Strangers in the Night

by Patricia H. Rushford

  CHAPTER 36

  The search for Douglas Perkins ended, but he was no longer a suspect in Emma’s abduction. He’d been lying injured at the bottom of an enormous hole in the basement of the saloon for two days. Abbie stood at the edge of the yawning hole, full of questions.

  Unfortunately, Perkins was in no condition to answer them. He had apparently dug the hole and somehow fallen into it. Jake, Jeff, and Tim worked with two medics to lift the large man up and out of what could have been his grave. For now, at least, the questions would have to wait.

  Abbie and Jake followed the emergency technicians out of the hotel and to the waiting ambulance.

  “So.” A harsh female voice reached her ears before her eyes fully adjusted to the sunlight. Abbie didn’t need to see the speaker to know who she was. “My granddaughter is missing and you are out here doing God knows what.”

  “Leah.” Abbie forced away the sudden guilt Leah seemed to heap on her. “We were looking for Emma.”

  “Humph. Knowing you, Abbie, you probably took her and stashed her away yourself.”

  “Mom, don’t.” Daniel stepped up beside his mother. “You know Abbie would never—”

  “What? Kidnap Emma? We both know what she’s capable of.”

  Abbie lifted her questioning gaze to Daniel. “When did she get here?”

  “Last night. We stayed in a hotel in Portland and drove down this morning.”

  Meeting Leah’s slitted eyes, Abbie said, “How do I know you didn’t take her?”

  “How dare you suggest such a thing?”

  “You would do anything to take Emma away from me. How do I know you didn’t take her last night?”

  “That’s ridiculous. I wasn’t even here.”

  “No more ridiculous than you accusing me.” Abbie felt herself softening. Leah hadn’t taken Emma, and she knew it.

  “You ran away. You took my Emma and you ran away.” Leah’s voice broke.

  Abbie ran a hand through her hair. “I didn’t know what else to do. I was wrong to run, but you were wrong too.”

  Leah turned and walked away, her head bent, her gait unsteady, a cane in her left hand. Abbie shook her head, wishing she could ease the woman’s pain. But she didn’t have time to deal with Leah. Emma was still missing.

  After sending Abbie an apologetic look, Daniel went after his mother.

  Jake stood behind her and placed a steady hand on her shoulder. She leaned back against him for a moment, then sprang forward. “We need to keep looking.

  Jake could hardly take it all in. By the end of the day, they still hadn’t located Emma. Nightfall and exhaustion ended the search. They’d head out again at daybreak. Abbie had wanted to stay out in Cold Creek but agreed that she needed to clean up and change clothes. More than anything, Jake wanted to promise Abbie that he’d take care of everything. Instead, he guided her into the living room of her parents’ home. He was surprised to find Leah and Daniel sitting in the living room with Lyle and Carlene. They all rose when Abbie and Jake entered the room, expectant looks on their faces. He was surprised to see that much of the animosity the families had had toward one another had melded into mutual concern.

  “She’s still missing,” Jake said. “We’ll head out again at first light.”

  Abbie dropped onto the loveseat. She hadn’t wanted to stop, but Jake had reminded her time and again, they had to take breaks in order to keep going.

  “There are leftovers in the oven,” Carlene said. “I’ll fix plates up for both of you.”

  “Nothing for me, Mom.” Abbie pushed to her feet and headed for the stairs. “I’m going upstairs.” She leaned heavily on the banister, obviously in pain. She had refused to go to the doctor to have the gunshot wound looked at.

  Jake wanted to go after her, but she clearly wanted to be alone. He felt certain that she blamed him for all of this and she was right. As his gaze took in each of the grandparents, he felt like a failure. He’d promised Abbie he’d take care of her and make sure she stayed safe. Now Abbie had been shot, Emma abducted, and he was helpless to do anything about it.

  Guilt nearly tore him apart as he thought about the part he had played in bringing Abbie and Emma out West. Admittedly, he’d been thrilled when the Grants voiced an interest in purchasing Cold Creek. And when Lyle and Carlene asked him to try to find Abbie, he’d been more than happy to oblige. He hadn’t wanted to appear pushy, but he had to admit to being delighted when they finally signed the papers. If he hadn’t gone to get Abbie—if he hadn’t enticed her to come back with him, Abbie and Emma would still be safe in Grand Forks.

