Renewing Lost Love

by Karen Ward

  The agent asks Pinky if he has had any more contact from Samantha Wells and Pinky honestly tells him no but that he expects to hear from her in the next day or two. As they are leaving the airport to head to a hotel for the night Pinky’s cell phone rings. Glancing at the caller ID he sees Richard Dean’s name and he answers, “Pinky.”

  “Mr. Williams, this is Richard Dean. I wanted to give you an update about Bixby. Evidently he and the man in the pickup, Smitty, have split up. They may have made their tail. Smitty and the truck are still headed east toward Illinois. Bixby was spotted in Nebraska at a truck stop trying to hitch a ride south. By the time the authorities arrived he was gone. From what they were told, he got a ride with a truck driver headed to Texas. They have issued an APB for the truck. If I find out anything else I’ll let you know. Oh, we’re going to pick up Smitty and charge him with murder for the massacre at the compound near Sandpoint.”

  Pinky says, “Thank you Mr. Dean. Please keep me posted.”

  When he disconnects Bear asks, “Bixby?”

  Pinky answers, “Yeah, he and Smitty have split up. They spotted him in Nebraska. It looks to me like he may be going to Louisiana. He still has relatives in the area and if he needs money it is logical he would head there. I hope they catch him again soon. I don’t like not knowing what he’s up to. He’s as slippery as an eel.”

  Bear laughs and says, “I think the guy has nine lives. I can’t believe he’s slipped away from the FBI four times now.”

  Goose asks, “Pinky, what are you going to do when Sam calls you again? Do you think you’ll be able to convince her to give up? If the FBI doesn’t get to interview the boy soon, they won’t be able to hold that couple for long. They are going to have to have proof before they can file charges and the boy may be their only witness.”

  Pinky replies, “That’s a good point Goose. I’ll use it to try to convince her to give up. If she brings him back it will go a lot easier on her too. I just hope he’s all right physically. She took him before the doctor’s had released him from the hospital.”

  Later that evening just as they are finishing dinner Pinky’s cell phone rings again. Glancing at the caller ID he sees an unknown number. He answers, “Pinky.”

  “Pinky, Sam, did they find the car?”

  “Yes, Sam they found it exactly where Timmy said they would and they have arrested the couple. You need to turn yourself in before you get in deeper. If the FBI isn’t able to interview Timmy within the next couple of days they will have to release the couple for lack of evidence.”

  “I know but I can’t come in yet,” replies Sam.

  Pinky responds, “Sam, you are placing me in a very difficult situation. If you don’t turn yourself in, we are going to be forced to track you. Please Sam, don’t make us do that. We want to help you but we can’t help you break the law.”

  “Pinky, you don’t understand. Where we are, up on this mountain, we don’t have a way out until the weather warms up. We have plenty of wood and food but we can’t take a chance on the trail until the ice melts. It was hard enough getting up here with my bum leg before last night’s storm. Now everything is iced over again.”

  “We can come and get you with the helicopter, just tell us where you are,” responds Pinky.

  “You mean you’re here, in Tennessee?” asks Sam.

  “Yeah, we got here late this afternoon. If you don’t turn yourself in we’ll have to start tracking you in the morning. Please, Sam, where are you?”

  Samantha hesitates for a long moment then responds, “All right, I have a GPS locator, like skiers use. I’ll activate it at first light. We are in the southern quadrant. I’ll be watching for you, and Pinky, thanks.”

  “Great Sam, we’ll see you first thing in the morning,” says Pinky smiling with relief.

  ******

  The following morning at dawn the three members of the Drake Security team are making a series of passes over the southern quadrant trying to locate Sam and the boy. When they finally zero in on the GPS signal and lock the coordinates in the helicopter’s computer, a collective sigh of relief passes through the group. It is not long before they spot Sam waving from the mountain top. Goose positions the helicopter directly above them and lowers Pinky on the cable to the ground. He attaches Sam securely to the cable and signals Bear to raise her up.

  As Pinky and the freckle faced boy watch Sam ascending into the air Timmy says, “Wow, are we going to do that too?”

  Pinky says, “Yep, are you ready?”

  Timmy shakes his head and says, “No, I don’t want to, I’m scared.”

