They traveled the path—couldn’t really call it a road—in silence for about a half hour, and Isabella began to think they had been traveling in circles throughout the woods. She thought for sure she had seen this area before because many of the larger trees looked familiar.
At one point, they seemed to be out on a dirt road that hadn’t been traveled for a long time. Wyatt continued driving while she looked around. She could see farther in the distance now by the light of the moon since this area had been cleared of the taller trees.
Open farmland on both sides wasn’t tended or worked and appeared deserted along with the tumbling-down remains of a house, which probably, at one time, had been a very nice home for someone. The quiet sounds of night animals, prey and predators, foraging in the bushes and fallen trees along with the quiet hum of the Jeep were the only noises.
* * * *
Joe had been awakened to the wooden floor boards he lay on vibrating. He peeked out the window above his homemade bed. He followed the vehicle with his eyes and cursed the darkness. The moon didn’t light the area enough for him to be able to make out anything except the outline of the vehicle. He thought it held two passengers, but with the dark, tinted windows, he couldn’t be sure.
He watched until it passed out of sight, and then slowly sat back down. He wondered why someone, anyone, would be traveling on an untraveled road in the middle of the night by the fading light of the moon. He concluded it could only be because they had something or someone to hide.
He decided it would be easier to follow the tire tracks at the first light of day. It would also lessen the risk of being seen following. Having made his plans, he lay back down and slowly dozed off for a few more hours of much-needed sleep.
Chapter 35
They drove up and down and around the mountain roads behind Wyatt’s house for what seemed like hours. It was indeed much colder up in the mountains now and almost daylight. So Isabella grabbed the red fleece jacket and quickly put it on.
They soon came to a dead-end, which was a wall of overgrown brush and trees.
Isabella looked at Wyatt, about to ask, “What now?” when he reached up and pushed a button on the visor of the passenger’s side the car.
The brush wall straight ahead lifted forward, allowing Wyatt to drive the Jeep right underneath. He hit the button again and the “wall” of overgrown brush lowered to the ground behind them, without a sound, leaving behind no indication anything had changed, similar to the wall of the garage.
She couldn’t withstand the suspense any longer. “Okay, Wyatt, where are we? Tell me!”
He looked at her, then behind them, still cautious about being overheard.
“Okay, we’re almost there. My dad was a very inventive engineer, always tinkering with new ideas. He built this place as a vacation getaway, but he also wanted it to be a safe haven for his family. When you grow a large company as quickly as he did, you can make some enemies along the way.
“He was kidnapped and held for ransom about six or seven years ago. Dave and I, along with assistance from our unit, were able to apprehend the perp before anything happened, but it was a very scary and frightening experience for my family, as I’m sure you can relate. It remained a bone of contention with Dad, and he wanted a more hidden, safe, obscure home for his family if case something similar would ever happen again. So he invented the invisible garage door along with the hidden entryway into the compound, among many other similar things.
“He just never got to use them. He made the compound self-sustaining and had the entire area wired for panoramic video surveillance. We just need to turn on the generator and push a few more buttons. Over the years, I spent a lot of time up here. I can slip in and out without leaving any tracks and without being noticed. And I can contact the outside world if I choose to from up here too.”
* * * *
Isabella sat there listening, fascinated with all the planning and forethought that had gone into this project. His father had been ingenious and had lived and died before his time.
“How far are we from town?”
“Not that far at all, and with all the backtracking I did, I don’t think anyone will be able to follow us.”
“I thought we were going around in circles.” She giggled.
Wyatt chuckled softly and nodded.
They had meandered along at a slower pace while he talked. When they came around a bend in the road, pulling in front of a beautiful, stunning two-story log home, Isabella was amazed with the beauty of it all.
The sun coming up over the eastern ridge began to light up the area. The two front steps led up to a wraparound porch that had a gorgeous etched-glass double-entry front door and two-story-tall windows on each side. There were tall, angular windows above them from the top of the doors. Rockers on the front porch looked very inviting as they moved back and forth in the light breeze.
Isabella sat in astonishment. The house, hidden among the tall, overgrown trees, fit into the level spot in the terrain, as if it had been there long before the trees.
Wyatt grabbed a couple of bags from the back, opened the passenger door, and ushered her to the front door. He opened the front door, went in, and Isabella followed close behind.
She stood in the elevated foyer while she observed the two stories with an open staircase along the left-side wall. A unique wood hand rail continued up the stairs and across the center of the room, allowing for a loft upstairs. A beautiful jewel-toned tapestry hung over the railing. A window seat built into an alcove at the bottom of the stairs was covered with soft, thick, comfortable pillows. A great place to snuggle up with a good book.
The rich, smooth honey-colored hardwood floors led to the large stone fireplace, which took up most of the side wall opposite the staircase. A dark cognac brown leather sofa and side chairs with a four-inch leather fringe along the bottom edge gave the room a western flair, extremely soft and comfortable-looking too.
