L.A.P.D. Special Investigations Series, Boxed Set: The Deceived, The Taken & The Silent (60 page)

On the freeway, he jammed the accelerator to the floor, considered flipping on the sirens and running hot through traffic, but decided against it. Why announce his arrival? If she didn’t want him to know where she was going, she’d try to avoid him.

A half hour later, he pulled into the parking lot at the Gateway Center, a transit hub for bus passengers and riders of Amtrak and local commuter trains. It was raining again, and he wished he’d brought an overcoat. He dashed inside, stopping in the entry to scan for Laura’s auburn hair and a seven-year-old girl with a mop of curls. Small boutiques, cafés and souvenir shops lined the perimeter. Several freestanding kiosks and generous clusters of vegetation prevented a clear view. The place was unusually crowded for a non-holiday weekend. He scanned the room several times, then glanced toward the East Portal to the railroad station, and to the elevator shaft with a waterfall twisting around it.

If she was here, she wasn’t anywhere he could see. But then she could be in a shop or café or already on a train. He started toward the station portal scanning inside each store on the way. At Starbucks he saw a woman with a child standing at the cashier, and though their backs were toward him, he recognized Laura. She’d tucked her hair under a funky black hat and wore a raincoat that looked two sizes too big for her. Cait was in a yellow rain parka, wearing her inseparable tennis shoes with their blinking lights. Laura turned, her hat pulled down so her face was half covered. What was she doing? And why the corny costume?

He waited outside the door until they came out.

They both saw him immediately.

“Jordan,” Cait said. “What’re you doing here?”

“Hey, kiddo.” He smiled. “I’m here on business. I didn’t expect to run into my two favorite people.”

A humongous smile spread across Cait’s face.

“I didn’t expect to run into anyone, either,” Laura said pointedly, anger flashing in her eyes. She glanced at Cait and back to him.

He understood…not in front of the child.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, anyway.

She pursed her lips, then looked at Cait. “Sweetie, can you sit on the bench over there for a couple of minutes? Jordan and I have something private to discuss.”

The child frowned and crossed her arms.

“For just a minute. Please.”

Cait stomped off, sitting where they could see her but not close enough to hear.

Laura’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?” she spat out.

“I was worried about you.”

“Well, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She crossed her arms just like her daughter.

“I can’t help what you believe or don’t believe. I wish to be left alone, and I’d appreciate it if you’d respect my wishes.” She turned, started to walk toward Cait.

He pulled her back by the shoulder. “I don’t think it’s wise. If something is so wrong that you need to run away and hide, then you’re making the wrong choice.”

“We’re taking a vacation, going to my father’s. That’s all.”

Dammit. She was stubborn. “If I found you this easily, so can someone else. Think about it. A ticket is easily traceable, especially if you’re going to a relative’s.”

Laura looked at Cait, chewed on her bottom lip.

“What are you afraid of? Is it the stalker?” He was only guessing, proposing scenarios to see if she reacted. All he really knew is that she was leaving town and it wasn’t to visit relatives.

Indecision warred in her eyes. Finally she let out a long breath. “All I want is to keep Caitlin out of harm’s way.”

“Is she in danger?”

Her eyes darkened and she didn’t have to say a word for him to know the answer. Obviously she believed even telling him might make it worse. “It’s okay,” he said softly, gently taking her hand. “I can help. If you’ll let me.”

She stared at him. “How? How can you help?”

“I know a place where you’ll be safe.”

Her jaw tensed. “Eddie was supposed to be safe.”

“This is different. It’s not a department operation. This is personal. No one will know. I promise.”

She looked at Cait again before she said, “Okay. What should we do?”

He drew her to the side of the nearby kiosk where they were partially hidden but could still see Caitlin. “Have you bought a ticket yet?”

She shook her head.

“I want you to buy a ticket to someplace far from here. Then go to the ladies’ room down the hall from the ticket counter. But instead of going inside, go a few steps farther and take a quick left. The hallway leads to an exit, a loading zone. Go outside immediately and I’ll be there to pick you up.”

She looked hesitant. “Do you think I’m being followed?”

