Mystery on the Seine

by Terry McGhee

  “Jake, last year with the missing kids, we were searching for a bad apple that lived here in the mountains. He knew all the hiding spots. These two guys don’t know this place at all, and Sarah and Meadows are continuing to ride around in their ATVs and are in radio contact. The chances of spotting an odd vehicle, now that we’re not looking for motorcycles, suddenly got better. No sign of Murph yet. You also need to know that Sarah did find Murph’s collar, but it may mean nothing…Yeah you told me that. Let’s huddle up when you guys get here. I have an officer posted inside your house who is keeping watch at all the obvious approach points. Be thinking of places they might seek out if they come. Maybe motorcycle remote hang outs, but no one will get near your place without us knowing it, I guarantee.

  The Agent told me he called all the rental car agencies around Reno, but none can recall renting to anyone with this jerk’s description. His partner either rented the car, or maybe they borrowed a clunker from another biker. It’s also possible they bought a used vehicle for cash. In short, there’s no way for us to be able to identify their ride. Okay, see ya in an hour. By the way, Sarah says to tell her favorite detective not to worry...it won’t help.”

  Chapter 20

  One advantage of living in a very small town is that the residences, for the most part, know or at least recognize each other. The word leaked that their local hero, Jake Vincent and his wife Barbara were on vacation, but returning any day now. Most knew that the Federal Government had given them a vacation to Paris, and that Barbara’s mother, Mrs. Jensen from San Francisco was staying in their house and taking care of Murphee. Everyone knew ‘Old Yellar,’ and the big Lab was welcome with his owners into virtually any store in town. The rumor leaked that Murph was missing. At the recent City Council meeting, all in attendance were made aware of the potential for more trouble for the Vincents. Hannity blew up the photo they received of Donnie Jerkovick, and it was posted all over town. The result was, Hannity guessed, that at least five hundred of the local citizens were on the alert for Murphee and an alleged stalker. Most folks remembered the cold case of the missing students, and that their new resident, Jake Vincent, had teamed with the FBI, track down the culprits, and helped solve the seventeen-year-old case.

  ***

  Ed Calvo loved his job as manager of the local KOA campground. He grew up in the mountains and loved to hike, fish, and sail his small Sunfish on the lake. As the manager, one of the perks was that any member of his family could stay for free at any one of the beautiful camp sites under the tall trees. Excepting Independence Day, Labor and Memorial Day. This was sort of a bummer as these holidays were when the family wanted to RV up the mountain for vacation. He’d have to talk to KOA Headquarters about this.

  He came in at sunrise like he did six days a week. He relieved his long time school friend who manned the night shift for those late arrivals in the heavily traveled summer months. Ed noticed that there had been three registered during the evening and night time. These vehicles had been assigned to sites six, eight and nine. All had paid in advance. He looked out his lobby window and noticed that site 9 was the only one still occupied. A semi-beat up, white commercial van had a light on inside. The driver door was open and a guy had a Yellow Lab on a leash as the dog was obviously taking care of business. What a jerk Ed noted as the idiot was ignoring the sign that specifically stated that pets were to be taken to the rear of the campground for their potty business. Ed checked the license number noted in the register. The man and dog had got back into the van. The headlights popped on and the van started and proceeded to drive out. As it drove past his window, Ed looked at the California license plate and noted it wasn’t even close to what the driver had written on the registration page. The make of the van was even wrong. He flipped open his mobile phone and punched in the number for his old classmate.

  “Hey Han, its Ed out at the KOA. Well I’m not sure, but I’m aware of the Vincent’s missing dog. A van just left here that a few minutes earlier was letting a dog do his business. The Lab sure looked like Murphee. Has anything turned up on their pet?”

  “Not so far. Did you get the actual tag number?”

  “Jeez, I didn’t; he was driving too fast. I did notice a dent in the passenger door, you know like maybe the wind had caught the door and slammed it into something.”

  “Thanks Ed; appreciate the call. If that was our two bad guys with Murphee, and they’re after Jake and me, then they’re still here…somewhere. I’ll issue a BOLO anyway to the Highway Patrol north and south.”

