Montana Fire (21 page)

“You don’t have this password protected?”

“I’m the only one here.” He turned his back to her and scrolled through the file names
in the finder. “What are you hoping to learn?”

“Not sure.” When he appeared satisfied, he asked the man taking photos to have them
dust the keyboard for prints.

“Won’t that mess it up?” Jamie couldn’t afford to buy another laptop.

“He’ll be careful.”

This was a nightmare. After the office, she stepped into her bedroom. If she had thought
the kitchen was bad, this room was even worse.

Jamie’s chin wobbled. “Assholes. The thieves didn’t miss a drawer.”

Clothes had been tossed all over the floor, the pockets of her pants and coats turned
inside out. She should have been embarrassed that her underwear was in plain sight,
but she was too upset to worry about propriety now. Christ. It was going to take forever
to clean everything up.

“Fuck.” Max dragged a hand over his head. “What the hell were they looking for?”

“Whatever it was, they didn’t find it. If they had, the destruction wouldn’t have
extended to the whole house. They would have stopped when they located it.”

“You’re right.”

“Do you think they’ll come back, thinking they can beat it out of me?” Shivers of
fear skated up and down her body at the possibility.

“They won’t get the chance since you won’t be here.”

She’d be at Max’s. Jamie looked up at him. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Max leaned close and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t want to think about it.”

She and Max were still in the bedroom surveying the mess when a tall man knocked and
stepped in. Jamie recognized him from the wedding. He was Dan Hartwick, Cade and Thad’s
boss, and the man Max used to work for.

“Jamie,” Dan said. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded. Max placed a light touch on her shoulder. “Go ahead and gather what you
can. I have a washer and dryer so you can recycle your outfits.”

“How long before I can come back?”

“It could be weeks. If domestic terrorists are responsible for this, I think it would
be wise if we lock down the house until this issue is cleared up.”

“Weeks?” At least she’d be with Max.

“Or more, honey.” Max tugged her close. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“I’m counting on it.” While she knew very little about domestic terrorists, she bet
they had military training and were experts at hiding. “I just hate that some crazy
men get to decide how to run my life. Hell, we don’t even know if the person or persons
who broke in had anything to do with Vic Hart or the clinic.”

“True, but I’m not taking any chances. Whoever was here was a bad person. That’s all
we need to know.”

“You’re right.”

“First things first. Go pack.”

This royally sucked. As soon as Dan slipped back out into the hallway, she dragged
both of her suitcases from the heap on the floor, tossed the cases on the bed, and
stuffed in as many clothes that would fit.

“Excuse me for a sec. I need a few things from the bathroom.” Jamie stepped over the
debris and trekked down the hall. Thankfully, the cop who’d been in there had finished
taking photos.

Finding anything, however, proved to be more difficult than locating her clothing.
Nothing was where she’d left it, but she did the best she could to gather her essentials.
When she returned to the bedroom, Max was conferring with Trent.

She joined them, waving a Band-Aid box. “This person is certifiably crazy. He dumped
the contents in the sink then threw the box on the floor. Was he just being vindictive
or did he really think I kept hidden treasures inside?”

Max’s brows rose. “Who knows what goes through a criminal’s mind.”

“If only I were a diamond thief, it might make sense. Could they have me mixed up
with someone else?”

“I don’t think it’s smart to start thinking like that. Next thing you know, we’ll
be chalking this up to a random event, and that could put you in even more danger.”
Max tapped his chest. “Not going to happen on my watch.”

She shook her head. “I should just put a sign on my door telling them I don’t have
whatever it is they want.”

Max strode over to her and clasped her shoulders. “Don’t even think it.”

The urgency in his voice shook her. “I was only kidding.”

When he lowered his hands down her arms, his touch brought her much needed relief.
His protective side made her feel like she wasn’t so alone.

“Sorry,” he said. “It’s just that we don’t need people finding out about this. There
will be chaos if the town learns of the danger of possible terrorists. The FBI needs
to neutralize them first.”

“I know, I know. You told me to keep my mouth shut and I plan to do just that.” He
held her gaze for a while. She couldn’t handle any more bad news. “What is it?”

“What has me worried is if the perpetrators think you’re working for the FBI, too.”

Now Max had lost his mind. “That’s ridiculous. I’m a nurse.”

He lifted one shoulder. “It’s not any crazier than a homeless man being a federal
agent.”

Max didn’t need to say her fate might be the same if these men found her. She grabbed
his arm. “Can we go? I don’t want to stay here longer than necessary.”

“Sure. Let’s let Dan know.” Max picked up both of her suitcases as if they weighed
nothing.

Jamie reached out to grab one, but he gave her a look that told her to not even try.

“I want to take my laptop in case they come back. They could sell a working computer
at a flea market.”

In a way, she wished they had taken a few big-ticket items. Ordinary thieves would
have been easier to deal with. These men might not want her possessions, but it made
her feel better having the laptop with her.

Once she stuffed her computer in her large purse, Max led her into the living room
where the cops were going to town fingerprinting every available surface. Black powder
coated her precious possessions.

Jamie grunted. “If these thieves are the experts you think they are, I bet they wore
gloves.”

“Most likely, but it’s hard to open small boxes and feel for what’s inside if your
hands are covered.” He nodded to the Frosted Flakes on the floor.

