Justice Overdue: A Private Investigator Mystery Series (25 page)

He chuckled, and then howled with laughter, the sound filling the small room. He was still laughing when he exited the precinct and made his way to his car.

He dug out his cell phone and called Corporal Loy. “Get me a copter,” he said. “I’m heading north.”

Chapter 53

Sunday, 10:15 AM

JAKE RAISED HIS head and listened intently. He was sure he’d heard a sound, something not made by nature—the distinct sound of an engine.

He dove from the cave, spun around, and held up a hand. “Stay here,” he said. “I think I heard somebody coming.”

Without waiting for an answer, he raced along the beach and up the grade. The rough road was not far from their original campsite and the sound was coming from that direction.

As he topped the knoll, he saw the distinct outline of Andy Fletcher’s pickup. His heart jumped at the sight. They could finally get some help. Hopefully, the police were right behind.

Andy stepped from the truck, came around the front of the vehicle, and waved a hand as Jake drew closer. “Howdy,” he called.

Jake approached the warden and stopped, mixed between anger at the officer’s lack of a quick response, and relief at finally seeing him. “Where’ve you been?” he asked, exasperation in his voice.

Andy pushed back his sunglasses and peered at Jake. “Sorry. Couldn’t get back any sooner. Hope everything’s ok here.”

“As a matter of fact, it’s not. My wife is missing, another person has been killed, and the kids are frightened.”

The officer looked stunned. “Your wife is missing? How long ago?”

“Since yesterday.” Jake looked anxiously down the road. “Are the police on their way?”

“They’ll be here before long,” Andy said. “Almost had to drag the chief out of bed to get him to come here.”

That wasn’t a good enough answer for Jake. “What about yesterday?” he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. “Why didn’t they come then?”

Andy shrugged. “It’s a small town. Nothing ever happens here and the station is pretty much closed on the weekend. Only one cop hangs around and he said he couldn’t leave the station. I finally got ahold of the chief and he said he’d come.”

Jake shook his head in unbelief. “And the people at the park entrance?”

“They don’t get into any criminal stuff. Said they leave all that up to the police.”

Jake took a deep breath to calm his rising anger. “You could’ve at least given us a lift back yesterday instead of leaving us here.”

“Figured you’d be ok all set up in a safe place. Thought nobody would find you there.” Andy’s voice took on an apologetic tone. “Guess now in hindsight I should have, but I was in a hurry to get the police here. Had that man’s body on my mind.”

Jake leaned in and raised his voice. “You could’ve come back for us.”

Andy took a step back. “Careful there, friend. I’m here now. No need to get ourselves out of control.”

Jake pointed toward the forest. “My wife is missing.”

“I’m sure the police will find her.”

Jake found it hard to calm down, and the casual attitude of the game warden added to his frustration.

“Are they bringing dogs?” Jake asked.

“Could be they’ll send out for some. We don’t have any tracking dogs ‘round here.”

“I know who you’re looking for,” Jake said. “That lunatic from the cabin, the one you said was a good guy.”

Andy cocked his head. “What makes you say that?”

“Because my boys were at the cabin and my wife was a prisoner inside. When I went back, nobody was there.”

Andy scratched his head. “Don’t seem right to me.”

“Whether it seems right or not, it’s a fact.”

Andy gazed into the forest in the direction of the cabin. “Ain’t Otis,” he said. “Maybe somebody else has taken the cabin and did Otis some harm.”

Jake glanced at the pistol strapped on Andy’s thigh. “Whoever it is, we can’t wait for the police to take their sweet time about getting here. I need you to come to the cabin with me. You have a gun and we’re up against a killer.”

Andy shook his head. “I ain’t a cop.” He tapped his weapon. “And this here ain’t for police work. Sorry, friend, but you’re gonna have to wait fer them to show.”

Jake wasn’t confident when the police finally showed up, it would be any more than one cop, no more capable than the game warden.

Andy looked at Jake, his brow wrinkled. “I clean near forgot. You say there’s another person killed now too?”

“Yes, one of the girls from the backpackers’ camp. Her throat has been slit.”

