“Over the phone?”
“That’s the way it sounded to me, but after a month they got worried when they didn’t hear from her.” The detective cleared his throat. “They tried the number she gave them several times, but no one ever answered or called back when they left a message. Finally, they were concerned something else was going on.”
“Can you fax me the picture you have of her? Has anything been done on the case?”
The Sante Fe police detective snorted. “It hasn’t been a high priority. We have a missing child that’s taking our full attention.”
“I understand. Send me any details you have. I’ll let you know if our Jane Doe is your missing Lucy Cullen.”
“Great. It’s always nice closing cases.”
Lee hung up, strolled to the break room to refill his coffee and returned in time for the fax to come through. When he saw the photo of Lucy Cullen, Heidi stared back at him. He’d found out who she was. Now he had a starting point to find out more about her. He put in a call to the principal of the school where she worked.
The only clue the man had where Lucy Cullen might have gone was Louisana. Even if the killer had forced her to make the call, maybe the place was a clue.
* * *
Heidi rolled the cart through the main room in the library, filled with patrons, toward the adult-fiction section. Clasping several books, a little boy, probably about four, ran toward the counter in the back, dodging his mom who chased after him. The child glanced over his shoulder at his mother and collided right into Heidi before she could get out of his way. Knocked back against the cart, she set off an avalanche of books sliding to the floor.
Red-faced, the mom passed her, still hurrying after her child. “Sorry.” She slowed for a few seconds as though considering whether to help Heidi clean up the mess or pursue her son.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this. I like seeing kids excited about reading.” Heidi noticed the boy plopped the stories he wanted to check out onto the counter by the lady behind the computer.
Heidi turned to begin picking up the books when a large, blond-haired man handed her several. “I thought you could use some help.”
She took the tomes from him. “Thanks.”
Within a couple of minutes the cart was stacked and the man bid her a good day. She studied him for a few seconds, trying to figure out where she’d seen him in town. Shrugging when nothing came to mind, she pushed the cart toward the fiction section.
Deep in the bookcases, she stopped to shelve a thick volume on the top one. She stretched up on tiptoes and caught sight of the man who had helped her a few minutes before peering at her from the row over, jingling a set of keys. Recognition dawned in that second, the book slipping from her fingers and crashing to the floor.
* * *
“This is Officer Lee Calloway from the Sagebrush Police Department in Texas. I understand you were a neighbor of Lucy Cullen five years ago.”
“Yes,” the older woman said over the phone. “But I haven’t seen her in that time.”
“Do you have an address where she moved after leaving Lake Charles?”
“The last I heard was Jackson, Mississippi.”
Lee hesitated. “Was she married when she left?”
“No, but she was going to Jackson to get married. She was engaged to a young police officer.”
“She didn’t get married in her hometown?”
“I wanted her to, but she didn’t have any immediate family left here and her fiancé had some living in Jackson. They decided to get married there because that’s where they were going to settle. I think a small town near there.”
“Do you remember her fiancé’s name?”
“Let me see...my memory isn’t what it used to be. Just a second. My daughter has returned and she might. She and Lucy were friends while growing up.” The woman must have cupped the phone by the sound of muffled voices in the background, then she came back on. “Nancy says it’s Scott Nolan.”
“Do you remember which police department he worked for?”
“Nancy, who did Scott work for?” the woman yelled.
Lee pulled the phone away from his ear for a few seconds, until he heard the older woman say, “Magnolia Blossom Police. It’s a suburb of Jackson.”
“Thanks.” Lee hung up, then looked up the number for that police department and made another call. After explaining who he was, he asked to speak to the police chief.
“Chief Quincy here,” a man with a gruff voice said a moment later.
“I’m searching for a Scott Nolan. I understand he works for you.”
“He worked for me for nine years until five weeks ago. He didn’t even give his notice. Just up and quit one day and said he was leaving Magnolia Blossom. That he needed a change of scenery.”
“Was there ever any reports of him using excessive force on the job?”
There was a long pause. “Only a few times over the years.”
“Was he married?”
“Yes, for a while, to Lucy. A nice girl, but last year she left him and served him with divorce papers. After that, he wasn’t the same.”
“Do you think he abused his wife?”
The man sucked in his breath. “What’s this about? Is Scott in trouble?”
Lee told the police chief about what had happened in Sagebrush and Tom Green County.
Chief Quincy whistled. “He had a temper, but usually he could control it. Those few times he used excessive force was in the past two years. To tell you the truth, I was glad he left. I didn’t know what to expect from him anymore.”
“Do you have a picture of the man?”
“Yes. I can fax it to you.”
“Thanks, and if he returns to Magnolia Blossom, please give me a call and keep this between you and me.” Lee gave the police chief the necessary information, then waited for another fax to come through.
Five minutes later, he stared at the photo of the man who had asked him for directions yesterday. He snatched up his keys, called Kip, who was lying at Lorna’s feet, and hurried toward his SUV, punching in the library phone number.
* * *
Before Heidi could move or open her mouth, the man with cold, gray eyes rounded the corner and came to her side, pressing a gun into her back.
