Top Gun Guardian

by Carol Ericson

  “I told you, it’s occupied. Do I sound like Wyatt?”

  Raven slapped the door with both palms. “Is there a little boy in there? Did you see a little boy come out?”

  Her head twisted wildly back toward the dining room.

  The door burst open and the blonde poked her head out. “There was nobody in here and I didn’t see anyone leave.”

  A pulse pounded in Raven’s temples as she rushed into the dining room. She asked a few people if they’d seen a boy in a wheat stalk costume but nobody had seen Wyatt.

  Raven stumbled back into the hallway and careened around the corner to stare at the open back door. Wyatt didn’t want to be in the parade. He probably slipped out the back to avoid the humiliation of marching down the street in a wheat getup.

  He was hiding from her. That’s all. Kids did that sort of thing all the time, didn’t they?

  With shaking hands, Raven pushed on the screen door handle and staggered into the alleyway behind the restaurant. She ran to the end of the alley and called out. “Wyatt!”

  Drumbeats signaled the beginning of the parade and people surged onto the sidewalk with their cameras raised. Raven whipped her head from side to side, the drumbeats matching her pounding heart. She tripped over people, pushing them out of the way as she scanned the children in costume for a glimpse of Wyatt.

  She lost a child. She lost a child.

  She wouldn’t make any better parent than her own mother and father. She should have never gotten a drink at the counter. Wyatt was gone because of her selfishness.

  Buffeting against the edge of the crowd, Raven studied the perimeter of the parade. If someone had taken him, they’d be headed for a car right now. She dashed into the street, the colors and motion making her dizzy.

  She couldn’t do this alone. She’d have to go back to the others and admit that she’d lost Wyatt, that he’d disappeared under her watch. That she’d failed.

  Wiping her clammy palms on her jeans, she crossed over to the sidewalk where Josie, Austin and Buzz had lined up to watch the parade. The costumed children had almost drawn even with them. They’d soon discover that Wyatt wasn’t with them. Or her.

  She tripped over the curb and grabbed Buzz’s arm. “Buzz.”

  “There they are.” He pointed to a row of vegetables clapping to the beat of the drum and chanting something about harvest time and Thanksgiving.

  “Buzz.”

  “Look at Malika.” He gripped her shoulders and turned her, pressing her back against his chest.

  She saw the pea pod skipping down the street with the carrot and the stalk of wheat on either side of her. The stalk of wheat?

  She called out. “Wyatt?”

  The costumed child turned and lifted his hand. Raven slumped against Buzz, grateful for his solid chest otherwise she’d have sunk to the ground with relief. He must’ve gone out the back door to take a shortcut to the parade.

  “Are you okay?” Buzz balanced his chin on top of her head and she nodded.

  As the last of the kids wound around the corner, the parade broke up and the participants wended their way through the crowd to find their parents.

  Malika, Britney and Wyatt ran up to the adults, the mesh over their faces pulled back. The girls giggled and chatted about the parade while Wyatt hung back, silent and watchful.

  Raven had no intention of hiding what happened. She tugged at Wyatt’s costume. “What happened to you at the restaurant?”

  Josie jerked her head around. “What do you mean?”

  “I took Wyatt into that small café at the end of the block to use the bathroom and he took off out the back door.”

  Wyatt shot her a look filled with conflicting emotions. Did he think she wouldn’t tell his mother to protect herself?

  “Wyatt! You know better than that. You must’ve given Raven a scare.”

  He kicked the ground. “I didn’t want to be in the stupid parade.”

  His mother patted his shoulder. “I’m glad you decided to join after all, but you need to apologize to Raven for running off like that.”

  “I—I didn’t decide to join the parade.” Wyatt continued studying the toe of his sneaker. “He made me.”

  “Who made you? Dad?” Josie glanced at Austin, but he lifted his shoulders.

  “No, some man outside the bathroom.”

  The fog that had rolled in when she’d discovered Wyatt missing encased Raven’s brain again. She shifted her stance toward Buzz and met his eyes briefly.

  Two lines formed between Josie’s brows. “What man?”

