Finding Amy (12 page)

Chapter 18

Carson concentrated on keeping the truck on the slick road. What the hell were they going to do now? Play Max’s game like he had three years ago that ended with his star witness dead? Not this time, Max. He would be on guard and do his best to keep Amy out of his thoughts. If they had something between them, there would be time to pursue after they had Trish, and Martin Kenner and Max Guthrie were both behind bars. The hooker had told him Guthrie had a new dark blue Tundra. He gave her five hundred bucks to go into the truck stop, watch the twins and if an opportunity arose, snatch the kid, and leave the phone with instructions to wait for his call.

Carson should have
had her arrested, but that would’ve alerted the local authorities and the woman warned them not to call the cops or Trish would never be seen again. He needed to examine that phone Max had given Jamie. When he spotted a rest area ahead, he took the exit and eased into the parking lot.

Amy leaned forward. “Why are we stopping?”

Carson glanced at her. “I need to see the phone Guthrie gave Jamie.”

Amy rummaged around on the floor
, located the discarded phone and handed it to Carson. “What are you looking for?”

“I don’t know yet.”
Carson examined the Smartphone Max had obviously picked up at one of the truck stops or a discount store. There were no bells or whistles to it. Just a basic, untraceable, prepaid, phone. He punched the menu button until he found the last number that had called. He could call Guthrie back and try to negotiate a deal.

“
Jamie, I need the post office location and box number where you mailed the bag.” Carson took out his pin and pad and watched her in the rearview mirror.

She sta
red straight ahead, eyes glazed over and fixed on nothing. He had seen that faraway look before. She had zoned out and in another place. A place they might not be able to reach without help.

Amy grabbed
Jamie’s right arm and shook her hard. “Jamie, Carson needs to know where you sent the duffel bag.”

Jamie
turned her head and stared at Amy. “What?”

Amy frown
ed, shook her head, and repeated the request for the third time. His pulse rate increased. Carson couldn’t lose his temper with Jamie but it was getting harder by the minute. He turned around and frowned at her.

“Look
, Jamie, if you want to get Trish back safely, you have to help. You need to snap out of it and give me the information I need. Now!” He hit the back of the seat to get her attention.

Jamie
reached for her oversize bag and rummaged through it until she located an address book. Flipping through the pages, she read off the post office box number. “I’m sorry. I can’t think clearly since that monster took my baby.” She wiped her eyes. “I do want her back, Carson. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Carson nodded, gripped the cell phone
Max had sent to Jamie and stepped out into the cold night air. At least the snow had stopped and the road to home looked like good traveling. The nagging pain in his back from sitting in the truck so long and lack of sleep, could cause his normally calm demeanor to take a hike. His mind wanted to shut down and he had trouble concentrating. Not getting enough sleep might cause him to make costly mistakes and could get people hurt. An idea popped into his head that might be the perfect solution. He would call Rex as soon as he had dealt with Guthrie.

Pressing the button
that would connect the two phones, Guthrie’s line rang.

“Yeah.” Max’s impatience came through in his voice.

“This is Ranger Garrett. I want to make a deal.”

Max snickered. “I don’t see where you
’re in any position to make any deal, Garrett.”

Rage surged through Carson as
he gripped the phone. He turned his back to the truck and lowered his voice. “Now you listen to me Guthrie. You leave that little girl at the next truck stop and I won't come after you. If you don't agree, then I'll hunt you down and when I'm finished with you, there won’t be enough to bury.”

A deep throaty laugh came through the receiver. “We both know
I have the upper hand, Garrett, just like in Dallas when I had the advantage. Your job is to get those women to Texas and get me that bag. If you don't do it, you'll never find the girl's body.” The line went dead.

“Damn,
” Carson mumbled. Guthrie didn’t even give him time to offer the deal. Carson caught the exhaustion interfering with his quick thinking and all reasoning growing dimmer. Without sleep, he would be useless to the twins. He had to take drastic steps to outsmart Max Guthrie.

He
climbed back into the truck, threw the cell phone in the passenger seat and opened the glove box. Retrieving his personal phone, he punched the button to call his brother. Because of the time difference, Rex would be coming home from work. Carson didn’t know who else to call that could get to them quick.

“
Hang on bro, give me a second to put the milk away. Carson heard the refrigerator door close the Rex picked up the phone. “Okay. What’s up?”

“Sorry
, kid. I have a pretty big problem and need your help.” He explained the abduction of the little girl and the condition Guthrie had outlined to get her back. “We’re coming up on the Colorado line now and I can be in Denver by the time you land.” Carson hesitated. “Rex, I haven’t slept in almost three days and my judgment is foggy.”

