Chapter Ten

Monday morning, Luke arrived at the office and went straight to his desk. He took off his hat and coat before sitting down and opening his computer. He searched for information on Frederick Hancock, Jr. and any connections he may have had.

Luke also made a few phone calls and discovered some troubling things about Hancock. He had been arrested three years ago for domestic violence against his wife, who later divorced him. This solidified Luke's dislike for the man, and he clenched his jaw as he read more about Hancock's history of gambling and mistreatment of his wife. If Hancock were in front of him right now, Luke would happily knock him on his ass.

"Hey, Luke," Beau greeted him as he sat down at his own desk.

"Hey, Beau."

"You look pissed. What's going on?"

"I want to arrest this bastard, but I need more evidence."

"Hancock's son?"

"Yeah." Luke had filled Beau in on Hancock during dinner with their parents the previous evening.

"Are you getting closer to finding something?"

"I'm getting there. His ex-wife hates him and promised to see if she could find out who he's been hanging out with. She still keeps in touch with a friend who is married to one of Hancock's old acquaintances."

"Maybe she'll uncover something useful. Otherwise, it'll just be hearsay."

"I know. Damn, I really want to nail this guy, Beau."

"I understand. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, and do me a favor. Stop letting Brenna hold Leah."

Luke chuckled. "Is she ready for a baby?"

"Yes," Beau growled.

"Well, she should have one... or five."

"Leah is adorable, but Brenna and I just got married."

"So? Bryce and I aren't married."

"You're in love with her."

Luke nodded. "I am. I never thought I'd fall for anyone, but I'm head over heels for her."

"I'm glad to hear it. I thought you'd always be a bachelor. That little girl has you wrapped around her finger."

"Yep, and so does her mama." Luke shrugged. "I couldn't be happier."

"Good. It's about time."

Luke's desk phone rang, so he answered it and got back to work. As he made calls and worked on files, he couldn't help but wonder how Bryce was doing at her new job. She had been excited when they talked about it last night, and he hoped everything was going well for her.

During lunchtime, Luke walked over to the diner. As he crossed the street, he thought he saw the man he had talked to in the elevator, but when he stopped to double-check, the man was nowhere in sight. Shaking his head mentally, Luke dismissed it as his imagination playing tricks on him. But he still had a gut feeling that the man was real and not just a figment of his imagination. He trusted his instincts, which were rarely wrong, and prided himself on following them.

When Luke entered the diner, the bell above the door jingled, and he greeted the people who called out or waved at him. Lanie poured him a cup of coffee as he took a seat at the counter.

"Hey, Luke. What'll it be today?"

"The usual, please, Lanie."

"It's a beautiful day out there, isn't it?"

"For early April, yes. Maybe we're finally done with snow."

Lanie chuckled. "Yeah, right."

Luke joined in her laughter. "You never know around here."

"I love the snow, but I'm ready for spring. Your meal will be out soon."

"Thank you."

As he waited, his phone buzzed, and he pulled it out from his coat to see Maggie Lancaster's number, Hancock's ex-wife. He took a deep breath and stood up, gesturing at his phone as he looked at Lanie. "I need to take this call. I'll be right back." Then he stepped outside.

"Agent McCallister."

"Agent McCallister, this is Maggie Lancaster. I no longer use Hancock. I use my maiden name. I want nothing to do with that man. I got your message. I spoke with Sharon Waters a few weeks ago, and she mentioned that Frederick had tried to borrow money from her husband. When they argued, Lenny suggested Frederick ask his father for the money, but Frederick said his father was no longer giving him any. Sharon also told me that Lenny joked about the value of his father's horses."

Luke's heart skipped a beat. "Well, damn. That could have been all the motivation he needed. Do you think either of them would be willing to speak with me?"

"They're good people so I believe they would talk to you." She gave him their contact information and address then he saved it in his phone.

"Thank you for your help."

"I loved Fred Hancock, and hated how his son treated him. I hope this leads to some justice for him, Agent."

