Page 25 of Hidden Falls

Lei sighed. “I can tell you have doubts about Harry, and I don’t blame you. But you’re not seeing her at her best. She’s—sharp as a whip, and fun when she’s not stressed out beyond what any mom should have to endure.”

“Okay. I’ll take your word for it.”

“Jealous?”

“Of you two being able to work together every day like we used to when you were in the FBI?” Marcella smiled. “You bet I am.”

“You’re still my best friend, now and always,” Lei said. “I’m kinda proud I’ve been able to get closer to Sophie, and now Harry. I’m over being a loner. It’s overrated.”

“Let’s toast to that,” Marcella said. They chimed their glasses together and drank.

13

Lei got into bed much later, pleasantly buzzed from the wine and talking with Marcella. She snuggled next to her husband as he lay gently snoring, his long body stretched out, one arm up with a hand tucked under the pillow, the other resting along his side. A familiar pose, one that both of their children also assumed when sleeping.

Lei slid a leg over Stevens’s waist and rested her forehead on the bulge of his shoulder muscle, hoping he’d open that arm to tuck her in beside him—but he was too deeply asleep. After all their years together, she still slept best beside him, even though he took up most of the bed, and threw off enough heat BTUs to warm the whole room.

Lei had a hard time falling asleep though; she was frustrated with how things were going on the case so far. She tossed and turned, glad Stevens was a heavy sleeper, at least tonight.

She was finally dozing off, still churning over what directions to follow with Malia’s disappearance, when her phone, on vibrate on the nightstand, buzzed.

She picked it up. HARRY showed in the identification window.

Lei sat up quickly and put her feet on the floor, unplugging the phone and heading across the bedroom to the door before she picked up the call, shutting the portal behind her so Stevens could sleep. “Harry?”

“Lei. I need your help.” Harry’s voice was low and harsh, pressured.

Lei padded through the darkened house to the living room. Moonlight spilled through the windows, casting a silver glow on the furniture. In his padded bed near the door, Conan lifted his head to track her progress, his eyes like jewels. “Where are you, Harry?”

“Mexico. Lei, I’m in trouble.”

“Where is Cruz?”

“I don’t know. We were supposed to meet at the airport, and—he never showed up. Then, someone took a potshot at me. Someone’s after me. I’ve been on the run since I got here.”

“Who’s after you?”

“I don’t know, but it has to be related to Malia’s disappearance. I think someone was waiting for me. Maybe they already got Cruz.” Harry’s breath hitched. “You have to help me!”

“I’ll call—"

“No. I needyou.Meet me in Mexico City and help me find Malia. It will be like old times.”

“Those old times sucked. We barely survived them if you remember.” Lei blew out a breath and pushed back her tangled curls. “This is crazy, Harry, and crazy is not how we operate anymore.” Had her friend gone off the deep end with the stress of Malia’s kidnapping?

“This is an emergency, Lei. The worst kind of crisis a parent can face. I’m counting on you, and youoweme. I helped you rescue Kelly that time in Mexico, and I didn’t have to.”

“No, you didn’t. I haven’t forgotten.” Lei shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Get a flight as soon as you can. I’ll text you on where to meet when I have a safe place figured out.”

The phone went dead.

“Dammit, Harry!” Lei lowered the device. Conan whined, sensing her distress. He got up from his bed and came to lean heavily against her bare legs. She sat down on the couch, petting him.

Lei still missed her old girl, Keiki. They’d had an almost spiritual connection. But Conan was a good dog, steady, and loving, a great guard for the family. She stroked his silky triangle ears, the squared dome of his forehead, and the worried little brown patches above his eyes, made liquid by the moonlight.

Harry was right.

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