Blood Trail

by C. M. Sutter

  “Sounds like we have a lot of irons in the fire,” Tommy said.

  Renz agreed. “And that’s why it’s going to take all four of us to bring them to justice. Let’s saddle up. We need to get to Denver tonight.”

  We loaded our belongings into the SUV Tommy and Fay had rented. I was thankful we had a roomy vehicle to share for the next few days.

  As Tommy drove, I made the call to Hope’s parents. After Mike put me on speakerphone and I explained what was discovered at the apartment, and the fact that Gary Rhodes had been there, too, I heard Diane crying in the background. They wanted to know where Hope was and how close we were to an apprehension.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels, but I don’t have those answers yet. As soon as we find them, all that information should come to light. The FBI, state, and all local levels of law enforcement are looking for them, plus we have APBs out for Gary, Leon, Claire, and Hope. All I can say right now is that we’re doing everything we can to track them down.” I thanked them for their patience and ended the call with the promise of keeping them in the loop.

  Fay took her turn. “Jacquie’s parents suggested we meet up tonight. They said they’d already reserved a room at the Range Line Inn on the west side of Denver. We could do the same, go to the medical examiner’s office with them tomorrow, then head out to where Jacquie was found.”

  “Not a bad idea,” Renz said. “Do we have the names and addresses of those bow hunters?”

  Fay continued. “We do, and they live within twenty miles of where they were hunting.”

  “Okay, we’ll arrange to meet with them tomorrow too.”

  My phone rang minutes later. “It’s Taft.”

  “She probably heard something about the storage unit.”

  I picked up. “Jade here.” I set my phone to Speaker so everyone could join the call. “I have you on speakerphone, ma’am.”

  “Hello, Agents. I’m glad you’re all together, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need more feet on the ground. It turns out the white box truck is sitting in the storage garage. At least we now have the plate and VIN and can find out where it was rented from. If luck is on our side, the other truck could have been rented from the same company, and if that’s the case, we’ll find out the license tag number, and the interstate plate readers will be effective.”

  “If they’re driving the interstates,” Renz said.

  “That’s correct, Lorenzo.”

  I took my turn. “So, if the truck is in the garage, then what is Leon driving? Also, Hope’s car was nowhere to be found around the duplex, and there hasn’t been a hit on the BOLO either.”

  “Good questions, Jade. Leon must be using a car that isn’t registered to him.”

  “It could even be stolen with multiple plate swaps.”

  “That’s true, Tommy. Keep me posted. I imagine you’re on your way to Denver?”

  “Yes,” Fay said, “and we’re going to check in at the same hotel as the Carvers. It’s called the Range Line Inn on the west side of Denver.”

  “Good enough. Let’s touch base in the morning.”

  “Night, boss,” I said.

  “Good night, Jade.”

  I clicked off the call.

  Chapter 23

  Gary woke to a ringing phone. He swatted the nightstand until he found it, picked it up, and squinted at the screen. Nobody other than Leon, Charlie, and Claire knew his number, and Leon was sleeping in the bed six feet away. Still, it didn’t hurt to make sure before answering. Claire’s number showed on the screen. Gary sat up, cleared his throat, and answered.

  “What’s up, and where are you?”

  “I’m on a bus heading to Cheyenne.”

  “And you got out clean? Nobody saw you or followed you from my apartment?”

  “Nope.”

  “You sure?”

  “I said no. Geez, Gary, get a grip. I spent the damn night in a bathroom stall at the bus station. What the hell do you want from me?”

  “All right already. Just watch your mouth. When does the bus arrive in Cheyenne?”

  “Nine o’clock. I took the one that makes stops just in case something goes to hell and I have to get off.”

  “So you’re expecting something to go to hell?”

  “No. Just planning ahead for the what-ifs.”

  “Right. What street is the bus station on?”

  “West College.”

  “Okay, we’ll find it. Stay invisible, and keep your head down.”