  Chapter 21

  Jake and Barb pulled into their drive, and were relieved to see Hannity and Sarah waiting for them. “Welcome back folks.” Sarah gave them both a hug. We may have caught a break about Murph. Ed, out at the KOA, spotted a white van leaving the campground. Driver had a Yellow Lab that he thought might be Murphee.”

  Hannity began helping Jake unload their luggage onto the porch. “One of the HP Officers has started cruising the dozens of motels in the area looking for the van. No luck so far. Could mean they’re trying to hide in one of the remote camping sites, so Meadows has been checking those. That big old van couldn’t get very far into the rough terrain.”

  “Jeez Hannity, we’ve got to find these guys. I just don’t know why, if they have Murph, we haven’t received some sort of communication. It’s beginning to sound like we won’t turn up any positive clue until they decide to make their move. I don’t want to think that they would grab our dog and be satisfied that this was pay-back enough. If this Donnie Jerkovick is anything like his father was, he’s a border line Psychopath. It’s now a matter of when and not if. And these guys are ex-Army, it’s a pretty good bet they’re armed.”

  “I think your assessment is spot on Jake. I’ll give you an hour to get settled and unpacked, then you and I will pay a visit to a guy I know licensed as a gun dealer. You need to own a hand gun at least. You said you qualified in the Army as an excellent marksman. Let’s hope you won’t have to prove it. Bring a utility bill with your name and address, your photo license I.D., and throw in your passport as well. If you have that certificate issued by the Army, bring it. I think a 9mm Glock 19 medium will fit you nicely. California’s hand gun purchase regulations will make you wait ten days, and this whole thing might be over before then, but you need to do this. The dealer has a basement range, so we can get you at least introduced to the Glock pistol.”

  Hannity finished loading the luggage in the front room, while Barb brewed a fresh pot of coffee. “I wouldn’t worry too much Barbara; we’ve got this well covered. Between Agent Bill, myself, Meadows and Sarah, no one will get near the place without us knowing.”

  His mobile phone began vibrating in his shirt pocket. “Inspector Hannity here.”

  “Inspector, this is Captain Osborn with the CHP. I’ve got some breaking news on the BOLO your office issued. I’m at a small motel off the interstate, just south of the Oregon Border. That white van with the dent on the passenger door is parked behind the motel.”

  “That’s great news Captain.”

  The owner/manager says two guys checked in late last night, and the driver matched the photo we circulated. This morning they were met by a guy driving an old blue Toyota sedan. The three ate a quick breakfast and then took off. The van driver, registered as John Smith said they would be back to retrieve it later.”

  “Put the guy on the phone, and then please e-mail me a summary of your discovery.”

  “Roger that inspector.”

  Sir, this is inspector Hannity. Please answer some questions. Didn’t you have them show a photo I.D.?”

  “Nah, it was late and they paid cash for the room. Hey, I’m barely makin it as it is; didn’t want to hassle a guest who said he ‘lost the license.’”

  “I don’t suppose you got the license of the Toyota?”

  “You’re gonna want to kiss me…I did.” The motel owner rattled off the license number.

  Hannity covered the mouthpiece, and said a loud �
��YES’! ‘Were you ever able to see into the van when they arrived?”

  “No, the van had no side windows, and two small windows high up on the rear doors. After they left I stood on the rear bumper and looked inside. I saw what looked like two sleeping bags, a small bag of dry dog food and a couple of bowls.”

  “Thank you, please ask Officer Osborn to take the phone.

  “Great work Captain. Can you access your license data base, and do a background on the license holder?”

  “I’ve already done it. I’ll call you back as soon as I have the info.”

  Hannity closed the phone as Jake stood in front of him with his arms outstretched, palms up with shrugged shoulders. “Well, let’s have it!”

  Hannity related the news, and Jake did a quick whirl where he stood. Barbara rushed in. “What?”

  ***

  “Inspector Hannity, this is Captain Osborn of the CHP calling back.”

  “Thanks Captain, what’s the scoop on this guy?”

