Perilous Pursuit

* * *

Mackenzie’s heart seemed to stop as she made her way into the damaged areas. Her flat screen TV had basically melted and was now a large lump of black plastic sitting on a charred wooden stand. The fire had gone up the walls and left black marks where her pictures had been hanging, and the tiled floor was littered with ash, soot and the residue from the fire extinguishers. A horrid smell of chemicals and burnt wiring permeated her senses and all of her belongings.

Finally she turned and viewed what she had been dreading—the damage to her video and audio equipment. She had an office set up in one corner of the living room, and besides her desk, she had two large video monitors, an editing board and a computer where she did the majority of her work. To the left had been the audio equipment stacked in an adjustable shelving unit and to the right a large wooden filing cabinet had stood. It was now all a heap of twisted metal and melted plastic, totally destroyed by the fire. It was as if someone had poured gasoline directly on her equipment to ensure that it would burn.

The loss was like a literal blow to her stomach, and she rubbed her abdomen absently as nausea spun and twisted inside her. She was thankful that the fire hadn’t spread into the bedrooms or other apartments in the complex, but the ruined equipment represented her livelihood, and she felt the loss keenly. She was insured, but it would take a while to deal with the insurance company and rebuild her setup. Fortunately, her video camera and lighting equipment were all stored at her assistant’s house. If those had been in the apartment today, her business would have come to a total standstill.

“I’m sorry you lost so much.” Jake offered.

Mackenzie nodded, appreciating his words, especially since he wasn’t a fan of her project. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the positive. She had always been extremely self-sufficient and self-reliant. She would weather this storm, even though it seemed more like a hurricane. “Thanks. At least no one was hurt. That’s the main thing. This is all stuff. I’m sorry to see it go, but it is replaceable.”

She said a prayer of thanksgiving. God would see her through this catastrophe. She still had much to be grateful for. It would take time and effort, but she would rebuild, and God would be there to help her along the way and remind her about what was truly important in life if she got frustrated by the process.

Jake took a step in her direction. “I know it’s hard to tell with all of the fire damage, but the local police want to know if you can tell them if anything is missing. It might help us figure out why someone has targeted you.”

“Okay. I’ll take a look around.” She stepped over some unidentifiable object on the tile and moved toward the bedrooms. Both were untouched by the fire. She opened a few drawers and pulled open the closets in the guest bedroom, but everything looked the same as when she had left it. She moved to her own bedroom and did the same checks. “I don’t know what they were after. There doesn’t seem to be anything missing.” Her eyes moved to the cherished picture of her and her brother, Jonathan, which was on top of her dresser, and she touched the corner of the frame. At least the photo had been spared.

“That’s a great shot,” Jake asked, motioning to the photo of the two siblings smiling in the sunlight.

Mackenzie turned at his words. “That was the day I got my braces removed. I was thrilled. Jonathan took me out to dinner to celebrate. It was a big day.”

“I can tell. That’s a big smile.” He paused. “Look, you need to pack a bag—a bigger one this time, and I’d also take your valuables, just in case. You’ll need to stay at the hotel until we can get a handle on this.”

Mackenzie shrugged. “I guess I’ll go back there for now, but I can’t stay there forever.” She went to her closet, pulled out a suitcase and started packing. A few minutes later, she heard Jake approach behind her.

“Do you have any idea why someone would want to destroy your equipment?” Jake asked.

Mackenzie folded a shirt and placed it in the suitcase. “No idea at all. None of this makes any sense. I’ve never faced any opposition to my work. The biggest problem I’ve had is competing bids with other production companies, and really that’s just part of the business and nothing out of the ordinary.”

“The things Beckett said when he threatened you and the damage to the equipment make me think it does have something to do with your work—even if the answer isn’t readily apparent.” He leaned against the door frame. “Tell me about your last couple of projects. What were they about?”

