Justice at Dawn

by Valerie Massey Goree

  22

  A full-length image of a princess colored in bold orange and green covered the page.

  Cooper sensed KC’s excitement and put his finger to his lips. “Shh.”

  She all but bounced in place, eyes wide as she prodded the page. “We’re on the right track. Barbara’s cabin has to be up ahead.”

  “Exactly,” Cooper whispered. “We must follow procedure to the letter. We can’t assume the tracking device on Sadie’s vehicle is simply not working. That, coupled with the clues Hannah’s leaving, means we will respond as if this is an actual missing person assignment.” He took one step then pivoted. “I’ll feel more prepared if we’re better equipped. Let’s return to the truck.”

  “Don’t you first want to see if Sadie is at the cabin?”

  “After we get supplies.” He strode down the middle of the road and began to jog.

  Fifteen minutes later, they reached the truck.

  He popped the remote and trampled on the brush so he could open the rear passenger door. His bulging backpack lay on top of his go-bag. What could he remove? Ah, his laptop which would be of no use without Internet service. The rest of the contents were essential—rope, other climbing gear, flashlight, compass, an all-purpose pocketknife, first aid kit, gloves. He raised the backseat, unlocked his safe, and extracted the rifle. After pocketing a dozen cartridges, he added an extra magazine for his handgun and stepped away.

  “If you need any items from your go-bag, now’s the time to get them. Then choose a couple of sandwiches for us, and bottles of water or tea. Shove them in my pack, grab our jackets, and we’ll set off to find the cabin.”

  KC patted her pockets. “I have what I need. Before our next assignment, I’ll purchase a vest like Lela wears.” She complied with Coop’s instructions and zipped up the large pocket of his pack. “Want me to carry the rifle?”

  “Sure.”

  She slung the rifle strap over her shoulder, a grin creasing her face.

  “The weapons are only a precaution. I don’t expect any trouble, but I’d rather be prepared.” He passed a handful of bullets to her. “It’s not loaded.”

  “I understand. This makes me feel better, though.” She stashed the ammo in her jeans pocket, then raised the barrel and pointed it skyward, checking the aim. “A great make. I used one during my training last week.”

  Cooper looped his jacket through the pack strap while KC tied hers around her waist. All business.

  “Are you armed?” she asked.

  He lowered his head and patted his right calf. “Yep.” What was that? He examined the ground by his boot. “Hey, KC, check this out. I see small footprints.”

  Beside him, she said, “They weren’t here previously, were they? Or did I miss them?”

  “No.” He straightened and thumped his chest. Was he losing his edge? He pointed. “Those are our prints. The smaller ones come from the direction of the cabin, veer close to the truck, and then disappear.”

  She followed the prints to the undergrowth. “The kid must have entered the brush here. I can’t see any more.”

  “You attributed them to a child. How old would you say?”

  “Older than my nieces for sure. Wearing sneakers. Could it be Hannah?”

  Cooper scanned the road first to the left and then the right. “Don’t know. Unless we’re near the cabin, I doubt Sadie would let her daughter wander far by herself. One way to find out. Remember the procedural points we reviewed.” He set off at a brisk pace.

  All the evidence they had so far confirmed Sadie’s message to Bowen. Friend’s cabin near Lake Elsinore. Hannah may be exploring by herself, which wouldn’t be allowed if the family was being held against their will.

  Nevertheless, Cooper patted the magazine in his pocket.

  KC hissed behind him.

  He paused. “What?”

  “I’ve been watching for the small prints. Haven’t seen any until now. There along the verge, heading toward the truck.”

  “Right. Good catch. I guess the kid returned through the brush.” He examined the area but could see no obvious egress. “Maybe there’s a shortcut, but we’ll stay on the road. At the first sight of a dwelling, we’ll evaluate our options.”

  The track twisted and turned among the trees. For a time, he lost sight of the smoke plume, but spotted it once he rounded a sharp curve. He checked his watch. They’d left the truck twenty minutes ago. According to KC’s map and time spent traveling, they should be nearing the end of the road.

  He stopped beside a stout trunk. “I think we’re almost there.”

  “Why are you limping?”

