The Lawman Returns

by Lynette Eason

  “I’ll manage.”

  Sabrina nodded and stepped forward, ignoring Clay’s weak protest. Lance’s weight almost took her to the ground. Jordan must have sensed her predicament, because he shifted the man so that Lance leaned more heavily against him. Jordan continued his story. “She killed Steven. I thought at first it was Stan because he had Steven’s wallet in the trailer, but when they had me tied up in the barn, they talked in front of me.” He swallowed hard. “I know it’s because they planned to kill me as soon as they got what they needed from me.”

  “How long have they had you?”

  “Since the day I called you at the trailer. Stan came after me and found me. He took me to Krissy and they tied me up and tried to get me to tell them what I knew. The only reason they didn’t kill me right away is because they thought I knew more than I did.” He cleared his throat and shivered, his voice growing hoarse. “And I let them think that. They kept asking me who knew about the meth lab and who had I shown the pictures to. They knocked me out a couple of times trying to get me to talk.”

  Clay started walking again, shoulders hunched against the elements. Sabrina felt guilty for keeping his coat but knew he’d rather her wear it if she was cold. His selflessness touched her. Made her appreciate the feeling of being cared for as never before. Her grandmother loved her, of course, but Sabrina figured she was supposed to.

  A sharp crack cut through the air, and a puff of white shot up in front of her. She flinched, and Clay hollered, “Get down! Get down!” He came up next to them and shoved her toward the tree line. “Get behind a tree, now! Jordan, get a tight grip and run!”

  Confused but not questioning his order, she shot off the trail and into the woods. She heard the men behind her and heard another loud pop. “Go, Sabrina,” Clay panted. “Go deeper into the woods. Find a thick copse of trees.”

  Someone had discovered they hadn’t died in the cave and was shooting at them again. Her breath caught in her throat, and she uttered a desperate prayer. Lord, let this nightmare end. Please let everything work out right so we can get on with our lives. And if you could see a way for Clay and me...well...you know what I’m praying for.

  They moved fast, leaving a trail to follow but hopefully putting enough trees between them and the shooter. The snow came heavier and harder, and Sabrina felt true fear shake her insides.

  They finally slowed when no more shots came. Jordan separated from Clay and Lance and leaned against the nearest tree, clutching his side.

  “Are you hurt?” Sabrina ran to him and pulled his hand away. No blood.

  Jordan shook his head. “No. A cramp.”

  Relief filled her. She turned back to Lance and Clay. “What about you two?”

  “No new bullet wounds, thankfully,” Clay said. “But all that rushing caused Lance’s wound to start bleeding again.” He held his friend, who was just barely conscious.

  “The convenience store is just ahead,” Clay said. “Jordan, can you run as fast as you can and call for an ambulance? You’ll have to stay behind the cover of the trees. Fortunately, the store backs up to the woods. You can jump over the concrete wall and be inside faster than we’ll be able to move together. It’ll be locked, but there should be a key in a small magnetic holder under the mailbox. Get help on the way.”

  “Sure.” He took off, careful to move from tree to tree. Sabrina held her breath and when no more shots came, sent up a silent thank-you. “How did you know where the key would be?”

  “I used to work there when I was in high school. I’m just praying it’s still there.”

  Clay caught Lance. He felt his pulse. “He’s passed out. His pulse feels weaker.”

  “It wasn’t that strong to begin with. I’m really worried about him.”

  “I’m worried about all of us.” He held Lance against him. Sabrina thought the color in Clay’s face looked a bit better. He said, “Can we keep going? See if we can get him into the store?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  It wasn’t easy, but they made it to the back entrance, using the trees for cover, just as Jordan came rushing out. “The phone’s dead.”

  NINETEEN

  Clay helped his friend stretch out on the floor. The mom-and-pop convenience store was warm enough but cooling rapidly. “The power hasn’t been off long. See if you can find a kerosene heater and some propane.”

