How to Fetch a Felon

by Cat Clayton

  Stoney cleared her throat. “Work with me, how?”

  The rambunctious pups were distracting me as they battled for the towel.

  “Hey! Y’all cut it out!” I told them.

  Cuff let go of the towel and peered up at me, panting. Sorry, Chiquita. We were just having fun. He skulked off into the hallway, grumbling. The other two followed him, dragging the towel behind them. A few seconds later, I heard them start up again somewhere in the back.

  Pop’s brows furrowed, and he crossed his arms. “Chief Becker thinks it would be a good idea to get a sketch of the man who held you captive, the one you were involved with when I rescued you. Stoney, you’re the only one who knows what he looks like. We don’t have a clue who he really is. Becker thinks this person might be the one leaving you the gifts. He said Steely gave him the idea. And if that’s the case, there’s a good chance he’s here in Buckleville.”

  Chapter 16

  Stoney folded her hands in front of her, meeting Pop’s eyes. “Okay.”

  “Okay? As in you’re okay with doing the sketch?” I asked her to confirm.

  She nodded.

  “I thought you’d fight me on this,” Pop said, uncrossing his arms.

  “I think it’s a good idea. If he’s here, they need to catch him before something bad happens,” she said.

  I couldn’t believe my ears. Studying Pop’s astonished expression, I guessed he didn’t believe his either.

  “You sure you’re up for it?” Pop asked.

  “Yes, we’ve been working in our group sessions on our unhealthy attachments to the people who victimized us. I’ll admit at first, I refused to share my experiences, but once I got to know the others, it became easier. Most of them are so young and don’t have loving, supportive families like I do.” She smiled. “They remind me of the girls I had to leave behind, so I’ve shared my story to help them.”

  I rested my hand on hers. “You’re so brave, Stoney.”

  She shook her head. “Thank you for saying so, but I disagree. Brave would’ve been getting myself, and the younger girls with me, out of the bad situation years ago. Instead, I stayed, knowing what was happening.”

  Pop’s eyes glazed over. “You’re not to blame for anything.”

  “He’s right, sis. You did nothing wrong.”

  “But doing nothing at all was wrong. I didn’t understand that. The pills they gave me kept me numb and subdued. It was difficult to decipher right from wrong. And when I fell into the role as caretaker, things with Larry grew, well, complicated. He became possessive and manipulative. He knew exactly how to work me. He controlled me by threatening to hurt the younger girls. It was easier to give him what he wanted to ensure the girls’ safety. I realize that now,” she said, her voice cracking at the last part.

  Pop sighed a weighted breath. It had to be hard to hear his daughter talk about her trauma. It was for me.

  “Larry Cole is an alias. HPD has no idea who this guy really is or his whereabouts. Every lead they had back in the fall has come up empty. It’s as if he vanished. But you can give us a description of whom to look for. I told Becker I can’t force you, but dumplin’, we’re asking so we can stop this guy from ever doing what he did to you and those other girls to someone else,” Pop said.

  “When do we get started?” she asked. I felt her hand beneath mine shaking. I squeezed it, showing her she wasn’t alone.

  Pop’s huge hand settled over ours on the counter. “The sketch artist they’ve contacted in Houston will be here Monday to meet with you.”

  “Good,” she said, her voice lifted with confidence. “I’m ready.”

  I ASKED DANIEL TO HANG around with me after work so we could discuss something important. Gertie and Stoney went home with Pop. He promised they could stop off at the food store and pick up ice cream. Gertie beat them both out the front door.

  I locked the front door, spun around, and found Daniel standing with his arms crossed, tapping the toe of his loafer.

  “Well?”

  “Well, what?” I teased.

  He rolled his eyes. “You’re infuriating.”

  I grinned.

  “Fine then, I’m going home.” He turned to head out the back door.

  “Okay. Have a good evening.” I bent and plugged in the indoor and outdoor Christmas lights. I called to him as he padded down the hallway. “I’ll go on a little stakeout by myself.”

  He halted, turned, and pulled his cellphone from this pocket. With a glint in his eyes, he pushed a button and put the phone to his ear.

