by Patricia Fry
Craig felt a surge of energy. “I think he’s got Savannah’s scent. She must have been here.”
At the same time, one of the officers said, “Look what we have here.” He motioned toward a pair of hobbles and a kerchief with a knot tied in it.
“Good God!” Craig exclaimed. “Put those things in an evidence bag, will you?” When he looked back at the cat, he saw him reaching under the cot. Craig leaned over to take a look just as Rags popped out with a piece of jewelry in his mouth. Craig shook his head, saying, “Leave it to you to find a trinket.” When Rags dropped it, Craig picked it up and examined it. He looked at the officers and said, his voice filled with emotion, “It’s Savannah’s. Her husband gave it to her for a birthday. I remember it because the inscription has a mistake.” He held it out. “See, instead of saying ‘Together Forever,’ it says, ‘Together Forver.’”
“So I wonder where he took them,” one officer muttered.
Craig pocketed the bracelet, picked up the cat, and walked quickly toward the front door. He called out, “Let’s follow those tracks.” He then instructed, “Devlin, you ride with me.”
After they’d driven about five miles, Devlin pointed. “There’s a white van.”
Craig stopped the car a distance away and scrutinized the area. Upon seeing no one, he turned off the engine and prepared to exit the car. “I’m going in. Cover me, will you?”
“What about the cat?” Devlin asked.
“We’ll leave him here for now. Go around to the left; I’m going in the front.”
“Sure, Sledge.”
By the time Craig approached the door, things had become tense inside again. In a struggle to put the cuffs on the man, Savannah had been knocked to the floor. The man had quickly scrambled to his feet, retrieved a small gun from his pocket, and ordered Rochelle to drop the saucepan. He held the gun on the two women and snarled, “You thought you could get away from me, did you?” When Savannah stood up and began backing toward the kitchen sink, the man walked closer. He aimed the gun at her head, and said, his voice strained by rage, “That’s not going to happen again.”
“No, it’s not,” Craig said from behind him.
The man turned and pointed his gun at Craig, who was pointing his gun at the man.
“Drop it!” the man shouted. When he saw Craig take aim, he grabbed Rochelle, wrapped one arm around her neck, aimed the gun at her head, and said, “Drop it, or…”
Craig looked around the room and realized he had no choice. Begrudgingly, he let his handgun drop. Crap, he thought. Now what?
Meanwhile, the man considered his options and made what seemed to be a snap decision. He let go of Rochelle, quickly scooped up Craig’s gun, and ran out through the front door.
Craig ran after him. When he reached the porch he saw the man disappear into a stand of trees, and he continued on foot, calling out for the other officers, who quickly joined him in the pursuit.
After scouring the property and the surrounding area, the men gave up their foot pursuit and returned to the house to regroup.
“Did you get him?” Savannah shrieked when Craig and two officers stepped up onto the porch.
Craig shook his head. He stared at her for a moment, then studied Rochelle and glanced at LauraLee. “Are you ladies okay?”
“Yeah,” Savannah said. “I suppose.” She was close to tears when she asked again, “You didn’t catch him?”
Craig took a deep breath. “No, but we will,” he promised. “You can count on it.” He asked, “Did he bring you here?”
Rochelle shook her head. “No. How did you find us?”
“We know who he is, where he’s been staying, and what he’s driving. And thanks to that little sprinkle we had earlier, he left a pretty good track to follow.” He looked at the two women. “How’d you get here?”
Savannah grinned sheepishly. “We escaped this morning when he left.”
“Sprinkle?” Rochelle asked. “It rained?”
Savannah thought for a moment, then said, “So that was rain that we felt. I guess those trees acted as a pretty good umbrella.”
“Actually,” Rochelle said, “I thought squirrels and birds were peeing on us.”
There was strained laughter, then LauraLee walked quickly into the kitchen. “I was about to feed them.” She filled a glass with water for Rochelle and refilled Savannah’s, then suggested to her, “You go use the facility—get cleaned up. You’ll feel better.”
“Thank you,” Savannah said. She took a gulp of the water, put the glass down, and walked toward the bathroom.
