Carried Away by Love

by Vickery, Rebecca J.

  Finally, when Alicia's tears seemed to be slowing, Hunter told her, "Gather some things for you and the baby. We can't leave you here. We'll see you get to a safe place."

  "We'll also be sure you get your money, Alicia. But we haven't found it just yet. Abby fully intended to give it to you all along, just as your grandfather wanted." Dani handed the girl some tissues and drew back to let her mop up.

  "Why would you want to help me? You don't even know me." Alicia sniffled and then blew her nose.

  "Because Billy needs his mom, and you need a chance to make your life better. For Billy's sake, would you be willing to tell the police about Brian, if we went with you?" Dani cautiously asked the girl. "We have to talk to them about the latest break-in anyway."

  "Would...Would they keep him away from me and Billy? What if they let him go and he comes after us?"

  "I know some people who can help you relocate, even change your name, if it comes to that." Hunter offered. He hoped such drastic steps wouldn't be necessary, but he knew people who could make it happen, especially with an endangered child involved. "But if you tell the police what you've told us, plus evidence they find in our rooms, Brian should be headed to prison for quite a while. What kind of vehicle does Brian drive?"

  "Brian has an old beat up truck that doesn't run half the time. His friend, Jeffrey, drives a dark green Chrysler. Why?"

  "I just wanted to make sure so we can watch for them," Hunter answered. Billy had fallen asleep, two fingers still curled around Hunter's watchband. Very carefully, Hunter loosened the baby's fingers, and then stood.

  "Do you still want me to get our things?" Alicia twisted a tissue in her fingers as she looked from one to the other.

  Dani nodded. "Of course we do. We can't leave you and Billy here. Tell me what you need and I'll help."

  With Dani's help, and Hunter keeping an eye out for trouble, it didn't take long to pack for the baby and Alicia. Their belongings were meager and Alicia grabbed almost everything, stuffing it into two garbage bags and one battered old suitcase.

  Just as Hunter was about to herd them out to the van, his cell phone rang. "You got company. Two guys in a '92 green Chrysler New Yorker are pulling up now. What should I do?" Sparks asked.

  "Call the cops. Wait until they come inside then follow them in on the sly. I might need backup."

  "Will do..."

  Hunter turned to Dani and Alicia and handed over the carrier containing the baby while urging them toward the rear of the small house. "Take the baby and get in the bathroom. Lock the door and duck into the shower. Don't come out until I say it's safe."

  Thankfully, Dani and Alicia did as directed without argument to protect little Billie. Hunter hid behind the doorframe of the bedroom, weapon drawn.

  Brian and Jeffrey shouldered in through the front door and burst into the living room. "Where the devil are you, 'Licia? Come on out! And bring that brat with you!"

  Hunter waited until Brian kicked the rocker and his buddy dropped onto the loveseat before showing himself. "You blokes hold it right there," he ordered as he pointed the gun at them. "Put your hands on your head and get on your knees," Hunter demanded, firm and direct, leaving no room for discussion.

  "Wait... I can get the money... I—" Brian began whining, even as he obeyed.

  "Look, man— I ain't no part of this—" Jeffrey squeaked as he slid from the sofa to his knees, hands up.

  "Shut up!" Hunter barked, cutting off both of them.

  Sparks joined them and patted each of them down, removing a revolver from Brian's waistband and a wicked-looking switchblade from Jeffrey's pocket.

  The sound of sirens could be heard growing closer as Hunter chuckled without humor. "You idiots, Arnie didn't send us. You've been breaking into our rooms, trying to steal Lovely Lottie's Treasure."

  He stepped closer and shoved Brian over to his stomach with his foot then applied pressure to the back of his neck. Bending down to speak close to the criminal's ear, he warned, "Once you get out, if you ever come near Alicia or Billy again, I will be back, and you will think Arnie's boys are sweet little kittens compared to what I will do to you. Got it?"

  "Yeah – uhn...yes, sir..." Brian whined from the corner of his mouth as the side of his face ground against the dingy carpet.

  Sparks met the police officers at the door, flashed his ID, and explained the situation. Brian and Jeffrey were cuffed, read their rights, and hauled away.

