Three Year Rule (The Rule Series Book 1) (14 page)

“What?” Randy sat up quickly and kicked off the covers. “Contact the New York Police and get a search warrant for his office and home. He’s Elizabeth’s agent, as well. Call the Denver Police back and let them know we have a suspect. Find out where he is right now and get back to me!”

Elizabeth pulled up in front of the cabin. The lights were out.  When she reached the door, she found a note saying,
I had to leave early. I left jewelry box on the shelf in the garage.

Elizabeth stuffed the note in her pocket and headed across the drive to the garage. Kilo and Charlie raced across the drive ahead of her. They waited patiently while she struggled to push the door upward. As the door rose, Kilo froze and began to growl. Elizabeth released the door as it finished rising and glanced at Kilo.

“What is it boy?”  She asked.

Suddenly a flash of light appeared from within the garage as a shot rang out. Kilo yipped and fell still at Elizabeth’s feet. Charlie jumped backward in fear, and then began to bark and snarl.  Elizabeth stared blankly at the tall figure as it moved out from the shadows.

“Franklin?”  She stammered.

Franklin was holding a handgun pointed at Charlie. He was dressed in a ghillie suit consisting of a long sleeved camouflage colored hoodie pulled up over his head, camouflage pants, and boots. He threw a rope at Elizabeth’s feet next to Kilo and ordered, “Tie Charlie to the work bench, or I will shoot her.”

Elizabeth picked up the rope and rushed toward Charlie who continued to bark and growl. She pulled Charlie into the garage and tied the rope to Charlie’s collar then around the leg of the workbench. She knew it wouldn’t hold for long.

“Get the wolf in the garage.” Franklin’s voice rose in tone and urgency as he spoke.

“Franklin, what is going on?” Elizabeth asked as she rushed back to Kilo.

“Shut up!” Franklin spat.

Elizabeth placed her hand on Kilo’s chest; he was still breathing.  She ripped the sleeve off her blouse and pressed it against the wound.

“Move, now!” Franklin stepped closer, his voice loud and menacing.

Elizabeth struggled to pick up Kilo. She couldn’t move him far, just inside, past the door line.  She stroked his head as tears filled her eyes. He was losing blood fast.

“Enough,” Franklin snapped. He glanced toward Elizabeth’s SUV and asked, “Where is Amy?”

“She’s not here,” Elizabeth stammered. “Franklin, you could have killed Kilo. We need to get him to the vet.”

“Shut up!” Franklin walked quickly toward her and pointed the gun at her chest.

“Franklin, I don’t know what you think you are doing, but you shot a dog. That’s serious.”

“Where is Amy?” Franklin screamed at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s heart froze in her chest. She looked at Franklin with new eyes, realizing she was in just as much danger of losing her life as Kilo. Elizabeth lowered her voice and responded calmly, “Amy is in Denver shopping with Molly.”

“You lying bitch!” Franklin reached out and grabbed Elizabeth by the throat. “She was at your house less than an hour ago. I saw her!”

“No … I …” Elizabeth tried to speak, but he tightened his grip.

“You will call her
now
!” Franklin growled and released her.

“My phone is in the truck.” Elizabeth said, rubbing her throat. She was startled when she looked into his eyes; they were wild and full of anger.

Josh pushed his truck as fast as he dared with Jake in the vehicle. Randy turned to him from the passenger’s seat and said, “Still no response on either of their phones. I’m calling Mike.”

“Dad,” Jake asked anxiously from the back seat, “Will you please tell me what’s going on?”

Josh glanced at Randy then back to the road ahead. He took a deep breath and said, “Elizabeth and Amy’s phones don’t appear to be working. We’re worried they’re having some kind of problem and want to get home as fast as possible, in case they need us.”

“Is Molly okay?” Jake asked weakly.

“I’m sure she’s fine, son.” Josh met Jakes eyes in the rear view mirror and added, “We’ll keep trying to reach them. My guess is they're out riding the horses, or they went to a movie. I’m sure everything is fine. But Randy’s calling Mike to have him run out and check on them just in case.”

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Amy and Molly placed the pizzas on the kitchen counter. Amy realized when she saw her phone that she’d run off without it and went to check her messages. There were several missed calls from Randy, and she’d had a recent call that Elizabeth must have answered. It was strange that Elizabeth had left so suddenly. Amy was concerned something happened to one of the horses.

She glanced out the door toward the stables. The horse trailer sat next to the garage. She could see the horses grazing in the pasture beyond. Amy set Molly to work making a salad while she called Elizabeth’s cell phone to see where she was. Elizabeth’s phone went to voicemail. Amy left a message, “Beth call me ASAP, where are you?”

Suddenly a knock came at the door, and Amy rushed to answer it. Mike Cain walked quickly in the door and glanced around asking, “Is everything okay here? Randy called, and he’s really worried.”

Amy glanced across the room at Molly, who was busy tearing apart a head of lettuce. She looked back at Mike and said, “We’re fine, but Elizabeth left and she’s not answering her phone. How did you know?” Amy’s phone rang. Randy's name appeared on the screen.

