Vanished in the Mountains

by Tanya Stowe

  He clicked off and silence hung over the Jeep’s cab. Austin glanced Dulcie’s way and saw a small frown creasing the space between her expressive brows.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There are still so many unanswered questions. We don’t know the leader of this group. Or where they take the girls. So many pieces of the operation are unsolved. I’d feel better if we could provide the FBI with answers...at least with the evidence I’ve already accumulated.”

  Austin shook his head. “Haven’t you had enough? You’ve been threatened, almost kidnapped and now shot at. How much more do you want to experience before you say stop?”

  “I keep thinking about those girls, about Susan Yazzie.”

  “It’s been two months since they murdered Judy Begay. If they have Susan, she’s probably been transported out of the area already.”

  “Maybe, but you said yourself there haven’t been any more disappearances since Judy’s death. Isn’t it possible they stopped everything, waiting to see if Matt Kutchner would talk?”

  “He hasn’t. Never said a word about the ring. We didn’t have a clue that there was a bigger operation going on.”

  “Exactly. They promised him something. I don’t know what they could offer him. He’ll spend the rest of his life in jail.”

  “That’s exactly what they offered him. His life. A gang this powerful could easily arrange to have him killed in prison.”

  Dulcie released a heavy breath. “You’re right...and they’ve frightened Doris Begay into silence too. We have to find the leader, Austin, and make sure we stop this gang.”

  “We will. Once the FBI gets involved, more resources will be at our fingertips. We’ll find them.”

  “That’s why we need to retrieve my information.”

  She studied him, a hopeful expression in her gaze.

  “You want me to take you back to my house.”

  “Do you think we can?”

  Austin shook his head. “Aren’t you afraid? We just spent the night in hiding.”

  A sweet smile floated over her lips, a tender, soft look that went straight to his heart. “I told you, you make everyone feel safe. You make me feel stronger.”

  He didn’t like acknowledging that her words made him kind of happy, a little warm inside so he didn’t answer. It wasn’t long before his phone rang again. McGuire had Carson’s license plate number.

  “Everyone’s on high alert. I made sure Deputy Hatahle’s department was informed. He has the plate number too. We’ve got every law enforcement department in the Four Corners area looking for those two.”

  “Good. Since we’re covered, we’d like to go back to my place and fetch all of Dulcie’s info for the FBI.”

  “Probably not a bad idea. But with all of this gang’s resources, they might have your address. I’ll send Bolton up ahead of you to make sure the area is clear.”

  “Thanks. That makes me feel better.”

  “Just remember to stay in touch. The gang’s game is out in the open and that will make them desperate. They’ll want to escape and they won’t care who they take down in the process. If I don’t have constant contact from you, I’ll be sending my men to find you.” He clicked off.

  * * *

  Not long after Austin called his lieutenant, Cade flashed his lights.

  “Cade is giving me the all-clear signal before he turns.”

  Dulcie watched as the deputy’s cruiser pulled off the main highway. “Do you think Benally and Carson were waiting for us somewhere on the road and Cade scared them away?”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s more likely the tourists did a good job of that. Benally and Carson couldn’t afford to have witnesses to our murders. Cade’s backup made sure they left us alone.”

  Dulcie’s heart hammered. “Do you really think that’s what they’re trying to do, murder us?”

  “It might have been their intention just to frighten us away, much like Delacroix tried to do to you, but once Carson fired that shot, they had to find us. They knew if I escaped there’d be an APB on them. Firing on an officer of the law is a criminal offense I can testify about.”

  She eased back around in her seat. The road twisted and they left the vast plains and began to climb the hills. “I’m relieved it’s out in the open now. We can go forward with the investigation. No more skulking around and hiding.”

  Austin lifted a one-shouldered shrug. “We still need to stay in the shadows. You heard McGuire. They’re desperate now. Carson and Benally will be on the run. There’s no telling what risks they might take and the rest of the gang will cover their tracks, making sure none of the evidence leads to them.”

  “Surely they can’t expect to keep their activities a secret. We know what they’re doing.”

  “Yes, but we only have suspicions. We don’t have one shred of evidence that will stand up in court. We’ll be able to identify Carson and Benally, but neither of us can say for sure who fired the shot or what connection they have to the missing girls. All we did was drive Carson and Benally to desperate measures.”

  Everything Austin said was true. Dulcie wanted to argue, but she couldn’t. His words only confirmed her deep-seated need to get back to her research. “Maybe we pushed them out into the open, but we also have more pieces of the puzzle. I suspect that Vonetta uses her position to identify the at-risk girls. Joey Delacroix proved himself a good soldier by keeping an eye on me. He probably also used his position with the city to suppress information about the crimes. Deputy Shaw loses reports and convolutes the already difficult communication between law enforcement agencies. Whitehorse’s men do all the dirty work and kidnap the victims. But once they’ve been taken, Whitehorse wouldn’t be foolish enough to hold them at his place of business, would he?”