“Did they think I’d hide something in the cereal?”

“People conceal things in the strangest places. We can only hope they made a mistake.”

She had little confidence they had. Jamie shivered and looked over at the broken window.
“It’s freezing in here. I’ll need to get someone to fix that. I don’t want squirrels
or other animals getting in.”

“I’ll take care of it. Hey, Dan? Can you have someone fix the window? Someone who
you can trust to keep things quiet?”

“Sure. I’ll also have a cleaning service come in and straighten up the place.”

Not having to worry about this mess was a huge relief. “Thank you.”

Dan picked his way over to them. “It’s always the worst when an innocent bystander
gets drawn into the fray.” Dan looked over at Max. “Keep her safe.”

“You can count on it.”

Before they made it to the front, a knock sounded on the door, and a man of medium-height,
with a dark crew cut, dressed in a black suit, entered. He flashed a badge, but closed
the leather case so fast Jamie couldn’t tell what agency he was with. Since Vic Hart
worked with the FBI, Jamie suspected this man did, too.

The two cops taking photos continued to work, but they glanced his way. Max stepped
in front of her as if to keep her from harm, and Dan moved quickly to greet the newcomer.

“May I help you?” Dan asked.

“I’m Special Agent Chuck Forbes of the FBI.” The haughty man glanced over at Jamie
then back at Dan. “Vic Hart worked with us.” Agent Forbes straightened his shoulders
as if he didn’t like Dan towering over him.

The tension in Dan’s face disappeared. “Thank God. Maybe we can finally get some answers.”

Chapter Seventeen

“I
’ll do my best.” Special Agent Forbes looked around and shook his head. “Someone wanted
something badly.”

“How did you know to come here?” Dan asked.

Jamie liked that Max’s former boss was cautious. She’d wondered the same thing about
the man.

“I first stopped by the station, and they told me about the break-in, but I didn’t
expect this.” He waved a hand.

“You part of the team that’s in town?”

“No. I work in Washington. The team here works for me. After the incident with Vic,
I flew out.”

“Did Hart suspect the terrorists were onto him?” Dan sounded very professional.

Forbes dragged a hand down his clean-shaven chin. “I’m not sure what Vic suspected.
He was in touch nightly with the others, but he never hinted that his cover was blown.”
Forbes turned to her. “Are you Jamie Henderson?” She was pleased that his tone had
softened.

“Yes.”

He held out his hand and she shook it. A faint aroma of cigarettes clung to his clothes,
along with the aroma of cherry scented gum. He must be trying to quit smoking.

“One of the men at the station said you were Vic’s friend. Did he say anything to
you about being compromised?”

“Are you kidding? Until a few minutes ago, I thought Jonathan was a homeless man.
Not some FBI guy.”

Chuck’s lips pressed together and glanced around again. “Seems someone doesn’t believe
you.”

He might be right, but she didn’t like the gruffness in his tone. “Trust me. I was
totally in the dark here until a few minutes ago.”

Chuck Forbes glanced at Max. She thought she caught a look of admiration, before he
turned back to her. “I’m sorry. This must be a tough time for you. I heard you were
close to Dr. Withers, too.”

“Yes. Are you saying the men who harmed Vic are the same ones who murdered Dr. Withers?
Do you think they are responsible for all this?” He couldn’t know that for sure.

“Let’s say, it’s a strong possibility.” He looked over at Max, raised his brows, and
held out his hand. “Sorry. Chuck Forbes.”

“Max Gruden. I’m investigating the warehouse fire where Vic was beaten and left to
die.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to let both you and Detective Hartwick know that the
FBI will be taking over all three investigations. I know you’ve been working on the
warehouse fire, and we appreciate it, but it’s necessary for us to consolidate the
leads. If you could turn over your notes, it would save us time.”

Max’s fingers tightened around her waist. “I’d like to help, if I can.” While he kept
his tone even—friendly even—knowing Max, he wouldn’t be happy being left out of the
loop.

Trent came into the living room from the bedroom, and Dan introduced him as the lead
on Yolanda’s death. Agent Forbes repeated his request for all information on the case.
Trent’s face turned unreadable, but she bet he wasn’t happy about the change of plans
either.

“Gentlemen, I know no one likes to give up an investigation, but I assure you my men
and I can handle it. Understand that our nation might be at risk.” Forbes shifted
his gaze back to Dan. “I brought a few agents with me from Washington. They’re at
the hospital now. When Vic wakes up, we’ll need to learn what he knows.”

Is that all he cared about? Information? “You need to protect him,” she said. “Once
they find out Vic is alive, they might want to finish the job.”

“Young lady, I assure you, we will do everything possible to protect our agent. He’s
an extremely valuable asset.”

His attitude was condescending, but she liked his willingness to make sure nothing
happened to her friend. “Good.”

Max stiffened. “Jamie and I will be leaving town for a while.”

Forbes looked pleased. “That’s a good idea.”

Wait a minute
. She and Max were leaving town? Chills crisscrossed her body. He’d said she’d be
safe at his house. Rational thought returned. Now that he no longer had to work on
the warehouse case, and the concept that the terrorists might think she had something
that she didn’t, it would be best to leave. She looked up at him. “What should I tell
the clinic?”