by Mark Young
“Just get me out of here, Travis. It’s time to go home.”
Chapter 75
Clearwater River, Idaho
A beeping red light on the console made Travis rush to the monitor. He clicked the mouse to link the numbered light to the triggered web cam. He caught a glimpse of a dark shadow retreating into the forest.
Someone tripped the alarm beam nearest his cabin.
“Frank, Jessie. Kill the lights.”
Darkness swept the cabin except for a white sheen from the monitor. The shadow never returned. He knew for sure the figure he saw was human, not animal. He wondered what scared off the intruder. He heard Sam’s tail beating the floor.
Only one person still alive cared whether he and the others were in this cabin.
His fingers gripped a holstered firearm at his side. Travis flicked off the monitor, letting darkness bathe the room in its protective shield. His hands found the rifle, leaning against the wall next to him.
“I’ll be back in a while,” Travis said, opening the back door a crack. He scanned the forest with a night scope. No movement. “Sam. Come!” He felt the dog nudge, starting to whine. “Hush!”
Jessie moved close. “Be careful, Travis. Don’t take chances.”
He smiled into the darkness. “I started taking chances the day I met you. Why stop now?”
Her hand brushed his cheek. “You know what I mean.”
He clasped her hand gently. “Give Steele a call and tell him the alarm’s tripped. Tell him I’m checking it now.” He slipped through the door, closing it quietly behind him.
Moving further into the trees, he sat on his haunches, listening, and waiting. He used the night scope to scan in the direction of the alarm.
Still nothing.
He sat motionless for another ten minutes. He’d hired a specialist from the old days to install a security blanket around his cabin — trip laser beams hidden along selected paths, surveillance cameras and web cams, replete with night vision scopes.
A mini-CIA encampment.
No longer could Jean sit on the other side of the river and take sniper shots at them. He’d shuttered the windows and the front door remained closed and locked. They never crossed over to the highway unless Steele had set up a perimeter of deputies for protection.
Still, it felt like prison. He had to figure another game plan. This search for the killer might go on for some time.
He learned something about Jean Robinette that night she cornered him at the cabin. She would never disappear. Not until she finished her task. Revenge would bring her back like an unrelenting wave. Somewhere along the way, Scarsbourgh enticed her into his world of twisted logic, of right and wrong that only made sense to two twisted individuals. A world in which she felt justified in killing Travis and others.
And now she had nothing left to lose but her life.
He stayed there for another half-hour, Sam lying at his feet, alert but quiet. A gray dawn crept through the trees, giving a hint of the day to come. Forest sounds returned, telling him whoever approached the cabin must have left. A plan began to form in his mind. He quietly rose and walked back to the cabin, knocking twice on the rear door. “It’s me, Travis.”
The door creaked. Jessie stood in the threshold. “She’s gone?”
He nodded, closing the door behind him. “I have an idea. Were you able to raise Steele?”
Jessie shook her head. “Couldn’t get through. Dispatch said he was out on a call, and the closest deputy is an hour away. They won’t run lights and siren unless the danger is imminent.”
He nodded, turning to Frank. “My guess is she’s headed back to Scarsbourgh’s cabin. I’m going to take Sam and try to track her down. You two hold down the fort until Steele and his deputies arrive. Okay?”
Frank nodded.
Jessie cut in. “Hey. You’re not leaving me stuck here. I’m coming with you.”
“Jessie, I can’t concentrate on what I’ve got to do if I’m worried about your safety.”
Her chin jutted out. “I’m not just going to sit around here and twiddle my thumbs while you’re traipsing through the woods. Dad’s in no shape to go and you need back-up. Besides, I’m a better shot than dad.”
Travis glanced at Frank. “She’s kidding, right?”
Frank grinned. “She’s the best shot in the family. I think you’re stuck.”
He felt his stomach tighten. “I can’t let you —”
“— you can’t stop me, Travis. You need me.”
Frank looked at him soberly. “I think she’s right. I’m no use to you right now, and Jessie can —”
“— Okay, okay,” Travis said. “I give up but you’ve got to do exactly what I tell you. For your own safety. Agreed?”
She fluttered her eyes. “Oh, Travis. I always listen to what you say, don’t I?’
“You’ve never listened to me.” He tried to look stern, until he saw Frank smile. Travis shook his head. “Okay, let’s get our gear and move out.” He turned toward Frank. “Keep trying to get in touch with Steele. Tell him where we’re headed.”
He watched Jessie gather her things as he tried to make himself believe this was the right move, but he couldn’t shake the belief he ought to go it alone. Just he and the dog. The last time he let someone change his mind, someone wound up dead.
Chapter 76
A few minutes later they finished packing, slung rifles, and quietly slipped out of the cabin by the rear entrance. Travis learned from his last encounter with Jean Robinette. A night scope, attached to his rifle, and a pair of night-scope glasses were part of his tools this time.
Travis led them to where he last saw the intruder.
“Sam, here!” he said, pointing to a boot impression in the earth. The dog sniffed the ground excitedly, growling in a low snarl. “Sam. Find.”