"Thanks again, Ms. Lancaster."

"You're welcome." She hung up.

Luke leaned against the building and let out a sigh of relief. "I've got you now, you son of a bitch."

He pushed off the wall and returned to the diner, taking a seat and enjoying his lunch.

When he returned to the office, he immediately went to Dave's office to tell him about the phone call.

"Where do the Waters' family live?"

"Whitefish."

"Go. Get what information you can. If we can nail him, we'll get in touch with law enforcement, and they can take him when you arrest him."

"Alright. I'll leave tomorrow morning."

"Good work, Luke."

"Thanks." He walked back to his desk, sat down and called Bryce but it went to voicemail. He left a message about leaving in the morning and told her he'd call her as soon as he returned to Clifton.

****

Bryce's face lit up with a smile as she lifted Leah off the blanket on the floor of the daycare center. "Hello, my baby. Mama missed you," she cooed, planting a gentle kiss on her daughter's cheek. Leah responded with a happy giggle and Bryce couldn't help but laugh along.

"She's such a well-behaved girl," commented the young woman who worked at the center.

"Shh, don't say that too loud," Bryce teased with a grin.

"How was your first day?" the woman asked.

"It was great. Most of the time I was just getting familiar with the hospital layout, but it seems like a great place to work."

"It is. Oh, Leah just had a bottle so she should be good for a while. We'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Bryce, bye Leah."

Bryce smiled as she put Leah's coat on her, gathered her bags, and headed out of the hospital. It was almost four o'clock and she was feeling hungry, so she decided to stop at the diner for some food on her way home.

At her car, Bryce carefully secured Leah into her car seat and chuckled as her daughter made noises every time she spoke to her. With Leah safely in the backseat, Bryce hopped behind the wheel, started the car, and drove out of the parking lot.

When she arrived at the diner, she parked near the stairs and carried Leah inside with her. After placing an order to go with Connie, Bryce waited and then picked up her food before heading around to the back of the building.

Once they were inside the apartment, Bryce set Leah down in her bouncy seat and quickly ran downstairs to grab the rest of her daughter's belongings. After bringing everything upstairs, she locked the door and removed both of their coats.

"Mommy needs to change into something more comfortable. I'll be right back," Bryce told Leah as she turned on the music and motion for her mobile to play. The little bears on the mobile began to move in a circle, capturing Leah's attention while Bryce quickly changed in the bedroom.

As she took off her pants, Bryce noticed a missed call and voicemail from Luke. She listened to it and felt a twinge of disappointment as he mentioned going to Whitefish again for work. But she understood that he had a job to do and knew she would see him when he returned.

She walked back to the living room to see Leah still watching the mobile spinning around.

Bryce picked up the bag of food, sat on the sofa, and opened the bag to remove her burger. The smell just about brought her to her knees. She took a bite, then sent Luke a text message.

Hi! I got your message. I'll miss you. Please be careful.

Hey, darlin'. How was your day?"

Wonderful. I think I'll like it there.

Good to hear. I probably won't be home until Wednesday or Thursday.

Okay. Wish I could have seen you tonight.

Me too. I promise to make it up to you.

Yes, you will.

I'm going to grab a shower then hit the sheets. I'm leaving early. I love you, baby.

I love you back.

She smiled as she set the phone down. She would miss him, but she knew he desperately wanted to solve this case for Mr. Hancock.

****

"Tell me something," Mick said into the phone.

"His name is Luke McCallister. He's been an agent for about twenty years, and he's on his way to Whitefish."

"Where the hell is Whitefish?"

"Montana. Considering he's a livestock agent for Montana, he'd be in Montana."

"Don't be a fucking smartass, Craig. What does that have to do with me anyway?"

"He's going to be out of town for a few days. Maybe we don't have to do something to him. We can grab her while he's gone."

Mick sat up. "That's actually a good idea. Did you think of that yourself?"

