The girl from my Soc class jumped up and met them halfway, putting her phone back in her pocket as she hurried along beside them, talking as fast as she could.
“Sir, you’re going to have to come with us,” said one of the officers as they reached us. They both looked grim.
Westin thrashed around and glared at them, but didn’t say anything.
The officers moved forward cautiously, and managed to get him by the arms and escorted him away from us and the other students who were still gathered, watching.
It was obvious to me when Miles released him, because he broke free and hurled himself back in our direction. He was no more successful this time than he was before, and when the officers got hold of him again, they didn’t let go.
A change came over him so suddenly, at first I thought Miles had something to do with it.
Westin was too far away to hear clearly, but the tone of his voice was affable, his body language relaxed. It was like a switch had been flipped. He didn’t look anything like the raving lunatic that tried to assault us just moments ago.
“Man, what is that guy’s problem?” asked one of the students nearby, and excited chatter broke out all around us.
I moved around Miles so I could hug him. I knew he wasn’t going to look away until Westin was far out of sight. Miles wrapped his arms around me and kissed the side of my face as he continued to focus on the spot where Westin and the officers disappeared between two buildings.
“Thanks for calling,” I heard Miles say, and looked over to see the girl from my class.
“Yes, thank you for doing that,” I said.
“It’s no problem,” she said, still looking shaken. “What is his problem, anyway? The things he did in class, then this…”
“It doesn’t make sense,” I said, which is true.
“The guy’s got something wrong with him,” said Miles. That was true also.
“What were you going to do if he kept coming?” asked the girl.
“That guy’s no match for Miles,” I said, releasing my hug long enough to squeeze his biceps. I was telling the truth!
Miles laughed, and so did some of the people around us, a number of whom we knew.
“Let’s go home,” Miles said softly.
I nodded, and retrieved my latte. I wasn’t leaving that behind! We did leave the many and much animated instant-replays behind, and walked back toward the parking lot.
“So much for staying low-profile,” said Miles. “There were several smart phones out, recording the proceedings. I have a feeling this will be on the local news, anyway.”
I sighed.
“I wonder what the police will do with him?”
“I don’t know,” Miles said. “He’s been banned from campus, so they might charge him with trespassing… they didn’t talk to us, or anyone else who saw what happened. That makes me suspect that what they care most about, is getting him off-campus. He also made an about-face and went from Mr. Hyde back to Dr. Jekyll. The officers only saw a small glimpse of what the rest of us did. So he may be escorted to his vehicle with nothing more than a warning.”
I groaned.
“I didn’t even think about that. They didn’t talk to anyone, did they. Except the girl in my Soc class, who called and then ran out to meet them.”
“Anika…” Miles started to say.
“Let’s go home and stay there,” I finished for him, then looked up as he stopped walking. He appeared to be more than a little stunned as he stared back at me. He was either speechless too, or waiting for me to elaborate, so I did. “I told you, I’m not taking risks with my safety anymore. I’m not doing that to you, not ever again. So… let’s go home and call Jackson, and see what the status is on this information we need, and take the rest of the day off.”
“I love you,” said Miles, slightly dazed. “And I love that plan.”
“Then come on,” I smiled, pulling on his hand. “And I love you, too.”
Miles drove us straight home. As soon as we were inside our apartment, he had his phone in his hand and called.
“Hi, Jackson. Do you have an update for me?”
Miles listened, his expression serious.
“Okay. I can’t stress how important it is to have this. What about tax records? We’re sure now that this cabin is somewhere near Glen Haven or Cedar Oaks, definitely in this state. Maybe you can do something with that information.”
Miles listened to Jackson as he responded.
“Alright. Thanks, Jackson.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Jackson’s source hasn’t been able to access the information yet. He’s hoping to have it around lunchtime.”
Miles looked at his watch.
“That’s not too far away,” I said. “I’ll feel better when we’ve got that address, though. I know you will too.”
Miles nodded, then looked at me.
“Do you remember what the mountains looked like around the cabin? Or can you… call up that information? And what about wildlife, or vegetation. The color of the soil, even. Anything that can narrow it down for us.”
“I’ll try,” I said.
“If you get stuck…”
“I’ll pray for help right away.”
“Okay. Good.”
We sat on the couch and Miles put his arms around me, and I closed my eyes, then opened them again.
“I didn’t recognize the mountains. By that, I mean they weren’t significant looking.”
“Probably because unless you were at the cabin, you wouldn’t be seeing them from the same angle,” said Miles. “Okay, so what else?”
“The vegetation is the same as what I’ve seen both here, and around Cedar Oaks. There was a squirrel though. It had spots. It didn’t look like the squirrels I’ve seen when we were out hiking around our place.”
“Okay, that’s something,” said Miles. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s it,” I said.
“How are you feeling now?” Miles asked, turning so he could see my face.
“I’m fine, it was different this time. All I saw was what I wanted to know, and there was no darkness to have to escape.”
“That’s great!” said Miles.
“Yeah, so much better than viewing the whole thing all over again.”