“
Let me see if I can catch Dennis.” Carson waited as Rex called the rance foreman over the intercom. When no answer came, Rex yelled. “Dennis!”

“Sorry, boss. I was out back. What cha need?”
The ranch foreman asked.

“
Get the Cessna gassed and ready for a trip to Denver, Colorado. I’ll meet you at the hanger in about ten minutes.”

“Roger,
that. I’ll have it ready,” Dennis confirmed.

“
Carson, I’m back. We should be there by the time you arrive. Drive safe.”

Carson knew he could count on his brother.
“Thanks, Rex. I’ll see you in a few hours.” Carson disconnected and placed the phone in his shirt pocket.

Knowing Rex would meet them in Denver, gave Carson the second wind he needed. He put the truck into gear and pulled out of the rest stop.
He should have thought of this sooner. He liked the plan better than trying to drive all the way back to Texas in his condition. Rex could be here in four hours and they would take the plane home, get the women settled and wait for Guthrie’s next call. The kidnapper would be in Texas Ranger’s territory where Carson had plenty of help.

A
n empty church couldn’t have been as silent as the inside of his truck. His thoughts were so loud in his head the women must be ease dropping. The middle of the back seat, where Trish’s car seat had been, sat empty. Jamie leaned against the door behind the passenger seat with her eyes closed. Amy sat behind him and he couldn’t see her but hoped she had fallen asleep. Carson flipped the police scanner on low and pointed the speakers in his direction to keep from blasting the cab and disturbing the women. Rex should have the plane prepped and out of the hanger by now.

When the two brother’s business started taking off, Rex had talked Carson into buying
the twin engine Cessna. They both had pilots license and had logged more than a hundred hours flying time. Rex had more experience landing in snowy conditions and wouldn’t have any trouble in Denver. He’d bring Dennis for a back-up.

****

Max had watched the white truck pull out onto the interstate and head east. He started the engine, fairly certain the people in the dually hadn’t seen the Tundra between the eighteen wheelers.

“I have to go potty.” Trish screamed for the third time.

Max turned the ignition off and swiveled in the seat. “You just went.”

“I gotta go again.” Trish whimpered.

“Okay. We’re going. Now listen, I’m a policeman and there are some bad people who’ve taken your mother. I’m taking you to her but if you tell anyone you might never see her again. Do you understand?” Max showed her the Glock he carried.

The little girl shoved her tiny body as far back into the seat as she could and nodded.

“Good. We’re going to go in, you do your business and we leave. Understand?”

Trish stuck out her bottom lip and nodded again.

Max grabbed her tiny arm and rested his other hand on the gun he’d placed in his coat pocket. He drug her toward the back of the store. At the door to the women’s restroom, he bent over so they were face to face. “Remember what I told you and don’t talk to anyone or you’ll never see your mommy again.”

Max let her go in alone and stood outside, by the exit. Trish returned within a few minutes and they marched through the parking lot back to the truck.
Her wet face and red rimmed eyes sent guilt surging through him but he quickly repressed it.

Chapter 19

The snow had stopped when Carson and the twins reached the Colorado state line. The roads were still slick and black slush caused him to drive slower. If he had to drive at this speed all the way to Texas, it would take days, not hours. The muscles in his neck ached from the tension. He had to flex his fingers several times to get the blood circulating again. He unconsciously gripped the steering wheel causing them to go to sleep.

Glancing in the rearview mirror
, Amy had scooted over to the center and stared out the side window. “We’ll be picking up my brother, Rex, at The American Truck Stop this side of Denver International.” She met his eyes in the mirror and her gaze softened.

“Can he help?”
Jamie asked.

“I hope so. I want him to help with driving. I don’t know if
Guthrie is behind us or in front. I need an extra pair of eyes and Rex is trained for this sort of thing. I don’t want another episode like the one in Montana. I don’t think my truck can take anymore abuse.”

“We can catch a flight in Denve
r and be in Tyler a lot sooner,” Amy suggested.

Carson had already thought of sending the twins back to the ranch i
n his plane. He’d call the captain and have him assign a couple of men to stay on the property for more security. “As long as Guthrie has Trish and I know he’s in this area, I’m staying close. I’m going to send you two back on my plane and Rex will help me track him down. You’ll be staying at our ranch where I know you’ll both be safe.”

“I
’m not getting that far away from my daughter. I’m staying with you until we find Trish.” Jamie’s voice cracked with determination.

“Then I’m staying
, too,” Amy assured her.

“My main concern is to keep all three of you safe. It would make it a lot easier if I didn’t have to worry about either of you. I
’ll keep you updated on our progress and with Rex here to help, we can make better time.” Carson reasoned.

