“Oh, thank you, Lord,” she cried, “thank you.”
Ignoring the pain in her wrists and hands, she tried to push on the trunk door, but it wouldn’t budge. With barely any room to move about, she struggled and finally reached into her pocket to pull out her cell phone. When she flipped it open, its screen lit up but there was no connection. She moved the phone close to the slight gap and her heart leaped as she got a signal. She switched it to speaker, and dialed nine-one-one.
“Pinewood Hills nine-one-one, what's the exact location of your emergency?”
“I don’t know, I’ve been kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a car. He must have run out of gas. He walked away and I’m afraid he’ll be back soon,” she cried.
“Ma’am, did he hurt you in any way?”
“He taped my wrists together. I’ve removed the tape. I had my cell phone in my pocket. He taped my ankles also, but I can’t reach them, I can’t move, the space is too small.”
“Okay, honey, now where were you located when you were abducted?”
“I parked on the south side of the Pinewood Hills Country Market. He came up behind me.”
“Can you tell whether or not the car is located on a street?”
“I think it’s in a wooded area. The road felt bumpy before the car ran out of gas. When he got out of the car, I heard him walk away and his shoes made a crunch that sounded like dried up leaves.”
“Do you know how far or how long the man drove before running out of gas?”
“I don’t know. He covered my face with a damp cloth. Next thing I remember is waking up in the trunk of this car.” She gasped for breath. “Please help me; I’m afraid he’ll come back.”
“Honey, there are police cars heading out as I speak. It’s beginning to get dark. There will also be a helicopter. You tell me if you hear it. It’ll have a spotlight to shine into the wooded areas that surround the market. They’ll begin there and then extend their circle until they find your location. Now I need you to stay on the line with me. Can you see if your battery is low?
“It’s fine; I haven’t used it since it was last charged.”
“Okay, honey, that’s good. Now just stay on the phone with me, don’t hang up. They’ll locate the car soon. Do you happen to know the make and year of the car?”
“No, but it seems to be old. The trunk has a horrible smell and there’s very little air to breath.”
“Okay, you did a good job removing the tape from your wrists. Don’t exert yourself and use up too much oxygen, just keep still and rest. They’ll find you soon.”
Seconds later, Cassandra heard the unmistakable sound of a helicopter, and she cried into the phone, “I can hear them! The helicopter’s very close.”
“I’ll let them know. Hang in there, honey.” There was a pause then, “Okay, they’ve spotted the car, but they have no place to land. The police cars will be coming into your location soon.”
“Thank you,” Cassandra murmured and fresh tears fell.
She heard a car approaching, and then it braked and the car doors opened.
“Please help me! I’m over here!” She pounded her fists as hard as she could against the roof of the trunk.
“This is the police. Are you okay?”
“I think so.”
“We’re going to pry open the trunk,” the officer told her. “Close your eyes in case any small particles fall onto your face.”
“Alright, I’m ready,” she said, covering her eyes.
There was a loud crunch and the trunk suddenly opened.
She removed her hands from her eyes.
An officer reached in, cut the tape from her ankles, and gently lifted her from the trunk.
“Are you capable to stand?” he asked, when he set her down on her feet.
She nodded. “Thank you so much.”
She shivered, and the officer led her over to his car and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. He helped her into the police car.
Warmth slowly crept back into her body.
“Can you describe the man who did this to you?”
“No, I didn’t see him. I don’t know who it was,” she said, and her eyes clouded with tears.
The officer then stepped away from the car.
“Cassandra?”
She looked up to see Nick facing the open car door. He knelt down and put his arms around her.
“How did you know about this?”
“I heard it on my scanner. When I came to help in the search, I didn’t know that you were involved. I just now heard one of the officers mention your name. Are you okay?”
“It was horrible. When I woke up, I hoped it was just a nightmare, but it wasn’t.” She sobbed and rubbed her sore wrists.
“Ms. Becker?” The police officer returned and Nick stood.
“Your abductor has gone through your SUV, and it appears he searched your purse, although he left it on the seat. Did you have much money or credit cards with you?”
“I carry no more than fifty dollars at one time, and I did have one credit card and my driver’s license in my billfold.”
“He did take the money and the credit card. I suggest you call your credit card company as soon as possible. Perhaps he hasn’t had a chance to use it yet.”
“He left my purse and my driver’s license?”
“Yes, we have them down at the police station where you may pick them up. Your SUV is still located at the market. We’ll take you back there when we’ve completed the report.”
“I’ll follow you to your SUV,” Nick said, “and stay right behind you when you head back to the cabin.”
“Thank you.” She lightly rubbed her wrists again. Her skin was raw and a small amount of blood had dried on the back of her hand where she’d bumped it into the corner of the toolbox. “I feel a bit better. Thanks for coming out here.”
“No problem, I’m just glad you’re okay.”
*
Nick entered the cabin and even though Mandy seemed fine and undisturbed, he walked through each room, checking the windows.