“It’s a precaution. If anyone is watching, they won’t follow close enough to know you didn’t go into the bathroom. Don’t worry.”

He could tell from her pinched expression she wasn’t used to someone else making the decisions, but finally she agreed.

Ten minutes later he was drumming his fingers on his steering wheel, waiting in the loading zone. No sign of Laura. Where the frigging hell was she?

Another ten minutes and she still hadn’t shown. He couldn’t sit still. He should go look for her, but he couldn’t get back inside from here, and if she was on her way, or coming from a different direction, he’d miss her—and then what?

Another thought smacked him between the eyes. Had she ditched him? Had she only agreed to do as he said to appease him—when she’d had no intention of doing what he wanted? He banged the steering wheel. No, she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t lie and send him on a wild-goose chase. He trusted her enough to know she wouldn’t do that.

He trusted her. The thought came as a surprise…and made him realize what he’d said to her was true. This was personal. He wasn’t there because he was on a case, he was there because he cared about her. And Cait.

And the longer he waited the worse he felt. He pulled at the collar of his shirt. His nerves felt like ants under his skin. Damn. He should’ve stayed with her. Should’ve made her come with him instead of this stupid decoy maneuver. If something happened…he’d never forgive himself.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Laura jerked Cait to the side, pressed the child flat against the wall.

They’d just turned the corner after passing the restroom and she thought she saw a man’s shadow loom from behind. That man in the ticket line had looked strangely at her…out of curiosity or was it something else?

Granted, she probably did look weird in a hat half covering her face and a Dick Tracy trench coat. For all she knew, she
was
overreacting. She’d panicked. But she couldn’t take any chances when it came to Cait’s welfare.

“Okay, let’s hustle.” She grabbed Caitlin’s hand and pulled her along, clinging to the wall in the loading area as they headed for the door. God, she hoped Jordan was waiting.

At the door, she grabbed the handle…then noticed the padlock. Damn.

“Can I help you?” The deep voice came from the shadows behind some stacked boxes on her left.

A man approached them. He was dirty and unshaven.

Her heart hammering against her ribs, Laura tightened her grip on Caitlin’s hand. “I—we’re just going outside for some air. I’m feeling sick.”

“There’s a bathroom on the other side.” His voice was gruff, his tone suspicious.

“No…I really need some air.” She reached a hand to cover her mouth. “Do you know if there’s another door? This one is locked.”

He stepped closer, his hand jutted out.

Laura flinched and pulled Caitlin behind her, before she realized the man had grabbed the lock and released it.

“Stupid lock doesn’t work,” he said. “Be careful on the stairs out there.”

He was walking away before she managed a strangled “Thank you.” Still holding Caitlin’s hand, she thrust open the door.

Rain slashed across her face, but when she saw Jordan’s car, she literally sighed with relief. She helped Cait down the wet metal steps and as they reached the bottom, the back door to the SUV flew open.

“Get in and duck down,” Jordan said.

Laura shoved their duffel bags in first. The next thing she knew, they were moving.

“Why are we ducking down?” Cait grumbled.

“It…it’s a game, honey.”

“What kind of game? I don’t have enough room with this thing in the way.”

“Just a few more minutes,” Jordan said. “Then I’ll put the luggage in the back and you can get comfortable.”

“I still want to know what kind of game we’re playing.”

“Remember when I said we’re going on a vacation to visit Grampa?” Laura said.

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, we’re really going someplace else. It’s a surprise and Jordan doesn’t want us to see which way we’re going because it could ruin the surprise.”

“I like surprises. But I wanted to see Grampa, too.”

Laura cringed. The only reason she saw her father at all was for Cait. He was the only family she and Cait had. “We will, sweetheart. Just not now.”

With her cheek pressed against the suitcase, Laura felt the vibration of the engine, like a soothing massage, and her tension eased. Jordan was taking them to a place where no one could find them. And then what?

She hadn’t thought that far ahead—she’d thought only about getting Cait to safety and buying herself time to think of what to do.

“Is Jordan going to stay with us?”

“No,” Jordan answered for Laura. “I’d like to, but I’ll have to go back to work.”