Sam wagged his tail and bounded forward through the woods. They moved quickly, keeping the dog in sight. From time to time, Travis let out a low whistle which brought the animal hustling back. The dog led them in a large circle, first in an easterly direction and then a slow arching curve to the river below. Travis saw where horse hooves churned up the riverbank, wet hooves digging up dry soil.
“She brought a horse and crossed here,” He pointed to the far bank. “Ready to get a little wet?”
Jessie nodded. Travis led them across the riverbed, water reaching his chest at midstream. He looked back and saw Jessie holding her rifle above her head with both hands, water almost reaching her shoulders. Sam paddled ahead and leaped ashore before Travis, shaking water from his fur while eyeing them.
Once across the river, they clambered up a boulder-strewn embankment, crossed the highway, and found the trail continuing on the far side. The prints led into the woods and up the mountain slope.
“It looks like she’s headed back to the cabin,” he said, pointing north. A few moments later he saw Sam go rigid, the dog staring into the brush. Travis motioned to Jessie to take cover.
Sam stood still, barely moving even his tail, finally turning back toward Travis as if seeking instructions. He motioned the dog toward him. As Travis rubbed Sam’s head, he scanned the trees and brush where the dog alerted.
Only silence. Nothing moved.
The only movement was an early morning breeze rustling the leaves of a bay tree. He edged up to where Sam had stopped and glanced down. There, two sets of hoof prints — one leading east and another continuing up toward Scarsbourgh’s cabin.
He crept back to where Jessie lay behind a tree. “Jean had help,” he whispered, still looking for movement. “Now we have two horses, each now going in separate directions.”
“Someone else? Which one should we follow?”
“Let’s head toward the cabin.”
Jessie shrugged and shouldered her backpack. Travis grabbed Sam by the collar to get him following the trail leading to the cabin. The dog resisted, giving a low whine and tugging in the direction of the prints leading away from the cabin.
He signaled them to take a break a half hour later near the top of the first ridge. Jessie came and sat near him, whispering. “Why do you think Jean might head to the cabin?”
Travis put his index finger against his lips, signaling they needed to speak quieter. “My guess is the cabin is a place she feels safe,” he whispered. “And it was the last place they shared together before he kidnapped you. She knows the cops already searched this place, so she figures it is safe to return.”
Jessie matched his whisper. “But she knows cops must be watching the place. Why would she risk going back?”
“Maybe there’s no other place to run and she is playing the odds.”
“That’s crazy,” she said.
“Not that crazy. Gives her a place to hide close by while trying to nail us.”
Jessie rose, shaking her head. “I sort of feel sorry for her.”
Travis scoffed. “Remember, she tried to kill your dad. And she’s trying to finish the job on all three of us.”
“I know.” She gave him a half smile. “But to lose someone you love. It must hurt. That’s all I’m saying.”
Travis shouldered his backpack. Women. He started up the trail, mulling over Jessie’s comment. Losing someone you love does hurt. He knew that feeling and never wanted to experience it again. He regretted bringing Jessie here. Once again putting someone he cared about in danger.
Jean and he might have something in common after all. Painful loss.
And Jean? A person driven by loss and revenge. He thought of that for a moment, thinking Jessie might be right. Maybe, in a small way, he should feel sorry for this woman. And then he thought of Frank lying on the ground, bleeding and unconscious. No. He did not feel sorry for her. She’d made her choice. Now it was time to face the consequences.
Travis shouldered his rifle and trudged up the trail. He’d make sure Jessie and Frank never fell in Jean’s crosshairs again. He’d be ready this time.
And he’d make sure they survived.
Travis was wrong. Tracks at first led toward the cabin and then began to veer away up the mountainside. All the way up to the Lolo Trail. Morning gave way to afternoon, and afternoon slowly gave way to another sunset. They trudged ahead, mile after mile, until the sun was starting to set. As dusk settled, the trail seemed to finally circle back and lead them in the direction of Scarsbourgh’s cabin once again.
Quietly, Sam lead the way and Jessie followed behind Travis. Even the dog seemed to sense stealth meant survival. Jean Robinette appeared to be very cautious about approaching the cabin, leading a wide circle to the backside of the property.
Darkness enveloped them. He knew the cabin was just below. He called Sam back, signaling the dog to lay down.
Several times during their hike, Travis heard the rotor blades of a helicopter overhead, sweeping back and forth across the mountain slopes. Must be Steele’s crew searching. The copter always pulled away, leaving the forest in its own kind of silence.
Travis thought he heard a horse near the meadow. Not in the stable area, but further to his right, beyond the cabin, somewhere in the forest beyond. Whatever moonlight they had earlier seemed to gain in intensity. There was almost no need for the night scope except to peer into the shadows. There was enough illumination — between moonlight and the night scope — to get a clear look at everything. He lay sprawled out on the ground and eyed every square foot of land between the cabin and the stables.
No movement.
Jean might never see them approach if she was inside.
He motioned to Jessie to slip back into the brush. “I’m going to try to get close to the buildings to see what I can. Maybe we can end this now.”
