Identity Unknown (11 page)

“Better to stay out of sight,” she said. “We don't know if your pursuers have found out where we are. We need to keep an extra-low profile so we can make it safely to your home.”

Seeming to accept her pronouncement, he picked up the room service menu. “Then we'll dine in. I think the blue cheese hamburger, fries and a side garden salad sound good.” He handed her the menu.

“I'll take care of it.” She headed toward the connecting door, but he stepped into her path.

“I don't think I'm the kind of man who lets others take care of him.”

She arched an eyebrow as her heart rate ticked upward. “You know this how?”

His wide shoulders lifted and fell. “Just a feeling. I get all twitchy when you get bossy and mothering.” He softened his teasing words with a smile.

She pressed her lips together to keep from grimacing. She'd heard similar statements before. The jerk from college, Kyle, had claimed that was one of the reasons he'd cheated on her—he couldn't take her controlling nature. She couldn't help it if taking charge came naturally. Not only did her job require her to be in command of every situation, but she also came by her bossiness honestly. Her mother had the same trait, which made her good at her job of running the Calico Bay Medical Center.

Nathanial narrowed his gaze. “I've upset you. I'm sorry.”

She shoved her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “I'm doing my job, Nathanial. Putting your safety first is my priority.” She stepped around him, needing to put some space between them. She didn't want him digging into her psyche. It was bad enough she'd told him about Kyle—she didn't want to humiliate herself further with the details. “I'll make the order.”

“You do that.”

His amused toned chased her back to her room. She put in the order for two hamburgers, fries and side salads, and a pot of coffee. She would need to stay alert in case the men trying to kill Nathanial took the opportunity of striking in the middle of the night.

Fifteen minutes later there was a knock on her hotel door. With a hand on her weapon, she checked the peephole. A man dressed in the hotel's green, black and gold livery stood on the other side of the door with a cart bearing two silver domes presumably covering their dinner.

She signed for the food and wheeled the cart in, tipped the man and sent him on his way. A second later another knock sounded at the door. Nathanial. She opened the door and stepped back.

Nathanial poked his head inside the room. “Dinner?” He entered, closing the door behind him.

“Yes.” She lifted the lids, and the most delicious smells wafted up, making her stomach cramp with hunger.

They each took a plate and sat. Nathanial took the desk chair while she took the cushy chair in the corner.

For a moment both were content to eat in silence.

“Blake told me about the mission I was on,” Nathanial said as he set his half-eaten burger back on the plate.

She listened, riveted, as he spoke about the criminal Kosloff. She wiped her hands on a napkin. “Did Blake say whether he'd checked the team's financials?”

“I asked and he had. Nothing to report there.”

Reaching for her tablet, she did a quick search in the national criminal database for Sergei Kosloff and found a photo. She held it up for Nathanial to view. Sergei Kosloff had a round face, with wide-set eyes and dark hair. “Now we not only have a name but a face for the man who's trying to kill you.”

She watched Nathanial closely for any flare of recognition, but none came as he studied the image.

His mouth twisted. “But the question is, why does he want me dead? What threat do I pose?”

Questions she prayed would be answered soon.

* * *

The next morning Nathanial and Audrey stood in the lobby of the hotel waiting to meet their escort to Saskatchewan. Nathanial couldn't take his eyes off Audrey. He was struck once again by her beauty. Not just the outward package. Though that was certainly pleasing. She wore loose wool trousers and a lightweight sweater and had a coat folded over her arm. Her blond hair was loose again, falling about her shoulder with one side tucked behind her ear.

He also found her intellect and determination appealing. Her alert gaze swept the lobby and the street outside the window. To the world she most likely appeared at ease, with her legs braced slightly apart and her right foot marginally forward in a stance that looked natural but also afforded her an anchor and a push-off point.

She was nervous. Her fingers drummed on her hipbone, much like he'd seen her do on her utility belt when she was in uniform.

Blake had called them first thing in the morning saying they were booked on an 8 a.m. flight to Saskatoon with a short layover in Minneapolis, and from there they would drive three hours to Nathanial's hometown of Pierceland. Anticipation revved in his veins. Remembering was paramount to solving this case and to taking back control of his life.

