Andrew was screaming.
Footsteps scuffed past, and then silence.
Andrew’s screams turned to sobs, and then to whimpers.
She straightened to a standing position. As she did, her hand hit her head. She leaned back down and grasped her hood. A moment later, her head was freed. She could see again. Her hands were secured to the bars of the stall.
The barn was dim, but a bulb gave off enough light to look around. More stalls were on the opposite side. Horses were in a few of the stalls.
This was not the type of barn she’d grown up with in Ohio. The barn was modern and clean. Instead of old, gray weathered wood that most Ohio barns had, these stalls were made of knotty pine. Could they still be out west?
Taking deep breaths, Jamie calmed down so she could think.
A barn meant tools. Tools that could be used as weapons. If she could get her hands free…
“Andy, can you hear me?” Her voice was soft.
The whimpers quieted. “Ye…es.”
“Andy.”
“Wha…at?”
Most adults underestimated children. Amazingly, her own daughter had managed to contact an aunt she’d never met when Jamie was kidnapped.
“Andy, my name’s Jamie. I’m here to help you.”
“I want my daddy.”
“I know you do, sweetie. And I’ll take you back to him. Very soon.”
“OK.”
“Andy, are your hands and feet tied?”
“Sort of.”
“What do you mean?”
“They tied me up, but not very tight.”
“Can you walk around?”
“Sort of.”
“Your feet are untied?”
“They’re tied. But I can walk. Just not big steps.”
“Do you see a door in front of you?”
“Yes.”
She’d been half-expecting him to say ‘sort of’. “Good. See if you can open the door.”
“OK.”
Moments later, soft scuffling sounds came from further in the barn.
“It’s heavy.”
“That’s OK. You’re a big, strong boy. You can do it.”
Dry rusty squeaks.
Andy stood three stalls down. “I got it.” Triumph was in his voice.
“I knew you could. Can you see me?”
“No.”
“That’s OK. I’m going to kick my stall door. You’ll see it move. Come towards me.”
She stretched out. Gritting her teeth, she ignored the pain in her shoulder sockets. She kicked her leg towards the door. Her foot met the wood, but just barely. The door only moved an inch or so. “Do you see it, Andy?”
“Yes.”
“OK, you come here. And then I’ll open it as much as I can. When I do, you grab it and open it the rest of the way. OK? But we need to be quiet. We don’t want them to hear us.”
“OK.”
She looked towards the entryway. Nobody was coming. She wanted to urge him to move faster. But that would make him more anxious. “You’re doing great, Andy. Almost here.”
He looked up at her with trusting eyes. He stopped in front of her stall.
Please, God, let me deserve his trust.
“Are you ready, Andy?”
“Yeah.”
Once again, Jamie stretched, and then pushed against the door.
Andy grabbed the edge, opened it wide, and then ran inside. He hugged her legs.
“OK, Andy. Here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to climb up on me until your hands reach my hands. Then I’m going to untie your ropes. Then you’re going to untie mine. And then we’ll be free.”
“I don’t know how.” His voice trembled.
“I know you can do it. You’re a big boy and you’re so brave.”
“I can’t.”
“You want to know how I know you can?”
“How?”
“Because you are smart and brave.” She gave him a big, happy smile. “OK, pretend you’re a mountain climber.”
He giggled and crawled upwards, gripping her clothes for security. The kid was heavier than he looked.
Her back muscles quivered. “Keep going. You’re doing great.”
He moved up to her chest. He grabbed the bars and pulled to a standing position, one foot on her arm, the other on her shoulder. She winced.
“I hurt you?”
“You’re fine. Just move those hands up to mine.” Jamie stiffened her body, holding him in place.
His hands touched hers. She fumbled with his ropes, her arms screaming in pain. Her legs and back began to cramp under his weight.
“You got it, Jamie.”
“I did. Now, it’s your turn. I want you to untie my hands.”
A worried silence filled the air.
“Don’t worry, Andy. If you can’t do it, it’s no big deal. But go ahead and try, OK?”
“OK.” He gave a huge sigh.
“Find the end of the rope.”
Andy touched the rope.
“Not that one, see the one dangling.”
He touched the right one.
“Good, now move your finger up further on the rope, and then pull it through that loop.”
He did as directed.
“Just keep pulling that rope through the next loop. Take your time.”
His hands touched her wrists, and she worried his little fingers weren’t up to the task. Her back muscles turned to jelly, and she was just about ready to tell him to get down when the ropes fell away.
“I got it.” His voice as triumphant as his smile.
She grabbed him into a big bear hug. “Oh, yes you did.” She twirled him around.
He giggled.
“I knew you could do it.”
“I didn’t know it.” A deep voice rumbled from behind them.
44
Jamie whirled around, her arms tightening around Andrew.
The well-dressed man from the plane stood there, his face a mask of anger. “I guess it’s a good thing I came to check on the two of you.”