  “I’m not.” He did a quick health check. Neck, back, arms. All OK. Legs. Aha. A dull ache in his right knee. But not severe enough to affect his gait. “Must be the uneven surface.”

  She gave him a sideways tilt of her head. “If you say so. Want the rookie to take the lead?”

  “No. I’m fine.” He gave her a smile and chucked her under the chin. “When I need my trainee’s assistance, I’ll ask for it. Let’s go. Keep as close to the vegetation as possible.”

  Thirty yards farther on, the unmistakable odor from a wood fire assaulted Cooper’s nose. Senses on full alert, he crouch-walked another ten feet and then squatted. Bad idea. A sharp pain zapped through his knee, but he kept still, aware of KC behind him. “I see a roof through the trees,” he whispered. “Stay here while I check it out.”

  She tapped his shoulder, their silent signal of agreement.

  Rising with effort, he rounded the shrubs and halted. A gravel parking area in front of a weathered log cabin. Barbara’s sedan and Sadie’s SUV parked side by side.

  He released a long breath, but keeping in mind the possibility of foul play, he kept quiet and turned quickly to give KC the good news. He stepped into a hole, wrenching his right knee. “Dad-gum-it.” The words spewed forth as he landed on his rump.

  “What happened?” KC knelt at his side.

  “I was so excited I didn’t look where I was stepping.” He extracted his leg with care and realized he couldn’t straighten his knee.

  “No wonder you didn’t see the hole. Look at this.” She brushed aside twigs, clumps of grass, and leaves. “It was well camouflaged. You think on purpose?”

  A possibility. But why there, on the side of the road? No. Had to be a gopher or rabbit hole that got covered over time.

  Adrenalin-heated blood surged through his body, an instinctive warning.

  Or a trap, deliberately set.

  23

  Up until that moment, the exercise had been one of interest, almost fun. Certainly informative. But now, KC fingered the rifle. Her heart beat against her ribs. Father God, please lead us safely to Sadie and her kids. KC licked her dry lips. What awaited her and Coop? Sadie and Barbara, friends having a good time. Or… The other scenario was too awful to contemplate. “Your knee hurts, right?”

  “Yeah.” Coop winced. “I aggravated an old injury. Help me up, please.”

  He’d uttered the words without hesitation. KC appreciated that in him. For a man to ask a woman for help said a lot about his character.

  She stood and offered her hand, which he clasped to heave himself upright.

  Hobbling on one foot, he adjusted his pack. “So much for approaching the cabin in stealth. Do you see any movement? With all the noise I made, if it was occupied, someone would have come out by now.”

  Cap in hand, she shook her head. “I’ve been watching. Nothing. Not even a curtain twitching.”

  “Help me to the porch so I can check my knee.”

  His arm around her shoulders and hers around his middle, they made their way to the steps guarded by two large clay pots, dead or dying plants cascading over the sides.

  “Only three. I can hop up those.” Coop held on to the railing and grunted on each step. He dropped his backpack and then flopped into a weatherworn, wooden rocking chair.

  KC pushed a small table closer so he could elevate his leg. “Roll u
p your jeans. Let’s take a look.”

  “I want you to recon first.” He removed his pistol from his ankle holster and set it on the seat beside him. “Although no one has responded to our arrival, check for signs of occupation. Are there any other vehicles in the area? Dwellings or outbuildings? Don’t try the doors yet or go inside. Come back after you’ve been around the perimeter.” His skin had taken on a gray tinge.

  She fished in his backpack and withdrew a bottle of sweet tea. “Here. This’ll perk up your system. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  Rifle slung over her shoulder, KC ran down the porch steps without making a sound and first checked the vehicles. Both were locked so she couldn’t open the sedan’s trunk, but peering through the SUV’s windows revealed little of consequence.

  Then she headed around the side of the cabin, ducking below two windowsills although the drapes were drawn. Even the small window, which she figured was in the bathroom, had the shade down. Overgrown shrubs and a couple of scraggly rose bushes blocked the path leading to the back of the cabin. She skirted the vegetation and made her way to the rear door. No footprints. Spider webs converging in the corner and a collection of dead leaves on the mat advertised little or no use. A large plastic trashcan stood in a wooden corral near the door.

