Chapter Nine
Raquelle was admittedly a bit apprehensive in the passenger seat as she thought about the conversation with Landon on their failed marriage and where it all went wrong.
Had they thrown away a good thing for all the wrong reasons?
Should they have worked much harder to communicate and tried to work their way through the issues that seemed to stymie them—most notably, the timing on when they should start a family?
Was there really any chance that in learning from their mistakes, they could rectify them? And possibly restart their relationship?
Or was Landon living in a fantasy land at the mere suggestion? Did he truly believe there could still be a happily-ever-after for them, in spite of having already gone their separate ways for years now?
Raquelle was lonely too, even if she chose not to focus on it much as it was often too depressing to digest. But Landon had thrown her a lifeline of sorts for a possible future together. Should she grab onto it? Or would this only lead to history repeating itself?
As they approached the Catawba Nation, Raquelle’s thoughts turned to the prospect that Eddie had taken shelter there. Would he really hide out on the reservation from those who wanted him dead? Was this where her brother expected her to find him and offer support?
I have to believe Eddie’s still alive, and though he could be anywhere, the rez is as good a place as any where he won’t likely be found by outsiders, Raquelle told herself, glancing at Landon, deep in thought behind the wheel.
They drove down the Avenue of the Nations, passing by the farmers’ market at the Catawba Nation’s food-distribution center and the senior center. Then came the twenty-two-acre Black Snake Farm and walking trails before driving past the Catawba Cultural Center on Tom Steven Road.
“Seems like old times,” Landon commented, breaking the quiet between them.
“It does in some ways,” Raquelle acknowledged, even if it felt oddly strange in other ways as it related to them in current times.
She had treasured visiting the reservation during the early part of their marriage, with Landon showing a keen interest in her heritage, which she sincerely appreciated.
The Catawba Indians had resided on its ancestral lands for thousands of years alongside the Catawba River—while expanding its tribal citizenship across the country, even getting into the casino and gaming industries in the Carolinas.
Landon had readily welcomed learning about her heritage.
This meant the world to Raquelle, the ending of their relationship notwithstanding.
Just as she embraced his taking on Native American art crime as an FBI special agent in spite of the negative connotations regarding her brother.
Eddie had chosen to sell counterfeit art and involve himself with the wrong people—and right people by becoming Landon’s CI—and was now paying the price.
The only way for him to own up to his mistakes was to have a chance for a fresh start.
Assuming he’s still alive, Raquelle told herself, sweeping away a wayward hair that fell onto her forehead.
Landon asked, “So, where do we start in looking for your brother?”
“I’d say the home of his friend since childhood, Jay Locklear,” she replied thoughtfully. “If Eddie were to come here at all, Jay would probably know about it—and where to find him—”
“All right, let’s pay Locklear a visit.”
Raquelle directed him to the address on Marta’s Court where Jay, who worked for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, lived in a two-story home with a well-manicured lawn and magnolias lining the property. A red Jeep Renegade sat in the driveway in front of a closed garage door.
The front door to the house opened and Jay stepped outside, locking it. In his early thirties, he was tall and of medium build, with a long brunette braid and a landing-strip goatee.
“Hi, Jay.” Raquelle offered him a soft smile as he approached them.
He grinned at her and said, “Well, look who the wind blew in. Hey, Raquelle.”
When he gazed at Landon, she introduced him. “This is FBI Special Agent Landon Briscoe—and my ex-husband,” she added to make him less intimidating as a member of federal law enforcement.
Landon stuck out his hand in a friendly gesture. “Nice meeting you, Jay.”
“You too,” he replied, eyeing him warily. Jay turned back to Raquelle. “So, to what do I owe this pleasure…?”
She got right to the point. “We’re looking for Eddie.”
“Eddie?” Jay cocked a brow. “Is he in some kind of trouble?”
Landon answered bluntly, “More like trouble is out to kill him—if he’s not already dead.
Eddie was my confidential informant on a case I’m working on.
Someone blew up his boat, apparently expecting Eddie to be on it.
He managed to escape somehow and appears to be on the run.
” Landon exchanged glances with Raquelle, then looked at Jay.
