“Hey, Travis, it’s nearly seven o’clock. Can you come out so we can talk?” KC knelt and peered through the brush. When the kid peeked around the doorjamb, she added, “Your future might look pretty dismal right now, but there are—”
“Stop right there, KC.” Travis’s voice was followed by the living room lights being turned off. Scraping along the porch indicated he moved Irene back to the doorway.
In the gathering darkness, KC clutched Coop’s hand. Now what?
They didn’t have long to wait. Seconds later, the lights came back on.
Travis drew to full height behind Irene and brandished the rifle. “Don’t try anything like that again. If I had my way, you’d both be dead by now.”
KC squeezed Coop’s fingers. “What does he mean? Is Vicky pulling the strings?”
“Maybe.”
Pointing the weapon in their direction, he rested his elbow on Irene’s head. “Hey, KC, I’m not interested in having any heart-to-heart chats. Don’t pretend you know anything about me and my life. I just had a nice little visit with Sadie. She said you used to be a stunt double. Let’s see how fast you can move.” He aimed the rifle in their direction and pulled the trigger repeatedly.
KC and Coop scrambled for cover. When the shooting ended, they were plastered in leaves, grass, and dirt, but no blood.
“He’s a lousy shot, for sure. Thank You, God,” Coop said.
His words brought a smile to KC’s lips. Did he realize he’d voiced a prayer? She glanced at him. Even the dusky evening shadows couldn’t hide the moist sheen in his eyes. His words were a prayer, not just an off-the-cuff expression.
“He’s back inside. Let’s move to that clump of saplings and thick bushes.” He pointed to their left and crept over, carrying the plastic bag. “We’ll be able to see the porch and the path leading to the other cabin.”
Settled and sitting cross-legged, KC slipped her hand into her pocket. Reassured the pistol was still there, she sighed. “I don’t know about you, but for a while I doubted Sadie was with Vicky. Sure, the cops haven’t arrived, but one thing Travis’s show of force verified is that Sadie and the children are hostages. He said she told him I worked in the movie business.”
KC grabbed Coop’s hand and bowed her head. “Father God, please help us survive the night. Keep Sadie and her children in the palm of Your hand until the police arrive.”
42
The warmth from KC’s hand seeped into Cooper’s soul. He’d messed up the best thing that had happened to him in years. In spite of their dire situation, he closed his eyes, hoping she would let him hold her hand all night.
But she pulled away and rubbed her abdomen.
“Stomach pain? Headache?” Cooper touched her forehead. “You still have a fever.”
“My head hurts a bit and so does my shoulder. Occasional chills, but other than that, I’m right as rain.”
Was that a drop of rain? Cooper glanced upward. No stars meant cloudy skies. Please, God. No rain tonight.
He opened another bottle of water and passed it to KC along with an energy bar. “Drink up, and you should try to eat something.”
“Thanks.” She nibbled the bar in between sips of water.
Cooper made a mental inventory of their supplies. They had enough to see them through the night. Then what? Travis proved he’d harm his aunt if they didn’t call out every hour. And no telling what Vicky might do to Sadie. Would Travis stay awake all night? Only one way they’d know. And if he did fall asleep…
“I have a plan.” Cooper tentatively bent his right leg. With the aid of another cane, he might be able to hike. “We’ll let Travis know we’re here every hour, as demanded, but surely he’ll conk out at some point. If he doesn’t answer when we call out, we’ll assume he’s asleep. Then, I’m going to run, ah, walk as fast as I can to the other cabin. Take Vicky by surprise and rescue Sadie and the kids.” He shrugged. “That’s if Travis has been telling us the truth.”
KC poked him in the ribs. “No, let me go. I can run.” She straightened her legs and turned toward him. Her free hand shot out, and she latched onto his arm as she swayed sideways. “Wooo.”
Hand on her shoulder, he steadied her. “What happened?”
“Dizzy, lightheaded.” She rested her head against a tree. “OK, so maybe I can’t run. But I can help. I do impersonations to entertain my family. Nothing worthy of the stage. Let me try your voice.”
