Bounty Hunter (Classified K-9 Unit) Read online

  But what was that comment about a date? Seriously?

  Ian stepped over beside her and nudged her with a small grin. “It’s a good place for a date,” he drawled. “Wonder if he has anyone in mind?”

  She slugged him in the arm and he laughed while he jogged ahead. At least he’d waited until he was out of Riley’s earshot before he let loose with the teasing.

  While she walked, Harper pushed Ian’s ribbing aside and pondered her reaction to the good-looking bounty hunter. She admitted her attraction and questioned her sanity at the same time. She had no business letting herself be drawn to this man since she still had questions about his motives and whether or not he could be working with Jake. She didn’t really think so, but...

  Harper gave herself a mental shake and held the door for Star to hop in. She was not attracted to him. There.

  Riley settled into the passenger seat with Leo and True behind them again. Once Harper was in the driver’s seat and headed down the road, she glanced at her handsome passenger. “Are you going to eat with us?”

  “No. I have something I need to take care of.”

  “What’s that?”

  He shrugged. “Just...something. Personal stuff.”

  She raised a brow but kept silent. It was none of her business after all. A short time later, she pulled in front of the café and Riley opened his door. He turned back to her. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”

  “I will. Thank you for leading us out there today.”

  “You’re welcome.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get going.” He shifted then rubbed a hand over his chin. “Will you let me know if I can collect the reward money?”

  Harper frowned. “Sure. If we find Jake here due to your call, we’ll get your money to you.”

  He flushed. “I know I sound money-hungry. It’s not that, it’s just my—”

  “It’s really not my business. I’ll be in touch.”

  Riley nodded then exhaled sharply. “Right. Thanks.” He climbed out and shut the door. She watched him walk to his car and sighed. Why had she interrupted him?

  Because his great place for a date comment still rang in her ears. And because she didn’t think she’d mind one bit going on a date with him.

  Even though she didn’t date. And even though she might want to. No, she didn’t. Because she was not attracted to him, she reminded herself. She had a job to do. Period.

  A rap on her window made her jump. When she turned, Max was waiting for her. She lowered the window. “You coming?” he asked.

  She turned to see Riley pull away from the parking lot and made up her mind. “I want to check on something first if that’s all right.”

  He frowned. “What?”

  “I’m going to follow him. I want to see where he’s going. I’m still not a hundred percent convinced he’s not somehow working with Jake.”

  Max gave a slow nod. “Might not be a bad idea. You want some backup?”

  “Not yet. I’ll call if I need you.”

  * * *

  Riley cruised down I-70 toward Denver and thought about the morning. He was hungry but would get something in the hospital cafeteria. His need to see his nephew ate at him. And he needed an update from the doctors.

  But he couldn’t help the groan that slipped from his throat. “A great place for a date? Really?” His eyes had locked on Harper’s and that was what he’d thought. And that was what had come out of his mouth. He shook his head. He wasn’t usually so free with his words. But there was just something about her...

  He sighed.

  He didn’t need to focus on that. Instead, he needed to keep his attention on his nephew and helping him heal. A budding attraction for the pretty FBI agent would only distract him and neither he nor his nephew needed that right now. Priorities, he reminded himself. Priorities.

  An hour and forty-five minutes later, he arrived in Denver and pulled into the hospital parking lot. He turned the vehicle off and simply sat there a moment. He wanted to pray, to beg God for guidance, money and healing for his nephew, but...

  He wanted to believe that God was who He said He was. But so much had happened in the last year that made him question his faith. Made him wonder if he believed in a God who either wasn’t all-powerful or just didn’t really care about what was going on with him personally. He pushed out of his truck. No time to ponder the heavy stuff. Asher was waiting for him.

  Riley walked through the doors of the hospital. He made his way to Asher’s floor and headed for the child’s room. As he passed the nursing station, the men and women greeted him. “Glad to see you back. Asher’s been asking for you. His teacher is here, too.”

  “Thanks.”

