Witness Pursuit (7 page)

“You're smiling,” she said. “It's a good look on you,” she teased.

Again, as they drifted into natural conversation, he warned himself not to get too comfortable. “Other than the challenges of living in a small town, why are you so desperate to travel?” he asked.

“It's a long story.”

“I'm not going anywhere for a while, remember?”

She shrugged. “I made myself a promise when I was a kid. As I lay in bed, praying my body would finally work the way it was supposed to, I promised myself that when I recovered I would visit all the places I read about in books. I would climb mountains and watch the Eiffel Tower light up on New Year's. Too bad I hadn't left last week, huh? That would have made my life so much simpler.”

He didn't have a response for that, realizing how much he'd miss her once she left. “I'll figure this out, Cassie,” he said, hoping to ease her fears. “I promise.”

* * *

A few hours later, after a pleasant meal courtesy of her sister, Nate found himself on the sofa beside Cassie as she watched another travel program. His phone vibrated with an incoming call. It was Detective Vaughn. He started to get up.

“It's okay. You can take it here,” she said, turning down the volume on the TV.

He sensed she wanted him to stay close, so he leaned against the sofa and answered the call. “Detective?”

“The perp's license reads Len Pragner of Chicago. Someone saw him check into the Rushing River B&B, alone. I haven't been able to question him. His injuries were worse than we thought, so he's still at the hospital. Want me to stay?”

“No, see if Carrington can cover for a few hours so you can get some sleep.”

“Copy that. The deceased has been transported to the ME's office.”

“Good. I'll be posted outside Cassie McBride's apartment tonight. I can't risk her being alone, not until we figure out why someone's after her.”

Nate felt pressure on his arm and glanced down. Cassie had fallen asleep against his shoulder.

“Any idea why she's been targeted?”

“When the suspect stuck his head through the kitchen window he said if she told him where
it
was, he'd leave her alone. They want something from her, but the only thing she took from the cabin was the dog.”

“Strange,” Vaughn said.

“Have you found any connection between Pragner and our vic, Marilyn Brandenburg?”

“Not yet. I'll do a more thorough check tomorrow when I get to the station.”

“Good night, Detective.” He ended the call and glanced at the blond-haired beauty leaning against him. He shifted to get up, but she was gripping his sleeve, mumbling something he couldn't make out. She'd fallen asleep, and found comfort clinging to Nate's jacket. He didn't have the heart to wake her up.

As he puzzled through tonight's events, his gaze drifted to the television program. The travel show reminded him that this, the feel of Cassie leaning against him and depending on him for comfort, was temporary. Still...there was no harm in enjoying the moment.

* * *

The next morning Cassie awoke up with a start, anxious and disoriented. She opened her eyes and focused on her antique nightstand lamp. She was in her bedroom, on her bed. Sitting up, she realized she was on top of the comforter with a blanket tucked snugly around her body.

“Nate?” she said, her voice hoarse.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway. Her heartbeat quickened.

Her brother stepped into the doorway holding a white to-go cup from the tea shop below. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“Where's Chief Walsh?”

“At work. What did you think, he was going to be your personal bodyguard for the rest of the week?” Aiden motioned to his cup. “Got you some coffee.” He disappeared from the doorway.

“Coffee, bleh,” she muttered under her breath, and flopped down against the comforter.

The last thing she remembered was leaning against Nate on the sofa while watching television. She must have fallen into a deep sleep and he'd carried her to her room. She wished he'd stayed long enough for her to tell him...tell him what? Well, at least long enough to thank him again for protecting her.

“That's unacceptable,” Aiden's voice drifted down the hall. “We need the heating system repaired by the weekend. We'll be at seventy-five percent capacity.”

Cassie felt like such a burden, taking Aiden away from his managerial responsibilities at the resort, and Nate away from his police chief duties.

She felt like that little kid again, trailing behind her older siblings who cast irritated smirks over their shoulders at her. She was the afterthought, holding everybody back, dragging everyone down with her problems...her ill health.

Determined not to be that needy child, she shifted out of bed, appreciative that she'd outgrown the morning stiffness of her childhood illness. Today she was a healthy and independent woman. She must be out of danger if Nate left her apartment, right?

