Chapter Seventeen

EOGHAN

Eoghan dropped his duffel the moment he walked into his place the following afternoon. Ari, looking just as worn out with traveling from Colorado on two connecting flights, set his bag down right beside his. Eoghan sighed and walked over to his inviting couch and sank onto it, looking around for Bear. When he heard the cat coming down the hallway, meowing like crazy, he knew he’d most likely roused him from a nap in his favorite place…his pillow.

Ari sat down on the couch and groaned like a man who was just as happy to be home as he was. Eoghan smiled and rolled his head on the back of the couch to look at his man’s profile. Seconds later, Bear appeared, ran across the living room floor silently on kitty feet, and jumped up, finding his second favorite spot in the apartment...sitting on Eoghan’s chest. He chuckled as the orange tabby shoved his purring head under his chin, begging for cuddles.

“How you doin’, buddy?” Eoghan asked, stroking the animal’s soft fur. “Were you good while we were away or am I going to get a report about kitty orgies from Ted and Al?”

Ari chuckled as Bear stopped his nuzzling, leaned back, and narrowed his golden eyes at him as if to say, “fuck off.” Eoghan couldn’t do anything but rub the tabby’s soft fur and laugh at him. He was so expressive and now knowing he was a shifter and understood everything Eoghan said, made his expressions even more amusing. As if to punctuate his displeasure, the cat lifted one leg high in the air and began grooming his butthole and empty, neutered ball sac only inches from Eoghan’s face.

Ari let out a loud guffaw as Eoghan groaned, picked up the feline, and transferred him to Ari’s chest. “Here, he clearly wants to put on a show and since you find him so amusing, you watch him tongue himself.” Ari laughed again as Eoghan abruptly stood up and walked across the room to adjust the thermostat, turning it to a livable, breathable level. It was August in Southern California, and the duplex was a sweltering seventy-nine, according to the temperature gauge, nearly hotter inside than outside, especially after being closed up for several days while they’d been gone. He turned and looked at Bear.

“Please feel free to shift and open a window at night when it’s this hot. It’s going to take hours for this hot box to cool off,” Eoghan grumbled.

Bear looked up from where he was biting the bottom of a paw as he perched on Ari. He stared at him with topaz eyes for several seconds, before returning to his grooming.

Ari laughed as Eoghan threw up both hands. “I’m trading you in for a dog.”

The cat growled and stopped grooming, jumping off Ari’s chest, and taking a flying leap at the cat tree which he expertly climbed before reaching the top where he curled up into a little ball.

“Fucking shifters,” Eoghan grumbled in passing as he walked into the kitchen and bent to open the refrigerator. He sighed as Ari walked into the room holding both of their duffels. “What are you doing?” Eoghan asked, pointing.

“I’m gonna take these out to the laundry room and get started on the dirty clothes and then check to see if the plumber has been to my unit like he promised.”

“Plumber?”

“I asked him to install a garbage disposal, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.” Eoghan met him halfway across the floor where he leaned up to kiss Ari’s mouth. “You’re gonna do my dirty clothes too?”

“Sure. There aren’t that many. I know you need to check in with the chief to let her know we’re back,” Ari said. He suddenly smiled, then leaned in and whispered in Eoghan’s ear, “Besides, I love touching your lacy briefs.”

Eoghan shivered. This man is going to be the death of me . “Thanks, babe. I need to go to the grocery store also. The cupboards are bare and if you want me to make a nice dinner at home tonight, I need fresh ingredients.”

Ari smiled. “You don’t have to cook. We could order takeout.”

“God, no. I get so tired of eating off menus. I’m not planning anything elaborate. Maybe a nice Chinese chicken salad. You know you love the way I make it,” Eoghan said.

“Oh, God, yes. I’d love that. Get one of those rotisserie chickens from the market. It makes it so easy. I’ll help when you get back.”

“You’re right about the chicken. Good idea. You don’t have to help unless you want. You don’t even have to wash clothes. I can do them later.” Eoghan smiled.

