Vanished in the Mountains

by Tanya Stowe

  He took the envelope from McGuire. “You know this is probably a waste of time. Do you want me to handle it this morning?” He dreaded hearing the answer. The drive to the Carson property would take most of the day. He didn’t want to go that far from Dulcie.

  “Yes, and I’ve called Bolton and Cornell in early to go with you. It could get ugly.”

  Austin nodded and stalled, searching for a way to broach the subject creating such turmoil inside him.

  McGuire beat him to it. “Listen, about our conversation yesterday.”

  Austin froze. “Sir?”

  “I handled it badly. I was angry and I took it out on you. I don’t enjoy conversations where a superior talks down to me, like I don’t know how to handle my own men. And then, when I walked out and saw Ms. Parker here, it put me over the edge.” He leveled his gaze on Austin. “I’ve never taken orders from anyone about my men...and I will not start now. You have my permission to ignore the instructions I gave you yesterday.”

  “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that, sir.”

  The lieutenant had strong features, short brown hair streaked with white strands and a broad nose. One dark eyebrow rose in a tilted quirk. “I suspected there was more to that meeting than you mentioned. Anything you want to talk about?”

  Austin hesitated. “Only if you want to tell me who issued the warning.”

  “Done. It came straight from the district attorney as a ‘courtesy call.’ One official to another from DA Havlicek. He did everything he could to convince me that Ms. Parker was trouble. Said she was fired from her last job and not to be trusted. I don’t care about her employment record and his call was so far out of line I could barely control myself. Ordinarily I would have told him just what I thought of his ‘courtesy call,’ but I held my tongue. Something’s going on and I want to know what it is.”

  Austin was more than relieved McGuire felt the same way he did about the call. He only hoped his lieutenant would feel the same way about his other suspicions.

  “You’re right. Something is going on.” He told his lieutenant everything Dulcie had relayed to him, right down to the statistics on the Native American women.

  McGuire agreed with Austin’s assessment. “I’ve seen some high numbers but, like you, assumed our location was the common factor. Those numbers might have gone unnoticed until Ms. Parker pushed and someone pushed back.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  “First thing you need to do is find out from Ms. Parker what the DA has on her. It could turn into something we don’t want associated with this department.”

  Austin nodded. “I already did. They fired her from her last job for pressuring a client to come back to the safety of the shelter where she worked.”

  McGuire’s eyebrow rose again. “That’s tough.”

  “Yeah and now, barely a year into this new job, she stumbles across what looks like a sex-trafficking ring.”

  His supervisor’s gaze jumped up. “You think it’s that serious? Not just a couple of opportunistic grabs?”

  “No way, sir. These guys are smart. They’ve got plans and—as you witnessed—pull. I didn’t take Dulcie’s story too seriously until you gave me that order. Then I knew powerful people are behind this. The DA, Officer Shaw and Ms. Lauder, they carry weight in this town.”

  McGuire agreed. “I’ve known Vonetta Lauder a long time. She’s an ambitious woman with an agenda. I’ve never figured out exactly what that agenda is, but I don’t think her whole heart is in her work.” He shook his head abruptly. “We need to keep a tight lid on this. If I take you away from your other duties, someone might ask questions we’re not ready to answer. Until we know who we can trust, you need to look like you’re working your other cases. I’ll cover for you as much as I can, but I want this to be your top priority. We have to sort this out quickly and quietly.”

  Austin nodded. “So, I’m still heading up the mountain to the Carson place?”

  “Yes, this has been your case. If I hand it off to someone else, it will look bad. Take care of that today, then we’ll see what we can do about freeing you. I might even need to order you to take some time off.” McGuire smiled a wry grin. “I’ve been trying to convince you to do that. Now it’ll be an order even if this vacation wasn’t the kind I had in mind.”

  Austin grinned. “Keeping busy. My kind of rest.”

