by Jenn Cowan
She smirks and pulls a hair pin from her messy bun. “I picked the lock on the door and ran.”
“Did they bring you here?”
Allison shakes her head. “No, it was an old cabin outside of town. The locks were old and rusted so it didn’t take much. I’m assuming that’s why we’re here. It’s more secure and who is going to check Travis’s house? The police will probably look anywhere but here.”
“So how did they kidnap you and Cat without Josh or Eddie hearing them?”
“That part’s a little fuzzy. I think they drugged us. I remember falling asleep and then the next thing I know I’m waking up here.”
I look to Cat, who nods as if to say the same thing happened to her. “Huh?” I stare at Travis lying helplessly in his bed. “I can’t believe they got Travis out of the hospital without anyone seeing them.”
Allison rolls her eyes. “My mom’s a nurse.”
My eyes practically bug out of my head. “A nurse?”
She nods. “She used to be the head of the nursing staff here in Daysville before she left for Chicago. I’m sure she put on her scrubs and wheeled Travis right out without anyone being the wiser.”
I frown. This all seems too neat and easy. None of my cases are ever this easy. Could it really be as simple as the killer is Allison’s mom and she and Chase are working together to get rid of anyone who could keep Allison and Chase apart? I gulp, wondering what that means for Travis and Cat. Surely, Allison’s mom wouldn’t kill them, right? “I guess I’m here so I don’t ruin their plan, right?”
“You are the town sleuth. If anyone could bring them down, it’s you.”
I bite my lip. This all feels off. “What about Wyatt’s family?”
Allison shrugs. “It’s possible. I told him he needed to be strong and quit letting them push him around. After that he quit giving them money. I don’t know if they knew it was me who told him to stop or not. I didn’t see them much after that because Wyatt went off the deep end when I started dating Chase.” She cringes at the memory.
I pat her arm. “Wyatt was sick, Allison. It’s not your fault he went a little crazy. I’m sure his family situation didn’t help matters.”
She smiles even though tears are streaming down her cheeks. “We did bond over our crazy mothers. I always enjoyed our chats. He was a good friend.” She sniffles and more tears fall from her eyes. “I can’t believe he’s gone. I mean, I always wished he would leave me alone. He was becoming dangerous and those black roses…” Allison shivers. “I never wanted him dead, though.”
I wrap an arm around her shoulder and give her a squeeze. “I know and I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot in the last few years. I’m here for you if you ever want to talk about it.”
“Thanks Autumn,” Allison whispers into my shirt then sniffles before asking, “So, do you think it’s possible Wyatt cut his family off completely and they decided to get revenge on him by killing him at my work? I mean I do have a motive. He was stalking and threatening me. It would be easy for them to frame me.”
“I’m definitely adding them to my suspect list.”
Sirens sound in the distance and I glance at the clock on the nightstand then smile.
Allison sits up and gives me a funny look. “Why are you smiling?”
“Josh.”
Allison quirks an eyebrow. “What about him?”
“He told me he would send the police if he didn’t hear back from me in thirty minutes.”
“Oh, thank the good Lord.” Allison throws her arms around me and hugs me.
Commotion and yelling sounds outside the door. Then doors slam. I hold my breath waiting for the door to burst open and bullets to start flying, but it never happens. Lights flash outside the window and I hear the captain using the megaphone to talk with the kidnappers.
Movement underneath the window catches my attention. I grab Allison’s hand and we both move onto the bed with Cat. I wrap my arm around Cat and pray it’s the police at the window and not the killer trying to take us out before the police get to us. The master bedroom is at the back of the house so it would make it easy to shoot us and still get away.
Someone knocks on the window and we all suck in a breath. “Miss Fisher? It’s the police. Are you in there?”
I let out the breath I’m holding and scramble to the window. I jerk open the blinds and motion to them that the window’s stuck.
They wave a hand for me to step back and moments later the glass shatters and they’re helping us out of the window.
As we round the front of the house, I spot Josh pacing back and forth in front of the Jeep. When he sees me, he races forward and scoops me up into his arms, spinning me around before placing me back on the ground. “I’ve been calling you non-stop and when thirty minutes was up, I knew something was wrong.” His eyes scan my body. “Are you hurt? What happened?” He doesn’t give me time to answer before he’s wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his chest. “Don’t ever do that to me again. Never leave me again. I was worried sick. I can’t lose you, Autumn. Ever.”
Tears prick the edges of my eyes and I force the lump down that’s building in my throat. Reality is starting to sink in and I realize that if I hadn’t told Josh where I was going, we would still be sitting ducks or worse… “I’m sorry.”
Josh squeezes me tighter then kisses my head before stepping back to make sure I’m in one piece. Then his eyes move to something behind me.
I turn to see an ambulance wheeling Travis out the front door. He’s still unconscious and looking rather pale. Cat hurries over to him and disappears inside the ambulance before I have a chance to catch her.
“We’ll meet them at the hospital,” Josh says, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I sigh and nod as the captain approaches me.
“Want to tell me what’s going on, Miss Fisher?”
