by Kira Chase
* * * *
Frankie put a teabag in a cup while she waited for the water in the teapot to boil. The house was quiet. She hoped that Kate was getting a good night's sleep. She looked toward the darkened window. A slight breeze gently rustled through the tree branches. Her ears suddenly perked up. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. What was that strange sound? It wasn't a usual house sound. She quickly pulled her gun from her shoulder holster and silently crept to the kitchen entry. There it was again. A slight shuffling noise. Had Johanna gotten up? If she had, she would have come looking for Frankie. Frankie cocked an ear as her adrenalin surged. It sounded like it was coming from the direction of the living room. She slowly made her way through the darkened house to the entry of the living room. Her heart thumped as she kept her body close to the side of the entrance and peered around the corner. A soft glow from the lamp set on dimmer made out a small form.
“Hold it right there!” she demanded.
“It's me.” Kate looked up surprised to see her.
Her hands shook as she eyed Kate. Damn! She could have shot her best friend in the blink of an eye.
“You scared me, Kate,” she said putting her gun back into its holster. “Why are you up at this hour? Is something wrong?”
Kate set a pile of papers she'd been sifting through down on the coffee table. “No. But I'm sorry I scared you. And grateful that you didn't shoot.”
Frankie ran a hand through her hair. “Sorry, Kate. I momentarily forgot you were even here. That's what that bastard is doing to my mind.”
“I know. He's got everyone on edge. No harm done.” She smiled sympathetically.
“Is something wrong with the room or bed?” Frankie asked.
“As comfortable as the bed is, my mind is going about a hundred miles an hour. There's got to be something we're missing.” She tapped a finger on the edge of the coffee table. “What are we missing, Frankie? I've been over everything at least a thousand times. It's got to be right here under our noses, but we aren't getting it.”
Frankie noted the frustration in the deputy's voice. It matched her own. “I've been going over and over the same things, too.” She took the chair across from Kate. “He's getting through undetected. How? Someone is helping him and no one can locate his daughter Alice. I think Alice is our missing link.”
Kate rubbed her temples. “I thought that, too, but why would she help him? She doesn't know him. She hadn't had any contact with him that we are aware of.”
“As far as we know she didn't.” Frankie frowned. “He might have gotten an inmate to contact her at some point during the years. Someone he befriended who was released years before him.”
“There's a couple of flaws in that theory. How would Fellows know how to locate her when her family had tried for years and failed?” She pulled on her chin. “And how was the ex-con making contact with Fellows since Fellows had no visitors or letters? Alice is probably dead since all leads to her possible whereabouts have gone cold.”
Frankie was thoughtful for a moment. “I suppose you're right. Back to square one. I'm going back to my other theory then. If it's not Alice, then I think a guard is working with him.”
“All of the guards check out so far. No one has suddenly taken a leave of absence or vacation. We're hitting a dead end there, too.”
“What about checking out the guards over the past thirty-five years? It could have been one of them waiting for him to be released.”
Kate frowned. “They all check out, too. Nothing suspicious about any of them. They all have squeaky clean records.”
She shook her head. “Let me go grab my tea and let's see if we can come up with a probable theory. Would you like a cup?”
“I'd love some. I'll come with you,” Kate replied. She followed Frankie to the kitchen and settled herself on a stool at the island.
Frankie pulled another cup from the cupboard.
“How do you and Johanna manage to work and live together and still manage to be so happy?” She frowned. “I mean—”
“I know what you mean,” Frankie interrupted with a grin. “Don't worry. You and Arlan will be fine.”
Kate blew her breath out. “Do you ever get on each other's nerves?”
She shrugged. “Sometimes. But doesn't everyone whether you're in a relationship or not? I never even thought about what it would be like not to work and live with her. When we first met and I was living in my own apartment, I couldn't wait to get to work the next day just to be near her. When it got to the point of moving in together we discussed our likes, dislikes, and compromised.”
“But you two always seem so happy.”
