Smoked

by Garry Ryan

  Lane thought, I don’t think Jones saw us coming. That means he still thinks he’s in the clear. He’ll be at his weakest point when he thinks he’s made it. Think ahead! Plan it out! That’s what he does. He plans ahead! So stay one step ahead of him! “Did Jones always go through the same border crossing when you went to the States?”

  “Always. He always went the same way, and he always knew the customs guy at the booth.” Maddy kept her eyes on the Mercedes. The distance between the two vehicles was gradually closing. “Can’t remember his name, but they knew each other.”

  “Which border crossing?” Lane asked.

  “Coutts.”

  Lane worked out the details in his mind. He looked at the clock on the dash and saw that fifteen minutes had passed since the crash. Lane reached for his phone and dialed. He waited for a few seconds. “Harper?”

  “Lane? You still on him?” Harper asked.

  “That’s right. You okay? Any injuries?” Lane looked to his right. The mountains were there on the horizon. On his left, the prairies stretched all the way to Saskatchewan and beyond.

  “Minor stuff so far. Couple of people on the bus got thrown around. One has a broken arm. It was lucky the semi hit the door of the bus. It could have been a lot worse. What about you?” Harper asked.

  “I think we need to grab him when he reaches the border. That’s when he’ll be the most confident, and there will be a reduced risk to the child. Maddy says Jones knows a border guard. They always see the same one. That would explain the schedule, and the need to hang around waiting for a specific day and time. It also means we know when and where. So I need you there to coordinate with the rcmp. Everything will need to be ready for us at that end. And Harper?”

  “What?” Harper’s voice was barely audible.

  “We want the border guard too. It looks like Herrence, Dr. Jones, and the guard are connected. We need to get them all. Got that?” Lane asked.

  “I’m with you. Talk to you when I’m in the air.” Harper’s voice was gone.

  “You’re going to wait to get them at the border?” Maddy’s tone of voice said she wasn’t pleased with Lane’s plan.

  Lane glanced at Madeline. “Yes. I know you’re thinking: things went wrong the first time, and they could go wrong again. But if we wait for the border, there is time to get set up and turn the odds in our favour. If we act now, at highway speed, it’s dangerous for Andrea. Anything could happen. We have to outsmart Jones.”

  “It’s not that hard. I’ve been doing it for years. He always has a plan and sometimes a backup. When both of his plans don’t work out, he doesn’t know what to do next.” She kept her eyes on the road ahead. “When we get close, I’ll get on the floor so he won’t see me.”

  “Good idea.” Maddy’s up to speed. And she’s got to stay inside the car when we reach the border, Lane thought.

  “Now you’re thinking about what you need to say to me so I’ll do what I’m told. I can read your mind sometimes, too.” Maddy didn’t smile, but her tone of voice sounded a little less defeated.

  “Can we agree that the first priority is to keep Andrea — and her sister — safe?” Lane asked as they passed a motorhome with a satellite dish. The rv was towing an Audi sports car.

  “I agree, we get Andrea out.” Maddy leaned back in her seat, her eyes still on the Mercedes.

  Don’t argue the finer points with Maddy. She heard you.Move on. “Aren’t you feeling car sick from looking through the binoculars?”

  “I don’t get carsick.” Madeline kept looking through the binoculars. “Sometimes I can see the top of Andrea’s head, or her arms if she stretches.”

  “You’re going to need to relax a bit every once in a while. We both need to be sharp in about two hours.” Lane looked at the clock and wondered when Harper would call.

  Half an hour further down the highway, Lane glanced in the rear-view mirror. A red minivan was approaching them from behind.

  He looked at his speedometer. It registered 120 kilometres per hour.

  In his rear view, Lane saw a pair of white socks on the dash on the passenger’s side. He caught the silhouettes of two infant car seats in the back. The driver was talking to the passenger.

  The van passed the Chev as if Lane were loping along. He watched the red van race away.

  “There’s another wonderful family. Two kids in the back. Parents racing down the highway. In a big rush to mess up their kids’ lives.” Maddy’s tone was sarcastic.

