Blood Trail

by C. M. Sutter

  I grumbled. “You mean the drop-off location that eludes us? That invisible one?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one I mean.”

  Minutes later, the waitress arrived with our food. She carried a platter filled with steaks, baked potatoes, sides, salads, and dinner rolls. Everything looked delicious, and since we were all starving, I figured it was time to shelf the discussion about the case and enjoy our meal. Tomorrow was another day, and we would continue that conversation in the morning.

  After supper, we returned to the hotel at ten o’clock. I was exhausted but hadn’t spoken with Amber or Kate since I’d left for Rapid City on Monday. They’d received a few texts from me, but that was it. On that Thursday night, I was almost too tired to call. A hot shower might wake me up temporarily, but I still planned to keep the conversation short. All I wanted to do was lay my head on the pillow and fall asleep. After my shower, and dressed in my pajamas, I tapped Amber’s name on my contact list and waited as the phone rang.

  “Hey, Sis,” I said when she answered.

  “Thanks for not calling all week.”

  I grinned and knew full well she would scold me. It was Amber’s thing. “Sorry, kind of been busy or just never alone. It’s all about the timing, you know.”

  “Yeah, yeah. When are you coming home?”

  “Who the hell knows?”

  “So in code, that means you haven’t found the bad guys yet.”

  “That would be correct, and I’m tired of always being a half day behind them. We’re kind of in a holding pattern right now, but hopefully something will break tomorrow. How’s everything at home?”

  “Good. Kate and I went out for pizza last night with the whole gang. Always a good time, but I drank too much beer and woke to a killer headache this morning.”

  “That, little sister, is actually called a hangover.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. You sound tired, Jade, so I’m going to let you go. I’ll tell everyone hi for you.”

  “Thanks, Sis. Good night.”

  I clicked off the call, set the alarm for seven a.m., and put my phone on the charger. I knew I would be asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  Chapter 35

  It was late by the time Gary pulled into Hideaway Rentals. Leon had made the reservation over the phone earlier. All Gary had to do was check in, pay in advance, and get Claire inside the room without any mishaps or attention. He would have to make her understand his threats were real before cutting the zip ties that bound her. He killed the engine and parked just beyond the office, and after locking the doors, he went inside to confirm the reservation and get the room key.

  A disheveled man who looked like he’d been asleep in the room behind the counter that led to who knew where came out when the front door opened and the buzzer rang. He addressed Gary with a head nod and asked if he would like a room.

  “I called in earlier and asked for a double. I was told there was availability.” Gary saw clearly by the single car at the far end of the lot that there were plenty of empty rooms.

  “For one night?”

  Gary pulled out his wallet. “Yep, one night.”

  “That’ll be sixty-five dollars with tax.”

  Gary unfolded three twenties and a five and placed them on the peeled linoleum counter.

  The man pulled the key to room six off the hook and slid it to Gary. “You’re halfway down the building.”

  “I appreciate it.” Gary walked out and was thankful that he would be at the center of the building, even though he would prefer the end. The car he’d seen was parked four units to the right, and there were five units to his left. If Claire happened to make any noise at all, it was unlikely anyone would hear it, and Gary would silence her immediately anyway.

  He backed as close to room six as he could. He needed three feet of space to swing open the rear truck doors and pull Claire out. The thought of leaving her in there crossed his mind, but having her in his sights was the smartest way to go. Tomorrow, she would be tied and gagged in the truck while Gary scouted the area for someone to snatch. As soon as he had three girls—one from each state—he would make his way back to Central City, get rid of them all, including Claire, and look for a new area to hit.

  After jiggling the key in the slot, Gary turned the knob and pushed the door open. He cursed the musty stench that hit him in the face, and the lighting was dim from the lack of working light bulbs. The TV had rabbit-ear antennas, something he thought wasn’t even an option anymore. The room wore dark paneling that was likely from the seventies and the bedspreads were probably as old. It reminded him of an abandoned hunting cabin, and the thought of lying on that bed made him question if the sixty-five dollars he’d just handed Mr. Unkempt was worth it at all.