Frankie lifted an eyebrow. “We have our moments, but I think the bottom line is that we enjoy being together. If we have a dispute, we don't let it interfere with our work or private time. We end a lot of disagreements by simply agreeing to disagree. We still have our own individual personalities.” She laughed. “Being together all the time didn't morph us into one personality.”
Kate laughed.
“I'll bet you never knew that Johanna and I are complete opposites when it comes to our political views, too.”
Kate's eyes widened. “You're kidding, right?”
Frankie shook her head. “No. I'm serious. We have discussions, but we never try to push our views on each other. We listen to one another's point of view and if we can't come to an agreement, then again we just agree to disagree. We never try to change each other and I think that is the key. We know each other well enough to know when we need some space and to back off for a little while.”
Kate sighed wistfully. “I hope Arlan and I will be able to have the kind of relationship you and Johanna have.”
“I think you're worried that spending so much time together will make you sick of each other.”
Kate frowned. “I'm more afraid that he'll get sick of me.”
Frankie brought two steaming cups of tea to the island and set them down. “Are you kidding me? He's crazy about you. Just don't try to change each other. Not that I think either of you would do that. For me, I knew Johanna was everything I ever dreamed of in a woman. I couldn't imagine ever wanting to change her.” She grinned. “Even when her fiery temper erupts. I love her passion. Besides, it would get pretty dull being with someone who always agreed with everything I said and did.”
“How do you manage to keep the romance alive? You two act like newlyweds.”
“Oh, we do little things for each other. And at least once a month we plan a special romantic night.” She pulled out a stool and settled herself on it. “Quit worrying.”
Kate smiled. “I just love him so much and want to make him happy.”
“You do make him happy. I think you just have a bad case of the jitters, which is also normal.”
Kate relaxed. “You're right.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “I didn't realize it was so late. I wonder how Rackin and Miles are doing. Since I'm up, I think I'll give them a quick call. Keep them on their toes.”
“New deputies?” Frankie asked. “I don't recognize the names.”
“They're not from the Sheriff's Office. The local PD put some of their men on watch.” She gritted her teeth. “Arlan and I both said we should only use Sheriff deputies to guard you since you are more familiar with us.” She cocked an eye. “Personally Arlan and I think they just want to make the collar.” She grabbed her phone and punched in a number.
Frankie watched Kate's face cloud when she received no response. “Dammit! George will have someone's head if they are sleeping on the job.”
“What going on?” Johanna asked appearing in the entryway.
Frankie and Kate looked in her direction.
“Nothing, honey. Go back to bed,” Frankie answered.
Johanna yawned. “No. I can't sleep without you there.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Are you coming back to bed?”
“Not right now. Would you like a cup of tea? Kate and I are having some.”
Johanna shook her head as she stifled another yawn. “No. So, what's going on, Frankie?” She glanced at Kate who was still trying to contact Officers Rackin and Miles.
“She's just checking in with the officers assigned at the gate.”
Kate looked pointedly at Frankie. “There's no response from either of them. I'm calling George and Arlan.” She gritted her teeth again. “I don't have a good feeling about this.”
Johanna grabbed Frankie's arm. “I'm scared, Frankie. Something's wrong.”
Frankie slipped an arm around Johanna's waist. She tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. The uneasy feeling intensified, electrifying her body. Something was wrong. All three of them knew it. But, still, she was determined to calm Johanna's fears.
“They're probably dozing on the job. Don't worry.” She gave Johanna a hug. “We're safe.”
Kate snapped her phone shut. “George and Arlan are on their way,” she said tensely. “I think I'll drive down by the gate to see what's going on.”
Frankie's brow puckered. “Shouldn't we wait for George and Arlan?”
“They'll be here shortly.” She jammed her hands into her pockets. “I'll drive just to the gate. If they're sleeping that'll wake them up quick enough.”
