Drew shook his head and grinned. His look became serious. "He's not far from where Julie called you. I doubt that's where he has Julie, though. He wouldn't be that careless or stupid."
"I agree," Detective Briggs nodded. "Diversionary tactic. He's arrogant and he's a professional. We need to rattle his cage and make him mess up."
"Do you think he'll show up there?" Brit bit her lower lip.
"He's testing you." Briggs typed a message on a laptop computer.
"So, now what?"
* * * *
Douglas had plans to set in motion. He drove to the block down from teacher's house in forty-five minutes. He cut his lights and watched the driveway. A black Ford truck pulled out and headed toward the road out of town. The bitch called the boyfriend. It's only 8:15. Good. He's taking the bait. He'd probably go for help and wait for her to show up at the meeting place. The fools had planned to trap old Douglas.
The familiar Jeep raced into the driveway. 'Mr. Play Soldier' is here. Great, the teacher has company. What are the chances the 'hot tamale' and the 'killing machine' will leave, so I can get the bitch alone?
Had she believed he wouldn't really kill her? He would, with pleasure. This time I'll skip the rape. No need to try to fool anyone. I need to just do the job and get it over. My Julie is waiting for me. We can be out of town and on our way out of the country before she learns of her friend's death. I may just have to pass on the boyfriend.
He watched the "war boy" bring his tamale and the tall goddess out to the Jeep and drive away. Good, nine o'clock. The teacher should be alone, finally! She'd probably figure on leaving by ten thirty. Plenty of time to check things out.
Douglas drove closer to the house and waited.
* * * *
Twenty minutes later Brit sat in Sam's Jeep in front of his parent's house.
"Sam, you can't leave me here. What if he calls to see if I've left yet? He'll smell a trap if I don't answer the phone. He could get angry and kill Julie."
"Honey, he won't. Peterson is watching your house. Drew has gone to talk to the woman who lives at the house where the asshole used the phone. We have no way of knowing if she's another of his victims. There must be a reason he felt safe to call from there instead of from a pay phone."
"But, Sam, if he's looking for me in the Mustang, he'll know he's been duped. Then what?"
"I'm gonna stick to you like Velcro until you're safe! No one's gonna get near you without going through me. If we have to, we'll go to the gas station together. But I don't think we'll have to."
Brit jumped when her cell phone rang. Before she could answer, Julie's voice came, low but clear. "Gotta make this fast. No phone here. Battery's very low on this thing! Douglas is out, but I don't know where or for how long. Write this down. I'm in an old house, his mother's. Head out 78 past Three Creek Baptist Church, maybe fifteen miles more, at the most."
Brit repeated Julie's words as Sam wrote.
"Watch for a narrow blacktop road with a falling down sign for Bickle Road, I think. It's just after a narrow bridge. The road turns to gravel after maybe three miles. Houses are few and far between. The driveway leads off the road for about a quarter of a mile. There's a large mailbox at the road. Looks like "Drake" was painted on it at one time."
Reception was breaking up. "Hurry!"
"Number 1798, you can see that. Two story, white house, a barn and falling-down outbuildings. Be careful. He's a loony."
"You be careful! We're coming!"
Reception ended.
Sam grabbed his phone and punched Drew's number. "Julie called on her cell phone. She's okay, but she ran out of juice. Get in touch with everyone who needs to know, then head out toward 78 and Peach County. I'm leaving Brit and Esther here." He read the directions to Drew. "If we're lucky, he'll leave early to meet Teach so we can get to the farm before he hurts Julie. See if you can get info on Drakes on Bickle Road in Peach County."
"Sure thing, I'll gather the troops. Be careful and keep your phone on."
Sam had moved around the Jeep by the time he'd disconnected with Drew. He opened Brit's door. She stayed in her seat.
"Come on, Teach. I'll walk you inside and go help rescue your friend."
Brit sat, looking at Sam. "I'm going with you."
"Honey, you need to stay here with Esther while I join the men to get this bastard." His callused hand caressed her cheek.
"You said it, she's my friend. She's in trouble because of me and I need to be there for her."
