by Karen Ward
"Eric, where did you get these posters? Take them down this instant!"
Rebelliously Eric yells, "No, I won't! Barry is my hero! You said I could decorate my room any way I want and this is what I want. Just because you don't like him anymore, doesn't mean I don't!"
I am completely shocked by his attitude. Eric has never talked back to me and I don't understand why he would start now. I wisely decide to let the matter slide for now. After a few weeks I will approach the subject again. I'll just have to make a point of staying out of Eric's room. I can't bear to look at Barry's smiling face. It hurts too much.
Mark and Patrician Brentwood, sitting at the kitchen table hear the confrontation between mother and son. Mark looks at Patricia and shakes his head. Patricia nods in agreement. Both of them think Melanie is missing Barry Farrady much more than she will admit.
******
Benjamin Roland leans back in his expensive leather chair and stares out the corner windows of his law office overlooking Puget Sound. He throws the newspaper he was reading to the floor. Well, damn, that militia group that his former client, Darren Calloway founded has been decimated by the government. He had been counting on them to find and secure Eric Calloway for him.
Since he wrote Darren Calloway's will he knows the land in Idaho and all of those glorious millions now belong to his nine year old son. He has always wanted a son and adopting one that is heir to millions of dollars is just what he needs to pay off his gambling debts. He had planned to let that idiot Steve Simpson get the boy back and then he was going to fake the adoption to Simpson and claim the boy as his own. Obviously, the bumbling idiot failed.
Now he is going to have to find and secure the boy himself. Well, it shouldn't be a problem. He's got enough connections to the seedier side of life to get it done without dirtying his hands.
It takes his private investigator almost five weeks to locate Melanie Brentwood at the residence of her parents in Seattle. Now all he has to do is get some of the other militia guys to kidnap them for him. He will promise them the title to the land in Idaho free and clear. He doesn't care anything about it anyway. That ought to be tempting enough to get them to cooperate.
******
Mark Brentwood is awakened around midnight by the blood curdling scream coming from his daughter's bedroom. Jumping out of bed he steps out into the hall and sees Melanie being dragged toward the back door by an armed man. He starts to run after them when he is struck in the head from behind and falls to the floor. Patricia Brentwood drops to the floor next to her husband sobbing.
The next time Mark wakes he feels the movement of the vehicle before he opens his eyes. His head is pounding and his vision is blurred. He is lying in the back of what looks like an armored truck. Patricia is sitting beside him crying. Melanie and Eric are sitting against the wall of the truck staring at him. They are all still dressed in their pajamas with no shoes. He mumbles, "Where are we?"
I reply dejectedly, "We have been kidnapped by five members of the militia. I imagine they are taking us back to Idaho so Eric can sign the deed to the compound."
"How long have I been out? What time is it?" Mark asks trying to get his bearings.
Patricia, thankful that Mark is alive and finally awake, answers, "It should be nearly dawn. We have been driving for several hours."
He slowly sits up and feels the knot on the back of his head. "Damn! What did they hit me with, a sledge hammer?"
Patricia, her heart pounding with fear, says, "It was a really big gun of some kind. I was so scared you were dead. Oh Mark, what are we going to do?"
Eric calmly says, "Barry will come and save us. I know him and Scoot and the other guys will come. We just have to be patient."
I respond, "Oh Baby, Barry doesn't have any way of knowing we're in trouble. I know he would come if he did, but he doesn't know."
Eric confidently says, "He'll come. I know he will."
"Can we do anything to get away?" asks Mark.
"Dad, these men will not hesitate to kill us. The best thing we can do is be patient and hope someone comes to help us. We just need to concentrate on surviving, not escaping," I answer drawing on my years of experience in dealing with the members of the militia.
I am not afraid. I am mad because Eric and I were supposed to be safe. Scoot said the FBI and ATF arrested all of the members of Darren's group, so who are these men? I don't remember ever seeing any of them at the compound in Idaho. I need to ask Eric. He is better at remembering faces.
"Eric, do you remember any of these men from the compound in Idaho?"
Eric shakes his head, "No, I don't think so. They could have been at the compound when I was younger, but they haven't been around in the last few years. I am sure of that."
Well, that's certainly confusing. If they weren't at the compound, then who are they? I am also worried. What is going to happen to all of us once Eric signs the deed? What if they think Eric has already received that money Scoot said he will inherit? Do we even have a small chance of surviving after he signs the deed and they find out Eric doesn't have the money yet? Oh God, please help us! Barry, if you care, please hear me! We are in trouble! Please help us!
******
Six weeks have passed since Melanie and Eric left the ranch and Barry is going stir crazy. He called his agent yesterday and is expecting some scripts for his review to be delivered this afternoon. Maybe if he joins the rat race that is the movie business again for a little while it will help him to deal with the overwhelming sadness he has been feeling since they left. His agent is ecstatic that he is considering making another movie. Barry shakes his head. These Hollywood types, they just don't ever give up.
Not too long after Melanie left, Scoot and the other members of the Drake Security team were called out of state for a new assignment. He is not expecting them back for several more weeks. The guys are now living and have their office over the barn here on the Rock Springs Ranch which will be great when they are here. Barry is frustrated because he can't even go with them on assignment because he is too recognizable. Damn the Paparazzi!
