A Treacherous Mix

by Kathy Herman

  Hawk nodded, his stomach feeling as if a small army were marching across it in spiked shoes.

  Ziegler put his hand on Hawk’s shoulder. “In other words, if command says to walk ten feet and stop, you do it. If they say turn left and walk over to Flutter’s, do it. As long as they’re in control of what you do, they can protect you. Don’t surprise them.”

  “All right,” Hawk said. “I’m a robot.”

  “Hawk, this is Special Agent Romo in the command center. You’re coming in loud and clear, and we’ve got you on visual. I don’t want you to worry about a thing. Remember, the bounty hunter’s not going to harm you while you’re out in public. His goal is to get you alone where he can question you. We’re not going to let that happen. That’s why it’s so important that you trust and obey our commands. And look natural.”

  “I understand, sir.” Hawk shuddered. This whole thing was downright creepy. His eyes scanned the back lawn at Angel View. He saw a few guests jogging. A man and woman and two kids heading for the pier. And an elderly couple walking their West Highland terrier.

  “You ready to get to work?” Barron said.

  Hawk nodded. “Sure. So what am I doing?”

  “You’re going to train your grounds crew,” Ziegler said. “Do what you’d normally do if we weren’t here. Just keep communicating with the command center so we’re all on the same page.”

  t

  Billy Gene stopped and made small talk with some of the guests, hoping that if the powers that be in the command center were watching, he’d look like a tourist.

  “Billy Gene, are you there?”

  “I am, Sheriff. Doesn’t sound like there’s much going on.”

  “No. Not yet,” Virgil said. “I’ve seen you on the surveillance camera a couple times. No one here recognized you. Seen anybody out there worth a second look?”

  “No, sir. Not really.”

  “Seen any men of Middle Eastern persuasion?”

  “Hmm … now that you mention it, I just passed a guy standin’ outside Flutter’s talkin’ on the phone who looked like he could’ve been a distant cousin to Saddam Hussein. Is that important?”

  “I don’t know,” Virgil said. “Maybe.”

  “What’re you thinkin’, Sheriff?”

  “Just that nobody here’s telling me anything. So I’m looking for anyone that doesn’t seem like a typical guest.”

  “This is a tourist place, Sheriff. How do we define typical? I’ve seen whites, blacks, Hispanics. Foreigners. Old folks. Little kids. And every age in between.”

  “All right,” Virgil said. “I get your point. I’m just curious … did you happen to notice if the fella who was on the phone outside Flutter’s was speaking English?”

  “No, he definitely wasn’t, but I’m sure it wasn’t Arabic. It sounded more like French—you know, kinda nasally soundin’?”

  Jalili’s last known address was Paris! Virgil’s pulse raced, but he kept his voice calm and steady. “Billy Gene, I need you to go see if the guy is still there. I’ll stay on the line.”

  “Okay, I’m strollin’ back to Flutter’s like I’m in no hurry. I see him still on the phone.”

  “Good. Take a picture or two of something on the grounds. Be obvious about it, like you’re a tourist. And then pass him by.”

  “I’m holdin’ up my phone and taking a picture of the gazebo,” Billy Gene said. “Now a picture of the lake. Very nice. Okay, I’ve turned around and am walkin’ in his direction. I’m only about thirty feet away. Well shoot, if that don’t beat all.”

  “What happened?”

  “He smiled so I smiled back. I’ll just keep walkin’ past him and turn left so I’m out of his line of vision. Okay, he can’t see me. Now what?”

  “Keep him in your sights,” Virgil said. “Be as invisible as you can, and don’t let him make you. Let’s see if he’s watching Hawk.”

  “You got it, boss.”

  “I need to go. I’ll leave this on so you can hear what’s being said here.”

  “Copy that.”

  Chapter 20

  Hawk gathered the FBI actors who were posing as grounds crew and showed them the flower beds that needed to be weeded and fed. All the places along the back lawn that needed to be trimmed and edged. And he showed them the toolshed where they kept the bags of lawn fertilizer and insect control.

