In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9]

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

  Ken stood. “Peggy, I think the man knows what he's talking about. Let's get home and we'll see you two first thing in the morning. If anything unusual happens, give us a call."

  Hawkman and Jennifer walked them to the door. After they left, Hawkman moved toward the deck. “I think I'll bring Pretty Girl into the living room. We can put some old sheets on the floor. We've done it before.” Hawkman eyed Miss Marple. “To keep the nervous factor down in both our pets, we better separate them. Put the kitty in our bathroom and shut the door. I'll want our bedroom open so I can hear any noises."

  Jennifer nodded. “No problem."

  Hawkman hurried out to the garage, retrieved one of the portable perches, and dusted it off. Jennifer draped the floor on one side of the fireplace.

  “You think she'll like this corner okay."

  “Perfect.” He set up the contraption and checked it for stability. “That should work fine. I'll go get her."

  He came back in with Pretty Girl resting on his protected arm. When he placed her on the top rod, she let out a squawk and batted him with her wings.

  “It's okay, girl, it's just for tonight."

  Once the falcon settled, Hawkman tethered her to the perch, then slid a water and food container on the extended rod. “There you go girl, you'll be just fine until morning."

  Jennifer had put Miss Marple to bed and secured the doors and windows. “Are you through going out for the night?"

  “Yes."

  “Okay, I'm setting the alarm."

  Jennifer threw all the switches, even the one connected to the garage, and watched all the lights turn green. She then flopped down on the couch. “If someone even so much as touches this house, the alarm will go off and wake the whole community."

  Hawkman chuckled. “It's better than being dead.” He disappeared into his office and within a few minutes came back with several pistols. “Watch where I'm putting these. They're all loaded and ready to fire.” He placed one in the drawer between the two chairs, one on Jennifer's desk in front of her computer, but out of sight and one in the kitchen drawer nearest the front door. Then glanced at her. “Got it?"

  “Yes. I also have on my fanny pack."

  “Good. Hopefully, we won't have to use any of them. But better to be safe than sorry.” He took her hand and led her toward the bedroom. “Come on, hon, let's try to get a few hours rest."

  “Are we leaving the kitchen light on for a reason?"

  “Yes. I want it to look like someone is still up. It might deter Ray or Jack."

  She sighed. “I don't know if I'll be able to sleep."

  Shortly after climbing into bed, Hawkman lay there staring into the darkness. Suddenly, he sat up. In the stillness of the night, he could hear the distant low rumbling of a vehicle. He threw his legs over the side of the bed, grabbed his jeans from the floor and hopped into them as he made his way to the sliding glass door and peered out. If he slid it open, he'd set off the alarm, but he couldn't see around the aviary. He sat on the edge of the bed, quickly slipped on his boots and a tee shirt, then pulled the gun from the shoulder holster draped over the chair next to the bed. Leaving his eye-patch on the table, since he didn't need it in the dark, he snatched the night binoculars from his office and made his way to the living room. Pretty Girl squawked as he turned off the alarm and lights. “Hush, girl. I don't need any distractions.” He then marched onto the deck. Sticking the pistol into the waistband of his jeans, he put the binoculars to his eyes. He could make out the faint glow of headlights shining into the sky as a vehicle bobbed across the rough road coming from Topsy Grade.

  “Can you see anything?” Jennifer said, moving to his side, clutching her Beretta.

  “Sorry, didn't mean to wake you?"

  “You didn't. I couldn't sleep. Noises tend to travel a long ways in the still of the night, especially here at the lake. I thought I heard the grumbling of an engine."

  “Me, too.” He pointed east. “If you'll watch where the road goes, several miles up, you can see the glow of headlights. If my hunch is right, we'll have visitors in about fifteen minutes."

  She clutched his arm. “Now what?"

  “Let's see who it is before we panic. Ken and Peggy are just up the road. If the vehicle turns out to be the jeep and crosses the bridge, we'll take action. You call the Bronsons, if things get hot. They can radio for back up."

