Finding 01 Finding Kaden

by Jean Reinhardt

  Taking some earphones from his pocket that were attached to a small recording device, Duke gave them to the young man.

  “This is a message from your father. You know it’s not safe to use a phone, don’t you? So this was the best way for him to communicate with you.”

  Tuck suddenly jumped out of his bed but Duke was too quick and pinned him down, holding the point of the knife to his throat. The others woke up because of the noise and froze at what they saw in the dim light.

  “It’s okay,” said Kaden, “He’s here to help us.”

  With shaking hands, he put on the earphones. A tear ran down his face at the sound of his father’s voice, telling him how much he loved him and assuring him that Duke was on his side.

  “Do exactly as he says,” the recording continued. “Our whole family is in grave danger and it comes from people in very high positions. So be really careful, son. We want you back in one piece.”

  There was a click and silence.

  Kaden wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

  “How are you getting us home? We have already arranged transport with a truck going to Buenos Aires in the morning.”

  “I know you have, that’s why I had to come here tonight.”

  Duke released his grip on Tuck, while still looking at Kaden.

  “You were about to walk into a trap at that depot. I have a van and papers that identify both of us as working for Centre for Disease Control. We won’t have to show actual papers for the other boys, just a form stating they have to be quarantined because of a contagious illness. Nobody will want to get too close to them.”

  “How do you know the depot is a trap?” asked Tuck who had moved away from Duke and his knife.

  “I was following Kaden. When he left, one of the truckers took a sheet of paper from his back pocket, looked at it and then made a phone call. When he had finished he threw it in the bin. I waited until no one was looking and retrieved it.”

  Duke put a hand inside his jacket and pulled out a creased fax sheet, holding it out to Kaden. The young man gasped as he found himself looking at his own face. There was a reward of $50,000 offered for his capture alive.

  “Huh, so we’re not worth anything, are we?” said Smokes pretending to be bothered.

  “Kaden is worth something alive, as a hostage to make sure his parents stay quiet about what’s been going on.”

  “And what exactly HAS been going on?” asked Kaden.

  Duke stood up, putting his knife away.

  “Why don’t you all get your stuff together and follow me, right now, while it’s still early. I have the van parked at the back of this building. I’ll fill you in on the details once we’re on the road.”

  Kaden sat up front with Duke while the rest of the boys got into the back of the van, with the all too familiar stretchers. These would come in handy for sleeping on as they had a very long journey ahead. If they were stopped or searched the boys were to lie down and pretend to be unconscious or sick, whichever came easiest. They drove in silence for a couple of hours then Kaden noticed the road signs. Duke had chosen to travel through Chile.

  “Why are we taking this route?” he asked.

  “They will be expecting you to go through Argentina, you’ve already told someone you were heading for Buenos Aires. I was supposed to rescue you from the base in Antarctica but you beat me to it. Unfortunately you’ve come with a small crowd. When Jake found out that there were six of you he changed the plan. That’s when we decided on the van transporting patients. Tell me, would you have left your friends in Ushuaia if I was unable to take them with us?” asked Duke.

  Kaden didn’t even hesitate.

  “No way, not after what we have been through together.”

  “Jake knows you well, he said as much.”

  “How come you’re on our side now? After all, it was you that abducted us in the first place,” asked Kaden.

  “Jake Matthews was in the same platoon as me in the Marines. During the war for Antarctica we were stationed there. Because the region contains the purest water on Earth, those who were fighting for control of the South Pole, agreed not to use heavy artillery. This meant a lot of hand to hand combat and sniper fire. The continent that captured all of the research bases would be the one to own Antarctica and its resources. Did you know that your father served there too?” he asked Kaden.

  The young man nodded.

  “He never says much about his time there, but I know that Jake Matthews and my father became good friends afterwards.”

  “I got badly injured during one of the skirmishes, and should have been left behind, but Jake carried me for hours until he found a place for us to shelter. He did his best to fix up my wounds but I needed medication. Your father volunteered to come back for us with a sleigh. I don’t know how he managed to get past the enemy. He got shot himself, in the process, but it was only a flesh wound. Lloyd saved my life, as did Jake. So you see, I owe both of them.”

  “So how come you ended up working for the bad guys?”

  “That’s another story, you should ask Jake. It’s not my place to say. I think we should stop to eat soon,” Duke said, changing the subject.

  There was plenty of food to share out from what the boys had bought in Ushuaia. After a short stop, their hunger satisfied, those in the back of the van lay on the stretchers to have a nap. Kaden silently watched the road ahead, thinking of his family and hoping they stayed safe. Taking his new ID out of his pocket he read out the name Caden Seeker. Duke looked over at him.

  “Jake chose that, he has a lot of experience with the witness protection program. Do you like it?”

  “It’s okay,” said Kaden. “Can you tell me where we are going?”

  Duke shook his head.

  “Sorry, can’t do that. But I can tell you that your family should be on their way there now.”

