“I thought we were closer to Sheldon’s place than this,” Nat gasped as they negotiated the narrow strip of grass between the gravel road and the near-to-overflowing ditch.
“We’re almost there.” Maggie found she was whispering. “I recognize that huge maple.” She pointed ahead. “It’s on the edge of the property with White’s name nailed to it.”
“Thank you, God!”
She waited until he’d caught up to her before walking the last few steps. “I’d forgotten that the land had been cleared between the log cabin and the cottage.” She peered cautiously around the maple.
“They cut the trees to build the cabin,” Nat whispered back. “Doesn’t look as if any work has been done on it since our last visit.”
“If we keep to the bushes on the left side and then make a dash for the cabin,” Maggie suggested, “we should be able to see if there’s any sign of life in the cottage.”
Oscar thought it was a great game and gave an excited yelp when they made the dash for the unfinished construction. There were cutouts intended for windows and doors on either side of the cabin, but spindly alders, bracken, and thimbleberry bushes had grown up across them, barring the way in. Glancing anxiously toward the cottage, Nat barged through the tangle and into the log cabin, and Maggie and Oscar followed close behind. Before abandoning work on it, the builders had installed logs to the height of the ceiling of the first floor. There were no divisions for separate rooms, but several rafters were in place for either a ceiling or a second storey.
The dog gave another whimper, and Maggie bent down to pet him. “S-h-h-h, Oscar.” The brush gave them ample coverage as they peered through one of the cabin’s window spaces at the cottage, but it seemed oddly quiet and unoccupied. The windows and doors were shut, not a whisper of smoke came from the chimney, and there was no sign of any type of vehicle. “What kind of car does Sheldon drive?” she asked.
“The only vehicle I saw at his place was an ancient blue Ford parked right up against the fence.”
“I don’t remember seeing a blue Ford.”
“I saw it when we were retrieving my Chevy on Friday. It didn’t look as if it had been driven for years.”
“So,” she said slowly, “if he’s the one who kidnapped Jenny, how would he get her here?”
“He must have had help. Shall we try and get closer to the cottage?”
They had reached the back of the cottage without mishap when Maggie whispered, “Let’s see if there’s a window or a door open.”
“What’s the point?” Nat sounded thoroughly dejected.
“They might have been here.”
The blinds of the cottage were up so it was quite easy to look into the rooms on the ground floor. It was a typical two up and two down cottage, the rooms going from front to back with the front door leading into a very small foyer, stairs straight ahead, and a door each side into the living and kitchen areas. The back door led straight into the kitchen. They tried the door but, as expected, it was locked.
“Just as well,” Maggie commented. “We’re soaking wet from the rain and Sheldon would easily see our footprints on the tiled floor.”
They were circling the house, looking for any sign of recent occupancy when Nat suddenly bent down. “Look at this, Maggie!” He knelt in the wet gravel for a closer look. “Tire marks! And they’re fairly recent.”
“How can you tell?” She bent down to peer at the tread marks.
“There’s very little rainwater in them.” He stood and pulled Maggie to her feet. “And the edges of the tracks are sharp and fresh-looking. We’d better get the hell out of here before they come back.”
“You’re right. Come on, Oscar.” The three of them sprinted for the log cabin. “It won’t keep the rain off us but at least we can’t be seen,” she said when they were safely inside again. “What have you got, Oscar?” Bending down, she pulled a piece of sodden material out of his mouth. “Oh my God, Nat! They’ve definitely got Jenny!”
“What makes you say that?”
“The last time I saw her she had her hair tied back with a piece of black ribbon.” Maggie held out her hand. “Just like this!” She stopped talking. “Listen! It’s a car! Nat, they’re coming back!”
Peering over the rim of the window opening they saw Sheldon get out of a large black car and scurry around to the driver’s side to hold the door open for Alice Standish. Disregarding his helping hand, she emerged from the car dressed as if she was on a business trip—black raincoat, leather gloves, and high boots—rather than on a casual visit to one of the Gulf Islands.
