by Karen Ward
"Hey Steve, this is Peter Williams. Farrady just came to the gate to tell us that two trespassers were killed by his security force when they tried to kidnap one of his guests. It sounds like our plan to get the boy was foiled again."
"Damn! What are we going to have to do to get the boy? That bastard must have found a four leaf clover or something. His luck is unbelievable. Listen Peter don't forget we have to get rid of Melanie too. Just getting the boy won't be enough. To keep the compound, I have to adopt the boy and that won't be possible until Melanie is dead."
"I understand. We'll think of something else. I'll stay in touch," replies Williams.
******
Stump strains to hear what Peter Williams is saying during his phone call. He thinks it fairly telling that he called someone immediately after Barry and Scoot told them about the attempted kidnapping being foiled. Once he sees him disconnect, he calls Scoot.
"Hey, as soon as you guys left the gate, Peter Williams called someone on his cell phone to tell him the kidnapping had been foiled."
Scoot replies, "Well, any doubt that I might have had about why he is here is gone now. It sounds like this may be a well orchestrated plan. Be careful and stay alert."
Stump replies, "Will do."
CHAPTER 9
Later that evening after the sheriff has gotten the answers to all of his questions, the Murrays arrive at the Rock Springs Ranch for dinner. All of the adults will get together after the meal to go over the day's events and determine what went wrong to allow those men to get to Michael and to make plans for the immediate future.
Barry grills hamburgers for everyone out on the back patio. Virginia and I prepare potato salad and baked beans to complete the meal. Jana and Jenny Murray are bringing a huge Devil's Food cake and homemade vanilla ice cream for dessert.
After everyone has finished eating and the remains have been cleaned up, Dani and Michael head to the indoor pool for a swim. Bob Kenner and Virginia go along to serve as chaperones.
Scoot has been on the phone for hours with the FBI and ATF updating them on the events at the ranch and he begins the discussion by addressing the group,
"Well, unfortunately, it has become obvious that the group hasn't given up on getting to Michael. Beth, we already knew after the break in that it's not safe for you to go back to New York City. We believe you need to cut all your ties in the city and plan on moving here to the ranch on a permanent basis."
I say without hesitation, "No, I can't. I can't live here permanently." I have already made up my mind to leave the ranch the following morning. It is too dangerous for us to stay now that the members of the militia know we are here.
Barry is surprised, "Why not? You're more than welcome to stay here at the ranch as long as is necessary. Michael loves it here. No other place exists where you will be as safe as you are here on this ranch."
I adamantly reply, "I can't stay here. They ... those men know we're here. I know these people. They won't give up. I've got to go somewhere where they can't find us. It is the only way."
Jacob interrupts, "Beth, they got to Michael today on our property, not Barry's. I want you to know that Jason and I have already decided to build a fence and security system like Barry's all around our ranch. Our horses are very valuable and it only makes sense to protect them. The contractor is scheduled to start work on Monday."
Barry reaches over and takes my hands in his, "Beth, if you leave the ranch where do you think you can go where they won't be able to find you? They were even able to track you down in New York City."
I pull my hands out of Barry's and stand pacing back and forth across the patio, "I don't know. I hate this!! I don't understand why they are still after Michael, Darren is dead!"
Scoot responds, "I think I may have gotten the answer to that."
I stop pacing and look at Scoot curiously. "Why?"
Scoot replies, "I found out when I was speaking to the FBI this afternoon that the compound in Idaho was solely owned by Darren Calloway. As Calloway's only heir, the compound now belongs to his son. If they don't control the boy, they could lose the title to the compound."
I feel my mouth fall open and I take a step toward Scoot and angrily demand, "What? My son owns that compound? Why am I just now being told this?"
Scoot clarifies, "Well, not yet, he won't legally be the owner of the compound until the deed is transferred, but in reality, yes, he owns it. I don't know for sure why you haven't been told previously but I just found out myself." He hesitates briefly, then asks, "Beth, exactly how much has the FBI told you about Darren Calloway?"
"I haven't been told much of anything, why? What else do I need to know?"
Scoot shakes his head disgustedly and says, "Damn! I can't believe they haven't told you! You better sit down." He waits while I take a seat on the swing next to Barry. I look up at Scoot, apprehension twisting knots in my stomach.
Scoot paces back and forth across the patio before stopping in front of me, "According to what the FBI told me, when Calloway's father died back in 1999, he was the sole heir to a furniture conglomerate and a huge mansion in Seattle that he sold for over two hundred million dollars. He used the money to pay off the note on the land in Idaho where the compound is located and to finance his militia so the government confiscated it when Calloway was killed to prevent the other members from being able to access it. Eventually, after the militia group is disbanded or destroyed the remainder of the money should come to Michael. The group may not realize the money was confiscated if they even know about it. Or perhaps they think that Michael already has access to the money. It is one more very big reason they may be trying to get to Michael."
I feel all of the color drain from my face and my heart is pounding furiously. "Oh God, what am I going to do? Can't we just evict them from the compound?"
