Justice at Dawn

by Valerie Massey Goree

“Quick thinking on your part. May I have one of the bottles of water? I’m parched.” KC held out her hand.

  “Of course.” He slid out two bottles from the pack and withdrew the sleeve of crackers, which he offered to her. “Not exactly gourmet fare, but it’ll do.”

  “Too right.” KC swallowed most of the water and then chomped on a cracker.

  “How’re your wounds? I have a bottle of OTC anti-inflammatory pills.”

  “Probably not what I should take. Besides, the pain is tolerable for now.”

  He munched on a couple of crackers, but stopped chewing when Barbara stomped across the porch and stared in their direction.

  “I know you’re not armed. Did I wound you? Come in, and I’ll take care of you.”

  Although confident the low bushes and Mother Nature’s veil helped conceal their presence, Cooper’s right hand wrapped around the gun barrel. Who was she talking to? Not him and KC since she knew they were armed. His heart rate increased, and his gut muscles clenched. They’d been whispering, but…

  Beside him, KC held as still as a sleeping sloth.

  Without warning, Barbara pivoted, entered the cabin, and slammed the door. Her ranting words drifted through the gaping holes. “I won’t wait any longer. Hannah, you must…”

  Then her voice waned and finally ceased.

  Relaxing his posture, Cooper lowered the shotgun and exhaled. “Whew. That was close. Before we move nearer, tell me what else happened before I arrived.”

  “Interesting stuff. Sadie asked why Barbara didn’t leave after our visit. She said they were waiting for someone. By the way, did you hear a huge commotion about ten minutes ago?”

  “Nope. I was still on the bridge when I heard the shotgun blast.” He cocked his head. “How did you make it across that thing?”

  KC hiked a shoulder. “It wasn’t easy. Believe me. But the rough way Barbara handled Hannah spurred me on. I knew I had to cross in order to help Sadie and her kids. End of story.”

  “I’m proud of you.” There was so much more he wanted to add.

  She smiled, hung her head for a second, and then drained her bottle. “Barbara said she packed up but didn’t include Zach’s things. She also threatened to take only one child with her. Don’t know if she was serious. By the way, two of the SUV’s tires are flat, but the sedan seems to be OK. And, in order to keep Barbara from making a quick get-away, I blocked the track with brush.”

  “Great plan. Yeah, I noticed the tires.” He shoved aside the branches. “Let’s move now.” He used the cane to help him stand and led the way, hobbling as fast as he could. They approached the bedroom window side of the cabin. “KC, check at the kitchen window. See what’s happening but be careful of your injury.”

  “I will.” She winced when the rifle strap rubbed against her wounds, but she didn’t comment as she rounded the corner and disappeared.

  Flies buzzed around a large brown trashcan set close to the wall. Foul odors of rotting produce and soiled diapers seeped around the ill-fitting lid. Another sign Barbara was getting ready to leave. Trash set out for pick up or for hauling to the highway.

  Minutes later, KC returned, a grim expression on her face. “Saw no one and heard nothing. Not even a squeal out of Zach.”

  “We know they’re still inside. Wonder what Barbara’s done—”

  A loud grating sound from the cabin cut off his words. Cooper gritted his teeth against the reminder of fingernails on a chalkboard. “She’s moving stuff. Maybe to block the door. I’ll holler at her and tell her I’ll hurt her sister if she doesn’t come out and surrender.”

  “Good idea.” KC peeked around the corner. “Wait. Someone’s opened the door a tad.” She held her breath. “But no one’s come out yet.”

  “This time we need to rush Barbara,” Cooper said, his voice low. “Take her by surprise and end this fiasco. I’ll crawl along the ground and hide by this end of the porch.”

  “I’ll go around and approach her from the other side. Give me fifteen seconds.”

  He dropped his cane, got down on his stomach, and elbowed his way forward, avoiding pressure on his knee as much as possible. When in position, still counting down the seconds, he sat, legs out straight and aimed the shotgun at the ajar door.

  Movement on the other side alerted him to KC’s presence. She waved, and with minimal noise, stepped up onto the porch.

  Seconds dripped by like slow ketchup. Ignoring a desire to scratch his whiskered chin, Cooper’s jaw twitched. Come on, Barbara. What’s keeping you?

