Search and Rescue

by Valerie Hansen

  “Too bad you don’t take after the dogs more,” he interjected. “It would be better if you couldn’t talk, either.”

  Grinning widely, she started off toward the Main Street gathering with Phoenix at her side.

  Ryder fell in behind her, one hand in Lily’s and the other holding Titus’s leash.

  “I wanna hear the story, Daddy.”

  “Maybe later,” he said, assuming the child would quickly forget. “We have to see the fair and have some fun first.”

  And work, Ryder added, holding tight to Lily’s hand. He’d almost left her with Opal today but given the positive police reports and Stan Allen’s capture, he was relieved enough to let her come along.

  After losing his wife, he’d been paranoid about keeping baby Lily isolated. Opal had talked some sense into him in time to keep his fears from permanently scarring his only child. He couldn’t keep her to himself forever. He had to let her experience life and just do his best to safeguard her, as any caring parent would.

  Besides, Carrie had never seemed affected by the little girl. Her threats and actions had been directed against any adult who had gotten in the way of her romantic fantasies. Lily was probably safer in Desert Valley than anywhere else. Here, everyone not only knew she was the chief’s child, they looked out for her as well as each other.

  He followed Sophie to the edge of the crowd, paused to radio his position and listened while the other teams checked in. Theoretically, he should be as calm as Titus was acting, yet he was not.

  There was something wrong. He could feel it. What he could not do was identify it.

  “All set?” Sophie asked lightly.

  Ryder nodded. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

  ELEVEN

  Sophie walked a fine line between enjoying herself and working, particularly since Lily kept up a steady stream of chatter, half of which was inherently funny. The child wanted, and got, most of what she begged for.

  Lily would tug on Ryder’s hand and point, and he would divert to do as she asked. His expression was more than benevolent. It was filled to overflowing with love. Whether she knew it or not, Lily Hayes was a very blessed little girl.

  They paused at a booth festooned with paper streamers and filled with gaudy costume jewelry while Lily oohed and aahed.

  “Made it all myself,” the saleslady said.

  Sophie could see tags and markings that indicated otherwise, which was probably why the baubles were so cheap. A sweet child like Lily deserved better. Perhaps, come Christmas, it would be okay for Sophie to buy her something suitable for a little girl. A locket, maybe?

  Once, long ago, Sophie recalled having had a golden locket she’d cherished, although where it had come from was buried too deeply to remember. The only clear memory she had of it was the day her mother had been in a foul mood and had ripped it from her neck, saying it was too good for such a naughty girl. The chain had broken. So had Sophie’s heart.

  It was futile to entertain past hurts, she knew, so she forced a smile. While she’d been daydreaming, Lily had made her selection from the array of plastic jewels and Ryder was paying for her purchase.

  “I wanna wear it,” Lily shouted above the surrounding din.

  When Ryder dropped to one knee in front of his daughter to fasten the clasp of a bright blue-and-green necklace, Sophie was so moved she had to don her sunglasses to hide her eyes. His tenderness was remarkable. More than touching, it was awe inspiring. If more parents were like Ryder, maybe their children would turn out better and the police wouldn’t have so much to do.

  Contrite almost instantly, Sophie whispered, “Sorry, Father. I know they probably do the best they can.” Like my parents did, she added. They had an unhappy marriage and sometimes took out frustrations on their only child. That kind of treatment could have left her beaten down, but it had had the opposite effect. It had made her stronger. More independent.

  In a strange way, everything in Sophie’s life seemed to have directed her choices, to have brought her here at this very time. She did believe that God had a purpose for everyone but had never narrowed it down this way before. That conclusion was enough to refocus her concentration on the milling crowd.

  Ryder straightened and touched her arm. “Did you see something?”

  “No. I just realized I was daydreaming and decided to pay better attention.”

  “Good point. I plan to drop Lily at Opal’s after we’ve made a couple of turns around the square.”

  “Aw, Daddy...”

  “I can understand doing that,” Sophie agreed. “If she stayed here all day you’d have to take out a loan.”

  “I want a hot dog.”

  Sophie laughed. “Just don’t let her ride in my car on the way home. I don’t recommend the bounce house, either.”

  “Yeah! I wanna go in there.”

  “Before lunch, not after,” Ryder said, taking her hand and starting toward the ticket seller for the inflatable apparatus.

  “You are one soft touch, Chief.”

  “I know. But Lily and I don’t get much chance to do things like this. I’m usually working or she’s in school.”

  “Kindergarten?”

  The little girl shook her golden curls. “Uh-uh. First grade. I’m almost six.”

  “That old?” Sophie couldn’t help chuckling along with Ryder when he said, “Six going on sixteen.”

  “I believe it. I was an only child, too. We tend to mature faster, I think, because we spend so much time talking to adults.”

  Sophie scanned the crowded street while Ryder escorted his daughter into the play area, then returned.

  Lily didn’t waste any time getting into the spirit with the other children. She waved at them from behind the black mesh safety net. “Look, Daddy! I can go high!”

  “Do you have siblings?” Sophie asked him.

  “No. My folks always said they got it right the first time.”

