"If, that is, anyone even saw where I went. If not, no one will have a clue what kind of vehicle to look for, at least until you don't show up where ever you were headed. If there's even someone there who would wonder." He looked pointedly at my left hand, where it sat on the steering wheel.
There was no ring, actually, I didn't have any rings on anywhere. I fell quite a moment, letting the topic drop.
"Keep him talking, I need to know where you're going." Robin's voice was clear in my ear.
"Okay," I returned to my original question, "you're not familiar with the area, so I'll fill you in." I was careful not to lie. I was afraid if he caught me in a lie before I could get away, he'd hurt me. I was also careful how I portrayed things so he would chose to do what I wanted. "Once we get through Pima, the little town we're in now, we'll hit the reservation. On the reservation, there are a couple of tiny, tiny towns, just wide spots in the road really, until we get to Globe. That will be in about an hour and a half. I'll need gas in Globe no matter what you decide." I kept my eyes on the road, not hazarding a look at him, fearing it might give me away.
"From Globe you have some choices. Globe is kind of a crossroads. Several mountain roads meet or split off this one. You can go north east into the White Mountains, the Show Low/Pinetop area, to the northwest to the Roosevelt Lake area, or past that to Payson, to the west into Phoenix, south through Mammoth and Oracle into Tucson, or back the way we came." I paused, giving him a chance to speak before continuing. "You said you're from Phoenix, right?" I didn't wait for an answer before continuing, "The cops will probably be looking for you there first. If I were a cop, that's where I'd start looking. Knowing that, I would avoid it."
"You're being awfully helpful for someone forced into this." He looked at me, suspicious.
"You said you wouldn't hurt me if I cooperated. I can only take you at your word right now, so this is me cooperating. If you'd rather I just shut up and drive, I will."
"No, go ahead and finish what you're saying, you have me interested."
"Okay," I blinked several times, trying to remember where I was. "Now, the Show Low/Pinetop area isn't very big, pretty much like Safford in size, only in a mountain setting and more rural. I'm willing to bet that it's the same type of everyone-knows-your-business town.
"I have never been to Roosevelt Lake or Payson, but I know they're both pretty small communities, and again, probably have that everyone knows your business thing going on." I didn't lie, but I did my best to make him not want either option. "Tucson on the other hand is a pretty big metro area, the second largest in the state, I believe. A person could get lost there pretty easily. Plus, it's not home, so the police are less likely to be looking there for you."
Another advantage to Tucson was we would be taking the long way around. Instead of the trip taking the two hours, it had taken me to get back to Safford. This route would take almost five. I hoped the extra time would give Robin and Bruce enough time to get something in place to help me.
"I think I heard somewhere that like ninety percent of the prison escapees who are caught, are caught because they go home. Probably some History channel program." I added, hoping to convince him to choose Tucson.
Steve was quiet for a while, several minutes at least. It felt like an eternity. We were about to get to the hills and valleys where I knew my connection with Robin would cut out when my captor finally spoke.
"All right, you've made your point. We'll go to Tucson."
"I got it," Robin said in my ear. "I'll see you soon, I promise." A beep in my ear told me the call had been disconnected.
28
A little over an hour later, we reached the Apache Gold Casino, about five miles outside of Globe. As I pulled up in to the gas pumps in front of the casino, Steve warned me again. "Remember what happens if you try to get away."
"I remember," I said, taking the opportunity to gather and get rid of my trash.
While I pumped the fuel, I noticed the Jeep rocking and looked up to see Steve moving around in the front seat. I scowled for a moment, then realized he was wiggling out of the bright orange jump suit and likely, into the sweat pants he'd pulled out of the duffel bag.
I used his distraction with dressing as an opportunity to pull the headset from my ear and stick it in my pocket. I turned the ringer on my phone off, setting it so it wouldn't even vibrate. I didn't want Steve to realize I had a phone on me, but I couldn't shut it off. I was afraid if I turned it off, Bruce might not be able to track us with the phone's GPS. When the tank was full, I got back in the driver's seat. Steve had completely changed, even his shoes were back on, and the jumpsuit was stuffed in the bag from the college.
He told me to cruise the casino parking lot. I drove up and down the rows of parked cars until he said to stop. He opened the door and tossed the duffel into the back of a pick-up parked there. Who knows how long until the owner would come out, or if they would even notice the bag when they got there.
We hit the road again and followed highway 70 for a few more miles until we got to the intersection with 77. I made the turn and we headed southwest toward Mammoth. This was the longest part of the trip, as there was still had three and half or four hours before we would make it to Tucson. I sent up a quick prayer that Robin and Bruce would find a way to help me.
29
I struggled to keep up my chatter, so my earlier questions wouldn't seem out of place. I talked almost incessantly for the next two and a half hours. We'd gone through Mammoth and were almost to Oracle when the sun set.
"Oracle isn't very big, it shouldn't take us long to get through town. I'll be glad to get to Tucson and get this all over with." I sighed.
We'd barely left the lights of the small town behind when flashing lights appeared in my rearview mirror.
