Stranded (Military Investigations)

by Debby Giusti

  Gripping the Maglite in his left hand and his weapon in the right, Frank inched around the corner. A dark shadow, big and bulky, peered through the French doors into the room where Colleen had slept moments earlier.

  At the same instant, sirens sounded in the distance.

  The dark shadow turned and ran.

  “Stop. Law enforcement.”

  The guy fled into the woods. Frank gave the command. Duke ran after him. Frank followed.

  Shots fired.

  Fearing Duke had been hit, Frank increased his pace and pushed harder.

  The sound of a car engine filled the night. Tires screeched.

  Frank whistled. The dog bounded from the wooded area.

  Relieved to see his trusty friend unharmed, Frank slapped his leg. “Come on, boy.”

  They hurried back to the house. A police squad car pulled into the driveway.

  “I didn’t expect you to respond so quickly,” Frank said to the cop who climbed from the car.

  His name tag read Stoddard. He was tall and lean, midtwenties and blond. “I was in the area, sir.”

  Frank quickly filled him in on what he’d seen and heard.

  Using the radio, Stoddard alerted other patrol cars. “The man is armed and dangerous.”

  While the officer examined the cut screen, Frank stepped inside and headed to Evelyn’s room. He tapped on the door.

  “It’s Frank. You can come out. The guy ran off.”

  Evelyn threw open the door and gasped with relief when she saw Frank. “Colleen and I thought something had happened to you. We heard the shots and—”

  He patted her shoulder. “The shots were aimed at Duke.”

  Colleen looked alarmed. “Is he okay?”

  “Seems to be fine.”

  “Did you see the guy?” she asked.

  “Only from the rear. He was wearing dark slacks and a hooded sweatshirt.”

  “It was Trey.”

  “We don’t know that for sure.”

  The cop called from the front of the house. Evelyn tied her robe more tightly around her. “I’ll brew coffee.”

  She hurried to the kitchen.

  Colleen stepped closer. “Something woke me. I couldn’t recognize the sound at first. Looking out the window, I saw him cut through the screen.”

  “Frank.” Evelyn’s voice. “The officer needs to ask you some questions.”

  “He’ll want to talk to me, too,” Colleen said.

  “I’ll stay with you.”

  She nodded. “It’s okay. I don’t have anything to hide.”

  The officer accepted a cup of coffee from Evelyn and took down the information that Frank and Colleen provided.

  “Ma’am, did you recognize the prowler?” he eventually asked.

  “I...I couldn’t tell who he was. It was dark. I don’t know if it was Trey Howard or someone else.”

  “I’ll check with Officer Talbot, whom you spoke with at the hospital, and see if he’s uncovered anything new.”

  “The officer said he’d issue a Bee Low,” she added.

  Frank smiled. “That’s BOLO. A Be On the Lookout order was sent to all law enforcement in the area.”

  The blond officer scratched his head. “Which I never received. I’ll check that with Talbot, as well.”

  He glanced at Evelyn as he scooted back from the table and stood. “Thanks for the coffee, ma’am.”

  “I wish you’d take a slice of coffee cake for later.”

  He nodded his appreciation. “I’m training for a marathon next month and keeping my sugar to a minimum. But the coffee hit the spot.”

  Frank walked Stoddard to the front door and offered his hand. “Ms. Brennan’s car is at the barn. See if your crime scene folks can get to it in the morning.”

  “I’ll make that happen, sir.”

  The cop was young and seemed competent. Colleen had answered all the questions, but Frank wondered if she was holding something back.

  Why did Trey keep coming after Colleen? Was it because of what she knew? Or did it involve more than a list of names and a photo?

  There had to be something else that Trey wanted.

  But what?

  * * *

  Just before Stoddard left the house, a car pulled into the driveway. While Colleen helped Evelyn tidy the kitchen, Frank opened the door, surprised to find Mayor Allen Quincy standing on the porch.

  “Evening, Frank. Officer Stoddard.” Tall, balding and wearing his fatigue, the mayor stepped into the foyer. He dropped his keys on a nearby table and shook both men’s hands.

  “Actually, sir,” Stoddard said, “evening has long since passed. Everything okay?”

  “Just doing a last-minute check in the Amish area.” Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, the mayor wiped his forehead and smiled. “Age seems to be catching up with me.”

  “I doubt that, sir,” Stoddard was quick to reply.

  The mayor smiled. “I saw your squad car when I drove by. The dispatcher said there was a break-in.”

  “An attempted break-in,” Frank explained. “The guy got as far as the screened-in porch.”

  The mayor shook his head with regret, his shoulders sagging ever so slightly. “We’ve had vandalism in the trailer park that was hit by the tornado. I had hoped the Amish area wouldn’t have that problem.”

  Evelyn wiped her hands on a towel and joined the men in the foyer. “Care for a cup of coffee, Allen?”

  “Thanks, Evelyn, but I’ll take a rain check.”

  Another knock. “Seems everyone’s stopping by tonight.” Frank opened the door.

  A second police officer stood on the porch with his hand on the shoulder of a young Amish boy.

  “Evening, Mayor. Ma’am. Sir.” He peered through the crowd at Colleen and nodded to her, as well.

