In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9] (16 page)

"Have you by any chance seen a red Willys jeep in the area? We've lost our camping buddies and can't figure out where they went."

"No, sorry, can't help you."

"Thanks."

Hawkman turned the SUV around and they continued their journey toward the Oregon border. Soon after they hit Topsy Grade and started downhill, he turned off on a side road which looked more like a cattle trail. “If my memory serves me right, there's a small grove of good sized trees up the way. I think I can conceal the 4X4 in the midst of them."

"Man, it would take me forever to learn this area. Where does this path lead?"

"Years ago it used to be a lumber road. Big logs were taken to the river and floated downstream to a saw mill which later burned down."

He soon spotted the cluster of oaks. As he eased deep into their midst, a few branches rubbed the top of the SUV. Glancing into his rearview mirror he could tell the vehicle would pretty much be hidden from view. “Okay, that should do it,” he said, as he opened the door and dropped his feet to the ground.

Both men readjusted their packs and Hawkman slid the stun gun into a zippered pocket in his jacket. He checked his shoulder holster, and released the flap over the gun. By the time they started hiking down the hill into the dense trees, darkness had set in. With a clear sky above, the moon cast strange shadows across the ground as a slight breeze rustled through the trees.

"I'm hoping your dad has a small fire going. It would definitely help us spot him,” Hawkman said in a low voice.

"Are we heading for any particular destination?"

"Yes. I'm pretty familiar with this area. My son and I used to hike it a lot. There are several old logging roads that dead end before reaching the river and are seldom used. I'm thinking your dad might find those very enticing and head down one. So I thought we'd stay north of the road going into Oregon. I could be all wrong, but it's worth a first try. If we don't find him, we'll opt for going back up the south side."

"Sounds like a good plan. I'm glad you know where you're going."

Hawkman chuckled. “I didn't learn overnight."

The men continued in silence, their gazes searching the landscape for any sort of glow which might indicate a campfire. They trudged onward for another hour before Hawkman stopped near the edge of some trees and plopped down on a large boulder. “I think it's time for a rest and a bite to eat."

"I'm with you there."

They ate a sandwich, and washed it down with water. Hawkman then pulled out his night binoculars and put them to his eyes. He scanned the area for several minutes, then focused on a darkened unleveled stretch of land. He couldn't make out if the uneven lines were buildings or shadows. He handed the binoculars to Skokie and pointed. “Take a look and tell me what you see."

Ray looked through the glasses and studied the terrain where Hawkman indicated. “Hmm, hard to say. It could be some type of structure. Yet on the other hand, it might be no more than a sunken area surrounded by a bunch of bushes."

"I say we go canvass the place and find out."

He handed the binoculars back to Hawkman. “Definitely looks like a good place to hide."

They hoisted their packs to their backs and hiked across a short stretch of meadow. As they neared the tract, they moved toward a row of oaks and hid in the shadows.

"What do you make of it?” Hawkman whispered.

"Appears to be a building of some sort tucked within a growth of bushes."

"Stay here and I'll go see what it is. I'll come back and get you if it looks promising."

Ray gave him the go sign and scooted behind the trunk of a tree.

Hawkman stayed hidden as he wound around the enclosure. When he got to what he suspected to be the front, he hunched behind a large rock and peered around the edge. Between two small structures sat the Willys jeep.
Now where was Hargrove?
Just as the thought passed through his mind, Jack walked out from an opening in one of the buildings. He had a flashlight and threw the beam on the ground as if looking for something. Hawkman ducked as the ray came closer. He could hear the man mumbling, but couldn't make out the words. Soon, he heard, ‘Ah ha, there it is.'

When it grew quiet, Hawkman decided to take a chance and stole a glance around the boulder. Jack had returned to the wooden structure and a glow showed through the wall cracks. He eased away and headed back where Ray waited.

"Your dad's there with the jeep."

Ray took Hawkman's arm. “I want to go in first. Maybe I can talk some sense into his thick head. I'm afraid if he sees you, he'll just pull a gun and I might not be able to stop him from shooting."

"It's going to be risky, regardless. He might gun down anyone who surprises him."