  Pinky kneels beside the boy, “Timmy, did you know that I am the man that scaled down that cliff and put you in a basket that was raised into that same helicopter the day you fell?”

  Timmy’s eyes round with wonder, “You were? You saved me when I fell off the cliff?”

  Pinky says, “I sure did and I would never, ever let anything happen to you. Do you believe me?”

  Nodding Timmy says, “I believe you. That was a tall cliff and if you climbed down to save me you can do anything!”

  When Bear sends the cable back down Pinky straps the boy to his chest, tells him to hold on tight to his neck and they ascend into the helicopter. Once inside the helicopter Timmy grins at Pinky as he straps him into a seat. Timmy says, “Wow! That was fun! Can we do it again?”

  Pinky grins back at the cute little boy and says, “Yeah, it is fun. Maybe we’ll do it again another time.”

  When they land at the airport in Gatlinburg, Sam is immediately taken into custody by the FBI and charged with kidnapping. As the boy is taken by Child Protective Services he looks back over his shoulder at Pinky and says, “Bye Mr. Pinky! Thank you.” Pinky waves back at Timmy. That is one cute kid.

  Sam looks at Pinky and says, “Thank you Pinky. I’ll be all right. Once they hear Timmy’s story they will understand why we left. You know, Timmy doesn’t have any family now, I hope he will be adopted by somebody that will love him.”

  At her words Pinky’s heart clenches. He looks across the parking lot to where Child Protective Services is caring for six year old Timmy. He turns and strides toward them making a decision he hopes Jasmine will understand. Goose and Bear look at each other and smile. Boy, when Pinky decided to open his heart, he opened it completely.

  He approaches the CPS representative and says, “Ma’am, when will you make a decision about placing Timmy? I would be very interested in having him join my family on a permanent basis.”

  Timmy looks up at Pinky and a broad smile crosses his face. He says, “Yes, please, I want to live with him. Did you know he is the one that saved my life when I fell off the cliff?”

  Surprised by the boy’s words the woman says, “Mr. Williams isn’t it? Do you live in Tennessee?”

  Pinky shakes his head and responds, “No ma’am, I live in Wyoming. Will that be a problem?”

  “Well, no, it shouldn’t be a problem. We have to get Timmy checked out and released by his doctor. Plus we have some forms you’ll need to fill out and we’ll have to do a background check although it appears you are well respected by the FBI and ATF agents here. It is in your favor that you are the one that rescued him from the cliff after his fall. Are you married Mr. Williams?”

  “Not yet, I’m engaged. I live on a ranch with several other families so he would have a lot of other children to grow up with. Where can I get those papers? How long before you will make a decision?”

  The CPS representative says, “Here are the papers. It shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to fill them out. The doctor should be here momentarily to check on Timmy and decide if he’s well enough to be released. If our preliminary background check goes all right and the doctor releases him, you should be able to take him home with you tonight.”

  Grinning Pinky says, “Awesome. I’ll bring these back in a few minutes.” He winks at Timmy and walks back across to the helicopter where he fills out the papers and then calls Jasmine.
r />   “Hey, Sweetheart how is everything at the ranch?” he asks.

  “Oh Keith, everything is great. I’m learning to shoot! Skye is teaching me how to use a semi-automatic so I can get a license to carry one in my purse!”

  “That’s wonderful and a very good idea too. Listen Jasmine, I need to ask you something. How would you feel about adopting this little guy? He doesn’t have any family and I feel sort responsible for his safety. He even has red hair almost the same color as yours.”

  “Well, I haven’t thought about adopting a child. I guess it would be all right. I’m not sure I will be able to have children now after all of the abuse, so yes, I would like that a lot. How old is he?”

  “His name is Timmy, he’s six, and as cute as he can be. If everything goes like I think it will, I’ll be bringing him home with me tonight. Thank you Jasmine, I love you.”

  Pinky walks back across the parking lot and hands the papers to the CPS representative. He says, “I listed my cell phone number so if you need me you can always get me. We’re going to get some breakfast and we’ll be back in about an hour.”

  The lady says, “That will be fine. I should have you an answer by that time. The doctor just signed Timmy’s release papers. Would you like to carry him with you to breakfast? I don’t think he’s had anything to eat either.”