  He opened the door and found his mother sitting in the chair she’d occupied since his sister’s death and Asher’s admittance into the hospital. Her needles clicked softly and a ball of yarn spilled from the bag next to her chair. A dark haired, dark-eyed woman sat on the edge of Asher’s bed. The little guy held a card in his hand and others spilled over his lap and the smile on his face was worth more than gold.

  “Hi, I didn’t realize he had company,” Riley said as he leaned over and kissed the top of his mother’s head.

  “I’m Beth Smith,” the woman said. “I was Asher’s first grade teacher last year. I heard about what happened and about two weeks ago rounded up his classmates and friends. We had a card-making party for Asher and I was very excited to be able to bring them to him today.”

  Riley shook her hand. “That’s very kind.”

  “I miss them, Uncle Riley.”

  He smoothed the child’s hair from his forehead. “I know you do, buddy. Maybe some of them can come see you soon since you’re feeling better.”

  “That would be awesome.”

  Riley smiled at the enthusiasm.

  “Can I have a puppy, too?”

  “A puppy?”

  Asher turned those thick-lashed blue eyes on him. “I really think I need a puppy. It can keep me company and make me feel like laughing again.”

  Mrs. Smith gasped and Riley saw tears in her eyes before she looked away.

  His heart clenched and he found it hard to draw in breath around the grief that filled him. He cleared his throat. “We’ll have to see. I’m not making any promises, but we’ll talk about it when you get out of the hospital. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  And Riley was going to do whatever it took to make sure Asher felt like laughing again.

  “Hey, you know what?” he said.

  “What?”

  “I met someone who has a dog. You want me to ask her to bring it up here?”

  Asher’s eyes widened. “Today?”

  “Probably not today, but maybe soon?”

  “Yes, please, Uncle Riley. That would be double awesome!”

  “Okay, then.”

  “What kind of dog?” he asked.

  “She’s a police dog. She helps sniff out the bad guys.”

  “Wow,” Asher breathed.

  “A police dog?” Mrs. Smith asked.

  Riley nodded. “Yes.”

  “I have a group of summer campers who are thinking about going into law enforcement. Their favorite topic has been K-9s and their work with the different areas of law enforcement.”

  “Where are you doing the camp?”

  “Out at the national park. We’re in the part where they have cabins and decent restroom facilities.”

  “Roughing it, huh?”

  She laughed. “Not too bad.”

  “I wish I could go to camp,” Asher said softly.

  Riley squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “Let’s aim for next summer, okay?”

  Asher nodded. “Where I can go and learn about being a police officer so I can catch the bad guys?”

  “Sure.”

  Mrs. Smith kissed Asher’s cheek and rose. “Well, I suppose I need to say my goodbyes.” She gathered her purse and walked toward the door. “I only managed to sli
p away from the camp for a short time and need to get back. Asher, I’ll check back in on you soon.”

  Asher waved. “Bye, Mrs. Smith. Thank you for coming to see me.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.” She smiled and Asher’s lids drooped. The visit had tired him out. Riley said one more goodbye to Mrs. Smith then sat with Asher and held him until he dozed off. It didn’t take long. He slid off the bed and turned to his mother who still worked with the needle and yarn. “Another blanket?”

  “Yes.” She looked up and gave him a weary smile. “It keeps me busy and helps me think. And besides, they’re selling pretty well at the little consignment store Sheila runs. She keeps asking for more.”

  Sheila, his mother’s best friend, worked at a consignment store in downtown Denver. She’d encouraged his mother to let her sell some of her items and to everyone’s surprise, it had turned into a full-time job keeping up with the demand.

  “Now that we’re alone, is there any change? Any updates?” His gaze went back to Asher, who was dwarfed by the large bed. The boy appeared to be sleeping comfortably.

  His mother laid her knitting aside and rubbed her eyes. “No, son, you know nothing’s going to change without the surgery. The doctor said he’s strong enough for it now—he’s recovered nicely from the bullet in his shoulder and now they just need to get in and get the other one out.”

