“I don’t,” Liam said. “But the whole purpose of making me do it is so that I can’t go to the sheriff. The only chance I have of getting out of this alive is to kill you and hope that Slick keeps his word.”
“Maybe he’s bluffing.”
Liam shook his head. “He isn’t.”
“I don’t think God would send me back here just to die this way,” Jesse said. “Sheriff Granger will find us before that happens. But then you’ll have to go to jail.”
“Jesse, be realistic.” Liam’s voice was suddenly softer, almost tender. “Even if the sheriff shows up, which is doubtful, he’s not going to give Slick what he wants. He’s a cop killer. And the minute Slick realizes he’s not in control, he’ll kill us both.”
Jesse didn’t say anything but couldn’t take his eyes off Liam. Finally, he said, “You don’t look like a murderer to me.”
“What do you think a murderer should look like?”
Jesse shrugged. “Not like you.”
Slick came over and crouched at the open end of the shelter. “You fellas making yourselves at home?”
Neither Jesse nor Liam said anything.
“Aren’t real chatty, are you?” Slick crawled inside and checked Liam’s wrists and ankles to make sure the knots were secure and then checked Jesse’s wrists. “Well, talk or don’t talk. It’s up to you. That fire should be thawing you out. I didn’t bring enough food and water to share, but I’ll keep the fire going to keep you comfortable.”
“If the search teams don’t find us,” Liam said, “when are you planning to go back to Foggy Ridge?”
“I figure things should calm down by tomorrow night. Can’t go back to my place, so I’ll move on.” Slick flashed an annoying grin, moving his gaze from Liam to Jesse and back to Liam. “Is the boy up to speed on the plan?”
“I told him what I’d have to do and why,” Liam said.
“Well then. That’s that. You have anything to say, boy?” Slick waited for Jesse to respond, and when he didn’t, Slick backed out of the shelter and started to get up on his feet.
“Wait!” Jesse blurted out. “Do you have a mother who loves you?”
Slick crouched down, the expression on his face somewhere between puzzled and amused. “I do, as a matter of fact. What’s it to you?”
“Well, so do I,” Jesse said. “My dad was murdered, and both my sisters almost were. My mother’s suffered enough. You don’t have to do this. I won’t tell the sheriff I even saw you. I promise.”
“A promise you can’t keep,” Slick said. “Don’t worry, boy. You won’t feel a bullet in your head at close range. It’ll be quick and painless.”
“Not for my mother, it won’t.”
Slick chuckled. “Liam, doesn’t it just warm your heart to know young Jesse here’s worried about his mama? Seeing as how she’s going to fret forever and a day, wondering what happened to her boy, maybe I’ll go put her out of her misery—just to show I really do have a heart.” A grin spread across Slick’s face. “I might could make it look like an accident.”
Jesse’s eyes burned with tears. He pressed his lips tightly together, knowing that, if he verbalized what he was thinking, he would probably get a beating too.
Lord, this jerk makes me so mad. Don’t let him hurt my mother.
“You can turn on those crybaby tears all you want,” Slick said, “but my mind’s made up.”
Slick got up and left.
Jesse couldn’t stop shivering, though he wasn’t cold anymore. He watched Slick disappear in the shadows, whistling. Jesse thought it odd, coming from a man with murder in his heart.
A few minutes went by. Finally, Liam said, “Don’t let him get to you, Jesse. He’s not going after your mom.”
“That was a horrible thing to say.”
“It was. I said worse, but I would never have hurt your family. He just wants to scare you so he can feel in control.”
Jesse sat for a few moments, at the same time angry and terrified. Finally, he turned to Liam. “Remember you asked me what I thought a murderer should look like, and I said, ‘Not you’? Well, Slick’s got evil in his eyes. He looks like a murderer. The guy scares me.”
“Yeah, well, try not to think about him. You getting warm yet?”
Jesse nodded.