"Uh…"

"Never mind. How do you know he's going out of town?"

"I saw him today and asked someone who he was since he had a gun, and they told me his name. He was going to that little diner again, so I called the office he works out of and asked for him. The woman who answered said he had just left for lunch, but he was going on a case in Whitefish tomorrow and could be gone a few days. If I needed assistance on a case, she could let me talk to another agent," Craig said smugly.

"So, we're not sure how many days he'll be gone. We're going to have to work fast."

"She's in her apartment now. I don't know where she was all day, but she wasn't there."

"Follow her tomorrow. Stay in the damn parking lot by her apartment overnight if you have to, but we have to know where she's going. And let me know if she takes that kid with her."

"Yes, sir. I'll call you tomorrow." He hung up.

Mick placed his phone on his desk with a grin on his face. Finally.

The door opened and Sally walked in. She sat in the chair across from his desk, folded her arms and stared at him.

"I'm tired of waiting, Mick."

"It's going to happen real soon. Craig will follow her tomorrow and then we'll see when it's best to get her and the… baby."

Sally stood. "This is your last chance," she said, then walked out of the room.

"Damn bitch. I'll get you that damn kid. No matter what." He ran his hand down over his face. "And I hope it makes you happy for once in your miserable life and I won't have to fucking deal with you."

****

Luke drove down a back road until the GPS told him he had reached his destination. He slowed the truck, pulled into the drive, and parked. Exiting the truck, he placed his hat on his head, and walked toward the door.

Before he reached it, a man came out onto the porch. "Can I help you?"

"I hope so, sir. I'm Agent Luke McCallister with the Montana Department of Livestock. I'm looking for Leonard Waters." He removed his badge from his belt to show the man, then attached it again.

The man leaned against the post of the porch. "Why?"

Luke smirked. "Unless you're him, I'm not obligated to tell you."

The man spit on the ground, walked down the steps and headed for Luke. He stood his ground. The man stopped a few feet from him.

"Since I ain't got no livestock, what do you want to talk about?"

"Are you Leonard Waters?" Luke placed his hand on his holstered weapon and unsnapped the retainer button.

"I am."

"Mr. Waters, I was told you're an acquaintance of Frederick Hancock, Jr."

Waters laughed. "Used to be. I haven't talked to him in months."

Luke snapped the retainer button, leaned back against the front of his truck, folded his arms, and tilted his head.

"What was the last conversation about you had with him?"

"Look Mr.—"

"Agent," Luke said.

"Agent. Hancock is a dick. He's got a mean streak in him. I got tired of his bullshit."

"Was that before or after he asked you for money?"

Waters' eyes widened. "How did you know he asked me for money?"

"That doesn't matter. What does matter is, I think when you suggested his father's horses were worth a lot of money, he took it as a way out of his gambling debts."

"Are you shitting me?"

"I have to prove it, but his father's horses were stolen. Fifteen of them were taken from his property, and I mean to find them and arrest who stole them."

"Son of a bitch. Come on in, Agent. Let's have a chat."

"Thank you." Luke followed the man inside.

A woman came into the living room and her eyes widened at the sight of his gun.

"Sharon, this is Agent Luke McCallister with the livestock department. He wants to talk with me about Hancock."

"Junior?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I hope that crazy son of a bitch gets what's coming to him. What he did to Maggie was despicable."

"The agent thinks he stole his father's horses for money."

Mrs. Waters gazed at her husband and then at Luke before bursting into laughter.

"I'm not surprised. You talked to Maggie, didn't you?"

"Yes, ma'am. She told me about Hancock asking you for money and how Mr. Waters mentioned his father's horses being valuable."

"It was just a joke, Agent. I wanted him out of our hair. I can't stand a man who abuses women, children, or animals. And as a livestock agent, I'm sure you feel the same way."

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Can I get you a cup of coffee?" Mrs. Waters offered.

"I would appreciate that, if it's not too much trouble."

"Please have a seat," Waters said.