  “Are Hope and Leon asleep?”

  “Yeah. We’ll talk more later. I’ve gotta go.” Gary hung up, grabbed the TV remote, and pressed the On button. He flipped through the channel lineup but didn’t see any updates on Jacquie. Leaving the TV on so he would hear when the news began, Gary filled the coffeemaker with water and coffee grounds and started a pot.

  “What’s going on?” Leon rolled over in bed and grabbed his phone. “Damn, it’s too early to be awake.”

  “Get up anyway. We have to pick up Claire at nine o’clock, and I want to eat something first.”

  Leon grunted and climbed out of bed. “I’m taking a shower. Anything on the TV about the chick we dumped?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll keep watching.” Gary heard the shower running as he poured his first cup of coffee. He took a seat at the foot of the bed and flipped the channels again.

  There has to be an update somewhere on one of these channels.

  Jacquie wasn’t mentioned on any of the news stations, not even the briefest update or a recap of last night’s segment.

  Leon exited the bathroom, passed the TV, and filled a cup with coffee. “Anything?”

  “Nope.”

  “Humph. Then I guess that’s good. She was just another runaway, on that lonely road for whatever reason, and slipped down the hill.”

  “Maybe, unless the law is connecting the dots between all the missing girls. That’s why we need to go farther west—out of this area—and work the three-state corridor.” Gary headed to the bathroom. “I’m going to shower, then we’re out of here. Keep your eyes focused on the news.”

  The motel they’d been staying in was fifteen minutes from the bus station. Several restaurants were in that general vicinity, but Gary chose the one with the most crowded parking lot.

  “Why’d you pick this place when the restaurant across the street has five cars parked in the lot instead of twenty?”

  “For several reasons, Leon, and that you had to ask proves to me that you lack the common sense I may have given you credit for. Just remember, it’ll be your fault if we ever get caught, because you’re missing a good number of brain cells.”

  “Yeah, you’re a laugh a minute, jerk. So go ahead and enlighten me.”

  “I intend to, but you need to pay attention. In time, you might learn something.”

  Leon shot up his middle finger. “You know what you can do with this, right?”

  “Stick it up my ass? I thought you wanted an education.”

  Leon remained silent.

  “Good, maybe now you’re ready to listen. I chose the busy restaurant for several reasons.”

  “You already said that.”

  Gary ignored Leon’s snarky remark. “One, the lot is crowded, meaning there are a lot of people inside who are far too busy or preoccupied to give us a second glance. Two, for that same reason, nobody will remember what we look like. Three, the restaurant is packed, so that means the food must be good. It’s simple and something that would come naturally to a person with—”

  “Yeah, yeah, to someone with common sense.”

  “Quit pouting, and let’s go inside.” Gary climbed out of the truck and waited for Leon to get out before locking the doors. “We’ve got an hour before Claire shows up, so we have plenty of time to enjoy a nice breakfast.”

  Inside the restaurant, people lined the entryway and filled the benches while waiting their turn for a table or booth.

  “This is bullshit,” Leon said. “We’ll
never get served.”

  Gary looked at the people waiting. They were mostly husbands and wives or couples out for an enjoyable breakfast. He looked across to the counter, where only three men sat—likely truck drivers. Gary walked to the hostess stand. “How long is the wait for counter seating?”

  “No wait, honey. Go ahead and seat yourself.”

  Gary jerked his head at Leon. “Come on. There’s no wait at the counter.”

  They took the two barstools at the end of the counter. A waitress, who looked to be eighteen to twenty, strolled over, winked at Leon, and asked if they wanted coffee.

  Leon grinned back and started to flirt, but a hard kick to the leg shut him up quickly.

