Page 21 of Huck Frasier (Seals on Fraiser Mountain #5)

Frasier

Outside Lark’s House – Late Evening

T he sun had just dipped behind the ridge when I pulled into Lark and Axel’s driveway.

Her porch light was on. So was her temper, judging by the way she stormed out the front door before I’d even killed the engine.

“She told me not to tell you,” Lark snapped. “So, of course, I’m telling you.”

I stepped out of the truck, slamming the door. “When did she leave?”

“Couple hours ago. Said she had a solid lead in Arizona. And that you’d ‘freak out’ if you knew.”

“Damn right I’m freaking out.”

“She said it’s about kids—missing ones. Some contact from her past reached out. She was acting calm, like she had it under control… but she always acts like that. Until she doesn’t.”

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “She told me she wasn’t gonna run again.”

“She’s not running from you, Frasier. She’s running toward something. That’s what scares me.

I looked at Lark then—really looked. Her jaw was tight. Her arms were crossed like she could hold back the worry bleeding through every word.

“She called me a few minutes ago,” she added. “Said the meet went bad. Someone followed her. She’s hiding out near Route 79.”

My stomach dropped. “Jesus.”

“I told her I wouldn’t call you.”

“You didn’t.”

“Technically true.”

I turned toward the truck.

“Frasier,” Lark called after me. “You’ll bring her back, right?”

I paused with one boot on the step rail and looked over my shoulder.

“She’s it for me, Lark. There’s no version of this where I don’t bring her back.”

She nodded once, fierce and quiet.

“And hey,” I added, softer. “She’s not your mom.”

That hit her harder than I expected. Her chin wobbled slightly before she turned away and walked back inside.

I climbed in, fired up the engine, and grabbed the satellite phone.

“Axel, I need backup routes into southern Arizona. Minimal heat, quiet access.”

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Marley walked into something dirty. I’m heading south.”

“You want eyes?”

“I want everything.”

“Say no more. I’ll get eyes on border cameras and traffic loops. Call me when you’re close.”

I hung up and pulled onto the road, tires spitting gravel.

I didn’t have a plan yet.

Didn’t have all the facts.

But I had a direction. Now I needed a plane.”

My phone buzzed and I looked at it. “Get to the airport, they’ll be ready for you.”

“That’s where I’m headed.”

And I had a woman worth bleeding for.

She thought she had to do it alone.

She was wrong.