“We thought he might have sought refuge on the reservation…”
Raquelle added, with urgency, “If he’s here, Jay, you need to tell us. Eddie’s life could well depend on it. Not to mention others in the Catawba Indian Nation could also be at risk.”
Jay favored her with a straight look and said flatly, “Sorry to hear about the boat and Eddie missing and in danger—but he’s not here.”
“Are you sure about that?” Landon pressed, peering at him.
“Yeah.” Jay met his gaze. “Feel free to check the house if you want. No one’s inside but my dog, Piper. He’s a twelve-year-old golden Lab that’s a bit ornery but otherwise harmless.”
Raquelle wanted to take him up on checking out the house—if only to verify his truthfulness, though having no particular reason to disbelieve him—but Landon responded, “That won’t be necessary.”
Jay nodded. Folding his arms, he asked Raquelle, “What makes you think Eddie would have come to the reservation? Not exactly like he’s been part of this community of late, any more than you’ve been.”
Ouch, Raquelle thought, feeling the sting. “We’ve always been a part of the Catawba Nation. That will never change,” she expressed. “No matter where we live or happen to be doing in our lives.”
“Okay.” Jay sighed. “You made your point.”
“As for Eddie showing up on your doorstep,” she told him, “it was just a thought since you’re his longtime friend and someone he could trust to keep him out of harm’s way.”
“Believe me, I would do anything for Eddie, if I could,” Jay insisted. “But I have no idea where he is. You could talk to Chief Quincy Marsh. But I’m sure he’d say the same thing. Not many places on the rez Eddie could go unseen.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that,” she conceded.
Landon handed Jay his card. “If you happen to hear from Eddie, give me a call.”
“I’ll do that.” Jay stuck the card into the back pocket of his light denim jeans. “I have to get to work. Nice seeing you again, Raquelle, even if under these circumstances.”
“You too, Jay.” She also wished it was a less stressful visit. Maybe that could come later, once Eddie was found, safe and sound.
After Jay had left in his Jeep, Landon asked Raquelle in the SUV, “What do you think?”
She twisted her lips, pondering this. “If Eddie’s on the loose and not being held captive, he’s probably still somewhere closer to home and familiar surroundings. Or else he’s left the state altogether for his own safety.” Both were preferable to her brother being already dead and buried.
“A statewide endangered person alert has been issued for Eddie and been extended to nearby states,” Landon told her.
“Though there have been no credible leads to his whereabouts thus far, that doesn’t mean he’s not still out there—maintaining a low profile till he’s ready to make contact with one of us. ”
“Hope so,” Raquelle said, even as she was finding it harder with each passing day to keep the faith that they hadn’t already gotten to her brother—meaning she had seen him for the last time.
Landon put a hand on her shoulder and said evenly, “Let me take you home.”
“All right.” She fastened her seat belt, and both were thoughtful during much of the drive to Dryer Woods.
* * *
“DO YOU WANT to come inside?” Raquelle surprised Landon by asking as he pulled up to the house, inviting him in for the first time since the divorce became official. “Nothing’s really changed much over the years—it was perfect the way it was—but you’re welcome to check it out anyway if you’d like.”
“I would like to,” he answered without delay, relishing the chance to see again the house Landon once believed they would spend the rest of their lives in as a married couple.
She smiled. “Okay.”
They left the car and went inside the house.
It took him only a moment or two before Landon acclimated himself with the familiar surroundings as a flashback of the time they spent there together came flooding back to him like a tidal wave of mostly good memories.
He noted some subtle changes in accent pieces and arrangement of furniture but otherwise felt as though he had stepped back in time.
“Looks great,” he told her while gazing at the piano and wondering how often she put it to use these days.
Raquelle grinned. “You deserve as much credit for that as I do,” she suggested.
Landon wasn’t sure he agreed as, aside from choosing the house together, it was her natural inclination for interior decoration that made the place what it was.
Apart from that, she deserved to be able to hang on to something that helped make their marriage so special.
He smiled and said graciously, “I’m just glad you have somewhere to feel at home. ”
She considered this thoughtfully and asked, “Would you like something to drink—wine, coffee or…”
“Wine would be nice,” he replied.
“All right.”