Mackenzie answered as she packed. “I started the year with a training video for the Southern Pines Pediatric Clinic, and then I did a couple of commercials for the children’s museum downtown. After that, I finished an overview of the governor’s literacy program and a series of productions for the state’s tourism campaign. My latest work was an hour-long documentary on homeless children and runaways.” She closed the suitcase. “Nothing I’ve worked on was controversial.”

“Have you turned over all the final copies to the buyers?”

“Yes, all except for the homeless children project. I just have a tad more editing to do before it’s finalized.”

“How did the fire affect your copies? Did everything get destroyed?”

Mackenzie shook her head. “The equipment is ruined, but I have two sets of hard drives where the files are stored. One was here in the filing cabinet and that is probably completely destroyed, but I have a second set I keep in a safety deposit box at the bank. I update the files weekly in both locations. I’ve always done it that way—just in case of hurricanes or whatever. I’ve been playing with the idea of using cloud storage, but I’m still exploring that. I’m not convinced of the security.”

Jake nodded and then motioned for her to wait when his cell phone rang. He turned to answer it, and her own phone rang at the same time. She recognized her parents’ number and hesitated. Could she handle a call from them right now? She hadn’t told them about the men breaking into her apartment yesterday, but it would be hard hiding the fire from them, especially if she wouldn’t be home for a while. She glanced at Jake, who was still deep in conversation, then back at her own phone, which was still ringing. Finally, she accepted the call.

“Hello, Dad,” she said on hearing her father’s voice.

“Mackenzie, I’ve got the best news for you!”

“Oh, really? What’s up?” she asked.

“Do you remember Miller from the advertising firm? I was talking to him yesterday and mentioned you were looking for a new job. He actually has an opening and would like to set up an interview! Isn’t that fantastic? All you have to do is give him a call.”

Mackenzie’s heart plunged. Neither of her parents felt that making movies constituted a “real” job, and they were constantly sending their disapproval her way, along with various job offers that they felt would help her settle down and take life more seriously. Mackenzie loved them both dearly, but she wasn’t about to give up her production company. She enjoyed her work and found fulfillment in the process. Her parents, however, couldn’t seem to understand. She was convinced that they wouldn’t be happy with her career choices until she was locked into a nine-to-five schedule with benefits and a hefty retirement plan. After Jonathan’s death, their pressure had increased rather than lessened. She was now their only living child, so all their hopes and dreams rested heavily on her shoulders.

“Thanks, Dad, but I’m doing fine with my current job. I’m really not looking for anything new right now.”

“But it has a great starting salary. Don’t you want to at least talk to him about the opportunity? It might be too good to pass up. It’s entry-level, but it has some exciting possibilities.” The disapproval was heavy in his voice, and Mackenzie struggled with the desire to hang up on him. His censure was difficult to hear after everything else that had happened the last couple of days, and she was already stressed from being shot at again and having her belongings burned to a crisp. Not to mention the volatile relationship she had with Jake. She could usually handle her father’s criticism and take it with a smile, but today it seemed even harder than normal to keep the optimism in her voice. God, give me strength.

She steeled her voice. “Dad, I’m sorry, but that’s really not the path I want to take right now. I’ve had a fire at my apartment, and most of my equipment has been damaged. I really need to work on getting my production company up and running again so I can meet my current contracts.”

“A fire? Were you hurt?”

“No, Dad, I’m fine, but like I said, I lost my board and audio equipment. It just happened, and the police and firemen are here right now sorting through everything. I really need to go so I can finish up with them and assess the damage.”

There was a pause as her father absorbed everything, but then he pushed again. “Mackenzie, maybe this is the perfect time to talk to Miller after all. With your equipment damaged, it might be the best time to get a real job and put this filming behind you. You had a good run and worked on a few fun projects, but this job with Miller could turn out to be a great career. It has health benefits, a great dental plan...”

Mackenzie’s head started pounding, and she rubbed her face absently. “I’m sorry, Dad, but the police really need to ask me some more questions, so I’d better go. I realize I’ve got a lot of work to do to rebuild my business, but that’s where I want to focus my time and efforts right now. If you run into Miller again, please thank him for his time, but I’m really not interested.”

