Chapter 8
“I saw David pull in as we were leaving,” Sully said with a glance at his passenger. Elena’s lips were tight and her eyes narrowed, brow creased in thought. She was a very pretty woman even with a frown on her face.
And he wished he could stop noticing that.
He had a feeling that wasn’t happening anytime soon.
“Yes, I noticed.”
“Hopefully, he and Maya will have a list for us by the time we get back.”
“Maya said he left the Bureau. Why did he leave?”
“He had a change of heart and decided he’d do better in the private sector. I sent him to Maya to interview and she hired him.”
“That’s kind of you both.”
“He’s a good guy. Just wasn’t cut out to be an agent.
And that’s okay. Not everyone who signs up and makes it through to getting the badge and title is a good fit for the actual job.
He was the one who recognized that and found something he’s really good at.
And passionate about. Security for the ranch and other businesses in town and some private high-end clients. ”
“I knew about that part.”
Heat crept into his cheeks. “Of course you did. Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. So . . . he was your partner?”
Sully barely contained the flinch triggered by her question. He cleared his throat. “Uh, no. Not my partner, but we were in the same field office for the two years he worked before quitting.”
“How long have you and Piper been partners?”
“Five months.”
“So not long. How’s that working out? She seems to be quiet but efficient.”
“No, not long. And it’s working out fine.
She’s a good agent.” He didn’t want to talk about partners.
Past or present. She studied him for a moment, then fell silent.
Ouch. He hadn’t meant to cut off the conversation completely, just hopefully redirect it.
“So, how come we never really saw each other as teens?” he asked.
“I was here every summer pretty much from the time I was born until I went to college.”
She laughed. “I wasn’t in the area long and I didn’t get out much, remember?”
“But still, you would think we would’ve run into each other in town or something at least once or twice.” He paused. “I remember Maya telling me about the mountain girl she met and how she felt a connection with you right from the start.”
“She just felt sorry for me, I’m sure.”
“No, it was more than that. She really wanted to be friends with you. Help you.”
“Well, then it was God’s intervention that allowed that to happen.
” She bit her lip. “I’ve always thought of Maya as my sister.
Maybe that comes from missing Iris.” She gave a tiny shrug.
“But she did help fill that hole in my heart. An Iris-sized hole.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Iris and I weren’t super close after we moved.
But we were when we were younger. Everything changed after we moved.
She’s three years older than I am and was always following after our dad. I was the mama’s girl.”
“And that mama got you out of a bad situation.”
“Yeah,” she said, her voice low. “I just wish she could have done the same for Iris. And my dad. Unfortunately, that was never on the table.”
“She probably wished she could too.”
A shadow of old pain flickered across Elena’s pretty features before she masked it. He understood, though. Loss and hurt. It reshaped a person from the inside out.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “About Iris and all of it.”
“Thanks.” She glanced out the window, and Sully checked the mirrors and frowned.
“You see that black pickup back there?” he asked.
“Yes, been watching it since it turned off that side road about a mile back.”
“You don’t know who it could belong to, do you?”
“A black pickup? In this town? Only about half the population.”
He was afraid of that. “Okay, the sun’s bouncing off the windshield so I can’t make out the driver.”
“Me either. You think they’re following us?”
“Could be nothing. Might just be headed to town same as us.”
“Then why are your knuckles white?”
He flexed his fingers on the wheel, then clamped down again. “Because it could be something.”
But the truck turned off and Sully let out a low breath.
“We’re awfully paranoid,” she said.
“It’s not paranoia if someone’s really after you.”
“True, but still . . .” She shrugged and leaned her head against the window. “Maybe the guy that tried to grab me was just a criminal. Someone using the woods to hide from the law. I came along and he saw his chance to . . . be a criminal. I don’t know.”
“Exactly. We don’t know. So we’ll be careful. And by we, I mean we.”
She shot him a small smile and nodded. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Sully checked the rearview mirror one last time before turning in to the pharmacy parking lot.
The black pickup was nowhere to be seen, but that didn’t mean it hadn’t been following them.
The tension in his shoulders was intense by the time he had the vehicle in park.
Elena climbed out and he followed her into the pharmacy.
Holly Richards, mid-fifties, with her salt-and-pepper gray hair cut into an attractive short bob, looked up from behind the counter.
She smiled and her eyes crinkled at the corners behind her glasses.