  Carlene brought him a full plate on a TV tray. He had no appetite but ate anyway. The meatloaf and gravy and potatoes melded together in a glob. He choked it down as best he could and excused himself. “I appreciate the dinner, Mrs. Grant.” After thanking her, he announced his plan to go home.

  Jake parked in his driveway but didn’t go inside. Instead, he headed for the path that led to the beach. He needed to do some heavy thinking. Around one, he ascended the steep staircase to his deck and fell into bed.

  The following morning Jake received a call from Jeff. He’d been at the hospital that morning and had gotten the whole story from Perkins. “He never intended to buy Cold Creek or any other property. He isn’t a developer either. The guy is one of those big-time treasure hunters. He lives in California and goes all over the world looking for buried treasure.”

  “In the basement of the hotel?” Jake shook his head.

  “I talked to Isabelle about it,” Jeff said. “She admits that awhile back—shortly after her father and uncle had died—her son claimed that Jebediah’s fortune had been buried somewhere in Cold Creek because her father wanted nothing to do with tainted money.”

  Jake snickered. “Right. Abbie told me about that when she was researching the area. Sam’s father dug up most of the town looking for it and never did find anything. But what’s that got to do with Perkins? Samantha confirmed the story that Gunnar may have buried his brother’s money, but in the end, the family decided that Jebediah had squandered all of his money on the hotel and had nothing left to leave to the family or to bury. So, end of story.”

  “Not quite. This is where it gets weird. Perkins’ father used to live out here and apparently knew Sam’s dad personally. He’d even helped him dig a couple of times. The two had been drinking buddies. For a while, a lot of people were speculating about the missing money but then things died down. Perkins grew up hearing about the missing money, and when he heard the town was for sale, he figured it was the perfect opportunity for him to do some digging himself. At any rate, he came to Cold Creek to follow through on his father’s ideas that the fortune was hidden in the saloon.

  “He’d been digging in the basement at night for the past month, and then a couple of nights ago, the ground gave way underneath him.”

  “So all of his plotting and scheming were for nothing.”

  “Looks that way.”

  “Serves Perkins right. But I don’t really care about Perkins right now. We need to find Emma.”

  “Believe me, I’d like nothing better. I don’t think she’s in the area, Jake. We’re thinking that whoever took her was driving, and that means she could be anywhere. We know Perkins had nothing to do with her abduction. We’ll keep looking, but as far as evidence is concerned, we’re at a dead end.”

  Jake didn’t want to hear that. Somehow, somewhere, someone knew where Emma was. They had to keep looking.

  Abbie heard all of these things from Jake the next morning over breakfast but didn’t care about any of them. She just wanted to find Emma. The police had no leads. No one seemed to have seen Emma leave the campfire, and police suspected she’d walked away or been lured away by someone she knew. The FBI had been called in and since the Grants were a family of wealth, they expected a ransom call or note. But nothing came.

  Abbie had been surprised to see Leah and Daniel at her parents’ house the night before, but she might h
ave known that her mother would work to patch things up. Daniel too, for that matter. Leah and Daniel were already there when she came downstairs for breakfast.

  “I hope you were able to sleep,” her mother said.

  “A little.” Abbie poured a cup of coffee for herself before joining the others at the table.

  “I don’t know how you could have slept at all,” Leah said. The tone bordered on critical, but when Abbie looked up, she saw only concern in her mother-in-law’s eyes. Abbie was surprised that the strong woman who had never shed a tear during all the years she’d known her was crying now. Leah buried her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry, Abbie. This is all my fault. I see that now. I wanted you and Emma to stay on the farm. I wanted my family.” Leah used her napkin to mop up her tears. “All I did was drive you away. Now I may never see my Emma again.”

  “We’ll find her, Mom.” Daniel settled an arm across his mother’s shoulder. “Don’t cry.”