Staring at her, he knew his mouth gaped. “You are full of surprises. All right, just say what Travis needs to hear.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m here, Travis.”
Cooper stopped himself from chuckling. Her deep voice sounded a lot like his. “Not bad.”
“It’ll be more realistic when I ye—”
Light flooded the driveway.
Cooper and KC stared at the cabin. The security lights on each corner bathed the area in a golden glow.
Travis yanked Irene’s chair through the doorway. “She’ll be back soon. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Can he read my mind, too?” Cooper craned his neck. Travis hadn’t shut the door. “I’ll risk entering.”
“Please, don’t.” KC held onto his jacket sleeve. “He’ll be prepared for us to catch him off guard. If you’ve thought about leaving during the night or approaching the cabin again, don’t you think he has too?”
“But I have to do something. In the meantime, I’ll make another cane.” He checked out the saplings close by. One looked promising. He began bending it one way then the other, the leaves swishing against their peers, until it snapped. At least six-feet-long, as thick as his wrist. Perfect. Before he could strip off the twigs, KC tapped his leg.
“Here. Almost forgot I had it.” She handed him a pocketknife.
“Great.” In short order, the branch resembled a sturdy cane. “After several hours, I’ll go help Sadie. Without transport, she’ll have to make the trek on foot. But we need her to reach the authorities. Sooner, rather than later. Neither of us could make the three-mile trip.”
“I agree in principle. If Travis keeps Irene inside, you’ll have a better chance. Just hope I can stay awake while you’re gone.”
“I’ll leave my watch with you. I can set the alarm to ring on the hour. Depending on Travis’s activities, we can decide when it’s best for me to go.” He set the alarm on his watch for every hour past midnight and then slipped it onto her wrist.
“Now we wait.” KC stretched her legs out and crossed her ankles.
She didn’t seem interested in talking anymore, so Cooper focused on the porch. What is the kid doing?
As if tuned into Cooper’s thoughts, Travis appeared, shielded by the door, and said, “I’m giving Irene a break. She’s eating and changing clothes, but I’ll be watching out for you two. No tricks, or aunty will be sorry.”
“How nice of him.” Sarcasm dripped off KC’s words. She turned to Cooper and shook her head. “I shouldn’t have used that tone. His actions show he does care for her. Yes, he waved that big knife around, but he’s meeting her basic needs. We can use his actions to our advantage. I’d still like to chat with him, and he might give us insight into his troubled soul.” She moved a shrub aside and opened her mouth, but Travis stormed inside.
“He must know we moved, but let’s not reveal our exact position.”
“Right. Of course. However, his behavior is screaming for help.”
Deep down, Cooper agreed with KC but wasn’t sure how to offer the support the kid needed. If he wasn’t armed, and if they weren’t incapacitated… He fished his phone from his pocket. No service. And there was no way either of them could climb to the treehouse again.
“No doubt about it, we’re stuck here.” He glanced at KC who stared off into the distance. Maybe he should encourage her to sleep now, so she’d be alert when he left. He twisted the watch on her arm and checked the time. Four and a half hours since she’d received the blow to her head. “Look at me, KC.”
She complie
d.
“Good, your pupils are normal, so if you have a concussion, it’s probably mild. Why don’t you sleep for a while?”
“Good idea.” She lay on her right side, legs bent. Within minutes, her breathing deepened.
Cooper removed his jacket and spread it over her upper body. The thin denim was better than nothing. He rubbed his arms. At least the overcast skies kept the daytime heat from radiating into the night. And the rain held off. He glanced at KC again. Not only was she injured, but her fever and the pain in her abdomen were major concerns. Her wounds could be infected, or what if she had appendicitis? Come on, Travis. Go to sleep. Cooper stared at the cabin, straining to hear any sound that would tell him what the kid was doing. Night critters supplied chirps, trills, and twitters, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. Nothing from Travis. The longer Irene remained inside the more Cooper was tempted to sneak up to the cabin. KC slept soundly. Why not now?