“All right.” She could still hear the disappointment that was heavy in his voice. “Where are you staying? Are you safe?”

“Yes, Dad, I’m safe,” Mackezie answered, relieved that the conversation had shifted from her employment situation. “The US Marshals office here is helping me and has gotten me set up in a nearby hotel. I’ll have to find a new apartment, but I’ll let you know once I’m settled.”

“All right, then. Call if you need us. We’ll come help you move if you’d like.”

“Sure thing. I’ll let you know once I’ve decided where I’m headed. Bye, Dad.” She hung up and sighed. Her parents meant well, but they had never really understood her work and career choices. They thought making movies was a great hobby, but certainly not a full-time occupation. With every passing year, they seemed to get more concerned about her future, and nothing she told them ever seemed good enough to please them. She desperately wanted their approval but, at this point, she was unsure if she would ever actually get it. Their lack of support ate at her yet also drove her to prove them wrong and work even harder at becoming a success. She was going to make a name for herself in the film business, and one day, she would garner their support. She glanced back over at her ruined equipment. Right now, that day seemed very far away indeed.

FOUR

A hand on her shoulder brought Mackenzie out of her contemplations, and she turned to see Jake.

“Good news. The local boys caught the two men that were shooting at us.” He showed her his phone, which had a mug shot of a man with dark hair and eyes. “Do you recognize this man?”

Mackenzie shook her head. The man’s face didn’t set off any bells, but the emptiness in his eyes scared her. He looked like someone that would hurt her with no qualms whatsoever.

Jake swiped the screen and showed her another picture. “What about him? Have you seen him before?”

This man’s face was narrower, and he had a large mole near his mouth. His lips formed a menacing sneer.

“Nope, I don’t know him. Sorry.”

Jake nodded and stored his phone. “Okay. They’re running criminal history checks on them now. The first one I showed you is a known associate of Beckett’s. It’s likely that this is all tied together. All we have to do now is figure out how.” He reached down, grabbed her suitcase and then motioned toward the door. “Let’s get you out of here.” He walked her into the living room, and after updating the two policemen, took her arm and led her toward the car.

“Will I be allowed back in there at some point to get the rest of my things?” Mackenzie asked as he opened the passenger door for her.

“Sure, at some point. Both the fire department and the police have to finish their investigations first. It’ll take a few days. Hopefully, by then we’ll have a handle on what’s going on here.” He closed the door, put her suitcase in the back seat, walked around the car and got in the driver’s side. “Everything about your projects sounds innocuous, except for maybe the homeless children documentary. Tell me about that.” He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot but looked over at her expectantly.

Mackenzie waited a moment before answering, wondering if they were going to be shot at a second time. Part of her wanted to stay indoors, where it might be safer, but she quickly remembered that men had broken into her apartment. There was no guarantee she was safe anywhere right now. She glanced at Jake, who also was taking a good look around them with a wary eye. At least Jake was helping her, despite the animosity he had shown her after hearing about her movie for the US Marshals.

A moment passed, then another. When nothing happened, Mackenzie took a deep breath, a wave of relief sweeping over her. She suddenly realized she had been clenching her hands. Her nails had left marks on her palms. She rubbed her hands against her jeans, trying to help the marks disappear. She thought back on her latest video project, hoping their conversation would erase some of the fear she was feeling. “Tallahassee has been experiencing a huge increase in homelessness lately, but it isn’t just adults that are sleeping on the streets. Due to the recent foreclosure crisis, families are losing their homes in record numbers, and there’s also a runaway component that is a big problem. A large part of the struggling population is teenagers, and I wanted to shine a light on that social issue. I’m hoping that if I ruffle enough feathers, the legislature and the Department of Children and Families will aim more of their resources into helping teens. A lot of the young adults I interviewed were foster kids who aged out of the system and didn’t have a job or home to go to.”

