Fate and Destiny

by Claire Collins

  It broke Doug’s heart to hurt her. He couldn’t make her bleed. He thought if he doped her up real good, she would just kind of die out there and it wouldn’t hurt. Even though he read the instructions on the painkillers, he wasn’t sure how much to give her to kill her. He smashed them up into water and forced it down her throat before putting her in the truck and driving until he found a road out of the way. After dumping her, he went back and discovered most of the pills still swimming in the bottom of the cup. Maybe he should have stirred it up before he gave it to her.

  By then, it was too late, so he told Lenny and Charles he gave her the whole bottle of pills to kill her, then left the body on a mountain for the animals. The plan worked great until Charles got all bent out of shape wanting to see the body.

  “I thought she was dead. I mean, I didn’t check for a pulse or anything, but she didn’t move anymore.”

  “Like you would even know how to check for a pulse. What about breathing? Did you see if she was breathing, stupid?”

  Doug hung his head.

  “I didn’t think to check for breathing.”

  “That’s because you’re an idiot! I-D-I-O-T. Idiot. You should have just shot the bitch and buried the body near the runway. That would’ve saved us a lot of time here!”

  “I couldn’t shoot her Lenny. There would be a mess and other people were using that hangar. Somebody would have known. I thought we were supposed to get rid of her so they couldn’t link her back to us or DeMont.”

  “Just shut up Doug. You already screwed up enough. We’re going to this cabin. I thought I heard noises coming from this way last night. Let me do all of the talking and just keep your big mouth shut.”

  Stopping the truck with the plow still on the ground in front, Lenny checked the gun he carried. Making sure it was loaded and ready to shoot, he took the safety off before placing it back in the holster under his arm. A cabin squatted in the clearing with smoke curling from the chimney. As they opened the doors and exited the truck, furious barking broke through the air from the cabin.

  13.

  As the truck pulled into the driveway, Andrew slipped on his boots and put on his coat. Shadow was ready to bust through the door to get to the intruders so it was probably a good idea to meet them out front instead of letting them in the cabin.

  Before opening the door, Andrew placed his hand on the dog’s head. The barking subsided to intermittent growls.

  “Shadow. That’s enough. Listen up boy. It’s your job to protect Destiny if anything happens to me. You’re the man of the house.”

  Although he obviously didn’t like the idea, Shadow backed from the door enough to allow Andrew to slip out of the cabin.

  Two men got out of the truck. The passenger was a bear of a man, outweighing Andrew by at least a hundred pounds and towering over him by a good four inches. Through the thick coat, his forearms looked like tree trunks. His shaved head sat squarely on his shoulders, obliterating any neck that may have existed.

  The driver was closer to Andrew’s height but he was scrawny and needed a haircut and a shave to control the wiry black hair sprouting from the neck up. Andrew noted the smaller man wore a jacket, unbuttoned and open to the biting air. Warnings flashing through Andrew’s mind as he leaned against the closed door, careful not to move too far from the cabin and alert the kidnappers that he couldn’t walk very well.

  “Good morning, gentlemen.” Tipping his head and waving, Andrew hoped he sounded happy to see the strangers. “You boys out clearing the roads sure does help those of us who have been stuck up here.”

  Andrew didn’t miss the glance passing between the men as they walked to the front of the snowplow. The thinner man was quick to respond.

  “Well we figured we got the plow so we might as well put it to use. Are there a lot of people up here in these cabins?” Brillohead was trying too hard to act nonchalant with his question.

  “Well, I’m not sure. A lot of them may very well be occupied with Valentine’s Day coming up. I arrived the night before the storm hit hard and I haven’t been out of the cabin since, except to let the dog out.”

  Although Shadow calmed, Andrew could still hear him growling and occasionally emitting a worried woof. In Andrew’s mind, time started ticking away. Destiny would begin to panic soon if he didn’t open the cellar door.

