Justice at Dawn

by Valerie Massey Goree

  How should he secure her? Tied to the chair as he had originally planned, or hogtied and placed on the sofa? He’d been hogtied once. The excruciating memory solidified his decision. Tie her to the chair.

  She moaned, regaining consciousness as he picked her up.

  The hurried operation required both coils of rope. He tied her hands behind her back and then wrapped the rope around her torso and the chair. The other section of rope lashed her ankles to the legs of the chair. Good thing she was still groggy and didn’t struggle much.

  Satisfied she would not be able to free herself, Cooper searched through her purse which lay on the floor where she’d dropped it upon tripping over his cane. He removed a cell phone and pocketed it. Her billfold revealed a driver’s license. Victoria Randolph of Los Angeles. He studied her photo. Yeah, she had to be Barbara’s sister. Only a mole high on her cheek and the hair color were the major differences he perceived.

  But why were they intent on keeping Sadie captive?

  He rummaged through the purse but found nothing to answer his question. A cursory search of the cabin didn’t produce a rifle. Maybe it was already in the truck.

  Shouldering his pack, he hobbled to the door and retrieved his cane. He took one last look at the woman.

  Her face was contorted with a grimace of loathing.

  A sudden wave of guilt hit him sideways. Should he leave her?

  No. Yes. She’d probably shot at them the previous night. The least he could do was open a bottle of water and set it on the table in front of her.

  A metallic click sounded from the porch.

  Cooper pivoted, shotgun aimed at the doorway.

  Had Barbara returned to check on her sister?

  Cane abandoned against the table, he stepped toward the opening. Protected by the wall, he peered out, first right, then left. Nothing unusual, but someone could be hiding behind the truck. He waited an eternity. No movement, no sounds, other than birds and insects.

  And no reaction from Victoria.

  Hand on the rail, he descended the stairs. He couldn’t stoop to look under the truck, so skirted the vehicle in quick strides.

  No one.

  He studied the vegetation on the far side, down the driveway, across the gravel parking area. A quiet spring day. Blowing out a breath, he retraced his steps and picked up his cane. His captive remained silent. As soon as he contacted the authorities, she would be freed from her bonds and maybe arrested. Pack and cane stowed in the truck, Cooper latched his seatbelt then cranked the engine.

  Click.

  He pounded the steering wheel. “No, no. Not again.”

  Hood opened, he glared at the battery cables attached to…nothing. Biting the inside of his cheek, he surveyed the surroundings, alert for any human movement. None, but something fluttered in the breeze on the other side of the cabin. Cooper approached with the rifle aimed, only to find a tarpaulin flapping to reveal a bicycle. He yanked off the covering. Could he ride to the highway even with a bum knee? But both tires were flat, and the chain was missing.

  Shoulders drooping, he headed toward the path KC had taken. So much for catching a ride, on two or four wheels. But the meds must have kicked in—the pain in his knee lessened with each passing minute.

  Questions punctuated his trek.

  When had the battery been taken? A few minutes ago, or sometime during the night?

  One query stopped him in his tracks. If Barbara or her sister had removed his truck battery, who had taken this one?

  34

  The noise from Barbara’s scolding and Hannah’s squeals gave KC leave to follow at a decent rate. They reached the cabin in fifteen minutes. Warmed by her tromp, KC removed her sweater jacket and tied it around her waist.

  After Barbara dragged her young charge up the steps, KC dashed to the rear of the cabin to peer in the kitchen window. What she witnessed both cheered and angered her. Sadie cuddled Zach and paced between the table and the counter. They were safe. But Hannah squirmed and hollered as Barbara tied her to a wooden dining chair.

  Jabbing a finger in the child’s direction, Barbara yelled, “Be quiet or I’ll gag you. Understand?”

  “She’ll behave herself and won’t run away again. Please don’t hurt her.” Sadie glared at Barbara, who snatched the shotgun from the counter.

  “I’m going to pack, but one wrong move on your part will result in someone getting hurt. Sit down at the table.” Barbara aimed the shotgun at Zach.

  “Can I first make hot chocolate and a sandwich for Hannah? She, um, took off this morning before she ate breakfast.” Sadie inched toward the kitchen.

