by R E Swirsky
CHAPTER 65
Friday 13:20 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Geordie was sequestered in his upstairs home office. Smoke swirled above his head as he waited anxiously for the call he knew was coming.
His cell phone rang and he picked up immediately.
“Well? Is it theirs?”
“It’s theirs. One-hundred-percent confirmed.”
“Where?”
“Off-road, deep in the bushes north of Jasper.”
Geordie puffed on his cigar.
“Any sign of them?” he asked.
“They’ve had heavy rain the last two days up here. Won’t be able to track them. There are thousands of square kilometres out here. And they’ve had a week’s head start.”
Geordie said nothing and puffed again.
“We could send up the drones,” the caller suggested.
Geordie ignored the suggestion. “In the bushes you said?”
“Yes. Both units are covered up under branches and shrubs. We were lucky to catch sight of it. They went through a lot of work to hide both truck and trailer.”
And that’s what worried Geordie. If the Crowders had left their truck and trailer in plain sight, he would have only wondered, but to conceal them?
“About the drone…” the caller repeated.
“No drone,” Geordie said quietly. “I want them left alone. We know where they are.”
“Are you sure? We’re up here already and with the drone.…”
“I said no drone!” Geordie shouted. “Just get yourselves the hell out of there.”
“But.…”
“And cover those vehicles back up if you’ve uncovered them. Leave them like you found them. This one’s finished.”
The caller paused and then spoke apologetically. “We’ll pull out as soon as we can.”
Geordie hung up and stewed. Finding them was enough for now. They’ll come out eventually, and when they do…
The cigar tip glowed as he pulled in another taste.
And when they do…
It was complicated working off the radar—and expensive. These people weren’t like the others. They weren’t on any list and hadn’t harmed anyone.
But they will come out.
Could he actually hunt this family down to the end? Was he really willing to go that far just because they might know something?
And when they do…
Geordie drummed his fingers on the desk for a few minutes and nodded.
“Yeah,” he said to himself and coughed once. “And when they finally do show themselves—then what?”
He continued to nod as if trying to convince himself he was making the right choice.
“Yeah,” he said again, and it was decided. He would drop this one right where it sat. This one was finished.
“This business will be the death of me. I’m getting too old for this shit.”
THE END
OTHER BOOKS BY R E SWIRSKY
BUMSTEAD'S WELL
The dare was simple. Spend one night down at the bottom of Bumstead's well. When Vincent's friends fail to return at the agreed time, Vincent finds himself trapped alone and reflecting on his short life.
WISH ME FROM THE WATER
A young boy commits suicide. The town folk believe it was another result of bullying but two brothers discover the truth and decide to take matters into their own hands. A tale of abuse, shame and standing up for what you believe is right.
EXTREME MALICE
If you could create the perfect murder and get away with it, would you? A young university student is charged with murder. His guitar string is wrapped around her neck. His shoe prints are left at the scene. Her earrings found under his bed. Her husband hundreds of miles away. The perfect murder? You be the judge.
IN THE MIDST OF A PREDATOR
A very short psychological story. Bobby, a young boy alone at the fair grounds, finds comfort in a stranger who reaches out to him. Having the best night of his life, Bobby is unaware his new friend has something very different in store for him.
THE BLUFFINGTON FOUR
A time travel mystery about four students who disappeared in the mid 1960s.