  McGuire motioned him toward the door. “Get out of here and get back as quickly as you can. In the meantime, I’ll see if I can check in to a connection between Lauder and the DA.”

  Austin gave him a mock salute and headed out, feeling better than he had since Dulcie walked into the department. He left a message for Bolton and Cornell to meet him at a coffee shop on the way out of town. Then he grabbed his jacket and drove to the lab. His friend Cindy had done some expedited work for him before. He hoped he could convince her to make Dulcie’s letter a priority. She agreed and Austin was back on the road in a heartbeat. By the time Bolton and Cornell arrived at the shop, he had coffee for them ready and waiting to go.

  They headed up the mountain with the sun tipping over the high peaks and casting a warm, golden glow over the roads and trees. Austin had a hard time focusing on the work ahead of him. All he could think about was Dulcie’s predicament. But he needed to get on track. This warrant for the Carson place might be a run-of-the-mill job, but McGuire was right. Bob Carson was dangerous, and Austin needed to be mentally prepared.

  He tried to call Mrs. Carson and let her know they were on their way, but he’d waited too long. He’d lost cell service this high on the mountain.

  The Carson house was even farther up, almost five miles off the main road, at the end of a bumpy, dusty trail. As soon as they pulled into the drive of the dilapidated house, Mrs. Carson came out to greet them. She told him the warrant had taken too long. Her son had been gone from the cabin for over a week and he was keeping company with Walter Benally. Austin knew the man well. He was a hard case. Five years in prison. Damaged vocal cords from a prison fight. Multiple assault charges after he was released. He worked for Johnny Whitehorse at his bar just outside the Navajo reservation...a dangerous gathering place for all the local criminal element. At one time, every thief, robber and drug dealer in the Four Corners area passed through Whitehorse’s place called The Round Up. As far as Austin was concerned, Bob Carson had just taken a step up on the criminal food chain ladder.

  Austin and his men traveled farther up the dirt road. The cabin was empty and vandalized. Carson had done serious damage to his mother’s place before he left. It had broken windows with trash strewn about, but one thing struck Austin as unusual. A large O-shaped ring was screwed into the wall above one of the dirty mattresses on the floor. The heavy-duty ring didn’t budge even when he slammed his foot against it. He couldn’t figure out a reason or a purpose for the metal ring.

  With nothing else to find, Austin and his men left the ramshackle cabin. Bolton and Cornell drove on down the mountain. Austin stopped to talk to Mrs. Carson and have her sign the paperwork. When she finished, he said, “If your son comes back, just let us know.”

  “I won’t be here if he does. I’m moving to Florida with my sister. So he’ll be your problem...or the new owners’.”

  “You’re selling the place?”

  “Already had an offer from Rocky Mountain Dreams, that big realty company in Silverton. They told me they had someone willing to buy it for more than I hoped for.”

  Austin’s uncle Butch was a locomotive engineer who worked on the narrow-gauge railroad based in Silverton. They ran the old-time steam engines up and down the mountain from the mining-town-turned-tourist-center to Durango. His uncle had talked about the owner of Rocky Mountain Dreams, Kent Pierce, and his control of the town’s chamber of commerce. Uncle Butch even suggested that Pierce had shady connections with the police department. Austin thought of the cabin, the myster
ious ring and wondered if Pierce could have any connection with Benally and Carson. He didn’t have enough info to put all the pieces together but his investigative instincts had flashed on to high alert.

  But for now, he needed to get back to town and Dulcie. With one last glance at Mrs. Carson’s retreating back, he hurried to his vehicle and headed down the mountain. The image of Dulcie’s trembling fingers flitted through his mind. She had a way of tugging on one of her curls, winding it around her finger when she was upset. She’d done that almost the whole time they were together last night.

