Unwitting Alliances - Hunter Blake Series by Peggy Lea Baker

Chapter Four

  Buster was thoroughly checked out by a local veterinarian who noted the welts were fairly recent. Now sporting a new ID chip implant, Buster happily napped in a sunny spot on the living room carpet.

  Hunter sat in a nearby chair with his feet propped up on the coffee table. A cozy fire crackled in the fireplace to ward off the persistent winter chill. He was half-way through one of a few scripts he’d been offered before the CAMEOs took place. Reading through one Daniel Davenport had given him, he was trying to get a feel for the part he’d been offered.

  Although somewhat intrigued, he was having a hard time concentrating and subsequently put it aside to gaze out a window from his chair. With the drapes drawn back, he could see mountains across the valley glistening with snow.

  Hunter stood up and stretched, then walked to the back door, grabbing his coat from a hook on the way. He admired the white landscape from the porch. “I love it here,” he said. His thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. Pulling out his phone, he glanced at the screen and raised an eyebrow then answered, “Hello?”

  “How’s it going?” the caller asked.

  Hunter knew his voice and was immediately annoyed. “Now what do you want?”

  “Is that any way to talk to your favorite brother?” the caller asked.

  “You’re my only brother. What do you want?”

  “Just to hear the sound of your voice.”

  “I’ll bet,” Hunter replied. “Since when did you decide to block your phone number? Worried I’d stop answering? How much do you need this time?”

  “So many questions but not one, ‘How are you?’ I’m hurt, big brother.”

  “How much, Andrew?”

  “Not a dime. Just checking in.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Okay. Have it your way. So where are you?” Andrew asked.

  “What difference does that make? Just tell me what you want so I can get back to work.”

  “Work? You on another film project already? Don’t you ever take time to relax?”

  “I am relaxing… or I was.”

  “Yeah, well considering how quiet it is, I’m guessing you’re back at the ranch.”

  “Why do you care where I am? It can’t be quiet inside my house in L.A.?”

  “I usually hear lawn mowers in the back ground or that big old clock of yours in the foyer chiming every fifteen minutes.”

  “We haven’t been talking for fifteen minutes.”

  “No, but it’s a quarter past the hour. It would have chimed by now.”

  “What does my damn clock have to do with anything! Drew! What’d’ya want!” Hunter demanded.

  “Just checking in with my big brother, okay? Wondered how you’re doing. Just wanted to catch up, that’s all.”

  “Since when have you ever wanted to catch up?” Hunter sputtered in exasperation. “You always want something and it usually translates into cash!”

  “Not always.”

  Hunter said something unintelligible under his breath.

  “Never mind,” Andrew replied. “Just thought I’d call.” The line went dead.

  “Damn!” Hunter spewed through clenched teeth. Buster was at the back door and let out a bark. Hunter quickly opened the door. “Don’t worry, pal. I’m not mad at you. Just an annoying call from my idiot brother, that’s all.” Hunter stormed back inside with Buster at his heels.

  “Hungry?” he asked. “I am.” Standing with the refrigerator door wide open, Hunter examined the contents then closed it. “I want a hamburger. How about you?” Buster wagged his tail in response. “Well then, let’s go see Mitch.”

  Still wearing his coat, he loaded his pockets with the usual items and went outside with Buster, locking the door and giving it a good shake before climbing down the steps. Minutes later they were enjoying a scenic drive out to the highway on their way to a favorite hamburger joint about thirty minutes away.

  The diner wasn’t too busy, mostly because of the weather, which suited Hunter just fine. He sat at the counter to chat with Mitch until two seared burgers were ready then took them out to Buster on a paper plate. Once back inside, he settled into a favorite booth.

  Mitch brought his food then picked up the conversation again. “So, you sticking around for a while this time?” he asked as he set the plate down.

  “Yeah. I’m enjoyed the peace and quiet and spending time with Buster.”