  Gary responded that two coffees were fine. He leaned closer to Leon, cupped his hand to Leon’s ear, and told him to keep his mouth shut. “You’re just dangerous enough to have somebody remember us if they were questioned. Be invisible, damn it.” He glared at Leon. “I’m not kidding either.” Gary jerked the menu out of the holder and held it up to his face. He decided on the four-pancake stack, an order of bacon, hash browns, and toast.

  Leon ordered scrambled eggs, a waffle, sausage links, and a glass of orange juice.

  Two state patrol officers walked in minutes later and took seats at the counter only five feet from Gary’s left side.

  Gary inconspicuously nudged Leon and leaned in. “Eat your food. Don’t talk. Don’t fart around, then let’s get the hell out of here.”

  Leon responded with a subtle nod.

  They ate, paid the check, and left without incident. Gary cursed as they walked to the truck, but he was thankful the decals camouflaged the vehicle enough that it went unnoticed to the troopers. Gary wasn’t sure anyone was actually looking for them, but knowing Claire’s and Hope’s parents, and how they were like dogs with bones, his gut told him that he and Leon would be accused of Hope and Claire’s disappearance. They had to maintain a low profile, and from that point forward, they would pick up food from grocery stores as they traveled. The likelihood of police walking in or TVs blasting their images across the screens in grocery stores were next to zero.

  “Come on. We’re going to wait in the bus station parking lot. I’ll call Claire and tell her to come out when she gets here. I’m done taking needless chances.”

  “You’re going off the deep end, dude. Nobody’s even looking for us.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, Leon, but trouble might be closer than you think.”

  Chapter 24

  Gary called Claire’s phone as soon as a bus slowed to a stop in front of the terminal. It was likely the one she was on. Claire answered just as Gary was about to hang up.

  “What took you so long?”

  “Damn it, Gary, I had to grab my stuff, and my phone was jammed in my backpack. What’s the problem now?”

  “No problem. We’re waiting in the parking lot. I’m not coming inside.”

  “Whatever. I’m going into the terminal to use the bathroom, then I’ll come find you.”

  “Hurry up.” Gary looked at his phone and saw that Claire had already hung up. “Prissy little bitch thinks she’s hot shit. I swear, she’s going to be the next one sold if she doesn’t shape up.”

  “Yeah, rich girls suck. Just wait until she sees that Hope isn’t with us. She’ll totally lose her shit.”

  Gary pointed with his chin. “Here she comes.”

  Leon climbed out of the truck so Claire could get in.

  She stepped up, squeezed around the passenger seat, kissed Gary, then climbed through the opening. Claire looked deeper into the back then spun around. “Where the hell is Hope? Did she go inside to use the bathroom?”

  Gary turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of the lot just in time. Claire’s yelling would definitely attract attention.

  “What are you doing? You can’t leave without her!” Claire punched Gary in the shoulder and slapped his head.

  The truck swerved left and right as Gary tried to swat her away. He yelled at Leon, “Control that bitch. I’m trying to drive, damn it!”

  Leon unbuckled his belt, leapt at Claire, and pushed her into the back. “Settle your ass down, Claire, or you’ll be next.”

  “I’ll be next for what?”

  Gary looked over his shoulder and sneered at her. “To be sold. Now shut the hell up and sit down.”

  “You didn’t! Tell me you’re kidding. Where’s Hope?”

  “She’s gone, and you will be, too, if you don’t be quiet.”

  Claire’s sobbing grated on Gary’s nerves. He sucked in a deep breath and tried to tune her out.

  “Stop the truck. I’m getting out! I’m done with you two. You aren’t any fun. What we’re doing is getting too dangerous, and I don’t care anymore if my parents control my life. They give me plenty of money, and it’s legal money. I’m not going to let you sink me deeper into this mess, which will eventually land you behind bars.”

  Gary raised his fist. “I’m not stopping the truck, and you aren’t going anywhere except where we go. Did you forget that you’ve already participated in kidnapping and trafficking minors? You don’t get a pass for that, Claire. If we go down, you’ll go down too.”