  “How do we get ourselves into these life or death messes?” Jennifer mumbled as she went back into the house and headed toward the bedroom. As she passed the falcon, the bird ruffled her feathers and let out another squawk. “Shush, Pretty Girl, I don't need you butting in.” In the darkened room, she donned a pair of jeans and shirt, then fastened her fanny pack around her waist.

  She eased open the bathroom door and by the soft glow of the night light made out the silhouette of Miss Marple curled up in the box of tissue paper. She grinned and shook her head. “At least I can smile,” she whispered, and shut the door.

  Hurrying back out to the deck where Hawkman stood looking through the glasses, she stared at the area where he had them trained. “I don't see anything. Maybe it was just a rancher going after a bear or mountain lion."

  “Nice thought. But they might be going downhill. It's when they're going up, I can see the lights against the sky and tree tops."

  Jennifer plopped down on the deck chair and put her head in her hands. “Tell me when you see anything."

  Hawkman changed his stance. “Whoever it is, they're still coming and getting closer."

  Jennifer got up and moved next to him, her gaze focused on the road. “Yes, I see the lights."

  Within a few minutes, he dropped the glasses from his face. “It's the red jeep and he's turning on the bridge.” He gently shoved her toward the door. “Let's get inside."

  Jennifer headed for the phone.

  “No, wait."

  The Willys jeep turned into the driveway throwing its head light beams through the window sending a flash across the kitchen walls. Hawkman motioned for Jennifer to duck behind the bar as he stood next to the front door.

  The low rumbling of the jeep engine held steady and then a loud voice echoed through the air. “Tom Casey, I need to talk to you."

  Hawkman poised his gun, flipped on the porch light, then opened the door a crack. He found himself looking at the hairy face of a mountain man holding a tire iron out the window of the jeep and tapping it against the side. Except for the reflection of the porch light on the narrowed green eyes, Hawkman would never have recognized Jack Hargrove.

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Hawkman raised his gun so it pointed straight at Jack's head. “Don't try anything stupid."

  Jack tossed the pipe onto the gravel. “I came to talk. Where's Ray?"

  “Haven't seen him."

  “I thought he'd be here.” He frowned. “Didn't you pick him up on the road?"

  “Not after I overheard you two talking about my demise. As far as I'm concerned, I hope never to see him again. And I'm not too happy about your appearance."

  Jack scratched his sideburn. “I've come to the conclusion my son's lost his ability to think straight."

  Hawkman knitted his brows. “I see."

  “I guess I better go find him. But he's not going to be happy when I tell him I won't be part of his game.” Jack gunned the jeep and started backing up.

  Hawkman stepped out on the landing. “Hold on, Hargrove. What do you mean?"

  He stepped on the brake and glanced up with a sad expression. “I've been betrayed and used."

  “I'm not following you."

  Jack leaned his head out the window of the Willys. “I thought you were a mean bastard. Didn't care anything about others. After my wife died, I went downhill. My son took advantage of my situation and planted seeds of resentment about you in my mind without me even realizing it. So I concentrated on getting revenge for what I thought you'd done to Ray. I've made a terrible mistake."

  Hawkman m
oved toward the jeep, but Jack threw it into reverse and kicked up gravel as he backed up. When he hit the asphalt, the smell of rubber wafted through the air as he sped away. Picking up the tire iron, Hawkman held it by the end so he wouldn't disturb any fingerprints and headed back to the house.

  Jennifer quickly turned off the porch light. “Get inside, you're a nice target standing out there."

  He stepped into the kitchen as she shut the door. “Did you hear what he said?"

  “Yes. It's a little hard to believe after all the things he's done."

  He placed the pipe in a paper grocery bag.

  She pointed at the sack. “What'd you just put in there?"

  “I have a suspicion it's the weapon used on my head."

  “I thought we were going to call the Bronsons."

