Chapter 7
SEVEN
Sadness invaded his chest. He knew many of these people had no other choice than to live on public property.
For some it was a lifestyle of their own design.
But many had issues that the system couldn’t deal with.
The unhoused situation was one the whole country had yet to solve.
Colt had no answers either. The only way he could help was by stopping the drug supply chain. Which meant bringing down Shadow.
He parked several blocks away from the encampment, tucking the SUV behind a building with the hope that no one would mess with the vehicle while they were gone.
And telling Maren about his cousin and the young boy he hadn’t been able to save left him feeling drained. He’d known it was the right thing to do since he knew her story, but sharing didn’t come easy.
And now an awkwardness rested between them as they leashed up the dogs and headed down the street to the houseless encampment.
Armed with a photo of Vinnie Homer on their phones, they split up, showing the photo to anyone who would talk to them. An hour later, they were no closer to finding Vinnie.
Frustrated and fatigued as the sun began to set, he sent up a prayer asking God for help, for some sign or direction. Anything that would lead them to Vinnie, who could lead them to Opal and ultimately to Shadow.
His phone rang.
Maren.
Pushing the talk button, he said, “Everything okay?”
“I found someone who might know where Vinnie went.” Her voice vibrated with anticipation. “I’m at the far end of the encampment.”
“On our way.” He hung up and handed some cash to the old woman who was petting Rusk.
“Bless you,” the woman said, tucking the money into the pocket of her pants.
With anticipation making his and Rusk’s stride hurried, Colt sent up a quick prayer, asking God to lead them in the right direction so they could find Opal before it was too late.
It didn’t take long to find Maren talking to an older man missing several teeth. His grizzled face, graying hair and tattered clothes suggested he’d been on the street for a long time. In his hand, he held several bills. Colt didn’t have to ask to know that Maren had provided the cash.
“Colt, this is Mortimer, he’s a veteran,” Maren said gently. “Mortimer thinks he might know where Vinnie went.”
Mortimer pocketed the money and then held out his hand to Colt.
Understanding, Colt dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He only had a twenty left. He handed it over. “Mr. Mortimer, can you tell us where Vinnie is?”
“Just Mortimer. And not exactly,” Mortimer said.
Maren made a distressed noise in her throat.
Colt put a hand on her arm, calming her. “What can you tell us?”
Mortimer shrugged. “He went with the lady, the one from the mission.”
That was something at least. “Do you remember her name? Or the name of the mission?”
“Gospel something.” Mortimer turned around and darted back into his tent.
“Really? That’s it?” Maren’s upset was apparent. “Not much to go on.”
“Just wait,” Colt said. He’d dealt with many homeless people over the years and knew patience was the key. Mortimer would tell them what he knew in his own time.
Mortimer emerged from his tent and triumphantly held up a flyer. “Here you go. That’s where he is. Or at least that’s who he left with. People from there.”
Maren snatched the flyer from him and looked it over. “I know where this is.”
“Thank you, Mortimer.” Colt shook the man’s hand.
“Yes, we appreciate this info,” Maren added.
By the time they got back to the SUV, it was well past eight in the evening.
“The mission will be closed for the night,” she said. “But we could still go there.”
“Not a good idea,” he countered. “Waiting for daylight, when Vinnie will be more at ease, is the right call.”
She considered, then said, “We can’t go back to your camper. I’m sure they probably have someone watching it. We can go to my place.”
Worry had Colt saying, “We don’t know if your home has been compromised.”
“If anyone in Shadow’s organization knew about me, we’d know,” she said. “Besides, it isn’t in my name.”
“No?” Colt found that curious since she professed not to date. Not that her marital status meant anything to him.
“The townhome belonged to my uncle,” she explained. “He took guardianship of Opal and me after our parents died. He passed when we were twenty-one. I never officially changed the name on the deed even though I continued living there.”
He could insist they stay at a hotel, but since neither of them had supplies with them for themselves or the dogs, her place made sense.
And he could protect her if Shadow’s men did find her.
“All right.” He wished he’d thought to grab his go bag out of the back compartment of his truck.
“Is there a superstore on the way we can stop at and get a few things?”
