Fugitive Pursuit Page 13

  “I never thought you could put up a fight like you did in the motel, and knocking out the second guy? Wow. What did you hit him with?”

  “The first thing I thought of. The lamp. I yanked the cord out of the wall and slammed it into his head as hard as I could.”

  “Remind me not to make you angry.” Zack laughed.

  “I don’t think that can happen.”

  “Oh, trust me it can. Ask anyone in my family.”

  Silence took over between them. Colored lights flashed through the windows of the club. The smokers finished their cigarettes and reentered the building.

  “What do we do now, Zack?”

  “Figure out another place to hide. Everywhere we could go is a risk. I don’t want to go to any of my family’s places and put them in any more danger than we’ve already put them in by asking for help. If we go to another motel in Rhode Island, someone may recognize you again and contact the police. We could go over the Massachusetts border and stay in a motel there. But we’ll switch locations each night so we’ll be harder to track.”

  The man had saved her life, more than once. He encouraged her when she was overwhelmed. He never treated her like a failure and he was still by her side despite the times she’d argued with him. Wasn’t it time for her to put all of her trust in him? “I know a place we can go.”

  His eyes widened. His mouth opened but no words came out.

  “I need to see my niece and we need a safer place far away from here.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “You said it yourself—she might have some information we could use to get justice for my sister.” She nodded. “Yeah, it’s time you met Charlotte.”

  * * *

  By the time they pulled into a carport in Greta Corlen’s apartment complex, the moon had moved a good distance across the sky. Sunrise was still a few hours away, though. Jamie had yawned incessantly, but she’d remained awake to give Zack directions to the Attleboro apartment and to keep him attentive with her chatter.

  All along the journey, questions plagued her. Was this a good idea? Was she pulling Greta and Charlotte onto danger’s road? She hadn’t visited since going on the run strictly to keep them both safe. Drew and George had found Zack and her many times. Would they find them again?

  Jamie shook the doubts from her mind. For now, they were safely away from Drew and his cohorts. No one in Massachusetts would be looking at her like a fugitive. Plus, Zack’s family would keep up the search for clues.

  As Jamie guided Zack toward her friend’s front door, she grabbed his arm. “Wait. You have to understand Greta will be suspicious of you and Charlotte is a fragile little girl. You might scare her. Just please be careful with them both.”

  He opened his mouth to respond, but apparently changed his mind. Instead, he nodded.

  Jamie knocked the appropriate number of times, waited a moment, then knocked again. After a few seconds, the locks turned and the door opened. “Jamie?” Greta’s gaze shifted to Zack. “Is something wrong?”

  In a lot of ways, Greta Corlen was the third Carter child. The woman had been friends with Jamie since second grade, had suffered through middle school with her and had joined Jamie in a high school faith program. And despite Jamie’s difficult journey after her parents were killed, Greta hadn’t left her side. They’d lost touch after high school graduation, but Greta had jumped at the chance to help with Charlotte after Erin’s death.

  Murder.

  “We need a place to regroup and we have new questions for Charlotte.” She fiddled with the strap of her backpack.

  Greta pulled the door wider and ushered them into the apartment. As she closed and locked the door, she asked, “Is this really safe?”

  “Probably not.” She turned to her friend. “Greta, this is Zack Owen. He’s a bounty hunter.”

  Greta narrowed her gaze on her. “Jamie.”

  “He broke me out of Drew’s jail. I wouldn’t have brought him here if I didn’t trust him.”

  Greta nodded. “All right.” She tossed her long braid over her shoulder and pulled Jamie into a hug. Once she released her, she turned to Zack. “Welcome to my home.” She led them into the living room. The scent of cinnamon drifted into the air from a candle on the coffee table. A box of toys sat next to the television.

  “Were you already up?”

  Greta crossed her arms. “Yes. I’m having trouble sleeping again. So I’ve been reading for about an hour.” The Bible Jamie had given Greta for her sixteenth birthday rested on one side of the couch. “What’s happened that brought you here?”