  On the west wall she noticed a large window, again with the drapes closed. Each corner of the cabin sported flood lights strategically placed. No other buildings were in sight.

  When she returned to the porch, Coop had his knee bandaged and had consumed the tea. She almost giggled at the sight of his hairy leg partially covered by denim, a white bandage, and a brown cowboy boot.

  “What did you find?” His flat tone reminded her of their dire situation.

  Her meager report took less than a minute. “What’s wrong with your knee?”

  “Later. Help me up.”

  She closed the first aid kit, slid it back into his pack, and then slung the strap over her shoulder. “Are you sure you should put pressure on your leg?”

  “It’ll be OK. Give me my backpack.”

  “No.” She maneuvered her other arm through the second strap so he couldn’t take the pack from her. With her brows raised in defiance, she offered her hand as she parked in front of him.

  Coop’s expression could have made a baby cry, but he took her hand, and stood. “Thanks. Try the door. If it’s unlocked, I’m entering first.” He nabbed his weapon.

  Knob turned. Door opened. Outward.

  KC backed up, rifle in position. Her heart plummeted. She’d never loaded her weapon. What a rookie mistake. Sweat beads moistened her upper lip. Oh, Lord, keep us safe.

  Limping, Coop stepped over the threshold, gun raised. He made a visual sweep, then motioned for her to follow him inside.

  The unmistakable aroma of pizza filled the dim interior. Ooh, I’m hungry. She shrugged off the inappropriate thought and focused on the task.

  One large space combined living room, dining room, with the kitchen toward the back.

  Signs of habitation. Used dishes on the round, wooden table, along with a half-eaten banana, the flesh turned brown, and an opened bag of potato chips. The remains of a tossed salad littered a bowl. In the kitchen, baby bottles were lined up next to a container of formula. A small wicker basket of fresh fruit and a coffeemaker filled the short counter that divided the space.

  A wagon wheel fitted with five bulbs and lampshades hung over the table. KC had seen such fixtures in magazines. She flipped a switch by the door, which illuminated four of the lights. Pretty cool. She turned it off before following Coop to a closed door beside the worn, floral couch, snug against the inner wall.

  He gestured for her to remain in place. Seconds later, he returned and wiped his upper lip. “No one in the bedroom or bath—”

  Was he sweating? “Only one bedroom?”

  “Yeah. Bunk beds and two doubles are made up, and clothes scattered about. A three-drawer chest, empty. There’s a suitcase with Sadie’s name on the tag.”

  “Did you see the car seat? It’s not in the vehicles.”

  “Yes. It’s in the bathroom on a hamper by the window. I need to sit.” He landed on the couch with a moan and propped his leg on the coffee table. “OK, rookie, what can you deduce from the setting?”

  KC tossed his backpack next to him and then slowly surveyed the living area and kitchen. “All looks normal on the surface. I don’t see a landline phone—”

  “And there wasn’t one in the bedroom, either.” Coop drew the table closer. “Please, continue.”

  “Baby paraphernalia and Sadie’s suitcase confirm their presence.” She examined the dishes closely. “Must have been a good meal since they ate almost everything. Wait a minute. Zach is too young for table food, so why are there four plates?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, but only three glasses and three forks. I guess Barbara served the pizza on one of the plates.” Turning, she entered the bedroom. A small alcove held hanging clothes—jeans, T-shirts, a maroon leather jacket. Nothing out of the ordinary. The forest-green drapes cast a somber mood in the room. It made KC feel as if she were in a cave. She shook off the gloom.

  The inside of the room darkened for a split second. Did the sun slide behind a cloud, or had a person passed in front of the window? She peeked through the curtains with care. No human, but there was a shrub with branches close to the glass. Had to be a shadow cast by the leaves. If it was a person, surely, he or she would enter the cabin. Shadows, not foes. KC draped the rifle strap over her shoulder. “I don’t see Hannah’s backpack,” she said as she walked to the kitchen and began a search of drawers and cabinets.

  “I assume they all went for a walk, and Hannah took her backpack with her.”

