Dangerous Ground

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  Marcus grabbed another can of beer, before continuing. “Alvin was too weak to hold on to a woman like you. You’re just like Alvin’s mama, Eleanor. I tried to teach her how to be a good wife, but she wouldn’t listen. She ran off with my son when he was a child.”

  Marcus took another sip of beer and got up from the chair and sat on the bed next to Loretta. He faced her as he spoke. “I didn’t see my boy again until after he married you. It seems that he heard his father was still alive, so he came looking for me. He wasn’t an impressive man; I’m not surprised, he was such a crybaby as a child. Alvin couldn’t help the fact that he was a weak man; he wasn’t raised in the proper environment. I don’t blame him though it was his mother’s influence that turned him into a wimp.”

  “Do you know that he came running to me after you hit him in the head with a bat? I tried to toughen Alvin up, but he just didn’t have the capacity to comprehend what I was trying to do for him. So he left me no choice; I had to get rid of him. Before he died, I promised him that I would take care of all the people who ruined his life. Tonight I’m going to make good on that promise.”

  Marcus finished his beer and crushed the can with his left hand and dropped it on the floor. “Who knows, I might just sample some of your wares before I finish you off.” Marcus ran his hand down Loretta’s throbbing face. He continued to caress her throat, and as his other hand rested on her right breast. Loretta slapped his hand away, but he only laughed at her.

  “Get your filthy hands off of me, you sick bastard.” Marcus was so close that Loretta could smell the beer on his breath.

  “I haven’t had a woman in a long time Loretta. A whore like you should know a lot of tricks to keep a man interested. I’ve been following you around Omaha a couple of days before I rigged you car. I was disappointed that you didn’t die the way I had planned. Now that, I’ve got you here, I can’t wait to bury myself deep inside you.” Marcus licked Loretta’s face and squeezed her breast once more before he left the room.

  Loretta was terrified; Alan behaved the same way that night when he tried to rape her. She couldn’t wait for someone to try and save her. She had to find a way to protect herself.

  ***

  As soon Vincent realized that Loretta had been kidnapped; he didn’t waste any time dealing with the Omaha Police department, he called the FBI. Within a half-hour, feds were swarming all over Immanuel Hospital.

  The FBI took Vincent to an office in west Omaha and refused to let him leave to pick Xavier up from Eppley Airfield. Instead, they sent a couple of agents to escort Xavier back to the office, Agent Eric Constantine, the agent in charge said he had some questions for Xavier.

  Vincent was scared for the first time since his mother died. As an ex-homicide detective he knew that the longer Loretta stayed missing, her chances of being found alive became slimmer. He had to find a way to get away from the feds so he could follow some leads of his own.

  ***

  Xavier just got off the plane when two gentlemen in suits identifying themselves as FBI agents approached him. “I’m Xavier Johnson, how can I help you gentlemen.”

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Mr. Johnson, but you fiancée was kidnapped from Immanuel Hospital this morning.”

  “Loretta was kidnapped.” Xavier was in a state of shock. The two agents practically dragged Xavier to the car. “How did it happen? Where’s my brother Vincent? Has he been injured?”

  “Vincent Johnson is being held at headquarters for questioning.”

  Xavier had to think fast, he needed to be on the street so he could find Loretta. “I suppose that’s where we’re headed?”

  “Yes sir.”

  There was no way the feds would let him or Vincent go while Loretta was still missing. Xavier took out his cell and sent at text message to Leland and Vincent. He didn’t want to arouse the suspicions of the agents, so after he left the messages, he tucked his cellular phone back into his jacket pocket.

  “How did the kidnapper get Loretta away from the hospital?”

  “Sir, Agent Constantine will fill you in on all the details once we reach headquarters.”

  Xavier was paying close attention to his surroundings they just crossed 30th and Sorenson Parkway. He knew a couple of people in the area, people who could be trusted to help him out. Now, all Xavier had to do was get out of the car.