  Kaden sighed and stared out at the passing scenery. He had so much more to ask Duke, but that could wait for another time. The hum of the engine had a calming effect on the young man, lulling him to sleep. Duke checked his speed, easing his foot off the throttle. He didn’t want to attract any attention from the law, not with the cargo he was carrying.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Because there was freedom of movement between countries on the whole continent of North and South America there were no border check points. However, Duke was careful each time he crossed into another country, and there were so many of them to drive through. Chile, Peru, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and finally Mexico. Kaden drove some of the way. Duke felt it was safe enough to let him as he had his fake licence in case they were stopped.

  They found discreet places to park for a couple of overnight stops, when both drivers were just too tired to go on. Considering the long distance they had to travel it only took four and a half days to get to Mexico. When he reached Guadalajara, Duke asked Kaden to watch out for a camp site called “La Siesta”. It wasn’t long before he spotted it, but the van went on past the entrance.

  “That was it back there,” said Kaden.

  “I know, but we can’t drive in with a patient transport van. It will attract attention.”

  Duke parked in a lane way.

  “Okay, everybody, gather up your belongings,” he said, opening the back doors.

  The boys jumped down, stretching their legs and Duke handed Kaden a large bag.

  “This is a tent, now you really do look like back packers. You have to go to that camp site and check in at reception. Tell them you have a pitch booked in the name of Caden with a C, S-e-e-k-e-r. Remember how you spell that when signing in, they will check your ID. Set up your tent and I’ll see you later this evening, and don’t go wandering off anywhere.”

  As they walked to reception the young men looked around them. Everything seemed so normal. Children playing, a dog barking, the smell of coffee in the air mixed with the scent of flowers, and warm sunshine on their backs. It all helped to melt away their anxieties,
at least for a while. At the office, Kaden paid a deposit with cash, showing his new ID, and was given a map of the site along with a list of rules and facilities.

  They made their way to the area designated for tents and argued over which was the best spot. An elderly man joined them, pointing out a nice flat patch of grass.

  “I’ve been camping for over sixty years and I know a good spot when I see one. That is one of the best places on this site to pitch a tent. When we got here it was already taken, otherwise I would have grabbed it. The people who were here packed up this morning. I did think about relocating, but that would be way too much trouble - my wife brought everything with her including the kitchen sink.”

  “Well guys, are we going to ignore sound advice from a seasoned camper, or is this the spot?” asked Kaden.

  Ash and Harley were already unrolling the tent.

  The boys set up camp in no time, ate some lunch and sat around in a circle on the grass, discussing what their next step should be.

  “I think Duke has gone to meet up with my parents,” Kaden said.

  “Bet you can’t wait, wish I was in your shoes,” said Tuck.

  Then he changed his mind.

  “Well maybe not. If my old man showed up here we would be thrown out.”

  They all laughed at the thought of it.

  Kaden looked at each of his companions.

  “My father will help any of you that wants to stay with us, I know he will. It might not be safe back in Chicago.”

  Ash thanked him, but declined the offer.

  “I have to find my brother. He could end up in Antarctica, too. I want to get him away from the city, set up a home for both of us and make him go to school. I should have done that a long time ago.”

  “It’s never too late. I’m sure Jasper will be happy to have you back safe,” Kaden said and turned to Smokes.

  “Would you like to give it a go here, or are you going back with Ash?”

  “What would I do here? I don’t know anyone. How would I live?” Smokes shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

  Harley and Wolf exchanged glances.

  “We’ve been talking about this too, and both of us would like to stay here and give it a go. There’s nothing for us back home and the weather here is warmer for sleeping outdoors,” Harley said and Wolf nodded in agreement.

  “Look, nobody make any decisions yet. At least not until my parents get here. One thing for sure, there will be no sleeping on the streets for anyone. Between us we will sort something out,” as he was speaking Kaden noticed someone was missing, “where’s Tuck?”

  “He went to get some water at that store over there,” Smokes pointed towards the entrance to the camp site.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  It took four days, with two overnight stops along the way to reach Guadalajara. Lloyd found the holiday park he was looking for. Jake told them he had provisionally booked a site. Once they had checked in, it was no time before they were parked up and their breakfast made.

  After they had eaten, Amelia’s parents went to lie down and catch up on some sleep, having taken it in turns to drive through the night. This was the city where Kaden was to meet them but they had no idea exactly where or when that would take place. They assumed it would be at least one more day, as he had a much greater distance to travel. Amelia said she would keep an eye out for any sign of him while they rested.

  Being in Mexico made her think of her friend, Megan, and the time she had spent as a guest in Henry Brubaker’s home. Her blood boiled at the thought of him being involved in her brother’s disappearance. She hoped the day would come when he would pay for all the heartache he had caused.

  To pass the time, Amelia decided to read up on the city of Guadalajara. Two hours later her mother came out of the bedroom and suggested they go for a swim before lunch.

  “That’s a great idea, I’ll go get my stuff,” said Amelia.

  By the time they got back from their swim Lloyd was up and had lunch ready. Everyone was in good humour, mostly from the prospect of seeing Kaden again. When they had finished eating Amelia said she would go to the store nearby to get some toiletries they were running low on. Estelle wrote a list of some things she needed, too.