"He's dangerous. How can I keep my mind on rescuing Julie, if I'm worrying about you?" Sam ran his hand through his hair. "You are not going to meet him and you're not going with us."
"Sam, the Florence Police, probably the Peach County Sheriff's men, and the FBI, and Drew are all out to capture this man. They have to free Julie, that's their job. I don't see why they can't do their jobs without your help." His expression said he wouldn't miss the chance to play hero. So like a guy.
"If you go, I go." She crossed her arms.
"Honey, you'd just be in the way."
"You are so full of --" Her cell phone rang again.
"Oh, teacher? Are you ready to leave and come meet me?" Douglas Drake's voice made Brit's heart stop beating.
"Oh," How had he gotten her on this number? "Yeah, I'll be leaving in a couple of minutes. I'm looking forward to our meeting."
"You sound funny," Douglas said. "Excited? Scared?"
Brit remembered her calls had been automatically forwarded to her cell phone. He hadn't found this number, after all. "I was just about to take a quick shower. I'm using my cordless. Maybe I should just skip the shower."
"Don't do that on my account. Too bad I can't watch, isn't it? Well, maybe later. Change of plans. Meet me in the Waffle House parking lot off the exit to 78 on I-475 at eleven."
He hung up.
"I think he's suspicious. He just changed the plan. It sounded like he was using a cell phone this time. He must be checking up on me."
"Honey, we're wasting time." Sam put his hands at her waist to help her out of the Jeep. He liked her compact build. He liked everything about her. Actually, he loved everything about her. The one thing he wasn't crazy about was her independent streak. "Come on. I need to see you safely inside, so I can go."
"No way! I'm going with you." She drew herself up to her full height, all five feet two inches of seated woman.
Enough is enough. Sam reached across to unbuckle her seat belt. Her hands pushed at his. She didn't even slow him down. He stood on the running board. Her waist was easy to span with his two hands as he lifted her up and over his shoulder. God, she'll make me pay for this, but I need to get her inside with the family, so I can get away to join the other men.
* * * *
"Your brother cannot tell me what to do!" Brit paced the bedroom decorated in a decidedly masculine manner. The sturdy dresser and chest of drawers were simple styled. The dark, smooth, wood looked like Rachel still polished it when she dusted.
"Who does that muscle bound jerk think he is?" She stopped to face Esther. "He'll spoil everything if Drake shows up to check on me. We have to help Julie!"
"What?" Esther rummaged in the closet, then backed out and placed a couple of bags and something on a hanger on the dresser.
"We could go to the Waffle House early." Brit paced again. "He might show up there. What if he realized I'm not in my house? He's probably watching for me to leave. I should be there. What if he's planning to --"
"Brit, a cop will leave your house in a Mustang in about …," Esther checked her watch, "fifteen minutes. If Drake is watching, he'll think you're following his instructions." Esther pulled open a dresser drawer, then another and moved stuff around.
"A decoy? Whose idea was that? Why wasn't I told? How did you know?" She watched Esther. "What are you doing?"
Esther turned her face to Brit. Her innocent expression would have made Brit laugh, if she hadn't been so mad at the men.
"I listened. It seems they cons
ider you a threat to their attempts to save you, but they didn't consider my interest in helping save your friend."
"So, how do we get away from your family? The Daddy Guard and Brother Guard aren't likely to let me leave. Sam gave them instructions to lock me in this room if they had to. They looked like they would."
Brit stopped her tirade when the cell phone chimed again. She cleared her throat and answered it. "Hello?"
"Oh, teacher? Ready? I certainly am. I'd love a pecan waffle, wouldn't you?"
"Almost," Brit answered. She looked at Esther and shrugged. Esther checked her watch again. She held her hands up, palms out and wiggled fingers and thumbs. Ten minutes? "I'll be on my way soon. I promise not to be late."
"Good." He broke the connection.
Esther handed Brit a jacket and a pair of ratty, boy style, high-top tennis shoes. "They're Sean's old ones. This is the room he uses when he stays here. Mama saves his stuff, like she saved all of ours."