Andy whistled. “That’s a shame. Just young girls they were too.” He shook his head slowly and gazed toward the lake. “And the rest of them, they still here?”

“The two boys ran off. The other girl, I have her stashed away with my boys.”

“Maybe you should show me the body.”

Jake took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was irritated, but he tried to remain patient with the slow-witted warden. “I don’t see what good that would do. You already said you’re not a cop, so I think it would be best to leave the girl’s body there and let the police handle it.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right about that one. No use messin’ around. Can’t do nothin’ for her anyway.”

Jake looked carefully at the warden. “Andy, I need a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Lend me your gun?”

Andy shook his head adamantly. “Nope. No way. Can’t do that.”

“I need to find my wife and I need some protection.”

“Can’t do it, friend.”

“What about a rifle?” Jake motioned toward the pickup. “You have a rifle in your truck?”

“Sure do, but same thing. Can’t let you use it. That’s my own neck on the line.”

Jake kicked at the dirt, trying to come up with something. He’d run out of ideas and the warden wasn’t much help. He wasn’t confident he could find Annie’s whereabouts either way. It looked like he had no choice but to wait for the police.

Andy glanced at his watch. “Well, I guess I should get going. I got other places to go. I’ll see if I can hurry up the police on my way through.”

Jake held up a hand. “Wait. I want you to give Holly and my boys a lift out of here.”

“Sure. Guess I could do that.”

Jake turned. “I’ll go and get them.” He took a few long strides and turned back. “Wait right there.” He didn’t want the warden to leave this time like he’d done so foolishly before.

“I’m waiting. Get the kids.”

Jake hurried to the cave and crouched down. “The warden has finally come. He’s going to take you guys away from here.”

Matty grabbed his backpack and hurried from the cave. “What about you, Dad?”

“Not until I find your mother.”

Kyle and Holly had scrambled from the cave. The four of them hurried up to join the warden.

“Let’s go,” Andy said, leading the way to his pick-up. You boys get in the back seat there, and Holly, you can get in the front.” He opened the doors and they climbed inside.

Jake came around to the driver side as Andy got in. “Are you going straight out?”

“I am now,” Andy said. “Wasn’t going to, but I guess I should take these kids away from here first.”

Jake watched as Andy backed the vehicle up, spun around, and headed away. He felt relieved they would be safe, but he still had to find Annie.

Chapter 54

Sunday, 10:22 AM

ANNIE WAS FEARFUL, frustrated, and angry. Even worse than the physical pain of remaining bound in a damp cave in such an agonizing position, was her uneasy anticipation of the horrifying plans Lucas had for her and her family. Her only comfort was in knowing, as of two or three hours ago, when the boys had discovered her in the cabin, they were still safe. It’s what might have happened since then that caused her the most anxiety.

Surely the police would bring tracking dogs and she listened in vain for their eager barking, but the only sounds were the quiet whistle of the breeze in the cave, and the constant drip, drip from the ceiling of her tomb. Each time she called for help, her own voice echoed back, mocking her attempts to be heard.

She raised her eyes to a different sound—a light repetitive thump, but as it grew louder, she realized it was the reverberating sound of footsteps drawing closer. Someone was coming.

A silhouette appeared against the brightness of the cave opening. She dared to hope it was Jake. Her illusion was crushed when the shadowy profile moved closer and revealed itself as Varick Lucas.

He grinned at her, the now familiar glint of evil flashing from his eyes. “Ah, you’re still here. I suspected as much, but one can never be too sure about these things.” He moved behind the column and gave the ropes a tug. “Still secure. I thought you would at least have made some headway in getting loose.”

Annie ignored his comments as he crouched in front of her. “You don’t look comfortable,” he said, with pretend concern.

“It’s ok,” she said. “It gave me a chance to catch up on some sleep.”

He laughed, long and hard. His laughter echoed throughout the cave, fearful and eerie, resonating with pure evil.

His laughter died away and he spoke. “I have some good news for you. You’ll be happy to hear we’re moving back to the cabin.”

Annie was mystified. He’d just brought her here a couple of hours ago, and now was taking her back. What had transpired in the meantime?