Scoot hurries to answer, "No, we don't want to do that. While they are living on the compound they are easier to watch, to track their movements. If we evict them and they scatter, it would be much harder to keep tabs on them."
"So we will never be free then." A wave of desperation flows over me.
"I didn't say that, some possible resolutions are in the planning stages, but I'm not at liberty to discuss them with you yet. For the time being we just need to worry about keeping you and Michael safe. The future will take care of itself. Please reconsider Beth. This ranch is the safest place you can live. All of us will be here to protect you."
Nervously, Barry asks, "So, you'll stay here won't you?"
Defeated, I answer, "I'll stay, but only if you'll let me be the housekeeper or something. I refuse to be a freeloader. What am I supposed to do about my place in New York?"
Relieved, Scoot says, "I'll handle that. We'll pack everything up and have it shipped here. You'll still need to stay out of sight as much as possible. Jacob, put a rush on that fence and security system if you can. I want to block off that logging road too, at least make it impassable by vehicles, that will give us an advantage. Can any of you think of anything else that I might have missed?"
******
I am sitting on the stone patio long after everyone has left to go to their own homes. Michael and Virginia have already gone to bed and the members of the Drake Security team have all gone back to their quarters above the barn.
Barry sits down beside me on the wooden swing and asks concerned, "Beth, are you all right?"
"I'm all right ... I'm just thinking.".
"Do you want to talk about it?" he inquires.
I look over at Barry and see the concern on his face. "Well, I don't understand why, if they knew Michael owned the compound and is heir to a huge fortune, why are they just now telling me? Why have they been saying he wasn't in any danger for all these months?"
Barry responds, "Well, I'm not part of the inner circle anymore, but I do know Scoot and he really didn't think Michael was in any danger or he would have told you sooner. He said he just found out himself about Michael owning the compound an
d I am sure that is true. Maybe the FBI didn't think the members knew about the money and that the deed was in Darren Calloway's name."
"You're very close to these guys, aren't you?"
"I was part of this team for eight years when I was in the Marines. We were all very close, our lives depended on it. We all left the Marines about the same time. In fact, I got my first role in a movie on a dare by Stump. They all went their own way for about a year. Then Scoot called them all together and they formed their security firm. I have invested heavily in the business and it's been a tremendous success. They work primarily in North America now, but they still do some overseas work at times. I've missed the camaraderie we shared in the service. I'm really happy they have decided to move their office here. At least I get to spend time with them when they aren't on assignment."
"You aren't anything like I would expect a famous movie star to be." I am amazed. "You seem too real, too down to earth. You don't act superior and condescending to the rest of us like most famous people."
After contemplating what I said Barry responds, "I guess I would have to say that's because I was a Marine first. I have seen this less than perfect life from every angle. I have never really fit in with the regular Hollywood crowd. I don't attend their parties and I don't agree with their politics or their lifestyle. I hate all of the Paparazzi and the public appearances. Frankly, I don't care if I'm ever in another movie. While I enjoy making the movie, the acting, I don't enjoy all of the fame and notoriety that go along with it. I want nothing more than to stay right here in Wyoming on this ranch."
"Didn't I read somewhere that you were married to some up and coming young actress a few years ago? I remember now, you were accused of murdering her weren't you?"
Watching my reactions very carefully Barry answers, "Yes, that's true. I was married to Tina Drake. It was more of a publicity marriage than a real one put together by our agent to help her career. We didn't love each other. In fact, we never even slept together.
"When she died inside my house with symptoms that made it look like she had been severely beaten, I was accused of her murder. That's when I first met Jacob Murray. I was lucky enough to get him to agree to be my criminal defense attorney and he literally saved my life. The prosecution and the press had the jury all sewed up. No question I was going to be convicted. Jacob managed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tina died from a rare allergic reaction to a combination of drugs she got while in the Cayman Islands on location. Taken individually, the drugs are reasonably safe, but taken in combination, they can be lethal. The combination of drugs cause symptoms exactly like those you would see in a person that has been beaten.
"As far as I am concerned, Jacob is a miracle worker. I never thought I would walk out of that courtroom a free man. Scoot and the other guys were all furious at the circumstances surrounding the trial and they helped Jacob uncover some of the evidence that led to my acquittal. They had seen people die with similar symptoms down in Central America and they believed the symptoms were caused by a combination of drugs. They helped Jacob prove it."
A shiver of fear slides down my spine. "That must have been awful for you. How did you stand not knowing if you would live the rest of your life in prison or be put to death? How did your mother stand that? I wouldn't have been able to bear all of the uncertainty, the press, and the negative publicity."
Barry answers, "It is certainly not something I would want to do again. It was very hard on Mom too. I have worked very hard at keeping her out of the public eye and especially the tabloids. Until we moved to the ranch, I hadn't seen her in almost six years. She didn't attend the trial because of what happened a few years before. I went to visit her once right after my first movie came out. It was horrible for her and I promised her then I would stay away. Eventually, they left her alone. I really love having her here. We were very close when I was growing up."
"It's obvious you love her very much. Is your Dad gone?"