  The intersection on 42nd Street was blocked off because of a car accident. Xavier knew he wouldn’t get a better opportunity. As soon as the car slowed down, Xavier opened the car door and jumped out of the back seat. He was able to cross traffic without any mishaps. He ran down Sorensen Parkway until he reached 40th and Grand Avenue. Larry Mataya, one of his employees lived on 40th and Grand. Xavier reached Larry’s house in less than five minutes. The door was opened before Xavier could knock.

  Larry saw Xavier as he was coming up the front steps. He went to the front door to let him in. “Xavier, I thought you were in Chicago.”

  “I just got back less than thirty minutes ago. Look Larry, I need to ask you a favor.”

  “Anything.”

  “I need a ride down to Bryant Center.”

  “Sure let me get my car keys.” Larry didn’t stop to question why Xavier needed a ride, and he didn’t want to know. Xavier was the only person who would hire him after his run in with the law.

  Xavier watched as Larry grabbed his keys off the table. “I got to be honest with you Larry. I’m on the run.”

  Larry didn’t bat and eye. “With the local police or the feds?”

  Xavier cleared his throat. “Possibly both.”

  “Then we better get you where you need to go before they find you.”

  ***

  Vincent was looking out a window in Agent Constantine’s office, when the message alarm beeped on his cell. He turned it off immediately and read the message. The message was from Xavier, he wanted Vincent to meet him at Bryant Center. Vincent wondered if Xavier sent the same message to Leland.

  Agent Constantine walked in the office just as Vincent put his cell away. “Mr. Johnson we’re done questioning you. We just picked your brother up from the airport, of course you can wait for him if you like.”

  Vincent had to get out of here while the getting was good. It was obvious to him that Agent Constantine made a serious rookie mistake in releasing him. Xavier would ditch the feds soon, and Vincent didn’t want to get caught at FBI headquarters. “Thanks Agent Constantine, if I can think of anything that might help find Loretta, I’ll give you a call.” He wondered if Agent Constantine thought it odd that he didn’t wait for his brother.

  It was close to seven o’clock. Loretta had been missing for nine hours now. Vincent left Agent Constantine’s office quickly; he didn’t break out running. He had twenty minutes to make it to Bryant Center before Xavier left without him.

  ***

  Loretta’s hip was giving her a lot of pain, but that was nothing compared to what Marcus had in store for her. The only items she had available that might serve as weapons were her cast and the wooden wedge that kept her leg immobile.

  Her injured leg was stiff Loretta hadn’t exercised it since her last therapy session yesterday. She gently moved her injured leg off the side of the bed, and tried to stand. So far so good, Loretta worked through a few exercises, when she heard Marcus approaching. She didn’t have time to get back on the bed, so Loretta remained standing.

  When Marcus walked in the room, he was shocked to see Loretta standing. He thought that she was totally immobile. Not that, it mattered; it was time for him to get down to business. After he had his fill of Loretta, he would break her neck and leave.

  “I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you something to eat.”

  “Thank you Marcus. Why don’t you just sit the plate on the bed?”

  “I know what you’re thinking Loretta, but there is no way you can escape. With your injured leg, you’ll never make it out of here alive. Alan may have been a clumsy lover, but I’ll make it
good for you.”

  Loretta tried to anticipate Marcus’s next move. He put the plate of food on the bed and moved toward Loretta. Loretta had to make sure that each blow hit its target, or she would be back to square one.

  Marcus found the whole situation amusing. “Whatever you’re planning, will be of no use. Even if you were able to get out of this house your miles away from the next neighbor. He was a couple of inches away from Loretta when she spoke to him.

  “Marcus can you really make it good for me, I’ve waited so long to find a good lover?” Loretta made each word sound like a caress. Marcus may be insane, but he still had the same weaknesses as other men who thought with their crotch instead of their brains.

  Marcus reached out for Loretta he couldn’t wait any longer to possess her. From out of nowhere, Marcus felt a powerful blow to his head. “You bitch.”