  A murmur from within. Then a shadow darkened the doorway. Cooper aimed the rifle at the opening, ready to fire. Conscious of the fact Barbara might send Sadie or Hannah out first, he slowed his breathing so he could focus on who exited.

  A shuffle and more murmurs. Then Hannah stepped out, holding someone’s hand. She pushed the door all the way open.

  Cooper adjusted his aim to the adult, and abruptly raised the barrel.

  Not Barbara, but Sadie, carrying Zach.

  36

  Hannah stepped beyond the open door. KC couldn’t believe her eyes. A shiver snaked across her shoulders. What was Barbara up to?

  The child stopped at the top step and let go of the adult hand she’d been holding.

  Do something, rookie.

  KC figured she could ram Barbara with the door and pull Hannah to safety, which would give Coop the upper hand to overpower the woman. Ready to carry out her plan, she set her back against the door. One, two—

  “Cooper?”

  Sadie’s voice caught KC off guard. She stiffened, and then peeked around the door.

  Nestling Zach against her chest, Sadie collapsed onto the step. “Oh, Cooper. I’m so glad to see you.”

  While Coop scrambled upright, KC entered the cabin. A welcome sight greeted her—sleeping or unconscious, Barbara was tied to the same chair that had confined Hannah. Way to go, Sadie. What irony that both sisters were incapacitated in the same way.

  Conversation drew her back outside.

  “Are you all right?” Coop grunted as he settled beside Sadie and rubbed her back.

  “As well…as…” She snuggled into Zach’s squirming body and drew Hannah close. Sobs punctuated her words. “Thank the Lord…you came back.” Her shoulders heaved.

  “Mama, can we go to Princess Palma’s now?” Hannah withdrew from her mother’s embrace and set her hands on her hips. “I played the game with my colored pictures, and I’ve been patient like you asked. Haven’t I?”

  Trust a child to give everyone a reality check.

  Sadie’s shoulders continued to shake, but when she lifted her head, she was giggling instead of weeping. “Oh, my sweet child. You have been patient. And I promise we’ll visit Palma’s Palace as soon as we can.”

  A lump formed in KC’s throat. The kids were safe. Thank You, God. To mask her overflowing emotions, she blurted out, “Sadie, your tires have been slashed.” She pointed to the SUV. “We’ll help you pack and load everything into Barbara’s sedan.”

  Sadie rose and turned, facing the doorway. A red welt on the side of her face indicated where Barbara had hit her with the gun. “She’s not Barbara. Her name is Irene Grayson.”

  “What?” Coop and KC asked in unison.

  “Let’s go inside, and I’ll tell you the sordid story. I hate to think what Irene had in store for us, but she only packed her belongings.” Sadie held her hand toward Hannah. “Come, sweetheart. Gather your things and put them in your backpack.”

  The child backed away. “No, Mama. I don’t want to go in there.”

  “Of course, baby. I’m sorry for even suggesting that.” Sadie glanced around. “Um, you can—”

  “I hurt my knee and can’t help inside.” Coop patted a spot on the wide step next to him. “Hannah, come sit with me.”

  “Good idea. And can you hold Zach, too?”

  “Sure.” He placed his shotgun and pack on the porch and held out his arms.

  “Thanks, Cooper. I’ll
talk loudly so you can hear out here.” Sadie handed the baby to him and after Hannah sat down, entered the cabin.

  He held Zach under the arms and bounced him up and down on his thigh.

  KC couldn’t read the man’s expression but wondered if the action reminded him of the child he never got to hold. A renewed sense of loss engulfed her. How would she ever be able to overcome the death of her life-long desire for a large family?

  “Hey, little man. You’ve got some grip there.”

  Coop’s light-hearted tone jarred KC out of her ‘woe is me’ thoughts. His dreams had been smashed, but he’d moved on. She shook the negativity off her shoulders and raised her chin. I can do this.

  “KC, please get the pills and water out of my pack.”

  Stepping around him, she opened the bag and retrieved the requested items.

  He held the baby in one arm and turned. “Thanks.” Pain etched lines on his brow and around his mouth.

  As he swallowed the meds, a knot of worry churned in KC’s stomach. “We have to hurry.” Coop needed medical treatment ASAP.

