The Yuletide Rescue

by Margaret Daley

  I can’t do it without You, God. Please send help.

  As she crossed the threshold into the cabin, the guy who had seemed to take pleasure in manhandling her earlier in the chopper propelled her forward with a rough push until she fell onto a ratty-looking couch, her cheek pressed against a scratchy cushion. The odor—a mixture of cigarettes and mold—emanating from the sofa turned her stomach. She thrust herself up to a sitting position and peered up at all three men surrounding her. A wall of menace caged her and pinned her against her seat as if she were a butterfly captured and put on display.

  Thin Man glared at her. “You have caused us a lot of problems.”

  Good.

  “You were with Jeremiah that last day. What did you do with the diamonds? They aren’t at his place or yours. Where are they? Your life depends on the right answer.”

  Saying she didn’t know wasn’t going to work. Frantically, she thought of the right answer. If she knew where the diamonds were, she would gladly give these men all the gems.

  The burly man who liked to shove her encroached into her personal space. Her eyes grew wide as they locked on his raised fist. She swung her attention to Thin Man. “I don’t know anything about diamonds. Today from you is the first time I heard about them. Obviously I don’t have them. You’ve searched my house.”

  “And the clinic.”

  Bree gasped. They’d searched the clinic. When?

  “That means you put them somewhere else.”

  An idea teased her mind. It might work. She slouched her shoulders as if resigned. “Okay. They’re in a safety-deposit box Jeremiah had.”

  Thin Man’s eyebrows rose. “So now you know where they are. You’re lying. We have connections. You discovered some bonds but nothing else. The police are checking into where they came from.”

  How does he know that? Granted the contents weren’t a secret, but still... “Is that why you took the plane? To look for the diamonds?”

  His glare sharpened on her right before Thin Man nodded to the burly one. The next thing she felt was a fist hitting her jaw. Her world swirled before her eyes.

  * * *

  David stood with Thomas in the ER hallway while the doctor examined his dad. David’s gut knotted with the tension that had spread throughout his body since arriving at the hospital. Before that, he’d had to hold it together and focus on getting his father the medical care he needed.

  “I haven’t had a chance to tell you the clinic where Bree works was ransacked last night,” Thomas told him. “The cleaning crew came in around eleven and found it trashed. They immediately called us. No drugs were taken, which means they were looking for something else. In particular the office Bree shares with several doctors was thoroughly searched, more than the rest of the place. The clinic closes at seven so it happened between that time and eleven.” Thomas folded his arms and lounged against the wall next to David.

  He glanced sideways at his friend. “I won’t be surprised if my home is next.”

  “Last night I sent a patrol car to sit outside your house. This morning I removed the patrol officer from the area but had a lookout posted in your neighbor’s place. Nothing so far.”

  “According to Dad, these people are searching for diamonds so we must be dealing with a smuggling ring. How much, he didn’t know, but obviously a lot if they’re going to this much trouble. They want the diamonds in exchange for Bree.”

  “There’s quite a black market for blood diamonds from Africa especially. They even forge papers so the gems can be sold in the United States. Lucrative business. The diamonds are smuggled out of Africa for little money but bring in millions once ‘legitimized’ with a certificate and sold.”

  “Kidnapping and murder follow these diamonds.” David shook his head. “I hope they try getting inside my house. It’ll give us someone to pressure for answers since Franks and Keller are both dead.”

  The doctor emerged from Don’s room and approached David. “He’ll have a complete recovery. He’s lost some blood, has a concussion and a bullet wound that didn’t do too much damage. He took a nasty hit to the head, so we’ll keep him overnight. That’s what I’m worried about the most.”

  “Can I talk to him?” David pushed off the wall, trying to keep his anger contained. He needed to remain calm and in control in order to find Bree.

  “Yes, he’s awake. We’ll be moving him to a permanent room soon.”

  After the doctor left, David went in to see his dad with Thomas right behind him.

  After he’d ascertained for himself that his dad was okay, he turned his attention to Bree. “Dad, Bree is missing, and I need information to find her. The helicopter was on radar until it went off the screen around Denali. It finally came back on for a short time, then went below radar again. I have people searching the area in planes, but it covers a lot of acreage. Without the helicopter sitting by where she is, I’m not sure we can find the place. You told me a few things in the plane, but I’d like you to share it again.”

  His father frowned, then grimaced as though even that action caused him pain. “They haven’t contacted you yet?”

  “No.”

  “I think the reason I’m alive is because they wanted me to pass on a message. You have thirty-six hours to find the diamonds or Bree dies. They’ll be contacting you about a place to exchange Bree for the diamonds tomorrow at five o’clock.”

  “Which gives us thirty hours to find the diamonds or Bree.”

  His dad closed his eyes for a few seconds. “They know the police will be involved—” he looked up at David “—but warned about keeping them back from the exchange. Son, they won’t keep her alive a minute past five. The man in charge had no emotion on his face, even when one of his guys was shot. He left him behind.”