  “If he'd seen their vehicle, he wouldn't have stopped. He knew he had a chance of getting away, If he just had to face me and Ray.” Hawkman glanced out the kitchen window. “I'm not sure if this visit is part of a plan he and Ray contrived or if the old man has actually had a change of heart."

  Jennifer grabbed his arm. “Don't go soft. Didn't you say you got out of there because you heard them talking about killing you?"

  “Yes. That's why I don't understand how he could think Skokie was here."

  “Maybe Ray thought you were still waiting for him and left his dad at the hideout."

  “Possible. But somehow the pieces of this puzzle are not fitting together."

  She rubbed her arms and gave a little shiver. “It sounds mighty fishy to me. I don't trust either of them."

  “Me either.” He turned on the alarm. “I don't think we better let our guard down. It may be exactly what they're wanting."

  She snapped her fingers. “You know, he might have been checking on whether the suitcase blew up in the house."

  “Good point. He figured he'd have won half the battle, if something had happened to you."

  “I'm sure he saw me standing in the doorway. So he knows I'm okay."

  “And it's too dark outside for him to have noticed the burned debris in the yard. He could very well be checking, and then report to Ray."

  Jennifer rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. “It looks like a night of little sleep."

  “Go ahead and get to bed. I'll stand guard. Once you're rested, I'll catch a few winks."

  * * * *

  Jack clicked the headlights onto bright, then drove east on Ager Beswick. He wondered if Ray had gone back to the hideout and discovered him gone. Would his son risk staying at the shack for a few hours to rest or would he be hiking toward the lake?

  He reached the cutoff and drove toward the hideout. Stopping in front of the shadowed area, he took the flashlight from under the seat and shined the beam at the shanty. “Ray, are you in there?” he called.

  Several seconds passed before his son stumbled out of the opening with his hand shading his eyes. “Get the damn light off my face."

  Jack lowered the beam to the ground as Ray made his way to the side of the jeep.

  “Dad, where the hell did you go?

  “I thought I better get out of here before someone discovered me. I took a chance and drove up to Casey's place thinking you'd be there. When I didn't see any cops around, I called him out."

  “You talked to him?"

  Jack nodded. “Yeah. That's when I found out he'd left you, so I figured I'd better do a little searching."

  “I thought you'd deserted me and I sure didn't cherish the thought of walking all the way back to the lake."

  “A confrontation with Casey would have been dangerous. He overheard us talking and wouldn't be very receptive at seeing you."

  “How come he let you leave?"

  “I didn't let him get close and then I gave him a song and dance about how I'd made a big mistake about going along with your plan, and wanted to tell you."

  “He believed it?"

  Jack shrugged. “He didn't shoot me."

  Ray rubbed the hair growth on his chin. “He'll probably have the cops swarming these hills before long."

  “I think we should go to Klamath Falls. It'll be a rough ride, but I think we can make it in the jeep. The farther we get away from here, the safer it'll be."

  Ray glared at his dad. “No. I didn't come all the way back here to turn tail and run. I came to help you complete a mission, and we're not leaving until it's done. But before we find another hiding spot, I'd like to get some items I left at Casey's place."

  Jack shook his head. “As I said, I don't think it's a good idea. He's armed his household to the hilt."

  “How do you know?"

  “He met me at the door with a .45 pointed at my head. And I could see his wife standing behind him and she had a gun in her hand. I've also spotted police vehicles parked around their place."

  “Doesn't sound like they've fooled with my suitcase."

  “I couldn't tell you. But I didn't see any holes in the walls."

  Ray shifted his position. “If our agent overhead our conversation, I'm surprised he hasn't gone through my things."

  “I have no idea, but I think we're wasting time here. The longer we stand around shooting the breeze, the sooner daylight will be upon us.” He patted the steering wheel. “And this little baby stands out like a sore thumb."

  “Okay, let me gather up my stuff and I'll be right with you."

  Ray hoisted the backpack into the jeep and climbed onto the seat. “Okay, let's go. Any idea where we can hide for a couple of days?"

