Stranded (Military Investigations)

by Debby Giusti

  She searched the rear, but found nothing.

  With a sigh, she extracted herself. “It’s not there.”

  “Let me try.”

  She stepped back to give him room. Bending down, he tugged at the carpet. Two sections were attached by Velcro. Pulling the rug away from the floorboard, he smiled, seeing a small square card.

  Grabbing it, he started to stand.

  “Look what—”

  A shot pinged against the car.

  Colleen screamed.

  He grasped her shoulders and shoved her down, protecting her body with his own.

  Reaching for the Glock on his hip, he glared at the hill and the narrow path where he’d seen movement.

  Another ping. Glass exploded as the shot hit the window of the car behind them.

  “It’s Trey, isn’t it?” Colleen cried.

  “At this point it doesn’t matter who’s shooting at us. We need to get out of here.”

  Frank pulled his cell phone free. He called 911 and relayed the information to the operator. “Tell the police to get here now.”

  A narrow path led toward a rusted school bus that offered better protection.

  “Keep low.”

  More shots followed them.

  “Are you hurt?” Frank asked, once they were behind the bus.

  Fear flashed from her eyes, but she shook her head. “I’m okay.”

  He peered around the corner of the bus and studied the hillside.

  Movement. A man aimed a rifle.

  Frank raised his Glock and fired three shots.

  The guy ducked into the underbrush.

  Glancing behind him, Frank searched for another exit. Leaving the protection of the bus would put them in the shooter’s sights.

  Another volley of fire. A bus window shattered. Frank threw himself over Colleen to shield her from the falling shards.

  “Stay down,” he warned again.

  Frank stared at the hillside. The breeze blew the trees, but a bush moved in the opposite direction. The guy was trying to escape.

  Frank took aim and squeezed the trigger.

  Sirens sounded in the distance.

  He fired again.

  The police cars rolled into the junkyard. Four cops jumped from their sedans, weapons drawn, and raced to the bus.

  Frank quickly filled them in and pointed to the hill.

  Another police car circled around the perimeter of the junkyard and raced up the slope. The cop screeched to a stop and took cover as he climbed from his vehicle. After a quick search, he raised his hand and shook his head.

  Behind Frank, an officer spoke into his radio. “The area’s clear?”

  Static squawked.

  “Roger that. Looks like our shooter left before we arrived.”

  He stepped to where Frank helped Colleen to her feet.

  “The shooter took off, sir. We’ll set up roadblocks. You were looking for something in the blue Honda?”

  “That’s correct. He must have followed us.”

  “We’ve got a BOLO out on Trey Howard. I’ll notify you if we spot the suspect.”

  Frank took Colleen’s hand and helped her back to his truck.

  She looked exhausted and scared. He put his arm around her shoulders.

  “We’ll get him,” he kept saying, although he didn’t think she believed him.

  “He wants to kill me,” she whispered, her voice thick.

  “You saw him shoot Vivian. He doesn’t want you to testify against him. He may plan to escape to that Colombian resort he told you about.”

  “You can’t let him leave the country.” She grabbed Frank’s hand.

  “I’ll have CID contact the airlines in Atlanta and the surrounding areas, Birmingham, Jacksonville, Nashville. He won’t leave by air. At least not if we can help it.”

  She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. “If only we’d found the memory chip, then we’d have proof. All I wanted was enough evidence to see him behind bars.”

  “I found it, Colleen.”

  “The memory card?”

  He nodded.

  She grabbed his hand, pried it open and found it empty. She stared up at him, perplexed and almost angry. “I’m not laughing if you think teasing me is funny.”

  “Trust me,” he said as he dug into his pants pocket and pulled out the memory card.

  “Oh, Frank, you found it. Now you can arrest Trey and try him for drug trafficking.”

  Frank looked at the hill where two additional police cars now searched for any clue that would lead them to the shooter.

  To Colleen it all seemed so simple. They had the evidence. The photos along with Vivian’s testimony would be enough to try him and hopefully find him guilty in a court of law.

  But finding Trey was the challenge.

  Even with the mounting police effort, he could elude the roadblocks. If he left the country, they’d never bring him to justice.

  The old Frank wouldn’t have felt discouraged, but the injured Frank—the one who was still out of shape—didn’t know who would win in the end.

  FIFTEEN

  “Go on, Frank,” Colleen said once they were back at Evelyn’s house. “You need to take the memory card to CID Headquarters. Show it to Colby. I’m sure Special Agent in Charge Wilson will be interested, as well.”

  “We could look at the photos here on my computer, and then email them to Wilson,” he suggested.

  “Doesn’t he need the evidence in hand?”

  Frank nodded but still hesitated.

  “Your sister and I both insist you get going,” Colleen continued. “We’ll be fine. Duke will protect us if anyone unsavory comes around.”

  “Trey’s on the loose. He knows you’re here.”

  “And didn’t police notify you that the highway patrol apprehended a man who fit his description?” Evelyn interjected.

  “His identify hasn’t been verified yet.”

  “Maybe not,” Colleen said with a sigh, “but he was stopped on the interstate, heading to Atlanta, soon after the shooting at Junkyard Joe’s. The rifle in his car had recently been shot. It all adds up, Frank.”

