Finding Floyd

by Melinda Peters

  Boone sighed impatiently, rubbed his face, and tried not to inhale the warm pizza aroma. "Glad you're enjoying it Kyle. Now can we get back to the woman in the road? Do you remember exactly where on Franklin Pike she was when you found her?"

  "Can't remember precisely." He chewed thoughtfully, and then pointed at the sheriff with the crust. "I was so surprised to see her out there, I didn't notice. I'd have to drive out there again. She about fainted when I got to her and I had to carry her to the truck. She kept going on and on about some guy kidnapping her at the library with a gun this afternoon and then taking her some place and tying her to a chair with duct tape. She still had some of the tape flapping around her legs and around her neck. Diane's a real good-looking blond. Nice long legs. I'm sure she was telling the truth and all." He popped the last bite of crust into his mouth and his hand snaked into the box for a second slice.

  "Did she happen to mention how she knew this guy?" he asked, watching his pizza steadily disappear.

  "Well yeah, now you mention it, she did, matter of fact," said Kyle around a mouthful of hot cheese, sausage, and peppers. "Said that Chris, this FBI guy, showed her a picture of him. Nasty lookin' feller. Said the man showed her his gun and forced her to go with him."

  "A gun? Are you sure that's what she said?" asked Boone looking up from his notebook.

  Kyle nodded.

  "And she said she knew this guy?"

  He nodded again, chewing enthusiastically, and then paused. "Well, not exactly. She knew him from the picture they've been showing around town. She's pretty shook up."

  "Hey, if this was on Franklin Pike, that's pretty close to our place, isn't it? The kidnapper might still be out there," said Sarah, a note of concern in her voice.

  "Don't worry darling, Boone will catch this guy. He'll figure it out and the police will get him," said her husband, putting a reassuring hand on her arm.

  The sheriff frowned and tapped the notebook on the table, considering what he'd just heard. So, the FBI is here. He stood up and said, "I'm heading on over to the B & B now to talk to her. If it's not too much trouble, it might be helpful if y'all came along. You got her last name, Kyle?"

  "You know Sheriff, I can't recollect. It's Van something or other."

  "Her name is Diane Vandersmoot and she's from someplace up in New York," offered Preston.

  "Vandersmoot, huh? An unusual name. Okay. Let's roll, before it gets any later," he said checking his watch again. It's always better to interview folks while things are still fresh in their mind."

  * * *

  "Are you feeling better, dear?" asked Julia, placing a fresh mug of steaming hot tea at her elbow.

  Diane looked up, nodded, and gave her a weak smile. A shower, change of clothes and Julia's soothing ministrations had worked wonders. The first cup of tea, laced with honey and some of Ralph's medicinal brandy had calmed her nerves, but she still showed the evidence of her ordeal.

  Julia had done her best to snip carefully when she removed the last of the duct tape from Diane's hair, but a fair amount of blond curls had landed on the bathroom floor resulting in a rather choppy hairstyle. The tape had left red bruises on her cheeks, but Diane had only laughed when she saw her reflection.

  Julia was startled by her reaction, but Diane had hugged her and said, "Julia, I'm alive! He was going to take me out in the woods and shoot me, but I got away. That's all I care about."

  Now that she was nestled in the recliner sipping her second cup of tea, fatigue and shock were catching up with her. She began to shiver and Ralph tucked a small fleece blanket over her legs and said, "I still say you should see a doctor girl."

  Ignoring his concern Diane asked, "Where's Chris? He told me to let him know immediately if I saw that man. He's got to catch that creep before he hurts someone."

  "I know you must be terribly upset dear. It would be best if you would just try to relax. Ralph and I will take care of everything," said Julia, taking a seat across from her.

  "I don't have my phone and I can't remember his number. Can you call him?"

  "I'm sorry dear, I don't know where Chris is, and I haven't got his number," murmured Julia.

  "That man took my phone and put it in my car, but I don't know where that is either. It would have to be somewhere close by." She tried to think. The man hadn't left her alone for that long, had he?

  "The police will find your car, don't worry," said Ralph.