"Pull over and play it cool," my captor instructed.
I started to slow down and pull off the road.
"Remember, you tell him who I am and I'll hurt you."
"I remember." I parked the Jeep, killed the engine and waited to find out why we'd been stopped.
The police officer came up beside my door and knocked on the window. I rolled it down so I could speak to him. My first look told me he was an Arizona Highway Patrolman, I recognized the uniform.
"Good evening, Ma'am. Are you aware you have a tail light out?" The officer looked from me to Steve and back.
"No sir, I just bought it this morning, I wasn't aware the light wasn't working. I'll get it fixed right away." I prayed he didn't just give me a warning and walk away.
"I'm going to need to see your license, registration and proof of insurance." The officer stood outside my door and waited.
I reached across Steve, opened the glove box and pulled out the paperwork I'd put there this morning. I gave it to Officer Hernandez, according to his nameplate, and dug through my purse for my wallet. "Like I said, I just bought this today, so the insurance card is for my last Jeep, I haven't had a chance to get one for this yet."
"That's fine," he took the card and stuck it to his clipboard. "I'm going to need you to step out of the vehicle and come with me a moment, ma'am."
My passenger stiffened but I hadn't said anything and if I didn't do what he asked, it would raise suspicion.
"Um, okay." I pulled the keys out of the ignition and held them in my fist.
Officer Hernandez stepped back as I opened the door and got out. Out of habit, I pocketed the keys as I walked beside the officer toward his car.
He waited until we were several steps past the rear of my car. "Miss Davidson, we know who you are and what's going on. I needed to get you out of the vehicle and out of danger so we could take him into custody."
I looked around, noticing for the first time a second police officer behind the jeep. He bent low to keep from being seen from any of the mirrors. He had his weapon drawn and ready in case there was trouble from the man still in the Jeep.
"Can I get you to put your hands on top of my car and let me search
you, in case he's watching? I don't want him to get suspicious, but we need to delay a little. Our back up will be here any minute."
Without responding, I put my hands on top of his car and leaned into it, keeping my feet apart so he could do what he needed. It might have looked like a search from inside the Jeep, but Officer Hernandez was very polite and, in reality, he was barely touched my clothes.
He finished pretending to search me as two more cruisers pulled up behind the car I was leaning against. Both vehicles were Pinal County Sheriff's Department and the four officers soon took my captor into custody.
"I know you did this, I'll get you for this!" Steve shouted as they stuffed him, handcuffed, into the back of one of the deputies' cars.
Seeing as he would be going back to prison, and his escape would mean a longer term, I wasn't too worried.
"We need you to come to the station and give a statement." Officer Hernandez had waited until the other cars pulled away, with the escaped convict before speaking to me again.
"Can I make a call first?"
"Sure." He gave me directions to the police station and watched as I made my way back to the Jeep before he got in his car and pulled onto the highway.
I sat in the Jeep for a few moments, taking several deep breaths and trying to decompress.
It was over.
I was alive.
My kidnapper would be going back to a prison and, I was sure, to a higher security facility. I was safe, as was everyone I love. I turned the ringer on my phone back on and dialed Robin before starting the Jeep. I fought back tears when I heard his voice.
"Sam?" He asked.
"It's over."
"I know. We're waiting for you at the station."
"I'll be there shortly. I wanted to call, to let you know I'm safe, before I pulled out."
"We'll be here."
I hung up the phone, pulled onto the road and headed back into town to the station, dialing Aunt Sophia as I went. I let her know I was safe and everything was okay, but I probably wouldn't be home until the next day. I asked her to get a hold of the boys and let them know, then I hung up. I was ready to get to the station and be done with the whole thing.
I parked in the small lot in front of the police station and hurried inside. Robin caught me as soon as I made it through the door and pulled me into his arms.
"My god. I'm glad to see you." He held me tight for several minutes.
I didn't fight, I was just as happy to see him.
30
By the time, I'd given my statement and finished with the paperwork the local police wanted, it was after ten o'clock. I'd done enough driving and I didn't want to sit in the passenger's seat for another four hours to drive home. Robin agreed and we decided to go into Tucson, only another hour away, and get a motel room for the night. We'd go home the next day.
We were still in front of the police station in Oracle. I stood in front of Robin, my back against his chest and his arms around my waist as I talked to Bruce. "Thanks for everything you've done today. It means a lot."
"It's nothing." He shrugged. "I'd have done it for anyone, much less someone who's always been family."
I pulled away from Robin and gave Bruce a hug. "Thank you just the same." As I pulled away, I gave him a half-playful, half-serious punch in the arm. Aside from family dinners, this was the first time I'd seen Bruce since his little 'talk' with Robin after I came home from the hospital. I couldn't keep silent any longer.
"Hey! What was that for?" He rubbed his arm, as if it had actually hurt.
"That's for warning your brother away from me." I glared. "Do you think somehow, he's magically missed how wild I may or may not be? Do you really think I'd do anything, anything to hurt him?"