Heading into the living room, she waved Aiden down as he paced. “I'm going to take a quick shower and go to work,” she said.

He held the phone against his flannel shirt. “What are you talking about?”

“I have to stop by the rental office and turn in my report on the properties. I'm a day late as it is.”

“I'll call you back,” he said into the phone. He shot Cassie a stern frown. “Email or call it in.”

“Mr. Anderson doesn't do email reports, Aiden.”

Aiden shook his head. “How does that guy stay in business?”

“Besides, I need to go in person and explain what happened.”

“Oh, I'm sure they know.”

“It's my job, Aiden.”

“Don't you remember what happened over the past thirty-six hours?” he said in that condescending tone of his.

“I remember,” she shot back. “I also remember the suspect was taken into custody.”

“Why can't you—”

“I won't stay locked away like a caged bird. I need to get out of here and live my life.” Cassie realized the words came out a little stronger than she'd intended, but she was desperate to get through to her brother.

He studied her for a second. “Fine. I'll take you to the resort. I had your car towed there this morning. Maybe Mom can change your mind.”

He whipped out his phone and continued his argument with the repair company.

* * *

An hour later they arrived at the resort where she checked on her mom, who was set up in a nice room facing the grounds.

“I was so worried about you,” Mom said, hugging Cassie.

“Thanks, I'm okay. Looks like you're okay, too.”

“My son takes good care of me.” She smiled at Aiden.

“Well, I'm off to the rental office,” Cassie said.

“Cassie, no, you—”

“It's fine, Mom. They've got the suspect in custody.”

“Honey, you shouldn't be gallivanting around town on your own,” her mom said.

“She won't listen,” Aiden said, checking text messages.

Cassie clenched her jaw to quell the protest threatening to crawl up her throat and burst out of her mouth.

“I'll be fine,” she said.

“Aiden, go with her,” Mom said.

Aiden's beeper went off.

“Mom, he's got a work crisis. I'll be back in an hour.”

She gave Mom a hug and turned to leave, but Mom was determined to walk her to her car. Cassie felt Mom's silent guilt trip, even though she didn't speak.

“Cassie, I—”

“Love you,” Cassie interrupted and kissed her on the cheek.

She got behind the wheel of Ruby and spotted the manila envelope in the passenger seat containing completed reports from the other cabins she'd visited.

As she drove away from the resort, the swell of frustration loosened around her throat. This was why she needed to build her travel fund and get out of town. She loved her mom and siblings but felt smothered and didn't know how to communicate her frustration.

She avoided glancing in the rearview mirror, not wanting to see her mother's worried expression, the one that still haunted Cassie from childhood.

The expression that reminded her how broken she was.

Was, but not anymore.

Make sure you're running toward your dreams, not fleeing your problems.
Bree's comment taunted Cassie.

“I'm not running away, I'm not,” she said.

Fearing she wasn't being completely honest with herself, Cassie flipped on the radio as a distraction and found a country station. Lyrics about sacrifice in the name of love filled the car.

She clicked it off. She wasn't going to give up her dream of traveling in order to make her family happy, no matter how much she loved them. Nor should they expect it.

As far as romantic love was concerned, Cassie had plenty of time for that later, after she'd seen the world. Who knows, maybe she'd even find the love of her life overseas and decide to relocate to Europe. Wouldn't that fry everyone's fritters?

“Oh, grow up,” she scolded herself, realizing how juvenile she sounded. Yet sometimes the way they hovered made her feel like the walls were closing in, and she couldn't breathe.

A few minutes later she pulled into the parking lot of Echo Mountain Rentals. She got out of her car, preparing to apologize for being late with her incomplete report. As she approached the entrance, she noticed the front door was ajar.

Just as it had been at the Whispering Pines cabin.

The hair prickled on the back of her neck.

Never, ever ignore your instincts.

She scanned the parking lot and noted only one other car, not her boss's. She darted out of sight, her back hugging the side of the building, and called Nate.

“This is Chief Walsh. Please leave a message and I'll call you back. If this is an emergency call 911.”

Cassie texted him instead:
SOS @ EM Rental office. Front door open. Danger?