  "Thank you. You're both so kind. I really do appreciate all you've done. I was just going out to pick up some canned cat food for Colby-Jack. He was out of food." She looked around for the cat, but only saw Bella, who gazed at her sympathetically from where she sat at Julia's side. She felt her eyes welling up with tears. "Where's Colby?"

  "Don't even think about it," said Julia, smiling. "Ralph and I have taken care of that. Colby has had his supper. Now, drink your tea."

  "I feel terrible. I was so nasty to poor Colby just because he insisted on his favorite food. If only I'd just gone to the store for cat food and not to the library, none of this would have happened." She sniffed and rubbed her eyes. "I need to find Chris and tell him. Did you say you have his number? My phone is still with my car."

  "That's all right. We'll find your car and your phone, and no I don't have Chris's..." Julia was interrupted as the door from the porch was flung open and Chris strode in.

  "Oh thank God," said Julia, getting to her feet. "I'm glad you're here. Diane needs you..."

  "I need to speak with Diane. Alone," he barked.

  "I know you're worried, but take it easy, Bud." Ralph took Julia's arm and they walked uncertainly back into the kitchen.

  After the door closed, he swung around and faced Diane. "I can't believe I actually trusted you." His face was purple with rage.

  "Chris?" Diane looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

  "Rodriguez saw you earlier today, with your friend, Bruno Toricello."

  She looked relieved. "So you know. I wasn't sure how to tell you, but then I couldn't call you..."

  "Shut up. I don't want to hear any more of your lies." He began pacing back and forth. "You must have known I would find out."

  "Well yes..., but why are you angry?"

  Chris turned on her and growled, "This was quite the coincidence, you and all of your friends showing up here at the same time as Toricello. So, I guess after I shot his tires out, he had to call one of his buddies from the local support group to give him a ride. Does that about sum it up?" He picked up his phone, swiped it, and held it out for her to see. There it was. A picture of her car leaving the library parking lot.

  "Chris, please listen to me. I don't have any idea what you're talking about, but if you want to find this Toricello guy..."

  "You're going to tell me where to find him, all right. We don't have an arrest warrant for you yet, but I don't expect to have any trouble obtaining one."

  "An arrest warrant?" Her face a mask of shock, she pleaded, "Chris, I can explain."

  "Yeah, I'll bet you can explain. Isn't that your car, with you at the wheel and Toricello sitting beside you, grinning at the camera?"

  "Yes, but I didn't do anything wrong," she insisted.

  "Oh dear me, what's all this about an arrest?" said Julia. "You don't understand." She and Ralph had slipped unnoticed, back into the room.

  "Excuse me, Mrs. Blake," he said glaring at Diane. "I'm not finished."

  "You are now!" Ralph's voice pealed out like a clap of thunder.

  Diane squealed and toppled her teacup onto the floor. She turned her face into the chair cushion and began to weep.

  Ever since he'd seen the picture of Diane with that cretin, he'd planned just what he'd do to even the score, but at that moment, Chris Owen's carefully laid plans began to come apart at the seams.

  Julia glared at him. "How could you! I'll have you know, Mr. Owen that this young lady has been threw a terrible ordeal today."

  He'd never seen Julia Blake angry before. "She was with that
fugitive, Toricello this afternoon!"

  "Well of course she was! We all know that! Now go on and get out of here! You are no longer welcome," growled Ralph.

  Julia turned back to Diane and said, "Come with me, dear. You need to eat something." She shepherded her into the kitchen.

  Chris started after them, but Ralph put out a hand and said, "Why don't you leave her alone?"

  Shaking Ralph off, he followed them into the kitchen

  Laughter and footsteps sounded on the porch and in came Jack, Vicky, Terry, and John. Something must have greatly amused John who was laughing uncontrollably. When the newcomers noticed Diane, they grew silent.

  "I can't believe this is happening," wailed Diane.

  "What the hell is going on here," asked a sobered John Van Wart.

  "Apparently," said Julia, "Mr. Owen here, believes Diane guilty of something. He's going to arrest her. By the way, Mr. Owen. It seems you lied to the people here when you said you worked for the National Parks Department. They tell me you're actually with the FBI."