The knowledge had promptly given him a rip-roaring headache.

A black Suburban pulled to the curb outside the hotel door. Blake climbed from behind the wheel while Luke Wellborn jumped out of the passenger seat.

“Here's our ride,” Nathanial said to Audrey. He grabbed her bag and the small one he'd purchased for himself in the hotel's gift shop. Grateful that she didn't put up a fuss, they headed outside. The frosty air bit at him. He pulled the corners of the wool-and-shearling coat closer, thankful Deputy Paulson had let him borrow it.

Luke took the bags and stowed them in the far back while Blake opened the back passenger door for them to slide onto the bench seat. Once everyone was secured inside the vehicle, Blake took off, expertly weaving through the early-morning traffic.

“Drew and Sami will meet you at the airport in Saskatoon,” Blake informed them.

Snow began falling, gently coating the world in a blanket of white, reminding Nathanial Christmas was only days away. He sent up a silent prayer that he'd have his memory, his life, back by then.

When they landed in Saskatoon, they were met by Drew Kelley and his wife, Sami Bennett-Kelley. Both were dressed in what Nathanial would call work attire—Drew wore black slacks, jackboots and a warm-looking midlength wool peacoat. There was the slight bulge at his side where he no doubt carried a firearm.

Nathanial nodded a greeting to Drew before studying Sami. She was petite, with a wild head of curls and alert blue eyes, and was also dressed in dark slacks and a red button-down top beneath a short, thick leather jacket. She yanked a black glove off her right hand and thrust her hand out to Audrey.

“Deputy Martin,” Sami said in a clipped voice. “Thank you for all you're doing for this one.” She tipped her chin in Nathanial's direction.

“You're welcome.” Audrey matched the FBI agent's formal tone.

Sami turned her vivid gaze to him, and there was no mistaking the affection in her eyes. “No memory, huh?”

He grimaced and shook his head, already liking the direct way the woman took on life. “Sorry.”

She shrugged. “Unless you've gone dirty, no apology needed.” She reached out and took his hand. Her fingers were strong as they curled over his. “We're glad you're alive. We were worried you weren't.”

Nathanial accepted her welcome and her concern. These people had cared about him. And still did. Warmth spread through his chest, taking the edge off his headache.

They hustled from the smaller airport to an American-made super-duty dual-cab truck marked with the RCMP initials and logo.

Sami climbed in front with Drew taking the wheel while Audrey and Nathanial took the back passenger seats. Sami kept up a running dialogue, asking questions and commenting on the passing scenery. Seemed this was her first time in this part of Canada.

Nathanial had hoped seeing the landscape of his birthplace would jog something loose inside his brain, but the flat, snowy countryside was unfamiliar. Groves of trees dusted with white powder dotted large stretches of undeveloped pastures.

“Hey, look.” Sami's excited tone made Nathanial smile. “What is that?”

A large, dark-colored animal stood off in the distance. Its compact body was covered with thick fur, and the beast's snout was long and rounded at the end. Flat antlers rose off its head.

Môswa.
The word floated through Nathanial's brain. Was this more of the Cree language that apparently he'd been speaking when he first awoke in the hospital? Was the word the name for the creature in the pasture?

“Prairie moose,” Drew said with a grin. “Sami grew up in the Pacific Northwest.”

Moose. Nathanial was pretty sure he'd just named the animal in Cree.

“They don't have moose on the West Coast?” Audrey asked.

“Oh, they do somewhere, I'm sure,” Sami explained. “But I grew up on the coast of Oregon then moved to Portland. I've never seen anything that big.”

“What's this?” Drew asked, drawing Nathanial's focus to a car pulled to the side of the road about fifty yards ahead.

Drew took his foot off the gas.

“Probably someone stopping to take a picture of the moose,” Sami said, but there was a thread of tension in her tone.

“Or someone with car trouble,” Audrey ventured, but she didn't sound convinced. She put her hand on his shoulder. “Slide down, just in case.”

Nathanial wanted to argue. No way could anyone be gunning for him out here. Could they?

As the gap between the truck and the car closed, all the doors on the sedan popped open. Four gunmen jumped out and aimed semiautomatic weapons at the truck.