  Zack set his duffel bag on the floor. “Someone found us at the motel we were in and tried to take us out.” He brushed his fingers along her shoulder as he tugged her backpack off. The movement was simple, innocent. Except with Zack, it added to her growing feelings for him. No matter what happened around them, he always treated her like she was...valuable.

  Greta gasped. “What?”

  Jamie squeezed her friend’s hands. “We’re all right.” Maybe she’d wait a while before dropping the bomb about how much trouble she and Zack had gotten into. “How’s Charlotte?”

  “She’s fine. She misses you, though.”

  Guilt crept inside Jamie’s heart. Yes, she spent time away from her niece, but it was for a good reason. Unfortunately, the six-year-old might not understand it. “I need to see her.”

  “Of course.” Greta smiled as she tightened the belt on her off-white robe. “Zack, why don’t you fill me in on your time with Jamie while I make us some coffee.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Zack followed her into the kitchen.

  Jamie wandered down the hallway and slowly opened the door to Greta’s guest room. Charlotte lay in the center of the double bed, clutching the dilapidated stuffed elephant that never left her side. She’d been sending the toy down the slide when Jamie approached her in the park a few days after Erin’s death. The scents of lotion and crayons drifted up to her nostrils as she stepped inside the room.

  Jamie’s heart relaxed. Her niece was safe. It took all her effort to keep from running to the bed and pulling the girl into her arms. Instead she crouched down beside the bed and brushed back Charlotte’s bangs.

  Jamie leaned forward and planted a kiss on the girl’s forehead. Tomorrow morning she’d be able to hold her for as long as she wanted. “And with Zack’s help, soon I won’t have to leave you at all.”

  * * *

  Zack woke to the smell of coffee brewing and something poking him in the arm. He opened one eye and found a short person standing next to him with one tiny finger extended. In her other hand, she held a stuffed pink elephant that had seen better days. “Good morning. I’m Charlotte. What’s your name?”

  “Zack.” He shifted to lying on his side and yawned. She was a cute kid with long dark hair, hazel eyes and a smile with two perfectly spaced dimples. They must run in the family.

  Sunlight peeked through the living room windows. Low whispers drifted in from the kitchen. He glanced at his watch. Seven thirty. Had he really slept longer than anyone else? “Good to meet you, Charlotte.” He held out his hand to the little girl. How old was she? Six? Seven?

  She shook his hand. “Auntie says you’re our friend.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Are you gonna help keep us safe?” She gnawed on the finger she’d poked him with.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good. I don’t want Auntie Jamie to be scared anymore.”

  She held on to the stuffed animal with a death grip. The smile of curiosity she’d had when she first woke him changed quickly to a serious expression of concern. No doubt the kid knew more than either of the women gave her credit for.

  “I’m going to do whatever I can to help her.” He leaned forward, winked. “And you, too.”

  “Charlotte,” Jamie whispered
from the other room. “Don’t bother Mr. Zack.”

  “It’s all right. I’m up.” He tossed the blanket across the back of the couch and set his feet on the floor. A cupboard door opened and closed. Something hit the countertop.

  “I’m sorry.” The little girl’s frown messed with his insides.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  Jamie wandered into the room and handed him a mug of steaming coffee.

  “You’re a lifesaver. Thanks.” He accepted the cup and took a sip.

  “Charlotte’s just really inquisitive, especially with new people around.”

  “Not a problem.” The first sip of the day always determined how his next twenty-four hours would go. The day he broke her out of jail, he’d burned the roof of his mouth. This sip released the taste of roasted almonds and coasted smoothly down his throat.

  Jamie stood with a flowery skirt that reached her ankles and a solid white fancy T-shirt. Her hair, with the still-damp look, held a wave to it. She wore very little makeup. Suddenly a picture of the two of them walking barefoot along the beach popped into his head. What would it be like to entwine their fingers and wander with no worries...