  “Yes, before Vicky arrives,” Sadie said.

  In the confines of the small cabin, conversation flowed freely from one room to the other.

  “She won’t be going anywhere for a while.” Coop continued to bounce Zach on his thigh. “I subdued her at the other cabin.”

  Staring daggers at the restrained woman, Sadie stood in the bedroom doorway. “Great. They’re twins, you know. I’m thankful neither of you was shot last night. I assume they were the ones harassing you with gunfire.”

  “Twins? I thought the brunette looked familiar. Obviously, you got out of the closet. How did you managed to subdue Bar…Irene?” KC moved the basket of fruit so she could set the rifle next to Irene’s shotgun on the counter, and then began to marshal the baby bottles and other paraphernalia.

  “She let me out after she fired the shot through the door. Is that what injured your arm? Do you need a first aid kit?”

  “I’m fine, thanks.” Compared to what Sadie had suffered, what were a few buckshot wounds? KC picked up Hannah’s pink and purple backpack and loaded her color books and crayons inside.

  From the doorway, Sadie tossed a jacket and small hairbrush onto the sofa. “Please add these to Hannah’s pack. It didn’t take long for me to figure out Irene was drugging Hannah and me. In the food, drink. I never caught her at it, and I always tried to serve our plates. Strange thing is she ate the same food we did. Thank the Lord she didn’t give any to Zach.” She returned to her chores in the bedroom.

  “After your visit, I realized Irene had drugged the whipped cream. So when she asked for some hot chocolate today, I filled her mug with the cream instead of milk, and when I poured the steaming liquid over it, it melted and didn’t look any different than Hannah’s. The drug took longer than expected, but when it hit, she literally sat in that chair, ranting about her sister and then collapsed the next second.” Suitcase in one hand and Zach’s car seat in the other, she stood by Irene’s chair. Sadie’s smug smile erased some of the tension that had marred her features. “All I had to do was secure the ropes.”

  “Good thinking. But how do you know each other?” Coop asked.

  Eager to hear the explanation, KC hurriedly slung her rifle and Irene’s shotgun over her right shoulder, the weight biting into her flesh, and followed Sadie outside. She deposited the weapons with Coop’s on the porch.

  Sadie set down the suitcase and reached into her pocket. “I took Irene’s car keys after I tied her up. Here’s a brief rundown.” She prodded the remote to unlock the doors and proceeded to install the car seat.

  “During part of the three years I was in WITSEC, Irene Grayson was my brother-in-law’s secretary. She provided the Levasseur crime family with information about his search for me and later tried to smother Hannah in the hospital. All this time, I thought she was safely behind bars, but she wouldn’t tell me how she got out. Her twin, Vicky Randolph, owns these rental cabins. She was arrested for hiring the hit-woman who killed my WITSEC handler, but she got off on a technicality. Maybe both women used their shady connections to evade long-term sentences.” Sadie threw up her hands in frustration. “Don’t get me started on that injustice.” She reached for Zach and proceeded to strap him into his seat. “Their brother, Kyle Nelson, was killed in the melee that ended Hannah’s kidnapping a couple of years ago. So, you can see I’m not high on their Christmas card list.”

  KC dumped the suitcase into the trunk. “Why did they abduct you now? They waited a long time to seek revenge.”

  “I know.” Sadie stroked Zach’s cheek as he whimpered. “Hold on, folks, I need to heat up a bottle for him. There’s one in the refrigerator.” She dashed inside.

  “While we’re waiting, I’ll remove the blockade from the road.” Turning to Coop who began to stand, KC added, “Stay put and rest your knee.” She ignored his protest.

  Dragging the brush to the side of the track was easier than setting it in place. She struggled with the log but managed to move it a few feet, enough for the sedan to pass. By the time she jogged back to the cabin, Sadie had given Zach the bottle.

  “Do you want me to hold it for him?”

  “No, thanks. He’ll be all right for now. I’ll finish the story. Kyle’s ex-wife died three months ago, leaving their ten-year-old son an orphan. The boy’s a handful and neither sister wants to accept responsibility for him. Travis has no other family. He’s been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. As the name implies, he resents authority figures, displays excessively angry outbursts, and—”

  “Is he here with them?” Coop picked up the three weapons and eased off the step.

