aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  “We know which road the truck holding you, is driving on. Has it made any stops? Have you been let out?”

  “It stopped once for about ten minutes.” Tarrin’s voice faded away for a second and then came back stronger. “We didn’t get out, but the driver did. I heard his door slam.”

  “Has the truck made any turns?”

  “Yes. The truck swayed to the right for a bit and then a few minutes after that we stopped.”

  “Did he talk to anyone?”

  “I didn’t hear voices.”

  “How long ago was the stop?”

  “Gates and I counted to over one thousand before the truck started moving. Right now Gates is counting to six hundred.”

  “Good.” A surge of pride went through Catal. If they counted at a steady pace that meant at least fifteen minutes had passed. “I’m going to use your counting to figure out where you are. What I need you to do is tell me when you stop again. Just shout out my name and focus. I will hear you.”

  “Okay.” There was a slight pause. “You won’t leave Gates and I alone, will you?”

  “We will be there to rescue you.” Catal’s voice hardened. “These men will pay the price for taking you, so don’t be frightened when we arrive.”

  “I’ll tell Gates.”

  “Be strong.” Catal broke the connection and turned to Partlan. “They turned right and then stopped for about fifteen minutes. Since then they’ve driven about ten minutes. Is there a rest area?”

  Partlan pulled a mapping device toward him and started to punch in numbers. He frowned and shook his head. “No. I am going to calculate the approximate distance they traveled in the time since they left Castaic.”

  Catal reached over and clasped Selena’s hands. “We will find them. Tarrin is able to mind connect, so that will make this easier.”

  Selena gave him a weak smile. “Thank you. Knowing that you’ve been able to speak with him, gives me hope.”

  “Firbin we are on the correct road. It will lead to the freeway.” Partlan looked up from the mapping system. “I think the most likely place the driver turned was onto a road going east. It’s a trucking route that bypasses Bakersfield.”

  Firbin nodded. “I should be there in a couple of minutes.”

  Firbin increased their speed. They might have lost time following the wrong truck, but they could catch up. Going cross country between the two highways would save time. Within a few minutes, they had reached the junction with the Golden State Highway. Now all they needed was to find the truck.

  “Keep along this road.” Partlan looked up from his calculations. “This is the most likely route.”

  Just then Catal heard Tarrin’s voice in his head. “We’re slowing down.”

  “Is it stopping?” Catal held his breath. They still hadn’t found the truck. If they stopped now, they might be too late to rescue the boys.

  “Yes.” Tarrin’s voice came stronger. “I can hear honking and other traffic. Now the truck is starting to drive again.”

  “Good.” Catal forced his muscles to relax. There was still hope. “Is there anything different about how the truck is driving?”

  “It is moving slower.”

  Catal turned to Partlan. “They have slowed down and the truck made a stop, and then started.”

  Partlan tapped the map. “We are on the right road. It runs through a built up area and that would mean stoplights.”

  A few minutes later Tarrin connected again.

  “The truck has stopped.”

  “It is important you give us every detail now.”

  Tarrin was silent for a few seconds. “We are turning right.”

  Catal let out the breath he’d been holding. They weren’t at their final destination. That was good. They were close behind, but the truck wasn’t in sight yet. The longer the driver kept moving, the better chance they had of catching them.

  “I need you to start counting so we know when you stop or turn again.”

  “They’ve turned right.” Catal looked at Partlan. “Tarrin is going to keep time by counting so we’ll know where they turn again.”

  “I think they are going south.” Partlan looked up from the map. “We are close behind. A few more minutes and we should have them in sight.”

  A sob from Selena had Catal moving beside her. He pulled her close and brought her head to his chest. He let his hand smooth over her hair. Her suffering was his. He felt it to the very core of his being. The sound of her steady breathing soothed him.

  “We are close.” His voice was a soft whisper. “We will have them soon.”

  “We turned left.” Tarrin’s voice sounded in his head. “I only had to count to three hundred.”

  “I’ll put that into our computer,” Catal answered.

  “They’ve turned left. It took about five minutes.”

  “They’re going north to Caliente.” Partlan leaned toward Firbin and showed him the map. “Follow the same route. He should be in sight soon.”

  “I can hear a train whistle.” Tarrin’s voice sounded more like a whisper. “We’re slowing down again.”

  “They’re near a train.”

  Partlan nodded. “Definitely Caliente.”

  Firbin came to a stop and then turned right. A few minutes later he turned left. They were close now. The road was straight for a bit and Firbin sped along until they started to hit curves and steep hills. They slowed and then sped up again. They came into a small town, which was Caliente. Now all of them were looking outside for sight of the truck. It should still be travelling on the road according to Tarrin.

  Suddenly Firbin put the brakes on.

  The red running lights of the rear of a transport truck were visible in front of them.

  They went around a curve and the van’s headlights illuminated the word Diamond. The truck that held the boys, was in front of them.

  Chapter 17

  “Turn our lights off.” Partlan’s tone was tense.

  “I have.” Firbin’s voice was low.

  “Good.” Partlan squatted down beside Firbin. “We do not want him to know we are following.”