Luke took off his hat and sat in a wingback chair while Waters settled on the sofa.

"I should have known better than to say something like that to Hancock. He's drowning in debt and desperate. But I never thought he'd go that far."

"His father seems like a decent man."

"I've never met him, but Maggie loved him. She used to say he was the only good thing she got out of her marriage." Waters clenched his jaw tightly. "One day Frederick hit her so hard he broke her jaw. I wanted to beat the shit out of him, but Sharon said it would only make things worse for Maggie." He looked at Luke. "We helped her leave him. If he found out, we'd be dead. He's sick in the head. Last time he asked me for money, I told him to get off my property. I didn't have that kind of cash, and even if I did, he'd be the last person I'd give it to. I suggested he try his father again. He said his father refused to give him anything. I jokingly said, well, he has a lot of expensive horses, maybe he could sell one for you. I swear on my life, Agent McCallister, I never told him to steal them."

"I believe you." Luke stood up as Mrs. Waters walked in with his coffee. "Thank you, ma'am." Once she sat down, Luke did. "I met with Hancock recently. Of course, he denied knowing anything about the horses being taken. I knew he was lying, but I had no proof. Until I found his ex-wife and called her." He shook his head. "He sounds like a real piece of work. It doesn't seem possible that he's related to Fred Hancock. He's a nice man, but he is also aware of his son's problems. He told me how his son asked him for more money, but he refused to give him any. It wasn't long after that the horses went missing. One Shire could be worth up to twenty thousand dollars, and Hancock must know it. I'll have to pay him another visit and let him think I know for sure. But, if it goes to court, you may have to testify."

"I have no problem with that."

Luke placed his empty cup on the end table and stood up. "I appreciate your time. Both of you. I'll be in touch."

Luke shook their hands, walked out onto the porch, and sighed. Damn. He had to get that bastard. He jogged down the steps, climbed into his truck and drove back toward the hotel room, but changed his mind, and headed for the dealership.

After parking, he got out of the truck and was approached by the same young man from before. As soon as he saw that it was Luke, he turned around and went back inside. Luke couldn't help but grin.

He strode to the desk where the receptionist sat. When she saw him, she sighed. She opened her mouth, but he shook his head, and entered the office quietly, hoping to catch him off guard. Hancock was on the phone again with his back to him.

"I don't want to hear you can't sell them. They're expensive horses. Hell, take ten thousand each for them. That's a hell of a deal."

Luke slammed the door closed, making Hancock spin around in his chair. If Luke wasn't so pissed at this situation, he would have laughed at the look on the man's face. Walking to the chair, Luke sat down, propped his feet on the desk, then raised his eyebrow.

Hancock hung up the phone without saying another word as he stared at Luke.

"What kind of horses are you selling? I might be interested." Luke smirked.

Hancock didn't take his eyes off Luke but didn't say anything. Luke sighed, put his feet down, and sat forward.

"I know you stole those horses and from the sound of it, you're having trouble selling them. If you cooperate with me, and tell me where they are, I could get you a lighter sentence. If they're in good health."

"I don't know—"

"Stop. Just fucking stop. Cut the bullshit. I know everything, Hancock. I've talked to people; people who would love to see you end up in prison." Luke stood up, placed his hands on the desk and glared at Hancock. "Where are they?"

"I want a lawyer."

"You're going to need one. Get up. Turn around, put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest." After he snapped on the handcuffs, he placed a call to the local sheriff's office, then led Hancock outside, read him his rights, put him in the back of his truck and waited for the deputies to arrive.

****

Wednesday morning, Bryce carried Leah down the steps, set her in her car seat, put the bags on the floor, then climbed behind the wheel. She yawned as she started the SUV, then drove down the alley and out onto Main Street.

Lord, she was tired. Leah had kept her up half the night. She wasn't hungry or needing a change of diaper, she wanted to play. No matter what Bryce did to get her to sleep, she wanted to stay awake.