Mandy was so glad to see her. She ran around in circles with her usual happy smile. Cassandra fed her, and then Nick took the dog outside while she called her credit card company.
“They told me the card hadn’t been used yet, so it was a good thing I called them right away,” she explained when he returned. “They said they’d immediately close the account and set up a new one for me.”
“Well at least that’s some good news. Do you have any idea who this guy might be?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “It might have been some homeless person. I really don’t know of anyone who would’ve done this to me.”
“He seemed well prepared, with duct tape...”
She nodded. “I just thought of something. I’m sure he hadn’t known that my cell phone was in my pocket, since he didn’t cover my mouth with tape. I have a feeling that he really didn’t want to hurt me. He may have only planned to leave me in the woods in the first place. The police also said the car he was driving was stolen, so when he ran out of gas he probably decided to leave me right there, along with the stolen vehicle.”
“I’m just glad he didn’t hurt you physically. You could have been killed, Cassandra. Keep your security system turned on. I’m glad now, that I had the camera installed.”
“So am I.”
“Well, I have to get home.” He hesitated at the door. “By the way, I like the new look – you surprised me earlier. It suits you.”
She grinned. “Thank you.”
He opened the door. “You make sure you call me if you have any problem whatsoever, okay?”
“I will, and thanks again.”
After Nick left, she took a hot bubble bath to help calm her nerves. Mandy sat alongside the tub and kept an eye on her.
“I’m sorry, Mandy. You were worried about me, weren’t you?” Mandy walked over to the tub and stuck her nose into Cassandra’s wet palm. “I’m okay, girl. Ever
ything’s going to be all right.”
Finally, as the water cooled, she stepped out of the tub, dried off, and wrapped her terrycloth robe around her. Mandy followed her into the kitchen and watched while she made a cup of hot chocolate, then sat in the living room to call Shannon. She told her everything that happened.
“Please come back home, honey.”
“I’ll be just as safe up here as I would anywhere else. I’ll be nervous for a while, but Nick will keep an eye on us. I really do think this person was just looking for money. I don’t think he’ll be back.”
“But if that was the only thing he wanted, why would he put you in his trunk and leave you in the woods?”
“I don’t know, but the police are looking into it. They were able to get fingerprints from the steering wheel of the stolen vehicle. They said they’d be sure to get back to me. I’m better off staying here for a while, in case they’d like to speak with me again. I just thank God that he hadn’t taped my mouth with the duct tape. I wouldn’t have been able to remove it from my wrists if he had. It was so scary, Shannon.”
“It sounds terrifying. What are you going to do now?”
“I want to try to get back to my writing. Maybe I’ll add this as a scene in the book. Nothing is better than first-hand details.” She tried to laugh, but she knew Shannon would see through her and know it was forced.
“I’m going to bed right now. This has been all too much. I’m going to have another cup of hot chocolate. That usually helps me get to sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“You’re a very strong woman, Cassandra. I’d never make it through something like that. I’d need a psychiatrist. You seem to have come out of it so calmly. I just don’t know how you’re able to handle everything as well as you do.”
“I guess I’ve had plenty of experience, haven’t I?” she said sadly.
“It’ll get better, honey. You call me the minute you wake up, okay?”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, Mom, I promise,” she said, and hung up with a smile.
*
“Good morning, Mom,” Cassandra said.
“Smart aleck,” Shannon said. “How are you feeling?”
“Pretty well, I guess, considering all that I’d been through yesterday. Nick called to check on me. He and Mariah invited me over for dinner tonight, but I turned them down. I just wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
“You can always come home, honey.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m going to get back to my writing the minute we hang up. By the way, after my horrible incident yesterday, I never even thought to let you know what happened after my makeover.”
She told her all about her lunch at Mama Maria’s Café, with Nick sitting at the table near hers.
“And I just smiled at him as I backed out and drove off. You should have seen the look on his face. This makeover has given me a new look, and I feel so good about myself.”
“That’s great! I'm glad you went through with it. You deserved something nice for a change. I can’t wait to see it. Are you going to tell the twins or just surprise them when they come home for Thanksgiving?”
“I’m going to call them in the morning, but only to say hello. I think I’ll hold off on telling them about my makeover. I’ll have my hair redone just before they get home, and see how they like it.
“I don’t think I’ll tell them about all that I’ve been through up here. Please don’t mention it to Adam or Sherry either. I’m fine and I don’t want them to worry. They’d quit school and come home for sure.”
“I won’t say a word. Just take extra care of yourself, and call me tomorrow. I’ll be worried about you until you’re home safe. Keep a close watch behind your back.”
“I will, and I’ll return before long. Don’t worry about me. Yesterday was terrifying, but I really do think this man only chose me at random. Perhaps because I’d parked on the south side of the market where there were no other cars.”