  Hunter and Sparks loaded Alicia's things into the van and Dani helped settle them inside. After Hunter placed a couple of phone calls, Sparks drove them to a large two-story house surrounded by fencing on the outskirts of the city.

  While they waited for clearance at the gate, Hunter assured Alicia, "You and the baby will be safe here. We'll contact you when we have your money and let you know when it's safe to go home. To remain safe, don't leave here without an escort." Once at the front door, he introduced her to a fit, nice-looking couple.

  Sparks helped unload Alicia's belongings and Dani carried Billy. She immediately liked the Brewsters and was comforted when she saw how clean and homey the large living room appeared once they entered. A security alarm pad blinked on the wall near the door.

  Mrs. Brewster showed Dani, Alicia, and Billy to a bedroom upstairs, talking as they went. "We can shelter several endangered small families here at once, and we have a very good record for preventing abuse. We also offer assistance with relocation, job searches, or getting funding for education or job training if needed."

  Dani hugged Hunter and thanked him before she climbed into the van. He'd found the perfect place for Alicia and Billy to hide until their situation was resolved.

  Chapter Ten

  The hotel staff worked their magic and the suite appeared almost normal when Dani, Hunter, and Abby returned. Someone had even arranged the delivery of a variety of new clothes and several hotel robes hung in the entry closet.

  After meeting Alicia and her sweet baby, Dani became more determined to find the Lovely Lottie Treasure. She now knew for sure the stash existed, and with Brian and Jeffrey in jail, she and her friends should be safe while looking for it.

  But the actual search had to be done, and could present its own dangers. Dani dreamed about all that could possibly go wrong once she finally fell into bed.

  * * * * *

  With the early morning mist swirling around them, Dani, Abby, and Hunter hiked down a steep hill to the opening of a storm drain. Armed with flashlights, a backpack of gear, and wearing gloves, the three looked forward to the treasure hunt.

  Hunter pointed his light into the opening to be sure the entrance was clear. Aside from gooey mud, assorted trash, and a thin stream of water, nothing blocked their path.

  "Okay, here goes," Dani grimaced and gingerly stepped into the squishy muck coating the bottom of the pipe. She could walk without stooping over too far, but Abby and Hunter weren't as lucky. Her biggest fear was slipping and landing on her butt in the damp mess.

  Hunter looked around once more to be sure they weren't observed, bent at the waist, and entered the pipe behind the girls. Carrying the backpack on his shoulders, he carefully kept his right hand free to grab his gun if necessary.

  Abby let out a gasp and caught hold of Dani to keep from falling as her foot slid.

  "Be careful. This goop is slick as ice in places," Dani warned, steadying Abby.

  "Let me go first," Hunter ordered and moved cautiously past them to lead the way. "Stay close and keep your eyes open. No telling what we'll run into down here."

  "I certainly hope it's not rats or I'm going the other way," Abby told them.

  The deeper into the pipe they walked, the smellier and darker it grew. Without the flashlights, they would have been in total darkness after only a few feet. They traveled a hundred yards or so to a junction of several large pipes. One angled down from above and water splashed into a small pool in the center of the intersection. They could see the pipe to the right was blocked by dirt and debris
when Hunter shined his light inside. The one to the left angled up slightly and was dry which indicated it was probably blocked off farther along as well. Following Slow Joe's directions, they continued straight ahead and began looking for the next opening to the left.

  Hunter stopped abruptly. "Watch it. The pipe ends here and there's a drop off." He moved his light to show them what he meant. Where the metal culvert pipe ended, heavy rains or flooding washed away the earth and undercut the storm drain. A large hole with dark, standing water made it impossible to judge exactly how far it was to the bottom.

  "Look over there," Dani pointed with her own light. "Looks like a path." A narrow ridge of packed dirt bordered the hole on the right side. "I think that's the way."

  "Okay," Hunter nodded. "I'll go first to make sure it's safe." He started shrugging out of the backpack.

  "That doesn't make any sense," Dani argued. "I'm smaller and lighter and you could definitely rescue me if I got into trouble better than we could pull you out."