  They would find her—they had to. Abbie managed to eat a few bites of scrambled eggs and toast then rode with Tim to Cold Creek, where the search had resumed. Because Barbara’s body had been found there and the notes had both been written there, it seemed the likely place to search. Another team was still searching near the Grant’s home.

  At two in the afternoon, Dawn told the others she was heading back to the B&B to make sandwiches and snacks for the searchers. Peggy had offered to pick up Cassie from school since she was unable to join in the search. At two-thirty, Abbie finally took Jake’s advice and they returned to the B&B to get a bite to eat. She had agreed to rest for half an hour and dutifully lay down on the couch.

  Two hours later, Abbie woke up. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep let alone slept for so long. Jake was gone. He’d left a note on the counter saying he hadn’t had the heart to wake her. The sense of urgency that had followed her all day came back with a vengeance. Still feeling groggy from sleep, she made her way to the kitchen for a glass of water. The door from the kitchen to the mudroom stood open. Dawn, who’d apparently been outside, slipped off her jacket and hung it on one of the pegs where a number of coats and jackets were kept. Beneath the outerwear was a messy row of boots and shoes.

  “Hey, sleepyhead,” Dawn said as she stepped into the kitchen and turned to close the door behind her. “Want some coffee?”

  Abbie nodded in response, but her gaze lingered on the door Dawn had just closed.

  “I’m so sorry this has happened. I can’t imagine how you must feel.”

  Abbie turned her gaze to Dawn, her mind whirling with what she had just seen.

  “Abbie? Are you all right?”

  “Um …No. Yes.” Reason worked its way into her mind. She had to be mistaken. Dawn had hung her jacket next to one she’d seen before. If memory served her right, it was the same one she’d seen on the shooter.

  Dawn set an empty mug in front of her. “Can I get you anything else?”

  Abbie offered up a wan smile. “I…ah, no.” She had to be mistaken. A lot of people around here wore plaid shirts, red, green, brown, blue.

  “You’re like me,” Dawn said. “It always takes me awhile to wake up—especially after an afternoon nap. The coffee should be ready in just a minute. While it’s perking, I need to wash up. Be back in a few.”

  Dawn headed for their private quarters. Abbie slipped off the stool and hurried toward the back door. She had to have another look. She couldn’t be sure, but the green plaid jacket looked far too much like the one the shooter had worn. What she saw next stopped her cold. Lying on the floor just behind a leather boot was a black ski mask. Had Travis been right? Was Keith the bank robber after all?

  Abbie picked up the mask. Dawn would be devastated. Should she tell her what she was thinking?

  Not yet. Something wasn’t right. Keith had been working here in town when Abbie encountered the shooter. Or had he? Brent said Keith had been working at the house. He could easily have slipped out unseen, trailed her to Travis’s house, tried to kill her, and then gone back into town where he joined in the search for the gunman.

  Abbie dropped the mask. The clothing meant nothing. Still, why would the ski mask even be out this time of year? There wouldn’t be snow in the area for another four to five months.

  “Abbie?” Dawn called.

  Great. How was she going to explain why she’d gone into the mudroom? There was nothing she could do but reveal her whereabouts. “I’m right here. I was admiring your mudroom. My parents have one too.”

  Dawn eyed her warily. “It keeps us from tracking dirt through the rest of the house. Things get pretty muddy around here— especially in the rainy season.”

  Abbie stepped back into the kitchen. “Sounds like the coffee is ready.”

  Instead of pouring coffee, Dawn stepped into the pantry and picked up the ski mask, which was now lying in front of the shoes.

  She tossed the mask into a bin full of hats and fastened her gaze on Abbie.

  “I—” Abbie swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I hate to say this, but I think Keith might be the one who shot at me.”

  “He didn’t shoot at you.” Dawn walked into the living room and lifted the lid on the rolltop desk. Opening one of the small drawers, she pulled out a gun. Abbie could have sworn it was the one Jake had purchased for her. The one she thought Skye had stolen.

  “It was me.”

  “I don’t understand.” Abbie took a step back as Dawn advanced.

  “I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, Abbie,” Dawn said. “I like you. I tried to warn you, but you bought the place anyway.”