  Before Marcus could react, Loretta hit Marcus with the wedge once again before she smashed his face with her brace. Loretta hit him so hard that the metal rod bent. Marcus tried to grab her before he fell to his knees. Loretta hopped on her good leg and hit Marcus in the back of his head. He hit the floor hard, and Loretta wasted no time getting out of the house.

  Without her crutches walking on the injured leg would take twice as long. She made it out the front door, but she had no idea which way she should go. Loretta carefully eased herself down the steps and made her way into the woods. “I need you Xavier, where are you?”

  ***

  When Xavier reached Bryant Center, Leland was waiting there for him. “Thanks Larry, look for something special on you next check.” Before Xavier could get out of Larry’s car, Larry stopped him.

  “Xavier you can keep you bonus, I’m glad I could help you out. If you need anything give me a call.” Larry drove off without a backward glance.

  It was beginning to rain. Xavier ran over to Leland’s car, the doors were already unlocked. “Glad you could make it Leland. We don’t have time to waste. Loretta was kidnapped from the hospital this morning. The FBI is on the case, but I don’t think they have a clue as to what’s going on.”

  Leland had known Xavier for a long time. This was the first time he had seen Xavier looking distressed. “Don’t worry, will find Loretta. How long are we going to wait for Vincent?” No sooner than the words left his mouth. Vincent’s car pulled up behind Leland’s.

  Vincent got into the back seat of Leland’s car. “Okay Vincent, what the hell is going on?”

  “I’m sorry Xavier, I took Loretta’s bags down to my car, and when I came back, she was gone.”

  “What does the FBI know so far?”

  “The mobile van was stolen, and the van driver was murdered?

  “Damn, how long has Loretta been missing?”

  “Almost ten hours.”

  “Vincent I need you to call your friend that works for the federal government. I think Loretta’s ex-husband has something to do with this. I want you to run a check on him, his name is Alan Jackson.”

  “Where are we going to rendezvous?”

  “The FBI and probably the police will be checking both of our houses. Why don’t we meet at the apartment we keep for out of town guests?”

  “The apartment on 16th and Howard?”

  “Yes. Leland and I will set up there and start networking. If I know my baby, she trying to escape, but that may not be possible with her injured leg.”

  “I’ll call in all my favors for this one Xavier. I’ll call you as I get information.” Vincent got out of Leland’s car and went back to his own car and drove off.

  Leland and Xavier reached the company owned apartment in ten minutes. They immediately began calling friends who either worked for the Omaha Police and the County Sheriff’s Office.

  Xavier was scared. Almost an hour had passed without any word from the streets. He just had to believe that Loretta was all right. Just then a message came across the radio. A mobile van was found just off of Interstate 680 heading East; it was called in thirty minutes ago by a trucker.

  “Leland how well do you know that area by the Missouri Riverbank?”

  “If he was going to stay some place over night it and he didn’t want to go to a motel. The area surrounding Dodge Park would be a terrific place to hide. It’s off the beaten track, and there’s a large wooded area.”

  Whoever did this had a second vehicle on standby. Xavier wondered, was the kidnapper working alone. The first couple of hours after a kidnapping are crucial; the victims were more likely to be alive. After twenty-four hours have past, the expectation of finding victims alive gets smaller and smaller.

  The phone rang, just as Xavier was going to call the County Sheriff’s Office. Vincent was on the other line, and Xavier could tell by the tone of his voice that he was agitated. “Xavier you won’t believe what I found out. It took some time, but I found out what happened to Loretta’s ex-husband. Alan Jackson, A. K. A. Alvin Dupree was shot and killed by his father Marcus Dupree five years ago. The father and son had an argument that ended with Alvin in the morgue. Marcus was charged with second degree murder and was sentence to ten years in prison; he was paroled five years early for good behavior. Now you know why Loretta never heard from Alan again.”

  Xavier was stunned, to say the least. “What else did you find out?”

  “Two weeks ago, Marcus Dupree tried to murder his ex-wife in Chicago. She survived the accident, and that’s all we know. The agent in charge thinks that there’s a leak in the agency, and he refuses to divulge the ex-wife’s whereabouts.”