“Why don’t you try and sleep some while you can?” Liam said.
“If I’m going to die, I don’t want to sleep away the only time I have left.”
“Look, Jesse, I doubt my apology means anything to you, but I’m sorry you got pulled into this. I’d give anything to change that.”
Jesse studied Liam’s profile. “Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer, but I’d really like to know. Why did you kill your mother? You don’t seem like a bad guy.”
Liam glanced over at him and then looked at the ground. “My mom had Alzheimer’s. For all practical purposes, the woman I knew and loved was already dead even before I put her out of her misery. I know the law calls it murder, but I couldn’t sit back and let that disease steal my mom’s mind and allow the medical expenses to eat up the inheritance she wanted me to have.”
“So that’s it … You killed her to get what you wanted, just like you’re going to do with me.”
“That was a cheap shot. I loved my mom! I really did. I was gentle with her, and it was over before she realized what was happening.”
“You can’t know that.” Jesse, his heart heavy, wondered how any man who loved his mother could drown her.
“The situation Slick put me in is entirely different,” Liam said. “I would only kill you to keep from being killed. You’d do the same thing to me, if you had to.”
Jesse shook his head. “I wouldn’t have to. Because it’s a choice, and I would never choose to kill you or anyone.”
“You might, if it was the only way to save your own neck.”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“It’s self-defense,” Liam insisted.
“Maybe so, but I couldn’t do it because my life would be ruined after that.”
“So you’d rather die?”
“If I killed someone in cold blood,” Jesse said, “even to save myself, I’m pretty sure I’d feel dead on the inside for the rest of my life. I’d rather just die for real and go to heaven.”
“How can a kid who’s not old enough to shave already know what you would or wouldn’t do in this situation?”
Jesse shrugged. “Because I believe we’re supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves. And sometimes that means forgetting about what we want, and doing what’s right for another person, even if it’s hard.”
“Even if it kills you?”
“I wouldn’t want to die. And I’d be scared. I just know I couldn’t kill an innocent person.”
“I believe you. You’re a remarkable kid and a better man than I am. But my philosophy is we have to play the hand we’re dealt. And there’s nothing to be gained by both of us dying.” Liam was quiet for a few moments. “My mom believed all that Bible stuff, and Colleen does too. I can’t say any of it has stuck with me, but I do wonder about heaven. I kind of hope my mom is there. She really wanted to be.”
Jesse just listened.
“Well, if heaven does exist,” Liam said, “I won’t be going there. Not after what I’ve done and what I’m about to do. If anything, I deserve hell.”
“So do I.”
Liam looked as if he were going to smile. “Yeah, right.”
“I do. Everyone does.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Liam said. “This is the part where you tell me that we’re all sinners. And the only way to be forgiven and go to heaven is to repent and accept Jesus’s sacrifice for my sins. I told you, I’ve already heard it all. It’s not for me.”
“Why not? All you have to do is ask.”
“Well, I
don’t need to be forgiven. I’m the only one who had the guts to do the right thing for my mother, and I’m not sorry for that. I’m not.”
“Aren’t you sorry for other things?” Jesse said. “Like threatening to kill my family, and then trying to shoot me?”
“I don’t know. Aren’t you tired of talking so much?”
Jesse sighed. “I just want to be sure you know God can forgive you, that’s all.”
“Why do you care anyway? It’s my problem.”
“Because you’re going to feel really guilty if you kill me now, and I don’t think it’s fair that Slick’s making you choose between your life and mine.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “Then stop making it harder by being so nice.”
“I might not have the courage to say this stuff later. I want you to know that I don’t blame you—”
“Enough already!” Liam said. “Not another word or I’ll ask Slick to put a gag on you.”
Jesse stopped talking and looked down at the ground. He was scared. Far more than he was letting on. Death didn’t scare him, but being shot sure did.
He stole a few well-spaced glances at Liam and decided the man’s silent language didn’t match the gruffness of his words. He was struggling with the choice he would have to make. And he looked scared too.
