A Roux of Revenge

by Connie Archer

  “All that bull about proving yourself to the company,” Jack said. “You wanted it for yourself.”

  Lucky gasped. Full realization dawned. “You’re not Joe Conrad,” she said quietly. “You’re the guard who disappeared.” Remembering his own story of the robbery, she said, “You’re Jimmy Devlin.”

  “You got that right.” He laughed. “I had a feeling this guy knew where his dumbass brother hid the cash,” he said, indicating Eamon. “You . . .” he said, aiming the flashlight at Jack. “Open that box, old man.”

  Jack’s jaw tightened. Lucky knew Jack wished he were still strong enough and fast enough to jump the man. Jack glanced at the box next to where Eamon lay. Eamon was slowly regaining consciousness. Eamon pushed himself away from the ground and turned over into a sitting position. Jack, with a dark glance at their captor, walked the few steps toward Eamon and bent down to open the metal container. He pushed the lid back to reveal the bundles of cash.

  Devlin’s flashlight illuminated the contents. “What the hell is this? Where’s the rest of it?” he demanded.

  “That’s all that’s left,” Eamon spoke, slowly rising to his feet. “My brother bought land and lived off the money all these years.”

  Lucky kept her flashlight trained on Devlin. She was frightened by the look on his face.

  “You’re lying. There’s more, and I know you know where it is.”

  “Not true,” Eamon replied. “I didn’t know for sure Taran was involved until just now. But now I know it was you who killed him.”

  Devlin didn’t respond to the accusation. His silence told them all they needed to know. “Then how the hell did you know to come here?” Devlin asked.

  “He once told me if anything ever happened to him, I should come to the Stones. This is all that’s left. Take it. I don’t care about the money. I just want my daughter back.”

  “You’ll get her back all right . . . eventually. You . . .” he said, pointing his beam of light at Lucky. “Grab this.” He reached down and picked up a rope that lay at his feet. He tossed it to Lucky. “Tie those two up and be quick about it.

  “And you two,” he said, indicating Eamon and Jack, “on the ground. Hands behind your back. Sit!”

  “Where is she?” Eamon cried out. “For God’s sake, man. Tell me where she is.”

  “Shut up, will ya. She’s fine. She’s at the farmers’ market. Your corn-fed girl’s right where she should be.”

  Lucky moved closer to Eamon. Devlin aimed the beam at Eamon’s hands as Lucky wrapped the rope around his wrists and tied it with a knot.

  “Tighter. Make it tighter and knot it again,” Devlin snarled. “Now the old man,” Devlin ordered. “Tie ’em together.”

  “I’ll old man you, you . . .” Jack grumbled.

  “Jack. Shhhh,” she whispered. “You’ll set him off. Move closer to Eamon.”

  Jack carefully lowered himself to the ground in a sitting position, staring at Devlin, as Lucky wrapped the end of the rope around his wrists and knotted it twice.

  “Now their ankles.” Devlin took a step forward. Lucky moved in front of Jack and Eamon as they sat on the ground. She uncurled the rope and bound first Eamon’s ankles together and then Jack’s with the same length of rope. “And don’t try anything funny. Make sure those knots are tight.

  “Now you,” Devlin said. “Turn around.”

  Lucky’s heart was beating madly. She felt her temper rising. She considered her options. She could swing at him and maybe even land a good punch, enough to knock him off balance. But she’d have to wait until he put the gun down and attempted to tie her hands. She couldn’t risk Jack getting hurt. She was slight. Devlin wouldn’t perceive her as a threat, not the way Eamon, a large man, would be. She turned around and caught Jack’s eye. He knew what she was thinking. She heard the rustle of Devlin’s Windbreaker as he placed the gun on the ground. She took a deep breath. Devlin reached out to grasp her wrists, and she ducked away. She turned quickly and gave him her best right hook. Devlin grunted and fell backward. Blood spurted from his nose.

  “Way to go, Lucky!” Jack hollered.

  Lucky fell to her knees, frantically feeling over the ground where she was sure Devlin had placed the gun. She wasn’t fast enough. Devlin scrambled across the distance and grabbed her coat collar. Dragging her to her feet, he backhanded her across the face. Her head snapped around, and she flew across the clearing, landing in a heap near Jack.