  Gary groaned and vowed to do better going forward. He would work alone, stay under the radar, and make good money. As soon as he got back to Central City, he would ask Charlie about getting in touch with somebody who would provide him with a new ID. It was the safest and smartest way for Gary to continue the lucrative enterprise without constantly looking over his shoulder.

  After unlocking the padlock at the back of the truck, Gary climbed into the front and locked the cab’s doors behind him. With his phone’s flashlight, he located the knife he’d placed in the door pocket then crossed through to the truck’s box. As he shined the light into Claire’s eyes, he told her what he was about to do.

  “I’m going to cut the zip ties from the wall supports then from your feet so you can walk. We’re exiting the back of the truck and going straight into the motel room. One wrong move, and this knife will be twisted into your spine right up to the handle, understand?”

  She nodded.

  “Whether you live or die in the next five minutes is up to you.” Gary cut the plastic restraints from the supports then from Claire’s ankles. He pulled her to her feet, grabbed the bag of supplies, and pushed her to the truck’s rear doors with the knife’s tip poking her back. “Go directly into the room.”

  After she entered the room, he motioned for her to sit on the bed while he padlocked the truck doors. With the doors secure, Gary walked into the motel room and locked the door at his back. The relieved breath he exhaled was audible.

  “Now, what to do with you?” He walked into the bathroom before deciding and lifted the toilet lid. “Go take a piss so that’s out of the way. I don’t want you bugging me after I tie you up again.”

  The glare she gave him spoke for her. Claire walked into the bathroom and tried to kick the door closed.

  Gary kicked it back toward her. “Nope, it’s staying open, so take care of your business, and get back out here.” She remained standing and bugged her eyes at him. “Jesus.” He unsnapped her pants, yanked them down to her knees, then jerked his head toward the bathroom. “Go on. Get busy.”

  Claire returned to the room a minute later, and he pulled her pants up with a few choice curse words in the process.

  “Lie down on the bed.”

  Claire did as she was instructed. Gary proceeded to entwine zip ties to each other to make lengths long enough to reach the bed frame at all four corners. He zipped them to Claire’s wrists and ankles, then pulled on each to make sure they were secure.

  “You hungry?”

  She nodded.

  “Me too. I’ll order takeout. Fries and a burger?”

  She nodded again.

  “Good enough.” Gary searched his phone for a fast-food restaurant in the area that offered delivery service. “Damn it. I can’t do it without a credit card. Stay put.” He chuckled at his own words as he looked back at her. “Like you’re going anywhere. I’ll go see if the guy in the office has any suggestions.” Gary made sure the tape on Claire’s mouth was snug then walked out and locked the door behind him. He headed to the office again, where he would likely wake up the man for the second time. As soon as he passed through the door, the buzzer sounded, and the man came back out.

  “Forget something?
” The man scratched his stringy gray hair.

  “No, just wondering if there’s a fast-food place in the neighborhood or even a vending machine.” The man’s laugh infuriated Gary. “Why was that funny?” Gary cocked his head and stared at him.

  The old geezer swiped the air. “There isn’t a single store in this neck of the woods, let alone a restaurant. Hell, I only make a meager living because I added onto my house and rent out a few rooms a week. I’ll tell you what. I have an unopened bag of potato chips inside that I’ll sell you for five bucks if you’re that hungry.”

  Gary rubbed his chin. “Five bucks, huh?”

  “Yep. One Abe Lincoln, and they’re all yours. It’s a big bag too.”

  Gary nodded. “Okay, go ahead and get it. I’ll decide once I take a look.”

  “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

  The man disappeared through the same door he’d come out of. Gary wondered what else was back there and what the man had socked away, as far as food and cash. It was time to find out. Gary stood along the wall next to the door and kept his eyes on the doorknob. He heard footsteps then saw the knob turn.

