In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9]

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

  They hoisted their packs to their backs and hiked across a short stretch of meadow. As they neared the tract, they moved toward a row of oaks and hid in the shadows.

  “What do you make of it?” Hawkman whispered.

  “Appears to be a building of some sort tucked within a growth of bushes."

  “Stay here and I'll go see what it is. I'll come back and get you if it looks promising."

  Ray gave him the go sign and scooted behind the trunk of a tree.

  Hawkman stayed hidden as he wound around the enclosure. When he got to what he suspected to be the front, he hunched behind a large rock and peered around the edge. Between two small structures sat the Willys jeep. Now where was Hargrove? Just as the thought passed through his mind, Jack walked out from an opening in one of the buildings. He had a flashlight and threw the beam on the ground as if looking for something. Hawkman ducked as the ray came closer. He could hear the man mumbling, but couldn't make out the words. Soon, he heard, ‘Ah ha, there it is.'

  When it grew quiet, Hawkman decided to take a chance and stole a glance around the boulder. Jack had returned to the wooden structure and a glow showed through the wall cracks. He eased away and headed back where Ray waited.

  “Your dad's there with the jeep."

  Ray took Hawkman's arm. “I want to go in first. Maybe I can talk some sense into his thick head. I'm afraid if he sees you, he'll just pull a gun and I might not be able to stop him from shooting."

  “It's going to be risky, regardless. He might gun down anyone who surprises him."

  “I'll let him know who it is."

  “If you're sure that's the way you want to handle it. I'll follow close behind, but stay out of sight. At least I can cover you."

  He nodded. “Sounds good."

  Hawkman gave him a quick description of how things were set up at his dad's campsite.

  Ray took a deep breath and exhaled. “Okay, here goes."

  Skokie set out and Hawkman followed. Whey they reached the hideout, Hawkman, his gun poised, crouched behind the boulder he'd used earlier.

  He watched Ray walk right up the middle of the small opening, set his body in an awkward straddle legged stance, then he reared back his head and yelled. “Dad, are you in there?"

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Jack Hargrove jerked up his head. He reached over and grabbed the pistol lying on the cot. Turning down the kerosene lamp, he inched toward the opening. “Who's there?” he called.

  “It's me, Dad, Ray."

  Yanking the flashlight from his back pocket, Jack stepped outside and guided the beam toward the voice. Ray flinched when it met his eyes.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Jack asked.

  “I need to talk to you."

  Hargrove swung the light across the ground and over the boulder where Hawkman was hidden. “You alone?"

  “Yes."

  “I don't believe it. You don't know this area. And I saw you getting out of the car at the ex-agent's house."

  “You're in trouble, Dad. I want to help."

  “How'd you find me?"

  “Spotted the stolen jeep."

  “Who told you about it?"

  “I spoke with Bill Broadwell, he found out from Tom Casey. After I heard the story, I flew out here in hopes of finding you before you got yourself in deeper."

  “Where you staying?"

  “At Casey's place."

  Jack stood rigid with the flashlight trained on his son's face. “I can't believe you walked all the way from the bridge."

  Ray shielded his eyes with his hand. “Dad, move the damn light. You're blinding me. I need to sit down, my legs are tired."

  Hargrove's hand twitched as he let the beam drop to the ground. “Sorry, son. Come on in and rest on my cot."

  * * * *

  Once Ray shuffled inside, Hawkman crept to the back of the encampment. Even though he didn't think Jack would harm his son, he didn't trust the man. Edging closer to the building, he watched his footing and tried to be as quiet as possible. The shrub, a bramble type, kept catching on his jacket and jeans. He had to remove each individual vine carefully as not to make any noise. Finally, he made it to a very small window where he could hear the two men talking. Afraid to lean on the rotted wood, he crouched below the opening.

  What Hawkman heard made his skin crawl. After listening for close to ten minutes, he decided to get out of there. He climbed swiftly out of the sticky bush and jogged back to his 4X4. He jumped into the cab and gunned down the dirt trail onto Ager Beswick Road, then aimed toward home.