  Austin shook his head. “He’s a snake, but he’s not stupid.”

  “Do you think they transport them to their destination immediately?”

  Austin was silent as he considered. “They take them from all over the Four Corners area, but the kidnappings happened at relatively frequent times. They wouldn’t have time to transport them individually between snatches. I think there has to be a holding place of some sort.”

  “Or places. They’d have to move them around. That’s the connection I have to find. I’m sure that will take us straight to their leader.”

  He gave her a quick sideways glance...then another.

  She studied him. “What?”

  “We’re hours away from pulling in all the FBI’s resources, but you still feel like you’re the one who has to do something.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that.

  A soft smile slipped over his lips.

  “Never leave a woman or child behind, even when your own life is threatened, right?”

  “Unless I get frightened and can’t move...like you said.”

  “Dulcie, I’m sorry. I was angry. I don’t handle talking about Abey very well. Honestly, I admire your devotion.”

  “But...”

  “But nothing. Just believe what I say.”

  Despite his words, she knew there was an add-on to that statement. She felt the need to help, to do something, to take action. But every time the chips were down she became a prisoner of her own body. She didn’t understand it. The Lord had led her out of her horrible situation, had helped her grow and find some peace. So why did He let this start again? Why did He allow the fear to control her? Was He trying to teach her something more? Was there something else she needed to understand?

  Please, Lord, make me understand. Let me know what You want of me.

  No answers came to her and so they drove silently into the mountains, straight into the dark clouds ahead of them. They climbed the foothills beside Mesa Verde and snowflakes started to fall. The streets of Durango were wet and slushy, piled high with the fallen snow from the
day before. The drastic climate change between the desert floor and the mountain community surprised Dulcie. Once again, she marveled at this unique corner of God’s creation. By the time they reached Austin’s home, the snowfall was steadily increasing. She was glad when they finally pulled to a stop at the cabin. Officer Bolton was waiting for them. He came to Austin’s window. “Everything’s clear. No sign of anyone. Not even tracks in the snow when I first arrived.”

  “Thanks, Bolton.”

  The man waved and headed back to his car. Austin parked his Jeep near the walkway and they hurried inside. Austin rubbed his hands together and gave her that soft, rueful smile. “I still only have frozen pizza. I can microwave that and some coffee while you gather your files. We need to get back on the road as soon as possible.”

  That smile wrapped itself around her heart and tugged. She couldn’t stop from responding to it. How could she? He was apologizing for his home and his lack of hospitality when all she wanted was to curl up on the couch and stay forever. His home made her comfortable...he made her comfortable.

  How had she come to this place? She’d found a man who gave her hope, made her want to walk beside him, to sit with him in front of his fire and fight the bad guys. He made her feel like they could do anything, be partners for life, fight the good fight. They could be the dynamic duo crime fighters. The thought made her smile too. But this wonderful, handsome lawman deserved a true warrior, a strong woman like his wife, not the weak, frightened shell she turned into when faced with her fears. He wanted...was holding out for that kind of woman.

  That thought made her turn away from his kind features and his soft smile. “Sure. That sounds good.”

  “Move as quickly as you can. We need to get back on the road.”

  She hurried up the stairs, not daring to look back, or to dwell on the image of the two of them on the couch in front of the fire eating pizza. It was too good of an image to hold on to. She couldn’t afford to keep those kinds of images. They would make letting go of him even more difficult.

  She slid her computer and her notes in her case and pulled the bag’s strap over her shoulder. The smell of pizza drifted up to her. A glance in the mirror showed her that her night in the damp air had turned her hair into a frizzy, wild mane. But she didn’t have time to mess with it. Pulling the strap higher, she headed downstairs.

  Austin walked toward her, travel mugs in one hand and a foil-wrapped paper plate with pizzas in the other.

  His thoughtfulness...everything he did pleased her, made her smile. “Pizza and hot coffee? Perfect.”

  He gestured to the door. “If you take this plate, I’ll carry your satchel.”

  He stepped in closer to hand over the food. Reaching up, she tried to gather her untamed hair into a knot.

  “Don’t do that.”

  She halted. His blue-eyed gaze covered her hair with a look so possessive...so loving, her breath caught. She felt beautiful and worthy in all the right ways. He was close, so close his lips were inches away. He leaned closer. This...this was what it was like to be wanted by this man...to be treasured by him. She needed more of that feeling, craved his kiss, his lips on hers. Then the look faded. That was the moment he remembered the woman between them, the woman she could never match.

