by Sandy Nadeau
Jenny hadn’t spoken a word since Kane pointed the gun at them. The dashboard lights glowed against her ashen face. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she made no sound.
“Down there,” he waved the gun in the direction he wanted Mandy to go.
The narrow road headed down a small hill. There were a few empty cabins on each side of the road. The headlights lit up the final darkened cabin at the end of a driveway.
Mandy put the car in park as she looked in every direction. No sign of life, no lights, not even any traffic sounds. What was she going to do? She could not subject Jenny to any further terror from this man. She killed the engine. “What are you going to do with us, Kane? Do you know your father is in the hospital right now?”
“Yeah, I heard. Don’t care. I just want my money. Get out of the car. You slide out this side.” He pointed to Jenny.
Mandy opened her door.
Kane waved the gun between the two of them.
The only light came from the stars up above.
“You got all the money off the sale of the rhodochrosite you stole off our property.” Mandy spoke. “What more do you want?”
“That was rightfully mine. I found it years ago. We owned that property.”
“Not after your dad sold it.” Mandy got so angry she couldn’t hold her tongue.
“Shut up. Get in there.” He pointed to the rustic cabin.
The old wood door gave easily when he kicked it in. Thankfully, the cabin had power. He hit a switch as they entered which lit a small lamp in the corner.
Jenny held Mandy’s arm in a death grip.
“Get over there and sit down.” He pointed to an old dusty sofa with wooden arms.
“What are you going to do now, Kane? You’ll never get away with this and you know it.” Mandy said, as she and Jenny sat down.
Kane dug through the drawers in the small kitchenette that was part of the same room. From the bottom larger drawer he pulled out some clothesline rope. He threw it at Mandy. “Tie the girl to the arm.”
Jenny put her hands on the arm, eyes wide with fear.
Mandy gave her a reassuring smile even though she had no idea how they were going to get out of this. She tied the clothesline around Jenny’s arms and the wood, making sure it wasn’t too tight.
Kane waved the gun for her to sit on the other side of the sofa.
Mandy scooted over.
He knelt down near the end, grabbed her wrists in one hand and laid the gun on the floor. He held them tight against the wood as he took up another piece of the rope.
She could kick him but she didn’t have enough strength to overpower him. With Jenny tied, she couldn’t make a run for freedom. Maybe she could kick him enough to knock him over and grab the gun. Her fear of Jenny getting hurt in the process was too great. I need another plan, Lord…
Kane moved to Jenny and checked her knots, and then he sat in a chair.
“Can you at least find us some blankets? It’s cold in here.”
Kane went into the adjoining room and came out with two blankets. He covered them and sat in the chair again.
“Well, now what are you going to do, Kane?” Her tone held a twinge of sarcasm.
He didn’t respond. He only tapped the barrel of the gun against his leg.
Quiet filled the room. No sound came from outside.
Kane stretched out his long legs. He rested his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. The gun, still in his hand, lay in his lap. Soon, his snores filled the room.
Mandy tried to wriggle against the ropes, but it did no good.
Jenny curled her legs on the couch. She tried to mop away the tears with her shoulder. Then she rested her head against the back of the couch, sniffing.
“Just pray, Jenny. Just pray.” Mandy leaned her head against the couch and prayed until she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
****
Rick and Connie remained in the house with Jon.
“Where could they be? That man is crazy. What’s he going to do with them?” Connie cried.
Jon stared out the window into the black night. “I don’t think he’ll hurt them. We have to believe that. He must just be using them to get away.”
“But then what?” Rick demanded.
“I don’t know.”
“So, are your prayers going to do any good now, Jon?”
Jon looked him square in the eye. “Yes they are, Rick. I have no doubt. Prayer is all we’ve got for protecting them now, and I’m not about to give up on that. God will get us all through this. You can either believe that or give up.”
“So why didn’t your God protect them and keep them away from that man?”
“Don’t argue, you guys! This is hard enough to deal with. I can’t listen to that, too.” Connie’s voice was wobbly.
The men went silent.
Jon looked out the window saying even more prayers in his mind.
Rick sat next to his wife and put his arm around her.
Barney paced, picking up on the tension in the room.
Nothing more could be said. The night wore on.
Connie fell into a restless sleep leaning on Rick. Her muscles twitched in unsteady rhythm.
The two men just sat and stared at nothing.
****
Mandy woke when light began to sneak through the window.
Jenny was asleep in an awkward position.
Kane remained stretched out in the chair.
She had to figure out a plan to get them out of here. She prayed in silence.
Jenny stirred. She tried moving, and then her eyes opened. She looked at Mandy.
“Good morning,” Mandy mouthed the words, not wanting to wake Kane.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” Jenny’s voice came out in the tiniest whisper.
“Me, too.”
Mandy wondered if she could get out a bathroom window and run for help. No, that wouldn’t work. Jenny would be at his mercy. Maybe Jenny could escape and run for help. Mandy could take care of herself.
Kane yawned loudly, stretched, and looked over at the two captives. “Mornin’, Sunshines.” His voice dripped in sarcasm.