"I'll let him know who it is."

"If you're sure that's the way you want to handle it. I'll follow close behind, but stay out of sight. At least I can cover you."

He nodded. “Sounds good."

Hawkman gave him a quick description of how things were set up at his dad's campsite.

Ray took a deep breath and exhaled. “Okay, here goes."

Skokie set out and Hawkman followed. Whey they reached the hideout, Hawkman, his gun poised, crouched behind the boulder he'd used earlier.

He watched Ray walk right up the middle of the small opening, set his body in an awkward straddle legged stance, then he reared back his head and yelled. “Dad, are you in there?"

Jack Hargrove jerked up his head. He reached over and grabbed the pistol lying on the cot. Turning down the kerosene lamp, he inched toward the opening. “Who's there?” he called.

"It's me, Dad, Ray."

Yanking the flashlight from his back pocket, Jack stepped outside and guided the beam toward the voice. Ray flinched when it met his eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here?” Jack asked.

"I need to talk to you."

Hargrove swung the light across the ground and over the boulder where Hawkman was hidden. “You alone?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe it. You don't know this area. And I saw you getting out of the car at the ex-agent's house."

"You're in trouble, Dad. I want to help."

"How'd you find me?"

"Spotted the stolen jeep."

"Who told you about it?"

"I spoke with Bill Broadwell, he found out from Tom Casey. After I heard the story, I flew out here in hopes of finding you before you got yourself in deeper."

"Where you staying?"

"At Casey's place."

Jack stood rigid with the flashlight trained on his son's face. “I can't believe you walked all the way from the bridge."

Ray shielded his eyes with his hand. “Dad, move the damn light. You're blinding me. I need to sit down, my legs are tired."

Hargrove's hand twitched as he let the beam drop to the ground. “Sorry, son. Come on in and rest on my cot."

Once Ray shuffled inside, Hawkman crept to the back of the encampment. Even though he didn't think Jack would harm his son, he didn't trust the man. Edging closer to the building, he watched his footing and tried to be as quiet as possible. The shrub, a bramble type, kept catching on his jacket and jeans. He had to remove each individual vine carefully as not to make any noise. Finally, he made it to a very small window where he could hear the two men talking. Afraid to lean on the rotted wood, he crouched below the opening.

What Hawkman heard made his skin crawl. After listening for close to ten minutes, he decided to get out of there. He climbed swiftly out of the sticky bush and jogged back to his 4X4. He jumped into the cab and gunned down the dirt trail onto Ager Beswick Road, then aimed toward home.

When he crossed the bridge, he noticed a glow through the living room drapes. Jennifer must have had a surge of ideas and remained working at the computer or had found a good movie on the television.

He pulled into the driveway and hit the garage door button on the visor. Once he'd parked, he dashed to the front door and almost forgot about the alarm, but caught himself in time to quickly punch in the code.

Jennifer sat on the couch with Miss Marple curled in her lap. The minute he stepped into the living room, the cat jumped down and made a beeline toward him, but immediately backed away as soon as she smelled his footwear. Jennifer flipped off the television and looked confused.

"Where's Ray?"

"He won't be back."

"Why?” she asked, frowning.

"He and his dad are in cahoots."

She jumped up. “What!"

He flopped down on the couch and unlaced his boots. “They're in this mess together and tried to play me for a fool. But I overhead their conversation and got the hell out of there before they both came gunning for me."

Jennifer put a hand to her throat and fear crossed her face. “I don't understand."

"Neither do I, but I think Ray played his father into thinking it was all my fault for his accident. He hoped to get his dad so worked up he'd do the dirty work of killing me. I gather he slyly seeded his dad's mind with tidbits of bitterness. Then when Jack disappeared, Ray knew where he'd gone and somehow kept track of his movements. When things didn't happen quickly, and Jack seemed to get in more and more trouble, Ray wormed his way into coming out here. Bill and I both fell for his line."

"How did you find out all this?” She asked, dropping back down on the couch and giving him her undivided attention.

"Using my sleuthing technique of eavesdropping."

She wrinkled her forehead. “You've lost me. Please, explain."