He
caught Jamie in his mirror, shaking her head. “No. You’ll have to pull me out of this truck and physically carry me to the plane. I won’t go willingly.”

Carson took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. He found Amy’s face in the same mirror and she looked at him with pleading eyes. He couldn’t argue with the twins. Their minds were set. Of course he could force them to board the plane but then he would be the devil in jean
s and a Stetson. He had to go along with them. For now.

When he pulled into th
e truck stop, Carson spotted a red Jeep Cherokee he knew Rex had rented. Pulling up beside the Cherokee, he cut the engine and leaned on the back of the seat. “I can relate to your feelings. I don’t know if I could leave the area either, if it were my child. I hoped you two would go back to Texas, have the bag ready for Guthrie so there would be no delay in getting the baby back.”

Carson waited while the twins pondered his statement. Amy’s
brow crinkled with doubt and a tear rolled down Jamie’s cheek. They were looking at each other, communicating without talking. Amy would follow her sister. Whatever Jamie wanted, Amy would go along with, no matter of her own opinion. He wanted to hold and comfort her. He had seen her jaw tense and her shaking hands. The situation had to be equally difficult for both of them.

“I’m
staying. I can’t leave my baby,” Jamie finally stated.

A
my glanced at him and nodded in agreement.

All three adults walked
into the truck stop and curved around a corner into the restaurant. Carson waited for the sisters to be seated before he slid into the corner booth next to his brother.

“
Ladies, this is my brother Rex and our ranch foreman, David. Guys these two lovely ladies are Amy and Jamie.

“Wow. Carson didn’t tell me you were identical twins nor how beautiful you are. I’ll have to have a talk with my older brother.” Rex studied
Jamie who sat in front of him. She had the same dark auburn hair hanging in curls down her back that mimicked her sisters. She had the same dark auburn hair that curled over one side of her delicate but strained face. “I can’t get over how much they look alike.” Rex turned to Carson.

The waitress came
to take their orders. The men ordered coffee and the women had tea. Carson patted Rex on the back. “Did you have any trouble?”

“I didn’t see anything on the way here but didn’t expect to. You can bet he’s not far away. I don’t think we should stay here long.
Catch me up on what’s happened so far and we can get moving. If you ladies are hungry get something you can eat in the truck. It might be a while before we get another chance to stop.”

Rex shot orders as if he had been in charge all along. Carson
let him. Any decision Carson made right now could be thrown out in court. His head swam with a fog he could barely see through. There must be a pound of sand in his eyes. Understanding Rex was a blur. It came through like a two-way radio that had a bad connection. Someone had to take control, he had fried his brain.

“No. Thank you,” t
he twins said in unison, refusing the offer of food.

Carson stopped the waitress when she returned a few minutes later with an a
ssortment of pastries, two teas and three black coffees. “I know you don’t feel like eating but you need to keep up your strength.” He tapped the platter of pastries the waitress held. “We’ll get these to go.”

Rex continued to stare at
Jamie. When she didn’t raise her head, he cleared his throat and rested his arms on the table. “I guess we need to get down to business. Fill me in, brother.”

Carson caught Rex up to date on everything he
could. “My plan is to catch him if we can spot that Tundra. If not then I’ll notify the authorities and we’ll set a trap for him in Tyler.” He turned to Amy who sat across from him. “Are you ready to get back on the road?”

Amy nodded, rose and started toward the door. Carson caught her arm and held her back whil
e the other three exited the station.

She cocked he
r head and frowned. Her nerves had to be strung tight and could break any second. She had to let out some of her emotion.

“Are you alright?” He held her arms so she faced him
.

Amy couldn’t speak. Her expression softened and her eyes cloud
ed over. She lowered her head to hide the tears. Carson pulled her into his arms, oblivious to anyone who might be watching. Sobs wrecked her body. He held her until she stopped crying. Easing her away, he placed his finger under her chin and raised her head. Tears stained her cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumb. His heart pounded against his ribs. He hated seeing her upset. Damn Guthrie. He’d get him; one way or the other.

“We have to find her.” Her muffled voice
came out barely audible. Her hands gripped the shirt under his jacket and held as if she couldn’t stand alone. “I feel so helpless.”

Carson caressed her back. “Try not to worry.
Let me do that. We
will
find her and Guthrie and Martin will pay. I promise you.” He leaned closer, placed a lingering kiss on her moist lips, raised his head and looked into her eyes. “Now let’s go see if we can catch the scumbag.”

