by C. M. Sutter
“Oh my gosh, Amber, it’s been forever since we’ve seen you. You’re all grown up,” Carolyn said. She and Natalie rose from the couch and took turns embracing me. Finn sat a foot from the television and watched an animated kids’ movie.
“Wow, I had no idea you were already back in town, Carolyn. It’s great to see both of you.” I looked at Natalie’s belly. “I don’t see a bump yet, but I hear congratulations are in order.”
She laughed. “I’m only a few months along, but it’s going to be nice having my parents nearby again. Finn can get reacquainted with them, and the new baby will have grandma and grandpa around from day one.”
“Absolutely.” I turned to Carolyn. “Are you all moved in?”
“Not yet, I just flew in last night. The moving truck is arriving tomorrow, so today we had lunch with your mom and shopped for house décor. She suggested stopping by to see your beautiful condo, and luckily Jade got home just after we arrived.”
“Lucky for all of you.” I laughed and gave Jade a wink. “Actually it’s Jade’s condo. Kate and I are just tenants.”
Jade waved away my comment. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re the cook too.”
I looked around the room. “Where’s Nick?”
Carolyn spoke up. “He stayed behind to close on our old house with the new owners, plus it’s easier to shop and put things in place when men aren’t in the way. You guys should stop by sometime and see the updates we’ve done. It’s really coming along nicely.”
I was thankful when Natalie glanced at the clock.
“We should head out, Mom. Finn has school tomorrow, and it’ll be an hour before we’re home. Ann has to drop us off at your house first so we can close it up for the night.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s been great seeing you girls. It’s been way too long.”
Natalie said we should stay in touch, which I knew wouldn’t happen. Too many years and life changes had taken place, and we lived an hour apart. We were no longer the same people that we were when we grew up as neighbors. Jade and I walked them to the door, passed out hugs, and watched them leave.
I let out a relieved sigh after closing the door behind us. I headed toward the kitchen. “There’s still time to make dinner. How long were they here before we got home?”
“It could have been worse, but luckily Mom doesn’t have a key. I found her car parked in the driveway when I got home, and they were relaxing on the deck. I guess they had been sitting out there for a half hour. She said they got here at five o’clock.”
I grinned. “Good thing Finn has school tomorrow. If you two pitch in and give me a hand, we’ll be eating by nine o’clock.”
Chapter 35
“It’s up to you, Brian. Do you want me to try again or not?”
The men stared at Trish and sized up her current condition. She sat on a kitchen chair, awake and bound by her wrists and ankles. They sat three feet away and began the questions to check her mental capabilities.
“Do you know who I am, Trish?”
Her eyes lit up at the sight of Brian. Her voice was slurred but understandable. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I know who you are, John.” She glanced at her bound hands and feet. “Are we going to play some kind of kinky game? I’d rather be in the bedroom with you”—she jerked her head at Cole—“without this stranger watching us.”
Cole furrowed his brow and cupped his hand alongside his mouth. “Who is John?”
“He’s the man Trish never got over. John was her one and only true love, so she says. He was killed in Afghanistan years ago, and she throws his name in my face every time we get into an argument.”
“But maybe you’ll get your wish after all. If she thinks you’re John, she’ll likely do whatever you demand.”
Brian frowned until his forehead creased. “Yeah, I don’t know. She still has free will and the ability to think. I’d rather have her stupid and obedient. I get that her words are slurred, but it sounds like she has a weird dialect too. She sounds like she’s from a different country.”
“Brain altering can change many things, including speech patterns, accents, and even language. It’s always exciting to see how people turn out once I scramble their eggs, so to speak.” Cole grinned and raised an excited brow.
Brian looked back at her. “Let’s see what she says after a few more questions. Trish?”
“Yes, John?”
“Would you strip down and dance naked in front of us?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’d dance naked in front of you but not that guy. Who is he?”
“I want you to do everything I tell you to do no matter what it is.” Brian jerked his head toward Cole. “Even if I tell you to give this guy a lap dance.”
“No, I won’t do that.”
Brian slapped the table with his open hand then stood and crossed the room. He motioned for Cole to join him. “Give her the sedative again and make her almost like Candy, but I don’t want her slobbering or pissing her pants.”
“So, you want me to repeat the procedure, just a little more aggressively?”
“Yes, and when it’s done, she has to do whatever I say without question.”
“Not a problem. But she won’t have the ability to question your orders, anyway.”
“Good. That’s exactly what I want.”
“I’ll give her the sedative now, and we’ll put her back on the table. By the time we get up in the morning, she’ll be a different person.”
“Sounds good to me. Let’s get started.”
Chapter 36
Every day felt like déjà vu. We went into work every morning with high hopes but left work every night with Brian Cox still at large. Kate and I entered the bull pen, and Billings was already plugging away at his computer.
“What’s going on? You usually get here when we do, or you’re the last to arrive. Did Horbeck and Jamison break the case?”
Jack walked out of his office. “No, but they got us close enough to find out if we’re on the right track. Out of the eighty-one no-motor lakes with power running in on their access roads, only fifteen have registered vacation rentals on them, and that’s between both counties.”