“Hello, Lucy. Miss me?”
The sound of his voice, gravelly as if he’d smoked too much, flooded her mind with images and memories—none of them good. She swallowed several times to coat her dry throat and asked, “My name is Heidi. Who are you?”
“You know who I am—I see it in your eyes. Remember, we were married—and as far as I’m concerned still are—for many years. I know how you think. I know your expressions.”
The quiet steel in his words chilled her to the bone. “How could I forget you, Scott?”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m gonna make sure you never forget me again.” He poked his gun into her back, inching so close his hot breath flowed over her shoulder as he whispered, “I will kill you and anyone who gets in my way. We’re gonna leave here and you’re coming willingly or else.” He left that last word to hang in the air between them for a moment. “You know what I’m capable of. Don’t push me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Home. And you’ll never leave me again.”
Either he would kill her or hold her prisoner on his farm in Mississippi—outside of Magnolia Blossom. Far enough away that people wouldn’t hear her scream or come to her rescue. She wouldn’t last if she made it back there because she would keep trying to escape until he did kill her.
“I won’t allow any interference. Remember what happened to that man last month.”
“I wish I didn’t.”
Every horrific moment played across her mind. Her ex-husband beating the man and strangling him to death, then chasing after her. She’d made it to the man’s car and was able to pull away before Scott could stop her. But he came after her in his car. In San Antonio’s rush-hour traffic, she managed
to get away. Then not far from Sagebrush, she thought she saw his car behind her again. She increased her speed and was putting more distance between them until she had a blowout and lost control of her car. That was when she ended up crashed against a tree on the edge of the Lost Woods.
“No one comes between me and my wife.”
She remembered every moment of the fear and stress she’d gone through while married to him, until she finally managed to run away from him in Mississippi and end up in New Mexico where she lived. “I’m not your wife anymore.”
“Yes, you are!”
The fierceness in those quiet words embedded the cold deep into her bones. She’d been in this situation many times where he tried to force his will on her. A tightness in her chest reminded her of the times right before she ran away when he had strangled her to the point right before dying.
“Ah, I think you realize the hopelessness of defying me.”
No, because she had the Lord on her side. She would get away when the right time came. She would never give up waiting for that time.
“Let’s go. Not a word to anyone. We’re just walking out of here.”
“Shouldn’t I get my purse and jacket?” She tried to think of a way to get away from him, but she couldn’t place these people in danger.
“Why? I’ll supply everything you need. I always did until you became ungrateful.”
In the middle of her fear, a calmness descended. All she had to do was bide her time. God was with her. Scott never understood that. Scott thought he knew her, but he didn’t, especially the new person. She’d had a year living on her own, putting her life back together. She wouldn’t go back to the old life. Ever.
Lucy put one foot in front of the other, looking straight ahead, not making eye contact with anyone. She couldn’t give Scott a reason to lose it. He didn’t really know her, but she knew him well. He stood on the edge of a cliff, teetering, any small instance robbing him of what little control he had left.
She heard her name being called behind her. She kept walking. Almost to the exit.
“Heidi,” the supervisor said, not far from her.
Scott’s grip on her upper arm dug in until pain shot through her.
Lucy forced a smile and glanced at the woman. “I’m so sorry. I’m taking my lunch a little early. A friend of mine came to town, and I wanted to help him find a place to stay tonight.”
“Sure.” Her supervisor scrutinized Scott. “I just wanted to remind you the afternoon reading time is earlier today.”
Scott increased the pressure of his fingers on her, the weapon pressing into her side.
“I’ll be back for that. I don’t want to disappoint the kids.”
“Fine, Heidi.”
Scott urged her forward, and Lucy hurried her pace, wanting to put as much distance between her and her supervisor before the woman thought of something else to say.
Outside, the cool breeze blew her hair across her face, chilling the sweat on her forehead. Scott directed her toward the Jeep she’d seen on Sunday. If only she had remembered that day who he was. She wouldn’t be in this predicament now.
“You’re driving. I’ll tell you where.” He opened the passenger door and forced her inside. “Climb over to the driver’s side. Remember I have the gun, and you know I’m not afraid to use it.”
A memory—the one that finally made her realize she had to leave him eighteen months ago—invaded her mind. He’d taken her out to the field at the farm where he liked to practice shooting. This time his target was a poster of her nailed to the tree. He took great pleasure in aiming at various places on the poster. Killing her over and over until the paper was riddled with gunshot holes.
“Hurry. We don’t have all day. I want to be out of this town.” He shoved her hard.
She fell forward, her shoulder hitting the steering wheel, one knee pressed into the driver seat. “Give me a chance to climb over,” she snapped, then bit her lip to keep any anger inside. It would only rile him more.
“Don’t talk back to me. I have no patience left. You made me come across the country to bring you home. You made me kill a man. It’s your fault he’s dead.”
Lord, help me.
* * *
“Is Heidi there?” Lee asked as he neared the library.
“I was going to call you. She just left with a man. I don’t think she went willingly. There was something about her smile that seemed false,” the librarian said.