Frankie noted by Kate's movements how antsy she was. Her own adrenalin had taken a drastic leap. The spine-chilling feeling that something was about to happen strengthened. All of her instincts told her that this was it. Her nerve endings electrified. Like a wild animal tracking his prey, Frankie knew that Fellows was close…probably closer than any of them realized. Her nostrils slightly flared. Her emotions were caught between fear and anger. But as she recalled everything that freak had done, anger won out and her fear began to dissolve. She'd never allowed fear to totally rule her life and she wasn't about to start now. She was irritated that she'd allowed him that privilege for the past couple of days. Her hands balled into fists. She was taking her life back. And Fellows would pay one-way or the other. Rage slowly seeped through her body simmering at first, and then turning into a roiling boil. The time had come. It was time to awaken from this nightmare. There was no turning back. Tonight she'd meet the son-of-a-bitch face to face.
“I'm coming with you,” Frankie stated matter-of-factly as she checked her gun while turning towards the entrance to the living room. She quickly retrieved her boots and a jacket. She heard Johanna calling to her.
“No, Frankie!” Johanna called. “If you go then I'm going with you.” She looked at Kate. “Wait while I throw some clothes on and grab my gun.”
Kate stood near the entrance of the kitchen. “Neither of you are coming with me,” she ordered. “I'll be back in a few minutes.”
“Sorry, Kate, but I'm coming,” Frankie said from behind her. She turned to Johanna. “You are staying here,” she said sternly. She grabbed a flashlight from a kitchen drawer and stuffed it into her jacket pocket. “We'll be on this side of the gate so there's no need to worry. We'll be back before you know it.” Her eyes narrowed. “Keep your gun close. Not that I think you'll need it, but it'll make me feel better.”
Johanna shook her head emphatically. “No, Frankie.” She began to tremble. “Don't go. Please, Frankie!” she pleaded.
Frankie gave her a hug. “We'll be fine, baby. We'll just check it out and Kate can reprimand the officers for dozing on the job.” She tried to keep her voice light, but had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach about what they would really find. “And lock the door behind us. Only open it when you hear Kate's or my voice.”
Kate stood with hands on hips facing them. “Frankie, neither of you are coming with me. Do you hear me?” She brushed past Frankie.
Frankie caught her arm. “Sorry, Kate, but I'm going with you. Now we can stand here all night arguing about it or get down there and see what the hell is going on.” This was it. She felt it in her bones. Fellows was near. There wasn't any time to waste. She couldn't turn back. “Your call.”
“Damn it,” Kate muttered. Her lips were drawn tight. “Let's go. Johanna, lock up.”
“No, Frankie, please don't go,” Johanna pleaded. “Wait for George and Arlan.”
“We'll be fine.” Frankie gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “We'll be back in a little while. Put the coffee on. I'm sure George and Arlan will want a cup.”
Chapter 14
Frankie jumped into the passenger seat of Kate's car. Kate started the engine and they slowly drove down the long driveway. She kept her eyes peeled, carefully watching the sides of the driveway for any sign of movement. She knew there was no way Fellows could be out there, but then again, he had been managing to elude the police. God only knew what tricks he had up his sleeve. He was near. Her spine tingled. Was he going to leap out from the side of the driveway? What kinds of weapons did he have besides a knife? Would he shoot Kate and disarm her so he could take his time carving her up? She shook off those thoughts as she patted her shoulder holster. She wouldn't give him a chance to attack.
Kate had both hands on the steering wheel firmly gripping it. “I don't feel good about this, Frankie.”
“About me coming with you or the officers?”
She exhaled loudly. “Both. George will have my head if anything happens to you.” She paused. “Sometimes you really piss me off, Frankie. Do you know that? You can be so exasperating. If you weren't one of my best friends—”
“Kate, I can protect myself. I was a cop, remember? And I have my gun. Besides, I'm sure the officers are just taking a snooze. It's their heads George will have not yours.”
“He's still not going to be thrilled that I allowed you to come with me. Like I said, if something happens to you, no matter what you say, Frankie, I'll be the one who takes the heat.”