  He nodded. Of course he knew that, but each day that went by, he hoped. Hoped his nephew’s spine would heal on its own, that he would sit up in the bed, whole and happy again. Riley vaguely wondered how long it took for hope to finally dry up. “I wish Dad was here.”

  Tears sprang to his mother’s eyes and Riley wished he’d kept his mouth shut. His father had passed away two years ago after a short battle with brain cancer.

  She swiped a stray tear. “I do, too, son. Are you any closer to catching Van?” she asked.

  He rubbed his eyes. “Yes. I think so. I have a good idea where to look for him now.” He fell silent for a moment. “That was nice of Mrs. Smith to drop by.”

  “Very nice. Asher looked forward to it all morning.”

  Riley reached for her hand and held it, noticing the texture of her still-smooth skin, feeling the warmth of her fingers. A hand that had wiped his tears and cleaned his little boy knees and elbows, had cradled him in her arms when his prom date had stood him up. He was a man who still wanted—if not needed—his mother and her comfort. He wondered if he should be ashamed to admit that. “How are you feeling? Are you taking your medicine?”

  “I am.” She had a heart condition that required daily medication. One reason she felt she couldn’t handle full custody of Asher and why Riley had agreed to be the one to take him should anything happen to his sister. He’d never thought he would be in the position he now found himself. He swallowed and stepped next to the child to run a hand over Asher’s sweet face. The boy opened his eyes.

  And smiled. “You’re still here.”

  Riley’s heart tripped over itself at the love and trust reflected there. He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to Asher’s forehead. “Sure I am. How are you doing, Champ?”

  “I want to go outside and play.”

  Riley’s throat tightened on the tears that wanted to flow on behalf of the little boy he loved so much. “Soon, Asher. I sure hope you can do that soon.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Maybe we can get a wheelchair and roll you outside in a little while.”

  “Okay.” Asher closed his eyes again then opened them when the door opened and the doctor walked in. The boy reached for Riley’s hand and held on but there was no fear in his blue eyes. For that Riley was grateful. He’d promised Asher that everyone in the hospital was there to help him walk again and Asher believed him. For now.

  The doctor started to speak and Riley fingered one of the tubes running out of the little guy’s body. Fresh fury rocked him. He drew in a deep breath. God, where are You? Where were You? Why didn’t You protect them?

  THREE

  Harper frowned as she waited on Riley to come back out of the room he’d entered.

  They were on the pediatric floor and Harper would admit, once she realized he was heading for the hospital, she’d thought he might be meeting a woman who worked there. A girlfriend nurse or doctor. Then she wondered why that was her first thought. She finally admitted it was because she wanted to know if there was someone special in his life. She grimaced. Why did it matter? It was not like she wanted him to act on his subtle hint about going to the restaurant on a date. Not with her, anyway. Did she?

  She did.

  And she didn’t.

  She loved her job and knew she was good at it, but deep down, in a place she would only admit to herself, she wanted more. But she was afraid she just wasn’t meant to have a family of her own. And right now wasn’t the time to think about it. Conflicted, she pushed the thoughts away and focused on the reason she was there.

  Once they’d arrived on the floor, the fact that everyone greeted Riley warmly seemed to support the theory that he was a regular visitor. But he hadn’t spoken to any of the women there other than to offer a brief wave and a smile. He’d gone into one of the rooms followed by the doctor shortly thereafter. Her curiosity ramped up into high gear.

  But one thing was settled. He definitely wasn’t meeting Jake Morrow. So who? The woman who’d walked out wiping tears from her cheeks? She definitely looked like someone who might be Riley’s type. Pretty, with a sweet smile she’d shot at the nursing station as she’d passed by.

  Harper stayed where she could see the door and waited. Ten minutes later, her patience paid off. The doctor stepped out and she waited for him to walk her way. “Excuse me?”

  He stopped. “Yes?” He looked to be in his midforties and was a good-looking guy with kind green eyes.

  Harper flashed her badge. “I’m investigating a case. Do you know Riley Martelli?”