I could see the sense of relief written on Jack’s face. He almost looked refreshed.
“That’s awesome news. So all we have to do is call those resorts and learn the names of the people staying in their cabins. Did Jamison and Horbeck write down which ones have websites and which ones don’t?” Kate asked.
“They didn’t get that far since they still had to answer calls from the tip lines. They got us those fifteen resort names, and that’s what counts. We can handle the rest of it on our own.”
Clayton walked in seconds later with our biweekly ration of doughnuts. The day might turn out with a good ending after all.
We ate our obligatory sugary treat with coffee and hunkered down at our computers. With only fifteen resorts to call, we each took three. Billings had already left messages at three of them before we arrived at work.
On my desk and lying under the paperweight was a piece of scratch paper with the names Lonny, Cole, and Jesse written on it. They were the only names Nancy Philips had mentioned as people Brian knew besides Mark.
At nine o’clock and on her final call, Kate perked up. She threw the tissue box at me to get my attention.
I spun in my seat and gave her a scowl. “What the hell?”
She cupped her hand over the receiver. “Somebody answered at Pine Ridge Resort.”
“Yeah?” I clapped my hands. “Good job.”
“Shh. The man answered with ‘Pine Ridge Resort, Lonny speaking.’ I’m on hold for a minute.”
“Shit! We don’t want him to warn Brian if he’s the same Lonny that Nancy Philips mentioned.” I leapt from my seat and headed for Jack’s office.
Kate returned to the phone call. She clicked Speakerphone. “Yes, I’m still on the line. My name is Kate Pierce, Lonny, and I’m wondering if you can tell me more about
Pine Ridge. Your website doesn’t say much. My husband and I, along with my mother, would like to spend a few quiet days there. Do you have anything available now, possibly in a two-bedroom cabin?”
“You’re calling the right place. We don’t get many tourists here because our lake is only meant for fishing and swimming. Power boats aren’t allowed, and that doesn’t usually attract tourists.”
“So I’ve heard, and honestly, a quiet weekend is just what we’re looking for—we want to wind down and possibly get some fishing in too. How would we fish there? Off a pier?”
“No, we have canoes and rowboats, but that’s about it and a very limited number of them. There’s always fishing from the shore too.”
“Uh-huh, I see.” Kate doodled while she spoke. “How many cabins are at your facility?”
“We have four two-bedroom and three one-bedroom cabins.”
Kate gave us a thumbs-up. “That sounds perfect. So do you have any openings for a two-bedroom, and do any of them have garages or carports?”
“Only one does, but it isn’t available. Actually, it’s the one I get to use free for maintaining the resort.”
“That makes sense. So can I just drop by and reserve a unit?”
“Sure, unless you’d like to put the reservation on your credit card.”
“Uh-huh. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to stop by and see the place first. It does sound perfect, though.”
“Yep, not a problem, and thanks for calling.”
Kate clicked off Speakerphone and hung up. “Now what should we do?”
Jack rubbed his chin as he paced. “Lonny isn’t the most common name. He’s staying in a cabin on a no-motor lake, and it has a carport just like the picture from Brian’s house.”
I added my two cents. “Also, somebody took the picture of Mark and Brian clinking beer cans at that same cabin. There was a third party present, and maybe it was Lonny. They probably became acquainted with him after going to the resort for so many years. Either they all stay in the same cabin or they use Lonny’s cabin as their hangout because it’s larger.”
Jack turned to Kate. “And where is that resort?”
“It’s in Vilas County, boss, on Sunrise Lake Road.”
Jack tipped his head at me. “Bring up that area on a map. I want to see the satellite view and how the lake is positioned relative to the road, then bring up that beer can picture where the lake shows up in the background.” Jack leaned over my shoulder as I clicked computer keys.
“Here you go. I can zoom in a bit on the satellite view, but the tree cover hides the position of the cabins. Damn it. You can’t even tell there are cabins along the lake.”
“You’re right, but the cabins can be relatively new. Doesn’t their website give a history of the resort?”
“No, it’s pretty generic,” Kate said.
“Where’s the nearest sheriff’s office?”
Kate tapped her keyboard. “Eagle River, which looks to be about twenty miles east of the resort.”
“Okay, pull up their phone number and a contact name then get me all the stats on Pine Ridge. It’s time to check out Lonny and the guests at that resort.”
Chapter 37
The scent of bacon and coffee coaxed Brian out of the bedroom that morning. He fisted his eye sockets as he stumbled down the hallway. “Damn, if that didn’t smell so good and I didn’t have to take a leak, I would have stayed in bed for a few more hours.”
“Guess we did tie one on last night, didn’t we?” Cole opened the cabinet next to the stove and pulled out the aspirin bottle. He tossed it to Brian. “Here, these will help.” He tipped his head at Trish. “The little lady is awake.”
“No shit?” Brian shook out four aspirin and popped them into his mouth. He crossed the kitchen to the table where Trish lay flapping her eyelids. “So, what’s the deal with her?”
Cole shrugged. “We’ll eat breakfast first and then find out.” He grinned. “Priorities, you know. After that, we’ll see if her mindset has improved.”
