Page 14

CHAPTER 14

After her conversation with Kylie, Sachie sat silently, unmoving and emotionally drained. Hearing the heartache in the teen’s tone and her anguished feeling that she hadn’t done enough to save Luke, mirrored everything Sachie felt.

Whether she was on a quest to seek justice for Luke or to redeem herself for failing him, she had to know what had driven him to take his own life. The Boys’ Club, or someone near it, had held a threat over Luke’s head, one he ultimately couldn’t live with.

Sachie was fired up and ready to go into battle for her dead patient. Not that it would bring him back, but maybe by finding the assholes who’d pushed him to the edge, she could stop them from doing the same to another susceptible teen .

And while she was at the club, she’d look for Luke’s friend Mark and make sure he wasn’t in the same predicament Luke had found himself in.

As Teller pulled into the parking lot, Sachie glanced his way, her heart swelling. She couldn’t have come this far without the support of the former Delta Force protector. Her hand remained warm from when he’d held it throughout her conversation with Kylie. He was there to protect her, not to hold her hand or hold her through the night when she had nightmares.

She wouldn’t be as confident going into the Boys’ Club by herself. She’d do it to find out what had spooked Luke into ending his life. Having Teller with her made her more confident.

“The building looks to be in good repair,” Teller noted. “I’m not excited about the buildings surrounding it. The neighborhood seems a little sketchy to me.”

Sachie agreed with his initial assessment. “I noticed some graffiti on some of the buildings. There are probably some gangs in the area.”

“Hopefully, the club keeps some kids off the streets and out of gangs.” He turned to Sachie. “So what’s it going to be? Are we going in guns blazing, demanding answers?”

Sachie shook her head. “We don’t know if it was people inside the facility putting the pressure on Luke or someone in the area around it.”

“Then we should probably go in, look around and ask what the Boys’ Club is doing for the at-risk kids in this area,” Teller offered. “It’s a legitimate concern for a counselor working with troubled teens.”

“Right. That covers me. I am a counselor.” She raised an eyebrow. “What about you?”

“I’m your fiancé, along for the ride. We’re going to dinner after we tour the facility.”

Sachie’s pulse quickened at Teller’s words. Her fiancé? She’d never considered marriage. Never really thought she could trust a man with her physical well-being, much less her heart.

Having spent less than two days with Teller, she truly believed he would never willingly hurt her and that she could trust him with her life.

As for her heart...

It wasn’t a matter of trusting him not to break it. It was more a question of whether he would even want her heart. She preached the importance of believing in yourself and marched to that chorus. She believed in herself as an individual, strong enough to survive on her own. She didn’t need anyone to make her happy. That was all on her. But did she really believe a good man could love her after all she’d endured? That he could get past the incest inflicted on her body and soul to love the woman who’d come out of that chapter of her life heavily scarred, but stronger?

“Does that work for you?” Teller asked as he killed the engine and released his seatbelt buckle.

Sachie blinked to pull herself back to reality. “Yes. That works.” She pushed open her door and started to get out but couldn’t. She must have been more flustered by the idea of being Teller’s fiancée than she’d thought. She’d forgotten to unbuckle her own seatbelt.

Heat rising up her neck into her cheeks, she released the buckle and jumped out, hoping Teller hadn’t seen her struggle or guessed that she was affected by his announcement.

They entered the large building that housed a gymnasium down the middle and a number of smaller rooms lining either side. A man in a royal blue T-shirt stood with his back to the entrance, watching young boys playing basketball in the gymnasium. When he turned and realized Teller and Sachie had entered, a smile stretched across his face. “Welcome to the Honolulu Boys’ Club. Have you come for the open house?” he asked.

Sachie nodded. “We have.”

“Great.” The man held out his hand to Sachie. “I’m Grant Simmons, the director.”

“Sachie Moore.” Sachie shook the man’s hand and turned to the man beside her. “This is my...fiancé, Teller Osgood.” A little thrill shivered through her. Calling Teller her fiancé felt weird and strangely right at the same time. Maybe she was finally getting past her marriage phobia. Whatever it was, she didn’t need to be thinking about marriage, especially with a man who’d been hired to protect her.

“Well, tell me, Ms. Moore, are you and your fiancé looking to the future at what options are available in this area for after-school programs? Or would you like us to add you to the waitlist for immediate placement if an opening becomes available?”

Heat burned Sachie’s cheeks again.

Kids? She hadn’t even considered kids because she hadn’t dreamed of ever marrying until an extremely sexy, hunk of a Delta Force guy suggested they pretend to be engaged.

Now, she was falling down a rabbit hole of unrealistic possibilities.

“No. Not yet, anyway,” Teller answered for her, placing a hand at the small of her back. “My beautiful fiancée is a counselor for troubled teens and children from less-than-ideal home situations. She wanted to check out what the Boys’ Club could offer some of her kids.”

