Page 14 of Caspian (HC Heroes #14)

H arper followed Cas into the ESI headquarters, the atmosphere shifting from the outside world into the focused, high-tech buzz of the security firm.

The sound of voices and the soft hum of computers filled the air, giving the space a sense of urgency and efficiency.

Cas led the way, his expression tight and serious, the envelope clenched in his hand.

They walked down the main hallway to the open office area where Mac, Carter, Cooper, and Dale were huddled around a bank of monitors.

Dale, she obviously knew, and she also recognized the other three men from the evening she arrived at Sadie’s.

“We got another one,” Cas announced, holding up the envelope. Mac looked up first, his eyebrows raising, while Carter’s eyes narrowed, already shifting into investigative mode.

“Where?” Mac asked, stepping forward to take a closer look.

Cas handed him the envelope. “On my truck, right outside the library, sometime within the last hour.”

“I’m on it. I’ll check the cameras.” Carter immediately strode down the hall and into a room on the left.

Harper appreciated the seamless way the team moved into action, but she couldn’t shake the anxiety gnawing at her. She exchanged a quick glance with Cas, who offered her a reassuring nod before taking her hand as they followed the rest of the team into a nearby conference room.

She wondered briefly where her cousin was, and a second later, Dale smiled at her.

“Sadie said to tell you she’s sorry. She had to go home to do a live craft chat she already had scheduled.”

“That’s right,” she said. “I think she mentioned that last night.”

Possibly. Harper wasn’t entirely sure. Last night, she had still been reeling from the fact she’d kissed Cas when her cousin called.

They settled into the seats around the long table, the fluorescent lights casting a sharp glow on the polished surface. Cas sat beside Harper, his presence solid and comforting even in the midst of chaos.

Mac opened the envelope carefully, pulling out the note inside and reading it aloud, “This is your last warning. Stop digging, or there will be consequences.”

Dale let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “They’re not messing around. Whoever’s doing this really doesn’t want you finding out whatever’s buried in that past.”

Cas leaned forward, with his gaze focused on Mac.

“We were at the library, digging through old records about the church fire. Found out that three prominent families might’ve been involved—the Andersons, the Collinses, and the Everetts.

We talked to Will Johnson Jr. there, and he remembered the fire vividly because his father died in it.

But the whole thing screams of a cover-up, and now we’ve got someone trying to scare Harper off. ”

Mac frowned, scanning the note again. “And you think this ties back to one of those families?”

Cas nodded. “Could be. But I also want to know more about Will Johnson Jr. Does his family have connections that could make him part of this?”

Harper inhaled. “Wait, you think Will could be involved? He seemed so genuine, just trying to help us piece things together.”

He shook his head, his expression grim. “Maybe. But he also has means and could have a motive we don’t know about yet. Maybe revenge for his father’s death in that fire. I’m not saying he did it, but it’s worth checking out.”

Mac nodded, jotting down some notes. “I’ll look into his background, see what connections might be there.

I’ll ask my uncle if he knows anything about this, too.

But our family wasn’t around back when Mary was here.

The first McCall to come to Harland was my uncle.

The rest of our roots are tied around Austin. ”

Harper sighed, feeling the weight of all the uncertainties like a wet blanket. “We’re running out of leads, aren’t we? It feels like every time we get closer to the truth, someone shuts the door.”

Dale leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “We’re not done yet. Carter’s pulling footage from the cameras near the library, and even if the perp covered their tracks, there’s always something that gets missed. We just have to keep pushing.”

Cooper glanced up from his phone, where he’d been scrolling through what looked like old articles.

“We did a quick sweep of the first note and envelope, but the camera view was obscured. The perp knew exactly where to stand to avoid being seen clearly,” he said, before turning to Dale. “Kind of déjà vu, right?”

What was that about?

Cas’ jaw cracked, and frustration was evident in his eyes. “Smart enough to avoid cameras but still wants to leave a message. This isn’t someone who’s just playing around.”

Harper looked at the team, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease.

She appreciated their dedication, but the thought of someone watching her, trying to intimidate her into giving up on Mary’s story, made her skin crawl.

“I’m sorry this is turning into such a mess. I didn’t mean to drag you all into it.”

Mac shook his head, his expression firm. “You didn’t drag us anywhere, Harper. This is what we do. We’ve got your back, and we’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

“We’re all in,” Cas said, squeezing her hand, sending a welcome rush of warmth through her body.

“Yeah.” Dale nodded, his gaze steady. “So don’t worry. This is what they do.”

She cocked her head. “What about you? Have you decided to work here?”

Her cousin’s boyfriend had two job offers. One was here and the other was with the sheriff.