  “So I noticed.” Mitch smiled then changed the subject. “Forecast says we might see a warming spell.” He chuckled. “Maybe a degree or two. I’m looking forward to spring,” he said. “I usually get more customers when the weather is better.”

  “Yeah,” Hunter agreed. “Warmer weather would be nice. It was cold and rainy when I left Los Angeles a few weeks ago.”

  Mitch nodded. “He seems happy enough,” he said looking out at the truck. Buster was sitting up licking his chops and watching Mitch through the window. He barked a couple of times.

  Hunter laughed. “I guess he’s ready to go.” Mitch went back to the kitchen and Hunter took his time enjoying the hamburger. Finally getting up to leave, he left payment on the table, including a generous tip, and gave a wave to Mitch as he walked out to his truck.

  Half an hour later, he pulled up to the ranch house and parked. Buster scrambled over Hunter and jumped to the ground as soon as the door opened. “Darned dog,” he said and he climbed out. He mounted his porch steps and had his key out then noticed the door was slightly ajar. “I know I locked this before I left,” he mumbled, then nervously glanced about. Retreating down the steps, he let out a short whistle. Buster raced back with his usual enthusiasm.

  “Get back in the truck,” he said, trying to stay calm. Buster stopped to sniff the air then let out a low growl. “What is it?” Hunter asked. “Somebody in there?” He looked at the house with an uneasy feeling.

  Holding the door open, he urged Buster to jump in then quickly joined him. His first thought was to call the sheriff and meet them down the road. Instead, he drove up to his helicopter parked a short distance away. Within minutes they lifted off. Hovering for a moment, Hunter watched, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever might be inside.

  Then without warning, a ping and simultaneous spark bounced off the nose of his aircraft just missing the windshield. In a split second, he made a beeline over the house, and disappeared beyond a nearby snow-covered hilltop. A couple of miles further he banked around and headed northwest for Frank Bradley’s place.

  Frank had been a friend and confidant to Hunter for a number of years. They originally met in Los Angeles while attending a charity event for a children’s organization. Hunter learned that Frank was an attorney living in northern Idaho and ended up exchanging contact information with him before the evening was over.

  A common love of flying also helped them bond. Over time, Hunter developed a trust and close relationship with Frank that he didn’t have with his other attorneys. He enjoyed the fact that Frank wasn’t part of the Hollywood scene. His work focused on criminal law unrelated to the entertainment industry. And it was through Frank that Hunter found and eventually purchased his Idaho property. If there was anyone he felt he could really trust it was Frank.

  Within minutes, he was setting down at the snowy end of a private airstrip near the Bradley home. The front door opened and Karen stepped out onto her porch to greet him as he and Buster climbed out of the aircraft. With a wide grin, she waved him inside.

  “Hurry in out of the cold,” she said, giving him a big hug. “My gosh! It’s been a while,” she exclaimed, quickly closing the door. “I saw the awards program. Congratulations! Again!”

  “Thanks,” he mumbled, somewhat embarrassed.

  “I see you brought a friend,” she said looking out a window.

  Hunter couldn’t help but smile as he watched his companion run around exploring the Bradley’s yard. “Do you mind if Buster come
s in too?” he asked.

  “No... as long as you clean his feet first and he doesn’t jump on the furniture.” She smiled at Hunter.

  “He’s good. He’ll behave.” Hunter opened the door and whistled for his dog.

  “When did you get him?” Karen asked.

  “Soon after I got back from Los Angeles.”

  “Let me take your coat and I’ll get a towel for Buster.”

  “Thanks,” he said.

  She looked at him and noticed he seemed upset. “What’s wrong, Hunter?”

  “Frank home?” he asked.

  “No. He’s at the office. What is it, Hunter? What’s wrong?”

  “Somebody just took a shot at me,” he said abruptly, as Buster trotted in and stood next to Hunter.

  “What!” Karen was incredulous. “Are you hurt? Did you get hit?”

  “No, I’m fine, but I need to talk to Frank.”

