Desperate Measures

by Patricia H. Rushford

  “Oh, we won’t be doing anything dangerous,” Lisa assured her. “Algie and Kyle have a friend whose last name happens to be Chavez and who happens to know where we can find Crystal.”

  “So,” Megan said, “he’s promised to take us to her.”

  “Where is she?” Jennie’s breath caught. This was the best news she’d had all day.

  “He won’t say.” Algie scrambled to his feet. “He’s afraid to tell anyone because he knows the cops are looking for her.”

  “We told him about the deal with Scott and how he was your boyfriend and everything,” Kyle said. “Sal will take us there, but we have to promise not to let the cops know.”

  Jennie pulled on her cover-up. “We should tell Agent Tucker.”

  “No, Jennie.” Kyle stood up and took hold of her shoulders.

  “We promised. Besides, the cops already talked to him.”

  “I don’t know. It could be dangerous.”

  “Sal is a good friend.” Kyle’s concerned gaze caught hers. “He wouldn’t be taking us there if he thought there’d be trouble.”

  Jennie was weakening. She did want to talk to Crystal. And being with four other people should be safe enough. “Okay, let’s do it. What will you tell your parents, Megan?”

  “The truth—that we’re going for a drive.”

  At six that evening, Algie, Kyle, and Sal drove into the Bergstroms’ driveway. Megan and Lisa were already downstairs. Jennie looked out the window, still struggling with the idea of not telling Agent Tucker. What if something happened? Still, if going with Sal was the only way to talk to Crystal, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. In a last-minute decision, Jennie jotted a quick note:

  Dear Tom and Mary,

  We’ve gone with Sal Chavez, Crystal’s brother. He knows where Crystal is but says he won’t talk to the police. If anything happens and we don’t come back, see that Agent Tucker gets this.

  She signed it and set it on the bedside stand against the lamp. “Jennie!” Lisa called. “They’re here.”

  “Coming.” Jennie took a deep breath to steady herself. “You’re doing the right thing,” she whispered to the voice inside her that kept saying, No.

  17

  “I’m beginning to wish we hadn’t come.” Lisa cringed with every bump the four-wheel-drive truck maneuvered around. “I was expecting a state park and pavement.”

  “It’s a little late for second thoughts.” Jennie’s hopes of being able to tell the FBI where to find Crystal Chavez when they returned to civilization were dashed ten minutes after they exited the main road. They’d been driving for over an hour, and all she knew was they were in the mountains somewhere between Salem and Sisters, traveling on a narrow, rutted logging road in the middle of nowhere. She’d seen no road signs, but then, this wasn’t exactly a freeway. The curved, tree-lined road seemed to be taking them in circles.

  “I hope we’re getting close.” Jennie leaned forward, placing her arms on the front seat behind Kyle’s head. “I swear this backseat was designed for pygmies.”

  “It’s not much farther.” Sal turned around and flashed her a grin. The glistening white teeth were about all she could see of him in the dark cab. Outside was even darker. He turned back around to look at the mileage meter. “Another mile or so.”

  Jennie sighed and sank back. “You sure she’s up here?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Some of Jennie’s earlier fears had subsided after talking with Sal. He had an easy smile and gentle nature-at least that had been her impression. Unlike his sister, he still had a Spanish ac­ cent and every once in a while slipped into his native tongue. He seemed confident and outgoing. He was about five six with an athletic build, wavy brown hair, a wide face, and big, trusting brown eyes—like Crystal’s. She patted the small tape recorder that lay in one of the pockets of the down parka Megan had loaned her.

  She’d already recorded her conversation with Sal. He’d disclosed nothing about his sister’s whereabouts, only indicated that they would need warm clothing and survival gear in case they had car trouble.