ELEVEN

A
s bullets riddled the heavy-duty truck and shattered the back window, raining pebbles of safety glass onto them, Audrey's heart slammed against her rib cage, and she screamed, “Get down!”

She yanked Nathanial's arm at the exact moment he pushed her to the truck's back passenger floorboard, toppling onto her. His weight forced the air from her lungs.

“Hang on!” Drew shouted. The truck engine roared, tires dug into the layer of snow and the vehicle fishtailed before finding traction and shooting forward, passing the car and the men. A barrage of gunfire hit the truck, the pinging of bullets echoing in Audrey's head as she did her best to protect Nathanial. But he wasn't cooperating. He kept trying to shield her.

“Hey! I'm supposed to be protecting you,” she grumbled, her voice muffled into his chest. The scent of the hotel soap mingled with his masculine scent, and if she weren't so mad and admittedly scared, she'd have snuggled closer.

He braced his elbows on either side of her head to keep from crushing her. “You can be the bullet stopper next time,” he muttered huskily, close to her ear.

Their faces were close, so close she could see herself reflected in his dark eyes. His promise of a kiss screamed through her mind, and she had the wildest urge to lift her head off the floor and press her lips to his.

Frustration whipped at her back, and embarrassment heated her skin. She would not give in to her attraction to this man, despite the affection embedding itself in her heart. She pushed at him as best she could, since her arms were trapped. He might not remember being a law officer, but his reflexes were in working order. The instinct to duck and cover and protect was strong in him, strong enough that he'd overpowered her by sheer muscle strength.

The truck continued to careen down the road. The onslaught of bullets lessened until the only noises were the tires against the snowy road, the icy wind whistling through the cab and Sami calling in the attack, her voice clipped and concise. Nathanial dropped his forehead next to Audrey's, and he relaxed as if his body had deflated. Pressure built in Audrey's chest. Her breath lay entombed in her lungs. Panic clawed at her. Had he been hit?

“Nathanial?” Audrey's heart faltered. “Nathanial? Are you okay?” She couldn't keep alarm from creeping into her tone.

He stirred and eased off her, allowing her to breathe. He blinked and shook his head. “I blacked out for a second.” His dark eyes searched her face. “Are you hurt?”

Her relief that he was not injured was immediately chased away by her need to take back control of the situation. “No, I'm not hurt, but you will be if you don't get off me,” she ground out between clenched teeth.

The corner of his mouth lifted in challenge. He had her pinned to the truck floor. There was no way to bring her knee up or room for her hands to reach her weapon. He glanced up toward the top of the bench seat, where Drew and Sami sat. “Is it safe?”

“Yes” came Drew's terse reply.

The truck hadn't slowed down. Were they being chased? “You heard the man—it's safe. Get. Off. Me.”

“Right.” He crawled onto the backseat, but kept his head down. He brushed glass off his shoulders and off the seat for her.

She sat up and stifled a groan at the aches and pains shooting through her back and hips. She accepted his offered hand of help and scooted onto the seat. The road stretched out in front of them as the truck barreled onward. Audrey glanced out the busted-out back window. The car full of armed men chased after them. The little sedan didn't have the weight or the studded tires of the truck and began to fall back. Audrey sent up a quick prayer that the gunmen didn't have more men waiting up ahead to box them in.

The sound of sirens drew closer. Up ahead three identical small SUVs with flashing lights and the RCMP logo rushed toward them. Audrey whipped her attention behind them and watched the sedan slow, whip a U-turn and race away in the opposite direction. Drew brought the truck to a halt. One of the SUVs halted beside them while the other two zipped past in hot pursuit of the armed men in the sedan.

Drew rolled down his window, and the driver of the SUV did the same.

“Inspector Cavendish,” the man introduced himself.

“Inspector Kelley,” Drew replied and quickly explained the situation.

“I'll let my men know to be careful,” Cavendish assured him. “Follow me to the station. We'll need statements.”

Drew waited for the other Mountie to turn his vehicle around, then they followed him for several minutes on the lonely stretch of road cutting through the prairie until they came to civilization. They rolled through the small town of Meadow Lake. The low-roofed buildings lining the main street held a certain charm that made Audrey think of Calico Bay, though here the terrain was flat and trees in planters provided a little greenery.