  Jordan held up the cordless phone. “These things work great as long as you have electricity.”

  “The Nelsons own this place,” Clay said. “They have cell phones, so they probably don’t worry about it if the power goes out.” He sighed. “Great.”

  “Lance is unconscious?” Sabrina asked.

  Clay nodded. “Yeah. And we’ve got a shooter out there who may have figured out where we were heading. But the shots were coming from behind us. That’s one of the reasons I sent Jordan running ahead. That and it was a good idea to get to a phone as fast as possible.”

  “Good thinking.”

  “But now...I don’t know who’s shooting. I’m assuming it’s Krissy or Stan, but it could be whoever the boss is.”

  “So what do we do? If we go out there, we could get shot. If we stay here, your family and the kids could die.”

  Clay’s head pounded with the decisions. Stay or go? Jordan had found a heater and had it humming along.

  “There’s no choice,” Sabrina said. “We have to go—you realize that, right?”

  He looked at her. “That’s an open field out there.”

  She went to the window. “And the snow is coming down pretty hard.”

  She bit her lip and he reached out to cup her chin. “Are you praying?”

  “With every breath.”

  He gave her a light kiss on her lips. “Me, too. I want to get this settled. I want the good guys to win and the bad guys to be in jail. Then I want to talk about us.”

  She nodded. “I’d like that, too.” Her brows dipped. “But what about your family? Your uncle Abe and how he feels about me?”

  “Uncle Abe doesn’t control me or my family, Sabrina.”

  “But the money for the ranch—”

  He placed a finger over her lips. “Will you trust me?”

  She gave a slow nod. “Good.” He released her and walked to the window. “It’s snowing like crazy, but this could work in our favor.”

  “So we go?”

  Clay sucked in a deep breath. “Well, I go. Jordan, you and Sabrina are going to have to stay here with Lance.” He walked over to the register and wrote a note to the Nelsons. Then he grabbed a bottle of ibuprofen and downed four. Next he grabbed a ginger ale and handed it to Jordan. “Try and get Lance to drink this. It’s not exactly an IV drip, but he needs fluids. Write down whatever you use, and I’ll make sure the Nelsons get paid for it.”

  Jordan nodded, then shook his head. “I want to make sure Tony and Maria are safe.”

  “And I need you to do this for...” Clay swallowed hard.

  “For?”

  “For Steven, Jordan. Do it for Steven. I’m going to go down that hill and put his killers in jail. I need you to take care of Lance.”

  Clay thought the teen would refuse at first, but then he nodded. “Please don’t let anything happen to them.”

  “I’m going with you,” Sabrina said.

  Clay frowned. “It’s quite a hike, and there’s a guy with a rifle out there.”

  “We can stay close to the tree line. It’s the long way, of course, but it’ll take us right to the Updike farm. They’ll have a phone we can use.”

  “Sabrina—”

  “I’m going. If you pass out and we’re back here, you could freeze to death out there and there wouldn’t be anyone else to go for help. No way. I’m going with you.”

  He gave a reluctant nod and t
ouched the lump on his head. At least his mind seemed to be a little less foggy. “I’m feeling better, but... Fine. You’re probably right.”

  Jordan sat on the floor beside Lance, trying to get the man to drink. Lance blinked, took a sip, then passed out again. Clay clapped him on the shoulder. “Just keep trying, okay?”

  “Sure. Be careful.”

  Clay grabbed the heaviest coat he could find on the clothing rack, two scarves, two hats and a pair of gloves to fit Sabrina. She pulled them on.

  Next he went behind the counter and found the safe. He said a prayer that Gerald Nelson hadn’t changed the combination in the past ten years and twisted the dial. It opened and Clay breathed a prayer of thanks. He reached for the key that would open the gun display case.

  He grabbed a Sig Sauer P224 and a Glock 17 and two boxes of ammunition. “Here, can you carry this?”

  She took the smaller Sig from him, loaded it and stuffed it in her coat pocket. “I don’t think I can use it. I’ve never shot a gun before.”