****

Amy could only stare at him through cloudy eyes. If she could stay wrapped in his arms until this ended, she would feel safer. When Carson leaned over, she had raised her head and accepted his kiss. She needed the reassurance his affection brought. His warmth surged through her, giving her the will to fight. Her breath caught in her throat when he kissed her forehead. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, they walked to the truck. After she was tucked into the back seat and the bag of pastries between the twins, he pitched the keys to Rex. Waving to David as he drove off in the rented Jeep, Carson climbed into the passenger seat.

“
If you see anything, wake me.” Carson told Rex as soon as his brother had helped Jamie into the back seat. He settled his head against the door. The snow had stopped and the sun struggled to peek through the heavy clouds. Clear visibility and no new snowfall, promised easy travel, Amy hoped.

Rex shut the door and walk
ed around the truck. What could he be doing? She thought they were in a hurry to get on the road. Carson sat up when the door opened. The truck shook when Rex climbed in.

“Guess you didn’t see this, did you?” Rex held a small black button with a red blinking light and tiny wires jutting out from the sides.

Carson raised his head and glanced down at Rex’s hand. “Damn. Where did you find that? I found one just like it under the right fender.”

Rex examined the button. He turned it over and read the writing on the back side. “
Under the left fender. It popped right off. Now we know how Guthrie kept finding you.”

“He has no reason to follow us now.” Carson dropped his head back on the pillow and shut his eyes. “Wake me when we get home.”

A slight smile creased Amy’s lips even though the nerves in her fingers tingled. Her legs and arms hung limp. A clear thought no longer existed for her. Her lids kept closing and refusing to open. When she tried to succumb to her exhaustion and doze, the truck would bounce, waking her.

Amy gave up trying to sleep and touched her lips where
Carson’s kiss lingered. When she remembered his warmth, a flock of birds flew around in her belly and her heart pounded against her chest. With all that had happened she didn’t know if she could deal with her feelings for him right now.

“What happened to your arm?” Rex asked when they were back on the interstate.

Amy moved her arm. “When Guthrie hit the truck, I bumped it on the door. It’s better now. At least I can move without pain. How long before we reach Texas?”

“If we don’t run into anymore snow we’ll make better time. I’m guessing about six to eight hours.
It could be more if the weather gets worse. I hope we run into Guthrie before that and we can end this thing.”

“What happens if we don’t find
Guthrie before we get to Texas?” Jamie asked from the seat behind Rex.

Rex glanced in the rearview mirror. “I have
made several calls to headquarters. Carson has the rangers on alert. Everyone is just waiting for a sighting, and he’ll screw up. Criminals always do. Don’t worry, Jamie. We’re going to catch him and get your daughter.”

****

Max reached for the gear-shift on the floor and shoved the four-wheel drive into place. He dropped the main gear into drive and stepped on the gas. The truck jerked forward and the tires spun. He put the truck in reverse and repeated. He rocked the truck back and forth until it worked its way loose and skidded from its parking place. He had stopped on the side of the road to get the kid to stop crying and had gotten the truck stuck in the snow. Thank goodness he had all ready installed the chains.

Max glanced over his shoulder at the sleeping child.
He praised himself for packing the tiny green bottle of chloroform he’d stolen from his ex-girlfriend who worked for a doctor. The child hadn't moved. The truck bounced and the rear end slid sideways. He jerked his head around as the truck headed for the ditch. Gripping the steering wheel, he eased the tires back onto the pavement. They spun to the right. He had to regain control. He couldn't afford to get stuck and have the law find him with the kid.

Max managed to get the front wheels on the road but the back kept sliding toward the ditch. Letting off of the accelerator, he steered into the slide. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His knuckles turned white as he
gripped the steering wheel. Tapping the brake lightly several times, he finally stopped the truck. The rear wheels where half way off the road. The packed snow and ice hid the exact depth of the ditch. It had to be deeper than it looked. The front tires locked between the drop-off and the drop-down of the pavement. He laid his head on the wheel. A loud siren startled him.

Glancing through the fogged up window,
a black and white cruiser with its red light flashing sat behind him. He pushed the button to open the window, it wouldn't budge. Max shoved his shoulder into the door and it popped open. He reached for the Glock that lay on the seat beside him and eased it into his coat pocket before stepping out onto the icy pavement.

“You al
l right?” A Highway Patrolman walked up to the car where Max stood.

“Mommy.”
A tiny whimper came from the back seat. His pulse quickened as he shoved the door shut. He had to get rid of the cop.

“I'm fine
, officer. The interstate is a lot slicker than I thought.”

“This weather is not easy to drive in if you're not from this are
a. Where are you headed?” The officer leaned toward the back window and tried to look inside.

Max stepped over between the
officer and the back door. “I'm trying to get to a motel in Colorado and ride out the storm.”

“
I need to see your license and insurance card. Why did you pull off the road in the first place?” He took the documents Max offered and studied them.