  “You made that up.”

  “Actually, no. It was one of Mom’s favorite quotes.”

  “They must not live around here or you’d have her watching Lily while you’re at work.”

  “You’re right that they don’t live in Arizona. But I’d still use Opal, even if my parents were local.”

  Sophie’s forehead narrowed as she frowned. “Why? Are they inadequate parents like mine were?”

  “No.” He was shaking his head. “The reason I favor Opal Mullins is because she used to be an army MP. She knows how to handle herself in a crisis and I figure she’s the best person to safeguard Lily.” He paused and smiled slightly. “The only drawback is her cats. I can’t send Titus with Lily because they don’t like dogs.”

  “I can help with that if Opal will let me. I’d like to see Titus stay with Lily during the day.”

  “So would I.” The radio buzzed. Ryder replied. “Hayes here. What’s up?”

  All Sophie could catch was a few fragments of words because he was using the earpiece.

  “All right. Hold your positions. I’ll be right over.” His eyes narrowed on the amusement device where Lily was still happily jumping around and bouncing off rubbery supports.

  “If you need to go, I’ll watch Lily and bring her to you when her time is up.” A chill skittered up Sophie’s spine. “They didn’t sight Carrie, did they?”

  “No. Nothing like that. An elderly vendor caught someone shoplifting a pot holder. The buyer is insisting she bought it across the square. She’s asking for me because she knows me. If it’s who I think it is, she’s older than Methuselah. She can wait a few more minutes.”

  The radio called again. Ryder made a face. “They’re actually trying to hit each other now? Okay. I’ll hurry.” He turned to Sophie. “I won’t be long.”

  “No problem. Which dog do you want to take
with you?”

  “Probably Titus. He’s calmer. Is that okay with you?”

  “Sure. Go. I’ve got this.”

  She could tell Ryder was hesitant. After he turned and started away he looked back several times. Nevertheless, Sophie was gratified that he trusted her with his daughter.

  Shouting from the opposite side of the courthouse was starting to draw an influx of fairgoers. It sounded as if the fight had escalated. Leave it to two elderly women to start a ruckus over a pot holder.

  Peering into the bounce house, Sophie didn’t see Lily. She started forward. The operator stopped her at the rope fence. “No dogs.”

  “I just can’t see my—my little friend.”

  “If I put her in there, she’s still in there,” he insisted. “Now back up, lady.”

  “This is a police dog,” Sophie countered. “Let me through.”

  “You’re no cop.”

  “No, but the dog is. And I’m with him,” she argued.

  “I don’t care if he’s the chief of police. You aren’t allowed...” His eyes widened. Leaving her, he sprinted around the apparatus and out of sight.

  Trying to figure out why he was agitated, Sophie continued to look through the heavy mesh for Lily. There she was! Praise God. But she had to stoop to see her.

  That was what was wrong. The whole contraption was collapsing! Not only was it full of children, it was bound to be suffocating once the air leaked out.

  Sophie raced toward the place where she’d seen the entrance. Elastic mesh was hooked to grommets in the thick plastic shell. If she could manage to get one or two of those open she could begin to rescue children.

  They were starting to panic and call for their parents by the time she gained access. Adults crowding in behind her took children from her as she lifted them out and passed them back.

  Phoenix remained beside her even though she’d had to drop his leash to free both hands. Pressure from above was starting to close the opening as support pillars lost form.

  “Lily!” Sophie screamed. “Where are you?”

  “Over here.” The call was nearly swallowed up by the roar of the frantic crowd and the sound of the air compressor that was supposed to keep the structure full.

  “Can you stand up?”

  “No,” Lily squealed.

  “Then crawl to me,” Sophie ordered, fighting to keep the exit open with her own shoulders and praying the child could make it before they were both crushed.

  “I can’t. I’m scared.”

  “You have to, Lily. I can’t hold the door up much longer.”

  All Sophie heard in reply was weeping. Where was Ryder? Surely he must know he was needed here.

  Crowding in beside her, Phoenix put his front paws on the curved edge of the base tube and barked.

  “Yes!” Sophie edged aside and used all her strength to push a wider opening. “Go get her. Get Lily.”

  The dog slipped through the slit between the top and bottom of the structure without hesitation and plunged into the tighter space the way an agility dog would attack a flimsy fabric tunnel.

  “Phoenix is coming to get you,” Sophie shouted. “Grab his collar and let him bring you out. Lily? Lily, can you hear me?”

  * * *

  Passersby were shouting. Ryder overheard enough to make the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He outran his old dog getting back to Lily.

  What he saw when he got closer was a disaster. The heavy rubber frame of the house was barely inflated. Gravity had forced most of the remaining air into the lower portions as the roof and ceiling collapsed. Locals and the operator of the attraction were trying to hold up one edge of the mesh opening while some fool...

  His breath caught. That was Sophie. Her legs were kicking.

  The reason why the trainer would have put herself in harm’s way was immediately evident. Lily must be inside. And, as he listened, he realized a dog was, too.

  Ryder flashed his badge and a path cleared in front of him. “What happened?”