“Really, babe, I don’t mind. You’re doing the shopping,” Ari said, leaning forward and pecking him on the lips again. “I like how domestic doing chores feels sometimes. We get so little time just to be boyfriends and not to worry all the time. Besides, doing inane things instead of constantly dealing with work shit, takes me out of my head. I like doing your laundry.” He smiled. “Like I said.”

Eoghan nodded. “I know how you feel.” He thought for a second, ticking off a mental list. “You know what? Don’t wash the lacy things in the machine. I’ve been meaning to get some of that gentle detergent for hand washing delicates. I’ll pick some up while I’m out but first, I’m gonna call the chief.”

“Whatever you want, honey,” Ari said.

The endearment warmed Eoghan and he smiled as he checked one more cupboard and then followed Ari out of the kitchen, patted him on the ass, and retrieved the burner phone from his pants pocket. He dialed Priest’s number and let it ring several times as he absently flipped through bills and other mail he’d gathered on the way into the house. She didn’t pick up. He tried again and then once more, getting no answer and put the phone down.

He pushed a sense of foreboding away as he stood and walked to the kitchen. Removing his sun tea maker from the pantry, he set out to make one of his favorite beverages before putting it out on the stoop in full afternoon sunlight. He heard the sound of the washing machine turn on as he inhaled the scent of honeysuckle coming from the hedge which separated Al and Ted’s property from the neighbor’s house. Their house was far from new, but it was well maintained. Butterflies fluttered from flower to flower in the sunshine. The flower garden was beautifully planted and tended by Ted who had the green thumb in their family.

Beside the flower beds was a vegetable garden which currently housed rows of romaine lettuce, carrots, peppers, and tomato plants in cages. Ted grew a juicy variety of small tomatoes which Eoghan had never heard of. One in particular had tender skin and was about the size of a big jawbreaker. The skin was a gorgeous deep red when ripe and full of juice. Before moving here, Eoghan had known nothing about gardening. Now, he was well-versed in the names of all of Ted’s precious roses.

This late in summer, Ted’s string beans were climbing high on a trellis. But his herbs and more delicate butter lettuce were nearly gone now, with only the heartier rosemary and thyme remaining. Ted had harvested and shared basil, thyme, and oregano with Eoghan for his Italian cooking, and a homemade goulash recipe he’d made for Ari once. He smiled as he remembered the way his man had stood and applauded him right there at the dinner table after tasting the goulash which was served over egg noodles.

He turned and smiled at Ari who was walking out of the laundry room. “Is there anything you want me to get at the grocery store while I’m there?”

Ari walked over to the stoop with his hands on his hips. “I can’t think of anything. You’re making that salad?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that sounds good. Maybe get something to make sandwiches to take to the office tomorrow, huh ?”

“I could do that.”

“Did you get a hold of the chief?”

“Not yet. I’ll try her again before I leave.” Eoghan walked back into the house with Ari following. He picked up his burner and dialed again. It rang several times and he glanced at Ari, frowning. “That’s strange. Normally she picks up or calls right back.”

“Did you try calling the office?” Ari asked, looking at the kitchen clock. “It’s still early. She might be there.”

“I’ll do that now.” He switched phones and asked to be put through to the chief.

“Priest isn’t in, Marshal Sapphire,” Carolyn at the switchboard said. “Would you like to leave a message for her?”

“Yes. Please tell her to call me back. I have to ask her about Mr. Burns,” Eoghan said.

“Will do,” she said before hanging up.

“Mr. Burns?” Ari asked.

Eoghan nodded. “She’ll get it.” He hugged Ari before kissing him on the lips. “Anyway, I’ll be back. Just update her if she calls back while I’m gone. Did you check on your plumbing?”

“I’ll do that now. I really wanted to get the wash on.” Ari patted him on the ass and then stepped back. “Love you.”

“Love you too. See you in a little bit.” Eoghan grabbed the keys to his Prius, making a mental list in his head one last time, determined to remember everything he needed for the dish he’d planned for dinner as well as other items to fill their empty coffers.

When Priest hadn’t returned the multiple calls and messages they’d left by the following morning, they were both on edge. And to add to their worry, they’d called and left messages on every answering machine at the many numbers they had for Townsend the night before. Several of the burners the king had collected over the months no longer worked. To add to their unease as they drove into the office, Townsend also hadn’t called them back by morning.

