Love Inspired Suspense December 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 (8 page)

Last night Rachel had asked him about forgiving his mother. But it wasn't only her he needed to deal with, but Celeste, too. When he'd started dating her, he'd had such hopes that Celeste could banish the feelings of abandonment his mother had caused. Instead, she'd added to them. That was why he wouldn't commit to another.

“That coffee smells great.”

Jake spun around and faced Rachel dressed in the same sweats from the night before. The color had returned to her cheeks, and as she walked into the kitchen, she wasn't stiff. Seeing her alive and all right was the most beautiful sight. “You should be sleeping.”

“Then you shouldn't have made coffee. That's all that keeps me going some days.”

“Me, too. Do you think it will wake up your aunt? I know she was really tired when she went to bed.”

“She usually drinks tea, so it shouldn't. How about Lawrence?”

“Probably not, but if we fried bacon he would be in here instantly.”

Rachel went to the cabinet and took two mugs from it. “That would draw me, too. That and baking bread. Maybe later I'll make some biscuits, bacon and gravy. I feel bad about staying home today.”

“But according to your aunt, Brad was adamant you not come into work. I think he's right. You might be okay now, but your body went through an ordeal. I have a feeling you'll be taking a long nap by midmorning.”

Rachel sat at the table. “Oh, you think so.”

“Take it from me, I know a little about traumas.” Jake filled the mugs, then put her coffee in front of her and took the chair next to her.

“How long were you trapped in the debris?”

“They told me three hours before they dug me out. Part of that time I was unconscious. The worst thing was I couldn't get to Mitch, but I heard him whining. It broke my heart to listen. Maybe it was good I passed out. We both broke a leg. They could fix mine but not his.”

Rachel looked around. “Where is Mitch?”

“Sleeping on the bed next to Gramps. He knows I won't let him, but Gramps did.”

Rachel laughed. “I don't blame Mitch. I'd rather sleep there than on the floor.”

“I brought his bedding.”

“Not the same thing. I hope the couch isn't the reason you aren't sleeping.”

The picture of Rachel trying to escape the fire followed by being in the water invaded his mind again. He couldn't lose her. “No, you're the reason.”

“Me?” She pointed to herself. “I'm all right.”

“Just to make sure, Doc is coming back today to check on you. Also, Randall will be coming.”

Rachel took a sip of her drink. “How am I supposed to rest with everyone parading through here?”

“Oh, I don't think that will be a problem. Your body will tell you. Take it from me. I had visions when I was in the hospital of being up and around, even going to work, within a month. As you see, that didn't happen. I still have a slight limp when I'm tired, and the weather can make my leg ache.”

“I don't understand why you didn't want me to come to visit you then.”

He thought back to those first few weeks and shook that image from his mind. “I didn't want you to see me bitter and angry. Especially at God. There were people still missing. I was trying to save others. Instead, I ended up hurt. Mitch did, too.”

“It's hard not to feel that way, but everything happens for a reason. We don't always know what it is. Faith is what gets us through it.”

“You sound like Gramps. He wouldn't let me wallow for long.”

“Did they find the missing people?”

“One was found alive, but the other was dead.” Jake finished off his last few sips of the lukewarm coffee. “So what are you going to do on your day off?”

One of her eyebrows hiked up. “Day off? Didn't you remind me that I needed to rest?”

“Good. Just checking to make sure you know what you should do. I thought I might return to find you gone and taking your car to work. More than ever I need to be with you. I don't want to go through a third attempt on your life.”

“And neither do I.” She rose. “Do you want some more coffee?”

He came to his feet and put his hands on her shoulders. “What part of resting did you not get? I can refill our cups.”

“I hope Lawrence was as relentless with you as you are with me.”

The laughter in her gaze twisted the knot in his gut that had yet to unravel from the events of the evening before. It transformed her pretty face into a beautiful one and made her brown eyes come to life. He sometimes felt trapped by them, as he was now.