  “So you been in the cabin for the last few days huh?” At Andrew’s nod, Brillohead continued. “We, ah, well we heard some girl came up missing and there were some saying she might have ended up this way. We thought it would be our duty to ask if anyone’s seen a girl around.” Brillohead stared intently at Andrew.

  “A lost girl up here? Poor thing wouldn’t survive up here with the storms we’ve had. You two are the first people I’ve seen since I stopped for gas last week. Just been me and the dog out here. Got in an argument with my wife so I decided to let her cool her heels for awhile.”

  Grinning at the men, Andrew built on his lie.

  “I’d rather be stuck up here in a blizzard with my dog than sit home and listen to her bitch.”

  The big guy didn’t say anything, but his eyes flickered back and forth from Andrew to the other man. Brillohead kept his eyes directly on Andrew, suspicion coursing through them. He finally pulled his jacket closed and zipped it up to the neck.

  “Well, if you happen to see a young lady of about twenty five or so with long light brown hair, could you give me a call? I’ll write down the number for you. Her daddy is worried sick she took off without a word.”

  Brillohead went back around the driver’s side of the truck, opening the door to locate paper and a pen from a pocket in the sun visor. Andrew could hear his Destiny clock ticking away faster and faster. Big Guy didn’t move, watching Andrew with a blank look in his eyes and his mouth slightly open.

  Before Brillohead could return to the front of the truck and approach Andrew with the paper, unexpected noises rolled up the driveway. Halfway around the truck, Brillohead stopped walking.

  Andrew peered down the drive as both men at the truck turned to see what was coming. A brown and white Ford Bronco with a row of various lights across the top and SHERIFF emblazoned across the side appeared around the bend between the trees.

  Andrew didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. All he could think about was the deafening tick, tick, tick echoing through his head.

  The sheriff parked near the truck, leaving plenty of room for the men to turn around and leave when they were ready.

  Sheriff Matthew Parker stepped from the truck, covering his bald head with his department issued hat, keeping his eyes on all three men standing before him.

  “Morning fellas. Saw you boys clearing the road and thought I’d come up to check on our residents. Haven’t seen a one of them in the past few days.”

  As he shuffled over the snow, the sheriff kept his attention on the men at the truck, except for a quick nod in Andrew's direction.

  “Can’t say either of you look familiar. You local boys?”

  Big Guy nervously split his attention between Brillohead and the sheriff, who now stood near the driver’s side of the truck, only a few feet in front of his buddy. Brillohead remained focused on the policeman, a friendly smile thick on his face.

  “No, Sir. We’re actually not from around here, but we heard there was a lot of closed roads out this way so we thought we could help.”

  Nodding and smiling, Brillohead maintained a non-threatening attitude.

  Andrew gave a quick wave, not moving from the door.

  “Morning, Sheriff Parker.”

  Shadow was no longer barking or growling, and the cabin sat silently. Tick, tick, tick.

  “These gentlemen were just asking if I had seen a young lady who’s missing. You know anything about it?”

  Big Guy turned towards Andrew, the blank look slowly replaced by anger and fear. Brillohead only grinned and nodded more, interjecting into the conversation before the sheriff could reply.

  “Uh, yes, sir
. We came out this way looking for the daughter of a friend of ours. Seems she ran away from home and headed this way, so we thought we could help him out and clean the roads while we looked for her. Never know what kind of snow drifts you’re gonna come across in these mountains with the storms you’ve had.”

  Finally making a furtive glance to Big Guy, Brillohead seemed to suddenly notice his friend was beginning to sweat. At least Andrew could stop worrying Big Guy should close his mouth before his tongue froze solid.

  Sheriff Parker didn’t take his gaze from either man. He stood positioned to see them both in case either of them made any sudden moves. Something about them hadn’t set right with him since he saw them on the main road in town. He also found it strange they didn’t go up any other mountain passes to clear the roads.

  “That’s interesting. Haven’t heard a thing about any missing girl. If she’s lost up in these hills, we probably won’t find anything ‘til summer. Maybe I should call out some reinforcements to help you look?”

  Brillohead still didn’t show any signs of cracking, but Big Guy was about to wet himself, if he hadn’t already.