He blinked, then sighed, scratching the back of his head. “No, I haven’t decided anything yet. But I will soon.”

Carter reappeared then, a determined look on his face as he held up a printout of a still image from a camera near the library.

“I’ve got a blurry shot of someone approaching Cas’ truck, but it’s hard to make out any details.

They knew the camera angles well. I’m running it through facial recognition to see if we get any hits, but it might take a while. ”

Cas thanked Carter, then turned back to Harper, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’m not going to let whoever’s doing this scare you off.”

Harper squeezed back, trying to draw strength from his steady presence.

She appreciated his confidence, but the knot in her stomach wouldn’t quite loosen.

“Neither will I. But I’m just…this was supposed to be about Mary.

About understanding what happened to her.

I didn’t think it would get this intense. ”

Cas leaned closer, his voice low and serious. “That’s why we’re all going to see this through. But if we’re going to do this, we have to be smart. That means letting us help.”

She nodded, her resolve hardening. She didn’t like feeling vulnerable and she refused to back down now, not when she was so close to uncovering the truth. “Okay,” she said with a lift of her chin. “Then we’re all in.”

Mac stood, glancing at the rest of the team. “Let’s get to work. We’ll dig into the families, look deeper into Johnson’s background, and see what else we can pull from the footage.”

“Shit,” Cas muttered with a shake of his head. “I was thinking about how anyone could possibly have known about Harper reading Mary’s diary, and it just hit me. We were discussing it at Harland Title and Tag yesterday, and there were several people within earshot.”

Air funneled into her lungs. “You’re right. I mean, we weren’t talking loudly, but anyone with decent hearing could’ve picked up on it. Especially the receptionist.”

“But also the two agents and their clients at the time,” Cas pointed out.

Damn. He was right.

“This receptionist? Middle-aged, bun, cat-eye-shaped glasses?” Carter asked.

She nodded.

“Then we’ll send Coop there to pay her a visit. She’s got a thing for him.” Carter grinned and Cooper grumbled.

“And Cas’ dad,” Harper added, remembering how the woman had blushed scarlet when Sam had spoken to her.

Carter’s brows rose, amusement lighting his eyes. “Perhaps Sam should accompany Coop. I’m sure between the two of them, she’d give up state secrets.”

They chuckled, and she appreciated the lifted mood.

“If you think of anything else Mary mentioned in her diary that might help, let us know,” Mac said.

Harper nodded, standing up alongside Cas. “I will. Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate it.”

Cas set a comforting hand on her back as they made their way out of the conference room. Tension lingered in the air, but Harper felt a little more grounded knowing they had a team of experts on their side.

As they stepped into the hall, Cas turned to her, his eyes filled with determination. “We’re going to find out who’s behind this, Harper. I promise.”

She smiled, truly grateful for his unwavering support. “I believe you.”

“Do you trust me?” he asked, his gaze boring deep.

It was strange, but she didn’t even need to stop and think.

“Yes. I do.” With her life and therein lie the problem. “Why?”

“I’d like to stop by your place, and have you pack a bag to stay at the ranch with me until this is resolved,” he replied, knocking the breath from her lungs.

Stay at the ranch with him?

“And also pack up all the tools you might need to finish my wall while you’re there,” he added, and she found her breath again. “This will eliminate you riding back and forth and you being out in the open unprotected.”

“Good idea, Bro,” Dale said, walking toward them. “The ranch has extensive security, which has just been recently updated and upgraded.”

Harper had no idea what any of that meant, and frankly, her mind was still stuck on the “pack a bag to stay at the ranch with me” part of Cas’ words.

Because she was an idiot.

Yeah, one with weak knees. Those suckers were currently trembling.

As nonchalantly as possible, she leaned against the wall and nodded. “Okay. That will definitely assure me finishing in time to start at your dad’s place in a few days.”

“Dad’s getting a feature wall too?” Dale asked, envy clouding his gaze.

Cas nodded and slapped his brother’s arm. “Yep. I’m getting a table, too. And Harper’s using the rest for some of her own projects.”

“Dang. Well, I’m sure everything is going to turn out great,” Dale said as he walked away, leaving her alone to stare at his brother.

“So, you ready?” Cas asked, his gaze warm and expectant.

For what? To work on his house?

“Yes.”

To stay overnight? Oh, that one was a toughie, because it was also a yes and a no. She knew that wasn’t why he’d invited her. It was to keep her safe but not suppressed, which she appreciated.

And she truly meant it when she told him she trusted him. He would never try anything with her. Hell, he’d proven that multiple times since her arrival. So, yeah, she trusted him.

Herself with him?

Now that was an entirely different matter, and it scared her more than any cryptic note.