By the time Savannah returned, LauraLee had placed two bowls of beans on the table. Rochelle had already started eating hers.
“Can I get you a bowl, Mr…”
“Oh, this is our friend, Craig Sledge,” Savannah said. “Detective Craig Sledge.” She looked at him and asked, “What are you doing here, anyway? This isn’t your jurisdiction.”
He shrugged. “I go where my people are in trouble.” He looked at LauraLee. “No, I’m not hungry, but thank you for offering. Just take care of the ladies.”
LauraLee nodded.
“Didn’t he feed you?” Craig asked, surprised. “You’ve been gone for darn-near twenty-four hours.” He looked at Rochelle, “You, longer than that, I imagine.”
“Yes,” Rochelle said. “I was almost beyond hungry—you know, to the point where your body stops sending those hunger signals.” She lowered her head and prepared to take another bite. “That’s a scary place to be.”
“I imagine,” Craig said, patting her back. He squeezed Savannah’s shoulder. “So good to see you both.”
“You too, Craig,” Savannah said, choking up. She took a bite, then asked, “How are Michael and the kids? And Mom?”
“All good. Just worried sick about you.”
“Who is that guy, anyway, do you know? Why did he take us?” Savannah asked, between spoonfuls.
“Well, I don’t have the whole story, but I do know that he’s Cheryl’s brother.”
“What?” Savannah said. “Rob’s Cheryl? Her brother? Why would he…I don’t understand.”
When they heard the backdoor open, everyone jumped and looked in that direction. Craig took a defensive stance with a second gun he carried.
“What’s goin’ on?” Jeb asked as he walked into the kitchen. He looked at LauraLee. “Who’re all these people?”
When no one else spoke, LauraLee said, “These gals were abducted by some madman. He came here looking for them and…” She broke down. “He had a big knife and a gun.”
When she seemed unable to finish, Savannah said, “This is our friend, Detective Craig Sledge. The creep took his gun and ran off. They can’t find him.”
Jeb stood quietly. He stared at Craig, then at Savannah and Rochelle, then looked at his wife. “Yer funnin’ me, aren’t ya? All that didn’t happen. I was right out there in the barn milkin’ the goat.” He thought for a moment and scratched his head. “Come to think of it, Monster was kinda upset about somethin’.” He looked out the window. “So where is the guy? Did ya lose him? Who was he?”
“He’s evidently Albert Rowe’s nephew,” LauraLee explained.
“Tell me,” Craig said, “where would someone go around here if he wanted to hide out for a while until maybe dark?”
Jeb frowned. He looked Craig in the eyes, rubbed his chin, and said, “Well, I guess I’d head for the cave up yonder. Yeah, that’s where I’d go if I knew the area and figured city slickers like you-all wouldn’t.”
“So you think he knows the area?” Craig asked.
Jeb shrugged and looked at LauraLee. “Well, I do recall Albert entertainin’ kids at his place years ago when we was all younger, you know. So it ain’t out of the question that a nephew of Albert’s would know about the cave.”
Craig moved closer to Jeb. “Tell me about the cave.”
“It’s a mile past the cattle guard up the road there. You’ll see thick brush to the right. It’s up in t
hat area, from what I hear. Our kids used ta go there. I never went up there myself.” He then said, “Hey, Monster, that’s our dog, he’s a great tracker, for game, anyhow. Want to take him? He might help you flush that varmint out.”
Craig thought about it, then said, “Naw, I have my own tracker with me.” He grinned at Savannah. “He’s a tracking cat.”
She took another spoonful of the beans, then sat up straight and looked at Craig. “What? You have Rags with you?”
“Who’s Rags?” LauraLee asked.
“My cat,” she said. She looked at Craig again. “He’s with you?”
“Out in the car,” Craig said. “Oh, and he found this.” He reached into his pocket and handed Savannah the broken bracelet.
“Ohhh,” she said. “I wondered where it went. I guess the ropes put too much stress on the chain and it broke.” She hugged it to her. “Thank you, Craig.”
He nodded and asked her, “Okay if I take your cat up there to flush that guy out?”
“He has guns, Craig.”
“Yeah, but so do I. I always carry a backup weapon. Okay?” he asked Savannah.