  With a sigh, Barbara nodded. “OK. I could do with a sandwich too. And I’d like a mug of hot chocolate. But no shenanigans.” She disappeared from KC’s view.

  KC waited until Sadie approached the opened kitchen window. Then she waved.

  Sadie’s eyes grew wide, and she shook her head vigorously.

  Before either of them could react further, Barbara’s ranting drew close as she rounded the counter. “When you’re done, you can help me pack.”

  KC hunkered down.

  “Quit staring out the window.” Barbara snatched a tote bag off the counter. “Where’s that hot chocolate? Get busy.”

  How could KC help Sadie with Barbara armed and agitated? She crept to the front porch and studied the vehicles. At least two of Sadie’s SUV tires were flat. Barbara would need a getaway vehicle and probably hadn’t disabled the sedan.

  Getaway. No. KC had to prevent Barbara from escaping by car, especially if she couldn’t overpower the woman in the cabin. How? KC chewed on her bottom lip. Block the road. Yes. She dashed down the drive and stopped where thick brush covered both sides of the track. She hauled broken branches across the road. With strength powered by years of exercise, she dragged a stout, eight-foot log in front of the barricade. Wiping sweat off her forehead, KC surveyed her handiwork. Satisfied her blockade would deter Barbara, KC returned to the undergrowth where she and Coop had waited the previous day.

  No movement outside the cabin yet.

  Senses on full alert, she pushed through the foliage toward the porch, but Barbara’s loud rants sent KC scurrying to the side bedroom window, also open, but too high for her to see in.

  “How did your IRO friends locate you? Did you contact them?” Barbara’s voice faded and then resurged with a vengeance. “You’re too slow making that drink. I finished the packing, all without your help.” A zipper closed and something thudded on the floor. “I’ll hold Zach while you fill the ice chest. Then you can load up my car.”

  Again, Barbara’s words trailed off. KC returned to the kitchen window where she could see inside and better hear the conversation. Barbara now sat at the table sipping from a tall mug. The nutty smell of toasted bread wafted out the window. KC’s stomach rumbled. What she wouldn’t give for a toasted sandwich.

  “Can I untie Hannah’s hands so she can eat?” Sadie held Zach close. She hadn’t obeyed her abductor’s last demand. Good.

  After licking a layer of foam off her upper lip, Barbara shrugged. “Sure, but remember, I won’t hesitate to use the shotgun.” She patted the weapon slung over her shoulder.

  “Hannah will stay in the cabin. You have my word.” Sadie’s voice trembled as she set a mug and plate on the table close to her daughter, and then slipped the rope off her wrists. “Eat up, sweetheart. Everything will be all right.”

  “Humph.” Barbara smirked before chomping on her sandwich. Between chews, she said, “Did you contact your IRO buddies?”

  “How could I? You have my phone.” With her back to Barbara, Sadie glanced at the window and pointed to the mug Hannah held.

  KC threw up her hands and frowned.

  What was Sadie trying to convey? No time for more details.

  Barbara slammed her mug on the table with a clunk. “That Cooper guy messed up my plans. How’d he know where you were?”

  “I promise I had nothing to do with his appearance.” Sa
die turned to face the woman. “Why have you delayed leaving? You could have taken off as soon as Cooper and KC were gone.”

  “We’re waiting for—nope. Not gonna tell you yet. Suffice to say, I don’t appreciate interference.” She drained her mug. “That was good. OK, time’s up. Give me Zach and load my car.”

  “Let me change him first. Where’s the diaper bag?”

  “Still in the bathroom.” Barbara rubbed her eyes. “I’m too old for this nonsense. Why isn’t Vicky here?” She shifted the shotgun and aimed it right at Hannah. The child flinched.

  No verbal reaction from Sadie. She must be in the bathroom.

  Who was Vicky? The brunette at the other cabin? KC sank down. Barbara’s erratic gaze continued to sweep the kitchen, and in her volatile mood, the last thing KC wanted was to reveal her presence.

