He spun onto the shoulder, came to a quick stop behind her vehicle and they jumped out.
“I have to get something first,” Jake said, as he ran around to the rear of the Firebird and popped the trunk. He pulled a cardboard box forward and dug around, finally pulling out a baseball cap. He tucked it on his head and slammed the trunk.
“That’s what’s so important?” Philip asked. “A baseball cap?”
Jake grinned. “It’s not just a baseball cap. There’s a camera inside.” He flipped it off his head and turned it over. Velcro ripped as he tugged at a flap hiding a tiny high-resolution video recorder. “There’s the camera,” he said, pointing to a barely noticeable spot on the front of the cap. He flipped it back on his head. “All I have to do is press the top of my head, and the recording starts.”
Philip was amazed at the gadget. “So, you think you’re going to get a confession out of this guy?” he asked.
“I’ll give it a shot,” Jake said. “Let’s go.”
They ran across the road and stood at the end of the long driveway. Jake was worried about being seen while approaching the house, but he didn’t want to waste any time either. He was more worried Annie may be in some danger, and he had to take a risk.
“The way I see it,” he said, thinking out loud, “if Hoffman is alone in the house, and even if Annie’s in there with him, he’s not going to be sitting there staring out the window.”
“You’re probably right, Jake, unless he’s waiting for us.”
Jake frowned. “If he is waiting, then let’s let him know we’re here. Either way, I’m going in,” he said, as he went a few steps to the right of the gate and approached the white picket fence.
Philip followed him as they climbed the railing and landed on the other side.
Jake pointed to the trees lining the driveway. “I think we can get most of the way there without being seen. If he’s there.”
They walked up the edge of the drive, keeping the large tree trunks between them and the house as much as possible. After a couple of minutes, they reached a large courtyard in front of the mansion and crouched down behind the last tree.
Jake eyed the house, examining the windows. Satisfied no one was watching, he said, “Let’s go around the side. I need to see what’s going on in there.”
They strode quickly across the courtyard and around to the side of the house, past the garage. Jake cautiously peeked in each window, but saw no one. “Annie’s in there somewhere,” he said.
When they reached the back of the house, Jake poked his head around the corner. There was a massive deck attached to the back of the building, leading down to an olympic sized swimming pool. A variety of outdoor chairs, tables, and plants adorned the stone pathways and patios that covered a large area at the back of the house.
Jake pointed to a pair of sliding glass doors that led from the deck into the building. “I have to see in there,” he said.
They crept across the edge of the house, through shrubs and rosebushes, and reached the deck. Jake turned to Philip. “Wait here,” he said, as he kept close to the building and pulled himself up over the railing, dropping quietly on the deck.
With his back scrubbing the wall, he eased over to the edge of the doors. He listened, but heard nothing from inside. He would have to get one of those little spy mirror doodads if he gets out of here alive. It would come in handy right now.
He touched the top of his cap and felt a click. No lights needed, camera on, time for action.
He crouched down as low as possible and peered into the room. He saw Annie, sitting at a table, her back to him. Hoffman was at the other end. They appeared to be having a conversation.
He pulled back. This didn’t make a lot of sense. He knew she was in danger and he had to act fast. He turned to Philip and whispered, “She’s in there with Hoffman. I have to get in there.”
Hoffman looked up as Jake moved to the door and tugged. It was locked. As Annie spun around, Jake’s jaw dropped when he saw the gun she was holding.
Hoffman dove from his chair, streaked across the kitchen and disappeared. Annie stood up, aimed the gun in his direction and began to follow.
Jake dove off the deck and hit the ground beside Philip. “Hoffman is running,” he said as he sped across the back of the house. He didn’t know whether Hoffman was going to leave the building, and if so, which exit would he take? But he had to catch him.
He rounded the corner, heading past the garage, and toward the front of the residence. As he reached the front, he saw Hoffman on the other side of the property, streaking toward the woods.
Hoffman had a long lead, but Jake vaulted over a short stone wall and chased after him. His quarry disappeared into the dimness of the forest, and when Jake reached the tree line, Hoffman had vanished. He stopped to listen. He could hear the snapping and crackling of twigs and leaves, but it was hard to tell exactly from which direction. He cocked his head and listened, but the sounds faded quickly, and then died out.
Jake continued on slowly, stopping often to listen, but the only sound he heard was the hissing of the wind, and the twittering of birds as they chattered among themselves.
Chapter 56
Friday, August 19th, 3:40 PM
AS HOFFMAN jumped from the table and ran, Annie swung around, aiming the Glock toward him. But before she had enough time to react, he was down the hall and had disappeared into one of the rooms.
She searched from room to room, finally entering what appeared to be a den, or an office. There was a door leading out to the side of the house. It was wide open.
She ran outside, just in time to see Hoffman tearing across the clearing, heading for the bush. Jake was some ways behind him. She turned and came back into the house, through the den to the kitchen. Philip was still outside the double doors leading to the patio. He had been watching the chase, and he turned as she unlocked the door and let him in.
“It’s great to see you’re ok,” Philip said. “Jake and I were extremely worried.”