  “Hey mom, how’re you feeling?” He walked back into the lobby, smiling. “Good, good to hear. I wanted to call you and let you know I will be late this evening.”

  Fifteen minutes later, we sat in my car with Cuff balanced on the center console between us as we all three kept our eyes peeled out the windshield. Stars speckled the dark plum sky. I’d parked the car four houses down from Pop’s on the opposite side of the street and facing the house which gave us a good view of the south side of the house and the front yard. I double checked the car door locks.

  We crouched down in our seats when we observed the Jeep signal and pull into the driveway. Pop, Gertie, and Stoney arrived home from the grocery store and carried the bags into the house. And like I predicted, the exterior floodlights switched on, illuminating the front and side yards.

  Sitting up in my seat, I zipped my coat. I’d killed the engine when we pulled over, and the cold outside temperature seeped in. I glanced over at Daniel, the whites of his eyes glowing in the shadowed car.

  “You can sit up.”

  “What if they saw us?” Daniel asked, still hunkered down.

  Yeah, Chiquita, what if? Cuff trembled beside me.

  “Trust me, if they did, we would know.”

  “What exactly are we watching for?” Like a turtle emerging from its shell, Daniel inched his body up, his outstretched neck leading the way. “And shouldn’t a police unit be across the street, monitoring things? Where is it?”

  “One should be here soon. Chief Becker told Pop he’d position one out front every evening from dark until sunrise until they capture the person responsible for the gifts. But today, the smug jerk left one in the daylight hours. Maybe after the officer shows up, you and I can sneak around to the back of the house and set up watch on the back patio. I feel the need to help.”

  “Well, I think it’s a bad idea,” Daniel said.

  “Look, we’re part of the COW. Isn’t it our civic duty to keep an eye out for trouble?” I shivered, wishing I’d brought a blanket along.

  Daniel crept up a few more inches. “Trouble yes, but waiting for a stalking Secret Santa is dangerous. Besides, it’s freezing. I think I can hear Cuff’s teeth chattering.”

  I handed Daniel the binoculars. “Here, hold these. If you think you see anything, use them.” I scooped Cuff into my arms. “Come here, little buddy.” I unzipped my coat, tucked him inside, and with caution zipped the coat back up. “Better?”

  Yes, Chiquita. I was feeling like a pupsicle.

  “Daniel, you didn’t have to come with me. I said I’d be fine on my own. Remember, you insisted.”

  “What kind of friend would I be if I let you do it alone?” he asked, his turtle head extending out further. “Do you see that?” He squinted. “Or are my eyes playing tricks on me?”

  “What?” I peered out. “Where?”

  “There,” he said, pointing. “Near the Jeep. It looks like a dark figure.”

  “Use the binoculars.” I fumbled for my phone in the pocket of my jacket just in case I had to make a call to the police.

  With the binoculars pressed against his face, Daniel leaned forward. “I don’t know. I can’t quite find it now.” He sighed. “Maybe it was my imagination. I’m probably freaking myself out. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Let me see those.” I nodded to the binoculars.

  He handed them to me and I studied the driveway, the area around the Jeep, and the side yar
d. Nothing moved in the shadows. All was quiet.

  “Hmm... I don’t see anything either.” I set the pair of binoculars on the dashboard.

  A pair of headlights headed in our direction. We both crouched low, so when the driver of the oncoming vehicle drove past and looked in, the car would appear empty. Cuff whined from inside my jacket.

  You are squishing me, Chiquita.

  I readjusted and gave him more room. “Sorry, buddy. It isn’t exactly the most comfortable position.”

  It is better, thank you.

  “Speaking of position, let’s call this one the duck,” Daniel said.

  I glanced toward the roof of my car. “The duck?” A vehicle never passed us, but I could still see the bright light above our heads illuminating the interior of the car. Maybe the car pulled over.

  “Yeah, as in we’re ducking our heads. And when we sit up, we could call it the peek. Get it? Like we’re taking a peek,” Daniel said, chuckling.

  “Okay. I like the duck, but when we sit up, I think we should call it the turtle,” I said. The headlights shut off and my car darkened again. “Like now, slowly turtle up and let’s look.”

