From my knees, I reached up and slowly, silently opened the door while they argued. I cracked it open and made eye contact with Jodi. She was tied but not gagged. She looked like hell.
I put my fingers over my lips. I whispered, “Turn around. I’ll untie your hands.”
The rope was fat, so it was easy. Her wrists were red and bloody. I felt a slight pang of pity for her. Then I pushed the door open just a little further so she could come out. But when I did, it made a squeak.
I froze. So did Jodi. She was halfway out the door, and there was no question that the rest of the people had heard the squeak.
“What the hell?” Butch said. His face suddenly appeared in the passenger window.
“Run!” I yelled. I grabbed Jodi’s hand, yanked her from the truck and ran with her towards the barn.
I could see Rex waving us towards him. I noticed another cop in the hay loft door above. He had shoved the barrel of a rifle out the doorway.
We got to the barn with Rex and Johnson covering us. No one dared shoot. Butch knew he’d go down instantly if he fired a shot at us. and Wayde and Scooter didn’t really care one way or another whether Jodi was free. They knew Butch’s bargaining chip was out of commission. I scrambled to the side wall, where I saw a broken board. I could see out of the little opening. Wayde grinned.
“All right, girls, now that your friend—”
“She’s not our friend!” Tannya yelled.
“Fine, whatever, now that she’s gone, you gotta hold up your end of the bargain. Load up that treasure.”
Miss Kitty and Val hesitated.
“NOW, or your friend here gets it!” Butch yelled, shoving the barrel of his gun into Tannya’s head.
Miss Kitty and Val moved toward the treasure while Wayde kept his gun pointed at the barn. Rex couldn’t do a whole lot without risking the lives of the somewhat-innocent parties.
The girls tossed the treasure bags into the backseat of the truck and glared at the wannabe pirates.
“Are you happy now?” Val asked. I thought I heard the catch of a sob in her voice.
“Yup,” said Wayde. “See you ladies never!”
“Scooter, face down on the ground! Drop the guns! Drop them now!” Rex said, slowly walking toward the men.
I wondered whether the girls were still in the line of fire, but I could see that Val and Miss Kitty had run and ducked down behind her car. Derek was still behind the Jeep, and Scooter was standing with his hands in the air.
Wayde and Butch both had their guns pointed at the barn. They were talking quietly to each other. Then suddenly Butch shoved Tannya hard to the ground. She crawled quickly away and hid behind the Jeep. I was so relieved.
Amid shots from Rex and Johnson, Butch got in the driver’s seat and started the engine. The officers managed to shoot out at least one of the tires, and glass shattered as they hit the driver’s side window and windshield. Wayde got in the passenger’s seat. Scooter jumped up and climbed in the back. As the truck drove away, Wayde shot out a tire on Miss Kitty’s car and my Jeep. Asshole.
As the truck sped away, despite at least one of their tires now being completely flat, Rex and Johnson and Derek kept firing. The back window shattered. They ran out of bullets as the truck squealed down the county road.
I could hear Rex on his shoulder CB calling dispatch. “You okay?” He asked Jodi and me. We both said yes. Then he and Johnson, who’d just jumped down the ladder from the hay loft, took off running to their squad cars parked behind the barn.
Rex sped away down the drive and took a left after them. I thought it was strange they headed back towards Nisswa and not the other way, towards the interstate.
Miss Kitty, Val, Tannya, and Derek started walking towards us. Jodi and I walked side-by-side. I looked over at Jodi, who was rubbing her wrists. Her face had changed. She wasn’t the evil bitch I was used to seeing. She was a scared, hurt, little girl. She was on the verge of tears.
My heart and head were pounding from the excitement. I felt bad for her. She’d been through a lot, and no one here liked her. I reached out and slung one arm around her. As soon as I touched her, she stopped in her tracks, turned her body towards me and wrapped herself around me. Ugh!
I let her. It was an awkward moment. I patted her on the back a couple times and then pulled away before she was ready. I’d had all I could take. The faces on Val, Tannya, Derek, and Miss Kitty as they approached were a mix of surprise, disapproval, and sympathy. Jodi wiped her face on her dirty shirt. Derek approached and came over and hugged me long and hard. I felt like sticking my tongue out at Jodi, but I didn’t.
