The Archer [Book 13 of the Hawkman Series]

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

  He would speak to Laura about Cindy Brown and the two boys from college, after he instructed her on the GPS. As he turned up the long driveway, he noted how the living room lights glowed through the sheer curtained windows. Yet, he couldn't make out any more than the silhouette of a person walking around. He picked up the bag containing the small tracker and climbed out of the 4X4. Thunder rumbled in the distance and a flash of lightning arched in the sky. By the time he climbed the steps, Laura had the door open.

  “Hi, Mr. Casey. What surprise do you have in store for us today?”

  He smiled. “One I think you'll like.”

  The older Kings entered the room. Once they'd greeted each other, the pair, along with Laura, sat on the couch and Hawkman took the chair opposite them. He then explained the personal GPS.

  Olly listened intently with his hands resting on his jeans clad knees. “Now, that one makes more sense. It worried me to think we couldn't keep track of Laura outside her car.”

  “I like it too,” Violet said. “It will ease my mind a little more.”

  “I already have it programed into my home station.” He handed it to Laura. “All you have to do is put it on.”

  She immediately placed it on her wrist. “You don't think anyone will know what it is?”

  “It looks like a watch, so I doubt anyone would pay much attention,” Hawkman said. “You could wear it with the face on the inside of your wrist. My wife wears her time piece like that, and it appears to an onlooker like a bracelet.”

  She scooted it around. “Yeah, it isn't as noticeable.”

  After displaying it to her folks, she glanced at Hawkman. “I bet this cost a bundle. Does it record anything other than my whereabouts?”

  Hawkman grinned. “Yes, it's expensive, and, no, I won't be able to hear you at all. However, there are ones that you can communicate back and forth, but this one will just track you.”

  She laughed. “Good.”

  “Laura, I need to talk to you about one of your friends.”

  “Who?” she asked, looking up at him and frowning.

  “Cindy Brown. How much do you know about her?”

  She shrugged. “Not a whole lot. I've been to her house a couple of times, and met her parents. They seem like respectable people.”

  “Does Cindy have a boyfriend?”

  “Probably. She's cute and fun to be around.”

  “But you don't know for sure?”

  “No. A couple of the guys are always tagging along beside her.”

  “Do you know their names?”

  “The two guys I told you about, Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell.”

  “Those are the ones who showed an interest in hunting with the compound bow. Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you know Cindy is also interested in archery?”

  “I had no idea,” she said with wide eyes. “How did you find out?”

  “It doesn't matter, it's a part of my job. The three of them are enrolled in a class together. I found this very interesting. It made me wonder if Cindy gave your cell phone number to one or both of the boys.”

  “I asked her if she'd given it out to anyone and she said, ‘no'. I don't know any reason why she'd lie to me.”

  “Does she know what's been happening.”

  Laura shook her head. “No. I haven't told anyone. It's too embarrassing.”

  “If she'd loaned her cell phone to one of them, even just to make a short call, they could have found your number listed in her directory and she'd have never known.”

  “That's true, and the kids at school are always borrowing each other's phones.”

  “Has anyone borrowed yours?”

  “I always use the excuse my battery's low. I don't like people using it. They might make a long distance call, and Dad would end up paying for it.”

  Hawkman cocked his head and looked at her. “Do you not trust people?”

  “I have confidence in my parents and you, but I have reservations about others, especially guys.”

  “Have you been hurt by someone?”

  She blushed, and dropped her gaze to the floor.

  Violet put her arm around her daughter. “A long time ago a young man broke her heart.”

  Feeling awkward, Hawkman raised a hand. “Sorry, I didn't mean to pry.”

  Laura quickly regained her composure. “That's okay. I just don't like to talk about it.”

  “I understand. Tell me more about Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell.”

  “I don't have much to tell, except they're in one of my classes. They hang around Cindy like bees do flowers.”

  “Is she always present when you see them?”

  She nodded.

  “They never hunt for just you alone?”

  “Only once, when Cindy had the flu. They wanted to know why she'd missed class.”

  “Do you have Cindy's address?”

  “Yes, I'll get it.”

  She jumped up from the couch and disappeared through the doorway.

  “Do you suspect her friends?” Olly asked.

  “I suspect anyone until I prove them innocent. Just like your two hired hands. Why didn't you tell me Hicks is taking archery lessons?”

  “What!” Olly exclaimed, his expression confused. “I didn't know. I can't be responsible for what my hired hands do in their spare time.”

  “True. Did you know Fowler is an expert bowman?”

  Olly ran a hand over his mouth. “It's been years since Ed did any bow hunting. I'd completely forgotten he'd dabbled in it. Sophie didn't like the sport. It frightened her for some reason. So Ed stowed the bow in the garage. I've seen it hanging there.”

  “Have you noticed it lately?”

  “Can't say I have. Just haven't paid much attention. You can bet I will now.”

  Laura entered the room and handed Hawkman a piece of paper with Cindy Brown's address. He put it in his coat pocket.