  He lifted a brow. “It’s not hard. Just point and shoot.”

  She shuddered. “Guns are a way of life out here and especially on your farm—I know that. But I grew up in town and never had the opportunity to learn.”

  He touched her cheek. “You don’t have to explain. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing how to use it.” He frowned. “Just hold it for me in case I need it.”

  She nodded.

  Clay took her by the hand and led her out the back and into the cold. Wind whipped her hair into her eyes and he helped her stuff it up under a black wool cap. “It’s going to be a cold walk.”

  “I know.” She squeezed his hand. “Are you going to be able to make it?”

  “I have to.”

  Together they started through the blowing wind and snow, scarves wrapped tight, shoulders hunched. They kept to just inside the tree line. “Who do you think the boss is?” she asked as she avoided fallen logs and scattered branches.

  “I don’t have a clue. I haven’t been back in the area long enough to figure out who’s who, who has a pattern, et cetera. Ned might have some ideas.” They stopped talking for the next few minutes. Clay heard Sabrina’s breathing quickening. He was grateful for the lack of dizziness and the fact the stabbing pain in his head had abated. No more shots came their way, and he silently thanked the Lord.

  “There it is.” She pointed.

  “Finally,” he breathed.

  Clay picked up the pace and headed for the log cabin–type home. Sabrina stayed with him right up to the front porch, where he lifted a gloved fist to knock on the door. “Mr. Updike? You home?”

  “It looks dark. Deserted.”

  “They have family in Florida. Probably went there for the holidays.”

  “Smart. I wish I had family in Florida,” Sabrina muttered.

  Clay knocked again.

  “I’ll try the back door,” Sabrina said. She rushed around to the garage to find it closed. Clay joined her. “They’re not here.”

  “We need to get inside and use the phone.”

  “Power’s off here, too. Let’s hope they have a wall phone that doesn’t require electricity.”

  Clay went back to the front door, scanned the area.

  And found what he was looking for.

  He brushed the snow from the turtle nestled in the small rock garden under the bush. A silver key glinted up at him. He grabbed it and unlocked the door. Sabrina stepped into the warmth and let out a sigh. They’d made it. Now the phone.

  Clay was already in the kitchen pulling the receiver from the base. He gave her a relieved look. “It’s working.”

  She clasped her hands in front of her. “Call your parents first. Warn them about Krissy and Stan.”

  He dialed and waited, his tension high, head throbbing hard enough to make him nauseous. He pulled in a deep breath and closed his eyes, praying for someone to pick up the phone.

  When no one answered the landline, he dialed his father’s cell phone.

  No answer.

  Every number he dialed, no one picked up.

  Clay hung up the phone as though in slow motion while his brain spun out of control. He looked at Sabrina, her fear for his family blanching her face.

  His hands fisted at his sides. “We may be too late.”

  * * *

  Urgency swept over Sabrina. Worry and more worry settled over her, and the desperate need to get to the ranch filled her. She waited while Clay dialed Ned’s number. Anxiety threaded through her. “What if he doesn’t answer?”

  But Clay closed his eyes in relief. “Ned. I need you to send an ambulance to Nelson’s Convenience Store on Twenty-Sixth. Then I need you to get everyone out to the ranch. Krissy and Stan are behind Steven’s death. They just tried to kill us.” Sabrina heard Ned’s roar over the line. “Lance is hurt. Bad. I’m not sure he’s going to make it. But Tony saw Krissy kidnap Sabrina, so I feel sure she’s headed to my parents’.” He paced in front of the refrigerator. “Look, Sabrina’s with me. We’re on the way to the ranch. Just get help there now.”

  Clay hung up and checked the garage. “No car.”

  Defeat slammed her. “Now what?” She stood at the window. The pastures rolled with gentle snow-covered hills and the barn rose in the distance, a splash of red against the white backdrop. “I mean, I feel a thousand times better now that we’ve managed to get Ned involved, but I’m still worried.”