He used his new cane to stand upright, slung the rifle over his shoulder, and crept toward the windowless wall, still hidden by the brush. Security lights at the back of the cabin allowed him to pick his way through the bushes, making little noise. He eased up to the kitchen window and looked through the broken glass. Irene sat at the table with her back toward him, eating. Her arms were free, but her torso was secured to the chair. She now wore jeans and a long-sleeved top. No sign of Travis.
Cooper weighed his options. He could try to enter through the front door, gag Irene, and overpower Travis. But first he’d better check the other windows to see what the kid was doing. Although the cane made walking a little easier, he couldn’t move with any speed or stealth. Accessing the porch without Travis hearing might be impossible.
Creeping along the wall, Cooper approached the bathroom on the other side of the cabin. Lacy curtains fluttered through the broken glass. He took a quick glance and drew back. Travis had pried enough floorboards loose to be on his hands and knees in the hole. He appeared to be digging, his full attention on his task.
Now or never. Cooper hurried to the porch steps, used the rail to climb up and entered the cabin. He put his finger to his lips, silently begging Irene to be quiet. He had nothing with which to gag her, and the kitchen towels were miles away. Could he punch a defenseless woman? No.
She choked on a mouthful of soup, spluttered, and dropped her spoon.
He held his hands out in stop sign motions, and whispered, “I’ll help you escape. Please be quiet.”
Eyes wild, Irene cried, “Travis, he’s back. Come quick.”
43
Of course, Irene would look out for her own welfare. Cooper hesitated by the door. Choices? He could waylay Travis as he exited the bedroom and use his cane to trip him, as he had done to Vicky, or knock him out with the rifle butt.
Scuffling sounds echoed from the bathroom.
Cooper stepped to the bedroom and stood by the jamb, rifle held high.
“Cooper’s waiting for you.”
Irene’s warning shouldn’t have caught him off guard, but it did. He took a defensive stance. His knee might be out of commission, but he still had size and experience on his side.
All of which meant nothing when Travis opened fire into the living room. “Get out of my house. If you don’t, I’ll climb out the window and head straight for KC.” Another shot splintered a piece of log on the far wall.
Cane under one arm, Cooper stepped backward toward the front door, rifle aimed into the bedroom. This kid meant business.
“He’s leaving, Travis. Don’t shoot that thing in here again, please.” Irene peeked under her arms which covered her head.
Cooper made it to the safety of the brush and crouched near KC who was now wide awake. He lowered his head. Thank You, God, for saving me from my foolish action.
“Was he shooting at you?” Concern filled her eyes.
“Yes, or rather in my direction. He threatened to come after you if I didn’t leave.” Cooper rubbed his knee. Had all the activity over the past two days damaged it beyond repair? “He could have shot through the thin living room wall and killed me, or carried out—”
“He wants us alive, or conversely, he doesn’t want to kill us. I guess that’s a positive sign. He certainly has a lot of ammo. Maybe he brought it from the other cabin.”
“Hey, Mr. Agent.” Travis rested the rifle barrel on Irene’s shoulder. “It’s eight o’clock. Where’s your partner?”
“I’m here, Travis.” KC sighed and curled up again.
“Just because it’s late doesn’t get you off the hook. Both of you, every hour.” He slipped inside.
Any reprieve Cooper might have hoped for was nixed by his recent actions. He sat back against the tree. Travis had turned on every light in the cabin. What was he searching for? Were he and Vicky communicating via walkie-talkies?
“What time will you go to the other cabin?”
KC’s words jerked Cooper from his thoughts. “It depends on the kid. Sounds as if he is serious about us checking in, but surely he’ll need sleep sometime.”
“Unless he’s medicating himself. I’m tired and lightheaded. Is it all right if I go back to sleep?”