  “Thanks.” Hawkman turned his attention to Laura. “I will probably go speak with her in the next couple of days. Don't let her know I'm coming.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I haven't mentioned your name to her. In fact, I haven't told anyone about you. They'd just ask questions and I don't care for people to know what's going on.”

  “That's just as well. I'm sure when I really start probing, people are going to talk, and eventually they'll connect us.”

  Suddenly, a clap of thunder made them all jump.

  “Wow, that sounded right overhead,” Laura said, pulling the curtain back on the front window. “Oh my gosh, it's pouring.”

  The bleating of an animal caught their attention. She glanced toward the back of the house. “Oh, I bet the door to Wendy's shed has blown shut and she can't get in. I better run and take care of her.”

  “Can I help?” Hawkman asked.

  “No, I can handle it.”

  “The raincoat is hanging near the door,” Violet said, getting up and following her daughter toward the kitchen.

  Laura suddenly popped back into the room; a yellow slicker hat tied under her chin and a matching long coat covering the rest of her body. She held her arm toward Hawkman. “Is it okay to wear this tracker in the rain?”

  “Yes, it's waterproof.”

  She disappeared and Hawkman heard the back door slam.

  He turned toward Olly. “I better get on my way. I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention to your hired men about my knowing they're involved in archery. I'll approach them in time.”

  “Would you like for me to check and see if Ed's bow is still hanging in the garage?”

  “Can you do it without him being suspicious?”

  “Yes.”

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  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Hawkman stepped onto the front porch, turned up his collar and held onto his hat as he raced through the pelting rain. Once inside the 4X4, he let out a breath of air. “Man this is some downpour; at least my vehicle wil
l get a good rinsing,” he murmured, as he started the engine. Fiddling with the GPS receiver on the dashboard, he smiled to himself as he followed Laura's movements through her house. He flipped it off and concentrated on driving.

  The dirt road hadn't turned into a quagmire yet, but the puddles were forming and it wouldn't be long before there were deep ruts. After a few minutes, he bounced onto the blacktop where he felt more comfortable. He punched on the radio and heard the cold front would speed through the area and drop approximately an inch of rain on the lower elevations while peppering a good foot of snow in the mountains, which would be good for the ski resorts.

  He drove onto the freeway and headed toward Copco Lake. It had been a long day and he looked forward to getting home and relaxing. The rain subsided and he turned the wipers to intermittent. By the time he reached the bridge, he no longer needed them.

  When he turned into the driveway it shocked him to see the sheriff's car parked in front of the house. “What the heck,” he said, out loud.

  He pulled into the garage, then hurried inside. Ken, the deputy stood at the kitchen counter writing on a pad of paper. Jennifer looked on with her hand at her throat.

  “What's happened?” Hawkman asked.

  “Your wife got quite a scare about an hour ago,” the deputy said.

  Hawkman glanced at Jennifer. “You okay?”

  She nodded. “With two men in the house, I feel much better.”

  “What frightened you?”

  “While working at the computer, I heard a loud thump, like something hit the front of the house. I didn't think too much about it as birds often times fly into the wall. Then two more loud bangs came, one right after the other. I quickly went to the kitchen window, but didn't see anything. I peeked out the front door and spotted three arrows laying on the ground. I didn't see a soul, ran back inside, looked out across the lake and saw a black pickup speeding toward town. I immediately called for help when I remembered what had happened at your office.”

  Ken held up the evidence bag where he'd placed the arrows. “I picked these up by the sharp end and placed them in here, just in case we can lift some prints. The shafts didn't pierce the metal siding, but they left some deep dents.” Then he frowned at Hawkman. “What's been happening to you?”

  Hawkman explained the case and the incidents he'd encountered.

  “Sounds like they've got a vendetta against you for helping Miss King, and are targeting your home. They're using fear tactics to steer you away from the case.”

  “Looks like it, and I'm not keen on the thought one bit.”

  Ken closed his notebook. “I'll keep a close watch on your place during the day, and if I'm called away, I'll have Peggy take over. We'll keep our eyes peeled for a black pickup.”

  “Thanks, Ken, appreciate it.”

  He pointed at the arrows. “You want me to take these in and see if we, by chance, can get some prints?”

  “Yes, thanks. Detective Williams is running the three from my office through the lab. We'll see if they can get a match.”

  “I'll touch base with him when I go into town tomorrow.”

  After the deputy left, Hawkman placed an arm around Jennifer. “I don't think you have anything to fear. They're trying to scare me off of helping Laura.”

  She looked up at him. “I don't understand their persistence in harassing her, and now after us. Why are they doing it?”

  “I wish I could answer, but I have no idea and found nothing in Laura's past to warrant it. She's hardly old enough to have a wicked background.”

  Jennifer placed a hand on his arm. “What about her folks?”

  He shrugged. “There's a possibility Olly has done something to cause anger in someone. I'm going to have to do a bit of research on their family.”

  “Don't forget Laura's mother. You never know what might have taken place years ago causing ill feelings.”

  “You're right. I might see what I can find out tonight.”

  After dinner, Hawkman retired to his home office and booted up the computer. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Miss Marple standing at the door watching him. “So what have you been up to, you little trouble maker. Obviously, you're disgruntled with your mistress or you wouldn't be seeking me out.”