“Perfect,” Simmons said. “We have a full-time staff of myself, an administrative assistant and a janitor. We employ older students as leaders in the after-school program, who keep the boys moving and learning. We also have volunteers who fill in when they’re needed and available. Although we’re down two after-school leaders, we're actively recruiting to fill those positions.”

“Do you have high turnover of your teen leaders?” Sachie asked.

“Not often,” the director said. “Although they eventually age out and move on to college or the workforce.”

Sachie knew why they were down at least one of their leaders. The director was smart not to mention they’d lost one to suicide. It could be bad for business.

Simmons led them down a hallway flanked by rooms with tables and chairs, explaining the kids had study time to work on their homework as well as activities to expand their minds through art and music.

“We want the boys to have a rich environment of learning and moving to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Our gymnasium allows them to learn skills in different sports and learn the value of teamwork.”

They stepped into the gym where a couple dozen boys of different ages and sizes drilled in different skills involving basketballs .

At one end of the gym, a teenage boy worked with the smaller kids, demonstrating how to bounce a basketball, alternating hands.

At the other end of the gym, preteens and teens were engaged in a half-court game, each team wearing different-colored bibs. In the middle of the teens was an adult who stood taller than most of the kids around him.

Sachie’s eyes narrowed. The man looked familiar, but he was moving quickly and was a little too far away for her to see clearly.

“Speaking of volunteers,” Director Simmons nodded toward the adult at the far end of the gym. “That’s one of our frequent volunteers. His full-time job is as a police officer with the Hawaii Police Department. He’s a regular, showing up for an hour or two a couple of times a week. The older kids like it when he plays basketball with them, as you can see.”

“Is that Officer Roland?” Sachie asked.

“Yes, ma’am, it is,” the director grinned. “Do you know him?”

She nodded, glad she’d figured out who it was. Knowing there was an off-duty police officer in the building made her feel they might want to concentrate their search for bad guys in the buildings surrounding the club.

Roland stepped away from the kids, leaving them to continue playing without him. He crossed the gym floor in his shorts and sweaty T-shirt, coming to a stop in front of Sachie and Teller. “Ms. Moore, I didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you around?”

“I’m always looking for places parents can count on to keep their children occupied with other alternatives to cell phones and video games.”

“What do you think so far?” Roland waved a hand toward the gym and the kids actively engaged.

Sachie nodded. “Mr. Simmons has taken us on the grand tour. I like that the club provides a much-needed service to the youth of the city who might otherwise not have the resources to afford what it offers.”

Roland gave a brief nod. “The staff is committed to giving the kids a safe environment to be kids.”

The director’s cell phone buzzed. He glanced at the display. “I’ve been expecting this call. I need to take it. Please excuse me. Officer Roland can answer any questions you may have.” The director walked away as he answered his phone.

Roland lowered his voice. “I heard you’ve had some issues with a stalker? Have you had any luck identifying who it is?”

Sachie shook her head. “Not yet. ”

The officer frowned. “You don’t think he’s here, do you?”

“No,” Sachie said. “I’m trying to get some closure on a teen who used to work here.”

“The one who committed suicide?” Roland shook his head. “Tragic loss. Luke was a good kid. He had a bright future ahead of him.”

“Did you have much interaction with him?” Sachie asked.

“Not too often,” Roland said. “We occasionally played basketball with the kids.”

Sachie glanced around, her gaze landing on the teen leader working with the smaller kids.

“During my sessions with Luke, he talked about another teen he worked with here—a kid named Mark. Is he here today?”

“He was. I think he left a few minutes ago. You probably just missed him. What did you want with Mark?”

“Does he have a last name?” Teller asked.

The officer nodded. “Bradford.”

“I understand they were good friends,” Sachie said. “I wanted to talk to him about Luke’s behavior leading up to his death. I hope to gain some insight into why he felt compelled to end his life.” Sachie’s gaze went to the teens still playing basketball behind Roland. “I want to know what made him so desperate that he felt he didn’t have another option.”

“Did he mention any troubles he might have had at school?” Roland asked.

“No. Did he have any issues with anyone here at the Boys’ Club?” Sachie asked.

“I didn’t notice any, but then I wasn’t here all the time.”

Sachie sighed. “I guess I’ll have to come back when Mark’s here. Maybe Luke opened up with him.”

“Mark’s usually here every weekday.” Roland glanced across the gym. “You might catch him tomorrow. I’d better get back to the boys. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“Thank you.”

“Can you find your way out?” Roland asked.

“Yes, sir.”

Roland hurried back to the game.

Sachie’s gaze swept through the gym. “Who else can we ask about Luke?”

“Not the kids,” Teller said.

“Definitely not the kids,” Sachie said. “Should we try to track down Mark at his home?”