  The image stuck in his mind because it was a measure of her fear...not for any other reason. Most definitely not because she had that wild woman/frightened child look about her. If—and that was a big if—he were to take interest in a woman, it wouldn’t be one like Dulcie with her deep-seated fears. No. He wanted another warrior woman like Abey. But there wasn’t anyone like his wife. She was one of a kind and any thoughts about Dulcie were based on concern. She needed help. That was all. Even if he wasn’t the right person for the job, he couldn’t resist helping someone in danger.

  Shaking his head, he pushed the speedometer as he hurried back to town. The minute he had reception, his cell phone buzzed with messages, three in a row. The first was from Dulcie. He was out of reception when she called, so he’d missed it. First chance, he pulled off to the side of the road and listened.

  Austin, it’s me, Dulcie. I know you said you didn’t see anyone following me, but there has to be someone watching me. They know we met last night. The words No Cops were keyed into my car this morning.

  He’d been so careful. He was certain no one was watching her. How had the gang found out they had met?

  She’d sent him a second message around one that afternoon. Hey, it’s me again. I...I haven’t heard from you so I’m a little worried. I’m at work, but I can’t concentrate. I’m going home early and locking the door behind me. Call when you get this.

  Good. That was the safest place for her until he could get there. He had one last message and punched the button. It was Cindy from the lab.

  Hey, you owe me a coffee. That letter was handled so much the prints were overlapping, but I found one on the inside of the envelope. It’s a partial, but I’m confident I’ve got the right guy. His prints are on file because he works for the city. His name is Joey Delacroix.

  Cindy kept talking, but Austin didn’t hear a word she said.

  Joey Delacroix. Dulcie’s neighbor right across the way. The mousey guy she was so thankful had walked her to her car. He was the one sending her threatening messages and watching her every move right out her front door...and she was headed home again...straight into his arms. Austin had to warn her.

  * * *

  Dulcie pulled into her complex’s parking lot and closed her eyes. Thankfully it was a Friday and she’d been able to get away early. Not as early as she’d hoped but still...she didn’t think she could take another hour of trying to look normal when her insides were sloshing around like liquid.

  She pulled out her phone. Still no call from Austin. She knew he was busy, but he’d said to call him. He promised to help but almost seven hours later...no response. Something was wrong.

  But she couldn’t just sit in her locked car and wait for him. She needed to get inside her apartment. Once there, she’d be safe, and she’d call the department and ask for him. There was only one problem... Getting to her apartment.

  Carefully, she checked the cars in the parking lot. All were empty. She noticed that Joey’s car was in its usual place. He was home early today too. That made her feel a little better.

  One hand grasped her phone, the other twisted her keys in her usual “punch” grip, one key pointed out. Then she jerked open the door, hit the lock button and dashed for the apartment entrance. She ran through the empty entry to the elevator. The doors closed behind her. She sighed with relief. When they opened, the hall was empty too. She hurried toward her door, fumbling to get the right key out of the “punch” hold.

  Just as she reached her place, Joey’s door opened. She jumped but pressed a hand to her thumping heart at the sight of her friendly neighbor. “You startled me.”

  “Sorry. I’ve been hoping to catch you. I’m glad you came home early today.”

  She gave him a half-hearted smile. “Yes, I was feeling a little off and it was a slow day. How about you? Why are you off so early on this Friday?”

  “I’m about to close the door on a very long project so I thought I’d celebrate.”

  “Really? That sounds like a fun evening.”

  He stepped closer. “Actually, I was hoping you’d join me. I mean...well, I wanted to give you time to get settled, but you’ve been here a year now and well...I just thought...” He hesitated. “The truth is your deputy friend was here last night and well...I’d like to put my hat in the ring if you’re looking for...pizza-night friends.”

  Stunned, Dulcie stared at him. “I—I wasn’t exactly looking for...friends.”

  “No, of course not. I put that badly. I just meant I’d like to spend more time with you. I thought we could start tonight. Something simple. Just a quick drink to celebrate my success.”

  Tonight. Three days ago, even two days ago, she’d have jumped at the chance but tonight... No way was she going out.