“Nothing will happen to me. George knows me well enough to know that I'm not just going to sit and twiddle my thumbs. I'll tell him you tried to stop me.” She frowned. “After all you did try to stop me.”
They drew closer to the gate then peered through the windshield. “The gate looks secure. And there's no way in hell he could have jumped over it. Even if he could have found a way, the alarm would have sounded the moment he tried to scale it.”
Kate peered at her. “You think of everything, don't you?”
“There are no bounds when it comes to Johanna's safety,” she replied. “But at times I do feel like we're living in a prison.” She shook her head. “I don't know what this world's coming to, Kate. The bad guys run free and we're the ones forced to turn our homes into prisons to keep the scumbags out.”
“I know, Frankie.” Her voice softened. “I see it every day and instead of getting better it's only getting worse. If Arlan and I have kids I'm quitting the department.”
“Yeah, I can understand that, Kate. But the problem is once a cop always a cop. It gets in your blood. I've thought from time to time of quitting the PI business. I imagined it would be easy just being a private investigator, selecting only the cases I chose to work on, but lately even a lot of those cases are more involved than simply tailing a cheating spouse. And I have to admit that sometimes I really enjoy it. It gets my blood pumping. But yet I'm glad I don't have to do it day in and day out like I had to when I was a cop. Does that make sense to you?”
“It makes perfect sense. I wonder how you would have handled it if you'd had kids.”
“I don't really know. But I'm sure we would have worked it out. We both love kids, so you and Arlan will have two willing babysitters.” She stretched her legs.
“I'll keep that in mind.” She tried to call the officers again. “I still can't reach the officers.”
Frankie peered into the darkness. “Where's George and Arlan? I thought they'd be here by now.”
“I did, too.” Kate bit her bottom lip. She pressed the car horn. “They're not responding. This isn't good.” She turned to Frankie. “Now I know that something's definitely wrong.”
Frankie craned her neck, but couldn't make out any movement in the dark.
“Let's get closer. We'll go on foot. Maybe we can see something.”
“Okay. Stay low.” Kate grabbed her flashlight. They exited the car and crouched on either side as they approached the gate. When they reached the gate, Kate swept the area with the flashlight. “The car's there,” she said in a low voice, “but I can't see the men.”
Frankie crept closer, took her own flashlight from her jacket pocket, and aimed it towards the ground. She moved it around slowly for a few seconds then noticed what appeared to be a body on the ground. Her insides froze. She focused the beam on the body and saw that it was lying face up. As she swept the beam around, the light from the flashlight illuminated a badge. “Kate, there's one of the officer's on the ground. I don't see the other one,” she said in a slightly trembling voice. She thought she heard something rustling near the wooded area next to the driveway. She aimed her light towards the sound, but saw nothing there. Probably a small animal, she thought. Kate was already on the radio seeking an ambulance and backup. Frankie saw flashing lights far in the distance.
“I hope that's George and Arlan,” she said.
“I'm sure it is. I just called George. He said they were held up.” She cleared her throat. “Open the gate.”
Frankie hesitated. “Shouldn't we wait for George and Arlan to actually get here?”
“They'll be here in a couple of minutes. I need to check the condition of the officers. Hopefully they can tell us who did this.”
Frankie shivered. “We know who did this, Kate. There's no doubt in my mind.”
Kate didn't respond.
“He's here, Kate. I feel it in my bones.”
“Do you have a way to keep the gate open until we're finished here?”
Frankie nodded. “Yes.” She hesitated.
“Good.” Kate looked at her. “Then open it. Hurry, Frankie. We need to check their condition.” Kate shifted from one foot to the other. “Come on, Frankie. We're wasting time,” she said sharply.
Frankie took the remote from her pocket and then pressed it. She pulled her gun out of her shoulder holster as Kate and she waited for the gate to open. Frankie pressed another button on the remote, which would allow the gate to stay open. Once the gate opened wide enough for them to slip through, the women ran over to the officer Frankie had seen lying on the ground. Kate reached the downed officer first and immediately crouched on the ground next to him. She checked his pulse.
