by Dan Walsh
Did he just get shot?
Boyd began to lift himself off the ground and was just about to call out to the man when another shot rang out. A bullet whizzed right by his head and struck the tree behind him. Joe rolled away in the opposite direction and headed for the trees. Another shot, clearly from a rifle. The dirt beside him flew up in the air.
Who was shooting at him? When he reached the safety of the trees, he looked back at the man he’d thought was the kidnapper. He hadn’t moved. Boyd couldn’t be sure because of the dim light, but it looked like he’d suffered a massive head wound.
Boyd thought about backtracking through the woods to get more firepower from his car but, just as he moved, another rifle shot hit the tree right behind his head. The guy obviously had a scope.
Boyd was pinned down.
When they reached the edge of the woods, Jack and Rachel heard more loud bangs. Obvious gunshots. Several rang out over the next few seconds, all in the direction of the cabin. “C’mon, Jack. We have to get out of here.”
“I can’t, Rachel. Something’s wrong. I think Joe’s in trouble.”
“What? Why? Is he by himself?”
“Yes. I don’t have time to explain. But please, trust me. Here.” He handed her his phone, swiped the screen revealing a GPS map. “Follow this through the woods. It will take you right to my car. It’s not far.”
“Jack, I can’t leave you like this.”
“Rachel, you have to. Joe came out here to protect us. I don’t know what’s happening, but I can’t leave him stranded. As soon as you get to the car, start driving toward town. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher about what’s going on. Tell her Joe Boyd’s in trouble and to send Hank Jensen’s team out here. Go quick.”
She looked toward the woods then back at him. She flung her arms around his neck. They hugged and kissed. “You stay behind the trees,” she said.
“I will.”
“Do not get shot, Jack Turner.”
“I won’t. I promise. Now go.”
64
Jack decided the quickest and quietest route back to the cabin was on the beach near the waterline. When he reached the spot in front of the fire pit, he saw the porch light he’d left on in the distance. And what looked like a body lying still in the dirt about ten feet away. It didn’t look like Joe. Seemed too long. He didn’t have to wonder very long.
“Sergeant Boyd,” a voice yelled from the tree line to his right, maybe twenty-five yards away. “There’s no use running from me. As you’ve probably guessed, I’ve got an infrared scope. I know you’re behind that big oak tree. I saw you run there. You move six inches either side of it, I’ve got a nice head shot.”
“That you, Mr. Vandergraf?” Boyd yelled back. “Have you really thought this through? You willing to kill a police officer for your boss?”
“That wasn’t part of the plan,” Vandergraf said. “You weren’t part of the plan. You toss your gun down, I’m willing to let you run back through those trees toward your car. The only thing I want is on that front porch. That old journal and scrapbook. That’s all I’m here for.”
Jack’s heart began to pound. He was standing out in the open. If this guy, Vandergraf, had an infrared scope, all he had to do was look toward the lake and he could take Jack out with one shot. Thankfully, at the moment, he was preoccupied looking the other way toward Boyd.
Boyd began to talk again. “You think I’m stupid, Vandergraf. You didn’t come out here with an infrared scope on your rifle just to fetch a couple of old books. You just killed a man right in front of me. My guess is, he’s the guy you and the Senator hired for this little mission. I throw down my gun, there’s no way you’re going to let me make it back to my car.”
“No, I guess not,” Vandergraf said, then laughed. “The good news is, I hear head shots are almost painless. Over in the blink of an eye. But if I have to chase you through the woods, I might have to shoot you four, five, six times to put you down. That would be a shame, and very painful. Truth is, you weren’t even supposed to be here. My orders were to take out my guy here, that history professor who started this whole mess, and his girlfriend. I don’t know what happened to them. Guess I have some more work to finish tonight after you and I are done here.”
Jack had heard enough. Enough to know exactly where Vandergraf was, and enough to know what he had to do next.
As quietly as he could, Jack closed the gap between them. As he got closer he saw Vandergraf pointing his rifle in Boyd’s direction, one eye locked on the scope.
“Hey Vandergraf,” Jack yelled.
Vandergraf turned, lowered the rifle slightly, a look of shock on his face.
“Wondering where I am? I’m right here.” From less than fifteen feet, Jack fired his gun, twice, at Vandergraf’s head.
Vandergraf dropped dead on the spot.
A long moment later. “Jack,” Boyd yelled. “Is that you?”
“It’s me, Joe.” Jack walked up to Vandergraf’s lifeless body, kicked the rifle away. “You can come out now. I think both the bad guys are dead.”
Boyd emerged from the woods then from the shadows into the clearing, gun still in hand. “I’m so glad you came back. I was sure this was it for me.”
“Rachel and I heard the shots. I had my gun with me, just in case I needed it for her.”
“Is she alright?”
“She’s shaken up, but she looked good. She said the guy didn’t hurt her.” Jack pointed to the body that had already been lying there. “I’m guessing this was her kidnapper.”
“Looks like it,” Boyd said. “And the guy you shot is Harold Vandergraf. Senator Wagner’s aide. And I’d say, Wagner’s hit man. No doubt that’s who’s behind this. I’m gonna call Hank. He’s got a team ready to arrest the Senator.”