Bryce looked into the rearview mirror to see her daughter sound asleep.

"Of course, you sleep now." Bryce knew it was common with newborns to confuse day and night but not at three months old. "I hope they keep you awake today so I can get some sleep tonight. I can't be tired at my job, baby. It's a new job. Do you want mama to get fired for falling asleep while at work?"

As she drove along the road toward the hospital, she couldn't help but notice a car following behind. Shaking her head, she knew it could just be someone going the same way, but she couldn't stop looking into the mirror. She could make out a man wearing dark sunglasses, but that was all.

When she came to the intersection where she turned right, he was still behind her.

"Bryce, you're getting paranoid. Mick could not have found you," she muttered.

God, she hoped not, but when she drove to the hospital Monday and yesterday, no one was behind her. That doesn't mean anything! You were earlier both days.

"Yeah, that's it. I was much earlier Monday since it was my first day, and I'd heard about the accident yesterday so I had to get an earlier start." Satisfied with that, she drove into the hospital's parking lot, then into the section for employees. She sat in the car and watched the car that was behind her, drive past then out the other side of the lot. He drove back the way he'd come.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself, but she was terrified. She pushed the door open, stepped out, opened the back, lifted Leah and her bags out, then hurried into the hospital.

Once inside, she leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths, and trying not to hyperventilate.

"Are you alright?" a woman asked her.

"Yes…"

"You don't look it. Come with me."

"I'm fine, I have to get to work."

"What department do you work in?"

"I'm a phlebotomist. I just started Monday. I can't be late."

"Please, come into my office and take a seat. You look like you're going to pass out."

Bryce nodded and followed the woman into an office. She sat down but couldn't stop shaking.

"I'm Piper Griffen. What's your name?"

"Bryce Spencer."

"Rita is your boss, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Piper picked up the phone from her desk and made a call. Bryce didn't hear a word she said because her heart was beating so hard.

"Rita is on her way. Is this your daughter?" Piper smiled.

"Yes, this is Leah. She's three months old."

"She is beautiful. I'm one of the administrators here. It's nice to meet you."

"Yes, ma'am. You too."

"Bryce, are you alright?" Rita asked as she entered the room.

"Y-yes."

"No, something's wrong. What is it? You can tell us. It will go no further."

Bryce took a deep breath and told them about Mick. When they didn't say anything, she looked at them to see them looking at each other. They didn't believe her. She got to her feet.

"I need to get Leah to daycare."

"Bryce, honey, sit down. Take some deep breaths. You're safe inside the hospital," Rita said. "Let's get your coats off."

Bryce looked at them as she removed her coat, then took Leah's off her. "You believe me?"

"Of course, we do," Piper said. "We have both been there."

"I'm so scared he found me. He'll try to take Leah."

"I think we need to call Sam and let him know."

"Who is Sam?" Bryce asked.

"The sheriff."

"I don't know…"

"Bryce, you will need protection. No one can be with you twenty-four seven, but Sam can have his deputies be with you on different shifts."

"I need to call Luke."

"Luke?" Rita asked.

"Luke McCallister. We're… seeing each other, but he's out of town right now." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I know Luke. Do you want me to call him?" Piper asked.

"No, I don't want to worry him. He'd try to get back here as fast as he can, and I don't want him to get hurt."

"I understand. I'm calling Sam. You just sit here and relax." Piper picked up the phone.

"But my job."

"Is fine. I'm your boss. I'll let them know you're running late. You weren't drawing any blood yet anyway. I was going to wait until next week for that. This week was to familiarize you with the hospital." Rita touched her hand. "Do you want me to take Leah to the daycare? She'll be safe there. No one without proper identification can take a child out."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Trust me. No one will get near her who isn't supposed to be."

"I don't know. I'm too scared to leave her."

"That's fine. She can stay with you." Rita smiled.

"Sam is on his way," Piper said. "Let me get you a cup of coffee." She walked out of the office.