  Grinning, Pinky says, “Sure, Timmy, do you want some breakfast?”

  Nodding Timmy jumps up and grabs Pinky’s hand and they head across the parking lot to meet Bear and Goose.

  CHAPTER 12

  The Drake Security team arrives back at the Rock Springs Ranch well after midnight and little Timmy is sound asleep when Pinky tucks him into bed in his bedroom above the barn. Smiling tenderly, he leans over and kisses the youngster on the forehead before heading to the shower. A son, Timmy is going to be his son. It’s absolutely amazing how much his life has changed in the last few months. First, learning that Jasmine is alive and then being able to rescue her from Bixby and now to have a son. He doesn’t ever remember being as happy as he is now.

  Early the next morning, Pinky is awakened by Timmy leaning over his shoulder on the bed, patting him on the cheek, saying, “Mr. Pinky? Are you awake?”

  Smiling, Pinky opens his eyes and stares into the curious green gaze of his future son. He sits up on the side of the bed, “Hey big guy, are you ready to meet your new family?”

  Nodding his head vigorously he says, “Is this where we’re going to live Mr. Pinky? Is this the ranch? Where are all the other kids?” asks Timmy.

  “Hey, hold on, one question at a time. Yes, this is the ranch and this is where we’re going to live. Let’s get some clothes on and I’ll take you over to the house and introduce you to Eric. Damian is at his house over across the pasture but I’m sure he’ll be here soon. Later today, we’re going to have to go into town and buy you some new clothes and get you enrolled in school. What grade are you in Timmy?”

  “I’m going to get to go to school? I’ve never been to school, Mr. Pinky. Is that where I can learn to read?” asks Timmy.

  “You haven’t been going to school? Aren’t you six?” asks Pinky.

  “I’m six but my Mommie and Daddy didn’t send me to school. Mommie was teaching me to read when Daddy worked though. Does Miss Sam live here too? Is she going to have to stay in jail for a long time?”

  As he helps Timmy put on his clean clothes, Pinky tries to answer his questions, “No, Miss Sam doesn’t live here and I’m not sure how long she will have to stay in jail. I imagine that’s going to depend on what you tell the police about what happened to your Mommie and Daddy. How did they end up in the car at the bottom of the lake?”

  “That mean man shot them. I was scared because he was mean to my Mommie and Daddy. That’s why I ran away and fell off the cliff. Did you know I had an operation? See, here’s my scar!” exclaims Timmy.

  “Wow! That’s quite a scar! Are you ready to go get some breakfast?” asks Pinky.

  As they are walking across the yard to the main ranch house Timmy is looking around curiously. “Are those horses over there? Can I ride one?”

  Patiently Pinky says, “Sure, I’ll teach you to ride. Timmy, did you see the mean man shoot your Mommie and Daddy?”

  Timmy answers, “Yes, he and my Daddy were arguing about money and Daddy wouldn’t give him any so he shot them. Then he put them in the car and drove it into the lake.”

  Pinky asks, “Where did you and your Mommie and Daddy live?”

  He thinks for a minute, “Well, we use to live in Texas with my Grandpa but we left Texas a long time ago after my Grandpa died. Then we stayed in Colorado for a while and we were moving to Tennessee when that man shot them. My Mommie loved the mountains and she wanted to live on a mountain top but Daddy didn’t like the taxes in Colorado.”

  When they enter the house, they find Melanie, Barry, Eric, and baby Jonathan in the kitchen having oatmeal. Pinky introduces Timmy and then asks, “Timmy is oatmeal all right for breakfast?”

  Timmy says, “What’s oatmeal? I’ve never had any of that before.”

  Eric says, “Oatmeal’s good if you put butter, sugar, and raisins in it. Here I’ll show you.”

  Pinky is grinning while he watches the boys eat their oatmeal when I enter the kitchen and say, “Good morning everyone. Oh, Keith, you’re back!” She leans in for a warm kiss and asks, “Is this Timmy? He is precious!”

  Pinky says, “Timmy, come here for a minute.” The little boy shyly walks toward Pinky staring curiously at Jasmine. Pinky says, “Timmy, this is Miss Jasmine. She’s going to be your new Mommie.”