She let out a sigh. “I suppose.” She grabbed his hand before he could walk away. “Be careful, will you? And take good care of my sweet little guy.”
Craig let out a guffaw and repeated, “Sweet little guy, huh?” He started to leave, then turned back and looked at Rochelle. “We think he might have been responsible for bringing a major clue to our attention.”
“What?” the women asked.
“Your shoe, Rochelle. A turquoise shoe. We’re pretty sure it came from inside that van out there.”
Rochelle raised her eyebrows. “That’s right. I was in the back of a van for a very long time and when he pulled me out of there, I no longer had my shoes.” She choked up when saying, “I guess I lost them during the struggle.”
Craig stared at her for a moment, then took a breath and said, “Gotta go catch up with that creep. You gals wait here. Lock the place up and keep the dog with you.” He addressed Jeb. “Do you have a shotgun around here?”
“Sure do,” the man said. “I’ll git old Bertha ready for some action, just in case the dimwit doubles back.” Jeb watched Craig and the officers drive off, then he quipped, “I thought it’d be another ordinary day here on the Ponderosa.”
Savannah rose from her chair and approached LauraLee. “Are you okay?” she asked gently.
“Yeah,” she said. “Just a little shaken is all.”
“I’m sure sorry about all this,” Savannah said. “We didn’t mean to bring you any trouble.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “And maybe, just maybe, what happened here just now—you finding our place and all—saved your life.”
Rochelle stood up and hugged LauraLee. “I’m convinced that it did, and I’m so grateful to you for taking us in and protecting us.”
“And feeding us,” Savannah added.
LauraLee dabbed at her eyes, then asked, “What now?”
Savannah checked to make sure the doors were locked. “I guess we wait.”
More than an hour and a half later, Savannah ran to the front window. “I think I hear a car.”
LauraLee chuckled. “Yeah, we get a car past here every once in a while.” She urged, “Come on, sit down and relax. You’ll wear yourself out.” She stood. “Hey, I have some homemade cookies in the freezer. I can thaw them in the microwave. Want one?”
“What kind?” Jeb asked, his eyes lighting up. “Those chocolate, peanut butter, coconut cookies?”
LauraLee nodded.
“Oh, they sound decadent,” Savannah said. “Sure, I’d love one.”
“Got tea?” Rochelle asked. When LauraLee looked at her, she explained, “To dunk them in.”
LauraLee smiled. “Ahhh, a dunker, huh? Our son’s a dunker. He loves soggy cookies and breads.”
“My kind of guy,” Rochelle quipped. She stood up. “Can I help you?” Before LauraLee could respond, Rochelle looked out the window and announced, “You were right, Savannah, it’s the detective.” She grinned. “And your cat.”
“Oh good,” Savannah cheered. “He’s okay.” She started to join Rochelle at the window, then shrank back. “Is that awful man with them?”
“I don’t see him.”
Savannah rushed to the front door and unlocked it. “Craig,” she said excitedly, “did you…is he…” She spoke more softly. “Are we safe?”
He stepped inside the house with Rags on his leash and gave her a one-armed hug. “You’re safe.” He announced into the room, “You can all rest easy.”
Savannah visibly relaxed, then picked up Rags and snuggled with him until he squirmed to get down.
“No need for Bertha, then, huh?” Jeb asked, patting his shotgun.
Craig chuckled and shook his head. “No need for Bertha.”
“So what happened?” LauraLee asked from the kitchen. “Was that guy hiding in the cave?” When Rags walked toward her, she leaned over and petted him. “Hi kitty-cat. Aren’t you handsome?” She stood up and clapped her hands together. “Detective, we were just going to have tea and cookies; can I interest you in some?”
Before Craig could respond to LauraLee’s offer, Savannah asked, “Craig, can I use your phone?” She faced LauraLee. “Can you get service up here?”
“Not here,” she said. “That’s why we’ve never invested in cell phones.”
When he noticed Savannah’s disappointment, Craig patted her shoulder. “I called Michael from up the road. Peter’s with him, and so’s Rob. They know you’re safe. Everyone’s elated.”