  “I’m not sure. I heard Irene in a conversation last night, but when I asked her about it, she said she was talking to herself. But there is a child-size jacket in the bedroom.” Sadie shepherded Hannah toward the sedan. “Sweetie, please sit back here with your brother. That way Mr. Callahan can ride in the front, and Miss Briggs can sit on the other side of Zach.”

  “Mama, I’ve seen a boy.” Hannah buckled her seatbelt then held her backpack close to her chest.

  KC and Coop rushed to the vehicle.

  Hannah regarded the adults who descended around her with wide eyes. “What?”

  Sadie pushed Coop and KC aside. “Let me, please. Where did you see him?”

  “By the other cabin. This morning when I…ran away.”

  “Did he talk to you?”

  The child shook her head. “Am I in trouble?”

  Sadie squatted by the open door and stroked Hannah’s curls. “No, no, sweetie pie. We just need to know more about the boy.”

  “He ran around a lot, like he was playing hide-’n-seek. He didn’t talk at all. But Barbara was mad at him.”

  “That’s who they were looking for, waiting for. Vicky at the other cabin and Irene here. And why she shot through the door.” KC placed a hand over her wounds. The exertion had opened some of them and fresh blood stained her makeshift bandage.

  “The footprints by my truck. He must have removed my battery.” Still holding the three guns, Coop scanned the area. “Have you got everything, Sadie? We need to leave before Travis gets it into his head to release Vicky. I’m surprised he didn’t find us while we slept last night.”

  Spurred on by the possibility of a new threat, KC lugged Coop’s backpack to the trunk and dropped it in. Without a firearm safe, they needed to stow the weapons in there, too. She approached Coop who stood as if on guard by the sedan. “Give me the guns.”

  He handed her the two shotguns. “I’ll keep the rifle until we’re safely out of here.”

  His words sent an icy chill through her blood. Did he expect Travis to attack them? She added the weapons to the trunk and slammed it shut. Before she could climb in the backseat, Sadie stuck her head out the driver’s window.

  “Would you believe I left my purse inside? Please get it for me, KC. I think it’s in the bedroom.” Sadie switche
d on the ignition and the engine roared to life. A comforting sound.

  KC located the brown leather bag and rushed out of the bedroom. As she reached the front door, a rifle blast from outside stopped her in her tracks. She retreated and ducked behind an armchair. Who was Coop firing at? Or—

  “We’re OK, Sadie. Get out of here. Go. Contact the authorities.” Coop’s urgent tone answered her question. Travis or Vicky fired the shot.

  Gravel churned up by the squealing tires hit the wooden porch. KC ventured a peek out the door. Another blast shattered the sedan’s back window, but Sadie kept driving. Please, God. Let the kids be all right.

  The shot appeared to have come from the left side of the cabin. Coop hadn’t been hit—he’d dashed to the other side and crouched low—and since she was protected, she remained indoors. Scuffling and scraping sounds drifted through the open door. She dare not ask Coop what he was doing and so advertise her position, but she could check out the bedroom window.

  Easing aside the drapes, she searched the thick shrubbery, but saw nothing suspicious. Next, she looked out the bathroom window. The smaller aperture offered little she hadn’t already inspected. Hands on her hips, she bit her lip. Should she stay inside or join Coop?

  Squeaking hinges set her heart racing. How many doors were there? Front. Open. Bedroom. Open. Closet? She entered the living room. Closed.

  That left the back door, but when she’d scouted the cabin the first time, it looked as if it hadn’t been used in years. However, she inched into the room, past sleeping Irene. Coop wouldn’t use the back door, so the visitor wasn’t him. What could she use as a weapon? She weighed her options. Coffee table. Chairs. Nothing feasible, not even a vase or bookend.

  She crouched behind the counter. A soft thud indicated the door closed. Footsteps, even and firm, trod across the kitchen. Definitely not Coop. They drew closer. She prepared to pounce.

  The steps ceased, and she held her breath. Was the intruder aware of her presence? Come on. Show yourself. She couldn’t stay in her position much longer without her muscles complaining.

  As if he heard her, he rounded the counter. KC grabbed his leg and held on for dear life.