  "I can't freakin' believe it! Not again! I told you, John. Those FBI assholes are at it again," said Theresa, glaring at Chris.

  "Should I call my lawyer?" asked John.

  Chris needed to take charge of the situation and do it quickly. He'd been through this scenario once before with the same cast of characters in Pippin's Grove. They'd all been present when Toricello's stash of freshly laundered drug money was discovered hidden in Ralph's Tavern. It had looked very suspicious at the time, but he'd thought they were innocent. After an investigation into the matter, he's dismissed all the charges. He'd been wrong. Now, he knew they were guilty.

  "I want all of you to listen very carefully." He picked up the phone, intending to show them the damning evidence. "I've good reason to believe..."

  There were more rapid footsteps outside and someone rapped hard on the door. Ralph opened it and a man wearing the brown and khaki uniform of the Floyd County Sheriff's Department entered, followed closely by Preston and Sarah Hardwick with Kyle right behind them, carrying a white cardboard pizza box.

  Chris had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. The police officer glanced at the angry looking group and then back at him.

  "I'm County Sheriff McAndrew. I'd like to speak with Diane..." he turned to Preston.

  "Diane Vandersmoot, Sheriff."

  "Yes, I like to speak with Diane Vandersmoot." He stared at Chris and smirked. "You must be the FBI agent I've heard about."

  "Special Agent Christopher Owen," he said with a sigh. He produced his credentials and laid them on the table.

  "Uh huh, I see. The plot thickens," said McAndrew slowly. He sat across from Chris, removed his hat and set it beside him. "Are you by any chance here in my jurisdiction on official business? I wasn't aware the FBI was in town."

  "Well I..."

  "This idiot thinks we're all guilty of something. He's freakin' crazy," hissed Theresa, pointing an accusing finger at him. "He wants to arrest Diane! Can you believe this crap?"

  "Arrest Diane? For what?" asked Kyle incredulously. He'd just taken another piece of pizza from the box and paused with it halfway to his mouth. "He can't arrest Diane. She was the one got kidnapped and I had to rescue her!"

  "Kidnapped! Oh my god!" wailed Theresa. "John, I told you no good would come of those lunatics coming after us again. We gotta call a lawyer. What the hell is going on? Who the hell kidnapped her?"

  Helplessly, Chris looked passed the array of confused and angry faces ringing him and back to Diane. She didn't look at all well and he now noticed that she was missing some of her long blond curls.

  The Sheriff held up a hand for silence, but his cool gaze remained on Chris.

  He turned to the sheriff. "My partner, Agent Rodriguez, must have been in contact with your office?"

  Slowly, McAndrew shook his head.

  "I was under the impression that..." Chris stopped when he saw the cold anger in the man's eyes. Middle aged, his dark brown hair was shot with gray at the temples and his eyes were a deep brown and set wide apart. A full day's beard stubble was in evidence along his jaw line.

  "This is the first I've heard of any FBI investigation within my jurisdiction. Frankly, I'd like to know more about it, but first I need to speak with the young lady who was abducted at gunpoint this afternoon and held captive for several hours.

  Julia spoke first. "She's right here, Sheriff. Please go easy on her; she's had a bad time of it today."

  "What kidnapping?" Chris looked from the Sheriff to Diane. He noticed the red welts on her cheeks in addition to the missing locks of hair. "Diane, what happened to your hair?"

  "Never mind her hair asshole! At least she's alive and safe, no thanks to you!" yelled Theresa.

  "You're Miss Vandersmoot?" asked the Sheriff. Getting to his feet, he went over and took her hands in his. "Kyle has just told me about finding you on the road this evening. It must have been terrible. I believe you are a very brave and resourceful young lady."

  Kyle still held onto the pizza slice. He took a tentative bite and chewed, looking around the room curiously. "She told me all about it. Some guy pointed a pistol at her as she was coming out of the library." He paused long enough to take another bite. "The guy made her get back into her car and drive him around, or he was gonna shoot her, or even shoot some of the little kids at the library. And then he took her somewhere and tied her up." Kyle rattled on enthusiastically, speaking around a mouthful of pizza.