  “If Jeremiah was flying the diamonds from Daring to Anchorage, then his plane or cabin are about the only places the diamonds could be. They didn’t find them in the plane, so that means they’re in the cabin. I’ll fly back there with Chance, and if I have to tear it apart board by board, I will.”

  “Good. Get going. Time is ticking.” His father ran his tongue over his lips. “And send in a nurse.”

  David left with Thomas, flagged down a nurse, then walked from the ER. Outside the wind cut through him, and he prayed Bree was warm. He turned to his friend. “I’m hoping we find them and I’m back first thing tomorrow. I need to go now, so I don’t land at the cabin in the dark. I’ll take my phone with me and keep you informed. Since it’s no longer a secret where we’re staying, I’ll write down the coordinates for you. Call with any news, bad or good.”

  Thomas handed him a pad and pen, then stuck them back in his pocket after David scribbled the location on the paper. “We have several leads we’re looking into. One involves a sighting of the white helicopter near the area. A man called the state police about someone buzzing his house. He said the chopper flew so low it rattled some things in his place and one of his wife’s favorite plates fell and shattered.”

  “Keep me posted. See you.”

  As David drove toward the airport, he thought for a moment someone was following him, but the black SUV turned several blocks before he reached the private airfield. He didn’t think the bad guys knew that Jeremiah had made a stop at the cabin, so he might be able to find them and therefore have some control over getting Bree back alive.

  He pulled into the hangar and saw Chance talking with Ella. Their somber expressions highlighted the gravity of the situation and sent his heart beating rapidly.

  * * *

  Bree’s head dropped forward, and she snapped up, straightening herself in the seat she was tied to. Her jaw throbbed from where the brute had hit her twice until she passed out. When she’d awakened hours ago—or at least she thought it had been that long—she didn’t have to feel her cheek to know it was swollen.
>
  The least of my worries.

  Exhausted from lack of sleep and fear, she scanned the darkness about her. A blackout shade was pulled down over the sole window, and the only light in the bedroom was a narrow slit coming from under the locked door. It threw the area around her into shadows, but she could make out a bed and a table next to it.

  The worst part of all this was they had left her alone as if they didn’t need her to find the diamonds. Which made her dispensable. The thought sent panic through her, her heart racing so fast, her breathing came out in pants.

  Calm down. If I’m dispensable, they would have killed me at the cabin or after their little chat earlier.

  Suddenly the words in the twenty-third Psalm came to mind. “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.’” She repeated it over and over.

  Finally, thirst and the need to visit the restroom overcame her fear, and she shouted out, “Hey, I’m in here.” She yelled it again at the top of her voice.

  The door slammed open, and the big man she called Brute filled the entrance.

  “You must have a death wish,” he grumbled and moved toward her.

  * * *

  David stood at the cabin window looking out the back. The state police would be coming later today to take Keller’s body back, but Chance had processed the scene yesterday before they’d started looking for the diamonds. He and Chance had torn the cabin apart, especially the floor, looking for any cubbyhole filled with diamonds. Nothing. In another hour, dawn would break. They had run out of places to look for what could possibly save Bree’s life.

  “Want some coffee?” Chance asked him from the destroyed kitchen.

  “Yes.” David’s gaze swept over the snow-covered ground outside. “When it gets light, we need to check around the cabin. That’s the only place we haven’t searched. Jeremiah had about ten minutes to hide the diamonds. The stash has to be close even if it’s outdoors.”

  The satellite phone rang. David had set it on the mantel. He snatched it and said, “Please have good news, Thomas.”

  “Have you found the diamonds?”

  “No.”

  “We think we found where they’re keeping Bree. I’m organizing a raid. I’d like the diamonds as a backup if there isn’t any way we can extract her without endangering her life.”

  “We’re checking outside next. I can’t think of another place inside. Maybe we have this all wrong.”

  “Let’s hope not.”

  “How’s Dad doing?”

  “I checked on him this morning like I promised. He’s chomping at the bit to get out of the hospital. The doctor wants to keep him for a while longer.”

  “And Gail? Any news there?” David took the mug of coffee Chance handed him and drank several swallows.

  “Better. The doctors are hopeful they can save her foot.”

  “Good. We’ll keep searching here and see you soon.”

  David ended the call and faced Chance. “Thomas thinks they found the place they’re keeping Bree. We have a few hours to find the diamonds and get back to Anchorage. We’re going to use our flashlights. It won’t be as good as in full daylight, but we’re running out of time.”

  “Sounds good to me. I can’t stand around and not do something anyway.”

  For the next hour as the sun rose, David examined every crevice that could possibly hold a small bag of diamonds. Discouraged, with time running out, he rose from checking where the rear deck connected with the cabin. He stretched and rolled his shoulders as he decided what was left to search.

  His gaze fell upon the reserved log stack at the line of trees twenty yards from the deck. Snow had laid a white blanket over it. Undisturbed, but then the snowstorm had passed through this area, too, since Jeremiah had been here.

