by Karen Ward
Scoots cell phone rings, "Scoot here."
Stump says, "We have two new faces out here from the group."
"Keep me posted," says Scoot as he disconnects. "They've turned up at the gate. Let's get ready."
Bud takes charge of the horses and Barry and I go to the house to get everyone together.
Virginia prepares sandwiches and chips for a light dinner and everyone gathers in the great room and tries to relax.
"Beth, here is the derringer I gave you before. Put it in your pocket just in case," requests Barry.
I place the derringer in my pocket and then put my arms around Barry's waist and lay my head on his chest. He enfolds me in his arms willing his strength to me. He holds me for a few minutes then leads me to the sofa and sits down with me, grasping my hand in his. Michael sits down on my other side and puts his arms around me.
******
Bob Kenner is on his way back to the Rocking J Ranch from picking up supplies in Cody when he sees a man he knows from the feed store in town standing beside his truck on the side of the highway with the hood up, a universal sign indicating car trouble. He pulls his truck over to the side of the road to offer his assistance. When he steps out of the truck he is surprised when he is immediately surrounded by three men pointing semi-automatic weapons at him.
He raises his hands in the air, "What's going on? Tom, what are you doing? Who are these men?" Tom is the man from the feed store.
"Just keep your mouth shut and do as you're told and everything will be fine," answers Tom. "We just need your help getting on to that movie star's ranch."
A cold chill runs down Bob Kenner's back. These men are part of that militia group and they are after Michael. His heart is pounding with trepidation. He takes a steadying breath and calmly says, "Sure, what do you want me to do?"
"We want you to get us past the security, that's all and then you can go about your business," answers Tom. Bob doubts that they will just let him walk away since he has seen all off their faces but he can't think of anything to do except take them to the ranch.
"Well, get in the truck, I'll take you in the back gate, the one between the two ranches."
Bob climbs back in his truck and is joined by the other four men with their weapons still pointed at him. He pulls back out on the road and continues toward the Rocking J Ranch. He is very nervous and his brain is frantically trying to figure out what he can do to resolve this situation.
******
Standing just inside the tree line along the road where the men kidnapped Bob Kenner, Stump calls Scoot,
"They have Bob Kenner, four members. They tricked him into stopping and took him at gunpoint. He is going to take them through the back gate onto Barry's ranch. I'm miles away, I won't be much help."
"Thanks Stump, we'll handle it from this end," replies Scoot.
Scoot calls Jacob Murray to tell him about Bob being a hostage and to request him to get his family all inside their house to safety. He sends Bud, his wife Mary, and the two ranch hands to the main ranch house where Bud takes everyone down to the weight room in the basement and bolts the door. Barry had the room reinforced to withstand a bomb blast during the renovations and it is stocked with non-perishable food and water for emergencies.
Then Scoot, Barry, Pinky, and Goose take positions around the yard at the main house. They don't want to put Bob Kenner in any danger if possible so they will wait and watch.
When Bob Kenner drives up to the main gate that will take him onto the Rocking J Ranch he enters the security code which indicates an emergency but still allows him entry. As he pulls through the gate he knows that all of the security forces and the local sheriff will be notified of an emergency at the ranch. As he drives past the barn toward the gate between the two ranches he wonders if someone has already notified Jacob and Jason because he doesn't see anyone anywhere around which is unusual. His heart is pounding with trepidation.
As Bob's truck passes through the yard toward the back gate, Jacob calls Scoot. "They are on their way, he just passed our house. It looked like four men besides Bob in the truck."
"Thanks, Jacob. I'll let you know when it's all clear," replies Scoot.
After the truck passes, Jacob and Jason grab their hunting rifles and follow on horseback staying far enough back so as not to be seen.
When the truck drives up to the gate between the two ranches, Bob wonders about the guard that usually monitors the gate. He's nowhere around so Bob lowers the window to enter the access code. That is when he notices the specks on the horizon in his side view mirror. Jacob and Jason, he hopes these men don't notice them. He enters the security code, drives through the gate, and stops.
"All right, this is Barry's ranch. What now?"
The man in the front seat asks, "How far is it to the house from here?"
Bob answers, "I guess it's about two or three miles."
"Drive toward the house, we'll tell you when to stop," says the man who seems to be in charge. Bob continues to drive down the road toward Barry's house.
About a half mile from the house the man says, "Stop here." He signals two of the men to exit the truck. Once they are out of the truck and moving around to opposite sides of the house, the man says, "Okay, drive." When they get to within a hundred yards and have a clear view of the house the man says, "Stop here. Call him."
"Call who?" asks Bob pretending ignorance. His heart is pounding with apprehension.
"Call the movie star. Tell him to send the boy and his mother out. They are the only ones we care about," says the man.
As they have been driving across the pasture a large herd of cattle has been following and when they stop and are sitting in the truck, the herd of cattle begins gathering around the truck. The man in the front seat asks, "What's going on? What's with all the cows?"