“I told you to stay put,” he whispered in my ear.
“I know, but someone had to help her,” I said.
“You’re brave. Stupid, but brave,” he said. Then he kissed me. Tannya shoved him aside.
“I need a hug too!”
“Are you okay?” I asked her. “Were you scared?”
“Nah, I was fine. I’m pretty pissed, but I wasn’t scared.”
Derek stepped closer to Jodi. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
She nodded.
“Where did they keep you last night?” Derek asked her
“I’m not sure. A campground of some sort. There were cabins. We stayed in a cabin. He didn’t hurt me or anything, but I was scared. He fed me, but wouldn’t let me shower. And he handcuffed me at night so I couldn’t sneak out.”
“Do you know what his plans are now?” Derek asked her.
“No, he was talking to someone on the phone saying he was going to make the captain go down with the ship and steal the blood-treasure back.”
We all shook our heads.
“He was talking about a wife and kids, but it sounds like she left him a while ago for another man and took his daughter with her. He drinks a lot and was snorting crack last night.”
“So, someone out there knows his plan,” Derek pointed out.
Jodi nodded. “Whoever was on the phone.”
There was a moment of silence and then Tannya asked, “So, Jodi, what brought you to town?”
28
We all stared at Jodi waiting for her answer. She just stared at the ground, the tears rolling down her cheeks. I was torn between high-fiving Tannya, giving Jodi the middle finger, and walking away. I kicked my evil twin in the ribs and walked away.
Derek got out his cell phone and patched through to the Nisswa police department.
An hour later the tow truck finally arrived and changed out both of our tires and we were on our way. Unlike Butch, I didn’t want to ruin my wheel. I brought Tannya back to Morning Glory and her car, and then stopped by Jodi’s car and dropped her off.
“You need to go to the police station in town. They’re going to need a statement from you,” Derek told her.
She nodded. “Where is it?”
Derek gave her directions. Surprisingly, she still had her car keys in her pocket. She stepped out and went to Derek’s window. I looked over at her. “Sara,” she started. “I’m … sorry …” tears fell down her cheeks again and she stepped away. She turned back again. “I’m sorry, Derek.” She didn’t look up from the ground when she said it. He didn’t say anything back to her.
I didn’t acknowledge her either. I stared straight ahead. Then I put the Jeep in drive and drove off. Derek reached over and patted my leg. “You’re a good person,” he told me.
I shook my head. “No I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
I let out a sigh. “I just never want to see her again, Derek. Do you understand?” I glanced at him. “I can’t deal with her anymore.”
“I know.” He paused and looked out the window. “I don’t think you will after this.”
I turned my eyes to my rearview mirror. Miss Kitty and Tannya were following behind me. I could see they were stopped next to Jodi’s car. Tannya was saying something to her, and it looked like Jodi had just noticed the cannonball and smashed window.
We drove tow
ards my house in silence. Right before I turned into my driveway, my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID. Rex.
“Hello?”
“Where are your pontoon keys?” he asked urgently.
“Ummm, in the house I think. Why?” I asked.
“I need to get out to the ship! Where in the house?”
“I’m pulling in now. I’ll look.”
“I’m in your house,” he said quickly.
“Oh, look in my jacket hanging there. They might be in the pocket,” I told him as I pulled in. His squad car was parked by the house, lights still on. Johnson’s was next to him. Miss Kitty pulled in behind me, and then Tannya did the same.
“I’m here,” I said and hung up.
“Rex needs the pontoon,” I told Derek as we exited.
Rex came tearing past us to the pontoon. “It doesn’t go very fast!” I yelled at his back. “The cannon slows it way down.”
“Derek, Johnson, girls, come on!” he yelled and waved to follow him.
We ran after him without question. “I have to get out to the ship! Help me get the cannon off!”
We all jogged over there. Johnson, who was mid-thirties and built strong, tall and lean, got there right after Rex. “Johnson and Derek, grab the back. Tannya and Sara, come grab the front,” Rex ordered.