  She walked over and began rubbing against his boot, purring a soft song.

  “Oh, brother, I can tell you got into some deep trouble today and want forgiveness.”

  About that time, Jennifer peeked into the room. “Ah, ha, there's my little scalawag. She's not happy with me today. I had to shut her in the bathroom for an hour.”

  “I figured something happened, as she usually doesn't kiss up to me unless she's in deep dodo. What'd she get into?”

  “Caught her on the kitchen cabinet, which is a very strong no-no.”

  “What was she after?”

  “I think she got a whiff of tuna, where I'd made myself a sandwich for lunch.”

  Hawkman glanced down at the cat, who was hiding behind his boots. “Girl, you know better than to get up there.”

  “You want me to take her out of here while you're working?”

  “Not really. She can sulk with me. If she gets out of hand, I'll bring her to you.”

  “Okay. Good luck.”

  Hawkman settled at the computer and went into a secure website where he typed in Oliver Joseph King, Olly's full name, which he'd learned from the phone bills. The machine hummed as it went through the search, then popped up with a web page. Hawkman scanned the information and felt he had the right man. As he read more thoroughly, his eyebrows shot up as he flopped back in the chair, causing Miss Marple to jump up from her comfortable position, and streak out the door.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Hawkman spent a restless night, as he kept waking with nightmarish scenes running through his brain about the lawsuits Oliver King had been involved in several years ago. He needed to talk to the man and get the details. The litigations might not amount to anything, and whether they'd have any bearing on the harassment of Laura was anyone's guess. He'd also discovered Clay Hicks’ deceased wife, Edna, and Violet were sisters.

  Finally, he gave up trying to sleep, slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen barefoot. The floor felt cold, so he flipped on the heat, but softly closed the door to the bedroom, as neither he nor Jennifer could rest well in a warm room.

  Waiting for the coffee maker to brew, he stared out the window as he watched the sunlight slowly light up the surrounding area. Turning around to lift a mug from the cabinet, he heard Miss Marple let out a yowl as she sat at her empty food bowl.

  “Shush, you silly cat. You're going to wake up your mistress. I'll get you some food.”

  He poured some dry niblets into her bowl, then filled his cup. Walking into the living room, he looked out over the lake which reflected the trees and banks like a mirror into the pool of still water. He marveled at the beauty. When Pretty Girl, his pet falcon, spotted him at the window, she squawked several times. Hawkman smiled. “You pets are determined to wake Jennifer,” he said softly.

  Stepping back, he turned around and found his wife standing in the hallway, wrapping a robe around her slim body. “Boy, when you get up, you certainly cause a commotion. Miss Marple meowing and Pretty Girl letting you know she'd like to go hunting.”

  He bowed his head. “Sorry, sweetheart, I intended to let you sleep.”

  She smiled. “I know, just giving you a hard time.” Then she frowned. “Why are you up so early on Sunday morning?”

  “I did some research last night and found out some things about the King family. I'm wondering if these incidents have any impact on the harassing of Laura.”

  Jennifer moved into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, then turned toward her husband. “For instance?”

  “Several years ago, Olly sued Al Wallace. It appeared to be some sort of land problem; the site didn't go into details.
Olly won the suit, but I need to find out more of the details.”

  “Isn't Wallace the father of those two rowdy boys you told me about?”

  “Yes. The boys wouldn't have been old enough at the time to understand the complications of the courts. But as they got older, they could have decided the time had come to pay back Olly for embarrassing their father.”

  Jennifer tilted her head. “Interesting. Also very probable. Ignorance can lead to problems and they more than likely know nothing about the law suit, only tidbits of what their father has said. They put them together and came up with something worse than it is.”

  “Exactly, and took matters into their own hands. If they're the ones harassing Laura; I need to talk to Olly. However, I could be way off base on this.”

  “Learn anything else?”

  “Yes, and it's sort of puzzling why Olly never mentioned it. Clay Hicks’ deceased wife, Edna, was Violet's sister. I'm sure it has no bearing on Laura's case either; just thought it strange no one in the family has talked about it.” He shrugged. “They probably didn't think it had any thing to do with what we're dealing with, and it probably doesn't.”

  “So, are you going out to the King's place today?”

  “I'm seriously considering it. Do you think you'll be okay here alone?”

  “Of course. Ken is just down the street, and I'll wear my fanny pack with my gun, just in case.”

  “Okay, it's settled. I'll give Olly a ring and see if he's going to be available.”

  She glanced at the clock. “I'd wait awhile; it's still mighty early to be calling anyone.

  He grinned. “You're right, even farmers might not be up at this hour.”

  Hawkman showered and dressed while Jennifer prepared breakfast. At a decent time he contacted Olly and made plans to see him around one in the afternoon.

  When Hawkman reached the King's ranch, he discovered on the GPS that Laura had gone into Medford. He hoped she hadn't ventured out alone. He walked up to the front door and knocked. Olly invited him inside.

  “Now what's this you want to talk to me about?”

  “First, I'd like to ask where's Laura?”