  Special Agent Barron peeked his head in the door. “Why don’t we break for lunch? It’s twelve straight up, and Abby said the chef made us Mexican food and would have it brought to us. We can sit in the shade and eat out here.” Barron turned to Hawk. “Special Agent Romo wants you to start putting a little more space between you and us. You could start by going to check with your sister and letting her know we’re ready when they are.”

  Hawk smiled. “I’ll be right back.” He didn’t allow himself to think about being more vulnerable. He jogged up the back lawn to Flutter’s and went inside.

  Abby hurried over to him. “Is everything okay?”

  “Fine,” Hawk said. “I came to tell you that we’re ready for lunch when you are.”

  “I’ll go tell Benson. We’ll bring it out to you.”

  Hawk nodded. “Thanks.”

  Abby turned around and walked toward the kitchen.

  “Command center, are you there?” Hawk said.

  “This is Special Agent Romo, Hawk. What do you need?”

  “I’m inside Flutter’s. I’m just wondering if it’s okay to jog back to where the guys are.”

  “Actually, I’d like to see you walk back to where the guys are. Nice and deliberate, but not too fast. That way we can get our surveillance to show us the faces of the men in close proximity to see if anyone is watching you. Don’t worry. You’re not in danger. Just act normally.”

  Easy for you to say, Hawk thought. “Okay, sir. I’m on the move.”

  Hawk pushed open the door and waited until a couple with their three children squeezed past him, then went outside and walked toward the eight men sitting in the shade.

  “Hawk stop now,” Romo said, “and start looking through the grass like you dropped something. We just want to see what the people around you do.”

  Hawk did what he was told. He bent down and ran his hands through the grass, pretending to look for something. “Do you want me to pretend I found it too?”

  “Sure, but keep searching for another minute or so,” Romo said. “This is just an exercise to draw the bounty hunter out of the shadows and closer to you.”

  “Have you spotted him?” Hawk said.

  “Not yet. But we will. Just keep doing what we say. It might take several times of doing things like this before he is comfortable enough to show himself.”

  Hawk kept looking through the grass for another half minute, and then snatched a rock and clutched it in his closed fist, adding a smile to go with his pretend victory. He got up and continued walking toward the guys. “Hey, I found my key,” he shouted.

  “Well done,” Romo said. “Now go sit with them and enjoy your lunch.”

  Hawk dropped down in the grass, wondering if he looked as phony as he felt. “I don’t think I’m going to win an Oscar for that performance.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Barron said, giving him a hearty slap on the back. “You did great.”

  The others smiled and acted happy for him. He wasn’t sure if they were showing their pretend gladness that he’d found his pretend lost key, or whether they were signaling their approval of his performance. It didn’t really matter. All this pretending was giving him a headache.

  t

  Kate sat in the living room, knitting a pink-and-white afghan for a friend’s baby shower, praying off and on for Hawk’s safety and for the successful capture of the bounty hunter. Elliot and Buck had gone into town to get groceries. Abby and Jesse were still working at the lodg
e.

  She listened to the tick tock, tick tock of the grandfather clock in the hallway. The house was eerie quiet—something she had rarely experienced as a mother of four very active children.

  Natalie’s shift had ended at noon, and she had gone to bed. Clarissa had insisted on doing laundry so Kate could have some time to herself.

  But as she sat there alone in the quiet, Kate longed for the happy chaos of family gatherings. The good times when all four of her kids were seated around the dinner table, Abby with Jay, and Hawk with Laura Lynn. And her two youngest, Riley and Jesse, ever amusing—so innocent, yet wise beyond their years. The children’s Grandpa Buck with his quiet wit and warm heart. And Elliot, the stabilizer. The other half of her heart.

