Sunrise Crossing (21 page)

“I will. See you Friday about seven.” Fifth pushed his luck. “And wear a dress.”

“Not a chance, Weathers. I don't plan on wearing anything.”

Fifth stood perfectly still and watched her fly away. He was in way over his head, he realized. After Friday night's date with Madison, he had a feeling he'd never be the same.

Hell, if she thought Montgomery looked bad after a night rolling around in bed, she'd probably think he'd died. Madison had already left a few bruises on him that Fifth wished he could show off.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Alone

T
ORI
AWOKE
IN
total darkness. There didn't seem to be enough air to fill her lungs. She pushed at the thick bag that covered her. The bottom was tied too tightly around her waist to even get a few fingers out. She felt like she was in a straitjacket with a hood. The tie around her shoulders had slipped loose, making the heavy material no longer press against her head and chest.

Slowly she worked one hand up to her face and felt blood on her cheek, and also dripping from her lip. Her left eye was so swollen she didn't think she could have opened it enough to see light, even if there had been any light inside the bag.

Rolling first one way, then another, she couldn't do more than a half turn before hitting what felt like a wall covered in something. The space was too small for her to straighten her legs out completely.

For a moment, she panicked, thinking she was in a coffin. All was black, without any color. It crossed her mind that maybe this was what death felt like.

But she knew she was hurting far too much to be dead, and something sharp below her left hip poked into her side.

No, she wasn't dead. At least not yet. But whoever tossed her here had taken no care. Her attacker had wanted to hurt her at least enough to take any fight out of her. He'd wanted to frighten her.

Slowly she tried to calm her breathing and think. What did she know for certain? Someone had followed her at dawn or been waiting for her in the trees. If he knew she'd cross there, then he probably knew where she was staying and maybe even that she'd spent the night with Yancy.

When he'd caught up with her in the trees, he'd obviously planned to kidnap her. He had the bag and ropes with him. She had no idea what time it was now; she could have been out an hour or a day. It could still be morning or after midnight.

Whoever had attacked her was a man. Big, thick, with a fist that felt like a sledgehammer. He'd been impatient and angry, taking out his frustration on her. He'd frightened her so completely she hadn't put up much of a fight. He took her easily—almost too easily for it to be his first time kidnapping someone. When she'd fought, he'd used more force than was necessary. She guessed that crying or pleading wouldn't work on a man like that.

Tori moved her feet. Her boots had disappeared. The flooring beneath her felt like cheap carpet. The air smelled of motor oil.

She was in the trunk of a car. He hadn't bothered to tie her legs or her hands beneath the bag he'd wrapped around her. He hadn't gagged her.

Tori concentrated. He must have thought she wouldn't be able to get out, and that wherever he'd parked the car would be too far away for anyone to hear her screams. She thumped three times on the side wall of the trunk. Then three more and three more.
SOS
, she kept saying as she pounded. But no one outside answered the code for help.

No one came. She was alone.

Closing her eyes, she tried to think of a color, any color, to make herself calm. But none came. Her world was suddenly only black.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

G
ABE
WAITED
FOR
the sisters to leave the house for their early morning hair appointments, then slipped into the bed-and-breakfast. He took a shower, changed his clothes, ate most of the muffins they left next to the coffeepot, and all the while he was silently cussing himself.

He'd watched Tori and the others eat dinner in Yancy's house last night. He'd stood in the shadows and smiled as they'd laughed and talked. For a moment, he'd bought into the possibility that they were safe. Yancy had friends and someone to love. Things Gabe had never allowed himself to have.

When the man in the blue pickup had dropped Yancy and Tori off at the retirement center, Gabe knew the two were settling in.

He'd been in the building a few times, visiting with the retired teachers, so he knew that Yancy lived in the little room behind the office while he fixed up his old house. Gabe had even added the office number to his phone when he'd promised the teachers he'd come back again. In truth, they were a wealth of information, about the history of the town and the people.

The office/sunroom area wasn't fancy, but no one would bother the young couple tonight without Yancy hearing the door.

Gabe had waited until the light went out in Yancy's room before he moved on. He'd even seen his son's room once, when he'd walked to the back of the office, looking for a restroom. Yancy kept neat quarters. Not big, but to a kid who'd just got out of prison when he came to Crossroads, the room must have seemed grand.

Now, with the lights out, Gabe knew the couple was in for the night. His guardian duty was over, but not his work. He planned to walk the few miles to Parker Lacey's farmhouse and check things out now that he knew Tori wasn't there.

Since he feared someone was watching Tori, it would be wise to make sure the windows were locked. It might not keep out the professionals, but it would slow down the amateurs. With her parents offering so much money for her return, there was no telling how many people were looking for her, and her encounter with the highway patrolman put her in the general area.

But when he got to the house, Clint Montgomery's pickup was parked out front beside a Jeep. Apparently, Yancy and Tori weren't the only two having a sleepover. Checking the paperwork in both glove compartments, Gabe found that each vehicle belonged to Montgomery.