He almost lost her last night. For a moment a bone-cold chill encased him. He cradled her head and leaned toward her lips. When his mouth covered hers, for the first time in a long while, he felt at peace.

CHAPTER EIGHT

O
n Friday Rachel stared out the window of her Jeep as Jake drove her to work. The snow-layered landscape passed by, but she really wasn't seeing the beauty before her. Most of her thoughts for the past day had been centered on the kiss Jake gave her yesterday morning. He had taken her by surprise—a very pleasant one, and afterward she'd walked around the house in a daze. She wanted him to kiss her again, and yet she didn't. He didn't want to make a long-term commitment to a woman—not after his mother and Celeste—but that was the only kind she would have, and there was no way to guarantee that.

“Rachel, we're here.” Jake cut into her musing with Mitch barking from the backseat.

She blinked and focused on the fishery headquarters in front of the car. “Sorry, I was thinking.”

“Dangerous. Aren't you sick of the case after spending most of yesterday going over and over what little we know?”

“Solving a crime is different than on TV. They have it done in an hour, and it looks so easy, especially when the suspect confesses.”

Jake laughed, a deep belly kind. “If only that were the case. My detective friend, Thomas, would actually have normal hours if it were.”

She loved hearing him laugh like that. She'd gotten the impression he hadn't done much of that in the past four months. “Is he the guy you're going to call today?”

“No, he works for the Anchorage Police Department. He worked on the bomber case. I don't think he had a life during that time. Actually, most police officers didn't. A lot were working double shifts and overtime.”

“Are you going to stop in to see Chief Quay?”

“Maybe, if my walk on the pier proves profitable.”

“Who knows what kind of dog Mitch is?”

“A few people here in Port Aurora—Randall, Gramps, your aunt. I don't think anyone else.”

“With his missing limb, that ought to throw anyone off.”

Jake's eyes widened. “I never thought that his injury would be a blessing, but you're right. What boats are coming in today?”

“Only two that the company owns, the Alaskan King and Tundra King. There may be one other that contracts with the fishery. They should be in before dusk.”

“I'll probably wait until after lunch to take a walk with Mitch on the pier. I'll pick you up, and we can go to the café at twelve.”

“You don't have to escort me to lunch. This is your vacation. You should spend some time with your grandfather.”

“We did, yesterday. This morning I'm going to observe the fishery operations. Gramps is coming into town in a couple of hours to explain what's going on in each area. His friend who owns the bait shop near the harbor is visiting relatives in the lower forty-eight. We're going to use that as our base of operation. It has windows on three sides, so we'll be able to see most of the fishery and harbor.”

“But what about the inside of the fishery?”

“I want to narrow down my search. If I went everywhere, that would make someone suspicious with all that's happened so far. Gramps might take Mitch with him to visit a friend. I can also go to the processing center. After lunch the other day, Sean and I talked about getting together.”

“And I can go anywhere.”

“No. You are
not
to do anything. Someone has gone after you two times. Stay in your office.”

“But—”

“There's no but to it. Stay or I'm going to glue myself to you.”

Rachel bit her bottom lip rather than protest. She had to do her job, or that would raise more questions and suspicions. “If I go anywhere in the fishery, it will be during the daylight hours.”

His glare bored into her. “I'm probably going to have to spend all my time at the bait shop just keeping an eye on you gallivanting around the fishery and harbor. I'll bring you coffee from the café before I head that way.”

“Thanks. I'd better go. I'm already late.” Rachel climbed from her Jeep and hurried toward the building. Since they'd gotten a late start, she didn't have the time to stop at the café before work, so she would appreciate the coffee later.

Inside, Rachel stashed her purse in a locked drawer of her desk, then proceeded to Brad's office to get his final amounts for the employee bonuses going out today. He'd been dragging his feet for some reason. His secretary was gone, so Rachel headed toward his door. It stood slightly ajar, and she lifted her hand to knock.