  “Names Dick Humphrey, aka, Dicky, age twenty eight with two prior arrests for disturbing the peace: Fighting in a public establishment. Also one DUI conviction. There’s an apartment address in Southern Oregon. He was last employed as a bouncer in a seedy bar. He used to belong to a local biker gang. The owner says they made no mention as to where they were going, but turned south on the interstate.”

  “Thanks officer. We’re as prepared as we can be down here. We have an armed officer here at the target’s home, and I have 2 armed officers at our downtown P.D. Headquarters, although I can’t imagine these guys directly attacking a police department. Mrs. Vincent is staying with a friend in town. I’m going to drive north on the interstate to see if I can spot their south-bound car.”

  Hannity privately cornered Jake and told him the news. “I’m leaving my spare hand gun here. These guys could get by me. Sarah is good, but I want you to know about the gun. It’s the same as the Glock we ordered today. This is the thumb safety, and it is engaged. Put the gun out of sight, but make it handy. Remember Jake, only if necessary. If I don’t see their car by exit number by 773, I’ll head back on a parallel frontage road. Keep your mobile on and in your pocket. He looked over at Sarah, then Jake. Stay the hell out of sight, both of you. That forest is so dense it would be easy to sneak up to within a range of fifty yards. If they come in after you, they know where to look. One of you stay concealed in the front of the house and one in the rear. Call me at the first sign of trouble.”

  Jake nodded his agreement and put the gun in the top drawer of a roll-top desk near the front door. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

  Chapter 22

  Jake and Sarah stood in silence in the middle of the house pondering their task. Jake said, “You know officer, I know the area around our house like the back of my hand. The odds are long that they would approach from the rear. There are three small houses spread out in the forest back there. The elderly occupants are retired, and these guys might figure that. There’s too much risk of being seen. It’s easier to get to, but it doesn’t make sense. I also don’t think they would parade down our driveway from the street. The area in front, to the west, is uninhabited. It would be less than a quarter mile walk from where you would have to park your car on an old dirt logging road, and it could be easily hidden.”

  “What are you trying to say Jake; that we should ignore the back? Maybe I should have parked my squad car in plain sight in the back of the house.”

  “Not a good idea as our bozos will have checked out the house. I have an idea. I don’t like not having more space between the house and the start of the open clearing where our stalker would first appear. Let’s keep our phones handy, but no talking and no unnecessary loud noises. I’m going to walk out about one hundred yards into the forest near where I’m guessing they have to come. You stay in the front room out of sight.”

  “Jake, Hannity told us to watch both the front and the rear.”

  “I don’t care; it’s my body this jerk wants a piece of. My plan gives us more reaction time. There still is a slight chance that they would pick another route to the house, but not the rear I’m positive. I might lose them behind the big trees. If you see them first, fire a shot and I can try to move in behind them. Jerkovick and his buddies will figure the house is guarded and will hide behind a rock or tree and call me out if they get close enough.”

  Sarah was flustered. “But what if they all are armed and one of the other two is picked to attack the house?”

  “Not a chance; this guy will want to take me down himself. The coward will bring his buddies just for cover. If you hear from Hannity, let me know. If they have Murphee, and we have to fire on them, take very careful aim.”

  Just then Sarah’s hand-held satellite phone squawked. “Sarah, I see no sign of the car. I’m coming in and will use the main driveway. I’m 20 minutes out.”

  “Yes sir. No sign of anyone yet.”

  Jake put his finger to his lips signaling that Sarah not say anything to Hannity about the modification to their plan. He quickly moved out to a spot in the forest where he could see the front of the house, and also where the old logging road terminated in a turnaround.

  Only ten minutes had passed when Jake heard the idling sound of a four cylinder engine and then nothing. The Toyota pulled to a stop and three doors opening very quietly. He was hidden in thick Manzanita brush only thirty feet from them. The driver stood, and Jake could clearly identify Donnie Jerkovick. The other two moved to form a group of three. Jake’s heart jumped as one of the guys had Murphee on a short leash with a tight muzzle over his nose. The leash was handed over to that asshole Donnie who was holding a pistol in his free hand. The other two did not appear to be armed. Murph looked ragged with a scuffed, filthy coat, and was clearly frightened. The poor guy knew only to walk with the person holding the leash. This is how he was trained.