  Lord, thank You for all You’ve given me, and even for all You’ve taken. So many times in recent years, I wondered if I could ever move past the pain. Ever learn to trust You with those I hold so dear. And look how You’ve restored and healed this entire family. I trust You with Hawk’s life. I pray You will protect him and bring him home safely again tonight. I praise You and thank You in Jesus’s holy and precious name.

  Kate looked up, startled by Clarissa’s sudden presence.

  “Don’t make a sound,” Clarissa whispered, her finger to her lips. She held her gun in her other hand and tiptoed ever so quietly over to the back door and slowly slid the bolt lock, then moved away from the glass door.

  Kate sat still as stone but couldn’t silence the pounding of her heart. And then she heard it—the sound of footsteps outside on the deck. The drapes were drawn to keep out the afternoon sun, but she could clearly see the silhouette of a man.

  He tried opening the door. Then again. And again.

  Natalie emerged from the hallway holding a Taser gun. What was going on?

  Kate couldn’t have moved if she’d wanted to. If this was the bounty hunter, she hoped they could stop him because they had orders not to harm him.

  t

  Virgil stood behind the FBI special agents and watched the monitor as a man—short, medium build, a ski mask covering his face—stood on the back deck of Kate’s house.

  “Special Agent Sloan,” Romo said, “get Mrs. Stafford out of there. Have her lock herself in the bathroom.”

  Sloan went over to Kate, pulled her to her feet, and quickly ushered her out of the room.

  “Sheriff, are you there?” Billy Gene said.

  Virgil turned and bent down to tie his shoe. “I can’t talk now,” he whispered. “There’s a situation at Kate’s.”

  “Sir, I think this guy is moving on Hawk. What do you want me to do?”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Sure as I can be.”

  “Then the man at Kate’s must be a decoy. Stop him, Billy Gene. Don’t hurt him. And don’t blow your cover. Go!”

  “Copy that.”

  Virgil stood and looked up at the monitor and saw Hawk, his arms folded across his chest, watching the FBI actors weeding the flower beds.

  “Hawk!” Billy Gene shouted, waving his Razorbacks cap in the air. He walked over to Hawk, a big smile on his face. “Hey, buddy. Long time no see.”

  Virgil couldn’t take his eyes off the monitors. Romo’s people made no effort to stop Billy Gene. Then again, why would they blow their cover when they could clearly see he wasn’t the bounty hunter?

  “I’m really surprised to see you.” Hawk’s facial expression matched his dismay. “How have you been?”

  “Good. Me and my bride moved up to Springfield, Missouri. I got a good job workin’ for Bass Pro.”

  “Is that right?” Hawk said.

  Special Agent Barron jogged over to where Hawk was standing. “Excuse me for interrupting, Hawk. I need your direction on how to proceed.”

  Billy Gene held out his hand. “I’m Kirby Stanfield, an old friend of Hawk’s. I used to live in Foggy Ridge.”

  “Gary Barron. I’m doing a landscaping project for Angel View. Nice to meet you.”

  The two shook hands.

  “I’ll let you get back to work,” Billy Gene said. “Hawk, next time you’re in Springfield, call me. I’m in the book. Heather and I will have you over for dinner.”

  “I’d like that,” Hawk said.

  “Good to see you, man.” Billy Gene slapped Hawk on the back and then walked up the back lawn toward Flutter’s.

  Virgil exhaled. Amazing job, Billy Gene. Virgil moved closer to the monitor where all the agents had gathered. One of the female agents was stealthily walking around the south side of Kate’s house, a Taser gun in her hand.

  The other female agent, gun drawn, moved down the north of the house.

  “Sloan,” Romo said, “he’s gone down the deck steps and is headed toward the south side of the house. He’s armed. Don’t miss.”

  The agent inched her way to the end of the house and waited, her Taser gun pointed and ready.

  Virgil’s heart nearly pounded out of his chest. Maybe the guy Billy Gene was tailing was just a guest after all. None of this made sense.

  All at once, Sloan bent her arm and buried her face, muffling a loud sneeze.