  Wait. The diaper bag was still in the bathroom. If Barbara was packing up, why would she leave Zach’s necessities behind? The cogs in KC’s brain churned at break-neck speed. Because she was leaving alone. And that meant…

  KC bolted upright.

  Barbara prodded her mug and empty plate with the barrel of the shotgun, seemingly distracted by her game. All of a sudden, she turned toward the bedroom. “Hurry up or Hannah will wish she’d stayed home.” A harsh giggle accompanied her words.

  “I’m coming.” Sadie entered the dining area, Zach balanced on her hip. “What will you do with us? Why—?”

  “Give me the kid.” Barbara held out her arms, but Sadie stepped backward.

  “I won’t until you answer my question.”

  Slow down, girl. KC gnawed a fingernail. She could understand Sadie’s reluctance, but challenging Barbara might not be a good idea.

  The sha-shunk of Barbara racking a shell into the chamber resounded through the cabin.

  “No! Don’t harm my daughter. Please.” Sadie hastened toward Hannah and stood between her and the woman. “Put down your shotgun.”

  Barbara’s head wobbled as if attached by a spring. “Told you I mean business.”

  “I know you do. But please don’t point that at my daughter. We’re at your mercy. I’ve done everything you’ve demanded, but I won’t let you harm my children.”

  KC could not see Sadie’s face, but her bold posture seemed to indicate she was determined to stand her ground.

  “All right. A small compromise.” Barbara ejected the shell and it landed on the floor. She picked it up and waggled it at Sadie. “But give me the kid.”

  As quickly as Barbara had unloaded the gun, she slumped in her chair. “OK, change of plans. I’m getting tired. Choose which child you want to keep. Either give me Zach, or I’ll leave with Hannah.”

  No way could KC let that happen. Barbara would have to stop at the barrier, and KC would overpower her there. But what were the woman’s plans for Sadie? Should KC wait at the barricade or stay here?

  A shrieking call of a bird accompanied by what sounded like a herd of elephants trampling through the undergrowth assaulted KC’s ears. Was Barbara expecting visitors?

  Apparently not. The woman sprang out of her chair and hit Sadie on the temple with the butt of the shotgun. Sadie crumpled but didn’t fall. Barbara grabbed her arm and forced her forward.

  A door slammed shut. “If you know what’s good for you and your girl, you’ll keep quiet.”

  KC assumed Barbara had shoved Sadie and Zach into the closet. Should she risk entering the cabin to help Sadie, or should she find out who or what made the commotion? Too many decisions for a rookie.

  More thrashing through the vegetation. KC inched around the cabin and searched the shrubbery on the east side, certain that’s where the noise originated. Although the swirling fog blended with the surroundings, she could see nothing suspicious. Was Coop returning? Surely, he wouldn’t draw attention to his arrival. Unless he wanted to lure Barbara out of the cabin. How about the brunette? Possibly. In the meantime, what was Barbara up to?

  But before she could return to the cabin to check, the mist parted to allow a ray of sunlight to glint off something metallic about fifteen yards into the brush. KC took cover behind a thick bush and squinted at the object. Three seconds later, it disappeared. She continued to stare at the area to no avail. Not only had the unknown object vanished, but the ruckus had ceased. As if on cue, the low cloud hovered around her.

  Cautiously, KC stood and surveyed her surroundings. Nothing out of the ordinary. Time to return to the cabin. First, she made sure Barbara was nowhere in sight. The woman could have come out to check on the noise. If not, she must be expecting someone. A loud someone. As KC approached the side wall, raised voices streamed from the cabin.

  Barbara and Hannah? She did a quick sneak to the kitchen window where she peeked in. Someone had drawn all the drapes in the living room, but there was sufficient light from the wagon wheel chandelier to illuminate the interior. Hannah remained tied to the chair while Barbara plodded around the table, shotgun propped against her shoulder.

  From inside the closet, a faint voice interjected pleas for sanity and mercy. Sadie. Although Barbara acted in a threatening manner toward the child, KC figured she could enter the cabin with enough surprise to overwhelm the woman. Good plan. She returned to the porch, heaved herself up the side, and drew in a deep breath to bolster her courage. Creating the best movie-world scream she could muster, she charged toward the door stomping on the wooden deck and tried the knob.