  “I spotted an old deserted barn past the ranch. No houses near it. We might be safe in there for a while. You got any food in that pack?"

  Ray opened it and pulled out several items. “Yeah, a couple of sandwiches. Some water, an apple, and a can of beans with a pull-top. Probably should eat these sandwiches before they go bad."

  “Sounds good to me. It's been a long night and I'm hungry."

  The two men munched as they drove along. Soon, Jack pointed to a big building off the road. “There it is. I think we can sneak in without being detected."

  He moved along slowly as he searched for an opening. Finding the gate, he hopped out, fiddled with the chain and pushed it open. He drove through, then went back and hooked the padlock so it appeared locked. Driving toward the doorless structure, he noted a horse trailer occupied the middle of the barn floor. “This is perfect; if I park in front of the trailer, it will hide the jeep from the road.” Jack drove deep into the darkened area and turned off the lights.

  “Man, it's pitch dark in here,” Ray said, flipping on the flashlight and scouring the walls.

  “Our eyes will get accustomed to it soon,” Jack said, as his light focused on the other side. “Let's make sure there isn't a nest of rattlers in here."

  “Nice thought, Dad. Think I'll wait until daylight before I put my bedroll down on the ground."

  Jack chuckled. “Don't blame you. However, it might be a bit more comfortable to sleep in the trailer."

  “Great idea. Let's check it out."

  They inspected the inside, and found it reasonably clean. Spreading out their bedrolls, they scooted between the covers and before long both men were snoring.

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Jack awoke first, and rolled up his bedding. “Sure don't want any varmints crawling into it", he mumbled, propping it on the inside wall of the trailer. He scooted out of the enclosure, and went to the jeep. He rummaged through the gear until he found a couple of canteens and a small bucket. He stood in the shadow, behind the opened barn door, and scanned the region. Not seeing any vehicles or movements, he hunkered down behind the brush and scurried toward Shovel Creek, a small stream he'd spotted earlier, not more than a hundred yards from the building. While keeping an eye peeled, he kneeled down to fill the containers with water, and almost fell in when a doe crashed out of the bush. Catching his breath, he watched the deer scamper away, then tried again. Once he'd filled the canteens to the brim, he screwed
on the lids, then rinsed out the bucket and dipped it into the stream. Hurrying back to the barn, he placed the water pail under the jeep and covered it with a board.

  The wall of the barn had several timbers missing and lots of rotted wood lay on the ground. He rubbed a hand down his beard as he stared out one of the slots. “Sure wish I knew the territory better,” he mumbled. He turned and walked back toward the jeep. “Wonder if I should build a fire and make some coffee?” he said aloud.

  “Sounds like a great idea."

  Jack whirled around as Ray stumbled out of the trailer.

  “Good Lord, don't scare me like that."

  “Sorry, didn't intend to."

  “I've noticed signs along the road saying no fires permitted. Smoke in broad daylight would draw attention. We'd be better off to build one at night. We'll find a protected spot where the flames can't be seen and the wind is right."

  “We for sure don't want any firemen up here.” Ray massaged his thigh. “But boy, a cup of coffee would taste good.” He pointed toward the Willys. “You wouldn't by chance have a camp stove tucked away?"

  “Nope. Things moved too fast and I had to get out of town. Have very few supplies, but I do have coffee. You like it cold?"

  “Naw.” Ray moved to the rear of the jeep and peered inside. “We're going to have to eat. What sort of food stuffs do you have?"

  Jack rummaged through a sack. “Here's a couple of wieners and some hot dog buns. We can eat these raw. In fact, we better devour them now or they'll go bad. Even have some mustard and catsup."

  Grinning, Ray took a bun from the wrapper and plastered it with catsup. “I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into this."

  “Call it gourmet dining,” Jack said, laughing and handed him one of the canteens. “Here's fresh stream water to wash it down."

  Munching on his cold food, Ray walked to the entrance of the barn and looked out. “How far are we from the nearest farm house?"

  “I'd say about half a mile. Why?"