“The shipment will be ready to go on time,” Sean said in his deeply raspy voice. “Even with holiday leave coming up, we'll finish processing the Tundra King and Alaskan King's catches that are coming in today. It sounds like they had a good haul. I understand there will be a couple of boats going out during the two weeks most are on vacation. I can run a skeleton crew during that time. There are some without families that don't care. Now that we've expanded we should look at running all the way through December, except for Christmas and Christmas Eve.”

“I don't want to change that policy. I've already cut down the time we're gone drastically to accommodate the expansion. There's more to life than work.”

“But Ivan and I can handle...”

Rachel backed away, not wanting to eavesdrop. Brad was in a meeting with Sean. She'd talk with her employer later today about the bonuses. As she turned to leave, she came face-to-face with Eva Cohen, Brad's secretary and the wife of the Tundra King's captain. The older woman's shoulders were thrust back, and she was so stiff that a light breeze could snap her in two.

“What are you doing?” The secretary's terse tone cut through Rachel.

“Brad and I are supposed to speak sometime this morning. I thought I would catch him before the day starts, but he's busy, so I'll come back.”

“I'll inform
Mr. Howard
you are at work, and let you know when he can see you.” Mrs. Cohen raised her chin and peered at Rachel from the bottom of her glasses. “He's a busy man, and you should always call ahead to see if he's available.”

In the past, Brad had an open-door policy, but everything changed with Mrs. Cohen's arrival last summer. She guarded access to him like a mama bear did her cubs. “I'll try to remember that,” she muttered, clenching her hands as she left and hurried back to her office.

Brad had better let her know about the bonuses this morning. She would be passing out the checks early since most of the people went on vacation after Wednesday. That was supposed to be everyone's last day until after the New Year. But according to Sean, there would be a skeleton crew working over part of the holidays, at least if he had his way. Since when? Why didn't anyone tell her? She would have to note that so she could pay them at the end of the month.

She worked on the early checks for next week and would add the bonuses in when her employer let her know. When someone cleared their throat, she looked up and found Jake, leaning against her doorjamb, a paper coffee cup in each hand.

“I come bearing gifts.” Jake walked to her desk and set the drinks on it, then went back out into the hallway and brought in a sack with the scent of freshly baked glazed donuts, something she loved from the café but rarely indulged in. “I figure you would be starved with only a piece of toast for breakfast.”

“You must have heard my stomach rumbling all the way to the café. Where's Lawrence?”

“He went on to the bait shop. I told him I wouldn't be long, and he said for me to take my time.”

“Then he has Mitch.”

“Yep. I think Mitch has bonded with Gramps. It must be the soft bed he gets to sleep in. Could you see me with two big dogs trying to sleep in a double bed? I'd probably end up on the floor while they ruled the bed.”

“Mitch has worked hard. He deserves a few luxuries.”

Jake chuckled. “My dog has gotten to you, too.”

Rachel dug into the sack and pulled out one fluffy donut, dripping with glaze. “He's a sweetie.”

“Shh. Don't say that to him. He may be officially retired, but I intend at least to keep him involved in search-and-rescue missions where he doesn't have to chase after bad guys.”

Jake took the chair in front of her desk and plucked a donut from the bag. “I brought you two. I know how much you love them.”

“You didn't eat much more than I did this morning.”

“But I already had two donuts with Gramps.”

“So where's my third one?”

He smiled from ear to ear. “I told Gramps you would say something like that.” He rose and went into the hallway again. A half a minute later he set another sack on her desk.

Her eyes grew round. “I was half kidding. I can't eat three right now.”

Jake retook his seat. “Save it for later and have a midafternoon treat.”

“I overheard an interesting conversation—”

Jake put his forefinger over his mouth.

That was when she heard footsteps coming down the hall. She took a bite of her donut, then a sip of her coffee.

Brad poked his head around the door frame. “I thought I heard voices. It's good to see you again, Jake.” Her employer came into her office and passed her a sheet of paper. “Those are the amounts for the bonuses according to what they do. I've singled out a few that have gone above and beyond their duties to see the fishery do well this year.”