“Of course. I’ll wake you if Travis demands it.” Cooper repositioned his jacket over her and swallowed against a lump in his throat. He was responsible for her injury, for their critical situation, possibly for Sadie’s recapture. Maybe he should resign. What kind of trainer led his rookie into a life-or-death battle?
To keep additional negative thoughts from waging war in his head, and to stay alert, Cooper formulated ideas to offer KC once they were safe. Her choice for her future was commendable, even if it took her away from him. They could still be friends, though. He was keen to attend her parents’ house church, not just because she’d be there, but because he’d found a group he could worship with, learn from, and to serve the Savior as he used to.
That was one arm of his plan. The second would be more difficult to propose. He chuckled. Freudian slip or what? At some point in their working relationship, he’d fallen in love with her. He was a fool for not telling her. And he felt confident she had feelings for him, too. When he proposed, he’d encourage her to adopt as many children as she wanted, because no matter her health situation, he’d want her to be happy, and he’d do what was necessary to make her dream a reality. Besides, he’d love any children who became a part of their family. Father God give me the right words to say to KC, and help me accept her decision, no matter what it is.
Content with his strategy, he closed his eyes. An hour later, Travis’s call woke him.
“Nine o’clock, and all better be well.”
Cooper hollered, “I’m here, but please, let KC sleep.”
“That’s OK.” She cleared her throat. “Travis, you’re a hard task-master. How’s Irene?”
“None of your business.” The kid shut the door, however, his voice filtered through the holes. “Quit bellyaching, or I’ll put you outside again.”
“He doesn’t appear to be slowing any.” Cooper turned to KC. “How are you feeling?”
“My shoulder and arm hurt, but not my stomach, which is good, and I’m tired. How about you?”
“Tired, too, knee swollen, and now my back aches. I think I’ll stretch out for a bit.”
Although KC fell asleep again, Cooper stayed awake for a couple of hours. This close to the earth reminded him of many childhood camping trips when he’d slept under the stars. The loamy, mossy scents added a much-needed note of tranquility to their traumatic situation.
Travis initiated the ten and eleven o’clock checks, each time insisting KC add her two bits.
Cooper reluctantly woke her.
When his watch beeped at one o’clock, they both sat up.
Cooper silenced the alarm. “You know what this means? Travis didn’t call out at midnight, so I assume he’s sleeping. Now would be a good time for me to leave.”
Leaning on her elbow, KC nodded. “I’m rested now.” She positioned herself aga
inst the tree. “I’ll call out for us, only if prompted by Travis. Do you want your jacket? How about my flashlight?”
“No jacket, but I’ll need the light. Thanks.” He wedged the flashlight into his breast pocket next to his phone and then eased up using his cane. “No telling what I’ll find at the other cabin, so keep my pistol handy and don’t take any chances.”
She pulled the weapon from her pocket, waved it in the air, and sent a smile his way.
He had to be content with that.
Ignoring jabs of pain, Cooper gritted his teeth and followed the path. Concerned for the safety of KC and the family he hoped to rescue, he thrashed toward the bridge, faster and faster, until he had to rest his injured knee. What a poor example of an agent he made. He wouldn’t blame IRO if they fired him.
Time to move. Step, grunt. Step, grunt. He gained momentum and was rewarded with the rushing cascade of water in the distance. The bridge supports should be right about…here. Cooper located one post, then the other. He shone the light over each, and to make sure his eyes hadn’t fooled him, he yanked on the guide ropes. They were slack.
Someone had severed the ropes.
No way could he cross now.
44
The wristwatch alarm woke KC at two o’clock, but Travis never showed. She hadn’t used her Coop impression yet and hoped she wouldn’t have to. Unable to go back to sleep, she had plenty of time to review her decision to leave IRO. Pros and cons tumbled over each other in her mind. She stared at her bandaged arm, assessed her overall physical condition, and sighed. Yup, once back in San Diego, she’d submit her letter of resignation. Please guide my future plans, Lord.
Wood scraped wood, and the cabin door flew open.
KC checked the time. Two forty-five.
Justice at Dawn Page 23