“Okay, but please stay safe.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She made a cup of tea, then sat down at her computer and went to work. Having had actual episodes of a stalker, she decided to continue the story by writing about her own experiences. Working on the story, she became lost in her writing. She’d completed the scene of the man who’d entered onto her property in the middle of the night, and then she decided it was time to turn in. She looked at her watch. It was already two forty-five a.m.
She yawned and got ready for bed, then turned out the lights.
Suddenly she sat up straight at the sound of several tapping noises against the house. She looked down at Mandy. She was sound asleep. Then she heard it again and jumped out of bed. Mandy looked up in concern and tipped her head while Cassandra crept over to the window. The security lights hadn’t come on.
Then she noticed that the wind had picked up and a branch of the oak tree was tapping against the rain gutter. It’s no wonder Mandy hadn’t heard anything unusual. Hearing noises that she never even noticed before, she realized that she was just very nervous after going through such a horrifying ordeal. Reliving it, even in fictional form, probably hadn’t helped, either.
When she wasn’t able to fall asleep, she patted the bed for Mandy to jump up and join her. She happily leaped up and snuggled into the back of Cassandra’s knees.
Now, with the warmth and comfort of the dog, she finally fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter Thirty-five
She’d been working on the novel every day for a week, and was impressed with all she’d accomplished. Deciding she’d earned a day off, she put on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, dumped the remainder of her coffee into the sink and grabbed her jacket. She called out to Mandy, and they walked out the door. The weather remained pleasant and the air was fresh and crisp with the sun shining brightly. They wandered toward the pathway along the creek.
After walking for a mile, Cassandra climbed up the riverbank and roamed across the meadow, with Mandy in step beside her. She’d been so grateful that Nick had convinced her to purchase a dog. Mandy was a blessing; she’s been such good company and she’d never known just how very special a dog could be. She faithfully protected her owner and would do anything to please her and the twins.
The grass no longer carried its beautiful shade of green, nor was it scattered with colorful wild flowers. The arrival of cold nights left a morning frost; the grass had begun to turn into a shade of gold, and now crunched beneath her boots.
When they returned, she made a salad and opened a can of tuna. Grabbing a book from the dining room table, she plopped down on the couch, rested her feet on the coffee table, and felt completely relaxed. Mandy stretched out on the braided rug in front of the fireplace.
She discovered she’d dozed off, when the phone awakened her. She looked quickly at the caller I.D., and then picked up the receiver.
“I was going to call you today, Shannon.”
“I’ve been so bored without you here for our morning coffee. Will you be back soon?”
“I’m going to stay for one more week. I’ll head home next weekend. I probably won’t be returning to the cabin for a while with the holidays coming, unless the twins would want to come up.”
“Have you seen any more of Nick, or his new wife?”
“No, I don’t want to bother the newlyweds, Shannon.”
“You know, I just thought of something. Perhaps Nick has a brother. On the other hand, maybe a sexy ranch hand, someone for you to flutter your lashes at.”
“I’m not looking for any man at this point. I’ve been quite busy with my writing, so I haven’t been bored in the least.” Although she knew she was stretching the truth, trying to make herself feel a bit better. “I spoke to the twins last night, and I’m anxious to get back to clean the house before they come home.”
“Well, I can’t wait for them all to be here. And I also miss having you around.”
“I know, but I feel I�
��ve written some really good stuff. I now understand why Auntie Em came here, for just that reason. It’s peaceful, with no interruptions, which lets a writer’s mind flow so freely, and in so many directions. This writing has really given me a new purpose in life.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad it’s working out for you. Well, I just wanted to say hello. I’m anxious for you to get back for our morning coffee and gossip sessions.”
“So am I. I miss you too, and I’ll talk to you soon.”
Cassandra noticed that the room had become quite chilly and decided to start a fire before returning to her book.
When the room became comfortably warm, she sat back down to read while Mandy curled up in front of the fireplace and fell back to sleep.
*
She’d read the last page of her book when the phone rang. She stretched her legs out on the couch and answered it, neglecting to check the caller’s identity.
“Hi, Cassie,” Sean said softly.
Her heart did a flip. She sat up quickly and smiled. “Hi, Sean.”
“I miss you, babe. I can’t stand it any longer. I love you, honey. I want to see you.”
“I’m up at the cabin, working on the novel that Auntie Em didn’t quite complete.”
“Would you like some company? I could drive up tonight and arrive before dark.”
A part of her wanted to say yes, but she let him go on.
“I really miss you, Cass, and I’m sorry I haven’t called. I don’t want us to be apart.”
She thought of telling him about the abduction, and then decided against it. She’ll tell him eventually, but for now, she just wanted to forget about it.
“I love you, Cass.”
“Sean I’d love to see you, but I’ll be coming home next weekend. We can talk then. Honestly, I want to keep working on the book, before the twins get home for Thanksgiving.”
“You sound really into it, sweetheart.”
The Sunny Side of the Mountain Page 18