Opening a large black umbrella, she elbowed Sheldon out of the way. “Why don’t you have a telephone in the house, for God’s sake?” she demanded.
“I don’t use the place enough.”
“But I need to use a telephone—now!”
“The store will be open in an hour. You can leave me and the kid and try again later.”
“No way am I leaving you two here alone. I don’t trust you any further than I can see you.”
“Where’s Jenny?” Maggie whispered.
“Get the kid, and hurry up before I get soaked.” Alice walked to the back of the car and waited for Sheldon to join her.
Maggie and Nat watched in horror as Sheldon opened the trunk and the two of them leaned in and pulled a struggling child from its depths. It was Jenny and her mouth was covered with duct tape. “Hold still, you little bastard!” Alice hit the little girl so hard that she crumpled backward onto the ground where she lay sobbing and visibly quaking in fear.
Sheldon immediately ran to the child and helped her to her feet, but Jenny was so terrified that she cringed away from him, her eyes wild with horror.
“You’re such a wimp, Sheldon. Get the brat inside.”
“Wait,” Maggie whispered, grabbing hold of Nat’s sleeve. “Let’s think this through. If we make the wrong move, that woman could kill Jenny.” They watched in silence as Jenny was dragged, still struggling against her captors, to the back of the cottage.
“I should have alerted George,” Nat said.
“It’s all right. He’ll be here on the next ferry.”
“What?”
“Before we left this morning I called him and told him of our suspicions.”
“You did that?” Nat couldn’t help grinning at his partner. “Maggie,” he said, pulling her close, “what would I do without you? Does he know how to find us?”
“I told him we’d meet his ferry.” She glanced at her watch. “We’d better do a careful retreat.”
“I hate to leave Jenny with those two,” Nat said, moving slowly and cautiously toward the doorway where they had entered the cabin earlier.
“At least she’s out of that trunk,” Maggie whispered as she began to follow him. Suddenly she stopped. “Wait. You go and meet George. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things.”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
“Take Oscar with you. I don’t want him barking or something.”
“But Maggie . . .”
“Just go!”
“No. It’s too dangerous. We stay together.”
“It’s that child’s life that is in danger. Just go!”
“Maggie, if that woman discovers you here, she won’t hesitate . . .” his voice trailed away.
“She won’t discover me. Now, get going before it’s too late.”
Nat could see Maggie was adamant. He said reluctantly, “As long as you promise to stay put and not try any heroic rescues or anything.”
“As if I would!”
She watched as Nat and Oscar raced for the grove of the trees on the edge of the property and breathed a sigh of relief when there was no hue and cry from the cottage. She looked around the unfinished cabin for something that would make her wait more comfortable but realized that apart from the sawn ends of logs and a couple of trestles there was very little in the line of furnishings. She chose a fat, two-foot-high chunk of log, rolled it ac
ross the floor, and sat below the window opening to wait. There was an eerie feeling about the place—the grey smoke lazily curling out of the stone chimney of the cottage, the constant drip, drip, drip from trees, and the little rustling sounds as small, invisible animals scurried about in the bushes. Maggie shivered. She stood up and peered through the window and wished she could be a little closer to hear what was going on inside the cottage.
After a while the rain stopped and the shake roof of the cottage steamed in the warmth of the weak sun that slid in and out of the clouds. She sank back down onto the log and leaned her head against the wall. It had been a long day. Her eyelids began to droop.
• • •
NAT, DOING HIS best to hurry, had the option of slipping on the grassy edge of the narrow road into the water-filled ditch or staying in the middle of the track and skidding onto his rear end in one of the rivulets of water rolling down its middle. Oscar enjoyed both venues and joyously pulled on his leash, eager to make Nat run faster. Fortunately, the car was still parked where they’d left it, and he backed up the track until he found a place wide enough to turn.
When he reached the ferry terminal, he was told it wouldn’t be in for at least another half hour. Thank God Maggie put that thermos of coffee within easy reach. He settled down, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, to wait for George. “Please don’t do anything stupid, Maggie.”
