“Okay, you're right,” Beau said as he ran his hand through his hair. “Get my usual.”
“Triple option meal no mayo, no onions, and a slice of apple pie. Anything else?” Marcus asked.
“Ain't that enough?” Beau asked.
Marcus looked to Haley.
“Touchdown burger, no onions, and an order of fries,” she said.
“I'll be back in a bit,” Marcus said.
“You don't like onions either?” Beau asked Haley.
“I love them. But we're going to be working close quarters in here. I didn't think it would be a good idea,” she said.
Beau smiled.
“Good call,” he said.
Haley walked over started downloading the fingerprints into the data base.
“If it wasn't for what we found in Savanna Brooke's bedroom, my guess would be that Tackett murdered her and Smitty found out and confronted him. Tackett then murdered Smitty, emptied his safe and took off,” Haley said.
“I agree. The monogram on the underwear might be helpful but they do not match any of the principals we're aware of. And Tackett doesn't strike me as the kind to wear silk underwear of any type,” Beau said.
“He doesn't strike me as the kind to wear underwear at all,” Haley said.
Beau laughed as her cheeks reddened.
“You know what I meant,” she said.
“Unfortunately, I do. Refined is not how I would describe him,” Beau said.
“I just want to find him up as quickly as possible,” she said.
“Me too, but I've got a feeling before this is over, there's not going to be simple or neat ending,” Beau said.
The computer beeped.
“One set of fingerprints match Tackett,” Haley said.
“Surprise,” Beau said.
“The other set is...wow,” Haley said.
“What?” Beau asked.
“Jack Raven,” she said.
“Surprise again,” he said stunned.
***
Adam picked up the Steyr and gave it the once over after cleaning it again. He disassembled it and put it back in its case. He thought about making another trip to Stone City but decided against being seen there too often.
It was a sunny and warm day so he decided to take a walk and take in the sights of Clinton. Flags were hoisted outside businesses downtown with an orange “C” that resembled the one on the side of the helmets of his beloved Chicago Bears.
From what he gathered, Clinton was like so many other small towns across the South - high football was not a passion, it was a way of life.
It wasn't just Clinton High School either. Two other local schools - the Anderson County High School Mavericks and the Oak Ridge High School Wildcats had supporters in town as well. He saw the same thing in Stone City the day before with the Stone City High School Knights and the Butcher County High School Copperheads.
Adam knew he played football in high school, though he only had sporadic memory fragments of a tackle or a solid hit. He had been told that he was a talented linebacker before he went into the Army. He would just have to take their word for it. Every now and then, an odor, like that of a locker room or the smell of freshly tilled soil and grass would trigger something familiar in his memory.
Speaking of something familiar, just last night he had the same dream about Vietnam and the elusive Fullbright again.
But this time was different.
Once again, the phrase “Fullbright's bought it” echoed in his mind but this time he heard a voice say, “Take it easy Sarge, just take it easy.”
That had never happened before. Adam was both excited and scared. For many years he'd hoped for a breakthrough. Now he seemed on the verge and he was worried. What would he remember? Would his childhood memories come back? Would he remember his parents? What if the memories were of a lousy life that only got better when he was wounded in the war?
Adam resolved that least he would know something and that good or bad that beat remembering nothing.
Maybe it was the autumn sunshine or the last gasps of warm weather, but for the first time in a long time, Adam felt hope.
***
When Gene answered his cell phone he hoped Tackett would answer. He thought the hint of a payoff might be enough to get his old friend to come sniffing around.
Instead he was greeted by a sobbing voice.
“Gene, I hate to call but there's a problem with Bob,” she said shakily.
“Susan? What's wrong?” He asked with all the false concern he could muster.
“It's Smitty...he's dead,” she said.
“What? Your nephew?” He asked.
“Someone killed him in Bob's house and now Bob is missing. The police have Bob listed as a person of interest. Gene, I don't know what to do,” Susan sobbed.
“Oh my. It's more imperative than ever that I find Bob. I can't help him if I can't find him,” he said.
“The cabin is the only place I know where he might be,” she said.
“Susan this isn't good. Did you mention to the police where he might have gone?” Gene asked.
“No and I won't. I'm not giving Chet Thurman the rope to hang my brother,” Susan said defiantly.
“I'm sending a unit from our security detail out right now. They'll search the cabin and the area around it for Bob. If they find him, they'll bring him to me. We'll get this straightened out but if you should hear from him...,” he said.
“I'll let you know,” she said.
“And please accept my condolences on the loss of your nephew. Your family will be in my prayers,” Gene said.
“Thank you Gene, and God bless you,” she said.
“And God bless you,” he said as he hung up.
He looked over to Cyprus who was sitting across from him in the library.
“The police apparently suspect Tackett for killing his nephew. Your incompetence might get rewarded. Contact your team. If they find him they are to make it look like a suicide. Make sure he's dead and plant a weapon on him - the same caliber used to kill the nephew,” he said.
“I'll go one better than that. I'll order Liam to plant the exact gun used to kill the nephew,” Cyprus said.