Laura felt the car swerve, speed up, turn another corner and then come to a slow stop. She heard a noise outside, like metal scraping metal. Then the car moved slowly, stopped, and she heard the grinding sound again.

“You can get up now.”

Laura lifted her head.

“Where are we?” Cait asked beside her.

“We’re in an airplane hangar.” Jordan opened his door and a man wearing a baseball hat walked up. “Hey, Har, how’s it going?”

Jordan got out of the car, leaving his door open. The two men shook hands and talked under their breath. When they finished, Jordan transferred the bags to the back of the SUV.

While he was busy, Laura surveyed their surroundings. They were indeed in an airplane hangar, and the place was huge. Two small private planes took up most of the space next to them. “This is Harry,” Jordan said. “The planes belong to him. Harry, Laura and Cait.”

Harry tipped his hat. “Nice to meet you, ladies.”

“Wow!” Cait said. “Are we going to fly somewhere?”

Jordan laughed. “Not today, kiddo. I thought it was a good place to switch the luggage around without getting wet.”

“Oh.” She slumped back, disappointed. “I never went on a plane before. It would be fun to fly someplace.”

“It sure would,” Jordan said. “But it’s raining and we have other plans. Maybe another time I can get Harry to take you up.”

Laura got out, pulled off her trench coat and tossed it into the back along with the luggage. Jordan and Harry stood off to the side, deep in conversation. The other man was shorter and stockier than Jordan, his hair darker, his features coarser, but handsome nonetheless. “Give me your raincoat, Cait. You won’t need it in the car.”

Taking the coat, Laura went to put it in the back of the vehicle. Apparently finished talking, Jordan came up beside her. “So, Jordan,” she said. “Can you tell us now where we’re going?”

He grinned. “It’s a surprise. I’ll tell you once we’re out of the city.” He pulled a pillow and an afghan from the back and tossed them to Cait.

Jordan motioned for Laura to sit in the passenger seat up front, got in himself and started the engine.

The other man waved and said, “I’ll wait to hear from you.” Then he walked to the opposite side of the hangar and shoved open first one side of the heavy door on rollers and then the other.

Signaling to the man, Jordan gunned the engine and they were off. “You okay back there?”

“Yeah. But I’d be better if I had my CD player.”

Laura picked up her backpack, which also served as her purse, pulled out Cait’s CD player and, smiling, held it up.

“You brought it,” Cait exclaimed, beaming. “You’re the best mom ever.”

“Oh, sure. You got what you want and now I’m wonderful,” she teased.

Laura felt warm inside even though the compliment was practically purchased. From the moment she’d known she was pregnant, her goal was to be the kind of mother she’d never had.

Except now…last night…everything had fallen apart and she didn’t know how to fix it.

They drove for an hour in silence, and with Jordan continually glancing in the rearview mirror. Cait, headset on, hummed along with the music on her CD. Laura checked the highway signs. They were heading east toward San Bernardino. And when they were definitely out of the city, she asked, “Can you tell me now where we’re going?”

“A cabin not too far from Bear Lake. It belongs to…some friends. It’ll be perfectly safe.”

Safe. It was true, no one would expect her to be with him going anywhere, and no one could possibly imagine she’d be at his friends’ place. His friend with the airplane, maybe. That could’ve been what they were talking about. “Bear Lake. In the mountains?”

“Yep. The San Bernardino Forest. You’ll be comfortable there.”

“Your friends won’t mind if Cait and I stay there?”

“No. Not at all. I have carte blanche…and they’re out of the country at the moment. It’s okay. Trust me.”

She did, she realized, or she wouldn’t be here. He gave her a sense of security that all would be well. How ironic. Jordan was a threat and yet she felt safe with him. But getting Cait out of town was only part of the solution—an immediate fix to a much bigger problem. “Do you think the roads will be okay? I heard there’s snow up there.”

“I checked the weather. We’re good.” He turned briefly to look at her. “It would be much easier if you told me what this is all about, so I could help.”

She closed her eyes and felt the burn of the last few sleepless nights behind her lids. “I wish I could, but I need time to think.” To make a plan. God knew what the plan would be.

“Okay. I can understand needing time.”