  Land watched the van pass two cars, then the Mercedes.

  “Aren’t you gonna tell me I’m wrong? Give me a talking-to because not all families are as screwed up as mine?” Maddy asked.

  Lane shook his head. “You’ve got a point.”

  “You’re kidding?” Maddy glanced away from the binoculars to get a glimpse of Lane’s expression.

  Lane glanced back at her, then watched the van and the Mercedes disappear over the crest of a hill. “Nope.”

  “We used to drive down into the States two or three times a year. My mom would go shopping. My stepfather would meet with his friends. Andrea and I would hang around the hotel. It was easy for me to keep an eye on her that way. Jones used to write the whole thing off as some kind of business trip. In reality, he was hookin’ up with his porno buddies.” Maddy peered down into the valley as they descended. The Mercedes was climbing up the other side of the valley.

  “How did you know about the porno buddies?” Lane asked.

  “He started taking his laptop with him. A couple of times I checked what was on it while he slept. Kiddie porn.”

  “How long have you known?” Lane checked the time. We’ll be there sooner than you think. Keep sharp!

  Maddy’s mouth moved as she chewed her lip. “Long time. Since Andrea was little. I’ve been watching out for her since she was born. She’s really my stepsister, but we’ve always been really close. She’s family.”

  I wonder how you’ll handle it when you don’t have to protect her from Jones anymore? Lane thought.

  Twenty minutes later, Lane’s phone rang. He flipped it open with his thumb. “Cam?”

  Madeline glanced his way before focusing on keeping the Mercedes in her sights.

  “Yes,” Harper said. “We just landed and should be in place in fifteen minutes.”

  “We’re about ninety minutes out. The Mercedes is still in sight. It appears the child is okay.” Lane watched the Mercedes. It shimmered. Heat ran like silver over the top of the pavement.

  “The plan is to go inside the main building at different times so we don’t alert the border guards in the booths. We’re all in street clothes. Local authorities from both sides of the border will be there to help with arrests. All transportation will be unmarked. No heavy weapons will be involved because of the child, and because that would draw attention to our arrival. The plan is to distract the driver and snatch the child.” Harper paused. “Got it?”

  Lane said, “I’ll take up a position at the rear of the Mercedes and to one side.”

  “What about your passenger?” Harper asked.

  “She’ll be on the floor. Back seat. Passenger side.” Lane looked in the mirror at Madeline. She looked back and nodded.

  “Understood. Keep in contact.” Harper hung up.

  “We’re agreed that you’ll be on the floor before we get to the border?” Lane asked.

  Maddy nodded. “Yes. And we’re agreed that Andrea will get out safely?”

  “That’s our first priority,” Lane said.

  “I checked up on you, you know. You were involved in two other cases where parents killed their children.” Maddy said.

  “When did you do that?” Lane tried to keep his surprise hidden. This one has survived by her wits. She’s no fool.

  “After you chased me and got hit by the truck. I figure if you’ve seen two dead children, you won’t want to see another.”

  “You’re right about that.” Lane kept his eyes on the road while haunting memories t
hreatened to break his concentration.

  “Andrea has a better chance with someone like you.”

  “And you,” Lane said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You need Andrea in your life and she needs you in hers.” Lane kept his tone matter-of-fact.

  Madeline nodded. “My back is sore.”

  “Take a break for a few minutes. After that, we have to be totally focused.”

  An hour later, they left the outskirts of Lethbridge and took the highway heading south to the border. The highway narrowed, and Lane saw that the Mercedes was decelerating.

  “There’s Andrea.” Madeline’s voice swelled with hope. “Oh no! She’s climbing over the seat to sit beside him.” “Is she putting the seat belt on?” Lane asked.

  Maddy nodded. “Yes.”

  Lane reached into his jacket pocket to check for the knife he’d brought just in case he needed to cut the seat belt to get Andrea out.

  They coasted as they approached the us border. He flipped open his phone and dialed. “Harper?”