Val and Miss Kitty moved the broken junk off the dock to clear a path. “We have to move it to land. It’ll be too heavy for my dock,” I told them.
On three we all lifted and moved the cannon to shore. It was really heavy. We were all panting and red-faced. Good thing Miss Kitty ordered the small one!
“Derek,” Rex said, shoving the key into the ignition, “County will be here with a boat soon. Will you show them the landing and help them out?”
“Sure thing.” Derek untied the pontoon and gave it a shove.
Johnson jumped on board and sat in the front. “Thanks, Sara,” he said and the two officers pulled away.
I looked to the ship. It was even more tilted now, though still far from sinking.
“What’s going on now?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Derek said. “The truck the boys were in is parked at Wayde’s, though, and the rowboat is back at the ship.”
They’d had at least a half-hour head start by this point. They must have gone back to the ship after they sped away.
“Why would they go back to the ship?” I asked.
“They’re like sitting ducks out there,” Val said. “They have no way to escape.”
“Let’s go in and watch from the window,” I suggested. The sky was blue and the sun had a few hours of light left but it was still a bit chilly.
Once inside, we all slipped our shoes off and rushed to the patio door. I pulled open the blinds. Derek and Miss Kitty grabbed the two pairs of binoculars from the table and looked out. I could see Rex and Johnson getting close in the pontoon. They pulled up to the ladder and looked like they we tying the pontoon up.
Johnson drew his gun and aimed up at the ship’s upper deck while Rex climbed up. Once there, he pulled a gun and pointed it across the boat. Johnson started up the ladder.
On deck in the far corner, which we could see now that the ship was tipped towards us, were the three men.
“What the hell?” Derek asked quietly.
“Oh, my God!” Miss Kitty said.
“What?”
“Tell us!”
“Let me see.” Tannya, Val and I were all eager to see. It was hard to make out what exactly was going on without the aid of binoculars.
“It looks like Butch has Wayde and Scooter tied up?” Derek said, adjusting the focus.
“Really?” Tannya said and covered her mouth. She hugged Val. “Why?”
“Rex and Johnson are on deck now!” Miss Kitty informed us. “They both have their guns drawn and are talking to Butch.”
“This is not good,” Derek said. “They’re tied up together, back to back in folding chairs, and there’s a gas can lying on its side nearby.”
“Doesn’t Scooter’s shirt and pant leg look wet?” Miss Kitty asked. “Is that gas or blood?”
My heart was racing and I could see Tannya tearing up. Val still had one arm around Tannya. Val covered her mouth with her free hand.
“I can’t tell,” Derek said. “Damn it, where’s County with the back-up and the boat?”
I went to the living room and pulled the curtains back. I didn’t see anyone yet.
“Sara, call 911 and tell them to patch you through to Nisswa dispatch. Tell them what we see,” Derek said. I pulled my phone out and dialed. I watched him as he handed the binoculars to me and pulled his gun out of his pants. As he walked to the bedroom, he dropped the empty clip out of it into his hand.
Dispatch answered, and I told them what I saw. The dispatcher put me on hold but told me not to hang up. Derek came back out with his hands busy behind him. He was putting the gun back in his pants. He must have reloaded.
I pointed to the window. “Here comes County with the boat. Derek ran outside. He was waving them to the dock area. I watched while I was on hold as they launched the boat. They left the trailer in the water and took off. Derek stayed on shore, and I was grateful for that.
“It’s getting bad. They look panicky!” Miss Kitty said.
I went over to the window and watched. I had the binoculars in one hand and the phone in the other. Dispatch came back on and said, “County should be there. Do you see them?”
“Yes, they’re here. The boat’s in, and they’re headed to the ship.”
“Oh, fuck!” Miss Kitty said.
On the deck I could see Butch with something small in his hand, which he held out. Rex and Johnson were both yelling and still aiming their guns. Derek came back through the door.
County had a small boat with a big motor, so it took them seconds to get to the ship. The two county officers were pulled up by the pontoon. It looked like they were tying up to it.