“Thanks. I wanted to work on payroll today because there is paperwork that needs to be done by the end of the year before I go on vacation.”

Brad started for the door and glanced back. “By the way, Mrs. Cohen is right. Call before you come to the office. That way you don't waste your time. Have a good weekend.”

As the sound of the footsteps receded, Jake said, “Tell me at lunch. We're going to have a picnic at the bait shop. I'll stop by and get you.”

“You don't have—”

“When are you going to learn not to argue with me?”

“Probably never,” she said with a laugh.

“See you at twelve.”

When Jake left, she sipped her coffee and nibbled on the donut while looking over the list of bonuses. She stared at the amount for her and nearly dropped the sheet of paper. One month's salary! Twice as much as most of the people at the fishery. Why? She hadn't worked any harder than the others. She needed to check with Brad. That he hadn't added an extra zero by mistake.

She started to get up and head for his office when she remembered what her employer said right before he left. Instead, she picked up her phone and called him.

“Mr. Howard's office, Mrs. Cohen speaking.”

Just to irritate the prim and proper secretary, Rachel said, “Eva, this is Rachel. I need to talk with Brad about the list he gave me a few minutes ago.”

“Just a minute.” A hard edge sharpened each word.

A long pause and Brad answered his phone. “Is there a problem, Rachel?”

“No, but I'm confused about my bonus numbers. You're giving me a month's salary instead of two weeks' pay.”

“You're important to this fishery, and this company is vital to the economy of Port Aurora. I'd hate to think what would happen if the company went under.”

“Okay.” She drew that word out; for some reason it wasn't really okay. “Thank you, Brad.”

“You're welcome. Have a nice weekend.” Then he hung up.

Rachel started when she heard a click on the phone. Was Mrs. Cohen listening to our conversation? Why would she? Should she tell Brad? But she really didn't know. Maybe she had imagined it.

Her eyes glued to the paper before her, she stared at the thousands of dollars she would receive.

Why did she feel she was being paid off?

* * *

When Jake arrived at Rachel's office at twelve, he found her prowling her domain as though restless energy had been bottled up in her and she was trying to release it. He took one look at her face and knew something was wrong. He gave her a quizzical look.

“Later. At lunch.”

Not a word was spoken until they had walked away from the building. “Okay, what's wrong?” Jake asked, wondering if Rachel had done any work since he'd left her that morning.

She told him about the bonus that was two or three times more than she ever had received. “Plus, I think Brad's secretary, Mrs. Cohen, might have been listening to my conversation with him.”

“Why would she do that?” Jake asked, making a note to investigate this woman.

“If I didn't know better, I would think she ran this place. Everything has to go through her to Brad. It was never like that before she came.”

“Maybe she does. How did she get the job?”

“When her husband was hired as the captain of the Tundra King, she was given the job as Brad's secretary shortly afterward. Brad's previous one got another offer and moved away. It happened fast, and I guess Brad was grateful that Mrs. Cohen could fill in quickly. Celeste did the job temporarily until Mrs. Cohen came. Celeste left it a mess, so I can understand Brad's desire to keep Mrs. Cohen happy, but still...” Rachel twisted her mouth as she did when she was in deep thought. “Do you think Mrs. Cohen might be involved in what's going on?”

“I'm suspecting everyone until proven otherwise. If drug smuggling is taking place, we're dealing with ruthless people.” Jake scanned the surroundings, then opened the door to the bait shop.

“All I have to do is think about Aunt Betty to know what kind of people they are.” Rachel went inside first, greeting Gramps and Mitch.

“Anything happen while I was gone?” Jake asked his grandfather while rubbing his dog's back.

“The Alaskan King is unloading their catch.” Gramps stepped away from the window that afforded a great view of the harbor and passed the binoculars to Jake. “It looks like the Tundra King is a few miles out so all the trawlers have returned. They'll be either shutting down or slowing way down until the first of the year.”