  “You wrote those notes?” Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

  “I had to stop you.”

  “And what about Barbara? Did you kill her?”

  Sadness etched her face. “I had to. She recognized Keith and me.”

  “You’re Valerie.” Abbie couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen the resemblance before. Dawn looked older than the girl Abbie had seen in the photo, and she had lost weight. Still, Abbie should have made the connection between Dawn and Barbara’s friend. “But you were taken hostage.”

  “Yes and no. The abduction was all part of the plan. Now, turn around. We’re going to take a walk.”

  Dawn was going to kill her, and Abbie had to find a way to stop her. All Abbie could think to do was to keep her talking and look for a way out. “Killing me isn’t going to help matters.”

  “I have no choice.” She waved the gun. “Outside. Now.”

  Abbie turned. She saw the coffeepot on the stove, lunged forward, and grabbed it. In the next instant, she threw it into Dawn’s face.

  Dawn screamed and lifted her arms in defense. Abbie slammed against her, knocking her into the counter. The gun flew out of her hand and landed on the floor. Abbie scrambled for it and managed to get to her feet and turn the gun on Dawn.

  Dawn struggled to get up but slipped on the coffee and grounds that now covered the floor where she lay. Red splotches appeared on her face, neck, and arms where the scalding coffee had burned her skin.

  Abbie stepped back, still reeling. Her breath came in snatches. “Stay where you are.”

  “Help me.” Dawn sobbed as she stretched out her arm. “It hurts—”

  “Don’t move. I’ll call for help.” With the gun still aimed at Dawn, Abbie picked up the phone. “I’m at the B&B in Cold Creek. I need the police here right away. It’s urgent.”

  Abbie kept the gun trained on Dawn and used her free hand to steady herself. “Where is Emma?”

  Dawn shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “You’re lying.” Abbie’s hand shook as she waved the gun at the woman. “You took her.”

  “If I tell you, will you let me go?”

  The words shook Abbie to the core. She held the gun firm. She would have promised Dawn anything at that point.

  “Please.” Dawn gasped, her face twisted in agony. “If you turn me over to the police, I’ll deny everything. Let me
go now, and I’ll tell you where she is.”

  Abbie lowered the gun. “Tell me.”

  “She’s in—” Dawn shifted onto her hands and knees. Groaning in pain, she stood, took two steps toward Abbie, and collapsed.

  Abbie jumped back. “No—no. Where is she?” Her screams went unanswered.

  Jake had been with Jeff when he got the garbled message over his radio. “It’s Abbie,” Jeff shouted back at him. “She needs help.” The two men raced toward the B&B. Fear coursed through Jake’s veins as he conjured up all kinds of scenarios. Had she found Emma? Had Abbie been hurt?

  Throwing open the door, he stopped at the threshold. Dawn lay on the floor at Abbie’s side. The gun he’d bought or one like it lay on the floor and Abbie had a hold of Dawn’s lapels, shaking her and screaming at her to wake up.

  He pulled Abbie off Dawn, and she immediately began beating on his chest. “She did it. She took Emma. She took my baby and she killed Barbara.”

  “Shh.” Jake pulled her close and stroked her back. “Calm down, Abbie. It’ll be okay. Just tell us what happened.”

  It didn’t take long to sort things out, but even then Jake had trouble processing Abbie’s story. Dawn came to and began writhing in pain. The ambulance arrived and the medics were able to give her something to sedate her. Between the agonizing screams, Dawn accused Abbie of ruining her life.

  Abbie sat beside Jake now, silent and withdrawn. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the door. The medics had strapped Dawn to the stretcher after covering her burns with cool wet towels. “She knows where Emma is. She was going to tell me if I let her go. Now it’s too late.”

  “No, it’s not.” Jake put his arm around her. “We’ll find her.”

  We’ll find her. Jake’s words settled into her mind. She turned to look into his eyes. Those blue, blue eyes. In them she saw hope, and she felt her resolve strengthen. He was right. They would find Emma. She couldn’t give up. Not now.

  Before leaving, Jeff promised to work on Dawn to get her to confess.