“Be careful.” Jessie wrapped the rifle sling around her arm and sighted down the barrel. “I’ll cover you from here.”
Travis handed his rifle to her. “Take mine. It’s got the night scope, and I’ve got night-vision glasses. That way we both will be set.”
Sam sprang up, growling. “Sam, stay! The dog crouched down, quivering. “Keep him here,” he said without looking at Jessie. He studied the terrain for a moment.
The dog continued to growl. Travis turned and saw the dog glaring into the brush behind him. He reached out to try to quiet the dog, but no amount of petting would silence Sam.
“Sam, shut up!” Travis said, trying to keep his voice above a whisper and still carry force. He shook the dog’s collar with force. It did not help.
A branch snapped behind him. Travis whirled around to see a rifle aimed at his head.
“Don’t move.”
John Baptiste stepped from behind a tree, rifle raised.
Chapter 77
Scarsbourgh’s cabin
“Keep your hands where I can see them. Both of you.” Baptiste looked from one to the other. “And make that mutt shut up before he gives us away.”
Travis reached out and patted Sam. The dog crouched down, warily watching Baptiste.
Jessie slowly shifted her position. “What are you doing here, John?”
Baptiste ignored her, looking at Travis. “I just didn’t want the two of you shooting me before I could explain.” He lowered his weapon. “I’ve been on horseback for two days near your cabin, thinking this woman might try again. Saw her cross the highway about the same time I heard SO dispatch a unit. Tried to catch up with her, but she gave me the slip. You’ve been stupidly following my trail — nor hers.”
Travis rubbed his forehead. “So she was heading east. That’s why Sam was trying to drag me in that direction.”
“Smart dog. I got here some time ago,” Baptiste said. “I knew about this cabin after your last run-in with her. I set up here awhile ago. Saw her arrive about a half-hour ago. Waited until she put her horse in the stall. I was going to catch her between the stable and the cabin — out in open. But then I heard you coming and pulled back. Haven’t seen her since. You might have spooked her”
Jessie broke in. “Why are you here?”
Baptiste shifted his gaze toward her for the first time. “Because she tried to take out your father.”
“But I thought —”
“That’s your problem, Jessie. You never understood anything about me.”
Travis slowly raised himself. “Now that you’re here, let’s have Jessie provide cover while we try to get close to the cabin. Maybe get the jump on her.”
Baptiste still focused on Jessie. “Well, professor. You still got it in you? Police work, that is?” He finally turned toward Travis.
Travis met his gaze. “You sure she never left the cabin?”
“That’s what I said.”
“You can’t see to the left there, where the forest reaches the edge of the cabin.”
“I’d have heard her leave, professor. I got the drop on you, didn’t I?”
Travis stood and motioned Sam to follow. “Stay here or follow me. I don’t care, Baptiste. Just don’t get in my way.”
Baptiste raised his rifle and laid it on his shoulder. “Let’s do this.”
Travis glanced down at the dog. “Sam. Come.” He turned and began working his way through the trees, listening to the other man following. He looked back and saw Jessie blending with the forest. If he did not know exactly where she lay hidden, he could not have spotted her. He turned and began to quietly descend, trying to move noiselessly through the dry underbrush.
Sam padded silently ahead.
Minutes passed before they neared the cabin. The last twenty yards, he crouched down and began to low crawl through the brush. As they got closer, Sam began to turn away trying to lead him back into the forest. Travis grabbed the dog’s collar and silently motioned the animal to lay still.
Something seemed to be spooking the dog.
Once Travis quieted Sam, he began to crawl toward t
he cabin where the forest grew closest to the cabin, branches scraping against log walls.
This was the same approach Jean took the night she surprised him. Now it was his turn.
Baptiste swung to the left so they’d have the cabin in a crossfire.
He signaled that he was about to approach the front of the building. After Baptiste nodded in recognition, Travis started creeping forward using the cabin wall as cover while tightly gripping his rifle. He rounded the corner and scanned the front porch.
Empty.
He slowly raised himself up to peer through a window pane.
Only darkness inside.
Travis slung his rifle and pulled out a handgun before taking the stairs and edging toward the front door. A board creaked under his weight. He froze, listening to any sounds that might warn him of the killer’s presence.
Silence.
He grasped the handle with his left hand, slowly turned until he knew the door would open with a push. In one swift motion he flung it inward and dove into the darkness.
Silence.
Gradually, his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. Moonlight filtered in. Jean was gone.
A thought gripped him. Could Baptiste be lying?
He carefully peered through the doorway. Baptiste was still planted in the same spot. Travis rose to his feet, keeping the handgun at his side. He slowly strode across the porch and walked toward the other man.
“I thought you said she was in the cabin?”
Baptiste looked at him, squinting. “Empty?”
Travis nodded.
“Then that means …”
Travis hurled off his backpack and fumbled for his night vision scope. He flicked it on and dashed to the corner of the cabin. As he raised the glasses, he focused where Jessie lay hidden. It took a moment for him to scan the ground above them and find where they’d left her.
He felt his stomach knot as he adjusted the sight.
Jessie lay on the ground, a rifle pointed at her head.