Audrey noticed Nathanial's clenched jaw and his hands gripping his thighs.

“You okay?”

He met her gaze. She sucked in a breath at the torment in his dark eyes.

“I don't know.”

“You said you blacked out.” She covered one of his hands with her own. “What happened?”

“I had a flash of memory.” He turned his hand over and laced his fingers with hers. For a moment the sight of their entwined hands distracted her. “I think it was from the rooftop.”

Her gaze jerked up to meet his. “Tell me.”

He closed his eyes. “I was lying on the roof, looking through the scope on my rifle.” His brow furrowed. “A noise.” With his free hand, he rubbed at his temple. “I rolled to my back.” He shook his head with a grimace. “That's it.” He opened his eyes. “Something hovers right at the edge of my mind, but every time I try to hang on to it...” He gave a shrug.

She squeezed his hand. “You'll remember.”

He looked away, as if not ready to acknowledge her encouragement. “We're here.”

The vehicle halted outside a one-story brick building. The Canadian flag flew from a twelve-foot flagpole next to the sidewalk near the front door, and a blue sign with the RCMP logo was planted in the middle of what Audrey guessed would be a lawn in the warmer seasons but now was covered in snow. Drew turned off the engine. “We have to assume we're being tracked.”

“We found one tracker in Nathanial's boot, but he tossed it out the window a long time ago,” Audrey stated.

“Doesn't mean there couldn't be more tracking devices. We all need to check our clothing,” Drew stated grimly. “I'll check the vehicle as well.”

They piled out of the truck. The temperature outside had dropped below zero. Shivering from the onslaught of frigid air, Audrey made quick work of checking her clothing and found nothing then shoved her hands into her coat pockets.

“Found it!” Drew held up a small wireless GPS tracker. “It was tucked inside my to-go bag.” He threw it on the ground and smashed it with his heel.

The unspoken concern that someone close to them had planted the device had them all on edge.

They followed Inspector Cavendish inside, where they gave him their statements. By the time they were done, the two Mounties who'd given pursuit of the gunmen returned empty-handed.

One of the men, a big burly guy with shorn blond hair and green eyes, stopped and stared at Nathanial. “Hey, I know you.”

Beside her, Nathanial tensed. “Do you?”

“Yes. You grew up near here, eh?”

“Apparently so.” Nathanial held out his hand. “Nathanial Longhorn.”

“Kurt Siebol.” The man grasped Nathanial's hand. “You played point guard for Pierceland Center High. I remember playing against you my senior year. You were good.”

“Thanks.” Nathanial turned to Audrey. “I played basketball.”

She smiled at the wonder in his voice. She'd have liked to have seen him on the court. She was sure he'd have moved with the same easy agility he displayed as an adult.

Inspector Cavendish offered them the use of one of their official vehicles. After saying goodbye, they headed to Pierceland with Kurt providing an escort. Once they hit the town, Kurt waved farewell and headed back to Meadow Lake.

They stopped at a small hotel and secured rooms before venturing to the heart of the town. To say Pierceland was small was an understatement. Stand-alone buildings dotted the snow-covered main drive. A gas station, credit union and village post office lined one side of the road. Across the street stood a grocery store and a restaurant called Bartlett's Family Dining.

“Stop here,” Nathanial said. “Let's go into the restaurant.”

Audrey eyed the welcome sign in the front window—Family Owned and Operated for Fifty Years.

“Do you recognize this place?” Sami asked before Audrey could.

“I don't know. It seems familiar,” Nathanial said. “I want to stop.”

Drew and Sami exchanged concerned looks. “We still need to be careful.”

“I'll only be a moment.” Nathanial leaned forward. “Pull in around the back, out of sight.”

Drew circled the building and brought the borrowed Mountie vehicle to a halt near the back door.

“I'm going in,” Nathanial said with a determination that let them all know there was no way they'd be able to stop him unless they knocked him out.

Audrey hurried to his side. She'd at least do her best to keep him safe.

“Make it quick,” Drew instructed Nathanial as they rounded the building for the entrance. He and Sami took up positions where they had a clear view of the road out front.