  The intruder, a ski mask covering his face, stopped—then turned and took off running full bore toward the woods.

  “Stand down. Do not pursue. Repeat: stand down!” Romo spit out an obscenity. “We were that close!”

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Sloan said. “I really tried to muffle the sneeze.”

  “Just get back in the house. He never saw you. At least your cover wasn’t blown.”

  Virgil moved away from the monitors and agents all talking among themselves. “Did you hear all that?” he said softly.

  “Most of it,” Billy Gene said. “I’m confused. Why didn’t the feds grab the guy I’ve been following when they had the chance? If I could tell he was closing in on Hawk, couldn’t they?”

  “I can’t answer that. Hold on.” Virgil stepped outside and pretended to be texting. He spoke under his breath. “About the only thing I’m sure of right now is the man you’ve been following isn’t the bounty hunter or they’d have been all over him. Send a picture of him to my phone. Let me see what I can find out.”

  “So we’re back to square one?”

  “Looks like it,” Virgil said. “I’ll say one thing, what you did was ingenious. You stopped the guy. You protected Hawk. And you didn’t blow your cover. You really know how to think on your feet.”

  “Glad you approve, Sheriff. Only he wasn’t the bounty hunter. What now?”

  “Keep your eyes open, Billy Gene. He’s out there.”

  t

  Kate heard Natalie say it was safe to open the bathroom door. She unlocked it and came out. Natalie seemed really upset.

  “What’s wrong? What happened?” Kate said.

  Kate heard a door shut, and then Clarissa came and stood next to Natalie, looking equally upset.

  “Will someone please talk to me,” Kate said. “Is Hawk all right?”

  “Hawk’s fine,” Natalie finally said. “Let’s go sit in the living room.”

  The agents sat on the couch facing Kate.

  “What was that all about?” Kate said. “You scared me half to death.”

  “We think the man on the deck who tried to get in may have been the bounty hunter,” Natalie said. “If he was watching the house, he would have seen Elliot and Buck leave. Maybe he planned to hide in Hawk’s room and surprise him later. We just don’t know.”

  “So he got away?” Kate said.

  Natalie sighed. “It was my fault. I had to sneeze and tried hard to muffle it. He heard me and took off running toward the woods.”

  “Did you chase him?” Kate said.

  Clarissa shook her head. “Special Agent Romo told us to stand down. The man hadn’t seen us, so our cover wasn’t blown. Right now, that’s more important th
an risking an unsuccessful foot chase and him realizing we were waiting for him. He would disappear and we’d never get him.

  “As it is,” Natalie said, “for all he knew, the sneeze could have come from you or someone else in the family who was outside.”

  Kate laid her head back on the couch and blew the bangs off her forehead. “This thing is making me crazy.”

  Chapter 21

  Hawk finished his lunch, trying not to show how thoroughly confused he was by the stunt Deputy Duncan had pulled pretending to be Kirby Stanfield, an old friend from Foggy Ridge. Something was up. Hawk knew it. But he couldn’t even ask about it as long as he was being listened to at the command center.

  “You okay?” Special Agent Ziegler said.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “You’re awfully quiet.”

  Hawk smiled. “Don’t want to talk with my mouth full while I’m live at command central.”

  “Seriously, you okay?”

  Hawk shrugged. “I guess so. I’m still uneasy about the guy trying to break in at the house.”

  “Your mom is safe with Sloan and Ortega,” Ziegler said. “And if it was the bounty hunter, he never knew our agents were there, so we’re still good to go.”

  “Yeah, I know. I suppose I am a little edgy.” I wish someone would explain Deputy Duncan’s behavior.

  Ziegler patted his knee. “You’re doing great. Hang in there. This will all be over soon.”

  Hawk nodded. “I’m ready for that.”

  “Hawk, this is Special Agent Romo. How are you holding up?”

  “All right, sir. I’d feel better if I could talk with my mother. Make sure she’s okay.”

  “I can arrange that. Hold on …”