  KC yanked on a stuck drawer, and almost fell over when it opened. “If you’re correct, then I’d say Sadie had a stroller in her SUV. No way would they carry a baby into the woods on uneven paths.” She banged the drawer shut. “Or she has one of those cloth baby carriers that can be strapped around an adult.”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen women and a few men wearing them. A papoose kind of thing but worn in front.” Coop shifted his leg on the table.

  “Do you need a pain killer?”

  “I’m fine for now. But please get some ice for my knee.”

  She opened the freezer and found a bag of ice among boxed pizzas and TV dinners. After wrapping a dozen cubes in a dishcloth, she checked the refrigerator. “Looks as if there’s enough food in here for three or four days. Ooh, and a beautiful chocolate cake. Yum.” By the time she handed Coop the ice, he’d pulled his jeans down over his knee.

  “Thanks. What else?”

  Lips pursed, she made a slow turn and pointed to a door beyond the two armchairs and opposite the window. “This could be a closet.” She opened the door and sure enough, the large space held an ice chest, extra blankets and pillows, and a coiled, orange extension cord.” After closing the closet, she tapped her foot. “Aha. There’s no fireplace.”

  “You’re right. I was so concerned about my knee, I didn’t notice. Demerits for me. But I smelled the smoke outside. Did you?”

  “Yes. For a long time. We must have seen smoke from another cabin close by. While checking the perimeter, I noticed the undergrowth is dense around the place. Many tall trees. Do you want me to look again?”

  He shook his head. “Your evaluation is probably correct. The vegetation blocked your view of the smoke. Anything else of interest?”

  KC returned to the kitchen and opened one cabinet after the other, some with a stronger odor of bug spray than others. “Just the usual supplies for a vacation stay. Limited number of mugs, serving platters, bowls. Pots and pans. Silverware.” She sucked in a breath. “Did you see a shotgun anywhere?”

  “No, but then I wasn’t looking for one.” Coop removed the icepack as if ready to stand. “Why?”

  Apprehension clenched her stomach muscles, hunger forgotten. “I found two boxes of shells. One is almost empty.
”

  24

  Frantically searching for the weapon, Cooper examined the bathroom and bedroom thoroughly, checking under the mattresses and beds, behind the dresser, even tapping the walls to locate a possible hidden compartment.

  Leaning in a corner of the alcove rested a broken fishing pole. Odd place for the object. He picked up the rod but set it down when KC hollered from the kitchen.

  “I found it.”

  She met him at the door, holding the shotgun in one hand, and her rifle in the other. “It was on top of the cabinet above the stove.”

  “Loaded?”

  “Yes.” Her brow furrowed as she ducked her head for a second then handed him the shotgun. “I hope Barbara doesn’t mind, but I need to use the facilities.”

  “Thank goodness for indoor plumbing.” Cooper made his way to the kitchen, unloaded the weapon, and returned it to its hiding place. No sense letting Barbara know they’d found it, but removing the shells gave him an edge. If he needed it. He untucked his shirt and slid his handgun into his back waistband.

  KC swooped into the kitchen. “What’s next? I’m starving. Can we eat our sandwiches now?”

  He chuckled at her question.

  “What’s so funny?”

  She had no idea how her bubbling enthusiasm affected him. He hadn’t had this much fun with any other trainee. Trainee, right. Back to business. “We need to hide outside where we can keep an eye on the front door and wait for their return.”

  “Fine. I’ll fetch the ice pack for your knee.”

  “Thanks. Close the door behind you.”

  As Cooper passed the vehicles, he brushed the mud off Barbara’s license plate, and took a picture with his cell phone. Even without service, the photo captured the details for later use.

  “Will you send the photo to Gabe?” KC vaulted down the steps as easily as a gazelle.

  “Yes. When I can.” Cooper led the way down the road around the curve close to the hole he’d landed in and found a grassy spot where they could wait hidden by the shrubs. He sat, removed sandwiches and drinks from his pack, and then tucked the bag under his knee. Aah. That felt better especially after KC draped the ice pack in place. He leaned against a tree trunk and opened a bottle of water.