  “Son of a . . .” Devlin said. Blood poured down his face and over his jacket. “You little bitch . . .” His flashlight had fallen on a rock and broken. Their own flashlights, hers and Jack’s and Eamon’s, were on the ground, shining in all directions against the tree trunks. At the moment they were no help to Devlin. The lantern was bright but cast shadows all around the clearing. She heard Devlin muttering to himself as he searched for his gun. Her vision was blurred from the blow, and her ears were ringing.

  Jack leaned over. “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  Lucky rubbed her cheek. “I’ll be okay.”

  Devlin stood. He had found his gun. He moved to where Eamon sat and dragged the metal box to the other side of the clearing. He grabbed one of the flashlights and shone it on Lucky. She was still dazed from the blow. Devlin reached for the end of one of the ropes and quickly tied her ankles together. Then he ran the rope around her neck once and tied her wrists behind her. She tried to struggle, but the rope only tightened around her neck, choking her.

  Devlin was breathing heavily when he finished. Lucky’s punch had done some damage. “Now,” he said to Eamon, “you’re gonna tell me where the rest of the money is. If not, you’re gonna be in more pain than you can imagine.”

  “I told you. That’s it. There is no more. Taran spent it.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Devlin aimed the gun at Eamon’s leg. He moved the muzzle slightly to the left and fired once. The explosion was deafening. Lucky nearly jumped out of her skin. Eamon shut his eyes tightly but otherwise showed no reaction. An owl screeched in the treetops above them. Would the shot be heard at Eamon’s encampment? Would someone come to their rescue?

  “That was a test shot. The next one goes right into your knee.”

  “I told you, there is no more money. This is it. Take it and be gone. Just tell me where my daughter is.”

  “You’ll never walk right again,” Devlin warned. He raised the gun, moving closer to Eamon, and stood with the muzzle only two feet away from Eamon’s knee. It was a deadly-looking weapon. It would blow Eamon’s leg apart. Even if he survived, how would they get help to him? Lucky was afraid to breathe.

  “Nothing to say?”

  Eamon glared at Devlin but kept his silence.

  “Hate to do this to you, big guy, but here goes.” Devlin aimed the revolver slowly.

  Chapter 42

  A LOW MOANING sound filled the air. Shivers ran up Lucky’s spine. She looked all around, but it wasn’t possible to tell where the sound came from.

  Devlin spun in a circle. “What the hell . . .” He glanced back at Eamon who hadn’t moved.

  A heavy thunk and a crashing of twigs came from the trees. Devlin turned, aiming the gun at the darkness of the woods. “Come out now or I’ll shoot.” He moved next to the trees that marked the perimeter, still aiming his gun in the direction of the noise.

  A dark figure leaped from the other side of the clearing. Devlin spun around quickly, his flashlight illuminating Daniel’s face for a brief second. Daniel held a tree limb in his hands, and as Devlin moved toward him, Daniel swung, a brutal blow that sent Devlin careening sideways. Daniel leaped on the prone man and began to pummel him with his fists. Devlin made no move to protect himself. He was unconscious.

  “Daniel. Hold on,” Eamon shouted. “Help me get free.”

  Daniel stood and rushed to Eamon’s side. He undid the rope that bound his uncle and used it to quickly tie Devlin’s ankles and wrists.

  Eamon laughed in relief. “That was a good move
. You fooled him.” He knelt on the ground and felt for the pulse on Devlin’s neck. “He’s alive.” He looked up at Daniel. “Can you help them?”

  Daniel nodded and hurried to untie Jack, helping him to his feet.

  Jack, as soon as he was steady, rushed to Lucky’s side. “Are you all right, my girl?” he asked softly.

  “I will be,” she reassured him. “Probably just have a big bruise tomorrow.”

  “Too bad you didn’t knock him out,” Jack said admiringly. “But you did good. I sure named you right.”

  Daniel had found Devlin’s gun. He stood over the prone man, his foot on Devlin’s chest.

  “Daniel!” Eamon called out. “What are you doing?”

  Daniel made no response. He slowly aimed the weapon.

  “Don’t do it,” Eamon said quietly. “Put the gun down.”