“I like your attitude, buddy. I’ve never seen this side of you—cool, calm, collected, and funny.”
“Let’s just say I enjoy my hobby.” Cole tipped his chin toward the cupboard by the sink. “Grab some plates. Let’s eat.”
“What about her? She hasn’t eaten since yesterday.”
“I made her an egg too. We’ll find out soon enough if she’s capable of eating it.”
Fifteen minutes later, Brian wiped his mouth with the napkin and put the plates in the sink. He rubbed his hands together. “Come on. Let’s check her out.”
“One second while I finish my coffee.” Cole took the last gulp and placed the cup on the kitchen counter. “Okay, we’ll sit her up again like we did last night, then repeat the same process by asking her a few questions.”
Brian and Cole released Trish’s restraints, sat her upright, then spun her sideways on the table. Her feet dangled in the two-foot air space between her body and the floor.
“Let’s get her down to the chair,” Brian said.
Trish’s head slumped forward when they lifted her by the armpits and pulled her off the table.
“That’s good. Now tie her up again,” Cole said.
“Really? She doesn’t look like a threat.”
“True, but you never know when they’re faking.” Cole slid her onto the chair, which still held the restraints from the night before. He scooted her against the chair back and gave Brian a nod. “Tie her up.”
Trish’s eyes rolled back, and her head bobbed as if it was attached by a thread.
“She’s a lot different than she was last night.” Brian secured the restraints and took a seat across from her.
“I’m not surprised. I did poke around in her frontal lobe twice.” Cole poured two cups of coffee and took a seat next to Brian. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Brian pointed at Trish’s face. “Damn it, she’s slobbering.”
A thin string of saliva stretched from the corner of Trish’s mouth to her lap. Brian pushed her head back and closed her mouth. “Now she’s a vegetable?”
“I don’t know. Go ahead and ask her something.”
“What’s your name?”
She remained silent. Brian flicked her cheek with his thumb and index finger, causing her to jump.
“Interesting. She does have some reflexes, but we need to know if she can speak. Try again.”
Brian leaned forward, only inches from her face, and spoke loudly. “What’s your name?”
Jumbled gibberish came from Trish’s mouth. Her swollen eyelids drooped, and her head rocked back and forth.
Brian slapped his hands together. “Hey, I’m talking to you!”
Trish bounced back up and spoke with slurred words. “La, lat latrish.”
“Wrong answer. That isn’t your name, idiot. Who am I, and what is my relationship to you?”
Her head rocked again, and she rambled incoherently.
“What? I didn’t understand you.”
“You it sister, Stan.”
Cole burst out laughing. “Yep, she has the mentality of a three-year-old.”
Brian pulled on his newly dyed hair. “That’s why she doesn’t recognize me, it’s the hair color. Her old man has dark hair, and his name is Stan.”
“I’m not so sure she’s mixing you up with her father. He isn’t her sister. Try something else.”
Brian pointed at his shoe. “What is that?”
“Nose.” She jabbed her finger into her eye then flinched. “Owie.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter if she’s stupid, but she has to obey my commands.”
“Shall we untie her and see what she can do?”
Brian stood and pulled out his pocket knife then looked at Trish. “Don’t move.” He slipped the knife under the knot and cut through the rope. He folded the blade and pocketed the knife. “Stand up.”
She remained sitting, and Brian cursed.
“Brian, it c
ould take a few days before we know what she’s really capable of. Her brain is swollen and scrambled.”
“We don’t have a few days. I thought your cousin was going to show up soon.”
Chapter 38
Kate jotted down everything Jack needed and pushed back her chair. With a short rap to his office door, she walked in and handed him the slip of paper. “Here you go, boss. The sheriff’s office in Eagle River is run by a Lieutenant Fred Alba. According to their website, the county only has a staff of eight.”
Jack thanked Kate, dialed the number, and pressed the speakerphone button. He placed the receiver back on the base and waited for somebody to pick up. We sat fifteen feet away, on the other side of the glass wall, and listened for the conversation to begin.
“Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, is this an emergency call?”
Jack responded to the woman on the other end of the line, who was likely the dispatch operator and receptionist. “Yes, this is an emergency call. I’m Lieutenant Jack Steele from the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office. I need to speak to the person in charge, and I assume that would be Lieutenant Alba.”
“Yes, sir, that is correct. Give me one second to connect you to his office line.”
I watched as Jack tapped his pen against the desk—a habit that we all seemed to have. Mine came from impatience.
“This is Lieutenant Fred Alba speaking. What can Vilas County help you with, Lieutenant Steele?”
“Glad you asked, sir. There may be a fugitive from our county holed up at a resort in your county. He’s been laying low since Sunday, and this could be the lead we’re looking for.”
“I’m listening. What kind of crime was he involved in?”
“The man kidnapped his estranged wife, but that was after shooting her father, who came to her defense. I don’t believe the shooting was intentional, but the man is still a real threat.”
“Did the father survive?”
“Yes, he was hit in the shoulder and was hospitalized but is back home now. The suspect is a mean drunk who has battered his wife in the past, hence the estranged relationship.”