  The deep woods lay dark and threatening out the window of Algie’s truck. Jennie’s anxiety returned full force. They’d been stupid to come. But if she’d gone to Agent Tucker, Sal would probably have been picked up for questioning, and he’d deny knowing anything. She was certain no amount of threatening would get him to rat on his sister. In a moment of desperation, she’d designated herself a temporary undercover agent. She’d get whatever information she could and pass it along to the authorities.

  It was a risk. Sal and his sister could have masterminded Scott’s abduction. Maybe he planned to get them lost, then abandon them while they left the country. As chilly as the nights were getting, and as far from civilization as they apparently were, they’d die of exposure and starvation before anyone could find them. Jennie shuddered and huddled deeper inside Megan’s jacket, thankful she’d thought to use it instead of the lightweight summer jacket she’d brought.

  Get real, McGrady. Sal is just protecting Crystal. They’d have no reason to take Scott—at least none that she knew of.

  “Okay, hug the left side of the road.” Sal pointed off to the right. “There’s a steep drop-off coming up. Sometimes the road gets a little rough.”

  “A little rough?” Megan grabbed the seat for support. “It’s been a little rough.” The truck hit a deep rut, throwing them forward, then back again.

  “Sheesh.” Algie braked. “You don’t expect me to drive over that.”

  Jennie peered through the windshield at a rock the size of Connecticut. The entire road had been obliterated by tons of rock and debris. “There’s no way. We’d better turn around and go back.”

  “Must have been a rock slide,” Sal said. “But you got four-wheel drive, don’t you? I’ve seen trucks on television go over a lot more rugged terrain than this.”

  “I got news for you, pal—”

  “I know, I know,” Sal chuckled. “I was teasing. We can walk the rest of the way. It’s not that far,”

  Jennie could have trounced him. He was entirely too happy about the prospect. “How far is it?”

  “About half a mile.” He turned back to Algie. “Hey, buddy, you better grab the cell phone. I have to call Crystal and let her know where we are.”

  Algie handed Sal the phone. While he made a call, Algie climbed in the back, opened the lid on the metal box, and pulled out a lantern. Handing it to Kyle, he dove into the box again, this time coming up with a flashlight. “We might want to take the emergency pack too—just in case.”

  “Definitely.” Jennie offered to carry it since she was the only one with first-aid training.

  “Sounds good to me.” Algie held it out while she slipped the straps over her arms.

  “Hey, sis,” Sal said into the cell phone. “Yeah. We’re on our way. Don’t worry. No one followed us.” He told Crystal about the rockslide and said they’d be walking in. “See you in a few.” He signed off and handed the phone to Algie.

  “Everybody ready?” Sal’s grin was back. Jennie zipped up her jacket. “Let’s go.”

  Sal and Kyle led the way with the lantern. Jennie and Lisa stuck close behind them, while Algie and Megan brought up the rear. The enormous darkness seemed to swallow their meager lights. Jennie was glad of the dark. Sal had informed them that the precipice over which they were climbing dropped some two hundred feet into a gorge. They scaled the thirty-foot-wide slide area, climbed over two fallen cedars, then picked up the road on the other side. Once past the slide, she shoved her icicle fingers into her pockets to warm them. During the walk they’d shifted into pairs. Jennie and Sal, with Sal now holding the lantern, walked in front. Kyle and Lisa had apparently decided they had a lot in common and were talking about her dad’s career as an airline pilot. Kyle was taking flying lessons.

  “Sal”—Jenn
ie felt around for the right button and turned on the tape recorder—”I’m curious. Why doesn’t your sister want to talk to the police?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “She is not a criminal, if that’s what you think.”

  “Is she an animal rights activist?”

  Sal held the light higher. “She hasn’t done anything wrong.” They were back to square one. If Crystal hadn’t done anything wrong, why didn’t she want to talk to the police? Why was she afraid of being followed? She gave up on that line of questioning. “You seem to know your way around. You must come up here a lot.”

  “We camped up here once this summer.”

  “Once? Are you sure you know where you’re going?”

  “Are you kidding?” He stopped and leaned forward, searching for something. “Crystal gave good directions so, yeah, we’ll find it.”