  “I don’t get it. Why call it the turtle and not the peek?”

  I twisted my head in his direction. “Because when I was watching you a few minutes ago, you reminded me of a turtle coming out of its shell.”

  “Oh! Now, I get—”

  A blinding light shot through the driver’s side window, and Daniel squealed, scrambling to cram himself onto the floorboard. My heart leapt into my throat.

  Chiquita, what is happening?

  Someone tried to open my car door.

  Should I try to drive away? I thought.

  “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,” Daniel squealed.

  “Steely, it’s me.” I heard Jackson’s voice through the glass.

  I did the turtle, shielding my eyes. “Turn off the flashlight!”

  The light cut off. I turned the key over one click, unrolled my window, and stared into Jackson’s inquisitive eyes.

  “What’s up, buttercup?” I heard the humor in his voice, despite his fisted hands attached to his gun belt. He leaned over and peered into the car. “I see you Daniel. You can sit up now.”

  Cuff shivered, his tiny body vibrating against mine. Uh oh, Chiquita. I think we may be in trouble.

  Grunting, Daniel struggled to climb back into his seat.

  “Hi, Jackson,” I said. I plastered a grin across my face. “We’re um, just sitting in the car, enjoying the evening. How about you?”

  “Working. I was driving over to do my shift of night duty in front of your dad’s place when he buzzed me on the phone. Said he observed you watching the house from down the street in your car.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  Daniel cleared his throat beside me. “I guess he was the dark figure I saw lurking by the Jeep earlier.”

  “Yep. He sent me a picture of you two sitting here in a dark car,” Jackson said, nodding. “Can I ask you why you’re out here?”

  “We’re on a stakeout,” Daniel said.

  I shot him a look. “We’re doing our civic duty for the COW and watching for Stoney’s stalker Santa. And if Pop knew we were out here, why didn’t he come ask us himself? Why did he call you instead?”

  “Well, for one, he thought you’d get bent out of shape if he told you to go home, and two, he thought it’d be funny if I approached the car,” he said, smirking.

  “Funny?” I frowned, a spark of anger ignited. “Nothing about this whole situation is funny. There’s a weirdo out there stalking my sister, sending her creepy gifts, the officer here last night slept through the darn guy leaving the gift, and you and Pop are playing a practical joke on me? I’m sorry, but that’s just wrong.”

  “Yeah, what she said,” Daniel added.

  Jackson raised a brow, eying Daniel.

  “Sorry, no disrespect meant,” Daniel said.

  “Steely, I’ll be here all night. I’ll keep a watch on the house, front and back. Nobody’s getting past me. Now, please go home, get some rest. We’ve got the run tomorrow.”

  I sighed. “Fine. But don’t you need sleep too?”

  “Don’t worry about me, buttercup.” He leaned in and kissed me lightly. “Daniel, before you leave, make sure she gets inside the shop and locks up.”

  “Yes, sir,” Daniel said, saluting him.

  Jackson bid us farewell, and we drove away with our tails tucked between our legs.

  THE FOLLOWING DAY, the town of Buckleville prepared for the annual Reindeer Stampede. The 5K race would begin at 2:00 PM in the afternoon, so the Scrubadub crew met at Orsack’s for brunch. The menu featured a high carb meal for the runners. Spaghetti and meatballs, a salad, and a fruit plate. Jackson, Daniel, Gertie, Mr. Peters, and I were taking part in the run. Pop and Stoney joined us in support.

  “Y’all will love my outfit for the stampede,” Gertie said, her mouth full of spaghetti.

  “Oh, we’re sitting on pins and needles over here, Mother,” Pop said.

  Everyone laughed. It was great to see Pop getting back to his old self again.

  We all knew Gertie to attend public events in quite the getup. If memory served me correctly, she attended the shooting range in July dressed in a floor-length, emerald green taffeta prom dress she’d swiped from Stoney’s closet. She resembled a round, little mermaid. At two recent memorial services, she wore gaudy party dresses. And, at the Pieper’s annual Fourth of July party, she’d squeezed into a crimson, knee-high, poufy-skirted prom dress, again from Stoney’s high school wardrobe. Even though Stoney had disappeared, our parents had kept her room the way she’d left it, clothes and all.