  “So am I.” He brought a fist down on the counter. “Who else lives close by?”

  Sabrina straightened. “The horses.”

  “What?”

  “The Updikes have a lesson barn.” She moved toward the door. “They have horses. Come on—I know how we’re getting to your ranch.”

  She heard Clay follow her out the door. Her back tingled as though she had a great big bull’s-eye on it. However, within seconds, they were in the barn.

  With the horses and the tack they needed.

  Clay caught on fast. Together they chose two horses and had them tacked up and ready to ride in record time. “Let’s go. We should be there within ten minutes taking the back trails and shortcuts.”

  “Thank you, God, for a full moon tonight,” she said.

  “Amen.”

  Sabrina swung into the saddle. Clay did the same, but she saw him wince. He wasn’t feeling as good as he was letting on. She just hoped the ride didn’t hurt his head too much.

  They rode hard and fast and stayed to the back trails that would lead to the Starke ranch. When Clay pulled up, Sabrina followed his lead and walked her animal up next to him. He pointed. “The ranch is just over that hill.”

  “How’s your head?”

  “That ride didn’t help it, but I’ll manage. How’s yours?”

  “Ditto.”

  “Ned should be there by now, but let’s approach cautiously, okay? We may still have a shooter on our tails.”

  “Of course.”

  “Not only that, we’re going to be out in the open for a while to get down there.” He drew in a deep breath. “I don’t like it.”

  “We don’t have a choice. Let’s go.”

  Clay reached over and grasped her hand in his. He started to say something, then snapped his lips shut and let go of her fingers. He nudged his horse into a slow walk.

  Sabrina stayed beside him until they crested the hill to look down on the Starke ranch. The desolate white landscape looked peaceful and much too quiet all at the same time. “Where’re Ned and the other deputies?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  They made their way down the hill, Sabrina keenly aware of the fact that if someone wanted to start shooting, he probably wouldn’t miss this time. “Something’s not right, Clay. Do you think they got to N
ed?”

  He held his weapon in his left hand, the reigns in his right as he pulled his horse to a stop. “I’m not sure. I agree, though. Something’s not right.”

  “I don’t see anyone—do you?”

  “Nothing. It’s like a deserted town.” He stayed put for just a moment, then nudged the horse forward. “Let’s get the horses inside the fence and walk the rest of the way.”

  “All right.” She followed him to the fence line and around to the gate. He slid to the ground and handed her his horse’s reins. He opened the gate and she walked her horse through, pulling his behind her. Clay shut the gate and she dismounted. “What now?”

  “Now we go find my family.”

  TWENTY

  Clay had to admit he was scared. A ball of dread and worry sat like a rock in the pit of his belly. He knew Krissy and Stan wouldn’t hesitate to kill his family if they thought it would further their cause—or keep them from going to jail.

  Having Sabrina beside him made him all the more sensitive to the fact that he would have to protect her, too. He should have convinced her to stay at the store, but now he was concerned that no one had arrived to help Jordan and Lance. “Let’s check the stable first.” They’d left the horses in the pasture near the trees, where they could seek shelter if they wanted to. They’d be fine for now. Once he made sure his family was safe, he’d return the horses to the Updikes’ barn.

  Sabrina walked beside him, anxiety in every step. His gaze swept the area around them. Nothing but white. No movement, no sound. Something was very, very wrong.

  At the barn, Clay stepped inside, his gun held ready. The horses nickered at him. All seemed right enough.

  Except for the movement near the last stall. Sabrina sucked in a breath. She’d seen it, too. Clay aimed his gun. “Police! Freeze!” The movement ceased. Clay darted forward. “Who’s there?”

  “Clay?”

  Clay stopped and lowered his weapon. “Abe? What are you doing here?”

  “Trying to figure out how to get the cops out here.” He lifted his cell phone. “Just getting ready to call.”