“Mom?” Savannah said weakly.
“She’s there too.” He cleared his throat. “The only one who isn’t happy this afternoon is Cheryl.” Before the others could respond, he added, “Although she might actually be a little relieved.”
Savannah furrowed her brow. “Oh yes, you said that guy is her brother. But why…?” she started.
“So,” LauraLee asked from the kitchen, “how many cookies shall I thaw out? I have the tea water boiling.”
Jeb joined his wife in the kitchen, grabbed a handful of the cookies from the container and left the house with the dog, muttering, “I don’t have time for them to thaw. Monster and I’ll eat ours now.”
Craig and the two women exchanged looks, then Savannah said, “I can eat two.”
“Three for me, if you have enough,” Craig said.
Rochelle asked, “How big are they?” When LauraLee showed her the size with her fingers, Rochelle said, “One would be nice. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Savannah removed Rags’s harness and picked him up again, then sat down with him in an overstuffed chair. “So did Rags help with the capture this afternoon?” she asked.
“He sure did,” Craig said. He started to ease down onto the sofa when LauraLee suggested they sit around the kitchen table. He waited until Savannah and Rochelle were seated and he sat across from them. When he saw the others looking at him, he glanced at Rags, who was lapping up water from Monster’s bowl, and he said, “We had a bit of a hike to the cave. Rags actually found it. I took one officer up with me and the two of us were kind of going in circles until Rags showed us where we were going wrong. I knew we were close when Rags began pulling harder and harder on the leash. He wanted a piece of that guy. I mean, he was eager.” Craig laughed. “He reminds me of the drug-sniffing dogs I’ve watched train. They’re over-the-top excited when they begin to get a whiff of something.”
Craig thanked LauraLee for the tea she placed in front of him and he took a cookie from the platter. “Ohhh, still warm,” he said, smiling.
“So did Rags flush him out, or what?” Rochelle asked.
Craig winked at her. “You might say that.”
“What happened?” Savannah asked.
“Well, when I became aware of Rags’s behavior, I was pretty sure he was on point with that guy, so I followed him as quietly as I could until I saw what appeared to be an o
pening to a cave. It was all I could do to keep Rags still so he wouldn’t alert the guy of our presence. We didn’t need any brush rustling or anything like that. I wanted to go in all quiet-like and catch him off guard. And that’s pretty much what happened.” He chuckled and looked across the room at Rags as the cat explored underneath a corner table. When Craig noticed everyone waiting to hear more, he said, “So we see the guy—he’s outside the cave opening with his pants down.”
“What?” Savannah shrieked.
“Yeah, he was relieving himself, and I could see that he’d laid my gun and his on a rock just outside the cave. His back was to us, so I had Officer Devlin sneak in behind him and take the weapons, then I moved forward with Rags. When he saw us, he picked up his pants and hot-footed it back into the cave. I could tell that Rags was dying to tangle with him, so I let the cat go. When I caught up to him, the guy was lying face down on the ground, his pants around his ankles and holding his derriere, which had a couple of bleeding claw marks.”
“Oh, my gosh, what a cat!” LauraLee said. “You ought to write a book about him.”
Craig, Savannah, and Rochelle laughed. “She already has,” Rochelle said.
LauraLee looked at Savannah. “You have?”
Savannah smiled. “The cookies are delicious. Thank you.” She looked at Craig pleadingly. “Can we go home now?”
“Yes,” Rochelle said. “As much as I appreciate your warm hospitality, LauraLee, I’m sure eager to see my hubby.”
LauraLee stood up. “I understand, honey.” She hugged Rochelle. “I’m awfully glad you stopped in. It was wonderful meeting all of you.” She hugged Savannah. “Please stay in touch, will you?” Then, appearing a little embarrassed, she said, “I’d love to be counted among your friends.”
“How sweet,” Savannah said, embracing her. She looked into LauraLee’s face. “Thank you so much for helping us out.”
“Yes,” Rochelle said. “You’re an angel.” She looked toward the backdoor where Jeb had gone earlier. “And tell Jeb and Monster we appreciate them too.” She looked at Savannah. “We couldn’t have landed in better arms.”