"You are a wonder!" Brit snagged a pair of socks as they left Esther's hand in an underhand toss. "Your pushy brother thought he was so smart snatching my shoes." She sat on the edge of the plaid bedspread. If your family hadn't been there, he probably would've taken my slacks, too."
"He wouldn't have left, then."
"Fat chance."
"Sean's old jeans? Never mind. What you have on is fine. My pants would swallow you and we'd get caught if I came out of my room carrying clothes. My purse is a different matter." She pointed to the backpack styled bag. "Get a move on."
Brit stood and tested her footwear. The fit wasn't too bad. She took the jacket Esther offered and followed her to the window. Esther pointed to a tree, sort of close to the house.
"You want me to what?" Brit asked. Esther was suspiciously quiet. "No way!"
Her leader shouldered the small pack, opened the window, then leapt to catch a sturdy looking branch. She swung toward a larger branch. She crawled deftly to the trunk.
Brit closed her eyes and prayed. At least fifteen years had passed since she'd played monkey in trees, with her brothers trying to escape her. Sweat broke out on her brow. Her heart raced. She swallowed hard. Then she crouched on the window ledge. Taking a leap of faith, she caught hold of the branch Esther had left. Following her lead, she made her way down to the ground. Must be like riding a bicycle.
Silently they jogged to an out-building. Esther unlocked a door and led Brit to an old, yellow VW Bug.
"Does this thing run?" Brit asked. It looked like a demolition derby leftover.
She watched her intrepid companion unlock the passenger door and open it. When the driver's door creaked open, she still stood rooted to the ground. Esther slid behind the steering wheel and cranked the relic.
"Coming?"
Brit came to life and scrambled in. She shut the door as the motor raced. Wide garage doors raised as the derelict car approached them.
"Hang on. We'll be discovered in seconds." As she said it, it happened. Porch and yard lights barely beat the men who appeared at the front door. "They'll follow us and they'll warn Sam and Drew. Want to change your mind?"
"Not a chance." Brit fumbled for a seat belt. The shocks, if there were any, were put to the test.
Esther shifted smoothly while pushing the car to racetrack speed. She laughed when Brit hung on to the seat. There was enough light to tell her they were going too fast for the drive and then for the dirt road they entered on two wheels.
"Sorry there aren't any seatbelts. We never replaced the ones the boys cut up. This baby taught us all to drive. Even Sean learned with her. Daddy and Matt planned to restore her, but haven't had time. By the time Matt has a kid, if he and Becky ever do, this darlin' will have time to age again."
Brit finally relaxed her clenched fists and tried to breathe normally. "You've been planning our escape." Esther nodded. "How long?"
"Since I was fourteen." She laughed. "Once Sam let me drive a tractor, I started plotting ways to sneak out."
"You didn't."
"Sure, I did." Esther downshifted smoothly to a stop at the blacktop road. "Drew and I used the same plan when we were grounded. We were only caught half the time, until Luke and Daddy put in all the outside lights. They made my goodnight kisses rough on dates, kinda too public."
Brit laughed. "You slowed down on the real road, 'fraid the cops would object to racing speed?"
"Yeah, something like that. So, where to?"
"I think --" Her cell phone chimed.
"Gonna answer it?" Esther glanced at the clock, which actually worked. Ten after ten o'clock.
"I'm supposed to be on my way to the Waffle House."
She checked the messages, Sam's number.
It chimed again. She didn't answer it.
Esther's phone rang. "Yes?" She looked at her companion. "Sorry, we don't need any life insurance." She disconnected. "Daddy and Luke have reported on our escape."
"What did Sam say?"
"You figure it was Sam?"
"I could hear him all the way over here."
"The Mustang has left your house. An older model, green truck pulled in behind it and is following it at a discreet distance. An agent picked up the truck and Mustang at the main intersection and followed them."
"Well, got any bright ideas?"
"I say we keep going. I'm in the mood to kick some ass. We still have at least thirty minutes before you're supposed to meet the man. I say we head for the farm Julie described."
Esther's phone rang again. "Well?"