On the off chance something had happened to the chief, Eoghan decided to swing by her apartment building on the way into the office. He and Ari parked a block away, taking precautions not to be seen as they approached the back alley of her building.

“I don’t like this, Eoghan. What do you think happened to her?” Ari asked as Eoghan flattened himself against the worn stucco walls, tucked between two hedges as they waited for a car to drive past. The driver went right on by without stopping or even glancing in their direction.

“I don’t know. Call it a gut feeling, Ari. She would’ve been expecting us to call as soon as we got back to town yesterday, so for her not to be available when we called on both her burner as well as the office phones, makes me worry. I sure as hell hope she’s all right.”

When the alley was clear, he slipped out and walked as nonchalantly as was possible to the back entrance of the apartment building. It was one of the older buildings in a rougher part of town, but Priest had told him that she stayed because she liked the nearby businesses, restaurants, and neighbors, having lived here for almost twenty years.

They walked through a tunnel-like back entrance which opened onto a well-groomed central courtyard. The two-story building was square with apartment doors facing inward on both levels. The second level had a walkway going all the way around. They walked silently past a rather loud shared laundry room where several coin-operated machines toiled away. Eoghan hesitated only a minute before stepping into the courtyard which was devoid of life…other than a few trees. He rounded the base of the cement stairs and climbed to the second level.

Eoghan had only been to the chief’s apartment on a few occasions when she needed rides for whatever reason. He’d only been inside once about three years ago when she’d wanted to show him and Gladys an intricate series of maps tacked to a stationary board. They’d been tracking an alien fugitive who’d arrived from Vegas and failed to check in with the Agency. Priest had been working on theories late into the night at home, trying to predict where he’d go next. Her due diligence had paid off because they’d captured the fugitive rather quickly, thanks in large part to her after hours work.

He felt Ari at his back as they approached her door, sensing him stop at the same time he did. Deputy Chief Priest’s front door was open just a crack. He was about six feet from the door when he flattened himself against the wall and using hand gestures, indicated he wanted Ari on the other side of the door. Ari quickly moved into place, easing his Glock from his holster as Eoghan did the same.

At Eoghan’s nod, Ari called out.

“Priest?” They listened for a few seconds and hearing nothing, Ari tried again. “Arizona? Arizona Priest, are you home?”

Eoghan was startled when an apartment door opened a few doors down. He hefted his weapon, making sure the nosy, older woman saw it, and then gestured for her to return to her apartment and shut the door. The wide-eyed woman instantly complied, closing the door with a bang as Eoghan turned back to Priest’s front door. He reached out and knocked several times, calling out her name and then shook his head before canting it toward the door.

“On three,” he said quietly. “One…two…three!” He pushed open the door and flattened back against the wall. A quick look, then they both moved at once, charging into the apartment, sweeping the front room, weapons at the ready. The apartment had been tossed. Eoghan exchanged a frown with Ari and indicated the hallway. They fell into place, moving down the narrow corridor one at a time, clearing the large full bathroom and both closets on either side of the hallway as they headed to the back of the apartment. Once they’d cleared every room, noting the same mess but no chief, they stopped and looked around.

“You were right, Eoghan,” Ari said, sliding his Glock back into its holster. “You knew something was wrong.”

“Yeah, as soon as I couldn’t reach her at the office or on her cell…dammit!” Eoghan cursed, tucking his own gun away. He followed Ari out to the front room, remembering that the apartment had been bugged and trying to recall whether the chief was going to leave them in place and then deciding that indeed, they were probably being spied on right now. He lifted a finger to his lips when Ari turned to him and mouthed “bugs,” waiting for his acknowledgment before glancing around.

He pulled his work cell out of his pocket and quickly called in the suspicious situation they’d found, after he’d checked she hadn’t turned up at work, and the off chance she was simply one hell of a messy housekeeper who didn’t care about locking her front door. Then he got forensic units rolling out to the scene. After he’d hung up, he turned to Ari.

“What the hell do you think happened here?”