  Brillohead's grin slipped just a bit in the corners. He began moving back into the cab of the truck.

  “Actually, her daddy doesn’t want to make a big deal about it. He’s just too overprotective if you ask me. A girl in her twenties should be able to do what she wants to. Anyway, we really got to get going. There’s a lot more roads to clear before we head home.”

  Taking his cue from Brillohead, Big Guy finally discovered his feet, slipping in the snow until he was sitting safely in the passenger seat of the truck.

  Andrew and Sheriff Parker each gave a friendly wave as the truck turned in Andrew’s front yard, drove down the driveway and disappeared around the bend. Both men listened as the truck came to the main road on the mountain, then turned to go back down the mountain instead of continuing to clear uphill. The man in uniform finally turned his attention back to Andrew.

  “Well that was certainly an interesting load of bullshit. You gonna invite me in and offer me a cup of coffee? Or should I get a warrant?”

  With the departure of the thugs, Andrew nearly slumped to the ground with relief. Tick, tick, tick.

  “Come on in Matt. You aren’t going to believe this one.”

  Matt headed towards Andrew with a relaxed easy stride.

  “Hell, Andrew, I’ve known you your whole life. You can’t shock me anymore.”

  “I bet I can. Oh, by the way, one of us might get shot when I open the door. The way my luck’s been lately, it’ll probably be me.” The shocked look on Matt’s face was almost worth getting shot again. Almost.

  Coming closer, Matt noticed the limp as Andrew finally turned and opened the door. Entering the cabin, he was about to ask what Andrew tripped over, but all thought left him as he saw the woman sunk half-way into the floor in the kitchen.

  Cellar door open, standing on a stair, leaning forwards with her elbows propped up on the floorboards, the rifle in her hands was pointed directly at him. The dog lying at the side of the hole in the floor regarded them with a yawn and a couple of thumps of his tail.

  “I told you, Matt.” Andrew said quietly before speaking to the woman holding the gun. “Destiny, put it down. It’s just me. Matt, take off your hat.”

  Complying with the instructions, Matt took off the hat, rubbing his hand over his head to warm it and remove any lint that accumulated. The woman slowly lowered the weapon, but she didn’t emerge from the cellar completely. Her lovely green eyes grew large and haunted.

  “Oh Lord, you brought the sheriff up here.”

  After a fleeting glance at Matt, who just looked plain old confused, Andrew limped towards Destiny. Offering her his hand to help her up the remaining stairs from the cellar, Andrew was not surprised when she didn’t take it, only looked at him with hurt shining in her eyes. Shaking his head, he grabbed her elbow and helped her out anyway.

  “It’s not what you think Destiny. I didn’t bring him up here.”

  With his leg aching, Andrew tried to embrace Destiny. If not for comfort, then at least for support. Stiffly, she didn’t return the affection, instead, keeping her eyes on the man in the uniform. Stepping back slightly, but not letting her go, Andrew turned to the sheriff.

  “Sheriff Parker, meet the runaway who didn’t run away. Destiny, meet my cousin Matt.”

  14.

  Matt stepped forward to shake Destiny’s hand, but dropped it back to his side when she ignored his presence, instead turning back to Andrew.

  “Your cousin? The sheriff here is your cousin?”

  She thought about pulling the rifle back up and shooting him in the other leg. With fury pounding in her ears, she almost didn’t hear what he was saying in his overly calm voice.

  “Yes honey, my cousin. If we can just sit down and relax a little, I can straighten this all out. I’ll get everyone a cup of coffee and we can talk.”

  Debating whether to let him limp around the kitchen serving them or allow him to sit while she did it, Destiny was undecided. As Andrew opened cabinets and took down cups, Destiny let her heart take control and helped Andrew prepare the coffee.

  Matt took the only available chair near the fireplace while Andrew and Destiny sat on the edge of the bed. Shadow contentedly lay on the floor in the middle of all three. Andrew scanned the room, not sure where to start. He decided it was probably best to alleviate Destiny’s fears first before she threw her coffee cup at one of them.