  “Why shouldn’t I? He killed my father. He would have crippled you.”

  Lucky reached out and grasped Jack’s hand, squeezing it tightly from fear. She prayed that Daniel would not shoot.

  “If you pull that trigger, you’ll be just like him. Give me the gun.”

  Daniel remained focused on Devlin. “It would be so easy.”

  “It would,” Eamon said quietly. “But you do not want that stain on your soul. He will be punished. Give me the gun.”

  Daniel’s hand shook slightly and then wavered. Eamon reached out and carefully took the gun as Daniel’s arm dropped slackly to his side.

  Chapter 43

  EAMON HANDED THE gun to Jack. “Watch him,” he said, indicating Devlin. Then he pulled Daniel close and hugged him tightly. “You did the right thing. But where have you been? Why didn’t you come back to the campsite?”

  “I was afraid. Afraid the police might bother you if I came back.”

  Devlin moaned and tried to move.

  Jack raised the gun. “Stay right where you are,” he ordered.

  Eamon grabbed one of the other ropes and bound Devlin to a nearby tree. “Let’s make sure he can’t go anywhere.” He glanced at Jack. “I think he’ll keep for a while, don’t you?”

  Jack laughed in relief. “Might be a good time to let the police take over. You have your phone?” he asked Lucky.

  “Yes.” She reached into her jacket pocket and retrieved her cell phone.

  Eamon placed a protective hand over hers. “I can’t stay. Not if the police are coming. I have to find my daughter.” He looked at Jack. “If he comes to, do your best to get more from him about Jane. I don’t want to delay.”

  “Jane?” Daniel had a quizzical look on his face.

  Eamon nodded to him. “I’ll explain to you later, Daniel. Can you stay here with them until the police arrive? As soon as you hear them, you can take off. But for God’s sake, go back to the camp. Don’t disappear like that again.”

  Daniel nodded his agreement.

  “Jack?” Lucky said. “I think Eamon’s going to need some help. I’ll go with him, but I’ll leave you the phone. Can you call Nate?”

  “What do you think I should tell Nate when he gets here and asks how we found the money?” Jack asked.

  “Tell him he doesn’t want to know,” Lucky replied.

  “Nate won’t go for that, but I’ll try,” Jack grumbled. “You two get going. Go find Janie.”

  • • •

  EAMON WAS SILENT as Lucky followed the Old Colonial Road back toward town. When she reached Snowflake, she drove straight down Broadway, past the Spoonful and headed west to the field where the Harvest Festival was being held.

  “He said, ‘At the farmers’ market.’ What do you think he meant?”

  Lucky shook her head, driving as fast as she dared. “I don’t know. That’s a big area. There are lots of people around during the day. He must be keeping Janie hidden somewhere. Somewhere she can’t escape. There are just the rides for little kids and the stage area and the pony corral.” Lucky thought for a moment. “There is a barn past the market area at the far end of the field. It belongs to the man who owns the property, but he’s semiretired now and really doesn’t use it.” She shrugged. “I think we should start there. It’s the only place I can think of where Devlin could have hidden her.”

  “What if he lied? What if he . . .” Eamon was tense, terrified Janie could have been harmed. “If he’s touched her, I’ll . . .” Eamon didn’t finish his statement but fell silent once again.

  “Nate found her car out there today. Jack told me earlier tonight. I’m thinking she might have gone out there by herself, without telling anybody. Devlin could have followed her and grabbed her. I know he put two and two together and figured out the connection between you and Janie.”

  “How?” he asked.

  “She had an attack of nerves at the restaurant when she saw you across the street. Conrad . . . Devlin . . . whatever his name is, was asking some questions. I know he spotted you and took a long look at Janie.”

  “It’s my fault. I should never have come here. I’ve just brought trouble to their doorstep.”

  “It’s Devlin who brought trouble.” Lucky glanced at Eamon. She could see in the dim light from the dash that his jaw was clenched. “We’ll find her,” she said in an effort to reassure him. She hoped she was right.

  Within a few miles Lucky spotted the gates that led to the parking lot. She hit her brakes, suddenly aware how fast she had been traveling. She slowed and turned into the parking area. It was empty of cars. She drove close to the entrance gate and stopped.