  When he crossed the bridge, he noticed a glow through the living room drapes. Jennifer must have had a surge of ideas and remained working at the computer or had found a good movie on the television.

  He pulled into the driveway and hit the garage door button on the visor. Once he'd parked, he dashed to the front door and almost forgot about the alarm, but caught himself in time to quickly punch in the code.

  Jennifer sat on the couch with Miss Marple curled in her lap. The minute he stepped into the living room, the cat jumped down and made a beeline toward him, but immediately backed away as soon as she smelled his footwear. Jennifer flipped off the television and looked confused.

  “Where's Ray?"

  “He won't be back."

  “Why?” she asked, frowning.

  “He and his dad are in cahoots."

  She jumped up. “What!"

  He flopped down on the couch and unlaced his boots. “They're in this mess together and tried to play me for a fool. But I overhead their conversation and got the hell out of there before they both came gunning for me."

  Jennifer put a hand to her throat and fear crossed her face. “I don't understand."

  “Neither do I, but I think Ray played his father into thinking it was all my fault for his accident. He hoped to get his dad so worked up he'd do the dirty work of killing me. I gather he slyly seeded his dad's mind with tidbits of bitterness. Then when Jack disappeared, Ray knew where he'd gone and somehow kept track of his movements. When things didn't happen quickly, and Jack seemed to get in more and more trouble, Ray wormed his way into coming out here. Bill and I both fell for his line."

  “How did you find out all this?” She asked, dropping back down on the couch and giving him her undivided attention.

  “Using my sleuthing technique of eavesdropping."

  She wrinkled her forehead. “You've lost me. Please, explain."

  Hawkman told her about finding Jack and what had transpired. “I don't think Ray counted on my overhearing their conversation. He's going to come out of there thinking I'm still waiting."

  “Do you think he planned on shooting you right then and there?"

  “It would've been as good a place as any. Far out in the country, no one around to hear the shot. They could have buried me in that old building and taken off in my 4X4.” He glanced at her. “And think about it. You had no idea how long we might be in those hills, so you probably wouldn't have called for help before a couple of days. By then, they'd have been long gone."

  Jennifer hugged herself. “Oh, my, the thought of it gives me the willies."

  He smiled, reached over and patted her leg. “It didn't happen. A bigger force is watching over me."

  “So what are we going to do now?"

  “First of all, I'm going to go search his stuff and see if I can get more clues as to what he has in mind. Then I'm contacting Ken.” He stood and ambled toward the guest room. “I doubt I'll find any weapons. I could see the outline of several under the outfit Skokie wore."

  Jennifer followed close at his heels with Miss Marple bringing up the rear. As they entered the room, the kitten stood back and meowed.

  “She doesn't even want to come in here,” Jennifer said.

  Hawkman chuckled. “One smart feline, if you ask me."

  He picked up Ray's suitcase, tossed it on the bed and tried to open it. “Strange, why would he lock it?” Sud
denly, he snatched it off the bed, ran out the front door, and threw it into the lot beside the house. He stood back and watched it explode when it hit the ground, then burst into flames.

  When he turned, Jennifer stood in the doorway with hands over her ears. “Oh my God! I could have been blown to bits if I'd gone in there with the vacuum and moved his bag?"

  “I'm not sure. Depends on how he had it rigged. I jiggled the latch and thought I heard something.” Hawkman picked up the hose and turned on the water. He sprayed the burning area until he'd drowned all signs of fire. “When it gets light I'll collect what's left for Bill to send to the lab."

  Just as he turned off the water, the Sheriff's white wagon screeched into the drive. “We heard an explosion,” Ken said, as he jumped out of the truck.

  Peggy hopped out of the passenger side. “I smell smoke. Everyone okay?"

  Hawkman pointed toward the debris. “Yeah, had a close call. Come on in and I'll clue you in."

  Once they were gathered in the living room, Hawkman recounted the events of the evening. “I feel like I've been taken for a fool."