She half-tossed Andrew to the floor. As she came back up, she kicked at the man, her foot landing right in his solar plexus. He gasped and bent over. She kicked out once again and managed to land a blow to his head. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Time to leave.
She picked Andrew up and ran out into the darkness.
Andrew’s arms tightened and he sobbed.
“Shhh…baby, we have to be quiet. Shhhh…”
He choked, his breaths coming in short little gasps.
Even as she hugged him, her gaze quickly took in their surroundings searching for a way out. A ranch style house. She wouldn’t find safety there. No other nearby houses to run to. No one stood around outside, either. An SUV was parked nearby.
Maybe the keys would still be in it.
She had to take the chance. Jamie sprinted to the car and opened the door. Keys. She tossed Andy in the passenger seat even as she was climbing in.
A hand grabbed her from behind. She fought against the man as she screamed, “Run, Andy. Run.”
The little boy opened the door on his side, hopped out, and ran into the darkness.
“Bobby. Bobby.” The man screamed for the others.
Jamie struggled against the arms that imprisoned her, but he was much stronger. The longer she fought the more time Andrew had to escape. Way too soon, the thug had her arms pinned behind her back, not allowing her to move.
Bobby came running up to them. “What’s going on?”
“The boy got away.”
“What?”
“You heard me. He went towards the road. Get out there and find him.”
Bobby ran into the darkness.
The man’s arms relaxed. With all her strength, Jamie knocked her head into his face. He cursed at her. Still in his grasp, she turned towards him. Blood gushed from his nose. She punched him in the stomach, and then pushed hard.
He toppled
.
She ran.
People yelled.
A war battled inside her. Go towards Andrew, or lead them away from the little boy?
The men would be much angrier now—and more dangerous. Especially the one whose nose she’d broken.
Sorry, baby. I need to give you the best chance we have. God, protect Andrew. She veered to the left. A grove of trees came into focus.
Andrew screamed and then Bobby yelled out. “Got him.”
“Where’s the woman?” The businessman must have regained consciousness.
“She got away.”
“How’d that happen?” someone else asked.
“Don’t worry about how it happened, just find her.” The businessman’s voice was rough with anger.
She didn’t come this way,” Bobby said. “Take the boy back, and I’ll hunt for her. And when I find her she’s gonna be so sorry.”
“Fine with me. We don’t need her. It’s the little boy we need. Just find her before she causes more problems for us.”
Jamie made her way through the trees circling back towards the house. There was no way she was leaving Andrew with these men, but they didn’t know that. They would think she’d deserted him. She hoped.
****
Michael was ahead.
Enrique followed him into the FBI offices in Columbus, Ohio. He’d be glad to have this part of the assignment over. The other team would take over and he could concentrate on finding Jamie.
She still hadn’t returned his calls.
He prayed he hadn’t blown his second chance. There wouldn’t be a third chance.
A woman dressed in a power suit approached him. Her brown hair was pulled back into a severe looking ponytail. Along with the horn-rimmed glasses, she had a no nonsense attitude about her. “Special Agent Rodriquez?”
“That’s me.” He shook hands with her.
“I’m Annette Downey. Any problems during the transport?”
“None at all.”
“Good to hear. Follow me, please.” The agent led them to a conference room and held the door open.
Suzanne Zinkleman charged towards her husband.
Annette grabbed her arm. “Suzanne, calm—”
“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down. Not after what he’s put me through.” She shrugged the agent’s arm off.
Enrique removed his hand from Michael’s arm and stepped back.
Suzanne deserved her moment with her ex.
Michael stepped forward as if ready to accept her rage.
She skidded to a stop in front of him. Her hand moved upwards as if to slap him, but stopped. Instead, she stared at him. “How could you do this to me? I thought you loved me.”
“I do—”
“Don’t you dare say those words to me. And don’t touch me.” She backed up. “You have no right.”
“Suzie, you don’t understand.”
“I understand enough to know that you didn’t trust me.”
Enrique caught Annette’s gaze. “I think we should give them a moment alone, don’t you?”
“No, I do not think so. Their personal lives are of no concern to me. We need to focus on finding Andrew.”
“I don’t think either one of them will be able to concentrate on anything until they have a few moments to themselves.”
She glared at him, but nodded.
45
Jamie hid behind the barn.
The two pursuers tromped through the trees yelling back and forth. Their frustration mounted. The other man, the one in charge, was in the house with Andrew. House lights peeked through the wooded area. So close. A stone’s throw away and it might as well be the moon.
But Jamie wasn’t leaving without Andrew.
She could handle three men. If there were more, wouldn’t they be out hunting for her? She slipped out from the safety of the darkness and made her way to the front of the barn. She had to be sure Andrew wasn’t back there before she went to the house. She slipped inside the barn. Going from stall to stall, all were empty except the last three.
A horse whinnied. The animal moved closer and nuzzled the hand she held out. “Gotta go, fella. No time to play with you.”
He whinnied once again as she moved away.