Annie smiled. “I’m ok now. He had the gun on me, and we had a struggle, but I was able to get the gun and here I am.”
“So now what?” Philip asked.
“I don’t know. The problem is, even if Jake is able to catch Hoffman, we have no real proof he’s the killer.”
Philip nodded and then cocked his head. “Do you hear that,” he asked.
Annie listened. She could hear the faint sound of an engine. Maybe a lawnmower. Curious, she went into the living room and looked out the large front windows.
“It’s somebody on a motorcycle,” she called.
Philip came up behind her and looked out. “It’s Tommy Salamander,” he said. “Jake showed me his picture. I’d recognize that mean looking scumbag anywhere.”
Annie frowned. “Who’s Tommy Salamander?”
Philip filled her in with as few words as possible as they watched the rider step from the bike. He was heading toward the front door.
“If he’s the one who killed Samantha Riggs, then he’s our proof,” Annie said. “We have to grab him.”
Philip looked uncertain. “That’s, uh, not really something I’m very good at.”
“It’s our only chance. We have to get him.” Annie thought quickly. “You answer the door when he comes and I’ll corner him in from behind.”
She ran from the room to the door leading to the garage, through the garage, and around to the front of the house. Salamander was just climbing the steps to the porch. She moved across the front and stood at the bottom of the steps behind him, holding the gun ready.
Salamander rang the doorbell, and Philip opened the door. “Come in,” he said.
“Who are you?”
Annie stepped up behind Salamander and shoved the gun in his back. “Don’t move. Put your hands up.”
Salamander spit out a string of curses and did as he was told.
Annie looked at Philip. “There’s some rope in the garage. Run and get it.”
As Philip turned and ran, Annie said, “Get down on your knees.”
Salamander didn’t move.
“Now,” she said, in a voice that meant business.
Salamander reluctantly went down on his knees.
Philip returned dragging a coil of yellow rope. He tied Salamander’s hands securely behind his back, as Annie held the gun to Salamander’s head.
“Stand up,” Annie said.
He stood.
She prodded him into the living room, the gun at his back. “On the couch,” Annie told him.
He did as he was told, and sat sullenly while Annie covered him with the gun.
“Philip, tie his feet. We don’t want this guy to try anything.”
Philip grinned and knelt down, tying Tommy’s feet securely.
She sat on a footstool, holding the gun, waiting for Jake to return.
Friday, August 19th, 3:44 PM
DR. BORIS HOFFMAN moved through the trees as quietly as possible. Jake was behind him somewhere, and he wasn’t sure what to do now. He had gotten himself into a real mess, but he was certain with the right lawyer, the circumstantial evidence they had against him would never stick. He cursed himself for not having his cell phone with him. He decided to go back to the house and see if he could sneak back in. If he could be the first one to call the police, perhaps that would be in his favor.
He swung around to the right and then circled over and forward again, staying in the thick trees that separated his property from the neighbor. He had outwitted his pursuer, and now he was close enough he could see his house. There was a distance of a couple of hundred feet between him and the building, but he had to take a chance.
He frowned as he saw a motorcycle coming up the driveway. The idiot wasn’t supposed to come until later. Now, he had to decide what to do. He dashed across the lawn, safely reaching the front corner of the house. Salamander was already climbing the steps to the front porch. He opened his mouth to call to him and instead he muttered a string of curses.
Annie was just coming across the front of the house. She had a gun in her hand. Hoffman watched helplessly as she stepped up behind Salamander and poked the gun in his back.
Now he had a real problem. If his stupid nephew had that letter with him, then he had to get it, and destroy it.
He slipped along the side of the house to the same exit where he had left a few minutes ago. He opened the door quietly and stepped into his den. He could hear Tommy cursing in the other room. He crept carefully to his desk and swept up the phone receiver, dialed 9-1-1, and ducked under the desk.
“9-1-1. What is your emergency?”
“There are intruders in my house.” He gave them his name and address.
“A car is on the way. Get out of the house if possible, and the police will handle it.”
No, he wasn’t going to get out of the house. He had to get that note before the police came.
He tiptoed to the doorway, into the hallway, and keeping low, he peered around the corner. He could see Annie sitting on a footstool, her back to him, holding the gun on Tommy.
He stepped quietly onto the antique Persian rug. He made no sound as he moved toward Annie. Tommy looked up as he approached, and Annie caught his look and swung around. Hoffman jumped the last few feet and pounced on her. She was no match for him this time, and he wrestled the gun from her hand.
“Uncle, watch out," Tommy yelled. "There’s another guy in the other room.”
Hoffman lifted the gun and turned, just as Philip Macy came in from the kitchen.
Hoffman jumped up and waved the gun. “Don’t move,” he said.
Chapter 57
Friday, August 19th, 3:45 PM
JAKE HAD GIVEN up the search for Hoffman. He was never going to be able to track him down among all these trees. He turned and jogged back the way he came.
As he ran from the dimness of the forest, he saw Hoffman running toward the house. What was he up to?
Jake increased his pace. It took him a couple of minutes to cover the distance to the side door of the mansion. He eased it open and peered inside. He saw a large office, but Hoffman wasn’t in sight.