• • •
“I KNEW YOU would be a problem the moment I set eyes on you. Turn and face me . . . slowly.”
Maggie opened her eyes and turned slowly to see Alice Standish pointing a gun at her.
“Don’t even think of doing anything silly. I know how to use this gun. Now stand up and walk in front of me.”
Maggie thought about making a run for it, but Alice’s hand was steady and her face grim. She meant every word she was saying. Cursing herself for being caught so easily, Maggie did as she was told.
“Well, I can’t offer you tea and cookies here, Mrs. Spencer, but I think we can provide you with some entertainment,” Alice said sarcastically as she pushed Maggie into the kitchen. “Get the rope out of the car, Sheldon.” She turned back to Maggie, waving the gun to indicate a stool in the middle of the kitchen. “Sit!” she ordered. “And don’t try anything funny! Unlike the wimp, I’m not afraid to use this.”
“You’ve killed before,” Maggie stated.
The woman didn’t answer. “Where’s your partner?”
“Gone for help.”
“Help?” she sneered. “I don’t think he’ll get much help from the local sheep or any of the artsy lot that live around here. We’ll be long gone by the time he finds any help. Okay, Sheldon,” she said as he returned with a coil of rope, “tie her arms behind her back and then bring the brat down here.”
“Why are you doing this, Alice?” Maggie asked. “What have you got against that child?”
“That money should have been mine!”
“Money? Judith and her daughter don’t have any money.”
“He gave her $25,000! And that money should have been mine!” She turned to Sheldon, who was standing with his mouth open. “What are you standing there for? I said tie her arms behind her back!”
Sheldon didn’t move. “Is that what this is about?” he asked.
“Tie her up!” she ordered and waved the gun at him.
Sheldon knelt behind the stool that Maggie was sitting on and began tying her wrists together.
“What makes you think he gave it to Judith and her daughter?” Maggie asked.
“I’ve gone over the books and that’s how much is missing. He certainly didn’t leave it to me, and that son of his sure as hell didn’t get it.” She put the gun down on the table and inspected Sheldon’s knots. Satisfied, she picked up the gun again. “So that woman and her bastard must have it,” she continued, “and if she wants her daughter back, she’ll hand the money over. Go and get the kid, Sheldon! We’ve got to get going.”
• • •
WHEN THE FERRY came in sight Nat hauled himself out of the car and walked quickly down to meet George. To Nat’s surprise, Sergeant Cadbury was with him. As they walked off the ferry and got within hearing distance, Nat shouted, “They’re here! Come on, I left Maggie keeping watch on them!”
“Is the little girl all right?” Cadbury demanded.
“She was the last we saw of her,” Nat said as he hustled the two men into his old Chevy.
“Where did you say Maggie was?” George asked as he settled himself into the front passenger seat.
“Keeping an eye on the place. I warned her not to do anything silly.”
“I hope she listened,” George answered dubiously, as he pushed Oscar’s wet tongue away from his face. “Down, Oscar.”
“Me, too,” Nat answered grimly, thrusting the car into first gear.
“Aaron Standish doesn’t appear to have had any hand in this,” Cadbury said from the back seat. “He could vouch for every hour of the day and we searched his place from top to bottom.”
“I’m afraid we have to walk it from here.” Nat had driven the car to the spot where he had left it earlier.
“How far?” Cadbury asked, pulling his coat collar up.
“A few minutes.”
“Ah! They’re still here.” Nat pointed to the black car still parked next to the cottage. “Follow me.” Holding tight to the leash of the excited dog, he led the way through the trees and bushes along the side of the property. “The tricky part is to get over to that log cabin.”
“Won’t they see us?” George whispered.
“It’s pretty hard to see anyone inside as the holes for the windows are overgrown with brush and weeds. Just follow me.” One by one they sprinted for the derelict cabin.
But Maggie was not waiting for them when they arrived.