  The mood in the van became sombre. Always ready for battle, now they had increased their concentration tenfold. As long as the driver of the truck was unaware of their presence, they should be able to follow him to his lair.

  Catal rubbed Selena’s arm and kept his eyes glued on the red taillights of the semi. It was a quarter of a mile ahead of them. The lights brightened and Firbin eased the van to a stop. The truck turned right and they followed.

  “We just turned.” Tarrin’s voice echoed in Catal’s head.

  “I know.” Catal kept his thoughts calm. “We are directly behind you.”

  “Are you going to stop him now?”

  “No. I need for you to be brave.” Catal knew that Tarrin wouldn’t understand, because he hadn’t had any training, but they had to let the truck get to its destination. It was the safest way to rescue the boys. “When the truck stops, we will be there to free you.”

  There was a few moments of silence and then he heard Tarrin’s voice. “You want to make sure he won’t get away.”

  “We can’t risk losing you. When he stops we’ll have the advantage.”

  “I’ll let Gates know that there is nothing to be afraid of.”

  After that there was silence. Catal watched the vehicle weave and turn on the winding road. Sparse plantings of trees along the shoulders could be seen from the glare of the truck’s headlights, but no houses. They were definitely going to an isolated area.

  They slowed after twenty minutes. Catal exhaled, stretched his neck from side to side, and eased his heart rate as he prepared for battle. He gave Selena’s hand a reassuring squeeze before moving away. He picked up two pistols and secured them in his jean’s waistband. Partlan handed him a rifle and he checked the ammunition before resting it across his knees. He was as ready as possible.

  The truck went down a gravel laneway. There was a marker
at the road stating it was private property. The semi bounced up and down, and side to side, in front of them. It would not be comfortable for the boys inside the truck. They had to be near the location for the exchange. There was no other reason for a large tractor trailer to travel such a rutted and narrow laneway. Soon the boys would be freed. Then he would exact justice on those who were responsible for this crime.

  Firbin parked at the edge of the paved road.

  Everyone jumped out of the vehicle.

  Selena tried to leave, but Catal held her back. “It’s not safe for you to come with us.”

  “I can shoot. My brother insisted I learn.”

  Catal clenched his jaw. “That’s not the problem, I don’t want you hurt. It’s a dangerous situation.”

  “I’ll be careful.” Selena’s voice was determined. “I won’t be left behind a second time, especially when I know that my son is definitely on that truck.”

  Catal looked over at Partlan. He knew the others still believed that women were to be obeyed, yet his time on earth had shown him that they weren’t used to commanding on this planet. Partlan’s expression gave nothing away.

  Catal gazed at Selena for several seconds and then nodded. She was his pair bond. He couldn’t refuse her. There was nothing he could say to stop her either. She had always been stubborn. Once she’d made a decision, nothing would deter her from it. That’s how she’d been able to block him for so many years. All he could do was ensure she remained safe.

  He handed her a pistol.

  “Stay behind me.”

  The transport truck they had been following had continued for several hundred yards on a driveway that circled a large building that was hidden beneath a stand of pine trees. The place would be invisible from the road and the air. There were at least ten vehicles parked along the edge of the drive, amongst the trees. The semi had stopped, and was facing the road, when they reached the building. It was still running. It looked as if the driver didn’t plan to stay long.

  Partlan motioned Firbin and Malac to the vehicle. Breanon moved off to the side and lay beside a large pine, assault rifle aimed and ready. Ranon and Partlan moved to the side door of the building. Catal and Selena went to the front.

  Partlan signaled for Firbin and Malac to enter the truck. The door was unlocked. The first thing they did was shut the vehicle off. A few seconds later, they climbed down from the cab and shook their head.

  The boys weren’t there.

  They took the keys and went to the rear of the semi. It wouldn’t take the people inside the building long to realize the truck had stopped running. Time was important. The wind caught the back door of the trailer and sent it slamming against the side of the truck.

  A chill of warning raced up Catal’s spine.

  He pulled Selena close behind him, and readied for battle. The occupants of the hideaway had to have heard the noise. They now knew they weren’t alone. They’d prepare themselves for a fight. They didn’t have long to wait before someone inside made a move.

  The front door edged open a crack.

  The barrel of a rifle poked through.

  Catal stood behind the door and waited until it opened wider. Two hands and a head followed the gun. Catal’s eyes narrowed and his breathing slowed. Selena’s unease surrounded him, but he blocked it. He had to focus all of his attention on his next move.

  “Go.” Partlan gave the command.

  Catal slammed the door against the unseen opponent. A yelp of surprise echoed in the still night air. Catal opened the door and slammed it again before he pulled the man out of the opening and threw him onto the ground.

  The man raised his gun to fire.

  Catal shot him between the eyes.

  Footsteps and yelling could be heard from inside the building. They didn’t wait to see who would come out next. Partlan and Ranon stormed the side door at the same time Catal and Selena went in the front. Chaos was everywhere as men scattered in all directions. There had to be at least twelve men ranging in age from mid-twenties to their sixties. A few raised their guns to fire at them and they were met with a bullet.