  The trio slowly crept forward in a close group keeping behind the big trees as they moved toward the house. They walked past Jake. He slowly pulled out his mobile phone from his coat pocket. He had to warn Sara, but realized he had forgotten to silence the touch tone beep. “Shit” he said to himself. He mouthed the words: “Please Sarah, look into the forest…NOW!”

  Jake decided to move out behind the three knowing his noise would be masked by that being made by their own moves through the dead brush and pine needles. The three reached the clearing at the house that formed the driveway turn around at the garage. Murphee saw the house and his ears perked up.

  Jake was crouched behind a tree not 20 feet behind the three. Donnie moved out into the clearing holding Murph’s leash and the gun. “Hey Vincent; show your ugly face. I wanna see the coward who hounded my old man. You shoulda minded your own business. We grabbed your dog. He gets a bullet in the head if you’re not out here in one minute!”

  At that moment Jake could see Sarah through the window. She was on her radio with Hannity…he hoped. Jake drew the Glock pistol, and thumbed off the safety. In his peripheral vision he could see Hannity’s patrol car coming down the driveway. Donnie shifted his gaze away from the window and to the right and the oncoming car. Hannity pulled to a stop and opened his driver’s door. He held up his shot gun. At this instant Donnie’s two buddies turned and ran back through the forest as fast they could, stumbling to get to their car. Sarah had come out on the porch with her revolver pointed at Donnie.

  Hannity started to level his weapon. “Put the gun down Jerkovick and release the dog!” Donnie started rapid fire shooting in Hannity’s direction. One lucky shot slammed into his foot making him drop to one knee and lose the shotgun on the ground in front of the door. In this split second Jake brought up his gun holding it in both hands as he had so often done on the range while in the Army.

  The second Donnie had fired off his shots, Sarah had taken aim and pulled the trigger. Donnie spun around, dropped his gun, holding his arm where a large blotch of crimson was blooming.

  Hannity had retrieved his scatter g
un and shouted a final warning: “Stay down Jerkovick!”

  Donnie pulled hard on the leash that was wrapped around his wrist. The choke collar they had on Murphee forced him to the ground hard. Jake winced. Donnie began crawling to where his gun lay. He faced Jake and shouted “Say goodbye to your pal Jake.” He lunged for the gun and started to bring it up. All the while Jake had been standing feet apart with the Glock pointed at Donnie’s head. He squeezed the trigger twice in quick succession, BAM, BAM! Two black holes appeared on Donnie’s forehead. Blood and brain matter instantly erupted from the entry wounds. Donnie’s eyes glazed over, and he toppled face forward onto the ground. His hand clenched around his pistol’s handle.

  The silence was deafening. No birds or critters moving anywhere. Even the light breeze had stilled. Jake dropped his gun to the forest floor. Murphee came racing at him at full speed…WHAM! Both tumbled over as Jake undid the collar and muzzle on his best friend. Murph straddled Jake and began a furious licking greeting with his tail swinging wildly.

  Hannity and Sarah walked over to Donnie Jerkovick; bent down and routinely felt for a pulse. Hannity said “Time of death 1:42 p.m.” He picked up the pistol with a pen through the trigger guard. Sarah held out a plastic bag, and Hannity dropped the gun inside.

  They both turned to Jake. Sarah said, “Nice shooting detective. Mine wasn’t so nice; sorry you were forced to back me up. Are you going to be OK?”

  Hannity put his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Congrats partner, you’re a faster draw than I am. Jake, believe me, he wouldn’t have got the shot off. I’m going to limp over to the porch, pull off my boot and check out my second gunshot wound suffered within two years while associating with our retired security investigator here. Will you two pull the first aid kit from my car and doctor my battle injury?

  “Hey Jake, take a few deep breaths. It was a clear case of self-defense. You even have two witnesses.”