  “Except he claims to have been hunting earlier today.”

  “You two can keep arguing.” Evelyn picked up the telephone. “I’m calling Ron and asking him to stay with us while you’re gone.”

  She raised her brow at her brother. “Will that convince you that we’ll be safe?”

  “Does Ron know how to use a gun?”

  “He served in the military and goes hunting with his uncle. The awards hanging in his office attest to his marksmanship.”

  Frank nodded. “Tell him I’ll leave a weapon in the top drawer of my dresser. It’ll be loaded, just in case.”

  Evelyn passed on the information to Ron after he accepted the invitation to visit.

  She hung up with a smile. “He considers it an honor to defend two lovely women.”

  Colleen ignored the niggling concern she still had about Ron, and instead smiled at the twinkle in Evelyn’s eyes. She was lucky to have someone who cared for her.

  Feeling a tug at her heart, Colleen glanced at Frank, wishing things could be different between them. He was a good and caring man and a good investigator even after the medical problems he’d undergone.

  The way he talked about the military and the CID, he was ready to return to active duty. Maybe Special Agent in Charge Wilson would say he was needed now.

  Peering out the kitchen window, Colleen stared at the cleanup and reconstruction going on along Amish Road. The collapsed structures and downed trees had been cleared and either piled at the edge of the road or already transported to the town landfill and dump.

 
Frank came up behind her and touched her arm. “You’re okay with me going?”

  “Of course.” She wouldn’t tell him about the tingle of concern that had her rubbing her arms and asking for the Lord’s protection.

  Trey was probably already in custody.

  Pulling in a cleansing breath, she smiled. Frank had a newfound energy and enthusiasm in his step. Going back to work would be just what the doctor ordered.

  “Don’t worry,” she insisted. “We’ll be fine.”

  “I won’t be long.”

  He looked at Duke, lying in the corner. “Stay. Take care of Colleen and Evelyn.”

  Duke tilted his head as if he understood.

  “Frank,” Colleen called after him, “be safe.”

  But he’d already left the house.

  * * *

  Frank headed toward town and River Road, which would take him to post. Colleen was right. He and Colby needed to go over the photos on the memory card. The authorities in Atlanta would have to be notified. DEA would also be interested in what they uncovered.

  His cell rang. “Special Agent Gallagher.”

  “Sir, this is Officer Stoddard, Freemont PD. I notified you that Georgia Highway Patrol pulled over a white male wearing a red plaid shirt.”

  “That’s right. Trey Howard. Is he in custody?”

  “Not yet, sir. They need someone to ID him.”

  Frank had seen him in the hospital and on the video. “Give me directions.”

  Five miles north of Freemont on the interstate. The detour wouldn’t take long. “I’m headed there now.”

  Frank disconnected and increased his speed. Knowing Trey would soon be in custody gave Frank a sense of satisfaction. Working on the case felt good. Knowing Trey wouldn’t be able to draw others into his drug world was even better.

  Frank would like to tell the guy a thing or two, in a professional way, of course. Then he’d drive to post and drop off the memory chip. Colby could do the initial review of the pictures while he hurried back to be with Colleen.

  Was he crazy to be attracted to a woman who didn’t trust law enforcement? Probably, but he’d never taken the easy route in life, and right now, he wanted to tell her how she made him feel.

  * * *

  After Frank left the house, Colleen tried to convince herself that everything was working out just the way she had wanted. Trey had been apprehended, but she was unsettled by a sense of concern she couldn’t shake. She wandered back to the kitchen, where Evelyn was washing dishes.

  Reaching for a dish towel, Colleen stepped toward the sink. “Mind if I dry?”

  “No need, unless you want something to do.”

  Evelyn had a knack for knowing what was on Colleen’s mind. “Frank’s ready to get back to work.”

  “He’s been ready for some time, although his strength needed to improve.” Evelyn sighed. “The explosion in Afghanistan was traumatic enough, but he had to face the surgeries in Landstuhl and then more at Walter Reed and in Augusta. He wanted to move on with his life.”

  She ran more hot water in the sink. “Did he tell you about Audrey?”

  Colleen shook her head. “We haven’t discussed personal matters. Usually we’re talking about Trey.” And struggling with trust issues, which she didn’t mentioned.

  “Frank doesn’t talk about the past to me either. It’s as if he wants to bury the memories with the rubble that buried him in Afghanistan.”

  Colleen dried a glass and placed it in the cabinet, waiting for Evelyn to continue.

  “He dated Audrey before his unit deployed. Frank thought she’d wait for him.”

  “They were good together?” Colleen asked.

  “Frank thought so.”

  “But you didn’t agree?”

  “What do sisters know?” Evelyn shrugged. “I didn’t tell Frank, but Audrey seemed more interested in having a handsome guy on her arm than being with Frank.”

  Colleen nodded, thinking of Briana’s attraction for wealth and power and surface attractions.

  “When Audrey left him, Frank tried to shrug off the hurt, then the infection set in. At one point, I feared he’d lose the will to live.”