  Hunter opened his mouth to argue, but Abby cut him off. "I think she's right, Hunter. Why not tie the rope to her in case she falls. You could pull her right out. I doubt if both of us together could pull you up. Besides, what if you fall and then trouble shows up?"

  The latter part of the argument changed Hunter's mind. "You win, but Dani, don't take any chances. Abby, keep watch and let me know if you hear or see anything." He unzipped the backpack and pulled out a coiled rope. After tying it around Dani's waist, he moved back from the edge of the drop off.

  With the light in her left hand and her other reaching for the wall, Dani edged out onto the ridge of dirt. Her movements were awkward and after only a couple of steps, she stopped, switched the light to her right hand, and turned her butt to the wall. Steadying with her left hand along the wall, she moved along fairly easily by sliding one foot beside the other. Finally, she reached the other side.

  "It's not too bad," she called across the space separating them. "Hunter, you'll have the hardest time. Why don't you send Abby next?" she suggested as she untied the rope from around her waist.

  "Okay, Abby, you're up." Hunter pulled in the rope and then tied it around Abby's waist. "Take your time and be careful."

  Dani talked encouragingly to Abby until she made it safely across.

  Hunter put the backpack on his arm and tied his end of the rope around his waist. On the other side, Dani and Abby moved back and anchored him the best they could in case he fell.

  Hunter bent his knees to keep his balance as he leaned out from the wall to avoid banging his head. He also needed to compensate for the extra weight of the backpack. A larger man, or a less agile one, would not make it past that point. It occurred to him this would be the perfect place to lose the cops if you were a mugger or a thief.

  Dani met him with a hug, and then quickly rewound the rope and packed it away.

  Moving cautiously, Hunter stopped again after several hundred feet. A smaller pipe opening to the left would require getting down on their knees to crawl through.

  "Do you think this is the turn he meant?" Hunter shifted his light back and forth, checking out the adjoining shaft.

  "Must be," Abby agreed. "I haven't seen another opening on this side at all."

  "I say we go for it. Joe's directions have been accurate so far," Dani reminded them.

  "This time I'm going first, NO arguments." Hunter handed Dani the backpack. "Slide this to me when I get inside. Stay here until I call out the okay, then the two of you crawl behind me."

  At least the bottom of this pipe was dry. After crawling forward several feet, Hunter stopped and called for Dani and Abby to join him. They also crawled on hands and knees. Finally, the metal storm pipe ended and they continued on in a roughed out dirt tunnel. It too suddenly ended.

  When Hunter reached the end of the shaft, he looked directly into a burnt section of the old town. Glowing torches, some flickering fires, and a few lanterns indicated the area was occupied.

  "Go up to the edge, one at a time, and take a look," Hunter insisted.

  "Wow, there really are people down here. Do you think they live here?" Abby asked after she and Dani peeked and then slid back from the edge.

  "Probably, about as much as they live anywhere," Hunter answered. "We don't know what kind of reception we'll get, so don't mention what we're up to," he insisted as he gave them each a warning look. "If anybody asks, we're tourists tired of the guided tours. We paid an old guy to show us how to get here. We have friends who were too chicken to come with us, but are waiting at the entrance for us to come out."

  "Smart," Abby smiled at him. "That way they think someone will sound the alarm if we go missing."

  "Shut up, you two – you're scaring me. Are we going out there or not?" Dani passed Abby a bottle of water and took one for herself, which she shared with Hunter. The closeness of the tunnel was beginning to get to her and she wanted to move.

  "Ready when you are." Hunter closed the backpack and rechecked his gun.

  Abby agreed. "Let's get to work. This place stinks and my jeans are soaked. I don't even want to know with what."

  Hunter slipped outside the tunnel and hunkered down, waiting for Dani and Abby to do the same. "Keep your lights pointed toward the ground and don't draw attention."

  With stifled groans, they all straightened and tried to stretch the kinks out of their backs and legs. Then Hunter led the way through the debris of the old town.

  "Do you know where we're going?" Abby moved closer and whispered to Dani. "Or even where we are right now?"