  As soon as the man crossed over the threshold Gary jammed the knife into his gut and twisted it deep until it wouldn’t go any farther. He pushed the man back into the room so blood wouldn’t spill out onto the floor. The bag of chips clenched in the man’s hand fell to the ground as he stumbled backward.

  Gary shoved him onto the recliner and took a seat on the threadbare couch. “I’ll go ahead and wait until you croak, old man, before I tear your house apart. Showing my respect, you know.”

  Blood sprayed from the man’s mouth as he tried to speak. He stared at Gary with questioning eyes.

  “Want to know why I killed you? It’s because I’m hungry, man, and you mocked me. Now, I’ll be taking all your food and whatever money and valuables I can find. Hell, you aren’t going to need them anymore, and why waste a good thing? I bet you have some booze or beer back here too. You want to die on the chair, or should I drag your ass to bed and cover you up?” Gary waited but didn’t get a response. “I’ll take that as you being comfortable right where you are.”

  He stood and crossed the room to the man. Gary leaned over, stared into his fixed eyes, then put two fingers against his neck. “Guess you’ve passed on already, so tell Leon hi for me if you see him.” Gary turned the man onto his side and removed his wallet and phone from his pockets. He opened the wallet, removed his own sixty-five bucks and another two twenties. “Hmm… I wonder if your debit card will do me some good. I’ll be taking it along just in case.”

  Gary walked around the house, checked drawers and cabinets for hidden money, and found a hundred-dollar bill tucked inside a bible on the book shelf. The only thing in the refrigerator Gary cared about were the four cans of beer, the sliced cheese and turkey, a half loaf of bread, and the two Granny Smith apples. Gary emptied the kitchen cupboards of food, placed everything in a clothes basket he’d dumped out, then carried the items back to the front desk area. He snatched up the bag of potato chips before closing the door behind him. After checking the drawers at the counter for more money, Gary carried the basket of food out and down to room six. He and Claire would eat, catch a few hours of sleep, and be on their way before daylight. Later, he would find another two-bit motel or converted home to stay in and distance himself from Hideaway Rentals.

  Chapter 36

  The annoying sound coming from my phone woke me. I hit the screen a half dozen times trying to shut off the alarm before I realized the phone was actually ringing. It wasn’t the alarm at all. I put on my glasses lying on the nightstand and took a look. It was Renz, and it was six forty in the morning. I sat up in bed, pissed that I could have slept for another twenty minutes.

  I groaned when I answered. “I’m a responsible adult, Renz, and my alarm was set for seven o’clock. Where’s the fire?”

  “You need to get up. We’re meeting in the lobby in fifteen minutes.”

  I dove off the bed and crossed to the bathroom, where I turned on the faucet to warm the water. “Okay, why are we leaving in fifteen minutes, and where are we going?”

  “To Manila.”

  “The capital of the Philippines?” I asked trying to lighten the moment.

  He chuckled. “Good one. I’ll explain everything in the car. Just hurry and pack up your stuff. I doubt we’re coming back. It’s an hour-long flight to Vernal then an hour drive to Manila from there. Vernal is the closest airport, but it’s still better than driving three hours to Manila.”

  “But we’ll only save an hour and won’t have a car when we get there.”

  “It’s still faster, and the airport in Vernal has a car set aside for us. Hurry up and get ready. We’re wasting time on the phone.”

  I bagged my pajamas, used my toothbrush, and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I was glad that last night I’d set out my clothes for the day. I didn’t have to think. I dressed, grabbed my phone and charger, gave the room a quick scan, and headed out.

  I was in the lobby with two minutes to spare. Tommy was already at the registration desk checking us out. I took advantage of that time to pour four cups of black coffee from the complimentary self-serve coffee station. Everyone could add their own cream or sugar if they wanted it. I drank mine black. Seconds later, Renz and Fay walked in.

  I tipped my head toward the coffee station. “I poured coffee for you guys.”

