Every Precious Thing

CHAPTER EIGHT

Logan found a Starbucks, grabbed a cup of coffee, took the only empty table left, and then carefully went through Fulkerson’s detailed report. By the time he was done, his barely touched coffee was lukewarm.

While the notes on the investigation filled out a few things he was hazy on, it had provided no new information. What it did do was make Logan think more about the out-of-character phone calls Sara had placed from Laguna Beach and Braden. They were the only halfway decent leads. But were either of them important?

The only way to know for sure was to check both places, and given the distance between them, it would go a lot faster if he had help. While Harp and Barney might be able to assist Logan wherever he went, he was not about to send them off on their own.

He considered his options, then pulled out his phone.

“Yes?” a gruff voice answered after a single ring.

“Dev? It’s Logan Harper.”

“Logan,” Dev Martin said, brightening. “How ya doin’?”

“I’m okay. You?”

“I got nothing to complain about.”

Like Logan and Harp, Dev Martin also lived in Cambria. He was in his sixties, but looked at least ten years younger. A former Marine and Vietnam vet, he’d kept himself in great shape. There were few people, no matter their age, who’d want to mess with him. Dev and his network of former servicemen had proved extremely useful when Logan was looking for Tooney’s granddaughter, Elyse.

“Good to hear.” Logan paused. “Let me cut right to it. I’m wondering if you might be able to help me out with something.”

Dev let out a low laugh. “Didn’t think this was just a social call.”

Logan explained the situation and what he needed.

“Braden or Laguna Beach, huh?” Dev said. “Let me make a call, and I’ll get right back to you.”

“Thanks, Dev.”

“No worries.”

Less than five minutes later, Dev called back. “Chris Pepper,” he said. “Goes by Pep. He was Navy, but don’t hold that against him. Lives in Victorville, so could be in Braden in a couple of hours.”

“Thanks, Dev. That sounds perfect. ”

“Told him expenses would be covered.”

“No problem,” Logan said. “Give me his cell number and I’ll text him the picture we have of Sara. It isn’t great, but it’s all we got.”

“He’ll do what he can with it,” Dev said, and then rattled off the number.

“How soon can he get out there?” Logan asked.

“I assumed you wanted them out there right away, so I already gave him the go ahead. If he’s not on the road already, he will be soon.”

It was almost six p.m. when Logan left the coffee shop. He thought Alan would still be at the office, but since he was close to the accountant’s house, he decided to try him there. When no one answered his knock right away, he guessed that he would have to come back later.

Then he heard a voice, distant and muffled. “Coming!”

A few seconds later, the deadbolt slid free and the door opened.

“Logan,” Alan said, surprised. “Come in. Come in.” He moved out of the way so Logan could enter, then shut the door behind him. “Sorry. Emily took a late nap, and I guess I fell asleep in the chair.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Logan said.

“Are you kidding? I shouldn’t be sleeping at all. I’ve got too much work to do.”

“Yeah, I was beginning to think you were still at the office.”

Alan hesitated before saying, “Emily goes to this nursery school in the mornings. She’s been attending since…well, before, so I thought it best that she kept going. While she’s there I go into the office. Then, unless there’s no way around it, I work the afternoons here.”

Alan could have easily afforded a nanny, but Logan could see that wasn’t even an option for him. He was trying to make Emily’s life as unchanged as possible, and while Sara was no longer there for her after nursery school, he was.

“I won’t take up much of your time,” Logan said.

“Whatever you need.” Alan smiled. “Callie told me you’d agreed to help.”

“I’ll do what I can, but don’t get your hopes up. The agency Callie used to try to find Sara seems pretty first rate. I don’t have their resources so I may not find out anything at all.”

“I realize that,” Alan said. “I’m just happy someone’s trying.”

There was an awkward moment, then Logan said, “I’m here because I was hoping I could borrow the letter Sara left for you.”

Alan looked surprised. “Why do you want that?”

“I just want to make a copy of it. I’ll bring it back to you in the morning.”

“Okay,” Alan said, drawing the word out. “I still don’t understand why, though.”

“It’s the only good sample of her handwriting that you have. I may not need it at all, but in case I do…”

Alan nodded. “Of course. Wait here and I’ll get it.”

He returned a little while later with the letter. Logan held out his hand to take it, but Alan hesitated.

“Please,” he said, finally giving Logan the note. “Don’t let anything happen to it. It’s…the last thing, you know?”

“I understand,” Logan said. “Thank you.” He took a step toward the door.

“What are you going to do now?” Alan asked.

“Check a few things Callie’s PI was working on.”

“And if that doesn’t work?”

“I’ll figure that out then.”

Logan walked through the entry and opened the door.

“If you need me for anything, anything at all, just call,” Alan said.

“I will.”

“I don’t mean just questions. If Sara’s in trouble, I want to help.”

“Let’s find out what’s going on first. I promise-if there’s something you can do to help, I’ll let you know.”

The answer didn’t seem to completely satisfy Alan, but he nodded as if he knew it was the best he would get.

Logan wished there was something more encouraging he could say, but he wasn’t going to lie. So instead, he nodded a good-bye then stepped outside with the note.