His Mom and Bob Kenner's relationship is in full bloom. Barry expects wedding bells in the not too distant future. He is thrilled for his Mom. She has been alone far too long and deserves the happiness she has found with Bob. This big house on the ranch will sure be lonesome if they decide to live at the Rocking J Ranch.
******
When the armored truck rolls to a stop my heart skips a beat. Oh God, what is going to happen to us? Will we survive long enough for someone to find us or to even realize we have been kidnapped? Please God, help us!
Mark Brentwood's heart is pounding heavily. He feels responsible for the predicament his family is in. What can he do to get them all out safely? Melanie knows these people much better than he does. She is probably right when she told him to be patient and pray that someone will come. But what if no one comes? What if these men kill his whole family? Oh God, please, help us!
Eric is sitting calmly at his mother's side. He knows in his heart that Barry and the other guys will come. They just have to be patient. Please Barry, help us!
The men that took them from their home in Seattle now force them out of the truck and into a mine shaft at gun point. Then they tie their hands and feet. It is much colder here in the mountains than it was in Seattle and none of them have on clothes. Their thin pajamas are no protection against the cold so they huddle as close together as they can against the wall of the mine.
Two other men are inside the mine. Eric remembers them from when they lived at the compound. What are their names? Winters and Diggs, yeah that's it. They were always together at the compound. He wonders why they are here and why they are tied up.
Eric remembers this mine from when they were at the compound too. He and the other boys used to play in here. He also remembers telling Barry about it. Please Barry, help us!
******
After reviewing the scripts sent to him by his agent Barry has
decided on one that will take him to Cozumel, Mexico. He thinks Mexico should be a good place to spend the winter. He'll call his agent tomorrow.
He is sitting at the desk in his study reading the script and making notes in the margins when his cell phone rings. He checks the caller ID and sees Scoot's name. His heart rate immediately speeds up.
"Farrady" he answers.
"Farrie, it's Scoot. We may have a problem."
"What's up Scoot?" asks Barry, his heart pounding with dread.
"You know the two undercover agents that escaped the compound in Idaho, they have disappeared. Their handlers haven't heard from them in several days. When was the last time you talked to Melanie?"
"I haven't talked to her at all since she left the ranch. I figured she needed the time to reconnect with her family. Are you saying you think Melanie and Eric may be in danger?" asks Barry, fear flowing through his veins.
"I don't know. I think it's possible. See if you can get in touch with her then call me back. Don't say anything to alarm her yet. I'll see what I can find out from this end. We'll compare notes after you talk to her," replies Scoot.
Barry's heart is pounding with dread and he breaks into a cold sweat. What if Melanie is in danger? He dials the number for her parent's home in Seattle. The phone rings and rings, no answer. He tries the cell phone number he had gotten for her when she was at the ranch. Again, no one answers. He tries Mark Brentwood's cell phone. No answer on it either. Oh, God, what if they have already gotten to them? He dials Scoot's number.
"Scoot here,"
"No answer. I tried the house, Melanie's cell and Mark Brentwood's cell. Do you think something might have already happened?" Barry asks trying his best to remain calm. His heart is pounding with fear.
"I don't know. I have a contact in Seattle. I'll have him go by and check on the house. I'll call you back," says Scoot.
Barry hates this! He hates not being able to be part of the team. This movie star business is for the damn birds! Maybe he can have plastic surgery or something to alter his looks and maybe even stage his death. He's going to have to seriously think about it. One thing is for sure, he's not going to Mexico to film any damn movie! He flings the script to the floor and begins pacing back and forth across the study.
Two hours pass before Scoot calls back, "The news isn't good Farrie, my guy found signs of a struggle. At least he didn't find any bodies at the house. I have the guys checking all of the militia websites now looking for clues. I'll call you as soon as I know anything."
His heart pounding, Barry suggests, "Scoot, send someone up to the original compound. They could have reconstituted it thinking no one would look in that area."
"Good idea Farrie. I knew we kept you around for something besides those bedroom eyes of yours," Scoot laughs.
"I'm going to move the helicopter closer in case we need it. Bud and I'll take it to Boise and wait for instructions. My gut is telling me they are somewhere in the same general area as the original compound," adds Barry.
"I'll notify the ATF to make arrangements for your arrival. Keep the faith Farrie, we're all with you on this," encourages Scoot.
As soon as Barry hangs up with Scoot, he dials Jacob Murray's phone and explains the situation to him. Bob Kenner agrees to come and stay at Barry's ranch with Virginia.
******
It's been over twenty four hours since we were kidnapped. I wonder why these men haven't forced Eric to sign the deed yet. They must be waiting on someone else to arrive. I pray whoever it is, never makes it.
I remember Eric and the other little boys at the compound talking about playing in this mine. It must not be too far from the compound. I hope Barry, Scoot, and the guys will be able to find us, that is, if they are even looking. Oh God, please help us!