  “Thanks,” Fay said.

  Renz nodded, headed for a cup, and poured cream into it, then joined us near the lobby door.

  “You going to keep me in suspense or what?” I asked.

  Fay raised her eyebrows. “I’m in the dark too. What’s going on?”

  Tommy walked over and joined us. “We’re all checked out, and a private plane is fueling up as we speak. Let’s go.”

  We crossed the parking lot, and Renz explained to Fay and me what the urgency was all about.

  “An APB hit came in on Leon about an hour ago. A county road worker spotted a body in a ditch five miles south of Manila, Utah. Deputies arrived, and luckily they used fingerprint scanners in the field. The prints from the body came up positive for Leon Brady.”

  I shook my head as we climbed into the SUV. “That’s because of the time he served in prison. Gary’s posse is getting smaller by the minute, and it sounds like Claire has turned on him, too, if that call was the real deal. Any idea what happened?”

  “Not yet. The sheriff’s office has cordoned off the area but will leave the body where it is until we arrive. The nearest medical examiner has an hour drive to get there anyway.”

  Fay frowned. “I saw Manila on the map last night. It was just west of the route we thought they would take from Vernal to I-80.”

  Tommy clicked the blinker then made a right-hand turn into the regional airport’s main entrance. “Exactly. So if the call from Claire was real and Gary had any inkling that she was up to something—”

  I cut in. “Which he probably did if she had to borrow a phone from somebody in the ladies’ room.”

  Renz nodded. “Right. So Gary may have decided on a different route at the last minute and headed toward Manila instead of the interstate.”

  Tommy parked the SUV, and we walked to the hangar to fill out the documents for our group. We each showed our IDs before we boarded, and five minutes later, the six-passenger Cessna rushed down the runway and lifted into the sky.

  “So, they were heading to the tristate area after all?” I asked.

  “It would seem so since Manila is northwest of Vernal,” Renz said.

  Fay spoke up. “And what did Maureen say since we didn’t get the chance to have a morning powwow?”

  Renz continued. “She said to call her after we’ve seen the body and done a visual confirmation that he is indeed Leon Brady.”

  “So at this point, nothing has been decided on whether we continue north or not?” Tommy asked.

  “Not yet.”

  I rubbed my
chin. “We’ve got Gary and Claire on the run, but as far as we know, she may be an unwilling accomplice.”

  “That’s correct,” Renz said.

  “Hmm…”

  He jerked his head toward me. “In English please.”

  “We need to find out from the Vernal PD what store they were at. If that store could pull up the parking lot footage, there’s a good chance we’ll see the truck. There’s also the chance that if anything has been altered on the truck, we’ll see that as well.”

  “And possibly a license plate,” Fay said.

  Tommy nodded. “Not a bad idea, but that means we’d be spending time in Vernal instead of heading immediately to Manila.”

  I agreed with Tommy but knew that stopping at the big box store could give us the lead we desperately needed. “True, but if we do get eyes on them in the store or see the truck outside, that information is enough to push the case forward quickly, especially if we see the truck’s plates.”

  Renz gave me a thumbs-up. “You’re right, and it isn’t like the body is going anywhere. The weather is cool enough that it being outdoors for another hour won’t make much difference.”

  “Good, then I’ll call the Vernal PD and have them email me their report right away. We’ll see what store the police were dispatched to and what time that was.”

  Everyone’s eyes were on me as I made the call. Minutes later, with my laptop and email open, I was ready to read the police report the second it came in.

  “Here it is,” I said when it showed a new message had come into my FBI email address. I opened it, sucked in a deep breath, and paraphrased the report to my colleagues. “Okay, here we go. The 911 call came in yesterday at ten after three in the afternoon. Two units were dispatched and arrived at Shop n’ Save at three nineteen p.m. Nobody inside claimed to be the caller, and nobody was seen making a speedy exit from the parking lot.” I sighed. “In other words, they had no idea who they were looking for.”