by Lisa Harris
“Wait a minute,” Jonas said. “Whose descriptions?”
“We were just paid a visit by US Marshal Jonas Quinn, who told us about the plane crash and how you’d escaped,” Simon said.
Madison fought the sick feeling bubbling inside her. So that’s what Barrick had done. Used the papers in her backpack and passed himself off as a federal marshal. What had Jonas said about Barrick? He was charismatic and manipulative? His evaluation had clearly been spot-on.
“We’re not the prisoners,” she said, “and every minute we spend arguing with you gives him more time to get farther away. His name is Damon Barrick, and he murdered three people. If he said he was a lawman, he lied to you.”
“And we can prove it,” Jonas said, slowly reaching for his backpack.
Simon frowned and cocked his gun. “He told me you’d say that.”
“He was lying,” Jonas said. “And you’re making a big mistake. Is he still here?”
“My son’s taking him to the sheriff’s office right now so they can coordinate the search. Guess they won’t have to do that now.” Simon spit. “Told me to be sure to call him if you happened to show up, which I’m about to do. From what he said, the entire state’s looking for you.”
“He won’t be coming back for us, and he’s not headed to the sheriff’s office,” Madison said. “He played you and is long gone by now.”
“We’ll see about that.” Simon grabbed her arm and pulled her to a horse that was tied up just around the corner of the trail with three other horses. “Hope you can ride. Phil, tie them up so they don’t do anything foolish like escape again.”
It was less than half a mile to the ranch house that was located on the far side of the ridge. None of the men said anything while they rode. Any questions from Madison went unanswered, making her even more irritated. If they lost Barrick now, picking up his trail again would be next to impossible.
A middle-aged woman wearing jeans, a flannel shirt, and cowboy boots met them on the front porch of the two-story house nestled next to a grove of trees and a large barn. “You shouldn’t have brought them here.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Simon climbed down off his horse, then ordered the two of them to get down. “Once I get ahold of the marshal, all of this will be over.”
“So he’s not answering his phone?” Jonas asked.
Simon frowned. “Cell reception out here’s spotty, especially with these storms we’ve been having. I’ll get ahold of him.”
Madison tried to keep her frustration at bay. They were getting nowhere with these people. Then a new plan popped into her head. “How old is your son?” Madison asked.
“Eighteen, but he knows this land like the back of his hand,” the woman said. “They took one of our vehicles, convinced you’d both headed toward town.”
“Linda—”
“There is something you need to understand.” Madison cut Simon off, then leaned forward and caught the woman’s eye. “I don’t know what he told you, but Damon Barrick is no lawman, and if he has your son—”
“Enough,” Simon shouted. “This is what’s going to happen. You’re both going to sit down on this porch, shut up, and we’re going to wait for the marshal to return. The rest of you can get back to work. I’ve got them covered.”
The men nodded, then headed off the porch toward the barn.
“Ma’am, I was serious when I said your son is in danger.” Madison ignored Simon’s glare. “That man who was here, Damon Barrick, has already murdered three people. It’s why he was in prison and why he was being transported to Denver.”
“Go back inside, Linda, and don’t listen to them. They’re trying to scare you.”
“And it’s working.” Linda hesitated in the doorway. “Simon, if they’re telling the truth, then Will’s in danger—”
“He’s fine.”
“Will’s your son?” Madison asked.
Linda took a step forward. “He’s my son, and if he’s in danger—”
Simon locked eyes with his wife. “I said, enough.”
Linda shook her head at her husband. “No. What if they’re right?”
“They’re not. He had the paperwork proving who he was. You heard him. He told us there was a plane crash yesterday and that the two of them escaped in the aftermath. We’re not falling for their games.”
Madison gauged her words carefully. “Barrick can be charming in order to get what he wants. It’s what makes him so dangerous. I don’t want your son to be one of his victims.”
Linda’s face paled as she disregarded her husband’s orders and sat down on the padded chair across from them. “You’re telling me my son is out there with some . . . some cold-blooded killer?”
“Yes.”
“He could use him as a hostage.”
“It’s very possible.”
“Linda—” Simon’s voice sounded a little less confident.
“Sir, we can prove to you who we are,” Jonas said. “Look in my backpack. Barrick’s file—and his photo—are in there. I was supposed to give it to the agents in Denver when we handed him off to them, but he escaped after the crash with my partner’s backpack.”
“He gave us all the proof we needed. We saw his marshal papers.”
“Those were my papers,” Madison said.
Her jaw tensed as she caught the panic in Linda’s eyes. Barrick had to have known his plan would eventually fall apart, but all he’d needed was a vehicle and a good head start. And he already had both.
“He lied to you.” Madison leaned forward. “Every minute you keep us here is another minute your son is in danger. Barrick planned all of this. Knew if we fought here among ourselves it would buy him more time to get away. It’s a game to him, and you’re playing right into his hand. Just open up the bag and look at the blue file.”
Simon scowled and started to object again, but Linda grabbed the pack, unzipped it, and pulled out the file.