“I think he’s on his way here. I turned Rachel loose to take my car and my phone. I asked her to call 911 and tell them to send Hank and a team here. Of course, then, I didn’t know how this would be going down.”
“You did the right thing.” Boyd stuck out his hand. “I owe you my life, Jack.”
After shaking it, Jack thought about what happened last year and said, “I guess we’re even now. Say, are you gonna call Hank on your phone?”
“I was but, here, take it. I can call him from my car.” He looked down at the scene. “Nothing’s happening at the moment. You call, Rachel. Let her know you’re fine. She’s suffered enough anxiety today.”
“Thanks. I’ll stand here till you get back.” He watched as Boyd faded back into the trees then called Rachel.
She picked up right away. “Joe, is Jack okay?”
“It’s me, Rach. I’m using Joe’s phone. I’m okay. We’re both okay. Both the bad guys are dead. So you’re totally safe now.” He heard her begin to cry on the other end. “I’m going to stay here for a little while. Guess I have no choice, since you’re in my car.”
“I’m hanging up,” she said. “I’m turning the car around. I’ll be right there. Where are you?”
“The cabin. The real cabin, not the shack. But you don’t have to—”
“I’ll be right there,” she said, still crying. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m going to hang up now.”
“Don’t drive fast,” Jack said. “There’s no hurry now.”
“I won’t,” she said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. So much.”
Jack put the phone in his pocket, his Glock back in his waistband. He looked out over the lake. The sight was actually quite beautiful, totally unlike the scene around his feet. A last glimmer of sunlight poured out through the storm clouds. In the distance, multiple sirens rang out through the trees.
65
One Month Later
The media frenzy surrounding this case finally began to subside.
It had made the national news three days in a row, the regional and local news for another week. Joe Boyd and Hank had been interviewed on both Fox News and CNN. In the Fox interview, Boyd had mention
ed how Jack had saved his life, bravely taking out the shooter who had him pinned behind some trees. That went over big. Bigger still the part when Joe described how Jack had rescued Rachel from the kidnapper.
Once that news got out, producers from Fox and Friends hounded Jack for an exclusive interview with him and Rachel. It was the perfect angle for the morning show. Man risks his life to save the woman he loves. Didn’t hurt that both of them were young and attractive. Jack and Rachel had finally agreed when they were told the interview would be brief and that they could tape it from the local news station.
That interview had led to at least two-dozen more phone calls from other media outlets begging to cash in, but Jack and Rachel had turned them all down. Jack’s agent and publisher had begged them to say yes. “Think of the publicity for your next book.”
All Jack could think of was getting their lives back to normal. Neither he nor Rachel had any interest in extending their fifteen minutes of fame.
Of course, Senator Burke Wagner’s political career came to an abrupt halt two days after the shootout at the cabin. On the morning of that first day, he had feigned shock and surprise at the horrible misdeeds of his young aide, Harold Vandergraf, and the “thug” he had hired, Rob Strickland. How could he be blamed for the illegal activities done by those he’d employed?
Later that afternoon, a search of Vandergraf’s apartment yielded a digital recorder found in the lapel pocket of a suit jacket spread across Vandergraf’s bed. The very first recording was the conversation between Vandergraf and the Senator, where the Senator can be clearly heard giving Vandergraf instructions to kill Jack, Rachel and Strickland. When the DA heard the recording, he promptly set up a meeting with Wagner and his defense attorney.
Needless to say, it had the desired effect. Wagner had immediately agreed to resign his state senate seat that day and was begging for a plea deal. The other story, the big cold case file Jack and Rachel had uncovered involving the Senator’s father?
It hadn’t even made the news yet.
Jack was headed down the hallway right now toward Boyd’s office for a briefing about that, and to hear some other news Boyd wanted to share with him in person. Jack had some news of his own he wanted to share.
When he walked through Boyd’s doorway, Boyd was already there at his desk. Hank Jensen sat in the other office chair. Both rose to their feet to shake his hand. Jack had noticed Hank’s overall attitude toward him change dramatically since that night at the cabin.
“You’re looking pretty spiffy,” Boyd said to Jack, as he and Hank sat down again. “I’m sure that’s not on account of me.”
“No, right after this I’m picking Rachel up for a special dinner at River Bend restaurant.”
“Yeah, well, those clothes are just about right then,” Boyd said. “River Bend’s Kate’s favorite place. We went there one night with the whole family on our vacation about ten days ago.”
“I’m glad this thing didn’t mess that up.”
“Me, too,” Boyd said. “Though, it almost did.”
“Did you find a decent cabin to rent on the lake?”
“We finally did. Way on the other side, far away from the cabin you were staying at. Had a great time. Did some fishing with the kids and swimming. Some nice fires at night. Guess it goes without saying you aren’t going to buy that one from Wagner.”
They all laughed. “Hardly,” Jack said. “Already got my month’s rent back from the realtor.”
“You still looking for one?” Hank asked.
