Detour ericka stone case.., p.1
Detour, Ericka Stone Case #008,
p.1
Detour
Ericka Stone
Case #008
By
Felicia Rogers
Detour
Ericka Stone
Case #008
Copyright ©2024 by Felicia Rogers
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
Contact Information:
Website: http://feliciarogersauthor.weebly.com
Email: feliciarogersauthor@yahoo.com
Published by:
Felicia Rogers
Cover Design by For the Muse Designs
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The author, Felicia Rogers, does not consent to any artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, and machine learning.
Dedication…
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
And to my family who continues to support me through this writing journey.
And to my father, who left this world too soon.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Excerpt from Journey, Ericka Stone Case #009
Author’s Note
Other works by Felicia Rogers
Stand-alone works:
All I Have
The Holiday Truce
A Month in Cologne
Andrews Brothers (Regency Romance)
The Ruse
The Rescue
Southern Hearts Series (Civil War Romance)
Millicent
Amelia
Cora
“Justice” and Miss Quinn Mysteries (Regency Romance)
The Case of the Missing Cross
The Case of the Puppet Constable
The Case of the Secret Love
The Case of the Chinese Boxes
The Case of the Hidden Treasure
The Case of the Lost Island
The Kenelm Chronicles (Regency Romance)
The Golden Goose
The Silver Moon
The Bronze Heart
Hudson Hunts: The First and Last
Secret Defenders (Paranormal Romance)
Cian and Arin: Beginning (prequel)
The Key
Mara’s Secret
Iceas’ Victory
Meaningful Numbers Series (Christian Romance)
One of Forty
One of Twelve
One of Three
The Haywood Brothers Series (Christian Romance)
Love of a Businessman
Love of a Detective
Love of a Rancher
Redeemed Soldiers (Christian Romance)
Diamond Mine
Pearl Valley
Emerald Street
Ruby’s Way
Amethyst Cove
Sapphire Shoals
Opal Obsession
Ericka Stone Cases (Clean Detective Stories)
Freelance
Pendant
Treasure
Escape
Reunion
Reckless
Discovery
Detour
Journey (coming Summer 2024)
The Board Series by F. A. Rogers
(novellas are listed in order)
Maralie (FREE on Amazon)
Reuben
Vanessa
Simon
Darla
Daniel
Irving
Levi
Francesca
Benjamin
James
The Return to Eden’s Hollow
Chapter One
Detective Ericka Stone watched the black sedan in front of them. Greg Kane, Tito Santos, and Burle McKay led the way. Red brake lights winked on then off, then on then off. The bumper-to-bumper traffic had been non-stop, so had Linda Tolliver’s directions and instructions.
“Now, when you get inside make friends. So, don’t be too good at everything.”
Ericka cocked her brow but didn’t move her eyes from the road.
“Also, we managed to get Greg and Tito in as well. I would contend you would have better luck with either population, but the two won’t let you go in alone. Burle will go with us into the base and help with the non-undercover parts.”
Ericka nodded.
Linda enjoyed repeating and reviewing, repeating and reviewing. It was making Ericka nuts.
Her trip to Florida had been thwarted by a dead battery. Once fixed she helped a woman find her son. Finding her son had led to the bones of a soldier being found. Or so they theorized.
Quinn and Maggie were running leads on missing soldiers. So far, they had no proof of who was missing. None of the reports mentioned a missing man. The local military bases had been asked and there was nothing saying that someone had gone missing fifteen years ago. Now they needed to infiltrate to find out for sure. If the skeleton hadn’t come from a soldier, then it could have been a civilian.
They needed to know for sure.
“Detour.”
“What?”
“There’s a detour. You’re required to be on base at 1500 hours tomorrow. Being late won’t look good for a soldier.”
Ericka held her tongue as she took the detour toward the base. Linda continued to discuss their plans. The traffic thickened. Ericka slowed and looked at the heads in the car in front of them.
Greg drove. Tito sat shotgun. Burle was in the back. Why Burle agreed to go was still a mystery. Perhaps he didn’t want to go back to New York too soon. Blake would find something wild and crazy for him to do if he did. He might as well stay with the devil he knew.
“Hungry?”
“What?”
“Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“I see a fast-food joint up on the left. Maybe we should stop and give the traffic time to die down.”
“Should we tell the boys? They’ll reach it before us.”
“Nah, let’s let them go ahead and find their own place. You and I, we need to talk.”