  David hurried toward it. It actually wasn’t that bad a place to hide some diamonds. Even if they got wet, they would be fine. He began tossing one log after another to his side. Near the bottom, he saw what he had been looking for. As he reached through the hole he’d created in the stack, excitement surged through him. His fingers grasped the big brown pouch and pulled it free. When he peeked inside, his heartbeat pounded against his chest.

  The diamonds glittered in the sunlight slanting through the trees. Big gems. Small ones. He’d never seen so many in one place. He stuffed the pouch in his pocket and hastened to find Chance and leave. His friend was searching in the front of the cabin.

  David rounded the corner and held up the pouch. “Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”

  Chance descended the stairs of the porch. “Where?”

  “The log stack at the back of his property.”

  David did his check before taking off while Chance hopped into the front passenger seat. Lord, please let us be in time to save Bree.

  * * *

  Grumbling under his breath the whole time, Brute untied Bree, gave her some water, then escorted her to the restroom across the hall and stood guard outside the door. While inside, she refused to look at her bruised face in the mirror because she would have little time in here. Instead, she examined the window, set high up the wall, to see if there was a way to get out. She stood on the toilet and unlocked the window, then stepped down to flush and turn on the water at the sink. When she returned to try to push the window up, it wouldn’t budge.

  This was when she wished she had some strength in her arms. Note to self: if I ever get out of this situation, I’ll take up weight lifting.

  The sound of pounding on the door reverberated through the small room. “You have half a minute to come out.”

  She tried again one last time. Finally it inched up. She pulled it down, scrambled off the toilet and stuck her hands under the water, then opened the door. She shook her arms. “There are no towels in here. If possible, next time can I have one?”

  “This is no hotel,” he said with a few curse words thrown in to demonstrate his irritation. “If you don’t watch it, there might not be a next time. Sit,” he said when they were back in the bedroom.

  She did and smiled up at him. “Thanks for doing that.” Establish a rapport with your captor. She thought she’d read that somewhere. Besides, anger wouldn’t help her and would drain what strength she had.

  He snorted and went behind her to tie her wet hands. When he pulled tight, she gritted her teeth and kept her hands apart as much as possible.

  “What time is it?” she asked as he headed for the exit.

  “Your friends have eight hours to find the diamonds or...” He slammed the door shut.

  Her heart skipped a beat, and she began repeating Psalm 23.

  * * *

  David settled in behind Chance and Thomas, hidden in the forest surrounding the cabin where Bree was believed to be. David had given Thomas the pouch of diamonds when he’d arrived at the hangar, then had played the message on David’s cell phone he’d received while out of range. It had been made from a throwaway phone. The kidnapper would call again at five to tell David where he was to go to make the exchange. The message had been followed up by a photo of Bree. Right now, the memory of the photo gripped him as though a grizzly had him in his paws. His chest constricted.

  “Everyone is in place,” Thomas said in a low voice.

  “What’s your plan?” Impatience made David antsy.

  Chance glanced at David. “I’m going to try to get closer and see if I can see inside to determine if Bree or the kidnappers are there.”

  “Let me go with you. I might have been a pilot, but I’ve had experience with these kinds of situations while serving.”

  Thomas clasped his shoulder. “No. You have to stay back.”

  David ground his teeth and clenched his hands. He watched as Chance covered the open space between their hiding place a
nd the cabin on the right side.

  Flattening against the outside wall, Chance rose up on his toes, trying to see into the high window. “Can’t see anything,” he whispered over his com link. “Checking the front window.” He rounded the cabin and, crouched over, ran to it. After peeking inside, he retraced his steps to the right side. “There’s a tall, thin man like the one David described and a large muscular guy. This is the place.”

  “Move around the cabin and check the window on the back side,” the commander overseeing the raid said into the com link.

  David, who could listen but not talk, leaned toward Thomas. “There were three men beside the helicopter pilot. Where is that third guy?”

  Thomas spoke to Chance about locating the third assailant.

  Noticing the shadows, David glanced at his watch. Two-thirty. “Sunset will be soon, and if they really are going to trade Bree for the diamonds, shouldn’t we make our move?”

  “The best time would be when it gets dark. We’ll move in then unless the helicopter comes before sunset. We’ll have to assess whether to move in or try at the diamond drop in Anchorage, but since we won’t know the drop site ahead of time, it’ll be hard to set up around the perimeter there.”

  David was glad he’d brought his night vision goggles. “Any message from your police officer answering my phone about the exchange?”

  “No. I doubt they’ll call until five.”

  “If you raid the cabin, I’m glad to see one right side with a window high up, probably the bathroom, and the left side with no window. That means they can only keep an eye on the front and back. Not your best place to protect.”

  “But they were counting on us not finding it.”

  A tight grip of stress held him. David tried to relax his muscles, especially in his shoulders. He kneaded them, then his aching neck. He was thankful that Thomas had made sure Gail and his dad were protected as all this went down. Maybe by this time tomorrow everything would be over with.

  As darkness settled over the terrain, David used his night vision goggles to scan the area. Chance had no way of confirming where the third man was. That bothered him.