“Honestly? No. Rachel and I talked about it. I still like the idea, but I’m narrowing down my search to some decent lakefront property. After my last two cabin experiences, I don’t think I’m open to buying anyone else’s place. We’re going to get one of those cute little cabin kits and put one up from scratch. A place where all the stories will be ones we make ourselves.”
Hank laughed. “Now this relationship is sounding serious.”
Jack smiled.
“I can perfectly understand that,” Boyd said. “How’s Rachel doing these days? How’s she coping with the trauma now that all the hoopla has started to settle down?”
“She’s doing a little better. She spent the last week with her folks in Charlotte. They’re great people, so that helped. Her dad suggested something to her that we’ve talked about before. She’s much more willing to consider it now.”
“What’s that?”
“Buying a handgun and taking classes for a carry permit. She’s ready to do that, so I told her I’d go through it again with her.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Boyd said.
“Give her some peace of mind,” Hank added.
“How are things with you and the college? How did they react to all this publicity you’ve been getting? I know you said you were getting a little concerned about it.”
“I was but, fortunately, the publicity has been mostly positive. Some of it very positive. So they’re doing okay with me.”
“Well, that’s good. Because you’re about to get some more positive publicity. This should all be local stuff. That’s one of the reasons I asked you to come in. The mayor wanted me to tell you about it in person.”
“The mayor?”
Boyd nodded. The city council took a vote and it was unanimous. They’re pretty proud of what you did that night at the cabin. We’re all pretty proud of you, Jack. Me more than anyone. So, they’re going to give you the Culpepper Brave Citizen’s Award. Comes with a nice little check too. Though I don’t know how much. All the city and county bigwigs will be there. Chief of Police. Mayor’s going to give it to you himself. Hank and I will be there.”
“Really? Wow. Well, what can I say? It’s not really my cup of tea, doing things like that. But you’re right. Definitely can’t hurt things between me and the University. It should definitely soften the blow when I tell them I didn’t get very far with my doctoral dissertation research. Although I did get some great new ideas about which direction to go. Which reminds me…you ever hear back from your FBI friend?”
“Oh, yeah,” Boyd said. “Almost forgot. That’s the other reason I wanted to see you. I told you I ran the whole thing by him right after it happened, sent him copies of everything. He called me yesterday saying he heard back from some people in their Cold Case Division. There’s definitely some interest in this. He thinks they’re going to pick the case up and run with it.”
“That’s great,” Jack said. “I was hoping so. That’ll really help me with this new direction I’m planning for my dissertation on Dresden. And for the book I’m working on. Might be how I write the final chapter.” Jack thought of something else he had been wondering about. “By the way, did you ever figure out who the mole was here? Somebody had to be tipping off Vandergraf and the Senator about our conversations.”
Boyd shook his head. “Never did. But I have a hunch I know who it is.”
“Of course,” Hank added, “Not that it matters much anymore. That side job of his ended when we put Wagner in handcuffs.” Hank stood and walked around Jack. “Well, gentlemen, I’ve got some place I have to be.” He stopped at the doorway and looked at Jack. “Before I leave, something I need to say. I’m sorry, Jack, for doubting you like I did when you first came in here with all this. Anything else comes up down the road, I promise, I won’t give you a hard time.” He smiled, held out his hand.
Jack shook it and he left.
No one said anything for a moment. “Well, is that all?” Jack said.
“That’s all I had,” Boyd said.
Jack stood and pulled something out of his pocket. “Okay, how about I share some news with you before I go.” He held out a little black velvet box and opened the lid.
“Whoa, Jack,” Boyd said. “Tonight’s the night?”
“Going to ask her at River Bend, between dinner and dessert.”
“What’s that, a half-carat?”
“A whole one,” Jack said. “Think she’ll say yes?”
&n
bsp; Boyd laughed. “No mystery there, Jack. Congratulations, my friend.”
Later that evening, Jack couldn’t take his eyes off Rachel as they walked through the doors of the River Bend restaurant. She looked absolutely gorgeous. After pulling out her chair and just before taking his own seat, he reached into his pocket and felt the little velvety box. How was he ever going to keep it together through dinner?
“What?” she said, catching him staring at her yet again.
“You look amazing,” he said. “And by the way, order whatever you want for dinner…but let me pick out the dessert.”
Author’s Note
Remembering Dresden is actually the 2nd book in the Jack Turner Suspense Series. If you’ve read it first, no harm done. I wrote it so that it would work just fine as a stand-alone book. But I think you’d really enjoy reading the first book, When Night Comes. What happened in that book is referred to throughout this story by Jack, Rachel and Sergeant Boyd.
Here’s the link for When Night Comes. You can download it now and start reading it within minutes:
http://amzn.to/1xNat4G
I’ve already begun developing Book 3 in this series.
If I’m a new author to you and you haven’t yet read any of my other novels (besides this one, there are over 15 others in print), let me start off by saying thanks for reading Remembering Dresden. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Jack Turner Suspense Series opens up something of a new door for my writing. I’m more known for writing inspirational novels that include strong emotional and/or spiritual themes (think Nicholas Sparks-type books with better endings). But I’ve always enjoyed reading suspense novels and decided to see if I could write both. The great response from readers to When Night Comes made that possible.