Audrey was thankful for the restaurant's warmth seeping into her bones. A string of bells attached to the door jingled when the door shut behind them.

The restaurant wasn't crowded; only a few tables were occupied. And those that were there turned to stare at the newcomers. Cheery Christmas decorations hung from the rafters. A line of stocking cutouts danced across the front desk, where a woman stood behind the counter. She wore an oxford cotton shirt with the restaurant's logo on the right breast pocket. Her dark hair hung in a tight braid over her left shoulder.

“Good afternoon,” the woman said with a smile. Then her gaze landed on Nathanial, and she paled and her smile fell away. “What are you doing here?”

Audrey stepped next to Nathanial as a strange sensation of protectiveness and possessiveness surged through her. Drew and Sami took positions behind them as if ready to jump in.

He cocked his head and stared at the woman. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I don't remember your name.”

The woman took a step back as if shock gave way to anger. “Really? You're going with that?” Her gaze flicked to Audrey and then back to Nathanial. “Is this your wife?”

“No, this—” His words cut off as he slanted Audrey a glance.

Clearly he was at a loss how to explain what he was going through. Audrey decided to borrow a page from her great-uncle's playbook—
when in doubt, stick to the facts
. She flashed the badge fastened to her belt at her waist. “Deputy Audrey Martin with the Calico Bay, Maine, sheriff's department. Officer Longhorn suffered a blow to the head and is suffering retrograde amnesia. We're hopeful he'll regain his memories here where he grew up.”

The woman's brown eyes widened. Her rose-colored lips formed an O. “I didn't think things like that really happened.”

“They do,” Nathanial said softly. “I take it we knew each other.”

Confusion stole over face. “Yes. I'm Laurie. Laurie Bartlett. You really don't remember me?”

What was the story between Nathanial and Laurie? “We're you two close?” Audrey asked Laurie.

Laurie's mouth twisted in a half grimace. “High school. We were high school sweethearts.”

Over a decade ago. And yet Audrey had the feeling Laurie still carried a torch for Nathanial. The knowledge burned in Audrey's chest. She didn't like the jealousy stirring to life. She had no claim on Nathanial.

Whatever the outcome and wherever this journey took him, Audrey would be returning to her own life in Calico Bay. Alone. Becoming upset over Nathanial's old flame was wrong on so many levels.

She needed to shore up the walls around her heart and keep perspective. Even though she liked Nathanial and was attracted to him, she had to find a way to keep an emotional distance.

“Your family owns this restaurant,” Nathanial stated. “That's why it seemed familiar.”

Laurie nodded. “Yes. You used to work here. We worked here together.”

“Can you tell me how to get to my parents' home?”

“Sure. I can do that.” Laurie grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled down the directions. “They'll be glad to see you.”

Taking the piece of paper she offered, Nathanial said, “Thank you, Laurie. I appreciate your help.” He hesitated. “And I'm sorry I don't remember you.”

Laurie shrugged and walked away, leaving them standing in the entryway.

Audrey didn't buy Laurie's nonchalance. She was upset and trying hard not to let it show.

“That was interesting,” Sami said beneath her breath. “I guess we're not eating here.”

“We've worn out our welcome,” Drew's deep voice intoned.

They left the restaurant. Audrey glanced back to see Laurie watching them through the window. She climbed into the truck next to Nathanial. He handed Drew the directions.

On the drive along the country road leading to his family home, Nathanial leaned forward to ask Drew, “Did you know about Laurie? Had I ever mentioned her?”

Audrey's pulse ticked up. She watched Drew meet Nathanial's gaze in the rearview mirror, his expression stoic. “No.”

Nathanial's nod was terse as he sat back and stared out the side window at the sparse landscape.

Audrey let out a silent huff.
Men.

They arrived at a single dwelling with a detached garage on an acre lot. A large Christmas tree twinkled in the front window, and strands of colored lights hung from the eaves. As they parked in the driveway, the front door opened. A tall man with the same dark hair as Nathanial—only this man's was sprinkled with gray—stepped out of the house. He wore jeans and a thick sweater over wide shoulders. He squinted at them, no doubt wondering what the RCMP was doing at his house.