  “Of course. He’s Asher’s uncle. A better guy you’ll never meet.”

  The glowing endorsement eased her nerves a bit. “That’s good to hear. And your patient is Asher?”

  The kind eyes hardened. “Yes.”

  “Can you tell me what happened to him?”

  “No. HIPAA laws and all that.” Harper frowned and the doc lifted a brow. “But it was all over the news. You didn’t see it?”

  “I’m not from around here. Can you fill me in?”

  He hesitated and shrugged. “I can tell you what was on the news. Asher caught two bullets when a stalker went after his mother.”

  Harper gasped. “That’s horrible.” Even though she’d seen a lot of awful in her line of work, she would never become numb to murder.

  He nodded. “Charlotte, Asher’s mother, died almost instantly with a bullet that went through her heart. Asher pulled through. One of the bullets is lodged very near his spine and he needs some pretty tricky surgery to remove it. The one that went through his shoulder did some damage, but nothing major.”

  “But he’ll be all right?”

  “He’s already pretty well recovered from that one. Until we can get the bullet from his back, though, he won’t be able to walk. And yes, all of that was on the news—well, on television in a press conference, I guess you would say. After Charlotte was killed, her mother went on television and told the story. She then begged people to be on the lookout for Van Blackman and to call the police if he was spotted.”

  “Did it help? Her plea?”

  The doctor shrugged. “They got some leads but nothing that panned out.” His nostrils flared. “And so he’s walking around a free man while that little boy now has no mother and can’t get out of that bed.” His eyes flashed in fury at the injustice and Harper tried to process the words and push aside her shock.

  “When is he supposed to have the surgery?” she asked.

  “We’ve been waiting for him to heal enough to handle it. When he first got here, we didn’t think he was going to make it, but he’s pulled through like a c
hamp.” He smiled proudly. “In fact, that’s his new nickname around here. Champ. We’re still waiting to see when we can schedule the surgery.”

  “Doctor? Special Agent Prentiss?”

  She froze and grimaced. Busted. She turned to find Riley staring at her. “I told you to call me Harper.”

  He raised a brow. “Harper. What are you doing here?”

  She opened her mouth then shut it. What could she say?

  His hands went to his hips and he frowned. “Did you follow me?”

  “Yes.”

  “But...why?”

  Harper glanced at the doctor who looked decidedly uncomfortable. She offered him a small smile. “Thank you.”

  “Sure.” He escaped quickly.

  Harper looked back at the glowering Riley. “I don’t blame you for being mad. I just had to make sure you weren’t meeting with Jake Morrow.”

  “Meeting with Ja—” He ran a hand through his reddish blond hair. “Why would I be meeting with the man who shot at me?”

  He was either truly confused or an Oscar worthy performer. “I don’t want to take you away from your nephew, but is there somewhere we can go to talk? When you’re finished?” Her phone buzzed but she ignored it for the moment.

  He stared at her a moment longer then shrugged. “Let me tell my mother and Asher what I’m doing. We can go down to the cafeteria and get a sandwich. I’m starving.”

  “Sure.”

  He started to walk away then turned back. “Hey, do you have Star with you?”

  “Yes. She’s in the car. Why?” She’d wanted to remain inconspicuous. Walking in with Star would have made her stand out like a sore thumb. The dog was fine in the temperature-controlled area of the vehicle.

  “I’ll tell you in a minute.”

  He was gone all of thirty seconds before he returned. “I was going to ask you to bring Star up to see Asher, but he’s sleeping deeply. I don’t want to disturb him.”

  “I’m happy to bring Star to see him. Just let me know when.” They walked to the elevator. “So the doctor told me a little bit about what happened. He said Asher is your nephew.”

  “Yes.”

  “And Van Blackman, the man you mentioned, killed your sister. He shot your nephew, too.” The doctor had given her the information, but she wanted to hear it from Riley. Guilt pierced her. She remembered him trying to tell her why he wanted the reward money and she’d cut him off.