Gene breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Maybe this will work out after all,” he said.
***
Tackett stared out the curtains of the cabin window watching the only road in. His car was parked in the garage out of sight.
He knew he was trapped in the cabin but also knew few people knew about it - no one that would go the police anyway.
The police were not his concern. His concern was whoever sent someone to his house and killed Smitty. Tackett knew it was supposed to be him. He reasoned he should grieve for his nephew but found he felt relief that it wasn't him that was killed.
Only the Ravens had the kind of muscle to be so blatant. Was Gene getting rid of a potential problem from the past or was Jack pissed about the Brooke girl?
He checked the window again and wished he had some liquor in the cabin.
A noise up the road caught his attention. Tackett stared and waited but nothing happened. Hung over, hungry, and exhausted, he reasoned he could have imagined the sound.
He looked at his right hand as it gripped the pistol. He was shaking. In fact, he was shaking so hard he knew that wouldn't be able to hit anything if he had to fire. Tackett took a couple of deep breaths to try to calm himself down.
He had been scared but never like this as he wiped the sweat away from his brow. Of course before he had always been on the same side as the Raven family.
The sweating and the nausea increased. His hangover was the worst of his life.
Tackett heard another noise. He got up to walk to the window. His legs were unsteady and he staggered as though he was still drunk. Leaning against the wall, he was huffing and puffing. Tackett had never felt so out of breath. It took everything ounce of energy he had to remain standing. The pistol fell from his right hand and
clattered on the wooden floor. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his upper left arm. It hurt as bad as a gunshot wound, but Tackett saw no blood.
Reeling from pain and unable to breathe, he reached for the door knob and twisted it. The door opened. The fresh air felt good and it revived him for a second or too. The world starting getting darker and Tackett could feel his eyes closing.
The last thing he saw was a man, dressed in green camo and carrying an AK-47, running toward him.
***
None of Smitty's family would speak to Chet or any other officer. A visit to Raven Manufacturing had produced no leads into Tackett's whereabouts.
He had deputies turning the county upside down. The city police combed the streets though it was doubtful even to them that Tackett was close by.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol was watching the roads and regional law enforcement monitored airports and bus stations.
It had only been a few hours but there was no trace of Tackett.
With Beau and Haley in route to Knoxville to the lab, Chet asked Marcus to join him on a visit to Sara Devlin in the hospital.
As Chet explained that Tackett was on the run, Marcus saw the fear in her eyes - fear that was compounded when Chet confirmed what she heard Smitty.
“I don't want you to worry Ms. Devlin. He's not coming back here. There are too many people looking for him. But, just to be safe, I'll keep a deputy here guarding you until we catch him,” Chet said.
She seemed relax a little.
“You're safe here. We will protect you,” Marcus said.
“Can you think of anywhere he might go, a place he would use to hide,” Chet asked.
“He had so many places that I didn't know about. He purposely kept them from me so I wouldn't be able to find him,” she said.
Chet looked over to Marcus who held up his hands as if to say, “I'm out of ideas.”
“Wait,” she said, looking surprised. “There is one place but I don't if he would go there. He has a hunting cabin at Shiloh Mountain. It's really remote and there's only an old dirt road leading to it - it's not even graveled. Bob told me once that it used to be a logging road. It takes a four-wheel drive vehicle to get back there,” she said.
“Can you give us directions?” Chet asked.
“I'll do my best,” she said.
***
Gene arrived to the front fence by golf cart. Waiting for him were Cyprus and Liam.
“Gentlemen, let's take a walk,” Gene said as they wordlessly followed him.
After they walked about forty yards, Gene turned to Cyprus.
“Well?” He asked.
“He's dead. I'll let Liam give you details,” Cyprus said with an uncharacteristic smile.
“He was at the cabin. We closed in and we were ready to make our move when he opened the door and collapsed,” Liam said.
“Suicide?” Gene asked.
“No sir. I'm no doctor but it looked like a heart attack. And we checked. He was dead. We even waited an hour to make sure. Rigor was setting up when we left,” Liam said.
Gene smiled.
“Seems ol' Bob had one more favor left for me,” he said.
***
Beau and Haley were on the way back from Knoxville, while he drove, he noticed her fighting sleep.
“Why don't you put the seat back and get in a quick nap?” He asked.
“If I do that I'll be up all night,” she said.
“Even a 10 minute nap?” He asked.
“I'm afraid so. I trained myself in college to take short naps and it carried over in the Army. So now, if I take one, no matter how small, I'm good for a few more hours,” Haley said.
Beau grinned.
“The Army taught me two things - eat and sleep when you can because you never know when you'll be without either for an extended time,” he said.
Beau looked at her. He could tell she was exhausted. But even tired, she was still radiant.
Haley looked at him with a half-smile.
“What?” She asked
“What do you mean 'what'?” He asked.
“Why were you looking at me like that?” Haley asked and again Beau responded with a question.
“Like what?” He asked innocently.
“Is there a piece of lettuce in my teeth? Is there something in my hair?” She asked.