  “I knew something didn't fit about the stepson,” Peggy said.

  Jennifer rubbed her hands over her cheeks. “It still gives me the shakes to think we had a bomb in the house. I wonder if he planned on using it on us, or just hoped by chance we'd be snoopy and try to open the bag?"

  Ken scrubbed his fingers across the day old stubble on his chin. “We may never know, but at least you're safe.” He hooked a thumb toward the back of the house. “Let's take another look at the guest room."

  The two men gave the room a thorough search and found nothing. Hawkman emptied Ray's shaving kit onto the dresser top and only found a razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, aspirin and a comb. He felt around the outside of the small bag, but found it void of hidden compartments. Tossing the items back inside, he picked up the shirt Skokie had worn on the plane and ran his fingers through the pockets. He pulled out an airline ticket and read through the information. Raising his brows, he handed it to Ken.

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Jack quickly turned up the lantern as Ray hobbled into the small room. He waved an arm toward the cot. “Have a seat."

  Not sure it would hold his weight, Ray eased down on the rickety makeshift bed, and stared at his father. “How are you doing, Dad."

  Jack nodded as he straddled the three legged milk stool. “I'm fine. But tell me how you got here?"

  “Casey and I drove around the area in search of you. We noticed this shadowed area from the road, left his vehicle and hiked in to examine it. When Casey spotted the jeep, I told him to go back to the 4X4 and wait for me, as I wanted to talk to you alone."

  “Okay, talk. You say, I'm in trouble. But you know that doesn't bother me. I've been in worse situations and gotten out. My goal is to get Casey for what he did to you."

  Ray looked his dad in the eye. “And I'm going to help you."

  And expression of surprise crossed Jack's face. “I don't understand; I figured you were here to stop me. I didn't think you approved of my plan of going after the sorry son-of-a-bitch. You never gave me any indication you blamed him."

  Chuckling, Ray placed his elbows on his knees. “How do you think you came to hate him so much?"

  “Just watching your agony. I had dreams of you being a super spy. Then after the accident, I knew it could never happen."

  “You don't remember me telling you how I hated him?"

  Jack shook his head. “No. I always had the impression you were thrilled to work with Jim Anderson. You tried to discourage me from disliking him. The only negative thing I ever remember you saying, was while you were recovering and in quite a bit of pain. You told me you shouldn't have been on that mission. But you never explained why."

  “It's really not important. The fact is, the man ruined my life."

  In the flickering light of the lantern, Jack studied the peculiar expression on his son's face, and noticed a tic below his jaw. “How come?"

  Ray glanced at his father. “How come what?"

  “That it's insignificant for me to know the reason you were there."

  “Because the damage is done. Now, we have to make him pay."

  Jack picked up the flashlight and pistol, then walked outside. He threw the beam behind the boulder and down the road as far as he could see. Spotting a backpack resting against a tree, he carried it inside. “Is this yours?"

  “Yeah, thanks."

  “Looks like the big man is nowhere in sight. He must have taken you for your word. How long will he wait before he comes looking for you?"

  “I'll go find him, after we've formed a plan. I can't let him go back to his house without me."

  Jack gave him a suspicious look. “Why?"

  Ray raised an eyebrow. “Because if he has a nosey wife, he'll find her dead, and I want to see his face when he turns around to my gun pointed at his heart."

  “She didn't do anything to you,” Jack said, glaring at his son. “There's no need to hurt her."

  “Yeah, but she's a part of his life, and I understand you left threatening messages on the phone about her."

  “Those were empty. I don't like to hurt women. I just wanted to scare him."

  “What about the gal you ran off the road?"

  “How'd you know about her?"

  “I've been keeping a close account of your doings."

  “She had nothing to do with me going after Casey. She spurned me."

  Ray threw back his head and laughed. “Sorry. It just sounded funny for you to say that at your age."

  “Hey, I'm not dead. I still like pretty women. And I thought she'd taken a fancy to me. Figured I could have a little fun on the side. But it didn't work out."