  “Pump musta failed,” the operator said. “We got all the kids out but that crazy woman let her dog in.”

  “She would only have done that in an emergency,” Ryder shouted. “Is there another way in?”

  “No. All the other mesh is anchored solid. This is the only part that has a door.”

  “So far,” Ryder said, leaving the others and racing around the four-sided structure. He could see through the rear portion. Lily and Phoenix were hunkered down in a corner that had yet to fully collapse. He couldn’t see Sophie from there.

  Several slashes with his knife made a hole in the elastic mesh without damaging the inflatable. “Here, Lily. I’m here.”

  She didn’t move even though Ryder enlarged the hole and stuck his arm through. “You have to come to bring me the dog,” he said. Nobody would get out of this alive if he had to crawl in and trap himself, too.

  The perceived need to help her dog was enough to get Lily moving. She and Phoenix reached the opening together and the dog sailed through in one easy leap.

  Ryder grabbed his little girl, pulled her out and held her close. There was no time to rejoice. Not when Sophie was still trapped.

  The men who had been supporting the weight to relieve her were perspiring. Their hands kept slipping. He tapped one on the shoulder, said, “You. Help me,” then commanded Titus, “Watch,” so Lily would be guarded.

  Each man grasped one of Sophie’s ankles and began to pull. To Ryder’s relief, she slid easily and came up dripping with sweat and fighting mad. “No! Let me go. I have to get Lily.”

  “She’s out. She’s safe. So is Phoenix,” Ryder shouted, fending off her blows. The astonished relief on Sophie’s face was more than welcome. It reconfirmed that she was also unhurt, although she was laboring to catch her breath.

  As he helped her to her feet and steadied her, she threw her arms around his neck and began to sob. Ryder let her. He could feel tears of joy in his own eyes. Not only was his darling Lily safe and sound, this brave woman had risked her own life for her.

  Overcome by the reality of what had just happened, he held Sophie close and stroked her back without hesitation. He didn’t care if the whole town saw him and the rumors started to fly. No amount of thanks or hugs would repay this debt. He owed her everything.

  At his side he felt the tug of a small hand. “Daddy?”

  His arms opened. He bent down and scooped up the child he could have lost only moments before.

  Sophie backed off barely enough to allow room for Lily, then wrapped an arm around her, too, and showered her with kisses.

  Ryder did the same. He even made a few errors and kissed Sophie’s damp hair. When he thought about what could easily have happened, it chilled him to the bone.

  “Hey!” the attraction’s operator yelled. “You owe me for a ruined net.”

  Ryder ignored him until he added. “It wasn’t my fault the thing collapsed. Somebody messed with my air pump!”

  “Can you stand?” Ryder asked Sophie.

  Sniffling and wiping her cheeks, she nodded.

  “Then take care of Lily again. I’m leaving both dogs with you.”

  He used his radio to summon the rookies on duty and circled the apparatus. Parts of the large compressor looked dented but it seemed to be running okay.

  Ryder put Shane in charge of setting up a perimeter and told James Harrison to use Hawk’s bloodhound’s nose to scout for evidence. Ellen Foxcroft and Carly, her golden retriever, tried to strike a trail but there had been too many people milling around for the dog to work well.

  “Probably vandals,” the operator remarked. “Kids love to hang around back here. I saw more of ’em today. It’s not the first time they’ve fooled with my equipment. But it is the first time it’s gone d
own so fast. I usually have plenty of time to evacuate. You should see my insurance premiums.”

  “Here,” James called. “Look at this damage, Chief.”

  The operator stuck his head in to look, too. “You cops must’ve done that when you cut the mesh.”

  Ryder didn’t bother arguing. He knew better. He might not have a clue who had stabbed the base of the inflated house but he knew it hadn’t been him. If he ever got his hands on the kids who had thought it would be fun to bring down the attraction, he was going to lock them up long enough to make an impression they’d never forget.

  He scanned the crowd, looking for guilty expressions. The only ones who seemed upset were the parents of the other children Sophie had saved. If the town didn’t give her a medal for what she did, he might see about getting her one himself.

  Returning to her and Lily, he saw that someone had given them bottled water. He smiled and patted Phoenix. “Good boy.”

  “I never taught him that,” Sophie said proudly. “I suppose he could have picked it up by watching me training other dogs but it may have been instinctive. Either way, I was surprised when he followed my commands to get Lily.”

  “We play that game at home,” Ryder told her. “I’m glad you sent him to live with us before today.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I want to thank you. For everything,” Ryder said quietly. His vision blurred. “I could have lost Lily.” Or both of you.

  Sophie coughed and chuckled at the same time. “In case this ever comes up again, please keep in mind that I hate closed spaces.”

  “Noted. I hope it wasn’t that far down when you crawled in.”

  “No. I saw it going and started to pull kids out.” Her eyes widened. “I got them all, didn’t I?”

  “Yes. Lily was the last.”

  “You’re sure?” Shivering, she glanced toward the police line. “If there’s anybody still...”

  “I’m sure. They took a head count as they went in and we’ve talked to the parents. The kids are all accounted for.”