Gabe had spent the next three hours roaming through Clint Montgomery's property: first, the front house, which obviously no one lived in. Then he checked out the other buildings on the man's land. He'd found something very interesting in the last barn. A writer's loft apartment.

He sifted through the unlocked loft, learning everything he wanted to know about the cowboy. He even found a desk computer that wasn't protected by a password. Gabe saw that as an open invitation. Montgomery's finances were solid. He subscribed to what looked like every farming or ranching magazine online. The only game running was solitaire, and the past ten web searches dealt with cow diseases or crop rotation. The only thing that seemed out of place was a subscription to an art magazine from Dallas. The rancher didn't seem like the type to follow the art scene, but Parker Lacey might have something to do with his interest. Gabe also found a full cabinet of rifles in Clint's loft, none of which had been fired lately.

Tired, Gabe had returned to Yancy's apartment a few hours before sunrise. He'd curled behind flower bushes that were just starting to bloom and slept for a while. Funny how much he knew about this town. At first he'd been looking for clues that would help him locate Tori; then his search widened to include any friends or relatives he'd left behind when he'd run all those years ago. Only the relatives were dead and any close friends had moved on. Now he searched for a stranger, someone who didn't belong but was an expert at fitting into a community.

With only a few places close where an outsider could rent a room, Gabe had thought it would be easy, but the man who hunted, the man like himself, hadn't left his scent anywhere. Chances were good that he'd broken into an abandoned house or one where the owners were away. The guy could learn enough about the people who lived there to pass himself off as a relative dropping by to check on the place. The people might be on vacation or in a second home somewhere or even in the hospital.

The con wasn't as easy in small towns as in cities, but it might work.

Or maybe the hunter had pulled a travel trailer or had driven a truck he could sleep in. Because of the canyon, there were several places he could have parked, even down in Ransom Canyon. A man alone, in a camper or even camping gear, wouldn't be noticed in town.

It wasn't until he heard the click of the side door to Yancy's place that Gabe realized he'd fallen asleep. As always, he was instantly awake and alert.

Tori slipped like a fairy through the first hint of dawn. For a few minutes Gabe just watched her. She was happy, dancing almost. Whatever had happened in Yancy's little room off the office had been good. Once she stopped just to twirl in the crisp morning air, and Gabe grinned, thinking about how happy she seemed.

If she was happy, he'd bet Yancy was, too.

He'd been so busy watching her he hadn't noticed a shadow following Tori until it was too late to call out and warn her.

She was on the road now, running as if in a hurry to get to the little attic room he'd watched her working in sometimes all night.

The shadow of a man ran behind her in the ditch. He kept his head low, rising up only slightly when he knew his entire body was camouflaged in crossing wisps of morning fog. The runner was tall, broad-shouldered and dressed totally in black.

When they crossed the open field to the stand of trees planted along the ridge as a windbreak, Gabe had to double back. Tori might not turn around, but the stalker would.

He'd take one look back just before he entered the trees and followed her. The man trailing Tori would need to know that no one saw him. No one could later link him with the girl who was about to disappear.

If Gabe could have reached the man, he would have taken him out without a second thought. He'd killed before in combat. Silently, quickly. But they were moving too fast for Gabe to reach them in time, and Tori might have looked back if he made any noise.

He wanted her to keep running. That might be her only chance. If Tori could get far enough ahead? If Gabe could overtake the stalker?

Too many ifs.

Gabe had to circle round to stay hidden from the rapidly growing light. He crossed fifty yards to the right then slowed, moving soundlessly between the trees. Hoping to cut the man off before the stalker could reach Tori.

For a few moments he lost sight of Tori. Then the man disappeared into the trees as if melting.

Gabe ran now, not taking the precautions he should have. Knowing that this location was perfect for a kidnapping. No one close enough to hear her cries. No one watching.

A sound, like a struggle, echoed through the trees, and Gabe listened, trying to pinpoint their exact location. Trying to see through last year's vines and dead leaves still hanging on low branches.

Another sound, as if someone were hitting something. The scuffle of feet.

Then nothing.

Gabe suddenly didn't care if he made noise. Something was wrong. The man was hurting Tori. He plowed through the branches, breaking them as he ran. One caught his open palm, cutting deep enough to scatter blood. He barely noticed.

When he reached where he thought the sounds had come from, there was nothing but silence.

He heard the click of an engine being turned on and moved toward the familiar clamor. Just as he broke through the trees on the other side of the windbreak, he saw a small gray car pull onto the country road near the gate of Montgomery's ranch.

As he memorized every detail of the car and the man driving, something caught the corner of his eye.

A yellow boot at the edge of the trees.

Tori was gone. The sun warmed his face, but nothing could warm his heart. He would not sleep until he found her and the man who had taken her. If she'd been killed, the hunter in the small gray car wouldn't have time to draw a breath when Gabe found him.