"I know, I know." He shook his head, looking at the ground instead of me. "I'm sorry. Dad's already read me the riot act about it. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time." He looked up and met my eyes. "I'll stay out of your relationship from now on."
"Good. Apology accepted, but I won’t say the same about you and Robin." I grinned. "There's been a few times over the years when he wanted to rip your head off, or at least try. Somehow, I managed to get him to see it wasn't the greatest of ideas. It may be in your best interest for me to keep that up."
"Thanks." He pulled me into another hug, then released me. "I have some things I need to finish up here, some paperwork and red tape. I'm gonna find a place here in town to crash for the night and head home in the morning. I assume Robin's going with you?"
Since we'd already determined our plan for the evening I knew he would, but I let him speak for himself.
"I am." He told his brother.
"Good. You two have a good night, I'll probably talk to you sometime tomorrow. I'll see you Sunday if not before." He turned and went back inside the station.
31
Before I could think about getting back into the Jeep, even for only an hour, I needed some time. I stood outside the sheriff's office for what seemed like a long time. I wrapped my arms around Robin and buried my face against his shoulder. I held on to him and let his arms around me reassure me as I breathed in his scent and listened to the steady thump of his heart.
I'd been scared for so long, it was going to take a while for me to be able to let it all go.
I had been terrified I would do something to anger the man who had taken me captive, that he'd hurt me, maybe even kill me. Terrified I would never see, touch or hold Robin again. I took some time standing in the cool night air to let his arms around me and his familiar scent wash away some of my fear.
When I was finally ready to pull away, I handed him the keys. "I've driven too much today. You drive." I went around the little SUV and got in the passenger's seat, thankful I didn't have to make the trip alone.
32
We got into the vehicle and Robin pulled out of the station. He waited until we were out of town and on the almost empty highway before reaching over and laying one hand on my leg. "You better call Sophia and let her know you're safe. They'll be as worried as I was."
"I already did, before I got to the station. I called her as soon as I hung up with you. I let her know that we won't be back before tomorrow, I asked her to call the boys and let them know, too.
"Good." He squeezed my leg. "How are you feeling?"
"Terrified. Exhausted. Relieved. Thankful. Drained." I let the words as they came into my mind. I knew they were disjointed and incomplete, fragmented thoughts, but I needed to let them out.
"Care to elaborate?" He seemed unfazed.
"Give me a minute. I need to figure out how to put it into words." I took a deep breath and held it a moment before continuing. "You already know what happened, you heard every detail when I gave my statement. I did my best to stay detached. To give the police the facts without getting bogged down in my emotions."
"Whenever you're ready, I'm here." He kept his voice calm and patent and his hand against my leg was a comforting reminder of his presence.
I took another deep breath, let this one out slowly, and started talking. "I'd already made my trip to Tucson. The radio was cranked up and I was singing along. I was watching traffic, but not much else while I waited for the light to change. He climbed in next to me and stuck that farking screwdriver into my ribs. I didn't know it was a screwdriver at first, all I knew was that he had something sharp and he was threatening to kill me if I didn't do what I was told. I was terrified.
"He said to drive to the college, on the way he took the registration from the glove box, told me that he had my name and address. He kept calling me Samantha but I didn't bother to correct him. I didn't want him calling me Sam or Sammie, that's for people I know. People who care about me. He said if I abandoned him or somehow signaled the cops then he would come to my house and rape and kill me.
"He said if you were there, he would make you watch him rape me, then kill you before he raped me again, and killed me. That scared me even more. Threats against me were one thing,
but when he brought you into it, it was worse."
"Me?"
"Not you specifically. Not as if he knew you, personally. He said 'any man he found in my house.' I knew that the only man in my house would be you, so in my mind it was a threat against you."
"Okay," he nodded, "that's reasonable."
"Then he said if I co-operated, he would let me go, unharmed." I looked out the window at the lights in the distance, focusing on something far away rather than the man beside me. The man who meant so much to me. "I had the ear piece in my left ear, like I always do. Between it being on the opposite side from him, and my hair down, he couldn't see it. When we stopped at the college, he got out to steal the license plate, that's when I hit the one touch dialing and called you. I tried to get him to talk as much as possible, or to talk myself. You heard the conversation where I convinced him to head for Tucson instead of Phoenix."
"I did, that was good thinking."
"My hope was that by taking the long way around, you would have more time to set something up."
"That's exactly what it meant." Robin's hand slid up and down my thigh. "Bruce called the prison and told them that we knew how their inmate had escaped and where he was headed. There were a lot of calls between several agencies, they all tried to determine where would be the best place for the take down. The color of this thing helped a lot. There aren't many Jeeps, or anything else for that matter, that are this color on the road. Stealing plates made no difference."
"I was terrified. For me. For you. But I could only handle being terrified for so long, then I kinda went numb. I had a rush of fear when those lights started flashing behind me, but there was hope too. I knew I wasn't doing anything to cause him to pull me over so I prayed to God that he was my rescue." I laid my hand on top of Robin's, stilling his hand on my leg.
Robin's Nest Page 14