  Catal shot to kill anyone who raised a weapon in his direction. Partlan and Ranon did the same from the side entrance. They moved through the building killing all those who got in their way, or tried to escape. They rounded up all the men who were left alive into the center of the large hall. Six remained standing and they threw their weapons to the ground.

  The shooting came to an abrupt end.

  “Who are you?” A man in a black suit spoke. He was in his sixties and stood with his hands over his head. “This is a private club.”

  “One that is dealing in kidnapping.” Partlan motioned for Ranon to gather the guns. “Where are the children?”

  “This is a men’s club. No children are allowed.” The man gave a soft laugh. “You’ll have to find another group to terrorize.”

  “I think not.” Catal moved forward. “We know the truck outside was carrying two boys that were kidnapped from their home.”

  “The truck has nothing to do with us.” The man shrugged. “You’ve killed the driver, so I doubt you’ll be able to ask him any questions.”

  Firbin and Malac came into the building and shook their heads. “It was empty.”

  “That means you’ve hid them here.” Selena’s voice rang out behind Catal. “Tarrin, tell me where you are?”

  There was no answer.

  “You can yell all you want, but there’s no one here.” The man grinned. “I’m a judge with very influential friends. Why don’t you leave while you have a chance?”

  For a second Catal wondered if they’d barged in on the wrong building, but then he heard a faint whisper in his head.

  “We’re in the dark.” Tarrin’s voice held fear.

  “Is there someone guarding you?”

  “Yes. He has a gun that has a red light that he keeps moving over all of us. He told us to be quiet or he’d kill us.”

  “They’re in a hidden room with at least one guard.” Catal looked back at Selena. “We will find them.”

  Selena nodded. “I’ll keep them covered while you search.”

  The judge took a step forward. “You don’t think one little lady can hold all of us?”

  Selena fired her pistol.

  The bullet hit an inch away from the man’s foot.

  “I hit where I aim. You have no idea how angry a mother can be when her children have been hurt.” Selena’s voice held suppressed fury. “I’m seconds away from forgetting I abhor violence.”

  The man stepped back.

  “Firbin help Selena guard these people.” Partlan lowered his arm. “The rest of us will search.”

  Catal looked at Selena to be certain she was comfortable holding the men at gunpoint. She seemed to sense his question and nodded. He went with Partlan. They began by checking out all of the doors that opened into the main building. They were mainly for storage. Two rooms had camera equipment and a studio set up. One was a computer room.

  All were empty.

  Malac examined the walls by knocking on them. They were solid pine. There were no secret passageways or doors.

  “See if Tarrin remembers anything about the room?” Partlan looked at Catal.

  Catal nodded. “Tarrin how did you get into the hiding place?”

  “Our eyes were covered.” There was a pause. “We had to crouch and go down a couple of stairs. When they took the blindfolds off it was dark.”

  “It’s underground.” Catal sent the message to the rest of the unit.

  Ranon and Malac began to kick the floor looking for hollow sounds. Catal searched for any obvious breaks in the floorboards. He moved toward the rear of the building. There was a cloakroom and a ten foot bar there. The cloakroom was empty. The bar had dark wooden shelves set up against a mirror backdrop. There were liquor bottles and glasses of all sizes. Under the bar top, there were more bottles. Catal’s eyes scanned the oak floor and that’s when he saw it.
<
br />   The floor was covered with sand and dirt except a two foot by two foot area.

  The right size for a trap door.

  “Look, you boys should be getting out of here before the police arrive.” The judge took a step forward.

  “I doubt that.” Firbin’s voice was full of disgust. “The last thing you would want is for the police to take a close look at your men’s club.”

  Catal eased out of the bar area. There was at least one man down there with a gun pointed at the children. He couldn’t risk the man shooting one of the boys before they had a chance to kill the guard. It would take a coordinated effort to get them out alive.

  “Men is the last word I’d use to describe you.” Catal nodded to Partlan. “Take one more move and you’re dead.”

  “There’s a trapdoor behind the bar, but the boys are being held by someone with a laser sight gun.”

  “Then Tarrin will guide us.” Partlan’s voice was emotionless. “Can he assist with the rescue?”

  Catal reached out to Tarrin. “We know where you are, but you will have to help. Are you up to that?”

  “Yes.” Tarrin’s voice was determined. “What do I have to do?”

  “When I say go, I need you to rush the man holding you and push his arm and gun up away from the others. We will do the rest.”

  “Ranon and Malac help guard the captives.” Partlan gave the commands in a harsh voice. “If anyone moves or speaks, kill them.”

  When Ranon and Malac had taken up their positions Partlan joined Catal behind the bar. They stood on each side of the trapdoor and readied their weapons. Catal took a deep breath. He pulled out his knife and slid it into the gap between the door and the floor. He glanced up at Partlan, who aimed his rifle at the opening. One nod and Catal’s mind reached out for Tarrin.

  “Go.”

  He flipped the trapdoor open as a gun fired.

  The bullet streaked past his ear.

  In the next second, he grabbed his assailant by the neck and pulled him out of the hole. He snapped the man’s neck with one swift movement. He threw the body over the bar and turned back just as Partlan kicked the pistol out of the hand of a second man.

  The man reached to grab one of the boys as a hostage.