Chapter 34
Virgil dabbed the perspiration off his forehead. “You hot?” he said to Reggie.
“Not really. The command post actually feels cool to me.” Reggie flashed a crooked smile and patted Virgil on the shoulder. “My guess is you’re workin’ up a sweat because your mind’s in fast motion.”
“That’s the only speed it knows.” Virgil glanced at his watch. “I had hoped to see some sign of Jesse, Liam Berne, or Liam’s car. Our teams are almost finished searching the hills around Foggy Ridge. Where are they?”
“We may have to accept that Berne took the boy out of the area,” Reggie said. “He could’ve been long gone before we were even on to him.”
Virgil ran his hands through his hair. “I’m a long way from accepting that. Even if Liam left, which my gut tells me he didn’t, I don’t think he would have risked taking Jesse with him, dead or alive. We need to complete our search-and-rescue operation.”
“We still have a number of densely wooded, undeveloped areas in the city limits to cover,” Reggie said, “if we could just get those hounds over here.”
Virgil nodded. “I know. The dogs are still in use to track a registered sex offender who snatched two girls from a retreat center near Fayetteville. If the dogs aren’t here by the time our teams are ready to search the remaining areas, I’m not sure Kevin will give the green light and chance upsetting the handlers by letting us go in ahead of them. It’s his call.”
“I understand his reluctance,” Reggie said. “You know how touchy the handlers are about us trampin’ on their turf before the dogs’ve been over it.”
“Yeah, well, they’re the least of my worries.” Virgil hated the tension in his voice. “I’ve got a potential young victim and a distraught family to think about. Time is everything.”
“Relax, Sheriff. Kevin’s on top of it.”
Virgil sighed. “You’re right. He hasn’t missed a trick. I’m just restless. I hate the waiting.”
“Of course you do. But let him have the reins. That’s why you put him in charge.”
Virgil looked out the window at what appeared to be a team of police officers just returning from their search. “You know Kate Cummings is a friend. The last thing I want to do is hand her another devastating heartache.”
“Good grief, man. It’s not like you’re responsible for any of it.”
Virgil turned around, his arms folded across his chest. “I know, Reg. It’s just personal, that’s all.”
Reggie raised an eyebrow. “You have … feelings for this woman?”
“No, no. It’s nothing like that. Actually, Kate’s more like a sister, and her kids like nieces and nephews. I just care a whole lot about them, and I can’t imagine Kate’s life without Jesse. He’s one fine kid. More tenderhearted than the average twelve-year-old. Maybe because of all his family’s been through.”
Reggie’s eyes seemed to probe Virgil’s thoughts. Finally, he said, “You don’t think we’re gonna find Jesse alive, do you?”
“I refuse to go there,” Virgil replied. “I need to stay focused on what we’re doing. We don’t have time to waste.”
“You think we shouldn’t wait for the hounds, if we’re ready to roll and the handlers aren’t?”
“I’m leaning that way.” Virgil’s cell phone rang. “Sheriff Granger.”
“Sir, this is Deputy Northridge. I’m outside with a young man named Dawson Foster. Says he and the Cummings kid were like brothers. I’ve told him the status, but he insists on talking to you. I already told him you can’t see him. I just wanted him to see me make the call.”
“Actually,” Virgil said, “I wouldn’t mind talking to him. But I need you to bring him to the south side of the command center, away from the media. I’ll be right out.”
“Yes, sir.”
Virgil put his cell phone in his pocket. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, Reg. There’s someone I need to speak with.”
Virgil motioned to Kevin that he would be outside, then slipped out the side door and walked around to the south side of the command center, careful not to make eye contact with anyone from the media.
The night air was downright cold, and the scent of pine wafted under his nose as he rounded the corner and saw Dawson standing with Deputy Northridge.
Virgil extended his hand to Dawson. “Good to see you again.”