“We have to go to the bathroom, Kane.” Mandy used as forceful of a voice as she dared.
“Too bad.” He growled and walked out of the cabin. The slam of the door shook the small cabin’s walls.
“Jenny, he’s got to let us go to the bathroom sooner or later. When you go in, see if you can get out the window and run to find help.”
“Where would I go?” Jenny’s eyes were wide. “What if I get lost? He’ll hurt you if I’m gone. I can’t leave you with him. And what if he catches me out there?”
“Shh, shhhh…Listen, I know where we are. This is a group of cabins owned by the O’Neil family. They use them during hunting season. There is a lodge not far from here. If you can get back out to the main road, go to the right. It’s a ways, but you can do it, Jenny.”
“I don’t want him to hurt you…” More tears fell.
The door burst open and Kane stood with a bag from the car. “Look what I found. You brought us food.” He took the groceries to the kitchen.
A low humming noise sounded in the distance. A low-flying helicopter. The authorities were looking for them. It had to be Search and Rescue.
Kane darted out the door. He returned, demanding the car keys.
“You’ll have to untie me so I can get them for you,” Mandy said. “You better hurry though, or they’re going to see the car.”
Kane untied one of her hands.
She dug in her front pocket, and then reached into her back pocket.
“Come on!” He pointed the gun at her head.
“I’m trying…” She hoped she’d stalled long enough for the people in the copter to get a look. She brought out the keys.
He grabbed them and ran back out the door. He’d forgotten to re-tie her hand. The car started up, and she heard gravel being kicked up as he peeled out of the driveway. M
andy pulled frantically at the knot on her other hand. She leaned down, using her teeth to work the knot. Tears of frustration leaked onto her arm.
The door slammed open again. Kane came in, and his eyes opened wide with realization. “Don’t even think about it.” He re-tied her hand to the wooden arm. “Well, they aren’t going to see us now. Yer stuck with me.”
“And just what good will that do you? Do you think you can just keep us here indefinitely? Why don’t you just take the car and leave?”
“Well now, that would be pretty stupid with them helicopters up there, don’t ya think? No, we’re going to hang out here for a while till I decide what we’re going to do.”
“Then let us go to the bathroom.”
“Dang women. Fine.”
He made a move towards Mandy. “No, let Jenny go first.”
“Whatever.” He began working on Jenny’s knots, his back to Mandy.
“Go for it. Do it.” Mandy silently mouthed the words to Jenny.
“I can’t.” Jenny mouthed back, her gaze pleading.
Kane pulled her to her feet. “Go do your business and come right back out. Don’t try nothin’ or she’ll pay for it.”
Jenny looked at Mandy and shook her head.
Mandy gave her a firm nod. “Oh Lord, please give her the courage to get out the window and run. Please!” Mandy stared at the door as if she could will the girl out the window.
A couple minutes went by.
Kane knocked on the door. “Hurry up, kid.”
“Give her enough time, Kane. Gosh, it was a long night, you know.”
“I don’t care. Hurry up in there.”
The door knob turned. Jenny walked out and sat on the sofa. Her expression was contrite. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed to Mandy.
Kane’s head was down as he re-tied Jenny. He missed their silent communication.
“It’s OK,” Mandy reassured the girl.
“You gotta go, too?” Kane looked at Mandy.
“Yes.”
He untied her. “Don’t try anything funny.”
Mandy went to the bathroom and shut the door. She took care of things, and then reached up to look out the window. It was small, but Jenny would be able to fit.
“Hurry up!” Kane bellowed.
“I’ll be right out.” She turned the water on and looked out the window into the woods for a possible escape route. There wasn’t enough underbrush to hide. She opened the door and couldn’t miss the relieved expression on Jenny’s face. She headed to the sofa.
“You go make us breakfast,” Kane growled. “And just so you know, I hid all the knives so you can forget any dumb ideas. Just get us something to eat.”
Mandy went over to the small kitchenette, opened the fridge and took out eggs and milk. In seconds, she was cooking and pondering if she could throw the hot mixture in his face.
But Kane kept his distance.
She opened the bread bag. A quick search in the lower cabinets, revealed a toaster. And on the inner side of that cabinet, there was a small pocket knife tucked behind the trim. She took the knife and slipped it into the pocket of her jeans. Somehow, she would find a way of escape. She stood and continued stirring the eggs, seasoning them with salt and pepper.
29
Jon rushed outside when Ed pulled into the driveway.
The Carters had gone back to their cabin for a quick shower and change, but they were already heading back to Jon’s house when they saw the sheriff’s car.
Hearing the car, most of Jon’s employees gathered around, anxious for news.
“Any sign of them?” Rick asked.
“No, sorry. We’re not giving up, though. We’ll find them. He hasn’t called with any demands has he?”
“No, nothing. There’s been nothing.” Jon rubbed his unshaven face, quelling the anxiety in his heart.
A collective murmur went through the crowd.
“We’ve had no reports from the surrounding counties of your vehicle, so we’re thinking he’s somewhere within our boundaries. He’s holed up somewhere, waiting for a better time to escape. A lot of the cabins in the area haven’t been opened yet for the summer season, so now we’re searching those.”