  “I dunno. Some man grabbed me when I left the bathroom and carried me out the back door.”

  Josie sucked in a sharp breath and dug her fingers into Wyatt’s shoulder. “He grabbed you?”

  “Who was it? Where is he?” Austin had put both arms around Britney as if he expected the man to come back and grab her, too.

  “I dunno. I didn’t see him. He grabbed me sideways, like under his arm. I kicked my legs, but I couldn’t yell because he put his hand over my mouth and I had this stupid costume over my face.”

  Josie gave a strangled cry and covered her own mouth. “What did he do, Wyatt?”

  “He carried me out the back door and started running. I tried to get away and I was able to yell. Once I yelled, he stopped running, and asked me my name.”

  “You didn’t tell him?” Two red spots had formed on Josie’s cheeks.

  “Yeah. I told him my name was Wyatt, and he said you guys sent him to take me back to the parade. Then he let me go and I joined the parade to get away from him.”

  “Austin?” Josie had drawn Wyatt into her embrace, her freckles standing out on her white face.

  “Of course I didn’t tell anyone to get Wyatt. Raven, did you see anything?”

  Raven cleared her dry throat. “I’m sorry. I sent Wyatt to the bathroom and then went to the counter to get a drink. When I went back to the bathroom, he was already gone. I checked in the alley, but the man must’ve let him go by that time.”

  “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. Did you know him from before, Wyatt?”

  “I didn’t see him.”

  Austin clapped his hands. “I think the kids did a great job in the parade and deserve a treat.”

  When Josie had taken the kids to a candy apple booth, Austin turned to Buzz. “Buzz, should we notify the police?”

  “It can’t hurt. I know Sheriff Tallant. If strangers are running around picking up kids, he’d want to know about it.”

  “Maybe he knew Wyatt, and Wyatt just couldn’t place his voice. Josie and the kids are well known around here.” Austin scratched his chin and cast a hopeful glance at Buzz.

  “But why would someone grab him like that? The person would have to know Wyatt wasn’t in the restaurant by himself.” Raven had placed her hand on Buzz’s arm, her animosity toward him forgotten for the moment.

  “I don’t know. But why grab a kid and then drop him? Too much trouble? Too many people around?” Austin had curled his hands into fists.

  Raven bit her nail and shot a glance at Buzz. Grabbed the wrong kid?

  Buzz clapped Austin on the shoulder. “Why don’t you get the kids home? They could probably use a nap before the bonfire tonight anyway. Raven and I will talk to Sheriff Tallant. Who knows? Maybe there have been other incidents.”

  Austin smacked a fist into his palm. “What’s happening to this world? Kids aren’t even safe at a small-town festival?”

  Raven and Buzz walked the others to the car, and the sight of the shotgun in the back window gave Raven a warm feeling.

  They watched them drive off, and Buzz turned to Raven. “What do you think?”

  “I think the people who are after Malika are here. They saw me with Wyatt dressed in his costume and figured I had Malika with me. The bathroom visit gave them the opportunity they’d been waiting for…and who knows how long they’ve been waiting.”

  Buzz pulled on his earlobe and swore under his bre
ath. “I think you’re right. Once the guy realized he had a boy on his hands instead of the expected girl, he dropped him.”

  “It’s a good thing.” Raven shivered and hugged herself. “What if he figured he could use Wyatt to get at Malika?”

  “Maybe they don’t want to make it that complicated.”

  “As if it’s not complicated enough. We need to get Malika out of White Cloud. Isn’t there some way you can contact President Okeke? Your plane’s at the local airport. Let’s just take off.”

  “We might just have to do that—whatever the consequences.” He took her arm. “Let’s go report this to Doug Tallant.”

  The craggy-faced sheriff looked as though he’d stepped right out of a Western. He greeted Buzz by pumping his hand and smacking him on the back.

  “I’m glad you stopped by again and with your pretty new wife.” He winked at Raven and Buzz introduced them. Raven tensed her muscles in case he wanted to smack her on the back, too. He didn’t.