“He’s got a lighter!” Miss Kitty said panicked.
“Oh, God,” I said under my breath. I spoke to dispatch, “Butch has a lighter, and we’re pretty sure he’s dumped gas on two guys and the boat.”
“He’s crazy!” Miss Kitty said.
“I can’t look,” Val said and walked into the living room. Tannya followed her.
“Shiiit! I’m mad at him but I don’t want him hurt!” Tannya cried. She sat down by Aunt Val and leaned her head on her shoulder. The tension was incredible. My breathing and heartrate were up like I’d just gone for a run. I looked with sympathy at Val and Tannya.
“Oh, God,” Derek said. The way he said it gave me the chills. “Hurry, shoot him! WHY DON’T THEY SHOOT HIM?” Derek screamed at the window in frustration. “Fucking redneck cops! Just shoot the bastard!”
“HOLY FUUUCK!” Miss Kitty screamed. Pepper stood up and barked.
Something caught my eye at that same moment. I looked out the glass door. There were huge flames on deck. The ship was a blaze of orange!
29
My breath was completely sucked from my body. My shoulders sank with the weight of what I’d just witnessed.
“Oh, my God, send more help! He burned them!” I screamed into the phone. Then I set it on the table. I didn’t hang up, but I didn’t know what to do! I was panicking.
“Fuck!” Derek yelled and snatched the binoculars from my hand. I wasn’t using them anyway.
“I think Rex fired! I think Butch was hit! Where the hell is he?” Miss Kitty asked with a shaky voice.
Tannya and Val stood up, side by side, and stared at me with big bulging eyes. They both had their hands over their mouths, shaking their heads in disbelief. I ran over to them and tried to wrap my arms around them, but Tannya melted to the ground and started bawling and Aunt Val pulled back.
“No,” she said sternly. “No.” She marched to the window and grabbed the binoculars from Miss Kitty’s hands. Derek stepped in front of her view and fought the binoculars out of her grip.
&
nbsp; “I’m sorry,” he said and hugged her. He pulled her towards the living room and sat her on the couch.
I looked out to the ship and saw someone from County throwing a fire extinguisher up to Rex, who was leaning over the edge.
“Fuck, I wish I could do something!” Derek said angrily. I saw County digging around in my pontoon. I had a large fire extinguisher in the storage under the steering wheel. I watched as they found it and threw it up to Johnson. Rex was spraying the area, and Johnson joined him. The flames were getting smaller, and I could see Scooter and Wayde. They were hunched over in the chairs and very still. The smoke was swirling around them.
I looked over to the left and noticed Butch in the water swimming towards Wayde’s house. “Derek, look!” I pointed. The county officers seemed concerned with the ship. One of them was racing up the ladder with a big first-aid bag strapped on his back. The other was standing on my pontoon talking into his CB. “Go get him!” I said to Derek.
Derek looked through the binoculars and found Butch in the water. “He’s swimming back to the truck!” he said, handing me the binoculars. He kissed me quickly on the cheek, grabbed my phone and keys from the table and ran out the door.
“I can’t believe he did that!” Miss Kitty cried with her hand on her chest. “Do you think they’re okay?”
“I don’t know,” I answered quietly. “I don’t know.”
I stood and watched in horror. I felt so helpless. I had no way to get there and help. There was nothing I could do. It was the most horrible feeling. Miss Kitty and I again turned to the window. Side by side, we watched the red and orange flames. I heard sirens in the distance. I went to the living room window and looked. An ambulance and a fire truck were coming into my driveway.
I threw on my coat and ran out there. The ambulance driver rolled down the window and I ran over to him. “They’re on the ship,” I said, pointing in that direction. “The only two boats are out there. There are two burn victims. I’m not sure if they’re still alive or not,” I told him. “It was a big fire. I think Butch poured gas on them,” I said shaking my head.
He radioed dispatch and told them to have the county boat come and pick them up. A minute later the boat started and buzzed over. The fire truck pulled up nice and close. The lights were flashing on all the emergency vehicles in my yard, giving it an eerie feeling.
Destroyed and Detained : Sara Martin Series Page 24