“OK, Ed. Thanks,” Jon sat on the top step of their porch.
Barney made his way over and leaned against Jon’s side. The dog was usually attached to Mandy. With her missing, the dog had not left Jon’s side.
The sheriff left.
The Carters joined Jon on the steps and stared after the car.
Jon absentmindedly rubbed Barney’s ear.
The ranch employees drifted away and went back to work.
Nate put his hand on Jon’s shoulder. “You get any sleep last night?”
“Uh, no. Not much.”
“Come on, all three of you.” Nate motioned to the house. “You need something to eat. I’ll fix it. Come inside.”
“I can’t eat.” Rick’s face reflected fear and anger. “I need to do something. I can’t just sit here and wait any longer. We need to go look for them.”
Nate turned to him. “Rick, I understand your frustration, but the sheriff has all his department out looking, even the helicopters. There’s nothing more we can do.”
“No Nate, I agree with Rick,” Jon spoke. “We’re going crazy sitting here doing nothing. We know the area better than anyone. We need to get out there.”
Connie nodded her head, eyes pleading. “Please, anything for a solution to this awful waiting.”
“All right,” Nate relented. “But you’ll have to eat while we plot out where we can go look.”
Jon called Sue on his radio and asked her to get the topographical map.
Nate led the three into the house.
Sue brought the map and then took over coffee making duties, while Nate cooked eggs, bacon, and toast. He handed out plates piled with food.
Jon took a plate, bit into his toast, and laid the map out on the kitchen table. “Connie, I think you should stay here. I don’t want you to end up in a dangerous situation if we do find them. We’ll keep the radio on us so you can contact us in case the sheriff shows up with any news.”
“I’ll stay with you, Connie,” Sue volunteered. “We’ll be here in case they escape and manage to get home.”
“All right, but you have to call in periodically so I don’t go nuts waiting to hear from you.” Connie gave Jon a hard glance.
“I promise we’ll check in with you.” Rick hugged his wife.
Connie leaned her head against his chest. “Find her, honey. Please bring her back to me.”
As the men walked out the door, Jon turned back. “Sue, can you try and check on Mr. Shonee? I don’t know how we’re going to handle telling him what’s going on now with Kane. See if you can talk to the doctor and tell him the situation. Maybe they can stall in explaining why we aren’t coming in to visit.”
“I’ll take care of it, Jon. Don’t worry.” Sue headed for the phone. “You’ve got enough on your plate right now.”
****
Mandy dished up the eggs. “Are you going to untie her so she can eat?”
Kane sat in a chair against the side wall, the gun in his hand. “Nope. She’ll have to figure out how to eat tied up.”
“Come on, Kane. At least give her one hand. She can’t eat like that.”
Kane slammed his chair forward and stood. “I’m gettin’ tired of your lip, lady.” He loomed over Mandy in a threatening manner.
Jenny’s eyes went wide, and she looked at Mandy. “I can do it. That’s OK.”
“Put the plate on that table next to her,” Kane demanded.
Mandy helped Jenny position herself. The ropes had just enough give to allow her hand to raise a short distance to her mouth if she slouched down.
“Now, you. Sit down.” Kane re-tied Mandy’s hands and thrust a plate at her. She had to eat off the plate just as Jenny did.
“Lord, bless this food we are about to eat and thank You for Your blessings. In J
esus’s name I pray, amen.” Mandy prayed out loud, and then began to eat.
Jenny bowed her head as soon as she heard the beginning of the prayer, but Kane continued to eat, ignoring them.
Mr. Shonee would be expecting them to visit. How would he feel if no one came in to check on him? She had to convince Jenny to make a run for it. She had to come up with a plan. She wondered if Kane had any sympathetic feeling for his father. She decided to take a chance. “Your father’s lying in the hospital with no one around, or worse. What if his condition goes downhill?”
“I don’t care.” Kane spoke with his mouth full. “He never cared about me.”
“You know that’s not true. He just didn’t like you taking advantage of him. He took care of you for a long time.”
“Ha. That’s a laugh. He never got off my back.”
“He just wanted you to be responsible.”
“Shut up! I ain’t gonna talk about him no more.”
Mandy and Jenny went back to being silent, and clumsily finished the food on their plates. Mandy finally gave up.
Kane took their plates, stomped into the kitchen, and threw them into the sink. “I’m goin’ outside. Ya best be here when I get back.” The door slammed.
Mandy squirmed so she could get the knife in her pocket.
Jenny’s eyes went wide, panic filled her voice. “What are you doing?”
“I found a small knife. I’m going to cut our knots.” She struggled against the ropes.
“Mandy…”
“Jenny, I have to do something to get us out of here.”
“I’m scared of him. What if he hurts us?”
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t.” Mandy managed to open the blade and began awkwardly sawing at the rope.
The door slammed open.
She closed the knife and hid it in her fist. “Will you stop slamming that door?” Mandy demanded.
Kane snorted and pulled a curtain aside to look out. He didn’t see the knife in her hand.