  He shook his head. Yes, he wanted her and the little one to be free, but he wouldn’t be following along for the ride once they’d straightened out Jamie’s warrant. He’d already started caring too much for Jamie, enjoying their precious moments of normalcy. But they were becoming friends, weren’t they? Friends cared about one another without sliding into an emotional tumble that interfered with real life. Right?

  The girl grabbed hold of Jamie’s thigh with her hand and glanced up. “Auntie Jamie, can we go to the park and play on the playground?”

  “Not today. I’m sorry.” She leaned down and kissed the kid on the top of her head. “Mr. Zack and I have some work to do.”

  “Work that has to do with Daddy?”

  “Yes, baby.”

  “Charlotte, breakfast is ready,” Greta called from the kitchen.

  “Come on, Auntie.” She took hold of Jamie’s hand and tugged her around the couch. “Are you coming, too, Mr. Zack?”

  “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it.” He patted his stomach. “I’m starving.”

  Once they’d finished eating, Jamie changed Charlotte out of her pajamas. Greta offered to take Charlotte to play with her plastic dollhouse in the guest room as long as Jamie joined them when she could.

  An idea about what to do today popped into his head, one he was pretty sure was safe enough to encourage. But would Jamie be willing to trust him to make the decision? She’d gotten better about compromising with him. Maybe this time she’d see the sense in his reasoning from the start.

  “Sorry about taking so much time for breakfast.” Jamie stood next to him, set his duffel on the kitchen table and pulled his computer free. “Charlotte and I have spent so little time together since my sister’s death I had to indulge her.”

  “Don’t apologize for wanting to spend time with your niece.” Teacher, crime fighter, attractive woman, friend, aunt. Jamie had so many layers to her and Zack wanted to uncover them all. He would love a chance to hang out with her when no one threatened her and her niece’s lives. Sure, he and Jamie had spent some time over the last few days talking about things outside of her warrant and their hunt for evidence against Timmins, but Zack wanted more. He had a feeling they’d have a lot of fun together.

  Her eyes shone bright this morning. “Thank you.” She tucked her hair behind both ears. “But I know we need to—”

  He pressed the pad of one finger to her lips. “You need to focus on your role as auntie and friend.” And as a woman with no worries. She looked so pretty dressed in clothes she must’ve borrowed from Greta instead of the drab, generic ones he’d gotten her the other day.

  A red tinge covered her cheeks. From his touch? The fact that he affected her as much as he did made him smile. It meant he wasn’t the only one altered by their growing connection. He cupped her cheek. “You are beautiful, inside and out. You know that, right?”

  Her gaze shifted up to meet him. A sliver of hope swarmed through her eyes. She set her small fingers on his wrist, not to tug him away, but as though she needed his strength. Sure, he could be strong for her, couldn’t he? Friends supported each other all the time.

  He carefully pulled his hand away. “You may not like what I’m going to tell you, but it’s not up for discussion.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Zack, come on.”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I’m going to interview Teddy Copeland.”

  “He’s the only guy on Erin’s list who’s still in jail, right?”

  “Yeah. Now here’s the part you’re not going to like. I’m going alone.”

  * * *

  Jamie planted her hands on her hips, torn between her duty to prove Drew needed to be in prison and her duty to care for her niece. Both choices had consequences. But Zack heading to Wyndom Prison alone?

  “No. Absolutely not. This is my fight, too.” What if she had questions for the man that Zack didn’t ask? Or what if he kept some of the information he received to himself to protect her?

  “Jamie.” He set his hands on her shoulders. “Your niece needs you. You need your niece. You’re staying here.” He fished through the pockets of his cargo pants. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours and I promise to tell you everything Copeland says.”

  She crossed her arms tight. “Will the prison just let you walk in and talk to this guy?”