  Timmy’s green eyes are as big as saucers as he looks Jasmine over from head to toe. He says, “You sure are pretty, Miss Jasmine, and your hair is the same color as mine! Are you really going to be my Mommie?”

  Laughing Jasmine says, “I’m really going to be your Mommie. Come here and give me a big hug.” She wraps her arms around his little body and squeezes him gently with tears gathering in her eyes. A forgotten memory tugs at the back of her mind but doesn’t surface. Then she helps him back into his chair to finish his oatmeal.

  A short while later Barry’s cell phone rings. Barry answers, “Farrady.”

  “Mr. Farrady, there is an FBI agent here at the gate. He is looking for Mr. Keith Williams.”

  Barry says, “Let them come in. Mr. Williams is at the main house”

  A few minutes later, the doorbell rings and Barry calls from the foyer, “Pinky, you have a visitor.”

  When he walks to the front door Pinky he sees the FBI agent, Richard Dean, standing in the foyer and his heart starts pounding with dread, “Mr. Dean, what brings you out here this morning?”

  Smiling Richard Dean says, “Well, two different things actually. I need to speak with your new guest, Timmy Thompson, and then I want to update you on the Bixby investigation.”

  Barry asks, “Would you like to record your interview with Timmy? We can set you up in the study and record it on our security cameras.”

  Richard Dean replies, “Yes, please, that would be wonderful, Mr. Farrady. Thank you for thinking of it.”

  After the FBI agent finishes questioning Timmy and is satisfied with the story the boy told him, he says, “Well, that should give us enough information to file charges against John and Adrian Fisher. I’ll keep you in the loop about when we’ll need Timmy to come to Tennessee for the trial. Mr. Farrady, would you send the video to the office in Cody please?”

  Then Richard Dean, Barry, and Pinky discuss the Bixby investigation. Richard Dean tells them, “Well, we haven’t seen any sign of Bixby since I called you a few days ago. We located the truck driver that gave him the ride from Nebraska and he told us he dropped him off in Amarillo. Bixby told the truck driver he was headed to Louisiana to visit relatives. We have our agents in Louisiana looking for him but so far they haven’t found any sign that he is in the area. You still need to be careful and be alert here. I doubt he has changed his mind about killing all of
you.”

  Pinky asks, “Do you have agents monitoring Jasmine’s brother’s home? I think that might be where he heads to try and flush her out.”

  Richard Dean replies, “We are staying in touch with Leaf Leblanc. He was thrilled to learn that Jasmine is alive and wants to see her as soon as possible. We have two undercover agents living in the house next door monitoring the situation. Let me ask you this, have you considered using her to flush him out? I mean, if the two of you went to see Mr. Leblanc, Bixby might show himself and give us the opportunity to capture him.”

  Shaking his head, Pinky answers, “No, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to expose Jasmine to anymore danger. She’s been through enough.”

  I am standing in the door unnoticed by the men, “Keith, I think that might be a good idea. James is arrogant enough to think I will want go back with him and he might come out of hiding.”

  Pinky says, “No Jasmine, it’s too dangerous. Bixby is as slippery as an eel. He has already escaped from the FBI four times. I don’t want to take the chance that he might hurt you.”

  Richard Dean turns a bright red at Pinky’s comment about the inability of the FBI to capture Bixby.

  I look Pinky straight in the eye, “This is my decision, Keith, not yours. I want James out of my life. I want him gone forever and if that means I have to put myself in danger, so be it. Mr. Dean, when do you want me to be in Louisiana?”

  Richard Dean looks apologetically at Pinky, “Well, it will take me a few days to get everything lined out so that we can make very sure you are safe. I think it would be a good idea for these guys to accompany you and be available to assist us. How about if we plan on you arriving next Sunday? That will give me almost a week to get everything set up.”

  I look over at Pinky who is frowning but not saying anything and then I answer, “Sunday is fine. I’ll let you guys figure out the details. I need to talk to Skye.” I turn on my heel and leave the study.

  Richard Dean says, “I’m sorry Mr. Williams. I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble.”

  Pinky shakes his head and says, “No, it’s all right. Obviously Jasmine has progressed in her treatment further than I thought. If this is what she wants to do, then we will support her.”