“Now that we have a last name, I can get Swede to work his magic. He should be able to find his address.” Teller texted the name to Swede. “Are you ready to go? ”

Sachie looked one last time, trying to imagine Luke on the gym floor working with the little kids, teaching them how to shoot hoops that were so far above them it was comical to watch their attempts.

She sighed. “I’m ready.”

As they walked to the exit, Sachie saw a tall, lanky young man with thick black hair exiting the building. Something about him made her look twice. At that exact moment, he glanced over his shoulder.

Sachie’s heart stopped for a full second and then slammed into her ribs. “Luke?” she whispered. Turning to Teller, she asked, “Did you see that young man?”

Teller had glanced over his shoulder back toward the gym. When he focused ahead of where they stood, he frowned. “See what?”

“The teen who just stepped out of the complex. I swear... I mean the resemblance…” She scrubbed a hand down her face and rubbed her eyes. “I must be hallucinating again. He looked just like Luke.”

Teller hurried with her out the front entrance. Sachie stopped, looked in both directions and saw...nothing.

Teller cupped her elbow and walked toward their parked sedan. They were halfway across the parking lot when a flurry of movement whipped past Sachie. Her purse was ripped off her shoulder before she could wrap her fingers around the strap.

“Hey!” she yelled automatically.

“Son of a bitch,” Teller muttered and took off after the thief. “Sachie, get into the car and lock the doors,” he called out over his shoulder.

For a solid five seconds, Sachie stood frozen to the spot. Then she moved, heading toward the sedan. She’d rather have gone after the assailant, but she knew she’d only slow Teller’s pursuit. And if she didn’t get into the sedan and lock the doors, Teller might turn back and make sure she did, losing the thief in the process.

When she reached the sedan, she climbed in, locked the doors and waited for what felt like a very long time, hoping Teller wouldn’t get hurt. She’d rather lose everything in her purse than have Teller harmed in the process of trying to retrieve it.

After a while, Sachie got anxious and worried that Teller wasn’t back yet. She unlocked the sedan and stepped out into the afternoon sunshine.

Her pulse quickened at the sight of big, broad-shouldered Teller. With one hand securing a man’s arm behind his back, Teller shoved the man forward until he was close enough for Sachie to see that he wasn’t Luke or Luke’s lookalike.

The man had fully tattooed sleeves on both arms. The sleeves extended down to the back of the man’s hands, where a small pyramid with an eye in the middle of it stared at Sachie. The guy wore baggy clothing, his hair was unkempt and he appeared to be high on something.

“Sachie, could you call 911 and have them come prepared to process a thief?” Teller said.

Before she could dial, Officer Roland stepped out of the building wearing jeans, a T-shirt and running shoes. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“This man stole Ms. Moore’s purse,” Teller said. “We were just about to contact 911 so they could send a police officer to take him in.”

Roland shook his head. “I’ll make that call and take care of him. Sachie, I have your number. We can get your statement later. I’m sure you two have other things to do.”

“We don’t mind staying until the police arrive,” Sachie assured Roland.

“Not to worry. I have this. I’ll take him into the office and hold him until the cops on duty arrive. Take care. I’ll see you two again soon.” He took control of holding the man’s arm between his shoulder blades and marched him into the facility.

Teller handed Sachie her purse. “Check to make sure he didn’t take anything. I don’t think he had time but check anyway. ”

She glanced at the contents in her purse and pulled out her wallet to count the credit cards. “Everything’s here.”

“Well, since your Officer Roland is going to take him in, we can head out,” Teller said.

“We still have eight or nine hours to burn before we head to the Leather & Chains,” Sachie said. “Is it possible to find a thrift shop for biker babe clothing and then a hotel? I’m exhausted, and I’m not the one who was in a fight to reclaim my purse.”

“We can do both those things. I could stand to rest for a couple of hours before we head into a biker bar.” He held the door for Sachie.

“I’m sure it won’t be as easy as touring the Boys’ Club.” She slipped into the passenger seat and settled her purse on her lap.

Teller slid into the driver’s seat, frowning. “I’d feel better if you didn’t go.”

Sachie stiffened. She understood his concern, but he needed her. “I know what Travis looks like,” she said. “You and your friends don’t.”

Teller sighed and started the engine. “You have a point,” he said and shifted into reverse. “You know how to make my job difficult.”

“You don’t have to come,” she said, hoping he didn’t decide to back out .

He snorted. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Her heart lightened at his teasing and at the relief she felt that he would be at her side as they stepped into a bar filled with a potentially dangerous gang of bikers. She hoped Teller and his team wouldn’t be hurt in her pursuit of her stalker. Maybe they’d blend right in, observe Travis, get him alone and then what?

Force him to confess to terrorizing her?

How well would that go over surrounded by his gang of cut-throat bikers?

Sachie wasn’t feeling all that confident about this plan. Hopefully, they’d come up with a better alternative in the seven hours they had before they showed up at Leather & Chains.