“Yes, sir,” Dawson said. “Same here.”
Northridge excused himself, and Virgil looked at Dawson. “What can I do for you, son?”
“I want you to tell me straight, Sheriff. Do you think Jesse’s still alive?” Dawson stood tall and brave, his eyes brimming with tears.
Virgil put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I have no information that leads me to believe otherwise. We’re searching the town and the hills around it, looking for Jesse, the suspect, and the suspect’s car.”
“Is the guy you suspect of takin’ Jesse really Miss Berne’s brother?”
“Yes,” Virgil said.
“Isn’t it true most kids don’t survive more than a few hours, once they’re kidnapped?”
“If we were dealing with a sex offender, I’d say yes. But we’re not. This situation is entirely different.”
“You think the guy’s tryin’ to make Jesse talk? You can tell me, Sheriff. Jesse and I are like brothers.”
Virgil was filled with compassion and glad Dawson couldn’t see the images that kept popping into his mind. “I know this is hard for you. But I really can’t discuss the particulars of an ongoing investigation.”
Dawson sighed. “That’s what everyone says.”
“There’s good reason for it. It helps to protect Jesse. I know you want that.”
“Well, what can you tell me?”
“I can tell you we’re on top of things. We know what we need to do, and we’re out there doing it. I want Jesse found unharmed as much as you do. The Cummingses are like my own family. This is personal.”
Dawson nodded. “Yes, sir. It is for me too.”
“Have you had contact with Jesse lately?” Virgil said.
“Not since Thursday night when he called and asked me to tell the guys on my team that he lied about bein’ a witness. At first, I was really mad because it made me look bad with them, and I knew they’d make life miserable for Jesse. But then after I thought about it, I was sure he told the truth in the first place.”
“You sound pretty positive about that.”
Dawson shrugged. “’Cause I know Jesse. He’s not a liar. Sure, he exaggerated a little to i
mpress me, when he told me he witnessed the drowning and got a good look at the killer’s face. But he trusted me not to tell anyone. If I’d kept his confidence instead of blabbin’ it to Bull Hanson, none of this would be happenin’. It was only after the whole school found out that Jesse called me and said he’d made the whole thing up. But I don’t believe he did. He’s a straight arrow. He never lies about anything, even if he gets in trouble.”
“I don’t believe Jesse’s a liar either.”
Dawson smiled. “Good.”
“Let me ask you this,” Virgil said. “If you thought Jesse was hiding, where would you look for him?”
“I already told the officers who interviewed me that I’d search the mountain. I even took them to four different spots where Jesse likes to hang out. We didn’t find him, but he must be somewhere up there. Are they done searchin’ the mountain?”
“I can’t get into where we’ve searched, but rest assured we’re leaving no stone unturned. If Jesse’s up there, we’ll find him.” Virgil put his hand on Dawson’s shoulder. “I need to get back inside. I’ve got to stay focused.”
“Is there anything I can do, Sheriff?”
“Hang on to hope … and pray. I think that’s what Jesse would want.”
Chapter 35
Kate’s eyes flew open. She was curled up on one side of the couch, nestled comfortably under an afghan. She spotted Elliot sitting on the floor in front of the fire.
“What time is it?” Kate said.
“A little after ten.” Elliot got up and sat on the side of the couch. “You dozed off and I was hoping you could sleep.”
“Has Virgil called?”
“He called Roberta and reported that they’ve finished searching the mountain. The teams are on their way back in.”
Kate wanted to scream. What if they never found him? What if she had to live with the debilitating pain and grief all over again? Lord, I can’t bear it. I just can’t. Please don’t let that happen.
Elliot pulled her into his arms, and Kate quietly sobbed, trying not to give in to the despair she felt. God was faithful. That she knew. But His timing often left room for suffering in the midst of the unknown. What if His plan was to call Jesse to his ultimate home? Could she accept it?
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