She sent the text. But if he was in a meeting or interrogating Shovel Man, he wouldn't be able to respond immediately.

Never, ever ignore your instincts.

Cassie debated.

A crash echoed from inside the office.

She dialed 911.

“911. What is your emergency?”

“I'm at the Echo Mountain Rentals office,” she whispered. “I think someone's breaking in.”

“What's your name?”

“Cassie McBride.”

“Why do you think someone is breaking in?”

“The front door is open and my boss's car isn't here and I heard a crash.”

She glanced up.

A tall man wearing jeans, black boots and a black jacket crossed the parking lot and approached Cassie's car.

He slid his hand into the inside of his jacket.

And pulled out a gun.

SEVEN

N
ate stood at the foot of the perpetrator's hospital bed and considered his next move. Len Pragner seemed to be enjoying this—Nate asking questions; Len not answering. A half smirk curled the guy's lips like he had a secret, like he thought the handcuffs were going to magically open and he'd walk out of the hospital, all charges dropped.

“We've got you on attempted assault, breaking and entering—”

“I didn't enter,” Len said.

“Because someone was pointing a gun at your head.”

“And I didn't assault anyone,” he argued.

“You smashed the windows and tried getting into the farmhouse. That'll keep you in town for a while.”

Len shrugged. “It's a nice town. Friendly people.”

“My witness says you were looking for something.”

“Your witness, you mean Cassie McBride?”

“What were you looking for?”

“She's cute, not my type, but cute.”

Nate struggled to keep his temper in check. “Why are you in Echo Mountain?”

“I think I might ask her out,” he taunted.

Nate narrowed his eyes, but kept his cool. Len couldn't possibly know how Nate felt about Cassie.

“You keep playing games, Len,” Nate said. “We've got a nice cell waiting for you when you're released.”

Nate left the guy's room and motioned to his officer on duty. “When the doctor releases him, he goes straight to lockup.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Detective Sara Vaughn approached Nate. “From the look on your face I'm thinking he isn't being cooperative.”

“He's enjoying pushing me around. Feel free to give it a try.” He glanced at his phone. A text popped onto the screen from Cassie.

An SOS.

“I've gotta go.” Nate rushed to the stairs, made it to his squad car and took off. As he listened to the radio chatter, he heard an officer responding to a B&E call at the Echo Mountain Rentals office.

She shouldn't have left her apartment; then again, the suspect was in custody, so she didn't seem to be in immediate danger.

Unless Len had a partner. The man standing on her street corner, perhaps?

Nate pressed down on the accelerator, struggling to quiet the shame coursing through his mind:
You never should have left her.

Yeah, and how unrealistic was that? He was the police chief; he had a job to do, a homicide to solve.

A town to keep safe.

He turned into the rental company parking lot and spotted Cassie's red car, a black sedan, and a patrol car, lights flashing. He didn't see anyone in cuffs. Nate approached his officer, who stood beside his car speaking with a taller gentleman in his forties.

“Officer Hough?”

Officer Hough turned to Nate. “A misunderstanding, Chief. The caller thought this man was a burglar, but he's with the FBI.”

“Agent Steve Nance.” The agent reached out and shook Nate's hand. “I'm investigating a case that led me to Echo Mountain Rentals. When I arrived to question the owner, I found the door open, the office ransacked, and no one inside. I guess your witness assumed I was the perp.” He nodded toward the building where Cassie sat on the front steps, her chin resting on her upturned palms.

A rush of relief washed over Nate. She was okay; not hurt, just frightened.

“I'd like to be brought up to speed on your investigation,” Nate said to the agent. “Perhaps our murder is related.”

“Of course. I have a lead I'm following up on in twenty minutes. Can we meet for lunch?”

“Sure. Healthy Eats Restaurant, one o'clock?”

“Sounds good.”

Nate went to Cassie, rehearsing his lecture in his head before he said the words. Then he remembered how she didn't like being bossed around. If he wanted to keep her safe, he needed her cooperation, not her defiance. He couldn't afford to push her away.

“Cassie?” he greeted.

She looked up, her cheeks red. His gut clenched.

“Hey, you okay?” He sat beside her.