She liked that he didn’t probe. Maybe he knew all it would do was alienate her, and it seemed he didn’t want to do that. So what was he getting out of helping her? She’d answered his questions already. They’d had dinner at the shelter, but the dinner was more Cait’s doing than anything. It wasn’t social. His helping her now was personal…so he’d said. Or did he suspect she knew more about his case than she was telling? Did he think that because he helped her she’d spill her guts? “What’s in this for you?”

His head jerked to the side. “What do you mean?”

The sharpness in his tone took her aback.

“Do you think I have some ulterior motive?”

“Well, taking all this time to help me must be inconveniencing you. You have a job…a social life.”

He frowned. “It’s not an inconvenience. I called in. They know I’m out. What’s in it for me is knowing you and Cait will be safe.”

The sincerity in his voice warmed something inside of her. Was it true? Did he really care? But why?

He looked at her again. “And you will be, so quit worrying.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” She couldn’t help smiling. Noticing the humming had stopped, she glanced back and saw Cait had fallen asleep.

“So, tell me,” she said to change the subject. “How did you get into law enforcement? Was it something you always wanted to do?”

He snorted. “No. And it certainly wasn’t what my parents wanted. As an undergrad, I couldn’t decide between business or law school. I took lots of law classes and eventually the law won.”

“You went to law school? A detective with a law degree?”

“No, I got the MBA.” He adjusted the air vent on the dash. “Can’t hurt to have a backup. Not to mention it’s what my parents wanted and paid for.”

She nodded as if understanding, but she didn’t. It had taken her so many years and many student loans to get her master’s. How could he brush it off so lightly?

“So, you got the MBA and then decided to be a cop?”

“Exactly.”

“Do you think you made the right choice?”

“Most of the time I can’t imagine doing anything else. But there are times…”

“I know the feeling. There are times when the job takes a toll?”

“Ah, the psychologist is coming out.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Trying to find out my innermost secrets?”

It was true. He was right on that one. She wanted to know all about him. “Of course. It’s what I do. Seriously, though, doesn’t it…all the bad stuff you see…doesn’t it affect you?”

She saw his grip tighten on the wheel. He expelled a long breath. “Sure. But I have to let it go or I couldn’t do my job. It’s just one more job hazard.”

His light tone belied the emotion in his face. She’d bet the job affected him far more than he let on. “And the rewards?”

“Knowing I’ve helped get the bad guys off the streets is a pretty good reward,” he said without hesitation. “Knowing I’ve put a murderer or a rapist or child molester in jail, so a victim’s family can find closure of some kind—and feeling justice has been served, even for the people no one cares about—those things make it worthwhile.”

She heard the conviction in his voice and she wondered if Anna Kolnikov was one of the people he meant. Anna was someone the world would rather forget.

“Your job isn’t too different,” he said. “Seeing so many kids throwing their lives away, doesn’t it affect you? Shock you?”

The answer was easy, but not easy to admit. Yes, she hated to see the children on the streets, hated to see what that kind of life did to them. But it wasn’t a shock. She’d been there, knew the kinds of circumstances that put them there. No child was born with a desire to be alienated from his parents and family. But it happened all the time. “Sure. It does. But like you, I have to put it away or I couldn’t do my job.”

“Are we there yet?” Cait’s sleepy voice came from the back seat.

Laura was glad for the reprieve.

“Not too long,” Jordan answered.

“How long?”

“About the length of a CD,” he shot back.

Laura liked how matter-of-fact Jordan was with Cait. So easy, as if he’d had a lot experience with children. He’d said he wasn’t married, he didn’t have a family.

Her thoughts drifted and she wondered what being married to Jordan might be like. Would he be as easy going? As concerned…caring? One thing she knew, it would be nothing like it was with Eddie, always wondering how they were going to get by after he’d gambled away all the money, wondering whether he’d start drinking and not come home at night…worrying that something horrible had happened to him.

“We’ll make a rest stop soon. Pick up some supplies.”

“Aw-right,” Cait said, and clamped on the headphones again.

“You seem so relaxed with Cait,” Laura said. “One would think you had a brood of your own.”