  “Of course! Let me grab a towel then I’ll call him right away.” Karen hurried to the kitchen and came back with a towel then called Frank. “He’s on his way but it’ll be about forty-five minutes or so, especially with the road conditions.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll just sit here and wait if you don’t mind,” Hunter said.

  “You can stay as long as you like. Stay the night if you need to. You know you’re always welcome here.”

  “I know. But I feel like I’m imposing since I haven’t been around much. I just get so busy and…”

  “It’s okay, Hunter. We understand. Can I get you something?”

  “No, thanks.” He drew in a deep breath and let it out slow. “Who would want to shoot me? What did I do?”

  “I have no idea. Let’s just wait for Frank to get here. He’ll know what to do. He always does, it seems.”

  “Yeah,” Hunter said, focusing on the flames dancing in the fireplace. Karen excused herself and went back to the kitchen and he sat on the sofa to wait. Bewildered and worried, he watched Buster who had curled up in front of the fire.

  The minutes seemed to creep along slowly as he waited. Eventually Frank arrived home and burst through the front door. “Hunter! What happened? Karen said something about you being shot. Are you hurt? Need a doctor?”

  “No. No, I’m fine, I’m not shot. A bullet hit my rig, though. But we’re okay.”

  “We?”

  “Yeah, me and Buster.”

  Karen pointed to Hunter’s dog, which rose up at the sound of his name then returned to his nap in the warmth of the crackling fire.

  Frank nodded as he hung up his coat then sat down. “Okay. So, tell me what happened.”

  “Well, we just got home from having lunch. Buster and I went to Mitch’s place… and when we got back to the ranch I started to unlock the door but noticed it was slightly open, so I decided not to go in,” he stressed.

  “Good decision,” Frank said.

  “I remember locking that door, Frank,” Hunter insisted. “Anyway, I put Buster back in the truck, but he seemed really interested in the house and was growling. I was going to call the sheriff but decided to fly here instead and talk to you first.”

  “Tell me more about the gunshot,” Frank said.

  “I lifted off and was hovering for a moment thinking maybe I could see something, and then I heard the ricochet and saw a spark so I high-tailed it out of there! For a moment it felt like I was back in Vietnam getting shot at by snipers, you know?

  “And that’s it? Nothing else?”

  “That’s it. Well, except for a crazy phone call from my brother earlier this morning. He’s such an idiot. Said he called to see how I was doing. He never calls to see how I’m doing. He always wants something.”

  “What did he say, exactly?” Frank asked.

  “Just a bunch of crap about wanting to catch up.” Hunter stood up. “I can handle my brother, Frank. It’s that gunshot that worries me.” He frowned then let out a half-hearted laugh. “You don’t think Drew shot at me do you? I mean, hell, he’s my brother and maybe sometimes we don’t see eye-to-eye, but…”

  “Having met your brother, no, I don’t think Drew would do that, not if he counts on you for money from time to time.” Frank grinned.

  “Yeah, well I’m sure he thinks he’s the primary beneficiary of my will.” Hunter let out another laugh. “He’s in for a big surprise.”

  Frank nodded then said, “It’s for certain you can’t go back home, at least not yet. You’ll stay here.”

  “Absolutely,” Karen agreed. “I’ll go get your room ready right now.”

  “I can get a room at the Resort. You don’t have to go to any trouble.”

  “You’re staying right here,” Frank said. “No argument.”

  “Okay. Fine,” Hunter said. “I would feel a little safer here, I guess. Plus, they probably wouldn’t let me keep Buster in the room.”

  Frank got up and walked to his study, closing the door while Karen hurried upstairs to prepare the guest room. Hunter leaned back, staring at the fire again. When Karen finally came back downstairs, she headed to the kitchen and brought back a piece of apple pie. “Eat this. It’ll make you feel better.”

  “Okay, thanks,” he said and dug in.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “What’s taking Frank so long?” he asked.

  “I could hear him on the phone when I came downstairs. I’m sure he’s taking care of everything. You know him. He has all kinds of contacts. They’ll figure this out. You’ll see.”