  “Directions. That means you don’t know where she is?”

  “I know—sort of.”

  “What do you mean, sort of?” Jennie didn’t like Sal’s evasive answers and had the uneasy feeling they might be walking into a trap.

  “Hold up, everybody.” Sal stopped. “I think this is it.”

  “If this is it,” Algie said, joining him, “we’re in trouble. I don’t see anything that looks or smells remotely like a campsite.”

  “I hope we’re not lost.” Lisa’s voice held the concern they all felt.

  Sal moved to the side of the road, eyeing a white flag that had been tied to the top of a small pine tree.

  The rustling of brush nearby startled Jennie. “Listen.”

  “Probably a possum or something,” Kyle said.

  Lisa grabbed his arm. “Are you sure? It sounds bigger than that.”

  Sal laughed. “You guys need to relax.”

  The rustling grew in intensity, as did Jennie’s nerves. “It’s hard to relax when your guide doesn’t know where he’s going.”

  “He’s only following orders.” The voice cut through the darkness.

  Lisa screamed. Jennie’s heart jumped to her throat—more from the scream than from the figure coming toward them. She’d already figured the flag meant that someone would meet them and escort them the rest of the way to the camp.

  “Are you sure no one followed you?” Crystal emerged from the dense woods and entered their circle of light. Only then did Jennie panic. She wore a heavy camouflage jacket, fatigues, and combat boots. A strap over her shoulder held a rifle.

  “What have you done with Scott?” Jennie moved toward her. “He’s safe. Sal, you stay here with the others. Jennie, come with me.”

  “No!” Lisa stepped between Jennie and Crystal. “Jennie, you can’t go alone. I won’t let you.”

  “Suit yourself.” Crystal started to walk away.

  “Wait!” Jennie grabbed Crystal’s arm, pulling her back around. “Why can’t we all go?”

  “We’re not running an open house. You come alone, Jennie, or you don’t see Scott at all.” Crystal’s eyes shimmered in the light of the kerosene lamp. She looked different than she had at the hospital, and it wasn’t just the uniform.

  “Why did you take Scott from the hospital?”

  Crystal glanced at the others. “That’s not open for discussion—not here. If Scott chooses to tell you, that will be up to him.”

  Jennie couldn’t honestly say why, but she trusted Crystal. She still read kindness and compassion in the young woman’s eyes.

  “Don’t, Jennie,” Lisa pleaded. “Remember the neo-nazi group. They were going to kill you.”

  Crystal frowned. “Neo-nazis?”

  “It’s a long story. This radical group kidnapped me thinking they could make an exchange with the police for the leader’s brother. All in all it was a pretty terrifying experience.”

  “I can imagine. You don’t need to worry about us. We wouldn’t hurt any of you. We’re not violent people.”

  “Then why are you carrying a rifle?” Jennie asked.

  “Protection.” She adjusted the strap. “Are you coming?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just for the record, Jennie McGrady, I think you’re crazy.” Lisa let go of her hand.

  “Maybe so, but I have to talk to Scott.” Jennie gave Lisa a hug and whispered, “Call Tess,” in her ear. “I’ll be back.”

  “Be careful.” Lisa reluctantly let her go.

  “Come on,” Sal said. “Let’s build a fire while we’re waiting.”

  Jennie sent a silent plea to God for safety as she turned her back on her friends and followed Crystal into the woods.

  “Your curiosity is going to get you in big trouble someday, Jennie,” her mother had often said. The words had proven true about a dozen times too many. Now, however, Jennie didn’t believe she was walking into danger. Scott wouldn’t let anything happen to her—if he could help it. That was the scary part about this clandestine meeting. What if she had read Crystal wrong? What if they were holding him hostage? Suppose he had information they wanted. What better way to get it out of him than to threaten to harm her?