  "She was real upset when Kyle brought her back here," said Ralph, speaking for the first time.

  "Miss Vandersmoot, if you wouldn't mind, if you feel up to it, I'd like to get your statement."

  "Certainly, Sheriff." She sat up and placed her trembling hands on the table. Her eyes were red rimmed, but the bright blue pupils blazed defiance and anger. "Yes, I'm fine now. What would you like to know?"

  The Sheriff sat down near her and spoke in a comforting voice. "We can do most of this tomorrow, but I just need to know what you can tell me about this man before he hurts someone else."

  "You can ask the FBI Agent over there. He has a picture of the man and knows all about him," she said angrily, pointing at Chris, but not looking his way.

  "Listen Diane, I thought," Chris began.

  "Please Agent Owen, if you don't mind," said McAndrew holding up one hand.

  "Go ahead Sheriff. I'm very glad you're here," said Diane, ignoring Chris.

  * * *

  "All right, thanks, Bob. Go ahead and notify the appropriate people in surrounding counties." The sheriff looked up from his cell phone and shot Chris a significant look. "We wouldn't want them to be blindsided and left out of the loop." He ended the call and asked, "Agent Owen, if you wouldn't mind, from the beginning? Are you conducting an investigation in my county?"

  Chris eyed the man. His expression wasn't exactly hostile, but it certainly wasn't friendly. He had every right to be pissed. Agents were interfering in Floyd law enforcement without notifying his office. Rodriguez hadn't even enlightened them about Bruno Toricello.

  "Yes, we're looking for a suspect known to be in the vicinity. We've spotted him, but he's managed to elude us."

  "How long have you and your partner," said Sheriff McAndrew, studying his notebook, "Agent Rodriguez been here in Floyd?"

  "Since last Thursday," he answered, knowing what was coming next.

  "You've been nosing around here looking for some violent felon for nearly a week, and nobody had the courtesy to let us know? Now, this perp has kidnapped an innocent young woman. What did you think, Special Agent Owen? You didn't need help from us hicks? You think we're all a bunch of Barney Fifes? You professional Federal Agents can handle it on your own?" He looked disgusted. "So the suspect gave you the slip? What if he hurts someone? He told Miss Vandersmoot that he was going to take her for a walk in the woods and blow her brains out."

  Chris paled.

  "My deputies and I know this county. We all grew up here. To
gether we might have that man behind bars, but you thought you didn't need us. If any one of my people is hurt, it's on you." They stood on the porch, speaking in low tones. From inside came an incessant babble of conversation.

  There was no mistaking the fact that the man was angry and becoming more so, as reality sank in. Chris was unsure of what to do next. Even Ralph and Preston Hardwick were pissed off at him.

  "I'm very sorry, Sheriff. I assumed Agent Rodriguez had contacted you. That assumption was my mistake." Rodriguez never fails to make my life miserable, was what he left unsaid.

  Everyone, including the Sheriff, believed Diane had been abducted against her will. And she certainly had the bruises to prove it. If that was the case and Toricello was the kidnapper, then she wasn't his accomplice after all. Ralph and Kyle said that she'd been taken at the library, which was where Rodriguez saw her. Rodriguez had snapped the picture of Diane driving away from the library with Toricello. The sinking feeling in his stomach was rapidly growing. Once again he'd made a colossal mistake and he had Rodriguez to thank for it.

  Chapter 17

  The miter saw whined as the blade bit through the length of trim molding, grinding to a halt as Chris raised the handle. The shelving along one basement wall was nearly complete. He took a step back, examining his handiwork, pleased with the results. He'd already framed out the area for his big screen TV. Along with the wood stove and his recliner, the basement room would be a great place to relax, but so far, the only person who'd enjoyed his new home, was that bastard, Toricello. Even though the evidence guys cleared out his shit, the place still stank of stale cigar.

  Chris shook his head in disgust. Just the thought of that guy in his house drove him crazy. As he lifted the trim and attempted to fit it in place, he realized that he'd cut the end at the wrong angle. Swearing, he slammed it down on his make-shift work bench and decided to quit for the evening. He just couldn't concentrate.