“Open it up,” Jonas said. “His photo is right there.”
“Simon, this is his photo. They’re telling the truth.” Linda moved in front of her husband and shoved the papers into his hands. “Look for yourself. He lied to us and now our son . . . You put our son’s life in danger.”
“Linda—”
“No. You need to let them go. It’s my son out there and I won’t lose him because you were too stubborn to listen. You were a fool to believe him. And now, if anything happens to Will—”
“Ma’am,” Madison said. “For now we just need to worry about finding your son. Do you have another vehicle we can use?”
Simon stepped up beside them. “Yes, but I’ll have to fill it up with fuel. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”
“How much of a head start did they get?” Jonas asked.
“By now . . . fifteen, maybe twenty minutes.” Simon untied the bindings around both marshals’ hands.
“Which means we need to get moving,” Jonas said, stretching out his arms. “Have you tried to call your son?”
“I’ve tried calling both of them, but they’re not answering. They’re probably in a dead zone.”
Madison caught the man’s worried expression, wanting to believe his explanation as much as he did, but she knew the truth. Barrick wasn’t coming back, and Will’s life was in danger.
“We need to call both our boss and the local authorities and give them a heads-up on what’s going on,” Jonas said, pulling out his phone. “Good. I’ve finally got service. We’re going to need a BOLO out on your vehicle and Barrick’s photo sent out to every law enforcement in the county.”
“And if I can borrow a cell phone, I’ll call our boss,” Madison said.
Simon motioned to his wife. “Give her your phone, Linda.”
“It’s charging in the house, but I’ll go get it.”
Simon pulled his own phone out of his back pocket as Linda hurried into the house. He turned toward Jonas. “I’ll send you the sheriff’s personal number.”
“It’s fifty-five miles from here. We’re on the outskirts of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness and there’s nothing but wilderness to the south and west.”
“We’re going to need a guide.”
Simon nodded. “Anything you need.
Jonas stepped away when someone answered.
“And while the two of you make your calls, I’ll go get my truck.”
Linda returned and handed Madison her phone, then offered her a smile. “I could get you some food.”
Madison punched in her boss’s number. “I appreciate the offer, but we don’t have time to wait.”
“When’s the last time you ate?” Linda asked.
Madison hesitated as she waited for the call to connect. “Besides airplane peanuts and a power bar?”
“It will take Simon a few minutes to get the truck gassed up. The least I can do is send something with you. I’ve got some roast left over from last night.”
“We’re fine—”
“I know, but I’m not, and I need something to do with my hands. It won’t take more than a few minutes to whip up a couple sandwiches.”
Madison nodded as she was prompted to leave a voice message.
“Michaels, this is Madison. I’m guessing you’re already alerted to the fact that our plane went down in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. We just now have cell phone access. Jonas and I are fine, but the pilots are dead as well as Paul Riley. Damon Barrick is currently on the run. Please call us as soon as you can on this number.”
She hung up, frustrated by yet another delay. She was beginning to understand the woman’s need to do something. Feeling restless herself, Madison stepped into the house to find Linda. She found the woman in the kitchen. “What can I do while we wait for the vehicle?” she asked.
Linda looked up from her spot by the fridge. “Would you mind slicing the bread?”
“Of course not.”
“I want to apologize for my husband.” Linda busied herself by pulling roast and cheese and condiments out of the refrigerator. “He’s very protective of his family and this ranch.”
Madison grabbed a knife from the counter and began slicing the bread. “You were both only trying to do what you thought was right. I understand.”
“You’re very kind.” The woman continued assembling the sandwiches. “There’s something you need to know about my son.”
Madison paused and looked up at her.
“He’s resourceful and intelligent, but he’s also autistic.”
“I know something about that,” Madison said.
“He is high-functioning, and most of the time people don’t even really notice, but he does have some social and communication skills issues. Simon never should have let him get involved.” Linda caught Madison’s gaze. “I need you to find my son. Please. Promise me you’ll find my son.”
“I will.” Madison looked over when Linda’s phone pinged, then she snatched it off the counter. “I’m sorry. This is my boss.” She stepped into the living room and answered the call. “Michaels?”
“Madison, our search and rescue team just found the plane. Are the two of you okay?”
“Yes, but we’ve got a problem.”
“Besides two dead pilots and a dead prisoner?”
“Barrick’s got a possible hostage.”
There was a short pause on the line. “Where is he now?”
“I don’t know where he is, but I know where he’s been.” She stood in front of the large windows overlooking an incredible view of the mountains. “He managed to escape the crash and made it here to a local ranch, where he posed to the owners as a marshal. He’s headed toward Claymore Falls with their son in one of their vehicles.”
“I’ll put the US Marshals office in Boise on alert, but have you been in contact with local authorities?”
“Jonas is talking with them right now. We’re about to head out.”
“Keep me updated on what’s going on, and I’ll work on things from my end.”
“Use Jonas’s number from now on. We’ll be in touch with any updated information.”