I feel my cheeks grow hot. “I’ll fill you in on the way to the hospital. I need to be there for Cat and Regina.”
He studies me for a moment then agrees and slides into the backseat of the Jeep.
I fill him in on everything that’s happened and the list of suspects Allison gave me. Something still doesn’t sit right with me and for the life of me, I can’t put my finger on it. If Chase and Mrs. Cole are behind this, why would Chase and Mrs. Cole frame Allison? Is this a punishment for dating Travis? If Wyatt’s mother and sister are behind this, how did they get Travis out of the hospital and carry Allison and Cat out of my house windows? Things aren’t adding up. I’m missing something, but what?
When we reach the hospital, I hurry toward the front doors. The EMT’s are unloading Travis and Cat’s right on their heels. I call out to her and she rushes toward me.
“Oh, Autumn. Why won’t he wake-up? I thought maybe all of this would force him awake. He’s always so strong and protective. If not protecting us didn’t wake him up, I’m not sure what will.”
I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight. “I know, sweetie, but head injuries are fickle and tricky. We just have to have faith that he will wake-up.” And be the same Travis, I pray silently.
Regina meets us in the waiting room. “What on earth is going on? The captain just filled me in. What were you thinking, Autumn?” She scolds as she draws Cat into her chest. “You two are going to be the death of me not to mention Travis. It’s like you three are drawn to trouble.”
I cringe. “I wouldn’t say ‘drawn’ more like it’s attracted to us.”
Regina scowls and strokes Cat’s hair. “Let’s get you a blanket and something warm to drink before we check on your dad. The doctor is with him now so it will be a bit before they will let us see him. I’m not letting you out of my sight.” She walks Cat toward the cafeteria without a backward glance.
A tinge of guilt hits me. I was responsible for Cat and she went missing on my watch. I open my mouth to apologize to Regina, but they’re already down the hallway. Maybe now isn
’t the best time. I’ll give her a chance to cool off first. Would Cat have been kidnapped if I hadn’t left to check on Violet? Maybe. Maybe not. I sigh then remember she and Eddie were checking around town for Cat and Allison. I turn to face Josh, who is watching me with a worried expression on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“I could have lost you. That lunatic had a gun, Autumn.” His eyes grow misty.
I stroke his cheek and whisper, “I know, but I’m fine and everyone’s safe.”
“For now, but the killer or killers are still at large. No one is safe until they’re behind bars.”
I have to admit that I agree with him, but it’s not going to do us any good to dwell on it. Maybe distracting him is the best strategy right now. “Have you heard from Eddie and Violet?”
Josh frowns and checks his phone. “No. You?”
I switch on my phone, which I’d left on the charger in my Jeep by accident. Having someone press a gun to your back as soon as you step out of your vehicle tends to distract you from important things like taking your phone with you. “Nothing. That’s strange.” I pull up Eddie’s contact information and call him. It goes straight to voicemail. A sinking feeling starts to form in my gut. I swallow down my nerves as I call Violet. The same response, straight to voicemail. “Something’s wrong? We need to find them.”
“Maybe we should tell the captain.”
“Tell him what? Eddie and Violet’s phones are turned off. He’ll blow it off, thinking they turned them off to sleep.” I chew on my lip. “Let’s drive around town and check their house first. If we don’t find them then we’ll tell the captain.”
“Fine,” Josh mumbles, not happy with my decision, but he takes my hand and we head out to the Jeep.
We almost run into the captain leading Allison with handcuffs into the hospital.
“What are you doing?” I gesture to the handcuffs.
“She’s still a suspect, Miss Fisher,” the captain glares at me, his dark eyes daring me to question him further.
I glare right back and cross my arms over my chest. “Someone kidnapped Allison, Cat, Travis and even me. Do you really think Allison killed Wyatt? You should be out there looking for the real murderer, not keeping an innocent person hostage.”
The captain grits his teeth, I can practically hear him grinding them down then he narrows his eyes. “I’m following all of the leads, Miss Fisher. Miss Cole is injured.” He gestures to her cuts and bruises from being bound then says, “I’m escorting her here for the night and then to the station once the doctor releases her. When all the evidence is collected and we have further information potentially proving Miss Cole’s innocence, she will be released. Until then, let me do my job.” He brushes past me, leading a somber Allison to the nurse’s station.
I open my mouth to say something when my phone starts to buzz. “Hello.”
Silence.
I check the screen and see it’s Eddie calling. “Eddie, are you there?”
Nothing.
“Hello?”
The call ends.
“Huh?” I frown at the dark phone when it starts to ring again. This time it’s Violet’s name that appears. “Hello?” I hear scuffling in the background then a yelp followed by a scream.
“Autumn, help us,” Violet screams then the line goes dead.
11
“Where should I go?” Josh turns down another dark road.
“I don’t know.” I run my hand through my auburn hair and toy with the end. This can’t be happening. Not again. Someone has Eddie and Violet, but who? The same person or persons who took me, Allison, Cat and Travis or someone else? Maybe the developer? Did they find out Violet stole their plans and is going to expose them? If so, that means this all could go south quickly. Money is a strong motive for murder. I have to find them, but how? I don’t even know where to begin looking. My head starts to throb as I peer into the darkness. “Maybe we should head back to town.”