Jake turned a corner. “Who paid for that project?”

“A nonprofit charity named the Safe Harbor Group.”

“I’ve heard of them. They’re a pretty powerful advocacy group, from what I understand.”

Mackenzie nodded. “Yes, they’re a Florida-based organization with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa and Miami. Last year they sank a heap of money into lobbyists to get a bill passed through the Florida legislature to combat homelessness. It didn’t pass, so they hired me to make a video to highlight the problem, and they are gearing up to try again next year. They want to show my documentary on the local cable channels to garner support from the public, who they hope will pressure their representatives to vote for the legislation the next time around. It’s scheduled to air in about a month. I’ve got a small amount of editing to finish, and then I’ll be sending the final versions to their home office.”

“Is there any major opposition to the bill that you’re aware of?”

“Only the normal issues surrounding the cost of the legislation. Everybody seems to think helping the homeless is a good idea, but nobody wants to pay the tab. In the past, this type of legislation has been full of unfunded mandates, but this time around, the bill calls for some serious money to be spent on mental health services and child welfare programs.” Mackenzie suddenly sat up straighter and took a look at their location. “Instead of heading to the hotel, would you mind dropping me by my assistant’s house? It’s actually just around the corner from where we are now. I need to stop by and pick up my video camera and lighting equipment, and if she’s home, she can probably take me back to the hotel so you won’t have to. I want to take some live action shots of your team at work, starting tomorrow.”

Jake frowned, and his distaste for her idea was almost palpable. She was discouraged by his attitude and thought it was time to confront him. Being shot at two days in a row had also reduced her inhibitions. She just didn’t understand his hesitance. “Okay, Jake. It’s obvious you don’t want me to film you. What’s the problem?”

Jake shrugged, and Mackenzie could tell he was trying to decide how much to say. He had been ordered by his chief to help her, but the chief couldn’t make him like the idea or participate in the shots she needed for her storyboard to come to reality. She could probably make the film without his help, but it wouldn’t be easy, and it wouldn’t be as good. Mackenzie hoped that if he shared his concerns, maybe she could address them. The silence stretched between them, but finally he spoke.

“I have two reasons why I don’t want to make this movie. Like I told you before, you’ll get in our way. That puts you in danger, and it puts our officers in danger since we have to be thinking about your safety at the same time we’re trying to do our job. Second, you’ll make it impossible for any of us to go undercover in the future. Once our names and faces are publicized, we’ll never get that back.”

Mackenzie waited, hoping for more, but Jake seemed to have become a man of very few words. She wondered fleetingly if she had ever really known him at all. “I can’t solve the undercover problem short of keeping your names out of the movie and pixelating your faces anytime you’re on the screen. That’s not my first choice because seeing the real you would have a larger impact on the viewers, but I certainly don’t want to put your lives at risk. You already do a dangerous job, and I don’t want to make it worse. I can also assure you that I’ll do my best to stay out of the way. Once you really look at the script and storyboard, I think you’ll feel better about the project. I’m open to changes if you have some ideas. I’d really like to sit down with you tomorrow and go over my plans.”

Jake shook his head. “Don’t count on it.”

Mackenzie pursed her lips. It was too bad that she had to have such an unwilling partner in this, but she was committed to the project and would see it through, with or without Jake’s help. She surveyed him closely as he drove. His short, military-style dark brown hair framed his face perfectly, and his clean-cut features and Southern gentleman manners made him seem professional yet also approachable. If anything, he had gotten more handsome over the years. How was that possible? He was perfect for her movie and would do an excellent job of representing the US Marshals, if she could just get him to cooperate.