  “I’m sorry, Joey. Not tonight. I’m a little under the weather. That’s why I came home early.”

  He stepped even closer. “Please, Dulcie. It would mean a lot to me. We can stay in. I’ll bring over the drinks. I have everything. You name it—I’ve got it.”

  His plea sounded so heartfelt. If it meant that much to him...maybe she could make it work. After all, he’d helped her. She hesitated.

  He seemed to sense her wavering thoughts and stepped even closer. Dulcie leaned away. He was invading her personal space. Old fears swept over her and her knees went weak.

  What seemed like an earnest appeal seconds ago now seemed like a demand. Were her old fears taking over? Was she imagining the change?

  “Come on, Dulcie. Just a few minutes of your time. I promise, I won’t stay long. I’ll tell you all about my project.”

  The undertones in his voice made her feel like she didn’t want to know about his project. And still he crowded her. He was so close her back was up against her door with no room to move.

  “Come on, Dulcie.” His voice was low, insistent. “Let’s go inside and talk.” He reached for her keys. Dulcie stood frozen, her gaze focused on his hand, only inches from her keys.

  Her phone buzzed.

  Joey stared at it as if it were a writhing snake. His pleasant features turned to frowning anger.

  Before he could speak, Dulcie tapped the phone symbol on the screen with her thumb. “Hello.”

  Austin’s voice rang over the line. “I’m so glad I caught you. Where are you?”

  Dulcie was so relieved to hear his voice, she sagged against the door. “Outside my apartment, talking to Joey.” She gave Joey a tremulous shrug. He smiled but it was more of a grimace, and he stepped back out of her space.

  There was a conspicuous silence on the other end of the phone.

  “Don’t say my name, Dulcie.” Austin’s hastily spoken words froze her again.

  “Okay. Why?” She looked at the man standing across from her.

  “Listen carefully. Don’t talk. Just listen. Joey won’t do anything while you have someone on the phone. Tell him this is an important call. You have a family emergency. Tell him you have to go inside. You might even have to leave town. But whatever you do, don’t hang up. Keep me on the line. Got it?”

  Dulcie took a slow breath. “Yes, yes. I think so. Hang on.”

  She licked her lips. “I’m sorry, Joey. I have a family emergency. You must excuse me.”

  His features tightened. “I’m sorry to hear that.” His sympathetic words d
idn’t match the tight, cold frustration in his face. “Is there anything I can do? Let me help.”

  He stepped back into her personal space. Loomed over her. Images flashed through her mind, her father standing over her mother, his fists clenched, his face a mask of fury. Her mother’s soft cries echoed in her ears. Time stood still. Her muscles froze.

  The man in front of her seemed to sense her inability to move. A small smirk flashed over his lips and a look came into his eyes... A look she knew well. It telegraphed his sense of victory, his knowledge that he had power over her. He had won...and still she couldn’t move.

  Then Austin’s words came over the phone. “Dulcie, are you there?”

  His voice, strong, capable, certain. Warm blood coursed through veins. Fear-frozen muscles thawed. Numb fingers twitched. She clenched them around the keys in her hands.

  “Dulcie, answer me!”

  She took a deep, gasping breath. “Yes. Yes, I’m here. Thank you for your concern. I’m just...a little shocked.”

  That look she knew so well, that hateful, power-filled certainty, faded from Joey’s features. She licked dry lips and addressed him. “There’s nothing you can do, Joey. I have to go now.”

  “Good girl. Keep talking.” Austin’s voice...confident, protecting her over the phone. He gave her strength. Nodding goodbye, she turned her back on Joey.

  Her spine tingled. She could almost feel his gaze shooting daggers into it. For one long, heart-pounding minute she was afraid he wouldn’t let her leave, might grasp her shoulders and pull her back. Because of Austin on the phone, listening, guarding, Joey dared not touch her. She fumbled the keys and almost dropped them before fitting the right one into the lock and opening the door. She shut it quickly then slammed the dead bolt into place.