  You’ve been reading too many mysteries. She had an opportunity to learn what had happened to Scott and couldn’t pass that up. Maybe she could be instrumental in helping Tess and Agent Tucker with their investigation. She backed out of the worrisome thoughts, concentrating instead on putting one foot in front of the other. The road had deteriorated even more with deep ruts filled with muddy water left over from yesterday’s rain. “How did you get in here with that slide across the road?”

  “That happened this morning.”

  “So you’re trapped back here?”

  “There are ways to get around it.”

  They walked in silence for several minutes before Jennie spoke again. She had a score to settle with Crystal, and this was as good a time as any to bring it up. “Last night, when you took Scott out of the hospital, did you put something in the tea you gave me?”

  She looked stricken. “No, of course not. I didn’t even know we were leaving until after I’d given it to you.”

  “Then how could. I have slept so soundly?”

  “People do, you know. You were exhausted. The tea must have relaxed you enough to help you fall asleep, and once you were out …”

  “What about the guard? Tess said she’d posted a volunteer deputy outside his door. They found him in an alley outside a bar this morning.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “So you did drug him.”

  “We didn’t drug anyone. Jeff happens to have a weakness for alcohol. He’s a binge drinker—been that way since high school. All we had to do was tell him we’d watch Scott while he had a couple of drinks. It isn’t the first time he’s passed out.”

  “I still don’t see how you could have gotten Scott out without anyone knowing it.”

  “We are very adept at getting in and out of places. Besides, there was only one other nurse working with me that night.”

  “Did you erase his records?” Jennie ducked under a low-hanging branch.

  “No. They were not erased. Just misplaced. They show he’d been discharged.”

  “You said ‘we.’ Who are you working with?”

  Crystal sighed. “I’d rather not say any more, Jennie. I know how odd this must seem to you, but I think you’ll understand better when you’re able to talk with Scott. He’s hoping you’ll join us.”

  When pigs fly. Jennie kept the comment to herself. Scott knew perfectly well that she’d never join a group like ARM. While she agreed with parts of their agenda in protecting animals from abuse, she would never go along with releasing mink or fire-bombing places that served meat. ARM worked outside the law and made up their own rules. He must know she’d never go along with their tactics.

  What was Scott up to? Had he seen an opportunity to continue his work with the FBI? Did he n
eed her help? Or was he, as Agent Tucker suggested, a double agent?

  Jennie could smell the smoke from a campfire now. A flame flickered through the trees not twenty feet ahead.

  In the light cast by the fire, she could see the outline of a building. The red truck parked next to it ignited the fear in her and sent flames shooting into every pore. Oh, McGrady. What have you gotten yourself into?

  18

  “That’s Sutherland’s truck, isn’t it?” Jennie peered at the right front fender but saw no signs of damage.

  “What of it?” Crystal seemed more defensive now, wary. “Did you steal it?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “You can’t steal something that belongs to you, Jennie.” A familiar voice seemed to come out of the fire.

  Jennie narrowed her focus to the shadowed figure standing just outside the fire’s light. Remembering Christine’s visit to Crystal’s house, she ventured a guess. “Mrs. Sutherland?”

  “Hardly.” The woman came closer to the fire, allowing Jennie a better look. “Mother isn’t exactly the ARM type.”

  “No, I suppose not.” Aleshia hadn’t seemed the type either. Now, however, dressed in fatigues like the others, she had a cool, calculating air about her that made Jennie realize she was capable of anything—including murder. “The police are looking for you.”

  “Are they? Why?”

  “In connection with your father’s death.”

  “What are you talking about? My father isn’t dead. He’s missing. He …” Aleshia’s lower lip began to tremble.

  “He’s dead. And Jim was arrested.” Jennie told her about Jim finding the body and then confessing. “He did it to protect you.”

  “He’s an idiot.”

  “He saw the fox carcass your father had been skinning when he died and thinks you killed him.”

  Aleshia lowered her head and closed her eyes. “God help me, I came close. I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life.”

  “What happened?”