  “Hurry,” Eamon said, climbing out of the car before Lucky could turn off the engine. She climbed out, slamming the door, and hurried after him as he loped toward the entrance. She followed him down the walkway lined with empty stalls, their canvas coverings billowing in the wind. Only a few short hours ago this deserted area had been full of shoppers and children seeking fun. Janie couldn’t possibly have been hidden in such an open area.

  Lucky was forced to break into a run to stay close to Eamon. They reached the end of the road. The barn loomed ahead of them in the field; the building itself was a slightly darker shape against the night sky. Lucky reached for her cell phone to check the time before remembering she had left it with Jack. It must be close to four in the morning. She struggled to figure the time, but given the startling events at the Stones, she was afraid she’d be far off the mark.

  “What time do you think it is, Eamon?” she asked.

  He turned to her in the dark. “Don’t know. You’re thinking it’ll be light out soon?”

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  Eamon looked at the horizon. “I’d say two, two and a half more hours till sunup.”

  Lucky clicked on her flashlight and raked it over the building. “It just feels deserted,” she whispered.

  “It can’t be. She’s got to be there. What if she’s tied up or hurt?”

  “We’ll have to get inside somehow.”

  “Do you know who owns this barn?” he asked.

  “This acreage belongs to the farmer Ernie White rents from. Maybe they use this barn for the horses or for storage.”

  “We can’t take the time to wake anybody up.”

  “I agree. Let’s find a way in. If she’s in there, we’ll find her.”

  Eamon walked toward the barn. He aimed his flashlight at a small door at the side.

  Lucky followed him. The door was locked with only a simple hasp. “We need bolt cutters.”

  “No we don’t,” Eamon said. He pulled a small flat screwdriver out of a back pocket and focused on removing the screws holding the hasp in place. He managed to pull out three of the screws, but the head of the fourth one broke off. Frustrated, Eamon slipped the screwdriver into the space between the hasp and the door and forced the flat plate away from the wood. “Hate to do this, but we have no choice.”

  Their breath was frosty in the cold night air. Lucky’s hands were chilled though she tried to hold the flashlight steady. They didn’t hear the footsteps approaching.

  “You two�
�hold it right there!” A man’s voice rang out. Lucky jumped involuntarily. She turned, only to be blinded by a powerful light.

  Chapter 44

  LUCKY SHIELDED HER eyes as the man behind the flashlight approached. Eamon cursed under his breath. He slipped the screwdriver into his back pocket and stood up straight.

  “Lucky? Is that you?” the man called out. The light flashed across Eamon’s face. “What are you doing?”

  “Remy?” she cried with relief. “Oh, I’m so glad it’s you. I could ask the same question.”

  “I’m staying in the trailer back there,” he said, indicating the rear of the barn. “Keeping close to the horses. I thought I heard voices so I came out to check.” Remy was obviously curious who Eamon was. “I know I’ve seen you before. You’re with the Gaelic band, aren’t you?”

  Eamon breathed a sigh of relief. “We have to get into the barn.”

  “Remy, you might not know this, but Janie’s disappeared. We thought she had run away again, but . . . it’s a long story, but we think she’s being held somewhere here. We have to find her.”

  Remy’s look was quizzical. “Janie?” The color drained from his face.

  “We don’t know exactly where. But we think she’s being kept somewhere around here. We have to search the barn. I’m just praying she’s in there.”

  “I have a key,” Remy replied.

  Lucky shrieked, “Why didn’t you say so?”

  “You didn’t ask.” Remy reached into his back pocket, retrieving a ring of keys. “Ernie arranged for the barn so we could stable the horses here.” He reached forward and, tucking his flashlight under his arm, released the padlock. He stepped inside and held the door open for Lucky and Eamon.

  Inside, the smell of sweet hay and pungent manure permeated the air. Lucky heard the soft snorting of horses.

  “Wait. Don’t move. There’s a light switch over here.” Remy shone a light on the wall near the door and spotted the switch. He flicked it on, and the entire lower level was illuminated by hanging lamps. They were shaded by shiny metal coverings hanging from the eaves. “There’s not much to see down here—other than the horses. It’s pretty empty. There’s some feed stored in the corner over there. And some tools, and that’s about it. I’ll check the stalls.”