Page 54 of Storm Warning

“I’m not putting you in any more danger than you are already in for agreeing to inform them.”

“That’s just it, Remi. I never agreed. I didn’t inform them, but they had bugged my calls. I’m a liability. Now you need to go deep into hiding until this is all over. One day, it will end.”

“I was already in hiding! And now my life is being threatened. I’m not running or hiding anymore. You once told me that I would remember when I was ready. I’ve started to remember bits and pieces, but nothing makes sense. I thought if we could talk—you know like we used to...”

Dr. Holcomb glanced at the door and shook her head, then dragged her gaze back to Remi. “I’m so sorry that I can’t help you. I’m taking the ferry across to British Columbia. Someone has been following me, and I hope they don’t follow me onto that ferry. I have to go now.” Dr. Holcomb pushed past her, down the hall, and through the exit door into the gusty, rain-filled afternoon.

Remi followed her. Lindie kept to the shadows but picked up her pace, heading toward the ferry.

“Who’s following you?” Remi ran to catch up. “Whowants me dead for something I can’t remember? If you know what’s going on, you have to tell me!”

Lindie paused and turned around. She stood out from under the awning now, her rain-washed face filled with fear and regret.

“They don’t want you dead, Remi. Not yet. You have something they wantfirst. And then all bets are off.” Lindie closed the distance, touched Remi’s forehead. “They want what’s locked in here.”

“Who arethey?” Remi needed to know who had sent Cole for her.

But Dr. Lindie Holcomb had already turned and rushed toward the ferry ramp. Remi would like to get on that ferry with her, but the woman made it clear she didn’t want any part of this, and that was without knowing what Remi knew—that Hawk’sbrotherwas the assassin after her.

It might be some sort of madness that persuaded her that sticking close to Hawk was a good idea.

22

Growling under his breath, fisting and refisting his hands, he stalked through the crowd after Remi. He’d seen her rush into the ladies’ room moments ago. Her friend Hank had finished talking, and now a band was entering the stage. Loud music was about to shift this entire scene, and the crowd would probably grow more raucous. Dancing Bigfoots everywhere. Now, that would be a sight to avoid.

An entire family dressed for the part stood between him and Remi.

“Excuse me. I’m so sorry. Excuse me.” He didn’t miss the glares from the parental Sasquatches as he tried to cut through. But come on! Maybe they were upset because they hadn’t won the contest—“the best-dressed Bigfoot wins”—he didn’t know.

Didn’t care.

He just needed to get to Remi, and he was doing his best to remain patient and act polite.

Frustration fueled his breath as he entered the hallway, then he approached the facilities. A line had formed outside. A couple of women who weren’t dressed up exitedthe ladies’ room, and two more pushed in. Had he missed Remi’s exit? He didn’t feel comfortable going in to check things out, but he needed to know that she was okay.

“Excuse me.” Hawk directed his words to a thirtysomething woman in white fur. Was she a Yeti? “I’m looking for someone. Can you ask Remi if she’s still inside?” He hoped that anyone coming or going would check.

“Sure.” She opened the door but didn’t step inside. “Hey, Remi. You in there? Your boyfriend is waiting.”

A couple of women in armor exited and gave him a funny look. “What are you supposed to be?” He had no idea why he’d blurted that out. He didn’t care.

“Mandalorian. What planet are you on?”

Earth? But he didn’t have time to engage and shouldn’t have started a conversation. The clueless look on his face must have given him away.

“The Star Wars universe? Hello?” The two women laughed and kept walking.

Good.

Okay. “Remi, you in there?” He opened the door and called into the restroom. Then let the door close.

The woman who’d initially called for Remi shrugged. “Either she isn’t in there or she’s avoiding you. She might have ditched you for being so possessive that you have to stalk her in the women’s bathroom.”

He didn’t offer a reply. It wasn’t like he’d actually gone in, so her claim was completely false. He’d seen Remi go inside. Could he have missed her leaving the restroom? If so, she must have gone out one of the other exits. But where?

Next chance he got—burner phones.

He followed the hallway until he exited the event center and stepped out into the blustery wind. He never should have let her go after the doctor on her own. Once he caughtup, she could simply explain he was here to help. Apprehension squeezed his insides. Made his palms sweat. Had this been a trap like he feared, and had someone taken Remi? He couldn’t protect a person who didn’t cooperate, but he couldn’t exactly say that Remi was uncooperative. She had her own ideas about the best next steps.

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