  “Well, son, just for that sarcastic comment, I’m adding the light-up tutu I bought off the Amazon Prime to my already stellar ensemble.” She twirled more noodles around her fork and shoved the bite in her mouth.

  “So, Steely, are you ready for this afternoon’s run?” Daniel asked.

  He had squished himself between Jackson and me on our half of the booth. Stoney and Pop occupied the other. Gertie and Mr. Peters sat at a table beside our booth.

  Nodding my head, I swallowed a bite of salad before I spoke. “I guess so. I’m walking the stampede. I may have to hang back with Gertie’s group every once in a while. We’ll see.”

  “But you trained with Jackson, right?” Stoney asked.

  “Let’s just say, my asthmatic lungs have a mind of their own and don’t enjoy being told what to do.”

  “Kind of like you,” Pop said.

  Snickers erupted.

  “Wow, you’re on fire this morning, Pop,” I said, raising a brow and pursing my lips. I had no problem being the brunt of his jokes if it meant he was feeling better. He joked out of love, not spite, and I much preferred spunky Pop to cranky and bitter Pop.

  “I’m only playing with you, Steels,” he said, peering at me over his glasses.

  “Kind of how you played a joke on Daniel and me last night when we were sitting out in front of the house?”

  A mischievous spark glinted in his eyes. “Well, I figured the surprise element would have more impact if Jackson showed up at your window rather than me.”

  “Oh, it did.” I winked at him. “So, did a gift show up last night?”

  “Nope, and not a soul in sight,” Jackson said.

  “I guess it was a good thing you were there, Jackson.” I nudged Daniel. “So, what are you wearing this afternoon?”

  “Darlin, don’t be jealous. But I found the cutest insulated reindeer leggings and running top, ever. The shirt is long-sleeved and black, and it says Jingle These with a pair of bells where the shirt hits my waistline.”

  Jackson coughed, choking on his food. I reached around Daniel and clapped him on the back.

  “Okay, Jackson. Your turn. What’re you wearing?” Daniel asked, winking at me. “I’m dying to find out.”

  “Long-sleeve shirt, leggings, and shorts. All black. No fri
lls. No thrills,” Jackson said.

  I bit my tongue waiting for Daniel’s reply.

  “Honey,” Daniel began, “in my book, anything you wear has frills and thrills.”

  I leaned over and caught Jackson blushing. He narrowed his eyes at me. “And what about you, buttercup? What’re you wearing?”

  I froze. “Um, I guess y’all will have to wait, won’t you?” I’d been so caught up with what was happening with Stoney, I hadn’t considered what to wear for the stampede. I had my lighted antlers we’d made at the beginning of the week, but that was it.

  “Well, don’t wear those sexy camo boots,” Jackson said, grinning in my direction. “I wouldn’t want you to break an ankle on my account.”

  Pop cleared his throat. “Hello. Dad sitting right here.” He frowned at Jackson.

  I snorted in laughter.

  “Right. Sorry, sir,” Jackson replied and dug into his spaghetti.

  What am I wearing to the stampede? One of Mama’s sayings replayed in my memory: Remember the five P’s, Steely. Proper planning prevents poor performance. I hoped in my case, this proved untrue today. I ran through the items in my closet inside my head and couldn’t come up with a single idea.

  Chapter 17

  “What do you mean you have nothing to wear?” Daniel asked as we lounged on the couch upstairs in my apartment. Cuff was curled up in his lap asleep, a soft rattling snore drifted from him.

  “Exactly what I said. Nothing. I sort of forgot.” I sipped on a cup of Earl Grey.

  “What have you been wearing for your training?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “A sweatshirt over a pair of yoga pants.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Girl, that won’t do. What we wear says everything. If you dress like a frump, you’re a frump. Hold this little guy. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He gently unloaded my mound of a pup into my arms and jetted down the steps. I heard the back door open and close. In a matter of minutes, he stood in front of me with two large bags from Macy’s.