“I have no idea,” he said. “I can’t imagine the chief was a target of any sort. Maybe someone followed her home and robbed her.”

“And took her?” Eoghan said, well aware that someone was probably listening in.

“You think she was kidnapped?” Ari asked. “Why would anyone kidnap the chief?”

Eoghan was busy looking around the apartment, trying to figure out what the intruders had been looking for. But truthfully, Ari was a much better detective than he was. He’d been the one to find Riversong Wilkins’ diary hidden in a crude cubby cut into her bedroom wall. “I have no idea,” Eoghan said for the bugs’ sake as he pulled out gloves, handing a pair to Ari. He began looking through drawers as Ari leafed through a pile of mail on the kitchen island.

Eoghan discovered nothing of note except for the fact that his boss was an avid reader and also liked reading National Geographic magazines and Reader’s Digest. There were two nearly empty bookshelves since most of her impressive collection of books were in haphazard piles on the floor. Some had torn and missing pages and looked like they’d been trampled over. He got extremely angry when he saw the way they’d been abused and vowed to make whoever mistreated the books pay for the deed. Books held a special place in Eoghan’s life, though, no one would know it the past few months.

“I don’t see anything here,” Ari said.

Eoghan looked up, and Ari pointed at the front door. He nodded. “We should go to the office as soon as the forensic team gets here. Maybe we can find a clue as to what happened to her when we get there.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Ari replied.

Eoghan had a terrible feeling, knowing it must have gone down while they were out of town. Maybe they’d been betrayed, or something had given away the fact that the chief was gathering other clans, bands, and tribes in order to help John Townsend. Had someone at the Agency found out what their plans were? What in the hell were they going to do now? As far as he knew, the chief had been the only person in the know about all the moving parts of the counterattack which was being planned to rescue the king’s Flagstaff clan. Why didn’t Townsend return any of their calls either? Had he somehow been betrayed as well? The very idea of it made him sick to his stomach.

“Wait here, Ari,” he said. “I’m going to canvas the neighbors. That lady down the hall stuck her head out when we called out. She seems like the nosy type. Let me see what she knows.”

“Yeah, okay,” Ari said, winking at him.

Eoghan offered him a half smile and went outside. He wasn’t surprised to see several neighbors standing outside on the balcony. The minute he walked out, everyone, including the woman they’d seen before moved toward him.

“Is everything okay, Officer?” she asked. “Is Arizona all right?” She stood on tiptoes, looking around him as if she could miraculously conjure Priest to appear in her apartment’s doorway.

Eoghan took out his star and flashed it quickly so that they didn’t have a lot of time to read the I.S.R. on its engraved surface. “I’m Marshal Eoghan Sapphire. Who here, knows my boss, Deputy Chief Marshal Priest?”

“I know Arizona,” an elderly woman who was hanging back said as others echoed the same. “I’ve lived here thirteen years. Arizona was here when I moved in.”

“I think she’s been here longer than anyone,” a man in a bathrobe said. He reminded Eoghan of Tony Soprano.

“Did you all know her?” Eoghan asked.

“We all knew her,” the first woman said. “Is she missing or dead or something?” Again, she tried to peer around him at the closed door to her apartment.

“We’re having a hard time reaching her, that’s all,” Eoghan said. “Nothing to worry about, I’m sure. Can anyone tell me the last time they saw her?”

“I saw her yesterday morning,” a twenty-something woman said. She glanced at the elderly woman who’d first spoken up and then back at Eoghan. “I was doing my laundry and ran into Arizona in the laundry room. She’s such a nice lady. She asked after my mom.” She looked over at her neighbor, smiled, and put an arm around her bony shoulder before glancing back at Eoghan.

“When was this? When you saw her in the laundry room, I mean?” Eoghan asked.

“ Hmm …it was around seven-thirty,” she said.

“Good. Thank you. And what is your name, please?” Eoghan took out his phone and took notes, flipping to the note he’d started the night before when he realized she still hadn’t returned his multiple calls.

“Kristen Shapiro,” the young woman said. “And this is my mother, Helena Shapiro.”