  “Matt is my cousin and he is the sheriff. I grew up not too far from here. I have a lot of family around here. That’s why I pushed for this location to be built into a recreation area. The economy here needs it.”

  He turned his attention to Matt.

  “I am interested to know why you decided to come up the mountain at that particular moment?”

  “I heard you over the radio asking for help. I answered but you didn’t come back and respond so I figured you didn’t have very good reception up here. The message that came through was garbled with static. Just something about someone being hurt and needing help.”

  His eyes scanned back and forth from Andrew to Destiny.

  “I even called your cell phone and left several messages for you to call me when you could. I was worried since I didn’t hear from you so I’ve been trying to get some of the plows up here, but a lot of the other passes around here have more residents and older people who need access more than you. So, the first time I see someone coming up your way with a plow, I come up on their heels. I was relieved to see you standing there at the front door. So what was the deal with the armed thugs anyway?”

  “They were hoping I had a spare body lying around they could claim. I only hope they bought my story that there was nobody here except the dog and me. How did you know they were armed?”

  “Easy. The big dumb guy probably wasn’t carrying, but the sleazy guy was. He kept his hand right near the zipper to his coat, thinking he could unzip it and whip out his gun before I could draw on him. On second thought, the big guy may have been the smarter of the two.”

  Nodding, Andrew took Destiny’s hand in his, gently stroking his thumb over the back of her wrist.

  “Honey, you asked me not to contact the sheriff and I didn’t, and I wasn’t going to either. I promised you, and I wouldn’t have told Matt what was going on because you didn’t want me to. He won’t let anything happen to you either.”

  Restoring her faith in him, while hoping she wasn’t being naïve and misled, Destiny nodded, squeezing Andrew’s hand.

  “It was them, wasn’t it? The big dumb guy was Doug and the other guy was probably Lenny. Scrawny, crack head looking guy right?”

  Andrew nodded.

  “Yep, that’s them. The big guy, Doug, was very nervous. The sleazy guy did all the talking. He said they were looking for a runaway daughter of a friend.”

  A sudden thought occurred to Andrew. Tearing his gaze from Destiny’s trusti
ng face, he looked to Matt.

  “Damn, he was about to give me a number to call if I found anything out. Then you showed up. He didn’t give me any contact information. I thought it would be useful to track back and get these guys.”

  “That would have been nice, but we can still get them. You want to let me in on why we want to get them? I know there’s a good story here. When you arrived, I was positive you were alone except for your black shadow there.”

  Matt gestured towards the oversize fur pile in the middle of the floor.

  “And while you’re at it, what happened to your leg and his shoulder? She’s limping too. Did all three of you walk into the same table or what?”

  Eyes downcast, Destiny decided the best way to get through this was the ugly truth.

  “Um, I shot them.” For a moment, there was silence. Destiny glanced from under her eyelids to gauge Matt’s reaction. He appeared surprised, and at the same time, amused.

  “You shot both of them?” Matt scratched the smooth skin above his eyebrow. “I can understand you shooting Andrew. I’m sure he deserved it. But why did you shoot this big lovable mutt?”

  Matt reached down to pet the mutt in question.

  “I didn’t deserve to be shot! It was an accident. She hit us both in one shot. Thank God she has bad aim. She kicked Shadow too.”

  Realizing too late that Matt had gotten under his skin, Andrew came off sounding like a spoiled child fighting over who hit who first.

  “She got both of you in one shot and didn’t kill either of you? Sounds to me like she has a pretty good aim.”

  It was Destiny’s turn to be annoyed.

  “I didn’t know what he was! I wouldn’t have kicked him if I’d known where I was or what he was. And I didn’t know who was coming in the door. I just blindly fired. I didn’t take time to actually aim at a figure in the dark!”

  The police training in Matt rose to the surface and he took control of the situation.

  “Okay, just calm down, both of you. Let’s start at the beginning. Andrew, you were alone when you came here. Where did you find Destiny?”