Ericka cocked her brow and flipped her turn signal on. The rental car didn’t make that much noise so she’d hoped with the radio on Linda wouldn’t notice. She also hoped the guys in the other car did.
She counted under her breath. By the time they reached the exit she’d almost given up hope. At the last minute, they turned off and she breathed a sigh of relief. Spending a private meal with just Linda as she talked about Holden and how he belonged to her was not something that Ericka planned to do.
In fact, part of her couldn’t wait to get on base. First, she’d be away from Linda Tolliver. Second, she’d be somewhere familiar.
The two cars stopped in front of a shabby looking restaurant and the agents climbed out of the car. Ericka stretched her arms over her head and arched her back. The drive she could have done without. If she ever went back to Florida, she would do so on a plane.
Greg moved closer. “Ready to eat?”
She nodded. Before she walked inside, she looked up and drew in a deep breath.
This was another adventure. One that she planned to walk away from and give some mother and family peace. It felt good.
****
Greg watched everyone enter the restaurant. On the drive he’d continuously looked through the rearview mirror. Ericka and Linda had followed them. Guys in one vehicle, girls in another.
Someone had mentioned that girls pee more and the girls had decided the guys could travel in Greg’s car and the girls would use the rental car. Linda’s car had been left at her house. He had no idea how Linda and Holden would get back to Asheville, but he would let them worry about that.
Greg sighed.
Efficiency.
The military was all about efficiency. They would be looking for it.
On the drive, Holden and Burle had gotten into another discussion about “the plan”. Burle had asked at least a dozen times. Holden was getting frustrated. Greg could tell.
He’d thought about offering a break. They could stretch their legs or just not look at each other for a few moments. Then he’d seen Ericka’s blinker.
Burle had been upset that they hadn’t called. There had been a whole discussion on the lack of warning. Holden had probably aptly coined the entire situation when he said that Linda was in charge of the sudden desire to leave the road without letting them know.
As Greg watched Linda, he noted that she stood directly between Ericka and Holden. Now he understood all the things
Linda moved into the bar and Greg strolled up beside Holden.
“Were you two in a relationship?”
“Who?” Holden looked confused.
Greg continued, “With Ericka. Were you two ever a thing.”
Holden shook his head. “Nope. Not for lack of trying. I even tried again when we met up recently, but she said her heart belongs to another.” He said the words in a dramatic fashion, placing his hands over his heart and batting his lashes.
“So, you just decided to move over to Linda like that?”
Holden quickly dropped his previous posture. “Not exactly. Secretly, I’ve liked Linda for a while. I mean, we work closely together. I’ve watched her work. I’m impressed. But she is hard to get the attention of. I thought a little dose of jealousy might help.”
“I see.” He didn’t really, but what else could he say?
Linda looked at them and called, “Cassidy, get over here and let’s order. There is no reason to deny a hungry woman any longer.”
Holden rolled his eyes but moved next to Linda. When he reached her side, he looked back and winked at Greg. So, he wasn’t really upset.
Strange people.
Tito followed the couple, but more slowly.
Ericka held back.
“You did the signal even though Linda wanted you to leave us, right?” Greg knew Holden’s theory was definitely correct now. But having confirmation wouldn’t hurt.
“I did.” She leaned in closer, her voice a harsh whisper. “She wanted to talk to me. No way I could have done that. Being alone with her in the car is torment enough!”
Greg coughed to cover his laughter. “Maybe when we leave, we should shake things up a bit.”
“I’m all for that.” Ericka’s shoulders relaxed as they approached the counter to request a seat.
Greg couldn’t wait to find out what Linda spoke of when away from Holden. That would be an interesting conversation for sure.
****
Robert Stone hid in the tall pines and watched Felix, Gertrude, and Cade. They were sitting on the porch rocking back and forth in rocking chairs. Every now and then Cade would strum the guitar.
Felix was finally home and at peace.
He made comments about being spirited away to an island of scantily clad women, but Robert had known it wasn’t Felix’s true desire. He was living his true desire now.
Robert stepped back a few steps before facing the road and heading back to his car. He’d had to see if Felix had truly come out of hiding. He needed to know if he was an avenue for help, now he knew he wasn’t. Robert wouldn’t destroy another man’s happiness to preserve his own life.
He’d find another way.
There was always another way.
His WITSEC contact had been unreachable. It’d been so long since he’d reached out to the old man he might have died. Robert had been fine at the hospital as a doctor. He’d been there for so long it had seemed like he would never have to come out of hiding.