Beyond the stairs and beside the tall windows appeared a dining area with a glass-top table, which reflected the trees outside. The table legs, made of a natural light wood, matched the adjacent kitchen cabinetry. The huge natural colored granite island in an exaggerated L-shape separated the kitchen from the dining and living areas.
Isabella turned around, looking behind her. Bookcases surrounded the double windows. She glanced toward the fireplace, sunken first floor, then back toward the kitchen.
She wondered if they had any food. Did he bring any with them? And since she now felt a chill, she wondered about electricity or heat? Wyatt had mentioned a generator, and she hoped it would be enough to keep them warm.
Wyatt had gone beyond the kitchen. After a minute or so, he returned to the foyer, picked up their bags, and took them up the stairs.
While Isabella tried to grasp the beauty around her, she thought this house seemed more like Wyatt, very strong and manly yet warm and homey. She could definitely see his handiwork everywhere. She heard his footsteps on the stairs and looked up at him.
He was so handsome as he stood on the stairs. He had taken off his lightweight jacket and was wearing a black turtleneck sweater and nice-fitting jeans. His broad shoulders and narrow waist reverberated with sexy and strong masculinity. He took her breath away.
Opening his arms wide, he asked, “Well, what do you think?”
Surprised by his question, she stuttered. “It’s-it’s so majestic, yet so homey. I love it! Kind of a mix of rugged and safe, like you.”
“Thanks. That’s what I like to hear. Come on upstairs with me and let me show you around.”
She shivered and rubbed her arms.
“Are you cold? Do you want me to build a fire to take off the chill?”
She shivered again, her teeth chattering, and nodded.
Wyatt covered the distance to the huge fireplace quickly, and within moments, the warmth from a blazing fire was spreading throughout the house.
After they had warmed up, he showed her the bedroom, and the b
ath downstairs and the small office behind the kitchen containing the electronics and the computer “guts” to the compound’s operations. He had already turned on the generators and the computers with five monitors attached, which activated the security system. They would be notified of any trespassers within the area.
He showed her the panoramic view from the downstairs windows before they headed up the stairs where he showed her two large master suites, each with its own attached bath and huge walk-in closets. Both rooms were fully furnished with king-size beds and matching dressers.
They admired the beautiful views from the upstairs windows, walking out onto the outside deck, sitting down on chairs. The views were breathtaking.
Isabella inhaled the clean, fresh mountain air, cool and refreshing.
They went back downstairs. Wyatt started coffee while Isabella warmed herself in front of the fireplace. She soon felt right at home and joined Wyatt in the kitchen. She started opening doors and drawers looking for mugs, spoons, and sugar. She was relieved to see the cabinets well stocked with food and every kitchen utensil or gadget that could be the envy of any gourmet chef.
They soon were sitting in front of the fireplace sipping coffee and eating toasted English Muffins. When they were finished, Isabella put their mugs and plates in the kitchen sink.
As she turned around, she saw the sun coming through the upper windows and shining on the large, thick round rug in front of the fireplace. The rug’s center medallion, a design of blues and yellows, brightened and warmed the entire room. A spectacular vision of rainbow colors reflecting off the many windows.
Wyatt stood in the middle of the rug, his face highlighted, brightened and relaxed, as in the picture with his sister. She was flabbergasted by the wonder of him. She felt as if the rug revealed the feelings of her heart, which was filled with love.
By the time the fire started to die down, the sun had warmed up the air outside, and Wyatt suggested they take a walk. He needed to check on a couple things anyway. She pulled on her red fleece jacket and slipped into comfortable shoes. They opened the door and went outside. They walked and talked comfortably together with his fingers loosely laced through hers.
Occasionally Wyatt pointed out a particular bird or a certain flowering tree or bush that he, Amy, or Dave had planted. He showed her the place where they played football, being the grassiest area around, even though it still had a slight slope. Time flew by as they became lost in each other’s company. They hadn’t realized they had been gone so long until Isabella yawned. They decided it was time for a quick lunch and maybe a nap.
* * * *
Dave made sure there were no patrols around Wyatt’s property between two and four that morning, as they had agreed. In the meantime, he also received some disturbing information.
Matthew Miles, Wyatt’s recently hired sales manager, had a connection to Michael Terrell. They were brothers, believe it or not. Matthew had used the last name of Miles for many years, so the association or relationship didn’t show up on any background check. Now, digging deeper into his and Isabella’s relationship, he became curious about Matthew’s past and wanted more information.
He also received a report back from the local police department outside Denver. They had tried to contact Anna Donnelly, Isabella’s mother, by phone with no answer. When they visited her apartment, there was no response to the doorbell or knocking. Talking to some of her neighbors they found out that no one had seen her coming or going for the last couple of weeks or so and thought she had gone on a cruise or an extended trip somewhere. The neighbors admitted it was odd she had been gone so long without telling anyone, especially since she was extremely involved with her church and a number of charities.
The police department had proceeded to get a search warrant for her premises. When they forcibly entered her home, they found her alive and well. Extremely scared but alive and well.
Very upset and frightened about her daughter being missing, possibly killed, it took considerable convincing and many promises of Isabella’s well-being before Anna could be persuaded to talk. But once she got started...