She snuck another look at his profile. Over the years, he had honed his muscular physique, and he probably worked out on a regular basis to keep his strong, athletic body fit. She had always thought he was good-looking, and a new whisper of attraction swept over her now as she admired the man he had become. She shook her head and tried to push it away. How ridiculous. Back in school, Jake had never returned her sentiment, and she had made a fool of herself around him on more than one occasion. She certainly didn’t want to do so again. She forced her eyes to look out the window and watch the passing scenery. A few moments later, though, she returned to her perusal, almost without realizing it. His eyes. Those had always been his best feature. Jake Riley didn’t say very much, but his intense green eyes took in everything around him, and his mind was sharp, always catching the little details that others probably overlooked. A quiet observer of all he surveyed—that was an apt description of the deputy. There was a sadness in those eyes, though—as if he had seen the worst humanity had to offer and never really recovered. She wondered what he did for fun outside the workplace or if he even had any hobbies away from the job that brought joy to his life. He’d never been a “life of the party” kind of guy, but she remembered him enjoying sports and going to movies. Now his job seemed to define him. Was there more beneath the surface?

“What about your laptop?” Jake asked, suddenly breaking her train of thought. “Did you want to stop somewhere to buy a new one? We can do that now, too, if you’d like.”

The question startled her, and she abandoned her musings. “I have a Costco membership and can probably find something there. I don’t need anything fancy—just something with enough speed to support my video software. I would appreciate it if we could stop, but I don’t want to keep you away from the office if you need to get back.”

Jake was quiet for a moment. “Actually, I’d rather take you on your errands. Until we have a better handle on the folks threatening you and what they’re after, I want to make sure you’re safe. That’s my priority.”

Mackenzie’s immediate reaction was surprise, which was quickly replaced with doubt. “But I know you’re really busy, and like you said, I don’t want to be in your way...” His opposition to her project was already a mountain she needed to climb, and she didn’t want to make it worse by interrupting even more of his work.

Jake stopped at a streetlight and turned to look her in the eye. “It’s a done deal, Mackenzie. And you don’t need to worry. You’re a victim in the Beckett case, and I’ve been assigned to work with you on this film project, so either way, spending time with you is appropriate.” He leaned a bit closer. “I’m going to make sure you’re safe, movie or no movie.” The Southern twang of his accent softened the forcefulness of his statement, but friction still sizzled in the air. She was still uncomfortable with having him serve as her escort. A moment passed as their eyes locked, but then the stoplight changed and he turned his attention back to his driving.

* * *

Jake drove the rest of the way to the warehouse store in virtual silence, but he kept a vigilant watch on Mackenzie as she shopped. She picked out a new laptop and case that would meet her needs, as well as a new portable hard drive to replace the one that had been damaged in the fire, so she could store and back up her video clips as she had before.

A few minutes later, they retrieved her camera and other equipment she needed from her assistant’s house. Then they made a third stop by her safety deposit box at her bank, and she downloaded copies of all her movies onto her new hard drive, leaving the original backups in the box so they would remain safely tucked away. Jake was anxious to watch her film about homeless children to see if he could find any connections to the case, so he was glad a copy of her work still existed. Even though he wasn’t thrilled to be working with her, he realized that Mackenzie and her movie project were his best leads for finding and arresting Beckett. Before he could watch the video, however, he knew he had to do something about her safety. She had already been attacked twice in twenty-four hours. He couldn’t risk losing her to Beckett and his goons. As soon as they returned to his workplace, Jake led her along a long hallway. He unlocked a door and motioned for her to follow him in.

“What’s this about?”

“Security. Have you ever worn a bulletproof vest before?”

Mackenzie shook her head. “No. I’ve never needed one before.”

“Until we have Beckett behind bars, you need one.” He pulled a vest off a hook, checked the tag and handed it to her. “This is a medium. Let’s see if it fits. It’s the smallest size we have.” He helped her get it on and showed her how to tighten the straps. When he breathed in, he paused. Jasmine. It had to be jasmine in her perfume. The sweet scent distracted him once again, and he gritted his teeth. Why did this woman affect him so?

He thought back to the skinny, awkward kid whom he and Jonathan had done their best to ditch when they were in college. They could have treated her better. He felt a pang of regret.

“Wow! It’s so heavy!”