  “That doesn’t sound like Frank.”

  “He lost so much weight. He was on a ventilator. His kidneys started to shut down. The doctors didn’t give me much hope.”

  “I’m sure you kept praying.”

  Evelyn nodded. “I prayed. Ron prayed. The whole church community prayed. His recovery was slow and hard, but Frank turned the corner, although he’s still testing his own ability as if he’s not quite sure of himself.”

  “He’s stronger than he realizes. He’ll be fine.”

  “Maybe, but he needs a good woman to encourage him.”

  “I doubt Frank thinks he needs anyone’s help.”

  “Maybe not, but he does. I see the way he looks at you.”

  Colleen’s breath hitched. “What do you mean?”

  “You touch a spot in him. Someplace he’s kept hidden. You’ve been a good influence.”

  She shook her head. “The only thing I’ve done is cause problems.”

  “That’s not true. You’ve made him interested in life again.”

  Taken aback by Evelyn’s comment, Colleen searched for a way to change the subject. “Ron seems like a great guy.”

  She nodded. “I’m very thankful he came into my life. He’s everything Dan wasn’t.”

  Colleen reached for another glass. “Is there something you want to talk about?”

  Evelyn nodded. “How to tell Ron. He needs to know the truth about a guy I dated and thought was Mr. Right. I believed all his sweet talk and was naive to think our relationship would lead to marriage.”

  “Dan didn’t feel the same way?”

  “He invited me to meet him at a nearby state park for a late-afternoon picnic lunch. Of course, I expected something special. Storm clouds hovered overhead, but I didn’t let that dampen my enthusiasm. Only Dan didn’t plan to propose. He wanted to soothe his conscience and tell me about his wife and three children.”

  “Oh, Evelyn, I’m so sorry.”

  “I had no idea. He’d been so good at keeping everything secret, and I hadn’t seen through his duplicity.”

  “What happened?”

  “I railed at him. Told him he was despicable for what he’d done to his family as well as me. I told him I never wanted to see him again.”

  Evelyn sighed, and the weight of her upset was still evident. “The storm hit as I left the park. The road was slick. Visibility was bad. I was driving much too fast and didn’t make one of the curves.”

  “The accident that hurt your leg. Frank told me he came home to help you.”

  “I was too embarrassed to tell him about Dan or the reason for the accident. Growing up, Frank never struggled with relationships. He had lots of girlfriends over the years. He was tall and strong and handsome. I was always the sister no one noticed.”

  Colleen knew the feeling. “That’s a hard place to be.”

  “I love Frank. He’s got a heart of gold, but he needs to find God and learn what’s important in life. As much as I hated to see him suffer through all those operations and the infection, they’ve opened his eyes. He realizes he can’t take care of everything. If only he would start relying on God.”

  “You’re a good influence on him, Evelyn.”

  “Which is what I said about you.” She laughed. “Maybe we both have a positive effect on him.”

  “And Ron?”

  “I want to tell him about Dan, but I’m not sure how he’ll react.”

  “Ron cares deeply for you, Evelyn. He’ll understand.”

  “I hope so.” Evelyn checked her watch. “Wonder what’s keeping him
. He was ready to leave the house when I called. The drive only takes a few minutes.”

  “He’s probably on the way.”

  “I’m going to phone just to be safe.”

  Safe. That’s what Colleen wanted. She wanted Trey behind bars so she wouldn’t have to worry anymore or look over her shoulder to see if she was being followed.

  “Ron?” Evelyn held the phone close to her ear. Her voice held more than a note of concern. “You don’t sound well. Tell me what happened.”

  So there had been a problem.

  Colleen finished drying the dishes. She didn’t want to eavesdrop, but the tremble in Evelyn’s voice was worrisome.

  “I’m coming over.” Evelyn’s face was pale and her hand shook as she disconnected.

  She grabbed the keys to her car and her purse. “I have to hurry. Ron blacked out earlier. He came to feeling queasy and weak. You’ll be okay?”

  “Of course. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Pray for Ron,” Evelyn said as she left the house.

  Lord, help Ron. Don’t let anything happen to him.

  Colleen locked the door and called Duke.

  No reason for her to be worried about her own safety. She wasn’t alone. Duke would protect her. At least, she hoped he would.

  * * *

  Frank drove hurriedly through town and headed for I-75, the interstate that stretched from Florida to Atlanta and then farther north into Tennessee.

  Two miles outside Freemont, he spied a gathering of highway patrol cars parked on the side of the interstate. Their lights flashed, warning motorists to move to the far lane and give them a wide berth.

  Frank braked to a stop and parked behind a Freemont police cruiser. Before exiting his car, he called Colleen.

  “You’re okay?” he asked when she answered. With a growing concern for her well-being, he feared leaving had been a mistake.

  “I’m fine. Where are you?”

  “Parked on the side of the interstate with the highway patrol. They want me to ID Trey.”

  Frank had planned to visit CID Headquarters next, but he felt a sudden need to change his plans. “I’ll stop by the house on my way to Fort Rickman.”

  “You don’t have to worry.”

  “I want to ensure you’re safe,” he said before he disconnected.