“You’re not safe here,” he said. “There are wild animals and all kinds of crazy creatures inhabiting this forest. Something could happen to you, and we wouldn’t want that.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Thank you for your concern.”

He stood and shook his head slowly. “You’re a tough broad, aren’t you? Anyone else would be pleading for mercy right now.” He paused. “You’re not at all like the one I had begging this morning. In fact, I might’ve let her go if she’d been more like you.”

Annie narrowed her eyes. Who was he talking about? If what he said was true, the only females she knew about were the backpackers. Had one of them, or both, become a victim of this lunatic?

He liked to boast and inflict emotional pain, and she dared believe if he had harmed Jake or the boys, he would be bragging about his dreadful feat. But he wasn’t, and she forced herself to assume they were safe. Maybe they’d gotten a ride back, but no, Jake would never leave her.

He continued, observing her as he spoke. “I haven’t killed your husband yet.”

She studied his eyes, getting no indication whether or not he spoke sincerely. She knew he was watching for her reaction as well and she struggled to remain quiet, responding neither with her voice or her actions.

She wanted to believe he spoke the truth, and whether or not he did, his words revealed his clear intent. He had plans to kill Jake some time soon.

Lucas leaned over and withdrew the hunting knife from the sheath at his leg. He bent over her, bringing the tip of the blade ever closer to her face until finally, she felt it touch her cheek. It pushed against the skin. She closed her eyes and held her breath, tensing her face muscles, her teeth clamped tight. She heard him breathing and she waited.

She felt the blade slide down her cheek, then a sharp pain. Her eyes sprung open and she drew a quick breath, responding to the suddenness of his voice. “Oh, I’ve cut you.”

A single drop of blood trickled down her cheek and dripped off her chin. She dropped her head and watched it stain her shirt.

“Time to go now,” he said. He went behind, cut the ropes with a quick slash, and her hands fell free.

She touched her cheek and looked at her finger. There was little blood, but her face stung where he’d pierced the skin. She wiped her face with the palm of her hand, and then massaged her wrists in an attempt to increase the blood flow.

Lucas held out a hand, offering to help her up.

“I can manage on my own,” she said.

“I insist.” He gripped her by the wrist, pulling her to her feet.

She wrenched her arm from his grasp but dare not look him in the eye. Her courage was slipping away and she didn’t like the feeling. She couldn’t let him win, couldn’t let him see her growing fear.

She summoned her dwindling inner strength and forced her eyes upwards, finally glaring into his. “Will you loosen the ropes around my ankles? They’re numb.”

He stood back, crossed his arms, and squinted at her thoughtfully.

“Please?” she said. She saw a hint of a smile on his lips. Or was he gloating?

He crouched down and severed the ropes at her ankle, then selected the longest piece and tied it around her waist. He gripped the end of the two-foot-long leash, giving it an abrupt tug from behind. She staggered backwards and almost lost her balance.

“That should hold you,” he said in a low voice, more to himself than to her.

He prodded her from behind. “You know the way. You lead, I’ll follow.”

She walked toward the exit, shuffling her feet as she went. She was regaining the strength in her legs but didn’t want him to know that.

They went down the bank, crossed the stream and entered the forest on the other side. Yes, she knew the way, and she’d remembered every dip in the terrain, every hill, and every bush, and she would use that knowledge.

As they approached an embankment, she leaped, her full weight propelling her forward and down, dragging him with her as she tumbled and rolled.

But she was free. He’d lost his grip on the rope during the fall.

She scrambled to her feet and dashed forward, dodging trees, vaulting obstacles, and tearing through bushes, branches, and hanging vines.

The strength she’d regained soon waned. Her valiant attempt ended as he dove from behind, bearing her roughly to the ground. She hit her head on a stump and lay stunned, unable to fight as he straddled her, bringing her into complete submission once again.

Chapter 55

Sunday, 10:36 AM

JAKE WAS AMAZED at the negligent and casual attitude the police had displayed toward his predicament. They’d been slow in responding, and even when they had, were taking their sweet time about getting here.