  “Our spotter just reported the Mercedes,” Harper said.

  “We’ll be next. Be advised that the child has moved into the front passenger seat.”

  Harper took a breath. “Understood.”

  That complicates things, Lane thought.

  “What does it mean?” Madeline asked.

  “Ask me in five minutes.” Lane glanced over his shoulder to smile at Maddy. “When I tell you, release the seat belt and get on the floor.”

  He looked ahead, matching speed with the Mercedes, obeying the signs, easing into the next lane, pulling down the sunshade, and positioning his vehicle on the passenger side, in the Mercedes’ blind spot. “Get on the floor.” Lane listened for the release of the belt and the sound of Maddy’s clothing sliding over the seat.

  The Mercedes pulled into the left-hand lane.

  A red minivan swept past Lane and braked to position itself behind the Mercedes. It was the same van that had passed Lane and Maddy on the highway.

  Perfect, Lane thought as he took the left lane. The van obscured Jones’ rear view.

  Jones stopped in line behind a sedan. The roof of the border crossing provided shade.

  Lane kept his head tucked close to the pillar on the left side of the windshield.

  “How close are they?” Maddy asked.

  Lane pretended to rub his nose. “Just one car length ahead.”

  Nearly five minutes passed before the Mercedes pulled up to the stop sign and waited for the next opening. Lane watched the border guard hand the passports back to the driver of the sedan in front of Jones.

  The brake lights on the Mercedes blinked off.

  The border guard waved Jones forward.

  Lane watched as the driver of minivan pulled up to the stop sign.

  Jones handed the border guard two passports.

  Lane eased his Chev into park and readied his left hand to open the door. He checked for the knife in his left pocket.

  The border guard smiled and talked with Jones.

  A woman stepped from a side door to Lane’s right and walked across the pavement. She pulled out her id card while approaching the Mercedes from the passenger’s side.

  Jones’ border guard ignored her. He glanced at the passports.

  The woman made a right turn and walked alongside the driver’s side of the Mercedes.

  Lane saw a question forming on the guard’s face as he turned to watch the woman.

  A black suburban came the wrong way up the road and braked nose to nose with the Mercedes.

  Lane opened his door and stepped out. “Stay here,” he whispered.

  With her left hand, the woman cuffed Jones’ left wrist. She pulled on the cuffs until Jones’ head and left shoulder were out of the window. Her sidearm was out and touching the back of his neck.

  Lane ran forward and opened the passenger door of the Mercedes. He reached in with his left hand, keeping his eyes on Jones, who said, “What are you doing to me and my daughter?”

  Lane shoved the transmission into park, pulled the key from the ignition, and stuffed it in his pocket. He looked to his left at Andrea’s wide-open eyes. “Want to see Maddy?”

  Andrea nodded.

  Lane saw the fingers of Jones’ bandaged right hand reaching between the seat and the console.

  Jones eased his right hand up, revealing the butt of a handgun.

  Lane thought, Maddy’s right. You really are stupid. You put Andrea’s life at risk, and you abuse your stepdaughter. He looked at Jones’ eyes and saw a smile on the dentist’s face.

  Lane punched Jones on the elbow of his right arm.

  Jones screamed.

  Lane punched Jones’ bandaged hand.

  The weapon exploded.

  The officer bent Jones’ left elbow inside out against the doorpost. He screamed again.

  Lane took Jones’ gun, ejected the clip, disassembled the weapon, and threw the pieces into the back seat.

  Lane snapped a handcuff on Jones’ right wrist, then heaved the other end up and clipped it to the steering wheel.

  Jones’ looked directly at the detective. “I’ve got powerful friends who will ruin your career.”

  Lane smiled. “You’ve got friends who will run for cover when they find out what you’ve been up to.”

  Lane released Andrea’s seat belt and took her hand. He helped her out of the car. He looked around. Plainclothes officers and uniformed border guards surrounded him with their pistols raised and aimed.

  An American officer was cuffing the border guard, who had dropped Jones’ passports.