“Randy,” Amy said quickly into the phone, “What’s going on?”

“Amy!”  Randy gasped, “Are you all right?  Is everything okay?”

Amy said, “Mike just got here. Molly and I are okay. Elizabeth went somewhere in her truck and isn’t answering her phone. What’s going on?”

Randy spoke quickly, “I want you to take Molly and go to my office. We think Franklin is the stalker. I’ve just been informed he was on a flight into Salt Lake City on Thursday.  Do you have any idea where Elizabeth might have gone?”

Amy’s heart was pounding. She couldn’t understand what Randy was saying. Anal-retentive Franklin was the stalker. How could this be? Amy stammered, “It looks like she took a call on my phone. That’s probably why she left, but I don’t recognize the number.”

“Give it to me and I’ll find out.”  Randy said. She gave him the number, and Randy added, “You and Molly need to stay with Mike and get to my office. Ed is there waiting for you.”

“We will,” Amy stammered as she fought back the tears, not wanting to alarm Molly.

“I love you.”  Randy added, “Now get going.”

Elizabeth pulled her purse out of the truck and searched as calmly as she could for her cell phone.  She could feel Franklin’s angry glare boring into her back. She finally found it at the very bottom of her purse and pulled it out.  She turned slowly back to face him and asked, “What do you want me to say?”

“Tell her you came here to get her jewelry box just like the phone call said, and you’ve got a flat tire. Tell her to come and pick you up.” Franklin’s voice was suddenly calm and steady.

“Why do you need Amy?” Elizabeth asked.

Franklin slapped Elizabeth with his free hand and said, “Call her now.”

Elizabeth forced back the terror that threatened and ignored the sting of his hand.  She hit her speed dial for Josh instead of Amy and tried to keep her breathing slow and steady, hoping Franklin wouldn’t notice. The phone rang once in her ear then Franklin snatched the phone from her grasp.  He glanced at the screen and disconnected the call.

“You fucking moron!” He screamed at her, shoving her against the truck. “The last woman that deceived me didn’t live long enough to regret it. I will shoot you in the stomach and make you call her with your dying breath if you try anything else!”

Elizabeth couldn’t believe what was happening.  Franklin was not the man standing before her screaming. A psychopath had replaced him.  She and Amy were going to be his next victims.

Elizabeth’s phone began to ring. It was Josh. Franklin glared at Elizabeth, his eyes wild with fury, and ignored the call. He dialed Amy’s number and shoved the phone at Elizabeth saying, “Get her here now!”

Amy’s frantic voice answered immediately; Elizabeth cut her off.  She had to make Amy realize what was happening and make sure she did not come. “Amy! I’m so glad I caught you. I had to run to the cabin. Mr. Weller’s son called me. He found your jewelry box. I went to pick it up, but I ran into a snag. You know what a crazy driver I am. I ran the truck off the driveway leading up to the cabin and now I have a flat tire. Can you drop Molly off at Mike’s and come pick me up?”

“Are you hurt?” Amy asked; Elizabeth’s tone just didn’t seem right, and what was this about her being a crazy driver? She’s a cautious driver. She treated that truck like it was her baby.

“Not yet, but Kilo is, and Charlie's here too,” Elizabeth answered cheerily.

Amy gasped Kilo’s been hurt! “Franklin is the stalker,” Amy said softly.

“Okay, that’s no problem. When she’s out of the bathtub, just drop her off at Mike’s and head over here.  I’ll be here waiting. Thanks!”  Elizabeth ended the call. She glanced at Franklin and said, “She’s got to get Molly out of the tub, then she’ll be right here.”

Franklin stared at her with such intensity Elizabeth thought he was going to strike her again.  Instead, he turned and began to pace the length of the vehicle. Elizabeth watched, searching for the words that would calm him. Calm down and think. He’s a sociopath, a psychopath, a narcissist.  Think, think, think. This is your job; you know how to speak to him; you can do this. Compliment him, play to his ego, his superiority.

“Franklin,” Elizabeth spoke softly, “I can see now that you are the one who’s been watching us. I had no idea what a great hunter you are. I never knew you could shoot a bow. That fox you shot, I heard the men say it was a perfect kill.”

Franklin stopped and turned to stare at her. The rage was gone from his face. His eyes were dark and cold. His face held no expression. Elizabeth continued, “You must be an expert marksman to make that shot with the pistol that took down Kilo. One shot and he was on the floor. I don’t know why I’m so surprised, because that’s what you do Franklin, isn’t it? Everything you do is perfect. It always has been.”

“I became an expert hunter in the woods behind my house. I was very good at tracking animals. I could find a stray dog and her litter of puppies in a matter of minutes.”  Franklin gazed at her with glassy eyes. “No one missed them. I was free to do as I pleased. It was my first experience with the frailty of life.”

A chill ran through Elizabeth’s petite body as Franklins words hinted of torture and death. “You are an expert at everything you do, Franklin.”

“You’d be nothing without me.” Franklin said moving closer to her. His face showed no emotion, his voice low and soft.