  “You can quit worrying about Casey's wife. Nothing will happen unless she tries to open my suitcase."

  “You've changed, Son.” Jack shook his head. “What happened to the kind man I used to know? Your mother always said you had a heart."

  Ray took a deep breath and stared at his dad. “Time and agony. We can go into this at a later date. Right now, we've got to set up our strategy. Casey may start worrying and drive down this way."

  After they'd discussed what Ray had in mind, he stood, took the flashlight from the backpack, then slipped the straps over his shoulders. “I'll meet you on the main road tomorrow morning."

  Jack strolled outside with his son and watched him walk off into the darkness.

  After Ray had gone some distance, he figured Tom would step up to his side, but he never appeared. Finally, he called in a low voice. “Casey, where the hell are you?” When no response came and he saw no sign of the ex-agent, he headed in the direction they'd parked the SUV. When he reached the spot and found the vehicle missing, he knew something had gone awry. Had Casey overheard him talking to his dad? He remembered hearing some noise outside the hut window, but assumed an animal had rustled through the underbrush. Maybe the varmint was Tom Casey.

  He immediately turned and hobbled quickly back toward his dad's hideout. His legs were definitely feeling the strain. Even with the flashlight, he stumbled and fell several times, but soon could see the deep shadowed hole. He made his way around the boulder, then flashed the beam onto the hut. To his horror, he discovered the jeep had disappeared. He hurried to the door and shined the light around the empty hull.

  Staggering back outside, he stood in the front of the shanty with his fists on his hips. He reared back his head and his voice echoed through the hills. “Dad, where are you?"

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Hawkman carried the ticket into the living room with Bronson at his heels. He glanced up at the wall clock. “Too late to call Detective Williams. I'll wait until morning."

  Jennifer stood beside him with Miss Marple in her arms. She pointed at the paper. “That looks like a plane ticket."

  “It is. And a very odd one."

  “Why?"

 
“Ray told me he only had a couple more days before he had to get back to work. However, this ticket shows his return flight isn't for two weeks."

  Jennifer cocked her head. “He'll have a little trouble retrieving it now."

  “I don't know how he figures on using it. It won't be long before the whole country will be looking for him and his dad,” Ken said.

  “Maybe he thinks he can escape another way.” Jennifer shivered. “Every time I think about that suitcase exploding, chills go down my spine. After what I've heard, there's no telling how the man's mind works. He's scary."

  Hawkman put his arm around her shoulders and gave a squeeze. “Don't worry honey, the catch had to be tampered with, which activated a timer. When I heard it ticking, I ran outside. It might have gone off prematurely when it hit the ground. We'll probably never know. Ray probably thought he could make our deaths look accidental. I'm afraid he's more evil than his father."

  “I think we better do a little brain storming,” Ken said.

  The four sat down in the living room.

  “You obviously didn't hang around the hideout long enough to hear what they planned,” Peggy said,

  “No, I'd be out of luck. Dealing with two Agent men, the chances of surviving their onslaught were nil. My best bet was to get out of there as fast as I could. By now Ray knows I didn't hang around. He'll put it together and figure I overheard him talking to his dad."

  Jennifer looked at her husband with concern. “So what's the plan?"

  “First thing in the morning, I'm going to contact Detective Williams, then call Bill and let him know what I've learned. I think the news is going to shock them."

  “All fine and dandy, but what about the rest of tonight?” Peggy asked

  “We could call in a couple of back ups, and keep the house under a tight surveillance,” Ken said.

  Hawkman waved a hand. “I don't think it's necessary. We can pretty much barricade ourselves inside. I'll activate the alarm system and we're both armed.” He shifted his position and rubbed a hand across his chin. “Ray probably did a lot of walking tonight, and will do more, when he discovers I'm not there. He's going to be very tired and will need some rest before they pursue any plan. I don't expect any action before tomorrow. So I think our best bet is to get rested up so we'll be alert for anything they might throw at us."