She shook her head. "Uh-huh."
She glanced at Brit, made a face. "Um hm, okay."
She slammed the steering wheel. "No way, pal."
"Drew?"
"Of course. My brothers are predictable and protective, and bossy as Hell, if nothing else. They've always been like that. Got it from our daddy."
Brit's phone chimed. She waited, and then checked the voice mail.
"Brit, I don't want you in danger! Stay clear of trouble. We've covered the Waffle House and the Drake place. There's no way you can help. I'll slip in and sneak Julie out while Drake's away to meet you. You and Esther need to go back home where you'll be safe. Even if he realizes we're waiting here for him, he won't go to our farm. Don't be mule-headed."
Esther answered her own phone before Brit finished the message.
She held it away from her ear. "Please tell my stubborn woman I love you both. Go the Hell home! Please, please go where you'll be safe."
"We love you, too. Be careful." Esther disconnected.
"I think we need to go to the Three Creek Baptist Church Julie mentioned. We can watch the traffic from there and be near if Julie needs us. Head for 78 and Peach County."
"Look in my pack," Esther switched on the inside light. "Check the inside pockets.
Brit opened the pack, then unzipped a pocket. "Holy sh --" She pulled out a small pistol and shells.
Esther glanced her way again. "Now the other pocket."
Brit found another small handgun. "Good God, Esther. Are these both yours?"
"Did you forget my brother is a cop? Of course they're mine. For now, one is yours." She paused when she heard Brit's loud intake of breath. "You can shoot, can't you?"
* * * *
Julie searched the house for weapons she could hide. Three dull kitchen knives, she stuffed in places in her clothes she hoped wouldn't poke her. The grocery bags Douglas had left held flashlights and batteries.
She grabbed several plastic bags to stuff together and donned the old, musty smelling, woman's jacket over an old sweater she'd found hanging on a nail in the pantry. She grabbed two water bottles and an unopened pack of crackers and a package of cheese. To those she added a small towel and two forks.
She'd checked the outbuildings for a way to leave, but no old cars or tractors waited. Only in the movies would that happen. The pitchfork would do as a walking stick, or as a weapon, if she needed one.
On the way out, she grabbed candles and a box of matches.
It was dark enough to make walking around scary, but not as scary as having Douglas find her here when he returned. Afraid to follow the road, she walked through the wooded area beside the driveway. She crept toward the old road, praying night animals wouldn't bother her.
"God, please don't let him find me." She moved slowly until she reached the dirt road. Jogging along the road's edge for a short while, she listened for a car engine. The night was quiet, except for the crickets and night noises. She hadn't heard such quiet since she and Brit had camped out during their teen years. A hoot owl scared ten years off her life.
"I'm not afraid of ghosts," she mumbled as a mantra until she didn't need to think to say the words. She sing-songed under her breath, "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my."
She saw the lights coming toward her from the direction of the highway and heard the engine at the same time. Thankful for the trees and bushes lining the road, she scrambled behind cover.
Bats flew from the trees' lower branches overhead, nearly sending her back onto the road. She tried to slow her breathing to normal. The truck was dark inside as it passed. By the time the truck passed, she could hear her blood pounding in her ears. The taillights became red pinpoints, then faded into the night.
What if that was Douglas? The way he kept changing vehicles she couldn't be sure. She waited until she was sure the driver hadn't spotted her and turned around to come back. She scrambled back onto the road, thankful for her protective jeans.
* * * *
Sam prayed Esther and Brit would go back home where his father and Luke could protect them. Briggs hadn't wanted him to go along, but had finally relented when Sam had promised to stay out of the way.
Officer Briggs and his partner would meet the Peach County Sheriff's men, since the house was in their jurisdiction, and go from there.
Drew and an FBI agent had circled the block and followed Douglas and the Mustang. There should be no problem if the women would just stay away.
"Should we have someone stop the VW and detain the women?" Sam asked Drew over his cell phone.
"Who knows where they are? Esther knows these roads like the back of her hands. She could have taken any number of shortcuts to wherever she thinks they need to wait."
Protective Instincts Page 25