Bob explains, "I imagine they think we are going to feed them. That's usually why they gather around a vehicle. I'll get rid of them." He opens the truck door, climbs down, and starts trying to herd the cows away from the truck. As he moves to the back of the truck away from the men, he falls to the ground. Multiple shots ring out and the truck is riddled with bullets killing the two men inside. As the Drake Security team advances toward the truck Bob is crawling away on his stomach in the dirt. When the shots were fired the cattle scattered and he is out in the open and doesn't know the status of the men in the truck or the two that got out earlier.
Once the members of the Drake Security team verify the two men in the truck are deceased, Scoot says, "All clear, Bob."
Bob says, "Two more of them are around here somewhere. They got out of the truck about a half mile back."
Scoot says, "We have it under control. The security guards stopped them as soon as you were out of sight."
Relieved, Bob stands up brushing the dirt off his clothes. He walks back toward the truck where he is met by Scoot who asks, "Are you all right? They didn't hurt you did they?"
Shaking his head, Bob replies, "No, but I was plenty scared. It's not fun having four semi-automatics pointed at you." Bob is relieved that his predicament is resolved.
"I'm really sorry about your truck. I'll see that it gets replaced. That was pretty smart telling them you would get rid of the cattle. I was relieved to see you exit the truck and give us a clear shot." Scoot explains.
"Well, that's why I hit the ground. I didn't want to get hit by a stray bullet or one that ricocheted," laughs Bob. "When I didn't see anyone around the barn at the Rocking J and then the guard that is usually at the gate between the two ranches was nowhere to be found, I figured you had gotten advance notice of my predicament and were ready and waiting."
"I guess we better go let the others know the danger is clear. Why don't you call Jacob and Jason?" asks Scoot as they walk toward Barry's house.
Bob answers, "They saw it all since they were just out of sight over in the trees. I'm sure they'll be right behind us."
******
Bud, the ranch hands, the women and E
ric are all sitting quietly in the basement weight room. Their nerves are strained and it is so quiet you can actually hear the people breathing. What seems like hours pass with no word then Bud's cell phone rings causing everyone to jump startled at the sudden noise,
"All clear," says Scoot. "I'll be in soon to give you an update."
When Bud tells the group in the weight room the news a collective sigh of relief flows through the group and they go back to the great room to wait for the men to return. They can see Bob's bullet riddled truck out the windows at the back of the house. They can see Jacob and Jason's horses tied up by the barn but they don't see any of the men anywhere. Virginia is beside herself with worry and is pacing around the room. I am trying to reassure her.
"Virginia, Scoot and the others are very capable. I'm sure Bob is fine."
Virginia replies, "Oh Beth, I pray that you are right. I am just so afraid."
Laughing, I say, "Believe me, I understand."
After about another hour Scoot, Barry, Goose, and Pinky enter the house to give an update. They are accompanied by Bob Kenner and Jacob and Jason Murray.
Virginia jumps up from the sofa and runs to Bob throwing her arms around his waist, "Oh Bob, I was so worried. Are you all right? They didn't hurt you did they?"
Bob is thoroughly enjoying her attention. He grins and says, "Virginia, I'm just fine." He encloses her in his arms and lays his head on top of hers.
Scoot smiles at their show of affection and says, "If everyone will sit down I will tell you everything we know." He waits while the group takes seats around the room then he begins his explanation.
"First of all, Stump notified me that Bob had been taken hostage by four members of the militia at gun point. His early notification gave us the extra time we needed to be prepared. He should be back soon. I think he must be on foot walking back from where they stopped you on the road Bob."
He glances at Bob then continues, "A man known to Bob from the feed store in Cody tricked him into stopping on his way back to the Rocking J from town by parking his truck on the side of the road and raising the hood. When Bob stopped his truck to offer his assistance, he was surrounded by the two members of the militia that were seen earlier today in Cody and Peter Williams, the guy that has been hanging around at the gate all summer. All three men had their weapons drawn. Bob very wisely did as the four men requested and brought them through the back gate between the two ranches to Barry's house.
"About a half mile from the house, two of the members exited the truck and were making their way toward opposite sides of the house on foot. The security force stopped and arrested both of them as soon as the truck was out of sight.
As Bob and the other two men were driving across the pasture, a herd of cattle was following the truck expecting dinner. Just before Bob managed to exit the truck to move the cattle away the man in charge told him to call Barry and have him send out the boy and his mother.
"The cattle's doing what cattle do was a lucky break for us. It gave Bob the excuse he needed to get out of the truck and made it safer for us to neutralize the two men in the truck without exposing Bob to the danger of getting shot. Once we had verified the two in the truck were deceased and that Bob was unharmed, we notified Bud of the all clear."
He once again glances over at Bob and then continues, "When I called the FBI following the end of our operation to notify them of the trouble here, they informed me of another operation they were involved in. I'm sure you are going to be pleased to hear about this one, Beth.