“You are so right.” Elizabeth added, “If I hadn’t listened to your advice on going national three years ago, I would still be a struggling author just waiting for her big break. You took that leap of faith and pulled me up the mountain right behind you.”

“I would have done more if you listened to me about the romance series. It would have allowed me to spend time helping Amy create the covers.”

“I should have listened to you. You are my agent; you’re the expert. That’s why I came to you in the first place. That’s why I asked you to take Amy on as a customer.” Elizabeth had to keep him focused on himself, on his self-love. “I knew if anyone could make Amy a success it was you.”

“You’re an idiot.” Franklin moved so close his face was inches from hers. “Art is not what I do.  I am a literary agent. Only a complete fool would think that I could just snap my fingers and whip up an art show for Amy. That’s not how it works, Elizabeth.” He reached out and grabbed her throat, but didn’t squeeze hard enough to cut off her air. “I don’t have those kinds of contacts.”

Elizabeth had lost control of the conversation. She forced the rising panic back and held his gaze, determined to survive. There had to be a way. Amy would have the State Police here soon; she just had to stay alive long enough.

“You’re right, Franklin.” Elizabeth had to keep praising him, keep him thinking he was in control, convince him he had all the power and she knew it. “I was wrong, but you did it. You found a way to set up an art show in Los Angeles. Amy’s first step up the ladder of success and it’s all because of you.”

Franklin squeezed her throat harder. Elizabeth gasped for air. He whispered in her ear, “It’s all a lie.”

Randy answered his cell. The urgency in Ed’s voice caused the hair on the back of his neck to rise. “Randy, I’m in the conference room. Mike is here with Amy and Molly.  The New York Police just got into Franklin’s apartment. It’s a wreck, garbage and filth all over the place except the bedroom, which was immaculate. There are pictures all over his bedroom, but there aren’t any of Elizabeth. He has pictures of Amy. They are all Amy.”

“Amy?” Randy stammered. He glanced at Josh, who was pulling off the main highway onto the narrow two-lane road that led into town.

“There’s more,” Ed added, “Elizabeth just called Amy with some weird story about being at the cabin picking up Amy’s jewelry box. Amy is sure Franklin is there and that Kilos been hurt.  Elizabeth just kept telling her to drop off Molly and come pick her up. I’m headed out there now to see what’s going on.”

“Ed, we are 5 minutes away so hold off and I’ll go with you.” Randy looked at Josh and added, “I’ve got an idea.”

Elizabeth struggled to breathe as Franklin explained, “There is no art show. I set the whole thing up to get Amy alone in my car. Sure, we were going to head to Los Angeles, but we were going to drive. I was going to tell her about an art show in Las Vegas I wanted her to see on the way.”  Franklin released his grip on Elizabeth’s throat as he continued. “There’s a lot of desert between here and Las Vegas; lots of places for cars to break down and people to wander off.”

Elizabeth finally understood. It wasn’t her Franklin had been watching all this time. It was Amy.  She stared at him with a sudden clarity and said, “It wasn’t Charlie you were trying to kill that day. It was me. I was getting in the way of your plans for Amy.” Franklin’s face showed the slightest hint of a smile. Elizabeth added, “And it wasn’t Josh you were after in the woods. It was Randy, because he had what you wanted.” Franklin watched as Elizabeth’s face filled with horror. “How many people have you killed?” Elizabeth asked in as calm a voice as she could muster.

Franklin suddenly looked bored.  He stepped back from her and glanced up at the sky. He said, “The sun is gone, and the stars are coming out.”  Franklin glanced down at his watch and then turned his gaze back on Elizabeth. “Where is she?”

“I’m sure she’s on her way.  You know Amy, she’s never in a hurry.” Elizabeth forced herself to answer him. Her sudden realization that Franklin had killed before sent ripples of terror surging through her. When his eyes were not on her, she glanced desperately around her for anything she could use as a weapon.

Franklin walked the few paces away to the front door and with one vicious kick broke it open.  He spun, pointed the pistol at Elizabeth and said, “Get in the house.”

Elizabeth walked slowly toward the door. Where were the police?  Why hadn’t they come? She was running out of time.  She had to keep Franklin focused on himself and away from killing her. She knew better than to challenge Franklin on his decision to hide from Amy; it would only infuriate him. She had taken a submissive stance with him, and she was still alive. She would continue with it until he became enraged again.

“The basement,” Was all Franklin said as he followed her inside.

She searched the hallway with her eyes, but found nothing to use as a weapon. Elizabeth moved to the basement door, opened it, and started down the steps at a quicker pace, hoping to catch him off guard and find a weapon when she reached the bottom. Franklin kept pace with her, only a step behind.

When they reached the bottom, he placed his hand on her shoulder and shoved her toward the back of the basement. “Keep moving.”

Elizabeth’s heart raced. Searching desperately for anything to fight with, Elizabeth’s heart sank. The basement was empty except for the large standing freezer at the far end of the room. Franklin shoved her toward it.

Elizabeth stopped in front of the freezer. Was he going to force her inside to suffocate? Franklin ordered, “Open it.”