Simon burst through the front door as she hung up. “I’ve got the truck ready.”
“Good. We need to move.”
Jonas stepped into the house behind him. “The sheriff’s heading toward Deadwood Crossing where we’ll meet him. If we’re lucky, we’ll find Barrick and Will somewhere in the middle.”
A minute later, they were squeezing into the single cab truck.
Simon turned the keys in the ignition and offered his apologies. “She might not be pretty on the outside, but she’s a workhorse.”
“As long as it gets us there, that’s all that matters,” Madison said, maneuvering her legs to avoid the stick shift.
The scenery along the winding dirt road was stunning. Almost enough to momentarily make her forget that she wasn’t here for the view.
“Madison?” Jonas brushed his hand against her arm. “You okay?”
“Just frustrated and trying to figure out how this happened. If I hadn’t let him get my pack and my weapon—”
“You’d probably be dead, and even if you had managed to avoid that happening, he would have simply come up with plan B.”
“And then there’s my sister.”
“You need to let her know what’s happening before this hits the major news cycles.” He handed her his phone. “Call her.”
She nodded, knowing he was right, then punched in her number. The call automatically went to voice mail.
“Danielle, this is Maddie. I want you to know that I’m safe, and there’s nothing to worry about, but there’s been a hiccup in our plans. I’ll call again when I have a chance.”
“A hiccup?” Jonas asked, as she handed the phone back to him.
“She worries. A lot.”
He laughed. “At least she knows you’re safe.”
“I was supposed to be home tonight. We had a family dinner planned. It’s my niece’s birthday. She’s turning six.”
“I’m sorry you’re going to miss it.”
“Me too, though it isn’t the first time. My family understands, for the most part.”
“She’s got to think you have a super-cool job.”
“More like she worries about me constantly.”
“I think it’s a super-cool job.”
“Funny.”
Simon’s phone rang on the dashboard.
“Why don’t you get that,” Simon said. “It’s probably the sheriff.”
Jonas grabbed the phone and put the call on speaker. “Sheriff? What’s going on?”
“We just found Simon’s vehicle.”
Twelve
Where are you?” Jonas asked.
“We’re at the number seventeen mile marker on Highway 101,” the sheriff answered. “Half a mile after the turnoff.”
Jonas glanced at Simon. “How far away are we?”
“We’re about two minutes away,” Simon said. “I need to know if my son’s okay.”
Jonas caught the panic in Simon’s voice. “Sheriff, did you hear that?”
“I did, and I’m sorry, but there’s no one in the truck,” the sheriff said.
“What do you mean there’s no one there?” Simon asked. “My son was in that vehicle!”
“I realize that. We’re doing an initial perimeter sweep of the area to see if we can track them down.”
Silence hung on the line for a few seconds, until Jonas finally spoke again. “Make sure your men know who we’re dealing with. Barrick is armed and dangerous. Call me back if you have any updates.”
“Roger that.”
Simon pressed down on the accelerator as he flew down the gravel road. “If I would have questioned the man more, or taken a closer look at the paperwork he had—”
“This isn’t your fault,” Jonas said. “We’ll find him.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You
r wife told me that your son’s extremely resourceful and knows this land well,” Madison said. “That could give him a huge advantage.”
“Is that a nice way of telling me what his odds are against a murderer?”
“Of course not, I just meant—”
“I know what you meant. And yes. He can hold his own in most situations.” Simon gripped the steering wheel. “I’m more worried about who the other guy is and what my son is up against right now. Do you think he’s desperate enough to murder someone else?”
Jonas held on to the armrest as they accelerated. “I think he’s just been given a chance to run, and we stand in the way of his possible freedom.”
“Making my son first in that line.”
“Yes. But it’s more likely that his goal right now is focusing on getting as far away from here as fast as he can.”
“Which means he’s going to need another vehicle,” Madison said.
“I don’t know,” Simon said. “There aren’t a lot of cars that come past here.”
Jonas braced himself against the window as Simon made a sharp turn onto the main road.
“We’re almost there.”
He understood the man’s frustration, because he was dealing with his own. But as much as Jonas wanted to, he could make no guarantees that Will would be okay.
A minute later, they caught sight of the sheriff department’s vehicles parked along the edge of the road, lights flashing.
Simon slammed on the brakes, jumped out of the vehicle, and ran straight for the sheriff. “Where’s my son? He’s got to be out here somewhere.”
“Simon—”
“My son was in that truck, Sheriff. He can’t be that far.”
“I know, and right now I need you to listen to me. There’s already a search underway. We will find your son, but we’re going to need help.” The sheriff turned to Jonas and Madison and quickly made formal introductions. “It’s not often that we have US Marshals show up, and I have to say I’m glad you’re here.”
“And it’s not often that transport planes crash in the middle of your forest and we’re forced to chase down a fugitive,” Jonas said. “We appreciate your cooperation.”
“I’ve been on the phone with your boss and he’s updated me on the case. Anything you need, you’ve got. We need to find this guy.”