  “Be careful, hun,” she said, then added, “I’m sorry Amelia, I mean, Mia. We have spent so long watching everything we say and do it’s hard to relax.”

  Amelia took the list from her mother.

  “Don’t worry Mom. Everything is going to be fine now. I won’t be long.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Her basket getting heavy, Amelia was beginning to regret not using a trolley. She had found most of the food on the list but was having trouble choosing what kind of hair products would suit her. All of the labels were in Spanish and she had taken it as a subject in school, so it wasn’t the language that bothered her.

  “Should I get coconut or almond or maybe mango,” Amelia said to herself.

  She was holding three bottles of hair conditioner, trying to make a decision.

  “Mango is the one for you,” a voice from behind interrupted her thoughts.

  She spun around, recognizing a Chicago accent. A tall, blond, young man was smiling at her.

  “Do you know me?” asked Amelia, looking up into his dark blue eyes.

  “I don’t think so, what’s your name?

  “Am…er…Mia.”

  “Sorry, I don’t know anyone called Mia, but it’s a beautiful name.”

  Just then, Estelle entered the store and saw her daughter chatting to a handsome young man.

  “Mia. I forgot to put garlic on the list, have you got everything else?” she called out.

  The young man stepped back and smiled at Estelle.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you, Mia. Hope we bump into each other again soon,” he said, turning towards the checkout with his bottle of water.

  Tuck came out of the store, a big grin on his face. He jogged over, threw himself down on the grass in the middle of the group and stretched out, still smiling.

  “Ahh. Life is good,” he sighed as he basked in the afternoon sunshine.

  His friends jumped on him and they rolled around like a bunch of ten year olds.

  As Amelia and Estelle left the store they looked over at the group of young men wrestling on the grass.

  “I bet that guy you were talking to is among that lot. Stay clear of them, they look like trouble,” said Estelle.

  She grabbed her daughter’s arm and steered her quickly towards the motor-home area.

  Lloyd was talking to a couple in their mid-sixties when they got back, and he introduced them as Sam and Tiffany Boorman. They were from Seattle and spent every winter in Mexico, on their favourite camp sites.

  “This is my wife, Stella and our daughter, Mia. We are expecting our son to join us tomorrow. Sam and Tiffany have been coming to Guadalajara for the past ten years. I was telling them how we were on our way to Costa Rica and decided to stop off here for a day or two.”

  Lloyd discreetly winked at his wife and daughter as he said this. They played along with it.

  “It’s lovely here, I can see why you keep coming back. Are there many camp sites like this around?” Estelle asked.

  “Probably not enough,” said Tiffany, “We always book well in advance but this is low season so they are not so busy.”

  Her husband, nodding in agreement, took hold of her hand.

  “Well folks, we had better head into the city now before it gets any later” he said, “We are setting off first thing in the morning. The humid, rainy season is about to begin and we don’t want to be around for that.”

  Sam and Tiffany said their goodbyes and returned to their motor-home.

  “Costa Rica?” asked Estelle.

  Lloyd circled his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck.

  “My years as a politician taught me to bend the truth when I needed to,” he looked around, lowering his voice, “But it might come in handy, now that we ar
e fugitives.”

  Estelle giggled like a teenager and lightly slapped the back of his head.

  Amelia smiled as she watched her parents laughing together. Picking up a newspaper she rolled it up and joined her mom in batting her father on the head and tickling him till he was breathless.

  ******

  The boys lay on their backs soaking up the late afternoon sun, tired from all the wrestling. Smokes and Ash decided to take a walk around the camp site. As they passed one of the motor-homes the sound of laughter caught their attention.

  “That’s how a real family should be, pity not everyone has the chance to experience it, eh Smokes,” Ash remarked.

  He felt a twinge of jealousy as they passed a teenage girl having fun with her parents, attacking her father with a newspaper. Smokes just rolled his eyes and walked on.

  Back at the camp the rest of the boys were stretched out on the warm grass, enjoying their freedom. Kaden elbowed Tuck.

  “Are you awake?” he asked.

  Tuck snored, pretending to be asleep.

  “Why had you got such a great big grin on your ugly face when you came back from the store? You didn’t rob anything, did you?”

  Kaden hated to ask, but the last thing they needed was trouble with the law. Tuck slowly opened his eyes as he turned to face Kaden.

  “That hurt,” he said, “Do you think I would risk our freedom for a bottle of water? If I want anything else I have the money to buy it.”

  “I’m really sorry to doubt you, but you looked like the cat that got the cream,” said Kaden.

  Tuck gazed up at the sky, smiling again.

  “Okay, I’ll tell you why I had that stupid grin on my face, but don’t get any ideas of pulling a fast one on me. I met this really cute chic. It was going great till her mother showed up. They had Chicago accents, so maybe it’s not a good idea to get too friendly, but she would be worth the risk. So hands off, agreed? I saw her first.”

  “Did she tell you her name?” asked Kaden.

  “Even that is cute, it’s Mee-aaaaa” Tuck said, drawing out the syllables.

  Kaden poked him in the ribs.

  “Stop drooling, you can’t meet up with her anyway, it would be too risky. Are you sure her name wasn’t Amelia.”