******
Eric is calmly waiting for his heroes to arrive. He knows they are coming. He remembers telling Barry about this old mine and he knows Barry won't forget. He wishes his Mom and his grandparents would believe him. He has tried to tell them they are coming but they don't act like they believe him. Those other two guys don't believe him either. They keep talking about trying to escape. They must be stupid to want to take on five armed men. Eric doesn't believe they will be able to escape. He is sure the armed men will kill them. It is better for them to be patient.
Mark Brentwood is hoping those two scraggly looking guys know what they are doing. They are going to try to escape. He just hopes they don't cause the armed men to kill all of them. The more he thinks about it, and now that he has seen the armed men for himself, the more he agrees with Melanie. They need to be patient and concentrate on surviving. These men are very dangerous. He was shocked when he witnessed one of them kicking one of the scraggly guys in the head for no reason.
Eric seems very confident that Barry and his friends will come. He prays Eric is right.
******
When Bud and Barry arrive in Idaho they are met by the four members of the Drake Security team as well as a group of ATF and FBI agents. During the briefing held in one of the vacant hangars at the airport, Barry learns that the FBI believes a splinter group of the original militia is the perpetrator this time. Aerial reconnaissance of the original compound site indicated recent activity. They weren't able to see any buildings but they did see tire tracks and spotted two vehicles hidden in the woods. A group of agents are in position to enter the compound when ordered.
Since leaving Wyoming, Barry has been going over every conversation he had with Eric to see if he can remember some clue as to where they might be. He remembers Eric talking about an old mine shaft about a quarter of a mile from the main compound where the boys used to play. He tells the group about it. Looking over the topography maps they pinpoint the mine entrance and agree it's a logical place to be holding hostages. The members of the Drake Security team leave for reconnaissance to scope out the immediate area around the mine.
Several hours later, a radioed report from the reconnaissance team verifies the mine as the likely location of the hostages. Several men have been seen coming and going from that location. Not knowing the state of the four hostages, the decision is made to observe the area for a period of hours, maybe days to determine the exact number of group members and their routines.
The wait is killing Barry. Not knowing the fate of Melanie and Eric is sheer torture. At least he is here in Idaho helping to make plans for their rescue and not still back at the ranch pacing the floors alone. Of course, he has to be very careful to stay out of sight. He can't even step outside of the hanger. If anyone spots him, the Paparazzi will be crawling all over the place. He needs to come up with some kind of disguise. He'll contact the makeup guys when he gets back to the ranch. They should be able to furnish him with something he can use to venture out from time to time as long as he doesn't over do it.
On the third morning, three of the group's members leave the area of the mine. They are followed by the FBI to a restaurant in a nearby town where they meet with a well dressed man who arrived in a chauffeur driven limousine.
Benjamin Roland is very excited. He instructs the limousine driver to park at the back of the parking lot at the restaurant where he is to meet the militia members and pick up the boy. Where are the idiots? They should have been here by now.
Suddenly the limousine door opens and a man, semi-automatic weapon drawn slides inside. He says, "Mr. Roland I presume?"
Benjamin Roland calmly looks at the man and then says, "Yes, where is the boy?"
"You ain't getting the boy until you bring us the money and the deed to the property, signed sealed and delivered.
"I can't give you a deed until the boy signs it. Bring him here tomorrow and I'll have it ready for him to sign. I'll give you the money when I get the boy. You can do whatever you want to with the others, except for the mother. She has to die and I want proof, a picture at least."
When the three militia members leave the meeting they are confronted by the ATF a few miles away. All are kil
led in the ensuing gun battle.
The FBI stops and arrests the man in the limousine. He is a lawyer from Seattle by the name of Benjamin Roland. Even though Mr. Roland is uncooperative, the FBI secures a search warrant for his office in Seattle and finds duplicate copies of an unsigned deed for the property in Idaho as well as adoption papers for Eric Calloway giving Benjamin Roland complete control over the Calloway fortune. That should be enough to send him to prison for years.
Around five that same afternoon another militia member steps outside the mine to smoke and is taken out by the FBI. When another of the remaining members comes looking for his companion he too is captured. Uncertain whether or not any more of the militia members are inside the mine, the members of the Drake Security team will enter the mine first.
Scoot and his team don their night vision goggles and slowly make their way down the tunnel. Watching carefully for booby traps, they find three very crude ones and disarm them before advancing deeper into the mine. Several hundred yards further down the shaft, they can see the hostages. The area is lit by one kerosene lantern. They see Mark and Patricia Brentwood, Melanie, and Eric all huddled together along the wall. Two other scruffy looking men are sitting along the opposite wall. Unsure if they are hostages or more members of the militia they continue to advance slowly and silently toward them in the dark.
They hear one of the scruffy looking men say, "I wonder what happened to Miller and Smith. They've been gone a long time."
The other one answers "We can only hope they met their maker. I'm ready for this to be over."
"Have you managed to saw through those ropes yet?" asks the first man.
"Not yet, but I am making progress. Be patient," says the other.
From the dark of the tunnel Scoot calls, "Don't anybody move or you're dead!"
All six sets of eyes look toward the dark tunnel. Eric, his heart pounding with excitement, says, "Scoot, we're here! I knew you would come!"