  “I figured I’d use my badge.” He held it up. “I’ll have to see the warden and get approval, but it shouldn’t be a problem.” He put on his lanyard, which held his Fugitive Recovery Agent badge.

  She fingered the circular piece of metal that had an intricate design of an American flag draped around an eagle. “What if something happens to you?” Then she’d be on her own again.

  Zack shook his head. “Nothing’ll happen. Besides, I’m a bounty hunter, remember? I’ve been in prisons with my work. It’s not a big deal.”

  His explanation made sense, but her emotions still whirled around within her. She’d spent so much time with him over the last few days it would be odd to be without him, even for only a few hours.

  Good grief. If he evoked this much devotion from her now, what would she be like when they finally went their separate ways?

  Charlotte’s laughter sailed down the hallway.

  Enough about herself. Jamie had to remember her fight. Her niece deserved to grow up unafraid and it was Jamie’s responsibility to see that happen. “Where is Wyndom Prison?”

  “Outside of Woonsocket, about forty-five minutes away.”

  “So you’re going back to Rhode Island.” She fingered the buttons on his shirt. “Is there anything I can do for us here?”

  “Yeah.” With his grin that always stirred the butterflies in her belly, he pointed toward the guest room. “Play with your niece.” Zack grabbed keys from the counter and headed for the door. “Then check the news for any reports about us.”

  “Got it.” She couldn’t help but smile. Us. Like they were a couple. In some sense, they were. “A couple of crime fighters,” she mumbled.

  “Huh?” He glanced back to her.

  Heat spread through her cheeks. She waved him off. “Nothing. Talking to myself. Is it safe to take the same car we’ve been driving?”

  “Greta gave me her keys when you were getting Charlotte dressed.”

  When he pulled the front door open, she touched his arm. “Be careful. Come back to us.” Right away, she squashed the terrible thoughts of her having to keep running without him. Yes, she preferred making decisions herself, but Zack had been the perfect temporary partner for her.

  “You may not remember I’m a grown man.” He winked. “I can handle one inmate.”

  Oh, yes, she had noticed. His bla
ck hair, his relentless determination, his day-old stubble, his fit body and his strong will. Siding with her was one handsome grown man. He was a perfect match for her world.

  Except he wasn’t really part of her world.

  But...what would it be like to wake up with a man like him in the house each day? To share coffee with him before Charlotte woke up each morning? To watch him carry her niece on his shoulders?

  Wouldn’t it be just like God to dangle Zack in front of her, then yank him away when she’d gotten used to having him around?

  Then again, maybe God had brought Zack into her life to fan the tiny bit of hope buried deep inside her chest. Tight knots shooed out the butterflies in her stomach.

  Charlotte babbled about some cartoon character as she and Greta walked into the kitchen. “Go on,” Greta interrupted. “Grab your juice box from the refrigerator.”

  While Charlotte followed directions, Greta stood beside Jamie. “Did your friend leave?”

  “Yeah. Running on another lead.”

  “How come you’re not going with him?”

  “We both decided I should stay here and play with Charlotte for a while.”

  Greta narrowed her gaze. She’d always been able to see the story behind the story.

  “Okay, he decided but I agreed.”

  The fridge door shlurped closed. “Here. I got one for everybody.” The little girl juggled four drinks as she walked over to Jamie and Greta.

  “Thank you.” Jamie took the drink, bent down and kissed her niece.

  She beamed with pride as she handed over Greta’s drink. With the other two in her hands, she glanced around the kitchen. “Where’s Mr. Zack?”

  “He had to go to work,” Jamie said.

  “Is he coming back?”

  “Not till later, kiddo.” Jamie tousled Charlotte’s hair. “Why don’t you return his drink to the refrigerator?”

  Her eyes lit up. “Yeah, then he can have it when he comes home.” With a bounce in her step, she walked to the fridge.

  Jamie’s friend of sixteen years smiled as she stared at Jamie.