Josh slows the Jeep and pulls into the circle drive of the old seed company. Old man, Rivers just sold the business and is closing up shop at the end of the month. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it, but now, I’m wondering if he sold it to the developer.
I stare at the old building, all dark and eerie. It looks sad with its chipping paint and loose shutters. The old rusted metal grain bins hover behind the small building like they’re its body guards. I sigh and rest my head on the back of the seat when I see a light flicker inside the old building. “Did you see that?” I grab Josh’s arm to keep him from turning the Jeep around.
“See what?”
“There.” I point to the flash of light toward the back of the building. Someone’s making their way out of the building and toward one of the grain bins. Josh and I exchange a look. “Abandoned grain bins would be the perfect place to hold someone hostage.”
“I think it’s time we call the police.”
“Not yet.”
“Autumn, someone is trespassing on private property. It’s grounds to search it.”
“Is it?”
Josh shoots me a look that says I’m walking a thin line. “Autumn, you promised.”
“No, I said if we didn’t find Eddie and Violet, we would call the captain. We’re not done searching for them yet.”
“Autumn, you convinced me to drive around looking for them even after you received calls from their phone and Violet screamed to help them. We should have gone straight to the captain.”
“You saw how annoyed he was at me for questioning him about Allison. There’s no way he would have taken me seriously.”
Josh groans. “We can’t go down there without back-up. The person who took you had a gun, Autumn and I didn’t bring mine.”
I shiver, thinking about the cold metal pressing against my back and the thought of Josh moving in after the wedding with a gun, doesn’t settle my nerves. I know he wants to protect me and our future children, but I’m not crazy about having one in our house. “You’re right.”
“I am?” Josh whips his head around and stares at me with his mouth gaping open in shock.
I sigh. “Yes, you are. We need to be smart about this. Let’s go back to town.” I close my eyes because it’s almost four in the morning and I haven’t slept. When the jeep doesn’t move, I open one eye and peek at Josh.
He’s staring out into the darkness.
“What are you waiting for?”
“I’m trying to figure out if you’re using reverse psychology on me or if you’re actually agreeing with me.”
I smirk, but don’t respond, closing my eyes again. I hear the jeep turn off and Josh sigh.
“Fine, let’s go check it out.
“Are you sure?”
Josh grumbles something I can’t make out and opens his car door.
I scramble out my door and meet him at the hood, throwing my arms around his neck. “You’re the best fiancé ever.”
He chuckles and nuzzles my neck. “You’re going to be the death of me, Miss Fisher.”
His words cause my stomach to flip and a flash of Josh getting shot plays like a movie in my mind. I blink it away and focus on the task at hand. No one is getting shot tonight. Not if I can help it. I give him one last squeeze before I release him and stare at the old grain bin.
The light is still circling slowly around the bin as if someone is looking for something. That’s strange. Wouldn’t they go inside the bin if that is where they’re keeping Violet and Eddie.
“What are they looking for?” Josh asks, taking my hand and walking toward the old seed building.
“I’m not sure.” I continue to stare at the old bin as the light goes around the back again. “I think we should split up.”
“What?!” Josh whisper-yells. “I don’t like that idea, Autumn. No. No way. I’m not leaving you.”
I squeeze his hand. “I can distract them, while you tackle them from behind.”
“Tackle them? What? Autumn, we need to come up with a better plan. This isn’
t what I had in mind.”
“Well then give me a better plan, Mr. Parker.” I stop walking and turn toward him.
He runs his free hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Maybe call out to them and ask what they’re doing here.”
I raise an eyebrow even though I know he can’t see it in the dark. “So, they can shoot at us?”
Josh throws his hands up in the air. “I don’t know, Autumn. Let’s just go back and call the captain.” He turns to head to the Jeep.
“I’m not going back. I’m going to see if Eddie and Violet are here. You can either go with me or not, but I’m getting in that bin… with or without your help.” I stomp toward the grain bin, my anger building with each step. I know I’m probably playing with fire and there’s a big possibility that I could end up getting shot or worse, but right now, I’m madder than a toddler who dropped their ice cream cone. How dare Josh get my hopes up to find out what’s going on then yank the rug out from underneath me when he gets scared. I know I’m probably being irrational, but between dealing with a murder, kidnappings, a shady developer and no sleep, my patience and reasoning have gone out the window.
“Autumn, wait!” Josh whisper-cries, running up behind me and grabbing my arm.
I yank it out of his grasp and continue toward the bin without a word. The bin’s only a hundred yards away and the light is on the back side of it again. Josh is still following me, but he’s not trying to stop me. It’s a good thing because he is in the dog house. I hurry toward the doorway and try the handle. Locked. Shoot. What now? I see the light coming around the corner and freeze. I know I should run. Hide. Duck behind a building, but I can’t. It’s like my feet are cemented to the ground.