“Elena and . . . Sully?” She gasped. “Goodness, it’s good to see you. When did you get back?”
“Recently.” He smiled. “Had to come see Maya for a while.”
“Well, welcome home. What can I do for you today?”
“We need to pick up a prescription for Maya,” Sully said. “She called it in just a little bit ago.”
“Right. And I know she needs it fast, but my assistant called in sick so I’m here alone. I’m running slightly behind, but it’s almost ready, I promise. Can you give me ten minutes?”
“Of course.” He texted Maya.
Ready in ten minutes. How’s Ollie?
She’s okay. Ten minutes won’t make a difference. Be safe.
While she worked, Sully glanced outside, scanning the sidewalk and the vehicles nearby. No black truck.
Elena touched his arm. “Do you mind if we walk across the street to the post office while we’re waiting?”
“Sure.” They told Holly they’d be right back.
Sully followed her into the post office. His gaze swept the business, noting exits, cameras, and everyone in the place. “I don’t remember it being this busy.”
“Small-town growth. Christmas is coming and packages have to reach their loved ones.” They bypassed the line easily, thanks to Sully’s not-so-subtle badge displayed on his belt.
“Elena.” Much like Holly, the clerk’s eyes widened when he saw Sully. “And Sully? Good to see you back here.”
“Thank you, Frank. Good to see you too.”
“You’re not in line, so I’m going to assume you’re here on some kind of official business?”
“I need your help,” Elena said. “Last week, Tuesday afternoon, I was here and I thought I saw someone I knew. I’ve been searching for her for a while. Do you mind if I take a look at your security footage?”
Frank hesitated, glanced at the line forming behind them. Then sighed. “Is this related to a case in any way?”
“Yes, possibly,” Sully said. “I’ll admit it’s a stretch, but it’s possible she’s involved with some criminals I’m investigating. Or not involved. Truly, I don’t know. But I’d like to know if it’s who we think it might be.”
“No kidding. For real?”
“For real.”
“Okay, fine. Julia? Can you take over for a bit?”
A woman came from the back. “Sure thing.”
Frank motioned to follow him. Elena pulled in a deep breath, and Sully rested a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
He glanced at his phone. Time was ticking.
They needed to get back to the pharmacy.
Frank entered the door at the end of the hall.
An office. He sat at the computer and tapped the keys.
Two monitors blinked to life. “You’re in luck.
The system hasn’t purged last week yet.”
Sully positioned himself next to Elena so he could see the nearest monitor. “There we are,” Frank said. “That’s the afternoon you mentioned. What time?”
“Around four o’clock.”
He scrolled until the time was displayed on the screen. The line was long, snaking to the back of the building. People shifted, chatted, carried their packages to the counter, conducted their business, then left.
“Stop,” Elena said. “Stop it there.”
Frank obliged, and Sully saw the figure who’d caught her attention. It was obviously female, but her face was hidden by her winter clothing, including a hat pulled low over her hair and gloves on her hands. “What do you think?”
“I can’t tell,” she said. “But look at her left hand. The way she’s holding her arm. Iris broke her wrist when we were kids. It healed fine, but she always holds it like that when she’s not thinking about it. I’m pretty sure that’s her.”
Sully studied the image again. He could see it now that she pointed it out to him.
They watched as the person—Iris possibly—froze.
“That’s when I called her name. She did hear me.
” Iris moved with purpose toward the back of the building, bypassing the main exit.
Instead she pushed through the rear door.
“She definitely didn’t want to be seen,” he said.
Elena’s face was pale, but her chin lifted. “She heard me call her name and she ran anyway. Something’s wrong. Someone must be forcing her to stay hidden.”
“She might not have realized it was you calling her,” Sully said. “What if she thought it was someone from the compound?”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t have footage at that door,” Frank said, turning from his computer. “That camera isn’t working and I’m still waiting for someone to come fix it. Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Elena said. “I got what I needed. Thank you.”
“Of course. I’ve got to get back to the counter, but if you need anything else, just ask.”
They followed him to the main area, then Sully led her out the glass door to the sidewalk where Elena swiped a hand under an eye. Probably didn’t mean for him to see it. He placed a hand on her arm and turned her toward him. “You okay?”
She sniffed and nodded. “Yeah. But we’ve spent enough time on this. Let’s get Ollie’s meds and head back. She’s waiting.”