“Well...,” he said slowly.
“What?” She asked.
“This is awkward,” Beau said with a worried look.
“Tell me,” Haley said in near exasperation.
“It's, uh,” Beau feigned embarrassment and said as he pointed to the opening of his right nostril, “I don't if it's attached.”
“Oh no,” she exclaimed as she slid down to check her reflection in the passenger side mirror as her face turned a deep red.
That's when she heard him howl in laughter. She knew she had been had.
She fired her left fist sharply into his right bicep. It felt like punching a stone.
“Jerk!” She said.
“I'm sorry, I couldn't resist,” he said still laughing.
Now wide awake with her adrenaline pumping from her humiliation - both real and imagined, she started to laugh too.
“And now I'll be up all night without the nap! Thanks a lot Beau!” Haley said.
“I am sorry, really, but it feels good to laugh after a day like this,” he said.
She realized he was right. She did feel somewhat better.
“You're right it does,” she paused. “So funny man, what were you really looking at?”
It was his turn to blush.
“I know you're tired...I just wondered how you could still look so good after such a hard day,” he said, looking from her and back to the road.
Haley's mouth dropped open for a couple seconds, unsure of how to respond.
She smiled softly.
“Thank you. That made up for your twisted little joke,” Haley said.
“Admit it, it was funny,” Beau said.
“Maybe a little,” she conceded.
He just nodded and chuckled.
The radio crackled.
“Sheriff to CI One,” Chet said.
“CI One, go ahead,” Beau answered.
“Switch to secure channel Delta,” Chet said.
“I'll get it,” Haley said as she switched the frequency.
“CI One, go ahead Sheriff,” Beau said.
“What's your 10-20?” Chet asked.
“About three miles from the county line,” Beau said.
“When you get to Wilson Gap, turn off on Shiloh Mountain Road. We'll be at Crowley's Store. And Beau, the sooner the better but no siren,” the sheriff said.
“10-4, on our way,” he said as he flipped on the blue lights which were mounted on the front of the Bronco.
“They've found Tackett,” Haley said.
“I hope so,” Beau said.
Fifteen minutes later, Beau pulled up next to Marcus' truck.
Chet, Marcus, and four deputies — including Brandie and Joe, who discovered Smitty's body - stood outside the truck. Beau and Haley stepped out and joined them.
Chet acknowledged them with a quick nod.
“We suspect Tackett is hiding in a cabin up near the river. There's an old logging road about two miles from here.” He looked at Deputies Frank Tidwell and Ron Belew. “I want you two to block the east end of the highway approaching that dirt road. And I want you two,” Chet said pointing to Brandie and Joe, “To block the west end of the highway. Nobody gets past you and nobody comes out of that holler but us. Understand?”
The deputies answered in the affirmative.
“Beau, I'll ride with you and we'll go in first. Marcus, you and Haley follow us in,” the sheriff said.
“Can I make a suggestion?” Beau asked.
“Go ahead,” Chet said.
“Why don't you let me get out and walk about a hundred yards from the cabin? I have night vision binoculars. I'll scout the area and see if he
's there and if he has any help,” Beau said.
“Sounds good. Remember, we want him alive if at all possible. Let's go,” Chet said as everyone moved to their vehicles. Beau and Haley actually bumped into each other. She grabbed his right arm.
“Be careful,” she said.
“You too,” he said with a furrowed brow as he moved toward his SUV.
The old logging road was as rough as advertised.
When Beau stopped, he hopped out and reached under the seat and pulled out his night vision binoculars and hung them from his neck. He also pulled out an M25 rifle.
“Just in case,” Beau said.
“I'll repeat what my niece said: Be careful,” Chet said.
“I'll let you know something soon,” Beau said as he took off up a ridge.
When he got to the top of the ridge, he saw the cabin. Dropping to one knee, he didn't see any lights or movement of any kind with the naked eye. Beau raised the glasses and scanned the area around the cabin. He saw what appeared to be a body near the front door. He picked up his handheld radio.
“Body down in front of the cabin. Move in, I have you covered,” Beau said.
The Bronco and the Dodge truck roared into the open area near the cabin. Beau watched through the scope of his rifle, scanning the cabin and the area around it.
Marcus and Haley moved out of the truck and moved methodically to the cabin with weapons ready. Chet opened the door of the SUV and aimed his pistol at the cabin. Marcus moved in quickly through the open door with Haley behind him. The lights inside the cabin came on and Beau heard each of them yell, “Clear!”
Chet moved out toward the garage. Marcus came out of the cabin and followed Chet, who entered the garage.
In seconds, the lights by the garage door were on.
“Come on down Beau,” Chet said over the radio.
Beau moved down the ridge. By the time he got to the cabin, Chet was checking the body.
“So much for bringing him back alive,” Chet said.
“I'll get my bag,” Beau said.
“I'll call it in. We can break the roadblock. I'll have EMS bring the M.E. up in the rescue squad ambulance. It's four-wheel drive,” Chet said as he walked with Beau to the SUV.
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