Robert shot another look at the porch. He couldn’t help wondering if Felix was the one who messed up and got him found.
But it didn’t matter.
He’d been outed.
If he couldn’t contact his lead to WITSEC he’d need to reach them another way. He’d go to the library and stay at the Madison B&B. With a little luck he might discover where his daughter lived and who she worked for. Maybe they would be willing to help an old agent.
He could hope.
Chapter Two
Ericka hoped and prayed the meal would end soon. They’d ordered, received food, eaten, and then started drinking coffee. She thought Linda was on her sixth cup. It was as if she didn’t want to leave. Or maybe she drank so much so, that she could encourage restroom stops.
The woman was devious.
“Look you guys keep saying how punctual the military is but I think we’re going to be late. We’ve only got an hour of driving in and we’re four more hours away.”
Linda patted Burle’s shoulder. “Good observation. We should get started.” She leaned against Holden. “How about driving me this time?”
If Linda believed she was making Ericka jealous, boy, was she wrong. Ericka had zero designs on Holden Cassidy. Sure, he was nice looking. Sure, he was a good agent. Yes, they had a history together of sorts, but it wasn’t like that.
They were friends.
Just like she was with everyone there.
Burle.
Um, Tito.
Ah, Greg.
Linda really had nothing to worry about.
Ericka drank a sip of the hot coffee and forced a smile after it burned the back of her throat.
“Linda, darlin’, I think it would be best if we weren’t alone.”
“Well, I don’t mind if someone rides with us.” She snuggled to his side and looked up at him while batting her lashes.
“I don’t mind either.”
“Who would you suggest?” She wiggled against him. She must be trying to deter anyone from riding with them. No one wanted to watch that for hours.
“I don’t know, who do you suggest, snookums?”
“For the love of Pete!” Burle threw his hands to the air. “I’ll ride with you too. I’m married. I don’t care if you act like lovesick lovebirds.” They all looked at him before being so obvious. “Well, you ready or what?”
Burle’s question spurred them into action. Ericka found herself in a car alone with Tito and Greg. Potential conversation topics made her feel slightly sick. At one time or another she’d had feelings for both of them. Honestly, she probably still did now.
She took the back seat stating her legs were shorter.
Greg took the passenger seat. They drove a few miles and the two of them started talking sports. She wasn’t sure which team or player. All she understood was something about shooting the three-throw record.
Back and forth they talked. She was being ignored. She wasn’t sure if she was offended or not.
Big trucks whooshed by blocking the sunlight. She remembered being in the hole. It hadn’t been unlike the Drust basement. Dark, damp, lonely. She’d found ways to entertain herself in both situations. Now she was headed back to base. She’d never thought she’d be there again.
“No, I’m telling you the Celtics are headed to the playoffs.” Greg had turned in his chair. He seemed irritated by the suggestion that what he’d said could be any different.
Ericka would have loved to discuss going back on base, but she was stuck listening to basketball statistics and expectations.
Their conversation continued as she tried to remember everything she’d learned in the military. After years of civilian life, it wasn’t coming to her as easily as she’d hoped. The laws were no big deal. She was more concerned with following authority.
“What do you think, Ericka?”
“Hmm?”
“Celtics or someone else going to the playoffs?”
Greg laughed.
Tito cocked one brow. “What’s so funny?”
“Ericka can play any sport like a pro, but she doesn’t follow any team.”
“Oh.”
Ericka sensed Tito’s disappointment that he didn’t know something about her, and Greg did.
“What is your favorite sport to play?” Tito looked in the rearview mirror.
“I would have to think on that one. I’ve never had a favorite.”
Again, disappointment.
He was trying to make conversation and draw her out, but she didn’t have answers to everything even if it was about herself. Besides, she didn’t want to talk about sports. She really wanted to talk about her father. Where he was, what he was doing? Or even the military and this mission they had inadvertently gotten themselves into.
One day, she might learn to keep her concerns to herself, and she wouldn’t be thrown into these types of cases.
****
Tito decided to give up. Every question he asked Ericka was blocked with a non-answer. Greg had attempted a conversation at least.
Maybe Ericka was upset with them. They had taken away her discovery. They really shouldn’t have done it. He hadn’t meant to. He hadn’t meant to let her father slip through his fingers. Now they would be separated again.
Now Tito was being forced to go to a military base. He’d never been to the military. His father was the boss, he felt like he would be better equipped to help on the outside. But he really didn’t want Ericka in there alone as well. While Greg was going inside, he still felt she needed him there.