  Raven explained to him what had happened to Wyatt, and Buzz asked if there had been any other similar incidents reported. When he answered in the negative, it didn’t surprise Raven. She knew Wyatt’s abductor had been targeting Malika.

  Sheriff Tallant lifted his hat and ran a hand through his shaggy gray hair. “We’ve never had any trouble like that at the Harvest Festival, Buzz. I’d hate to think we’re attracting the wrong kind of people, but when you get a lot of strangers swarming into town there’s bound to be a bad apple or two.”

  “Let me know if you get any other complaints, Sheriff.”

  “I sure will. This is shaping up to be one eventful festival.”

  “Oh?” Buzz gripped the rim of his hat, raising his brows.

  “The rodeo clown. He had a heart attack, you know. Have never seen a cowboy die in the ring before, even if it was from natural causes.”

  “Yeah, natural causes.” Buzz shook the sheriff’s hand. “Thanks, Sheriff. Maybe your deputies can be on the lookout for any suspicious men talking to kids.”

  “They always are, Buzz. They always are.”

  Raven shoved her hands in her pockets once they stepped outside. “So Wyatt’s the only kid who was grabbed and then almost immediately deposited.”

  “It could be random.”

  “Maybe if that was the only out-of-the-ordinary occurrence at this festival, but a crane almost fell on my head and the rodeo clown who told me to be careful died of a heart attack.” Raven waved her arms. “This small-town hominess is hiding something evil…or we brought it with us.”

  “We need to remain vigilant.” Buzz tapped the cell phone in his pocket. “I’m expecting an update from Colonel Scripps on the situation in Burumanda. Town by town, the rebel forces are falling. The president should be able to return any day now and take his daughter with him.”

  A sudden ache flooded Raven’s chest. She folded her arms over her stomach. As much as she wanted Malika safe in her own country with her father, she’d miss her…even the sticky hands. And Buzz could believe it or not.

  “About that bonfire tonight, Buzz.” Raven buttoned her coat against the chill. “I don’t think Malika should go.”

  “I agree, but we’re going to have a heck of a time keeping the other two at home, and Malika’s been following them around like a shadow.” He opened the door of the truck for her and tucked her coat under her leg.

  She put out a hand before he could close the door. “Do you still think I’m using Malika to get to you?”

  “I guess my plan to make you so mad you’d run back to New York didn’t work, did it? You’re not going anywhere, are you? You’re not leaving her.”

  She shook her head. I’m not leaving you, either.

  BUZZ WHEELED HIS TRUCK UP the drive of the ranch and pointed to a silver minivan. “Shep’s back and he must have the kids with him.”

  “More kids?” Raven gripped the edge of the leather seat.

  Buzz suppressed a smile. Somebody up there was testing Raven. And as far as he could tell, she’d been passing with flying colors. She’d blamed herself for Wyatt getting snatched but nobody else did, not even Josie.

  “When Shep has the minivan with him, it means he’s come back with a couple of grandkids in tow.”

  “I think the decibel level in the house is going to rise even more.” She covered her ears and grimaced.

  “I think Shep saved us.” Buzz threw the truck into Park and stomped on the parking brake. “He just gave us a good reason for staying home from the bonfire.”

  Before Buzz could get to Raven’s door, she’d thrown it open with a little smile twisting her lips. Did she think he was trying to make it up to her after his clumsy effort at getting her out of town?

  He could think of a few better ways to make up to her besides opening her car door.

  Shep bounded down the front steps with the energy of a man twenty years his junior and crushed Buzz in a big bear hug. “Good to see you home, Buzz. I was hoping it was for good.”

  “Not yet, Shep. You just waiting to retire?”

  “Maybe.” His teeth flashed in his brown face as he turned to Raven. “Is this the new Mrs. Buzz I’ve been hearing about?”

  Raven held out a tentative hand as if warding off a bear hug. “I’m Raven. I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”

  Shep took her hand in both of his, a light shining from his dark eyes. “That’s a real special little girl you’ve got.”

  “Thanks, we think so, too.”

  Pulling Raven’s arm through his, Shep called over his shoulder at Buzz. “I brought Alexis and Patrick. Wyatt’s happy to have another boy in the house. He’s a lot quieter than I remember. Maybe those girls shut him down.”