She told them Michael Terrell had threatened to kill her and Isabella if she told anyone anything, saw anyone or even stepped outside her door. He brought her food and anything else she might need, usually in the middle of the night.
When asked by the investigating detective, Cleaver, why she hadn’t called the police, she had told him that Isabella was all she had left, that she knew Michael was serious about killing her, and that she thought he had killed before.
She hadn’t seen Michael for about three days, she never saw a car or anyone else during her time in ‘lock-down’.
“When was the last time you saw Michael?” Detective Cleaver asked Mrs. Richards.
About three days ago.”
When Detective Summers arrived he spoke with Mrs. Donnelly and told her that her daughter was safe for now.
Of course, Mrs. Donnelly wanted to go to be with Isabella right away. The police located her in Stoney Creek, Virginia. And of course the questions on everybody’s lips was how, when, where and why did she end up there.
They all agreed that Mrs. Donnelly needed to come with them into police custody to keep her safe until they could further investigate. And thanks to Dave giving Detective Cleaver the heads-up on what Mrs. Donnelly’s reaction would be, they were able to convince her it was for the sake of her daughter. Det. Summers talked to her again, explaining that once they got her into a safehouse she would be able to talk to her daughter. With a little more persuasion she acquiesced and went with them.
Dave felt good when he read the report indicating Isabella’s mother was safe in police custody. But the getting-something-accomplished good feeling had been short-lived, quickly replaced with a sick-to-his-stomach feeling. A countrywide BOLO—Be On Lookout—for Michael Terrell, alias “Mick the Man,” along with an arrest warrant for murder had been issued by the Denver State Police.
Now, not only did they have to contend with Joe, Amanda, Spike, and his dangerous cohorts in crime, but also now Michael, who may or may not be a part of Spike’s organization. Let’s not forget about the not-cleared-from-suspicion Matthew Miles.
He received a location confirmation on Spike in the Norfolk area and notification that Amanda had been picked up along the interstate outside Stoney Creek and was in custody. Charges were pending because she was still being questioned.
He felt certain she would soon be spilling her guts especially since he considered her to be merely a pawn in the game. The district attorney’s willingness to make a deal for immunity would definitely help, and he was sure that could be arranged.
Work history verification on Isabella revealed a man introducing himself as Michael Terrell had called Lakes Elementary to inform them he and Isabella had eloped and that she would no longer be working there.
Boy, this guy had really tied up all his loose ends, hadn’t he?
But he hadn’t counted on Wyatt, who had received all the same reports via his BlackBerry.
Dave knew where to find Wyatt. He had been there many times and had even helped Wyatt and his dad with the building and design of the security system. He didn’t want anything going down within the compound, destroying the integrity of its safety. With all the precautions, the security systems set up and in place, he felt assured no one could get close to disturb let alone destroy.
Chapter 36
Joe woke before sunup and went outside to relieve himself. It was his first priority. His second priority was finding food. He was starving. He knew there wasn’t any food in the house. He had already looked last night. But after scavenging around in the cruiser, he found some cheese crackers. He woofed down the crackers for breakfast, got in the car, and proceeded to follow the road or path that the vehicle of interest had traveled just a few hours earlier. Up and down and around the mountain he drove, thinking, at least, it had to be the same road.
The fog began to dissipate with th
e rising sun, but with the grown bushes along the side of the road and the sharp switchbacks, he couldn’t see very far in front of him. The heavy foliage blocked his view so he couldn’t see any tracks on the road, not even his own. At one point, he thought he drove off the road and onto a foot path. He soon began doubting he was even on the same road.
Sometime later, Joe arrived at a dead end. He couldn’t get through the brush ahead. It appeared as if the road had only been cleared to this point. He parked the car and got out. He looked around but didn’t notice the spectacular view. He didn’t see any tracks of any kind, no sign of anyone having driven here recently, no bent grass, nada. He decided that he must have made a wrong turn somewhere.
Getting back in the car and backing up into the brush, he began driving in the opposite direction. He noticed a number of small roads cutting off from the “main” road. He could spend a lot of time on each one of the small roads looking for that particular Jeep but right now he didn’t have many options. He took the first side road he came to.
Chapter 37
Wyatt had taken all available weapons and ammunition he thought might be necessary to defend his property. He put his .22 revolver in his shoulder holster and pulled on his light jacket. He wanted to be prepared for any and all possibilities.
While he and Isabella had been out walking, he had checked the perimeter of the compound as well as the tree-mounted cameras. Everything appeared to be working properly. At one point, he thought he heard the rumbling of a car engine, but couldn’t be sure because of the branches and leaves rustling.
Isabella busied herself with lunch preparations while Wyatt checked on the security monitors. He read his e-mail and realized he needed to call Dave. He sat down in front of the monitors while he waited for Dave to pick up.
Dave and Wyatt talked, discussing and considering their options and alternatives. Dave received an e-mail from Sam, who had been working undercover as a member of Spike’s gang for the past few months.
Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Deception (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 15