking friend who needed comforting, a friend who sapped Shannon’s emotional strength?

“I can’t think about that now.” Zoe found renewed strength in her determination for answers, especially about Randy and Kelly.

She decided to call Kelly, be pleasant and set up a meeting where Zoe could confront her face-to-face about what she’d read.

“Hello?” Kelly answered.

“Hi, it’s Zoe. I need to talk to you.”

“I’m actually at the SAR command center prepping food for the team. Why don’t you come by and help?”

“Okay.”

Kelly gave her the location. “See you soon.”

“Thanks.”

Zoe left the house and spotted a police officer parked out front. She thanked him for being there, and told him where she was going.

As she drove off, she tamped down her anger so she’d be rational when she questioned Kelly. She considered the possibilities in her mind and landed on the most obvious: Kelly and Randy had a relationship behind Shannon’s back.

How could they betray her like that?

She punched the address Kelly had given for the command center into her phone and pulled her compact car onto the main road. She planned what she’d say, intent on being calm, not accusatory. She’d never get answers that way.

Thirty minutes later Zoe pulled up to the command center and approached the food tent. Kelly spotted her and smiled. “Hi, Zoe.”

Zoe couldn’t bring herself to smile back. As she was about to question Kelly about the journal entry, a middle-aged man with jet-black hair stepped up beside Kelly. Zoe did not want an audience.

“Zoe?” the man said. “As in Shannon’s friend?”

“Yes,” Zoe said.

“I’m Curt Underwood, Shannon’s boss at Mt. Stevens Resort.” He extended his hand. “I’m sick about all this. She’s one of my best employees. Please, if there’s anything I can do while you’re in town. How about I comp a room for you at the resort?”

“Thanks, but I’m staying at Shannon’s place.”

Curt pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “Call anytime, if you need anything.”

“Thank you.” Zoe turned to Kelly. “Could I talk to you?”

“Sure.” Kelly motioned to Curt. “Can you take over packing the sandwiches for a minute?”

“Of course.”

Zoe led Kelly away from the group.

“What’s wrong?” Kelly said.

Once they were out of earshot, Zoe turned. “I know about you and Randy.”

“Me and Randy?”

Someone touched Zoe’s arm. She glanced over her shoulder at Jack. “Jack? I thought you were up searching for Shannon.”

“I was.” He broke eye contact.

Dread filled her chest. “You mean...?”

She glanced behind him at two men carrying a body bag.