  Yeah, or maybe that stranger shut him down.

  With the kids playing a noisy board game on the floor of the family room and the adults ensconced in the quieter living room, Buzz broached the idea of staying away from the bonfire.

  “After the excitement of today, I think it’s a good idea if the kids stay home.” Buzz rolled his shoulders back against the cushion of the sofa, trying to look relaxed. “The bonfire gets wild, anyway, with all the teenagers goofing around.”

  Josie cupped her wineglass. “Do you really think there’s some creep out there preying on little kids? You told me on the phone Sheriff Tallant hadn’t heard of any more incidents.”

  “Not necessarily, but some creep did pick up Wyatt for some reason, and I think Wyatt’s spooked.”

  “I agree, Josie.” Austin rubbed his wife’s thigh. “Wyatt’s been on the quiet side since he got home. We can have our own campfire here and roast marshmallows.”

  Shep lifted his shoulders. “I don’t need to go out tonight after driving all day and the kids are just happy to be out of the car.”

  Buzz eased a slow breath through his teeth. That was easy enough. If he could keep Malika here on the ranch, he could protect her until President Okeke sent for her.

  “Okay, marshmallows at home it is. I need to bake a few pies for Thanksgiving dinner anyway.” Josie stretched and held her glass out to Austin. “Can you pour me another half glass? I’m going to need some fortification when I tell the kids no bonfire tonight.”

  A few hours later, after the kids had happily accepted their fate, they bunched around the counter helping Josie with the pies and making a mess.

  Raven sat on the arm of the sofa and nudged Buzz in the back. “She makes it look so easy.”

  “Josie?” He snorted. “Don’t let the Susie Homemaker facade fool you. I’ve seen her dump the kids’ stuff in Austin’s lap, grab her keys and announce that she had to leave the house before she committed an act of violence.”

  “She’s got them wrapped around her flour-smudged fingers right now.” Raven tipped her head toward Josie handing out pecans to the kids.

  “Do you think parents are perfect twenty-four/seven? A few slip-ups don’t cancel out the overall effect of good parenting.”

  She leaned her head against
his hip. “How’d you get to know so much about parents?”

  “I had two good ones.” His cell phone in his pocket rang and he dug it out. One glance at the display told him it wasn’t the call he’d been waiting for from Colonel Scripps. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Buzz. It’s Clay Benedict at the airport. There’s a problem with your Jetstream—electrical fire. I noticed some smoke coming from the hangar and when I got there, the stuff was pouring out of the wing mechanism.”

  Buzz’s heart stuttered. It had been damage to his airplane that had caused the deaths of his parents. “It was just my plane or was there some kind of fire in the hangar?”

  “Just your plane, buddy. Thought you’d want to come and have a look.”

  “I do. I’ll be right there.”

  Raven hooked a finger in his belt loop. “Something wrong with your plane?”

  “Yeah, I’m going to the airport to check it out.”

  “I’m coming with you.” She swept a hand across the scene in the kitchen. “Your sister, Austin, Shep—they have everything under control. I’m feeling useless.”

  “Okay, I’ll grab your coat from the closet.”

  Raven wedged between the kids at the counter. “Buzz and I are going to the airport to check on his Jetstream. There’s some problem.”

  Ducking into the closet, Buzz pulled his jacket from a hanger, took his weapon from the top shelf and zipped it into his inside pocket. He draped Raven’s coat over his arm and waited by the front door.

  “We shouldn’t be too long, but go ahead with the fire anyway.”

  On the drive to the airport, Raven asked, “Did the guy at the airport say what was wrong?”

  “An electrical fire in the wing mechanism. I didn’t do much of an inspection when we landed, but I didn’t notice any problems.”

  When they got to the airport, Clay exited the small office building to meet them. “I’m real sorry, Buzz. I hope we didn’t do anything to cause that damage.”

  Buzz strode into the hangar, his footsteps echoing in the space. He examined the wing and noticed some damage to the wires underneath the wing flaps. It could’ve happened during landing.