“We’ve seen spotted squirrels around here somewhere,” said Miles. “Help me remember where.”
We sat and thought about that. I vaguely remembered seeing them too, but where?
“It was on our honeymoon. We were hiking one of the trails around the Lodge at Whispering Pines,” said Miles.
“That’s right! They were so cute, and you’re right, they’re the same. So for certain this cabin is somewhere around here.”
“It’s very likely,” said Miles. “If Jackson’s source doesn’t come through by one o’ clock, do you feel like driving around, and see if you recognize any mountains?”
“Sure, let’s do that,” I smiled. “Driving around with you will be fun, even if I don’t see anything familiar.”
“I wonder if Ryan Mead chose North Glen Haven University, or if Westin chose it after he stole Ryan’s life,” said Miles.
“I think… Ryan did. From the conversation they had, that’s what I’d suspect. That’s probably why they were here. Ryan said Westin could live with him rent-free, but he couldn’t pay his way through school.”
“This area would have been familiar because he spent time here with his family, and still had a cabin here,” said Miles.
“It’s also far enough away from Seattle, where he lost his family, so that maybe he felt he could start over,” I said. “It breaks my heart he didn’t get that chance.”
“I know,” Miles agreed, hugging me. “Like Second-Miles. It’s so unfair what happened to them both.”
“It is, and we couldn’t help them… but in Second-Miles’ case you made sure that his killer was sent to prison. And now we’re going to do the same for Ryan’s killer. We couldn�
�t prevent their deaths, but we’re doing what we can.”
“True. It’s all we can do for them, and that makes me love your idea of intervening in the case of missing persons and possibly saving lives before they’re cut short, even more.”
“I’ve heard that usually it’s a family member or friend who’s responsible,” I said. “If that’s the case, as long as I get a chance to talk to that person, we’ll know. If not, it’ll be a lot harder… but who’s better equipped for this than we are?”
“No one that I can think of,” said Miles. “Not with our resources and your talent.”
“Yours too. It wouldn’t do me any good to know where the missing person was, if I didn’t have you to get through locked doors and bad guys. I’m not taking on bad guys anymore, remember?”
“That’s right, you’re not, are you,” smiled Miles. “Alright then, you can be the brains and I’ll be the muscle.”
“You’ve certainly got the muscles,” I said, looking at him admiringly. “You’ve got brains too. So you get two jobs.”
Miles laughed, and I smiled and rested my cheek against his shoulder as he hugged me a little closer.
We were startled by what sounded like a battering ram pounding away at our door. Miles and I both jumped off the couch, and both dogs woke snarling and barking from a sound sleep. The cats vanished into our bedroom.
“Stay back,” said Miles firmly, encompassing me, Chip, and Trixie in one look. We did. When Miles uses that tone of voice, you don’t argue.
I couldn’t see the entryway from the living room, and I didn’t like that. I could hear though, and I listened. The lock turned, and Miles opened the door.
“Xander! What’s wrong?” Miles asked in alarm.
“It’s Cheryl! She’s gone!”
My heart sank as I dropped to the couch. Miles led Xander into the living room.
“Start at the beginning, tell us exactly what you know,” said Miles.
“Okay, okay,” Xander said. I could tell he was trying to pull himself together, and think through the panic. I felt terrible for him, there was such fear in his eyes. “There was a break-in at my Aunt and Uncle’s. They were both at work, Cheryl was home by herself. It had to be Mead, Westin, whatever the guy’s name is! He made her turn off the alarm, but she punched in a code that set off a silent alarm. The police came, but she was already gone. Miles, he took her. It’s got to be him!”
Xander held his head in his hands as the horror of the situation struck him full-force again.
Miles already had his phone in his hand, dialing Jackson.
“Anika, Xander, come on,” he said, grabbing his keys off of the entryway table, and hurrying us through the apartment door and into the hallway.
“Jackson! This is a matter of life and death. We need that address immediately, we’re out of time. Call me the second you have it.”
The elevator doors opened before we reached them, and as soon as we were inside, it descended to the ground floor. We raced past Steve without our usual greetings, through the lobby, and outside. We ran to our SUV, and in moments we were in our seats and Miles was pulling out onto the busy road.
The street was congested, everyone on their way to lunch or out running errands. It was as though they all knew we were on our way to save a life, because they parted like the Red Sea. The lights turned green as we reached them, and in no time we were on our way up the winding mountain road toward the Lodge at Whispering Pines.
“Where are we going?” asked Xander.
“He’s probably taken her to the Meads’ cabin. Anika knows it’s somewhere in this area,” Miles answered. “We’ll save time once we get the call back from Jackson, by having this part of the road behind us.”
“When was the silent alarm activated? What time?” I asked.
“About an hour ago,” said Xander. “Mom just called me.”
I covered my face with my hands, breathed, and focused on calming my racing heart and my fluttering thoughts.
She wasn’t being reckless. She stayed home just like I told her to. She even had the alarm on. I prayed frantically. We have to find her—we have to!