  Locked.

  She bashed her shoulder against the door.

  Too late she heard the sha-shunk of Barbara’s shotgun. Although she ducked, pellets from the close-range blast and shards of wood peppered her upper arm.

  35

  A muffled shotgun blast halted Cooper. The rope and plank bridge swayed. Did the blast come from the cabin? Why was there no responding rifle shot from KC? He raced over the last few boards. “KC, you overcame your fear and made it across this contraption. You can’t get hurt now.” His heart thundered in his ears. Had she been wounded? Although the pain in his knee had subsided, he couldn’t manage a run but made lopsided strides combined with a skipping motion. The cane aided his balance.

  Ten minutes later, he paused beside a large tree surrounded by low bushes and surveyed Barbara’s cabin. He gulped in air and swiped at his upper lip. An eerie silence enveloped the dwelling and the layer of fog lent it an ethereal quality. He craned his neck through the foliage. The dwelling could be vacant for all he knew. No evidence of any occupants.

  A rustle of leaves beside him. He spun, twisted his knee anew. Ignoring the sharp zap of pain, he drew the weapon to shoulder height, his finger on the trigger. Eyes searching, he spied a human shape closing in on his position. Too focused on the cabin, he’d left his flank exposed.

  The person stopped. “It’s only me, Coop,” KC whispered.

  It took a couple of seconds for her words to register. Squelching the rush of adrenalin-heated blood, he lowered the rifle, drew in a deep breath, but quickly exhaled as his chest tightened. A blood-spattered strip torn from the bottom of her shirt covered her upper left arm. “KC. You’re injured.”

  “Yeah. But not life-threatening. Pellets and wood fragments penetrated my bicep, and the wounds sting as if a hive of bees is attacking.”

  “You must keep movement to a minimum.” Duh. He motioned her closer, censoring his desire to take her in his arms. “Let me check.”

  “Not necessary.”

  “How’d you get hurt?” He shouldered the rifle, adjusted his backpack, anything to keep his hands busy.

  “I tried to charge in the front door, but it’s locked. Barbara shot through the door.”

  “You could have been seriously injured.” He lowered his head. Thank You, Lord. A deep breath. “What’s your take on the situation?”

  “Dire. Barbara has Hannah tied to a chair and threatened Sadie with the shotgun before shoving her and Zach into the dining room closet. Her behavior is kinda erratic.”

  To highlight KC’s words, Barbara appea
red at the bedroom window and peered out. “I know you’re there.” After a few seconds of scowling, she banged the window closed and drew the curtains.

  So much for hearing any conversation in the cabin, but now they could approach undetected. “Let’s get as close as possible.” Cooper hitched his pack into a more comfortable position.

  “By the way, Sadie knows I’m here. She saw me at the kitchen window.”

  “Good. Follow me.” Cooper parted the foliage to leave their hiding place, but the next second, the cabin door opened, and Barbara filled the doorway.

  “Rats.” He retreated, his attention focused on the woman.

  She kneaded her forehead while scanning the area. “If you don’t come in now, I’m gonna leave without you.”

  Was she yelling at her sister?

  Cooper turned to KC and whispered the info he’d gathered. “I found out the brunette could be Barbara’s sister, twin maybe. Her name is Victoria Randolph. Barbara might be expecting her to visit.”

  “Twin. Interesting.” KC dropped to the ground. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Me, too.” He slid down the trunk and massaged his knee, all the while concentrating on Barbara. The woman returned to the doorway, but instead of entering, she stood with one foot inside, and one on the porch. Her head swiveled back and forth, as if keeping an eye on the cabin occupants and watching for someone’s approach. She patted the shotgun.

  Cooper ran his thumb down the scar on his face. In spite of the thin fog, Barbara’s agitated behavior prohibited him or KC from getting anywhere near the door. They’d have to circle around and—

  “Do you think Victoria is headed this way?”

  KC’s question interrupted his fuzzy thinking. The meds combined with the pain were dulling his brain. “No. She’s incapacitated at the moment.” He shared a chronology of events at the rock cabin.