  “I hate to bother you folks this late,” the officer said, “but I found this young man walking through your property. I wanted to see if you could identify him as your prowler.”

  Colleen stared at the Amish lad. “You were behind the barn when the wall came down.”

  The boy tensed. “I did nothing wrong.”

  “What about tonight, son?” Frank asked. “What were you doing this far from home, especially so late?”

  Evelyn reached for the boy’s hand. “Isaac, it’s good to see you. Was Mr. Malone tutoring you? Did you have a night session?”

  The boy shook his head. “I...I was talking to Lucy Wyatt.”

  “Marsha and Carter Wyatt’s daughter?”

  “Jah. They are her parents.”

  Evelyn looked at the two officers and the mayor. “I can vouch for Isaac. He works at the Craft Shoppe and selects the best produce and baked goods for me. He’s a fine young man.”

  Recalling the bulk of the guy on the porch, Frank had to agree with his sister. “The intruder was taller and more filled out.”

  He turned to Isaac. “Did you see anyone in the woods when you were with Lucy?”

  The Amish boy shook his head. “No one.”

  The mayor checked his watch. “I’m headed back your way, Isaac. I’ll take you home.”

  He hung his head. “My dat does not know I left the house.”

  The mayor thought for a moment and then patted the boy’s shoulder. “Then we won’t tell him. I’ll drop you at the end of your driveway. He won’t hear my car.”

  Turning to the officer still standing on the porch, the mayor asked, “Does that meet with your approval?”

  “Yes, sir. No need for me to file a report as long as you’re taking the boy home.”

  “Thanks for your hospitality, Evelyn.”

  “Anytime, Mayor.”

  As he turned to leave, Colleen poin
ted to the keys on the foyer table. A plastic picture frame was attached to the chain.

  Frank followed her gaze and stared at the photo of a young woman in a wedding dress.

  The mayor patted his pocket and then laughed as he reached for the forgotten keys. “Isaac and I wouldn’t have gotten far without these.”

  “The photo?” Colleen asked.

  “That’s my daughter.” The mayor beamed with pride. “She got married in Atlanta last summer and gave the key chain with the attached picture to me for Christmas.”

  “She used an Atlanta photographer?”

  “That’s right. He seemed like a nice guy. My daughter was happy with the photos, so that’s all that matters.”

  Once everyone left, Frank closed and locked the door. “A busy place tonight.”

  Evelyn shook her head with regret. “I fear Isaac’s heart is going to be broken.”

  “Oh?”

  “Lucy Wyatt is not Amish.”

  Evelyn returned to the kitchen.

  Colleen’s eyes were wide. She grabbed Frank’s hand. “The bride’s picture had the name of the photographer written in the corner.”

  Frank knew before she told him.

  “The photographer was Trey Howard.”

  THIRTEEN

  Colleen woke the next morning and stretched out her hand to pet Duke. Frank had insisted the dog stay in her room throughout the night. She had slept soundly knowing the German shepherd was standing guard.

  “You’re such a good dog.” Duke lifted his ears and tilted his head, letting her rub behind his ears and pat his neck. “Thanks for taking care of me last night.”

  She glanced at the clock and groaned—9:00 a.m. She’d slept later than she wanted. At first, she’d tossed and turned while reviewing the questions the police officer had asked. True to his word, Frank had sat next to her and filled in any blanks when she got stuck on an answer. Evelyn had stayed up and encouraged them to eat the cake and cookies she served, never appearing fazed by Frank’s explanation about Trey and his drug operation.

  The arrival of the Amish boy and the mayor added to her concern, especially when she’d seen Trey’s name on the key-chain photo. Surely the mayor wasn’t involved in a drug operation, yet the coincidence added to her unease.

  Crawling from bed, Colleen quickly showered and changed into jeans and a pullover top. The memory card was weighing heavily on her mind.

  Hurrying into the kitchen, her enthusiasm plummeted when she found a note from Evelyn on the counter. “I have to work at the library for a few hours. I’ll be home in time for lunch.”

  Knowing Frank was probably at the triage site, Colleen glanced out the kitchen window, searching for a glimpse of him in the valley below. Hopefully Evelyn wouldn’t be gone too long. Feeling a bit skittish at being alone, she rubbed her hands over her arms and tried to still her growing anxiety.

  Duke stood at the front door and barked. Of course, she wasn’t alone. She had a wonderful guard dog.

  “Sorry, boy, I wasn’t thinking of you.”

  She let him out and returned to the kitchen to brew coffee. Evelyn had left coffee cake on the counter with a second note. “Help yourself. Eggs and bacon are in the fridge. Homemade bread is next to the stove.”

  She smiled, grateful for Evelyn’s hospitality.

  As the coffee dripped, Colleen hurried back to check on Duke.

  Footsteps sounded on the front porch.

  She stopped short. Her stomach tightened. She hadn’t completely closed the door. Through the cracked opening, she saw a man, wearing jeans and a black sweater.

  Heart in her throat, she backed into the kitchen and grabbed a knife from the wooden butcher block by the stove. Holding it close to her side, she mentally outlined her options.