Lee’s hand tightened about his cell and he accelerated beyond the speed limit. “What did the man look like?”
“Very tall, blond hair. Looked like a body builder.”
“Did you see them drive off?”
“Yes, in a black Jeep going east.”
“Thanks.” He clicked off and called the station. “Lorna, tell the captain that Heidi’s ex-husband has kidnapped her from the library. Going east on Sagebrush Boulevard. I’m heading that way.” He tossed his cell onto the passenger seat and concentrated on maneuvering safely.
Up ahead, he glimpsed the Jeep weaving in and out of traffic. He made another call to the station. “The black Jeep is heading for the highway along Lost Woods Road. This is a hostage situation. This man killed a person with his bare hands. He’s a police officer and most likely has a weapon.”
As he increased his speed even more, a car pulled out in front of him, and he stomped on the brake while turning sharply to miss the vehicle, sending the SUV into a spin.
* * *
If they left Sagebrush, it was all over. That impression, along with the memory of how Scott murdered William Peterson, hardened her determination to do anything to get away from him.
“You won’t get away with this, Scott. The police know you killed that man at the abandoned gas station. Where do you think you can go? Your picture will be all over the T.V. You know the police will be on the lookout for you and your Jeep.”
“You don’t know anything. I can get lost and stay lost. Not like you.”
“Sure. You keep telling yourself that,” she taunted.
Scott blew up, cursing and striking at her. She used the action to swerve toward the wooded area on the side of the road. He tried to jerk the wheel and correct the Jeep’s direction, but she pressed on the accelerator. Using his gun, he hit her on the side of the head. Pain burst through her skull. She gripped the steering wheel tighter, darkness hovering closeby. She hung on, resolved that his abuse would end once and for all.
In seconds, the vehicle bounced over the rough ground and plowed straight into a pine tree. The blackness swallowed her as her body jerked forward then slammed back, the explosion of the air bag punching her in the chest.
* * *
When Lee’s car stopped spinning, it faced the opposite direction, but somehow he hadn’t hit anything or anyone trying to avoid the vehicle that pulled out in front of him. Traffic around him pulled over. Heart pounding, he praised the Lord, made a U-turn and headed the right way. At the first few intersections, he slowed to look up and down the cross streets. No black Jeep. Finally, he decided he needed to commit to the road that led to the highway. Heidi’s ex-husband’s best chance to get away was to leave town.
When Lee saw the Jeep smashed against a tree, a constriction about his chest obstructed his breathing. Sweat beaded his forehead. He swerved off the road and came to a halt right behind the car. Jumping from his SUV, he drew his gun and hurried toward the car, steeling for the worse.
Please let her be in the car alive.
He approached the passenger side, the door ajar, and peered inside. The vehicle was empty. Both air bags had inflated, a fine powder scattered everywhere. The driver’s door stood open, too.
Straightening, Lee panned the surrounding wooded area. Nothing. With his jaw clenched tightly, he headed back to his SUV and let Kip out then fixed his leash to him. Although he was a cadaver dog, he could search when needed. As he took Kip toward the Jeep, he called the station to update them on what happened. He needed the Lost Woods
swarming with officers and the escape routes blocked. He promised Heidi he would protect her. He wasn’t going to let her down.
Instead of going to the passenger’s side, as Lee had indicated, Kip circled the back of the Jeep, barking. On the ground near a bush lay Heidi.
Adrenaline surged in Lee and flowed rapidly to every part of him.
Please, Lord. Let her be alive.
He quickened his pace and stooped next to her as she moved her arm, touching her head and groaning. “Take it easy. You’re bleeding.”
“Scott. He’s getting away.” She tried to sit up.
He assisted her, supporting her against him. “I’ve got others coming. Do you know which way he went?”
“In the woods, south. I was trying to get to the road to flag down help.” She glanced around frantically. “I must have passed out.”
Lee took out his phone and called for an ambulance. When he hung up, he heard sirens blaring, coming fast. “As soon as help is here, I’ll go after him.”
“No, I’m fine. You go now. He’s got to be caught. He would have taken me, but I was so groggy he knew I would slow him down. Scott is a survivalist, if nothing else. Go. Help is coming.”
“No. I’m not leaving.”
“He told me when he left that I would never be free of him. When I least expected it, he would find me again.” She shuddered. “I couldn’t escape him. I can’t live like that. Find him.”
Torn between staying with her and going after Scott Nolan, he looked toward the road. A patrol car arrived, screeching to a halt. “I’m going. Stay here. Don’t move.”
She managed a small smile. “Promise.”
Reluctantly, he rose and guided Kip to the other side of the car to get the scent he needed to follow. While Kip sniffed around the ground, Lee called the dispatcher to relay Heidi’s position on the ground and that he was going south from the car after Nolan. Kip picked up the scent and charged into the denser trees.
Lee raced after his dog, branches slapping against him. Sweat rolled into his eyes, stinging them, and down his face. Lee kept the dispatcher abreast of where he was going. She let him know the captain was organizing a search from all directions.
Detection Mission (Texas K-9 Unit) Page 18