She shook her head. “I'm ashamed.”

“Ashamed? Why?”

“I obviously overreacted. I mean the guy is an FBI agent, but the door was open and I got this feeling, and Bree said never to ignore that feeling, and then the guy comes outside and he's got a gun.”

He placed a gentle hand against her back. “Cassie, you did not overreact. Someone
did
break into the office. That's a crime. You did the right thing by calling 911.”

“I guess.”

“It's not a guess. You acted responsibly.”

She frowned slightly, fiddling with her key chain.

“What is it?” he said.

“No one's ever said that to me before.” She glanced at him. “I appreciate it.”

His heart raced, but not from fear or adrenaline. He slipped his hand off her back. “You know what I'd appreciate?”

“What?”

“If you didn't go anywhere alone for a while, just in case Len Pragner has friends in town.”

“You think he does?”

“It's possible.”

“Did you interrogate him?”

“I tried.”

“What did he say?”

Nate ripped his gaze from her hopeful blue eyes. “Nothing helpful,” he said. “But he knows who you are, which is why I'm concerned for your safety.”

As he scanned the parking lot for signs of trouble, a silver minivan pulled up beside his patrol car.

“It's Mr. Anderson,” she said.

The owner of Echo Mountain Rentals got out of his vehicle and cast a worried glance at the chief.

Nate stood to greet the middle-aged man. “Someone broke into your office.”

Mr. Anderson glanced at Cassie. “Are you okay?”

“She called it in,” Nate answered for her.

“I'm fine,” Cassie said. “I showed up after the fact. You're lucky you didn't come in right at nine this morning.”

“My assistant and I had a few stops to make.”

A small blue sedan pulled into the lot. Mr. Anderson's assistant, Carol Trotter, got out of the car. “What's going on?” she asked, rushing up to them.

“Someone broke into the office,” Mr. Anderson said.

The sixtysomething woman glanced at the building with rounded eyes.

“It's okay, he's gone,” Nate said to ease her fear.

“But why?” she said. “We don't keep cash or anything valuable in there.”

“Do you think this is related to the dead woman at the Whispering Pines cabin?” Mr. Anderson said.

“We're not sure,” Nate said. “I'd like you to go through the office and see if anything's missing. That might help us determine motivation for the break-in.”

“I can help,” Cassie offered.

“Okay, but let's all wear gloves so as not to interfere with forensics.”

Nate retrieved four pair of gloves from the patrol car. When they went into the office, he noticed Cassie's rattled expression. Then she lifted her chin as if to say,
this isn't going to bother me
.

That's what he admired about her: her ability to act strong when she was feeling anything but powerful.

Cassie bent to pick up papers scattered on the floor. “Where would you like me to put these?”

“Stack them on the table,” Mr. Anderson said. “We'll go through them.”

“How about your files, Mr. Anderson?” Nate asked. “Does anything look off?”

“Carol is my file pro.”

Carol analyzed the files strewn haphazardly on the floor. “It doesn't look like anything's missing.”

They continued to go through the mess for a few minutes.

“This isn't good,” Cassie said.

“What?” Nate questioned.

She held up an empty file folder, then another. “My personnel file is empty. So is Becca's.”

“It probably just fell out somewhere.” Carol got down on the floor and sifted through paperwork.

“What did you keep in those files?” Nate asked Mr. Anderson.

“Job applications, work reviews, property assignments.”

“Our addresses and Social Security numbers were on those applications.” Cassie glanced at Nate.

“Which address was on your application?” he asked.

“The farmhouse.”

“That could be a good thing.” Nate turned to Mr. Anderson. “Didn't you keep that type of sensitive information secured?”

“I lock it every night,” Carol answered for her boss. “They must have picked the lock. What on earth would they want with personnel information?”

“I've got to warn Becca,” Cassie said and raced out of the office.

* * *

Cassie paced outside, pressing her cell phone to her ear. “Come on, come on,” she said under her breath. Why wasn't Becca answering? Was she in trouble?

Her voice mail picked up. “Hi, this is Becca. I can't take your call right now, so please leave a message.”