She needed to arm herself before she went into that house. There had to be some tools that could be used as weapons. She moved to the tack area. Tools, saddles, and tack were neatly stored, some hanging on walls, some in areas made for their storage. An awl sat out on the workbench. Great, it could flatten the tires on the cars. And there was the weapon she’d been looking for.
A pellet gun.
Most barns had them to kill rats and mice. It wouldn’t kill a man, but it could slow them down enough to give her time to get Andrew away if an opportunity presented itself. And she was determined to make that opportunity happen.
She slid the pellet gun in her waistband and picked up the awl.
Time to find Andrew.
She made her way to the front of the barn but stayed hidden in the shadows as she assessed the situation.
No people around, but the two vehicles were still parked in the drive. The SUV and another car. She peeked in the SUV. The keys were still in it. After pocketing them, she made her way to the other car. Another SUV. A peek inside showed no keys. Good.
She pulled out the awl and poked it into the tire. The hiss of air sounded like an explosion to her. She waited, but no one came out of the house. She moved to the next tire and the next.
The thugs would not be able to use the cars to chase anyone down.
Time to go into the lion’s den.
She straightened up and stared at the house.
A wraparound porch surrounded the ranch-style home. She moved onto the porch, but paused at the back door and listened.
A muted voice.
She peeked in a window.
The man whom she’d attacked stood there with a phone, holding a cloth to his nose. His voice was angry, though she couldn’t make out the words. He leaned against a pine kitchen island that was the centerpiece of the room. The island was littered with Chinese takeout containers and beer.
Her stomach rumbled as she stared at the mess. It had been hours since she’d eaten. She moved away from the window and back towards the door. She was hoping to hear what the man was saying. From her position, she couldn’t see him, but she had a view of part of the kitchen.
“Look, I’m going to let you listen to him. Then you’ll have until noon tomorrow to transfer the money. After that, you’ll see your son. Whether he’s alive or dead when you see him is up to you.” His words were delivered without an inkling of emotion.
A chill went up her spine. Jamie had no doubt he’d meant every word.
He came into view as he opened a pantry door. He knelt down. “Andrew, yell something so your daddy can hear you.”
“Daddy. Daddy. Where are you? I’m scared. Jamie promised to keep me safe, but I don’t know where she is.”
The man stood up as he disconnected. His expression was seething as he slammed the pantry door shut and locked it.
****
Jamie promised to keep me safe, but I don’t know where she is.
Enrique’s blood ran cold.
The group around the table stared at each other.
Suzanne was the first to break the stunned silence. “Jamie’s with him. How did that happen? I thought she just missed the flight back.”
“I have no idea, but that’s good news for Andrew.” Enrique pushed aside his personal feelings to comfort Suzanne. And bad for Jamie. “I know she’ll do everything in her power to keep him safe.”
“I know that, too. But Andrew said she wasn’t with him now. Did they separate them? Or…” She stopped speaking, an awkward expression on her face.
“She probably got away and is now planning a way to rescue him.” Michael offered to the group.
Worried silence filled the room.
Enrique stood. “I’m going back to Jackson
Hole. That’s the last place she was. Chances are that’s where they are.”
Bob Nelson, the agent in charge, shook his head. “We don’t know that. They told us to come back to Ohio. If she’s with them it’s more likely she’s here—in Ohio.”
Annette nodded her agreement. “She has a cell phone. Let’s see if we can find her that way. But our focus stays on Andrew.”
Anger seethed in Enrique. “What about Jamie?”
Annette met his gaze and she shrugged. “What about her? She knew the risks. She wasn’t given any guarantees. Besides, we’re not abandoning her. That’s not what I meant.”
Enrique’s blood boiled.
Bob Nelson held up a hand as if to stave off the argument. “Look, that’s not what Agent Downey meant. I’m sure Jamie’s with the boy. Let’s see what our tech guys can find out. Gotta number for her?”
After Enrique gave him the number, Bob went out.
How had this happened? He shouldn’t have left Jackson Hole without Jamie. He should have waited for her to call him back. He looked across the table at Suzanne and Michael.
The two of them sat side by side. Michael’s hand was on her arm, comforting. The two seemed united in their worry over their son. It appeared as if Suzanne had forgiven Michael’s transgressions. Could she really forgive him for what he’d done—even if he had a good reason?
Could Jamie…would Jamie forgive him, yet again?
Suzanne looked at him. “Jamie’s tough. She can take care of herself.”
“I know.” Enrique felt moisture in his eyes and blinked hard. “But I wish I was there to help her.”
“I take it there’s more than a working relationship between the two of you.” Her violet gaze pierced his soul.
Enrique snorted, even laughed a little. “I wish. That’s what I want, but circumstances keep getting in the way.”
She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. “If Michael and I can find a way back to each other, then so can the two of you. No matter what the circumstances. We’re getting both of them back. And you’ll have that second chance.”
Enrique sent a desperate prayer, a plea to God, hoping Suzanne was right.
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