"At the same time all this was going down here, the FBI and ATF were raiding the compound in Idaho. The militia group was having a big convention and training session at the compound and all of the members were in attendance. Michael, well, Eric was supposed to be the guest of honor. A man I think you may remember, Billy Newman, furnished the ATF with the information they needed to raid the convention. Newman was the man that was with Calloway and James Bragg when they tried to get to Beth and Michael here back in January. He has been working undercover for the ATF since that day. Beth, the information that you and Michael furnished about the layout of the compound and their regular routines was essential to the success of the operation." He pauses and glances from Beth to Michael then continues,
"The four men here were supposed to deliver Michael to Idaho for the official signing of the deed. We believe they were planning to kill you, Beth, to make Michael an orphan and eligible to be adopted by someone in the group thus giving them ownership of the compound and access to the money. Anyway, every known current member of the group is now either dead or in federal custody. Beth, your nightmare is finally over."
I ask doubtfully, "How can you be sure you have them all?" My heart is pounding heavily with hope.
Scoot answers, "The ATF and FBI have been monitoring this particular group for over five years. They have documented every email, every phone call, every gathering. They had two men on the inside. I'm sure you would know them if I showed you their pictures but I can't. The word on the street will be that they escaped. This will make them perfect for further undercover work in another group.
The compound was completely destroyed and all of the women and children are in protective custody right now. Once all of the details are known they will either be charged or released. Beth, you may be called on to help weed out the good from the bad."
Barry looks down at Beth smiling, "Any more questions?"
I smile at Barry and answer, "No, I just can believe it is really over. It just seems too good to be true."
Scoot reassures her, "It's really over, Beth. You are free to live your life anywhere, any way you want to."
"Do you mean I can even let my hair grow back out and can be Melanie Brentwood again?" I ask unbelievingly.
Scoot grins and answers, "You can be the same blonde and beautiful Melanie with a son named Eric that we met last winter."
"Thank you so much," Tears are rolling down my face.
Barry puts his arm around me and pulls me and Eric close to his side. A wave of relief washes over Barry. They are finally safe! Now he is free to pursue his attraction to Melanie. His heart pounds with excitement.
CHAPTER 11
Later that night after Eric is asleep, Barry and I are sitting in our favorite place on the wooden swing out on the patio. Barry has his arm along the back of the swing when he addresses me,
"Melanie, wow, it sounds really strange calling you that after all these weeks. I have another surprise for you." He reaches into his shirt pocket and pulls out a small manila envelope and hands it to me.
My heart immediately speeds up and I shake my head. "I'm not sure I can handle any more surprises today." I take the envelope from him and glance at the return address. The envelope is from Los Angeles from someone named Tom Christensen. "What is it?"
"Open it and see. I haven't read it." He pauses but when I look at him questioningly he continues, "It is the answers you wanted about your parents."
"Oh Barry, I'm so nervous!" I hand the envelope back to him. "You read it, please?" I request, my heart pounding with apprehension.
Barry opens the envelope and pulls out a single sheet of paper. He begins to read, "Mark and Patricia Brentwood live at 314 Sycamore Street in Seattle, Washington ..."
"You're kidding! That is the same place we lived when I ran away. I can't believe they are still living in the same house!"
Barry smiles and says, "That is what it says. Mark Brentwood is an executive for Microsoft Corporation. Patricia Brentwood is a housewife. They have one child, Melanie Brentwood, disappeared in 1999. Her whereabouts are still unknown but she is thought to be a runaway. It lists a phone number, would you like to call them?"
"I don't know ... what if they don't want to hear from me? I know I hurt them terribly when I left."
"Would you like for me to call?" he asks. "Or I could have Tom, the private investigator, contact them first. That way they would be free to refuse contact if they choose."
"Yes, do that. I think that would be best. Please have Tom contact them and then if they want to see me, Eric and I can go to Seattle." My heart is pounding. Oh God, what will I do if they don't want to see me? What will I do if they do?
"All right, I'll call him tomorrow," he hesitates then asks, "Melanie, what are you planning to do now?" His heart is pounding with apprehension.
I smile nervously, "I honestly don't know, I am still having trouble believing my nightmare is really over."
Barry smiles back, "I really would like for you and Eric to stay here at the ranch. I love having you here." He is thinking that the very last of his concerns about a relationship with Melanie have been resolved. She is now free to venture out in public with him. Of course, that doesn't mean she would like dealing with the Paparazzi any better than his mother does, but at least she is no longer in danger if she does.
I look down at my hands, hesitate then say, "I don't know Barry. Eric loves it here, I do too but ..."
"Melanie, please at least think about staying. I want us to spend more time together now that the danger to you and Eric is over. I think what we have is special and I want to see where it might lead." Barry pleads. His heart is pounding with dread.
"Oh Barry, I know that I feel something special for you too, but I am so afraid you will wake up one day and hate having me here underfoot. I'm not sophisticated enough to be able to walk away if I let myself care for you." I respond honestly.
"Don't make any decisions tonight. Let's wait and see what Tom finds out from your parents. You might like to spend some time in Seattle with them, all right?" he says feeling panicky. Oh God, what is he going to do if she leaves and never comes back?
"That makes sense." I rise out of the chair and when Barry starts to rise too I say, "No, I'll be fine."
He nods and I walk away. Barry has the worst sinking feeling in his stomach. Melanie is definitely trying to put distance between them. He doesn't want to lose her, at least not yet, but he doesn't know what to do. He can't make her stay so he'll just have to be patient and pray everything will work out in the end.