Hawkman told her about finding Jack and what had transpired. “I don't think Ray counted on my overhearing their conversation. He's going to come out of there thinking I'm still waiting."

"Do you think he planned on shooting you right then and there?"

"It would've been as good a place as any. Far out in the country, no one around to hear the shot. They could have buried me in that old building and taken off in my 4X4.” He glanced at her. “And think about it. You had no idea how long we might be in those hills, so you probably wouldn't have called for help before a couple of days. By then, they'd have been long gone."

Jennifer hugged herself. “Oh, my, the thought of it gives me the willies."

He smiled, reached over and patted her leg. “It didn't happen. A bigger force is watching over me."

"So what are we going to do now?"

"First of all, I'm going to go search his stuff and see if I can get more clues as to what he has in mind. Then I'm contacting Ken.” He stood and ambled toward the guest room. “I doubt I'll find any weapons. I could see the outline of several under the outfit Skokie wore."

Jennifer followed close at his heels with Miss Marple bringing up the rear. As they entered the room, the kitten stood back and meowed.

"She doesn't even want to come in here,” Jennifer said.

Hawkman chuckled. “One smart feline, if you ask me."

He picked up Ray's suitcase, tossed it on the bed and tried to open it. “Strange, why would he lock it?” Suddenly, he snatched it off the bed, ran out the front door, and threw it into the lot beside the house. He stood back and watched it explode when it hit the ground, then burst into flames.

When he turned, Jennifer stood in the doorway with hands over her ears. “Oh my God! I could have been blown to bits if I'd gone in there with the vacuum and moved his bag?"

"I'm not sure. Depends on how he had it rigged. I jiggled the latch and thought I heard something.” Hawkman picked up the hose and turned on the water. He sprayed the burning area until he'd drowned all signs of fire. “When it gets light I'll collect what's left for Bill to send to the lab."

Just as he turned off the water, the Sheriff's white wagon screeched into the drive. “We heard an explosion,” Ken said, as he jumped out of the truck.

Peggy hopped out of the passenger side. “I smell smoke. Everyone okay?"

Hawkman pointed toward the debris. “Yeah, had a close call. Come on in and I'll clue you in."

Once they were gathered in the living room, Hawkman recounted the events of the evening. “I feel like I've been taken for a fool."

"I knew something didn't fit about the stepson,” Peggy said.

Jennifer rubbed her hands over her cheeks. “It still gives me the shakes to think we had a bomb in the house. I wonder if he planned on using it on us, or just hoped by chance we'd be snoopy and try to open the bag?"

Ken scrubbed his fingers across the day old stubble on his chin. “We may never know, but at least you're safe.” He hooked a thumb toward the back of the house. “Let's take another look at the guest room."

The two men gave the room a thorough search and found nothing. Hawkman emptied Ray's shaving kit onto the dresser top and only found a razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, aspirin and a comb. He felt around the outside of the small bag, but found it void of hidden compartments. Tossing the items back inside, he picked up the shirt Skokie had worn on the plane and ran his fingers through the pockets. He pulled out an airline ticket and read through the information. Raising his brows, he handed it to Ken.

Jack quickly turned up the lantern as Ray hobbled into the small room. He waved an arm toward the cot. “Have a seat."

Not sure it would hold his weight, Ray eased down on the rickety makeshift bed, and stared at his father. “How are you doing, Dad."

Jack nodded as he straddled the three legged milk stool. “I'm fine. But tell me how you got here?"

"Casey and I drove around the area in search of you. We noticed this shadowed area from the road, left his vehicle and hiked in to examine it. When Casey spotted the jeep, I told him to go back to the 4X4 and wait for me, as I wanted to talk to you alone."

"Okay, talk. You say, I'm in trouble. But you know that doesn't bother me. I've been in worse situations and gotten out. My goal is to get Casey for what he did to you."

Ray looked his dad in the eye. “And I'm going to help you."

And expression of surprise crossed Jack's face. “I don't understand; I figured you were here to stop me. I didn't think you approved of my plan of going after the sorry son-of-a-bitch. You never gave me any indication you blamed him."