“Becca, it's Cassie. Be careful. Someone stole our personnel files from the office so they know where you live, and we need to talk because I don't know what's going on and we could be in danger, or at least we were in danger until they arrested that guy last night, but still we don't know if he has a partner—”

A solid hand rested on her shoulder. She glanced into Nate's green eyes. “Take a breath,” he offered. “Tell her to meet us at the police station.”

Cassie nodded. “Becca, come to the police station. Chief Walsh and I will explain everything.” She ended the call and nibbled at her lower lip.

“Come back inside.” With a hand cupping her elbow, Nate led her into the office. “Was Becca working for you this morning?” Nate asked Mr. Anderson.

“No, she's off until Wednesday.”

“She has a second job with Blackburn Adventures guiding tourists into the mountains,” Cassie said. “Maybe she took a group out today.”

“I'll check into it,” Nate said. “In the meantime, other than personnel files, does anything else seem to be missing?” Nate directed his question to Mr. Anderson, who glanced at his assistant.

“Not that I can tell,” Carol said. “I'll keep looking.”

“Thanks. When forensics arrives, you and Mr. Anderson should clear out. Do you have another location where you can conduct business?”

“We can work out of one of the empty cabins,” Mr. Anderson said.

“I'll have a patrol car stay here until you're finished. Also, Cassie needs a few days off until we sort this out.”

“Nate—”

“Cassie, don't argue with me on this,” he said.

“We completely understand. We're pretty slow for the next few weeks, so no worries,” Mr. Anderson said.

“Thanks.” Cassie handed him the manila envelope. “Sorry my paperwork is late.”

“Totally understandable,” Mr. Anderson said. “I'm glad you're okay.”

Nate escorted Cassie outside to her car.

“You didn't have to apologize for late paperwork, either,” he said.

“I don't want to lose this job.”

“He seems like an understanding boss.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why do I get the feeling you've only said sorry, what, twice in your entire life?” she teased.

“Maybe three times,” he countered.

She was surprised he'd joked back. “Wow, a whole three times.”

“Hey, you don't have to point out my faults. I know them intimately.”

Pointing out his shortcomings was not what she'd meant to do. “I wasn't trying to—”

“So, you'll head back to the resort now?” he interrupted.

“I'd like to help you find Becca.”

“Cassie, this is a police investigation.”

“At least let me call Blackburn Adventures. I have the number in my phone.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

Cassie called Blackburn, a family-owned company founded more than thirty years ago with an excellent reputation.

“Thank you for calling Blackburn Adventures. Sorry we missed your call. Please leave your name—”

Cassie glanced at Nate. “No one's answering. I don't like this. I'll run by her place to see if she's okay.”

“Cassie—”

“What if she's in trouble?”

“I need to know you're safe at all times. That means going back to the resort. I'll swing by Becca's apartment.”

“Okay, Chief.” She got behind the wheel of her car and turned the key, but it wouldn't start. She tried again. Nothing.

She opened the door. “What else could possibly go wrong today?”

“Could be your battery,” he said.

After a few minutes of trying to jump her battery with no success, Nate suggested it might be her alternator, or possibly something more serious.

“Come on,” he said. “I guess you're with me.”

With him?
She liked the sound of that. Cassie walked a little too excitedly beside him but couldn't help herself. He motioned to a police officer.

“Officer Hough, keep an eye on Mr. Anderson and his assistant until they leave the premises. Get keys so you can give forensics access to the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Chief?” Carol said, coming toward them. “The only missing personnel files are Cassie and Becca's.” She nodded at Cassie's car. “Is there a problem?”

“It won't start,” Cassie offered.

“We'll be here for an hour or so if you want to leave the keys with me and call for a tow.”

“That would be great.” Cassie started to hand Carol her keys and hesitated. The key chain was her touchstone to the future and her glorious travel plans. She removed the car keys and handed them to Carol. “I appreciate it.”

“Of course.” Carol went back into the office.

Cassie made the call to have Ruby towed, and Nate led her to the squad car. “I'll drop you at the resort and I'll go check on your friend.”

“Nate, please take me with you. I'm worried about her. I've even got a key to her apartment for when I feed the cat if she's out of town.” Cassie jangled her keys.