  Another officer slid into the seat next to Jones.

  Lane tossed him the handcuff keys, walked back to his Chev, and opened the back door.

  Maddy looked up and saw her sister. “When I heard the gunshot, I…”

  Andrea opened her arms.

  Maddy sobbed and tried to pull herself up.

  Andrea put her arms around her sister.

  “I’m sorry,” Andrea said.

  “Are you okay?” Maddy asked.

  Andrea nodded. “Daddy made me leave without you. He said we’d come back for you after you had your sleep.”

  “It’s okay.” Maddy sat up and hugged Andrea. “It’s okay.”

  “Maddy, you’re squishing me,” Andrea said.

  ×

  Lane glanced in the rear-view mirror. A pair of oncoming headlights illuminated Madeline. She slept with her head leaning against the door. Andrea was snuggled up next to her; the curve of one tucked into the hollow of the other.

  Lane looked ahead at the red taillights of the semi trailer he was following north along the four-lane highway. He signaled left and pulled into the passing lane.

  What’s next? Lane accelerated and glanced at Harper, who snored as he leaned against the door on the passenger’s side.

  Lane concentrated as they passed the semi. Its tires howled as they moved alongside. Once he passed the semi, the lights of the truck lit up the inside of the car.

  She’s almost eighteen, Lane thought, there might be a way.They’re going to someone to make sure Maddy and Andrea stay together. And I know the right lawyer.

  ×

  “You okay?” Christine asked when Lane opened the front door.

  “What are you doing up? It’s two in the morning.” Lane hugged her around the shoulders.

  Christine turned her nose up. “A little stinky.”

  “Oh. Sorry.” Lane backed away. “It’s been a long day.”

  “The news said a little girl was rescued at the border. That her father was trying to escape. He was into kiddie porn?” Christine asked.

  “And murder.” Lane moved to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and picked out a bottle of beer.

  “The woman in the dumpster?” Christine asked. “Chief Smoke was on the news talking about it.”

  “There was a group of us working together to catch the killer.”

  “So, who pu
lled the kid out of the car?” Matt stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt.

  “What are you doing up?” Lane grabbed a glass, sat down, and poured the beer.

  “We had our cast and crew party. I just got home.” Matt sat down next to Christine. “Are you going to answer my question?” he asked.

  “I pulled her out while another officer cuffed the driver. Harper orchestrated the whole operation.” Lane sipped the beer.

  “See, I told you,” Matt said to Christine.

  She smiled. “You need a shower, uncle.”

  SATURDAY, MAY 17

  chapter 19

  “We have some news for you,” Lane said as he and Harper stood on the front doorstep of the Towers’ home.

  “Come in.” MaryAnne Towers was dressed in a pale blue housecoat. They followed her into the kitchen and sat down.

  This case has been tough on all of us, but it hit her the hardest. Lane eased himself into a chair and watched Harper do the same.

  “Want a cup of coffee?” MaryAnne combed her fingers through unruly hair. It looked as if she hadn’t slept.

  Lane got up. “I’ll get it.” He opened the cupboard above the coffee machine, grabbed two cups, and poured. He leaned across the table and topped up MaryAnne’s coffee.

  After handing Harper a cup, Lane sat down.

  Harper asked, “We should talk with your husband, too.”

  MaryAnne stared at Harper. “Don moved out. He didn’t like me visiting with James at the hospital. Thought I was wrong about the boy. We had an argument, and Don left.” She looked at them, waiting.

  “We believe we have the man who killed your daughter,” Lane said.

  MaryAnne went to sip her coffee, and put it back down on the table.

  Harper sat up straighter and grimaced with pain. “It was Dr. Jones. Jennifer must have discovered what the doctor was doing to some of his patients, and he killed her for it.”

  MaryAnne chewed her lip. “Did she suffer?”

  “We don’t think so. We believe he used an overdose of nitrous oxide to kill her. She just never woke up.” Lane readied himself when Jennifer’s mother leaned forward.