"If you're asking if he is dead, I don't know. He left us when I was only nine. Mom worked three jobs to keep me fed. We made it though and now it's my turn to repay her," says Barry.
"I wish I knew about my parents. I really regret running away all those years ago, but I can't change that now. I often wonder if they would ever want to see me again. I mean, I know I can't go to Seattle until all this is over because I certainly wouldn't want to put them in any danger, but I dream of someday seeing them again."
"I can find out about them if you want to know if they are all right," offers Barry.
"Would you? I would love to know about them, to know they are all right. It's been ten years."
"All I need is their full names and the last address you have for them. I'll call Tom Christensen tomorrow. He is a private investigator that Jacob uses on all his cases."
I give him the information he requested, "Thank you so much Barry." I lean over and brush my lips across his. The electric zing of sexual attraction takes us both by surprise.
Gazing intently into my green eyes, Barry slowly raises his palm to my cheek and lowers his mouth to mine. When our lips touch we are both lost. Barry pulls me into his arms and I wrap my arms around his neck tangling my fingers in the hair at his nape and we both savor the taste of the other.
Pulling back slightly Barry says, "Oh Beth, I have missed this so much." His heart is pounding as he lowers his head and delves deeply into the recesses of my luscious mouth drinking in my sweetness, lips clinging, tongues tangling, each seeking to quench a thirst that is unquenchable. After long minutes, he pulls away and pulls my head to his chest. His heart is pounding heavily and his breathing is ragged. As our breathing slowly returns to normal, he says, "Oh Beth, I have kissed some of the most beautiful women in the world and not one of them has ever affected me in the same the way you do. I feel like I could lose myself in you."
"Oh Barry, you are so sweet to say that, but I know I am not beautiful and could never compete with the beautiful women in your world. I am just a plain, unsophisticated girl who has spent the last ten years isolated in the backwoods of Idaho. You are so far out of my league I can't even imagine being your equal. I am not very experienced and I don't really even know how to please a man."
"Beth, you are more beautiful than you realize. Believe me, being sophisticated is not all it's cracked up to be and your innocence is one of the things that attracts me to you. Come on, I better walk you back to your room."
At my door, Barry brushes a brief kiss across my lips, "Goodnight, Beth, sleep well."
Lying in bed that night Barry once again thinks about the attraction he feels for Beth. He has heard Jacob and Jason both talking about how the attraction to their wives was so strong it literally scared them both to death. Well, that is exactly how he feels about Beth. He is just not sure their lives can ever be compatible. Until the danger to her and Michael is completely over they can never go anywhere in public together. The Paparazzi can be relentless and the danger would be too great. It is best just to take things slowly and see what happens over the next few months. Scoot did say something is in the works, he just hopes it will resolve the issue once and for all. He would love for Beth and Michael to be a part of his life forever.
******
I think back over the last few minutes with Barry. I am very flattered but I can't believe he really meant the things he said. I know I am not beautiful. Darren told me every day how plain I am and how no man would ever want me when he was through with me. But Barry sure knows how to kiss. Darren never kissed me the way Barry does. He never created the feelings of excitement deep down in my soul. Barry makes me feel beautiful, even if I'm not. I truly believe I could kiss Barry forever and never get tired of it.
I remember what he said about not caring if he ever makes another movie. I don't believe that either. He is a born movie star. In New York, Michael and I rented every movie we could find starring Barry Farrady. The parts appear to have been written just for him. He is a natural. He may be tired of the
Hollywood scene right now, but eventually he'll want to go back. Michael and I can never go down that road. It would be too dangerous.
CHAPTER 10
I quickly settle into my new position as housekeeper at the ranch and Michael is thrilled we are staying. He loves living on the ranch. He is hoping that his Mom and Barry will fall in love and get married so he never has to leave. He and Dani have been talking about it and Dani told him about how her Dad and Jana fell in love and got married. If his Mom were to marry Barry he would have a Dad he can be proud of. Please God, I don't want to leave the ranch.
The new security fence and cameras are all up and running at the Rocking J Ranch and the same security firm is monitoring both ranches. No further incidents have occurred.
Bud, Pinky, or Goose goes with Michael and Dani any time they go riding. The two are not allowed to go anywhere alone and after the last time Michael is glad. He hopes he never has to be alone with men from the compound ever again. He feels safe when one of the Drake Security team is with them.
Both ends of the logging road have been barricaded with heavy concrete barriers so that no vehicle can get to the back side of either one of the ranches and the sheriff regularly patrols all of the access roads around the area.
The reporter Michael identified as a member of the militia is still hanging around at the gate though. Stump has managed to infiltrate the group of reporters and is keeping a close eye on his actions.
******
Late in the afternoon in the middle of July, Scoot tracks Barry and me down in the barn where we were just getting ready to go for a ride.
"Hey, you two, I'm really sorry but you are going to have to postpone your ride. I had a call from the sheriff a few minutes ago. Two of the known members of Calloway's militia group were spotted in Cody this morning. He had them followed but they managed to elude the tail about an hour ago. I recommend you gather everyone together in the house so we can keep tabs on them until we figure out what they are planning."