I watched the surrounding mountains as the landscape changed, seeking anything that matched the truth.
“There—there!” I said, pointing. “That’s familiar! That range of mountains, it was to the north of the cabin!”
“Xander, I need you to bring up a map on your phone. Tell me what side-roads you see that head north from here.”
Xander studied his phone and Miles drove and I prayed—well we all were doing that, I’m sure—and my phone vibrated. I snatched it out of my pocket and all the blood drained out of my face.
It was a text from Cheryl’s phone.
This is what I get for helping you. It’s all your fault and my blood is on your hands.
The phone buzzed again, and I almost dropped it. It was another text. There were no words, but there was a picture of Cheryl, her hands bound behind her back and terror in her eyes.
I fiercely grabbed hold of my emotions and threw them aside. I could feel later, now I needed to think! I focused on the details, on what was around her. It matched a memory I’d forgotten until now… and the truth.
“Turn here!” I pointed frantically, and we turned. “Follow this road. Then what should we do? If he hears us coming, he may kill her!”
I was praying he hadn’t already. Like lightning, I sent a text to Cheryl’s phone.
Who is this?
I knew perfectly well who it was, but maybe I could keep him busy answering dumb questions.
“Do you know where this cabin is, now? Do you know exactly where it is?” Miles asked.
“What—what are you doing? What is that?” Xander exclaimed.
“I’m trying to keep Cheryl alive! I just got this text, it’s from Cheryl’s phone, but Westin sent it. He’s taunting me, and I’m trying to keep him busy, and Miles, yes, I do know! We passed right by it when we were hiking, three months ago! It’s that cabin, all run-down, remember—”
My phone buzzed. Another text.
You know who this is.
I quickly texted back.
Bob, you’re such an idiot. When are you going to quit pulling pranks like this? It’s so lame.
I waited.
“It was off of… I remember. Okay, I know what to do,” said Miles. His voice was calm and in control, and hearing him went a long way toward steadying my nerves.
Miles turned down a dirt road, and my phone buzzed again.
This isn’t Bob. This is your worst nightmare.
“No, that distinction has already been claimed by George Frank. Soon after, he got thrown halfway through a wall and shot to death by his girlfriend,” I muttered, as I typed a response.
Okay, Fred. I should have known, this really is more your style.
Miles pulled over to the side of the road and parked.
“We have to walk from here. It isn’t far,” Miles said, and held up his hand before Xander could interrupt. “Anika, silence your phone completely. You too, Xander.”
Miles silenced his own phone, as I saw a new text light up the screen on mine.
I am not Fred
He was entering another text, Cheryl must also have an iPhone. As I exited the vehicle, I rapidly sent one of my own.
Earl, you’re breaking the restraining order by texting me! I’m calling the police right now!
“Stay behind me,” said Miles softly. “You too, Xander.”
As we rounded the turn, the cabin came in sight. So did Westin. He was walking slowly back down the path which led to the crevasse, staring at a phone. Probably Cheryl’s.
There was no sign of her.
As Xander started to move forward, Miles grabbed his arm.
“Don’t get between us,” Miles said quietly. “Don’t forget, I’ve got to be able to see what I’m doing.”
Xander nodded, and we quickly crossed the clearing and reached the cabin as Westin reached the f
ire pit.
Westin looked up. Grabbing the revolver which he’d stuffed in the back of his pants, and dropping the phone in the process, he fired first one shot, then another.
“Check the cabin,” said Miles, and Xander hurried to do that.
Westin fired again.
“She’s not there,” said Xander anxiously, exiting the cabin almost immediately.
“You checked the whole thing?” asked Miles.
“It’s practically empty, there’s not much to check.”
Westin started firing the gun again, a strange mix of hysterical desperation steadily filling his eyes.
“Enough!” said Miles firmly.
The gun fell from Westin’s hands and onto the ground at his feet.
“Where is she?” Miles demanded.
Westin glared, but didn’t speak. His muscles tightened, and the veins on his forehead pulsed, but otherwise he didn’t move.
“Where is she!” yelled Xander.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Westin spat.
“That’s not the truth,” I said.
Miles walked closer, and Xander and I followed.
“What did you do with her?” asked Miles. He sounded so calm, but I knew his hazel eyes were flecked with steel. “You’d be wise to start talking.”
Westin was squirming, his muscles straining, but in spite of that, he barely moved.
“How are you able to do this?” Westin demanded. “What are you, a government project? A freak of nature? Have you always been this way, or is this the result of the brain injury? You shouldn’t even be alive! No one could survive that!”
“Where is she?” asked Miles, coming to a stop in front of Westin, who still squirmed.
Xander snatched up a stick of firewood from the small pile that lay beside the fire pit.
“He’s not going to talk,” said Xander. “Not without encouragement.”
Miles considered that. I think.
“Maybe you’re right. I could get the information out of him… but she is your cousin.”
I watched with wide eyes as Xander smacked the stick of firewood against the palm of his other hand, and moved forward. Westin’s eyes grew wide too.
Darkness Falls Page 32