An hour later he'd showered, bandaged his hand and put on his disguise, along with all the weapons he might need. Gabe would also need all his skills to lie his way into Yancy's and Parker's trust.

First stop, the hardware store, where he filled the back of his car with tulips of all colors. Second stop, Yancy's office at the retirement community.

Gabe adjusted his glasses and walked into the sunroom. He took his time moving between the retired teachers, stopping to visit briefly, even accepting a cup of coffee.

Finally, he made it to Yancy, who was standing behind what had once been the counter at the motel office.

“Morning, Yancy,” Gabe said, noticing that his son looked tired but happy this morning. He wouldn't appear so calm if he'd known what had happened at dawn.

“Morning, Professor. You in to take more notes this morning?”

Gabe shook his head. “No, I'm here for your help.”

Yancy looked up from paperwork he was studying. “I'd be glad to help any way I can. It's a slow morning.”

Gabe made sure no one was within hearing distance. His caution seemed to pique Yancy's interest. “I'd like to give the little angel who saved me the other night a surprise. We probably both know how much she loves spring, so I just bought out the first shipment of tulips at the hardware store. I'd like you to take them to her.”

Yancy didn't move. “I'm not sure who you're talking about.”

Gabe was ready. He began. “You know exactly who I'm talking about and I understand why you hesitate. I would in your shoes, as well. In fact, I admire you for it.”

Yancy wasn't buying anything Gabe was trying to sell. He beefed up the lie. “Tori and I are good friends, Yancy. She trusts me the way she trusts you.”

“What do you know?” Yancy asked as he seemed to be widening his stance and about to make a stand.

Gabe didn't react to the younger man's hard manner. “I know she loves you, for one thing. She told me. She also told me she was going to tell you her real name.” Gabe lowered his voice. “Victoria Vilanie, a fine painter.” He figured if Yancy was sleeping with Tori they'd probably gotten around to proper names. “I also know she's in danger. More than you know.”

Yancy relaxed some. “How do I know you're not part of the danger?”

“You don't, I guess. That's why I'm asking you to take the flowers to her. She trusts me. She told me she's staying on a friend's farm, but I didn't ask where it was at the time.”

“Well, I'm not telling you, Professor.”

Gabe grinned. “I wouldn't expect you to. I'd just like you to deliver the flowers for me. You can tell her I'll meet her at our usual place for ice cream this afternoon if she takes a break from her painting.”

Yancy let out the breath he'd been holding. “You do know her. If she told you she paints, you must be a friend. I'll take the flowers, but it'll be a while before I can take a break.”

“Oh, that's fine.” Gabe clapped his hands as if he were delighted. “I'm meeting with a farmer for coffee this morning across the street.” He handed Yancy his keys. “I'll be back in an hour or so for my car.”

When Yancy stared at his keys, Gabe added, “You did right, son. When you've got a treasure, don't take any chances, even with a harmless old fellow like me. Thanks for delivering them. I about broke my back loading them.” Gabe leaned forward a little as if in pain. “You tell her the flowers are just a small thank-you.”

Yancy studied him. “How'd you hurt your hand, Professor?”

“Changing a flat. Just a scratch.” Gabe gave a quick wave and hurried across the street to the café. He didn't want to give Yancy enough time to back out of the favor or ask any more questions. He was betting on Yancy wanting to see her more than him simply doing a guy he barely knew a favor.

Twenty minutes later when Yancy turned off the main road heading toward Parker's farmhouse, Gabe was standing in the trees watching.

He had no idea what Parker and Yancy would do when they figured out Tori was missing, but whatever it was would keep them busy while he looked for the small gray car. If he hadn't had Yancy deliver the flowers, it might have been hours before they found Tori missing.

The kidnapper might be holed up somewhere close, making sure no one had noticed her gone. Maybe waiting until night. If he'd been out all night stalking Tori, he might need sleep before he drove hundreds of miles.

While the kidnapper killed time, he'd probably wrap up all the loose ends so that he couldn't be tracked.

Gabe usually went as far as to remove any records on the hotel computer and to swap the license plates on his car with those from a similar car. The kidnapper would do the same. Hunters never wanted to be hunted. To keep their job, they needed to be no more than a shadow. A person people might remember seeing somewhere, but they could give no details.

As soon as this bounty hunter knew there were no roadblocks or clues to who he really was left behind, just as a precaution he might drop hints to anyone he'd talked to that he was heading in the opposite direction. Then, in the cover of night, he'd head out with Tori locked away in the trunk.

As Yancy disappeared around the bend where the oak tree stood, Gabe put on his fedora. He began walking northeast, away from town, away from Montgomery's place. He'd seen the small gray car head that way. It had been parked in mud when the hunter had hidden it in the trees preparing for the grab. With luck, there would be tracks where he turned off the road. It couldn't be far. If the kidnapper had been watching Tori, he knew she went through the trees on her way home. He must have been tracing her on foot and would have left tracks.