  How much protection would the knife provide?

  Not enough.

  She needed help.

  She needed Frank.

  * * *

  “Colleen?”

  Frank’s voice. She gasped with relief and felt foolish for thinking Frank could possibly be Trey. She dropped the knife on the table and tried to blink back tears, but she couldn’t stop the rush of emotion that swept over her.

  Frank’s face was twisted with concern. He opened his arms, and she fell into his embrace.

  Her control broke. She sobbed, unable to stop the onslaught. She had been so strong for so long. She’d stood by her dying sister and promised she’d bring Trey to justice, but she hadn’t been able to gather enough evidence or convince law enforcement of his guilt.

  No one believed her. Not even Frank.

  Until now.

  Much as she didn’t want to admit the truth, Colleen felt responsible for her sister’s death. She’d been so determined to show Briana tough love that she’d failed to respond to her plea for help.

  Why hadn’t she been more sensitive, more caring, more who Christ wanted her to be? Maybe because she’d been burned by Briana so many times in the past. Still, that wasn’t reason to forsake her sister in a time of need.

  Frank pulled her closer. His hand rubbed over her shoulders. Lips close to her ear, he whispered soothing words that were like a lifeline to a drowning woman.

  “Shh, Colleen, I’ve got you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  “I...I thought you were—”

  “I’m sorry for scaring you. I went out to get the morning paper. When I saw Duke, I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  She nodded and wiped her cheeks, concentrating on Frank’s strength and the understanding so evident in his voice.

  “I...I closed my heart to Briana.” The words came unbidden. She had to admit her mistake.

  “It’s okay, honey.”

  “She had nowhere else to turn except to Trey.”

  “Even with your help, she probably would have gone back to him. The statistics aren’t good for anyone hooked on drugs. Without rehab, without the will to make a change—”

  “Without God,” Colleen added, her lips trembling.

  “That’s it exactly. As much as you wanted Briana to walk away from her addiction, she couldn’t, and you couldn’t do it for her. She went to Trey, not because of you, but because of her need for drugs.”

  “If only she hadn’t gotten involved with him.”

  “Where’d they meet?”

  “I’m not sure. She worked at the King’s Club for almost two years. It’s in the heart of the city and known to have the wrong type of clientele. Trey may have been a regular. I told her it was a bad place. I don’t know if she quit the job because of me or if she got tired of what she saw.”

  “Did she know the two women who died?”

  “She never mentioned them. The last time she phoned wanting money, I said no. She overdosed a few days later.”

  Colleen looked into Frank’s dark eyes, which reflected the pain she was carrying.

  “I have to stop Trey. That’s the promise I made to Briana.”

  He nodded. “I’m in this with you. We’ll get him. He won’t hurt anyone again.”

  “There’s...there’s something else I have to tell you.”

  Frank tensed ever so slightly.

  She felt the change, but she couldn’t stop now. Everything needed to be revealed.

  “When I entered Trey’s office, I was searching for evidence that would convince the police. I told you about the picture on his screen.”

  Frank nodded. “Go on.”

  “That night, Trey was using an external card reader to view his digital photographs from a memory card. I needed more evidence, so I took the card, although I never had time to look at the pictures.”

  “He must have realized the memory card was gone. Didn’t he come after you?”

  “He sent one
of his men to my apartment later that night. I was scheduled on a flight early the next morning. My carry-on was packed so I left through a back door, made my flight the next day and then checked into a motel when I got back to Atlanta. That’s when the gal who lived across the hall called me. She said someone else had been snooping around.”

  “You thought that was Anderson, the cop from Atlanta.”

  “I’m not sure. Anderson or one of Trey’s men. Soon after that, I called Vivian. She had evidence that would prove Trey’s involvement. At least that’s what she told me.”

  “The video.”

  “She didn’t tell me what she had, but she did ask what type of phone I used.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before about the memory card?”

  “Trey took my photograph with a couple of the men who worked for him. I didn’t want to be in the picture, but he insisted. If I made too much of it, I knew he’d get suspicious.”

  “What’s that have to do with not telling me?”

  “I...I wasn’t sure how you’d react if you saw me with the men. You didn’t believe me earlier. The photo wouldn’t have improved my credibility, especially if they were known drug traffickers. Plus, I worried Trey might have doctored the photo to incriminate me even more. Guilt by association, they call it, but I’m innocent of any wrongdoing.”

  She glanced up, and her breath hitched. “Do you believe me, Frank?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” His voice was flat and his eyes had lost their spark of interest. He was trying to cover up his true feelings.

  “Where’s the memory card now?” He took a step back, distancing himself from her.

  She shook her head, struggling to control a second wave of tears that threatened. Frank didn’t believe her.

  “It was in my purse. The contents were strewn under the seat in the storm. I’m sure it’s still in the car.”

  “I’ll check it out.”

  He started to turn away from her. She grabbed his arm.

  “I’m going with you.”

  She’d ride to the triage area with Frank. Hopefully they’d find the memory card, but then she’d leave Freemont and go someplace safe.

  She never wanted Trey or his men to find her.

  She didn’t want Frank to find her either.