  Frank stepped out of his office a few minutes later, and rejoined Hunter and Karen. “I’ve made some calls and a team is on their way to check your place to see what they can find. In the meantime, can you think of anything else? Anything at all?”

  Hunter shook his head slowly, trying to think. “No. I don’t think so,” he replied.

  Frank nodded. “Do you mind if I take a look at Buster?”

  “No. Go ahead. He’s friendly. Won’t bite.”

  Frank called to Buster and patted his knee. Buster stood up and looked at Hunter with his ears laid back. “It’s okay, pal, Frank won’t bite either.” Hunter held out his hand. “Come on.” Buster stepped closer and Frank gently urged him over. Buster yielded, but kept his eyes on Hunter.

  Methodically, Frank ran his hands down Buster’s back and examined his neck, fingering the blue dog collar he was wearing. “Seems healthy enough except for a few scabs.” Frank gave him one more pat then sat back. “I’d like a veterinarian to examine him, if that’s okay.”

  “I already had him examined by a vet who said he thought Buster had been mistreated. I even got him an ID microchip implant... you know, just in case.”

  “I understand, but I’d still like him examined by someone I know.”

  “Sure, Frank. Whatever you say, but I don’t understand why.”

  “Just a precaution.”

  “Precaution? Against what?”

  “You know me,” Frank said. “I like to be thorough. Do you think he’ll go with me in my car?” he asked.

  “What. You mean right now?”

  “Yes.” Frank stood up.

  “Can’t it wait until tomorrow? We’re both kind of tired.”

  “I’d rather do this now.”

  “Well then I’d better come too,” Hunter started to stand up.

  “I think it would be best if you stay here with Karen,” Frank said.

  “But...”

  “Fewer questions that way,” Frank gave him a look.

  “Oh. Sure. Okay, but I’ll help you get him in the car.” Moments later, Hunter and Karen watched Frank pull away.

  “I wonder what Frank’s worried about?” Hunter asked.

  “Hard to say,” Karen replied. “But like he said, he likes to be thorough. I’m sure he’ll let us know when he gets back. In the meantime, try to relax a little. Watch TV, lie down, have some more pie, whatever you like. Just make yourself at ho
me.” She grinned. “I have laundry to fold so I’ll leave you alone.”

  Hunter sat down and continued to stare at the fire. It was almost hypnotic. He mulled over the day’s events, first with the call from his brother, then the break-in, and then the gunshot. Now Frank wanted his dog examined by another vet. He thought about having more pie but decided to lie down instead and went upstairs.

  Two hours later, he was startled awake by the sound of voices and cautiously went downstairs. Frank was back.

  “How’d it go? Everything okay?” he asked Frank when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

  “I think so. They gave him some antibiotics for a couple of welts that were showing signs of infection.”

  “Where is he?”

  “They’re going to keep him overnight for observation. You can pick him up tomorrow.”

  “Observation? For an infection? Was it that bad?” The other vet said the welts were fairly recent but he didn’t say anything about an infection.”

  “Just a precaution.”

  “A precaution,” Hunter repeated.

  “Yes. Doug agreed there was definitely evidence of previous mistreatment. Evidently a couple of the scabbed areas hadn’t healed completely.”

  “No wonder Buster was happy to come home with me, although he didn’t want to have anything to do with the barn. Seemed afraid of it for some reason.”

  “Interesting,” Frank said. “Well, he’s lucky to have you. So, out of curiosity, what prompted you to get a dog?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” he started to say then corrected himself. “Well, sure I do.” He related the conversation he’d had with Gerry the night of the CAMEOs.

  “Okay,” Frank said. “Well in the meantime, you’ll stay here until we decide when it’s safe for you to go back to your place.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “I don‘t know, but my team is still up there. I should hear from them later this evening or early tomorrow morning.”

  Hunter shoved his hands in his pockets. “So much for peace and quiet.”