  "I think we're close. I need to touch something to get my bearings," she responded.

  Abby shrugged and concentrated on avoiding the debris scattered on the ground.

  Once the slope leveled out, Hunter stopped and in a hushed tone asked, "Okay, Dani, which way?"

  "I have to touch something that's been here a long time to know." She pointed toward a partially burned standing timber which might have once been the corner post of a building.

  Hunter and Abby followed her until Abby caught Hunter's arm and stopped him. Hunter arched his brows at her, and she whispered, "Wait. She needs to concentrate and you are a distraction."

  Taking a deep breath and reaching a hand out, Dani gently touched the old, charred wood. She cleared her mind and focused on Lottie. She saw flames and heard screams and shouting. Then ghostly figures ran wildly by, horses raced past pulling an old fire-fighting pump, and she could even feel the heat and smell the smoke. Moving her hand farther down the timber, touching where the wood was not as damaged, she forced those scenes from her mind.

  A small millinery store with a large glass window fronted the street. Hats of various colors and styles were displayed. A smiling woman with a tight bun at the back of her head stood in the doorway. Farther down the boardwalk – a tearoom. Suddenly, Lottie walked by. She disappeared into an alley beside the tearoom.

  Dani dropped her hand and waited for her actual surroundings to come into focus.

  Hunter and Abby quickly moved to join her. "Well? What did you find out?" Abby insisted in hushed tones. "Do you know where to go from here?"

  "There's an alley not far from here – to the right. We need to go there," Dani told them. She gave Hunter a half smile. "Guess you think this is pretty weird, huh?"

  "A little different, but by no means weird. Now, Derek – he's weird. And what happened when you touched Abby's computer, that was really weird." He moved closer. "But don't think any of this is going to get you clear of going out with me," he whispered softly in her ear. "I can't wait to have you all to myself…"

  Dani turned her face to his and gave him a quick kiss. As he tried to hold onto her and deepen the kiss, she backed away. Shaking her finger at him, she laughingly warned, "Work first, then play."

  Hunter shook his head and glared at Dani before saying, "Let's get this done and get out of here."

  "I'm all for that," Abby agreed. "This place gives me the willies."


  Dani led them to where the alley had been so many years ago. Several grungy-looking men squatted by a small fire, almost blocking their way. Hunter placed his body between the men and the girls as he urged Dani and Abby by them. One of the men started to rise, but one intense stare from Hunter had him sinking back down. Carefully watching their backs, Hunter didn't let the girls slow down until they were well past the fire.

  "Okay, where to now?" he wanted to know.

  Dani flipped her light around looking for something else old to touch. A few feet of a crumbling brick wall were barely visible from behind a pile of rotting planks and she headed there.

  Hunter and Abby kept a lookout as she lost herself in the past once more. Dani placed her hand at the base of the crumbling bricks and thought of Lottie.

  Several Chinese children bent over washtubs and one woman carried two buckets of water. The laundry – beside Maggie's place.

  Lottie cut through to the main street by way of the alley. The busty young blonde swung a small brown reticule as she walked along chewing on a piece of red licorice. She had just passed a spot midway down the narrow alley when she began looking around carefully. With no one in sight, she moved to the edge of the alley against the tearoom wall. Checking again, Lottie then bent down and pulled aside a loose board to reveal a coal chute going into the basement of the building. Reaching inside and to the left, she pulled out an old coffee can and sat it on the ground. She took a tobacco sack from within her dress neckline and emptied its contents into the can. Working quickly, she put the can back and slid the board into place before straightening, briskly dusting her hands, and walking away.

  Dani pulled her hand away from the brick wall and sat down to allow her mind to return to the present. She watched Hunter and Abby rush toward her. "I'm okay. Just a little disoriented."

  "Put your head down." Hunter rubbed her back while Abby kept watch. "You okay?"

  Dani caught hold of his hands, held them for a minute, and then straightened. "I'm fine now. I saw it… I saw her hiding place, but I don't know if we can get to it. It's right here – or rather, back down there…" She pointed to where the men hunkered around the fire about halfway down the section of the old alley.