“Where’s your sidekick?” Cadbury whispered.
“Don’t tell me she’s taken things into her own hands.” George glared at Nat.
“She promised she’d stay put.” Nat’s voice was grim. “She promised.”
“That child’s life is at stake.” Cadbury walked to the door opening. “I’m taking charge. You two stay behind me.”
• • •
MEANWHILE, MAGGIE, HER mouth taped and hands tied behind her back, was stumbling over tree roots and boulders as Sheldon pushed her through the dense brush. The route they were following could hardly be called a path—just a steep, narrow animal track. Alice and a terrified Jenny were close behind. Before leaving the cottage, the child had begged Alice not to tape her mouth again, but the woman took no notice and made Sheldon hold her fast while she applied the duct tape.
“How much farther?” Alice demanded.
“Around the next bend.” He pushed Maggie harder and they suddenly burst through the bush and onto a stony beach. “There she is.” He pointed to a twenty-foot cabin cruiser that was moored to a wooden dock.
“Quick. Put the kid on board. I’ll deal with this one.” Maggie tensed as Alice pointed the gun at her, but to her relief she nodded toward the boat instead. “Get in. I’d like nothing better than to shoot you now, but I’d have to drag your body down to the boat. It’ll be less messy out at sea.”
• • •
CADBURY MADE A run for the windowless side of the cottage and beckoned the other two to join him. Drawing his gun, he then led the way to the back of the house, ducked under the kitchen window, and flattened his body against the wall to reach for the doorknob. “It’s locked,” he mouthed.
Nat, still on the other side of the window, took a quick peek inside. The place looked deserted. “They’ve gone,” he whispered.
“The car’s still here.” Cadbury banged on the door. “Open up. Police! Open up.”
“They’ve gone,” Nat repeated.
Cadbury’s answer was to crash the door with his shoulder. All he got for his effort was a very sore shoulder, as the door was made of solid wood and didn’t give an inch. Nat sighed, picked up a hefty rock, and
removed his jacket.
“Allow me, gentlemen.” He gave the kitchen window a sharp tap with the covered rock, widened the resulting hole, reached in for the catch, and opened the window. “You’re younger and thinner,” he said to Cadbury. “Will you do us the honour?”
“You’ve done this before,” the younger man grumbled as he climbed in.
“Many times.”
“So where have they disappeared to?” George asked. “There’s plenty of food in the fridge, the beds have been slept in, and . . .” He pointed silently to a length of rope on the floor.
“And,” Cadbury added ominously, “this roll of duct tape.”
“But no sign of Maggie. She’s either followed them somewhere or they’ve rumbled her.” He headed outside.
“They’ve definitely gone this way.” George pointed to the scuffed, narrow track leading downward toward the water. “They must have a boat. Hurry!”
“Listen! That’s a boat engine.” Nat unclipped Oscar’s leash and pushed his way to the front of the line. Slipping and sliding on the muddy surface, he and the dog ran as fast as they could downhill, but the boat was already fifty feet from shore as he and the other two, who had drawn their weapons, burst onto the rocky beach.
“Stop!” he yelled. His answer was a bullet ricocheting off the twisted trunk of the arbutus tree beside him. Instinctively the three of them ducked, but Oscar ran to the edge of the water to bark at the fleeing boat. Another shot rang out and Nat watched helplessly as splinters of rock flew close to the dog. Pushing Cadbury’s restraining hand away, he raced down the beach, and scooping the frantic animal into his arms, ran back with him to the shelter of the trees. George and Cadbury slowly lowered their weapons and Nat, wondering why, looked back at the boat to see that Alice was holding Jenny in front of her as a shield. They watched helplessly as the boat rounded the point.
“And not another bloody boat in sight when you need one!” George holstered his gun. “We’d better get back to the car. Where’s the nearest telephone, Nat?”
“The general store.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Down there.” Alice pushed Maggie and Jenny down the steps into the small cabin. “I’ll deal with you later.”
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