He stepped inside and crossed the room to a doorway that led into a hallway. He could hear voices. As he crept cautiously up the hall, he heard Hoffman say, “Don’t move.”
He peeked around the corner. Hoffman was standing with his back to him, a gun in his hand, aimed at Annie and Philip. Salamander was sitting on the couch, all trussed up with yellow rope.
He stood back and thought. Salamander must have come to the house, Annie and Philip captured him, and then Hoffman came back and somehow got ahold of the gun.
Now what?
He peered around the corner carefully. Tommy couldn’t see him unless he turned his head. Annie could see him if she glanced this way, but her eyes were intent on the wavering gun.
“Tommy, give me the note,” Hoffman said.
Tommy dropped his chin, pointing to his breast pocket. “It’s in my pocket. I can’t reach it.”
Hoffman stepped forward and dipped his fingers into Tommy’s jacket pocket. He pulled out an envelope and slipped a piece of paper from it. He looked at it with satisfaction. “Ah, finally.”
Jake frowned. What was in that note? He had no idea, but it seemed important to Hoffman. He had to do something.
Hoffman ripped the paper in two.
Jake stepped into the room. “Hoffman,” he shouted.
Hoffman spun around and fired as Jake ducked behind a chair. The bullet sung as it smacked the wall above his head.
“You can’t get away,” Jake said.
Hoffman fired again. The bullet snapped helplessly into the ceiling as Annie dove into him. The gun hit the floor. The papers fluttered in the air.
Hoffman recovered and lunged for the weapon as Philip dove and swept it up. Philip lay on his side, holding the gun unsteadily in one hand.
Hoffman stood up slowly, his eye on the gun.
Philip’s hand shook, his eyes boiling with anger, as he glared at the man who took his wife.
Hoffman gritted his teeth and rushed at Philip.
Philip fired, and the bullet slammed into Hoffman’s chest. Hoffman stopped, his mouth gaping open, his hand clutching his chest. He went down on his knees, his bulging eyes staring at the face of the man whose wife he had killed, and who had now gotten his revenge.
Epilogue
Saturday, August 20th, 10:12 AM
ANNIE AND JAKE were getting some much-needed rest when the doorbell rang. It was Hank.
“I see you guys have been busy while I was away.”
Jake laughed. “Come on in.”
Hank followed Jake into the kitchen and dropped down at the table. Annie poured Hank a cup of coffee and slid it in front of him.
“I talked to Philip this morning,” Jake said. “He’s in pretty rough shape, but I think he’s doing a bit better now that Hoffman has been caught.”
“Abby’s funeral is this afternoon,” Annie said, as she took a seat. “We are planning on going. Philip needs all the support he can get.”
Hank took a sip of coffee and nodded. “I think I may drop by as well. He didn’t get much police support and it might help to show we’re behind him now.”
“You were always behind him,” Jake said.
“Yeah, I was. But it seems like I was the only one.” Hank laughed. “The Captain was a little timid with me this morning. I think this took him down a peg or two.”
“Any news on Salamander?” Annie asked.
“By the time our guys got through with him,” Hank said, “he confessed everything. He’ll be going away for a long time.”
“And how’s Hoffman doing?” Jake asked.
“He’ll recover. He’s lucky the bullet missed any vital organs.”
“Do you think he’ll confess?”
Hank shrugged and leaned back. “Doesn’t matter. He’s going to be given some free room and board as well, no doubt about that. I
’m sure the letter Abby wrote is going to be the thing that puts him away. That, and the blood in his trunk. And, of course, the video from that silly hat of yours. I don’t think there’s any jury that won’t convict him on all three murder charges, especially with Salamander’s testimony. The crown offered Salamander a deal if he testifies against Hoffman.”
“Oh, he will,” Jake said. “He’ll do anything to save his own skin.”
“Speaking of saving skin,” Annie put in. “My crazy husband almost got himself shot trying to save my skin.”
Jake shrugged. “Better me than you. Besides, I knew if I could draw Hoffman’s attention away, you guys might jump him. And you did. Perhaps you saved my skin.”
“You might not be so lucky next time.”
Jake grinned. “Yeah. Maybe not.”
###
Did You Enjoy Cold Justice?
If so, please consider taking one minute to post a few words on Amazon. It would be much appreciated and I will be forever grateful. Indie authors live or die by their reviews.
Didn’t like it? I’d still love to hear from you. Help me improve. Send your criticism, thoughts and comments to [email protected], or contact me here.
Even though this book has been edited over and over, typos or factual errors may still be missed. Please contact me directly if you find anything untoward.
And thanks for reading.
Also by Rayven T. Hill
Blood and Justice
The First Book in the Series
When sixteen-year-old Jenny James goes missing, and the local police are unable to find her, the girl’s frantic mother hires private investigators Jake and Annie Lincoln to search for her daughter.
When the body of Jenny’s boyfriend is discovered, the mystery of her disappearance deepens. Shaken out of their comfort zone of Internet searches and poring over public records, the couple soon find themselves facing the frightening possibility they are looking for the latest victim of a serial killer.
Cold Justice Page 24