  “Where are we going? What do you intend to do?”

  “The same as we’ve been doing, and you don’t need to know where we’re going. We’re making good money, and if you stay calm and help out, we’ll be fine. Maybe in a year, we can move to Florida and live the easy life, but you have to relax and do what I say.”

  Claire wouldn’t let up and demanded answers. “Why did you sell Hope? What did she do that pissed you off so much?” She jerked her head toward Leon. “And you just let it happen? I thought Hope was your girlfriend.”

  Leon stared out the window. “I never told her she was my girlfriend, and if she assumed that, it was her problem.”

  Gary piped in. “Here’s some advice, Claire—don’t assume anything, past or present. Now sit down and shut up. We’re going to be driving for hours, and I don’t want to hear your screeching.” He tapped Leon’s shoulder. “Take away her phone. I don’t trust her.”

  Claire screamed out when Leon climbed through the opening. “Don’t touch me. I’m not giving you my phone!”

  “Take it!” Gary yelled. “Just do it, right now.” He heard a scuffle in the back, then Leon returned with Claire’s burner phone and handed it to Gary. After smashing it against the dash until the screen shattered, Gary rolled down the window and tossed it into the ditch along the road. “There, done deal. Nothing to worry about anymore.”

  Chapter 25

  We’d just sat down to a continental breakfast in the hotel’s dining room. After talking briefly with Jacquie’s parents, they headed out to meet with the medical examiner. He would sit down with them, explain his findings, and allow them to ID their daughter. I wouldn’t want to be in their position, and my heart broke for them. Many times, for emotional support, I would join family members as they identified their loved ones, and it was never an easy process.

  Our appointment with the medical examiner was set for ten o’clock. We would view Jacquie’s body while he explained her injuries to us. We would get a copy of the autopsy report and be on our way. Her body wouldn’t be released to her parents for several weeks—it was standard procedure in suspicious cases. After our meeting with the medical examiner, we would head to the scene where Jacquie was found. We couldn’t call it a crime scene yet. That information would be revealed on the autopsy report and be listed as an accident, a homicide, or undetermined. The plans were in place to meet with the two bow hunters after lunch to get their statements.

  The police and EMT reports had already been emailed to me. I’d printed them out, and we’d reviewed them last night in the hotel’s business center.

  I checked the time. We needed to finish breakfast and be on our way. Our appointment with the medical examiner was in a half hour.

  “Time to chow down, guys. We’ve got to check out and be
on the road in fifteen minutes.”

  We went to our individual rooms, packed up our belongings, and agreed to meet at the registration counter at nine forty-five. The medical examiner’s office was only eight blocks away.

  Once we were checked out, we crossed the lot to the SUV. Fay and I climbed into the back seat and buckled up. Tommy was behind the wheel, and Renz sat shotgun.

  “I need directions,” Tommy said.

  I passed my phone to Renz since I already had the map of the building’s location on the screen. I leaned forward and pointed. “Just press Start, and the phone will guide you to the medical examiner’s office.”

  “Got it.”

  We arrived on time, and after clicking the right-hand blinker, Tommy turned into their parking lot. Just as Tommy pulled into a parking spot, we saw Mr. and Mrs. Carver exit the building and head to their car.

  “Should we say something?” I asked. “They look devastated.”

  Renz shook his head. “We spoke with them last night and this morning. They have our contact cards too. If we approach them now, as heartbroken as they probably are, we’ll be late for our meeting. We’re going to find out the same information they just did, so I think it’s better if we go inside.”

  I had to agree, but it felt like we lacked sympathy, which was the farthest thing from the truth. I would reach out to the Carvers again later in the day, after they’d had time to process whatever it was we were about to find out.

  We entered the building and approached the counter. The woman—a pretty middle-aged-looking lady with a wide smile—greeted us. “You must be the FBI agents. Dr. Simpson is expecting you.” She stood and came around the counter. “Please, right this way.”