Off the Grid Read Free Page A

pull on his arm stopped him in his tracks.
    “You plan on paying for that, pal?” The skinny pimped out security guard regarded him with zeal in his eye, one hand flexing over his portable radio.
    “Excuse me?”
    The guard shot a pointed look at his hands.
    “This? Changed my mind. Not her style.” He shoved the scarf still clutched in his hand at the scowling mall cop and hustled through the huge doors and into the worst snowstorm Vancouver had suffered through in decades.
    Back at his office he spared a few minutes for damage control. He filled the other partners in before contacting the Executive Director of Safe Nights. By the time he pulled his Range Rover out of his private parking spot the streets were next to impassable.
    The half hour drive to Sophie’s downtown clinic took him two hours. He slid his way into the all but deserted parking lot next to a vehicle buried in snow. To celebrate his safe arrival he lowered his throbbing head to the steering wheel and closed his eyes. His hands still welded to the wheel. There was no way either of them were getting back to the Four Seasons in time for anything.
    Outside the Rover the waves of shifting snow appeared undisturbed. His shoe clad feet disappeared in a freezing bank of snow. Wonderful. He tugged the collar of his overcoat closer. Chances were the good doctor was going to be pissed to see him here. But he’d learned the hard way to trust his instincts.
    The front door was secured but he hit pay dirt at the backdoor. It was unlocked, which worried him. The odor of disinfectant assaulted his nose. He paused. Lights on up ahead suggested activity. A hoarse cry stopped him in his tracks then sent him rushing forward.
    “Sophie.” He reached a bank of closed doors. Another cry pierced the air. “Sophie. Are you all right? It’s Caleb.”
    The second door from the end flung open. A woman charged out. Sophie pushed past her into the hallway.
    “Caleb.” Confusion replaced disbelief. Her amazing green eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”
    A low groan filled the room behind her and Sophie disappeared again. Caleb’s view was blocked by the mystery woman. Her dark hair hung in strings around her weathered face. She pushed the strands back behind her ears. Wrinkles fanned out from narrowed, staring eyes. The stench of body order and stale cigarettes filled the air. She barely reached his shoulder yet she had the upper hand. They both knew it.
    Then Sophie was at the door again. “Marnie, it’s okay, he’s with me.”
    “You told someone we were here?” demanded the older woman.
    Sophie scrubbed a hand over her face. “No. Of course not.”
    “Then what’s he doing here?” Marnie stabbed a finger in his direction.
    Sophie’s tone was guarded. “I’m supposed to be at a fundraiser. Caleb is sort of my date.”
    Marnie curled her lip and subjected him to a full body scan. “You have a date? With him?”
    Caleb inhaled, slow and silent. He let her sarcasm slide. In his line of work keeping your head was part of the job description. “I came to check on Sophie.”
    The exhaustion cleared from Sophie’s eyes. “Excuse me?”
    Caleb backtracked. “Okay, not the best choice of words, but—”
    “Is this guy for real?” demanded Marnie.
    Sophie rolled her eyes. “Unfortunately, yes.”
    “I don’t like him. Get rid of him.” The older woman crossed her arms and gave her best impression of a brick wall.
    “Charming.” To Sophie, he asked, “Can I have a moment?”
    “Marnie, relax.” Sophie stepped around her. Marnie flinched but didn’t budge. “I need you back in the room with Kellie while I speak to Caleb.”
    It worked for him. He wasn’t going anywhere until Sophie explained what was going on. He waited until her eyes were back on him. “Are you okay?”
    “Why don’t you go to hell?” Marnie pushed forward. Sophie put an arm out to block her path. Caleb tensed, ready to defend Sophie. Or himself.
    “Sophie, I need an