“As a matter of fact, there’s one down the street from my place,” she said. “We’ll stop on the way.”
“Sounds like a brilliant plan.”
The stop at the store took less than fifteen minutes as he gathered a few clothing items and toiletries.
When he got back into the SUV, she gave him directions to a set of row houses near the University of Colorado. She hopped out at the back entrance gate and punched in a number on the keypad. A moment later, the large metal gate rolled up.
When she got back into the vehicle, she said, “Pull into spot 304.”
Once they were parked and had the dogs leashed up, he followed her to the front door of her three-story townhome.
She stepped aside so he could enter then shut and locked the door behind him.
His gaze roamed over the first floor of the three-story townhome. Bright-colored throw pillows mingled with soft leather. The walls were painted a soft green. The living and kitchen space were an eclectic mix of practical and whimsy. He wondered which was she? The more practical or the whimsy?
An awkward silence descended. He broke the tension by asking, “Do you mind if I clean up?”
Her eyes flared and she gestured toward a hallway.
“Of course. The guest bath is the last door on the right on this floor,” she said.
“I always keep fresh towels hanging. There’s everything you should need in there.
” She moved to the kitchen counter. “You think Rusk would eat Haven’s food? Or can I scramble him an egg?”
“He’ll eat most anything.” He appreciated her thoughtful care of Rusk. And her thoughtfulness toward him. It had been a long time since someone other than family showed him such consideration. Rebecca hadn’t been the nurturing type.
Maren filled two bowls with dry food and set them on a rubber mat in the kitchen.
“Make yourself at home,” she told him. “My bedroom is on the top floor. The middle floor is a bonus room and an office. The guest room is across the hall from the guest bath.”
“Was the bedroom and bath on this floor your uncle’s?”
The frosted overhead lights lit her blue eyes. “It was. Though I changed everything out.” She smiled. “His style was a throwback to his youth in the sixties. Over the years, I’ve pretty much changed the whole place, since I had it to myself when Opal left.”
He noted the subtle sadness in her tone. “It must be lonely living here by yourself.”
She made a face as if regretting the slip in emotion. “I have Haven. I don’t need anyone else.”
He could relate to the sentiment. “Which is why you don’t date.”
Inclining her head, she said, “Exactly.”
It seemed they were cut from the same cloth. Two individuals determined to stay unattached and unencumbered by emotions.
For some reason, as he left her and made his way down the hall, the thought left him feeling unsettled.
* * *
While Colt freshened up, Maren did the same.
She showered and changed into comfy, wide-leg, stretchy pants and a long tunic sweater that dropped off one shoulder.
Her hair fell in waves over her back. It felt good to let the strands stay loose rather than in the braid or bun that she wore normally when working.
To keep herself busy as well as stave off the worry for her twin and distract herself from the fact a man was in her home, Maren prepared a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs.
Thankfully, the bagged salad she’d bought before she’d left for Barren Valley was still good.
It felt odd to be making dinner for two. For so long, she’d been alone.
But content. At least, that was the story she told herself, and if she repeated it often enough, it would be true. Telling Colt she was fine on her own wasn’t a lie. She just couldn’t admit that there were times she yearned for more. But more came with heartache that she wouldn’t accept.
She’d always prided herself on being okay with being alone. She’d convinced herself she preferred her life without any entanglements. Sure, she missed her sister, but she never really contemplated what it would be like to have someone to care for, to cook for, to love.
She couldn’t stop the little tremor of anticipation, the flicker of hope, that Colt would enjoy the meal. Even as the thought formed, she shut it down.
This wasn’t a date. This was two professionals who needed sustenance and rest before continuing their quest to find Opal and, ultimately, Shadow. Because as long as Shadow was allowed to operate, she and her sister were in danger.
And hopefully, Shadow would have intel on the baby smuggling ring that could help them find Mia Andrews.
When Colt emerged from the bathroom smelling of the apple shampoo she’d bought on a whim to put in the guest shower, her heart did a little thump. The scent would forever remind her of him.
His dark chestnut hair was damp and curling at the ends. He’d trimmed his facial hair and changed into a long-sleeve, soft-looking chambray shirt and a pair of black cargo pants.