“Thank you, Ms. Shapiro,” Eoghan said, typing their names into his phone.

“Arizona is always doing that, thinking about other people and asking about them if she didn’t see them in a while,” an older gentleman said. “I live alone and when I broke my hip three summers ago, Arizona made sure to help my caregiver bring my groceries upstairs, and looked in on me when he was away. She even brought my mail from the box in the lobby downstairs. She is a lovely person, son. And for your records, my name is Greg…Gregory Harrison.”

“Thank you,” Eoghan said, typing and nodding to him. He was slightly blown away. All these people seemed to know a different side of his boss than he did. She was always so formal and professional at work. It seemed strange to find out that she was such a homebody…so normal in her off hours. Of course, he shouldn’t find it odd. Everyone did laundry and gathered mail. Unfortunately, none of this helped find her, or explain where she could have gone or who might have taken her.

He tried to recall the last conversation he’d had with her. It had been before they’d left Denver when they’d been at the airport which would have been over twenty-four hours ago. Going by the time he and Ari had spoken to her and the time change, it would have been six a.m. Early for her to be at the office but he was pretty sure she was there when they’d spoken. He’d heard her shuffling papers.

Come to think of it, maybe that had been wrong since they were talking on burners which she wouldn’t have done at her desk with the listening device in place. He tried to recall every word of their conversation and couldn’t come up with anything that she’d said which would give away details of their meetings with Rana and Andy Red Crow. Hearing what Ms. Shapiro said, he began to think she was at home shuffling papers when they’d talked on the phone.

“So, if I understand, the last time anyone saw Chief Priest was yesterday morning around seven-thirty when Ms. Shapiro saw her in the laundry room?” Eoghan asked.

“Well, I didn’t see her after that, but I know she was home around one in the afternoon because she was moving boxes or something heavy upstairs,” a heavyset middle-aged woman said.

“How do you know that?” Eoghan asked.

“Oh, because I live downstairs…right below her.” She pointed to the notes he was taking. “My name is Julie Holiday.”

He typed it in before looking up. “So, at one in the afternoon, she was home moving something heavy?” Eoghan asked, knowing that it wasn’t the chief. It couldn’t have been. It was most likely her captors, going through her things and dropping books on the floor. On a hunch, he asked, “You said you live directly below her. Do you know whether her apartment is set up the way yours is? The same floorplan?”

“Oh, yes, all the end units have similar floorplans.”

“And where were these loud sounds coming from? The bedroom?”

“Well, all over. In the morning, sounds in the bedroom woke me around eight. Then later in the day around one in the afternoon, I heard other loud noises coming through the ceiling as if she was in the front room dropping things…heavy things. It was really annoying and I almost came up here to tell her to knock it off. I was watching my favorite soap opera, that’s how I remember the time so clearly. By the time the show was over, there was no reason to go upstairs because the noise had stopped. Now, I wish I had come upstairs. Maybe I could have saved her or helped her.”

Eoghan shook his head. “If the chief didn’t leave under her own power, it’s probably a very good thing you didn’t come upstairs to investigate. You might have been hurt.” She nodded as he went on. “Now, did the noises sound like they could have been books hitting the ground? In the afternoon, I mean,” Eoghan asked.

“Yes, come to think of it, it very well could have been books. But in the morning, it sounded like she was moving furniture and for a moment, it sounded like several people were stomping around in the bedroom and then the hallway. Later on, it moved to the front room, like I said.”

“Thank you,” Eoghan said, feeling very uneasy. He wasn’t an investigator but he knew enough to ask questions a fugitive hunter would ask. Gladys had taught him that. It sounded like there had been a struggle with more than one person in the bedroom around eight. If she’d been going about her day and doing laundry at seven-thirty, someone might have gone into her apartment and been waiting for her to return and attacked her. They might have then gone through her things, tossing the apartment and dropping books at around one. Even later on, perhaps under the cover of darkness last night, she could have been taken out of the apartment unconscious or God forbid, dead. So, while he’d been trying to reach her last night, someone had been here possibly hurting the chief.

The bottom line was, she’d most likely been found out by their mole and the betrayal was very, very real…

…and scary.