  “We have to find the leak, that’s the key. Marcus Dupree had help finding his ex-wife and Loretta. So whoever helped him should know where Dupree is hiding.”

  Xavier only knew of one person who could get him the information he needed. His former CO from the Army had a high ranking position in the Senate. He could get Xavier the information he needed. The last time Xavier saw Colonel Schaffer was by chance at a security conference in San Diego. Colonel Schaffer gave Xavier his card and told him if he ever needed anything to give him a call.

  Xavier took out his wallet and pulled out all his business cards. He found Colonel Schaffer’s business card. Well, looks like the Colonel is a General now, Xavier called his home number, and prayed that Schaffer was available. As luck would have it, the phone was answered on the fourth ring.

  “Schaffer here.”

  “General Schaffer, it’s Xavier Johnson. You ask me to call you if I ever needed a favor.” The line got so quiet that Xavier thought General Schaffer hung up.

  “It must be one hell of a favor. I thought I would never hear from you again.”

  Xavier explained the situation and his theories about the snitch within the witness protective services.

  “You never did have minor problems did you? It’s going to take me a couple of hours Xavier. I realize that time is of the essence that’s why I’m going to work on this personally. Give me your fax number so I can send you all the dirty details.

  “I appreciate everything you’re doing for me General.”

  “I feel I owe it to you, but the next time you call, I want to hear some good news.”

  Xavier put the phone down and looked over at Leland. He knew that deep down Leland didn’t trust General Schaffer. Xavier had to take that chance for Loretta’s sake.

  “I don’t agree with what you’re doing Xavier, but I understand. Just remember one thing; General Schaffer knowingly led us into an ambush. How can you trust a man like that?”

  “To get Loretta back safely, I would have made a deal with the devil.”

  “That’s what you did.”

  ***

  It was cold and wet outside, but Loretta pressed on. She didn’t know how longer Marcus would remain knocked out; she had to put some distance between him. Loretta was determined that she was going to make it to safety.

  The rain was falling steadily, and Loretta lost her footing several times. She was so cold, wet, and tired. Loretta was afraid that if she stopped
moving, her body would stop generating heat. If she had to crawl, she would make it out of the woods alive.

  ***

  Agent Constantine had been in a foul mood ever since he found out Xavier Johnson ditched his agents. They still weren’t any closer to apprehending Loretta Brown’s kidnapper. He was on his fifth cup of coffee when someone knocked on his office door. “Come in.”

  “Eric you’re not going to believe this. We just received a fax from a General Asa Schaffer.”

  Eric recognized the name immediately. General Schaffer was a power to behold in Washington. “What does the fax say Williams?”

  Special Agent Williams hands shook as he read the information from the fax. “General Schaffer identifies Loretta Brown’s kidnapper and list a possible address where he can be found.”

  Eric hit his desk with his hand. “The hell you say. Give me that fax!” He read the fax, and put on his holster, and checked his gun. “Williams, I want you to contact the police and put an APB out on Marcus Dupree.”

  Special Agent Williams was already on the phone as Eric passed the fax back to him. “Eric do you have any special instructions for the police.”

  “If they get there before us, I don’t want them to do a damn thing except set up surveillance on the house.” Eric couldn’t believe his good fortune, but somehow he knew that Xavier Johnson was behind the scenes. He read Xavier Johnson’s military service record and Xavier served under Colonel Schaffer, two years before his discharge.

  ***

  Xavier received the fax back from General Schaffer, he didn’t waste any time. Xavier called Vincent’s and told him the address where Loretta might be held hostage. Xavier read the address again as he and Leland ran for the car. He wasn’t familiar with the surrounding area of Dodge Park, but he knew there was nothing that would keep him from finding Loretta.

  Leland took the north freeway, and turned off on 30th Street until he reached Dick Collins Road. By the time, he turned on to Pershing Dr. Xavier was a nervous wreck. “Leland what’s taking so long we should have been there by now?”