  He stepped back, looked away and cleared his throat. “It doesn’t suit you. You don’t need some kind of ‘uniform’ to hide the real you.”

  Handing her the plate, he then spun and stalked to the door. Dulcie’s knees gave out and she almost slumped to the couch.

  His words still echoed inside her. He didn’t really see her now, frizzy hair and all. He saw the woman she could be.

  That thought pleased her. She could be that person. She might never have this man or be worthy of him, but she would become the woman he thought she could be. She would make it her goal. With new resolve, she followed him to the door.

  Austin’s cell phone rang. He punched the speaker button with his thumb as he opened the door. “I’ve got my hands full so you are on speaker but we’re on our way.”

  McGuire’s deep voice echoed across the room. “Sit down, Austin, I have more bad news.”

  He froze and turned to face her.

  McGuire’s loud voice pierced the air between them. “Cade’s been shot. He was attacked shortly after he arrived at The Round Up. There was a gunfight and he was hit. He’s being air vacced to the hospital as we speak.”

  Dulcie cried out. Austin closed his eyes in frustration. “I knew I shouldn’t have let him go alone.”

  “Apparently he saw Carson’s white van as soon as he arrived and called for backup. He didn’t go in alone. But they attacked him before reinforcements arrived.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “Pretty bad. I’m heading to the hospital now.”

  Emotions washed across Austin’s face, fear, anger and then frustration. She knew exactly what he was feeling. He was stuck here with her when he wanted to be at Cade’s side. “We can go. I’ll go with you.”

  He gave his head an abrupt shake. “We can’t risk exposing you to the gang.”

  McGuire heard their conversation because he said, “Actually, that’s the only good news I have for you. Cade’s backup arrived shortly after he was shot. They took three men into custody. Benally, Carson and Whitehorse are in handcuffs. Their rampage is over.”

  Relief washed through Dulcie. “You have to go, Austin. You need to be by Cade’s side.”

  McGuire spoke again. “I’ve contacted the FBI. Their men are on the way from Farmington. But I’ll send Bolton back up there to watch over Dulcie until they arrive.”

  Emotions battled on Austin’s face, so Dulcie took the decision out of his hands. She gently pulled the phone from his hand. “Thank you, Lieutenant McGuire. I would appreciate Officer Bolton’s presence.”

  “I’ll send him back. He just arrived. He’ll be there in thirty minutes. But Austin needs to get going.”

  The lieutenant clicked off. Austin stood there motionless, his body frozen stiff with indecision.

  Dulcie gestured to the door. “Go. Your clan brother needs you. I’ll stay here and find the link I’ve been looking for. I want to have all my information ready when the FBI men arrive. We’ll get them, Austin. I promise.”

  He nodded. Maybe he saw conviction in her features because he believed her, the woman he secretly thought was soft and weak. He seemed to understand that she would give every breath in her body to find the link...and she would...for the sake of the captive women and for this man. His unspoken confidence in her made her feel special, strong...wonderful. For one breathless moment, he leaned toward her. Again, she thought he would kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her. But he straightened and walked to the door, leaving her feeling cold and alone.

  “Don’t open this for anyone except Bolton. He’ll be here soon.”

  EIGHT

  Snow was falling hard and wind whipped his vehicle sideways. Visibility was difficult on the icy roads. In all honesty, he should call McGuire and tell him to send Bolton home. This storm was getting too nasty to drive in. But the truth was he didn’t want to stop. He wanted to get as far from Dulcie as possible because he was feeling things he didn’t want to feel...like admiration and tenderness. He didn’t want to remember how her dark eyes and sweet lips softened when he looked at her, how each time she opened up like a soft rose unfurling. A copper rose.

  He shook his head. Those kinds of thoughts should be reserved for his wife. So, he ran from Dulcie and the things she made him feel. Yes, he wanted to be by Cade’s side, but truthfully, he was running from his emotions.

  He never thought he’d want another woman...a woman who was as different as night and day from Abey.

  How could this have happened? How could he have let it happen? He stared at the white sheet of snow in front of him. The storm was slowing him down, making his trip wors
e. The vehicles he encountered crawled along the road. Bolton would surely be delayed and Dulcie would be alone. That thought chased away all others.

  He wouldn’t...couldn’t leave Dulcie abandoned no matter how he felt. He had to stop running.

  Punching the phone connection on his console, he called McGuire. “Tell Bolton to stay put. This storm is getting worse. It’s too dangerous to travel up the mountain, and I can’t leave Dulcie stranded. Keep me informed about Cade.”

  “I was just about to call you. Those two men we arrested who identified themselves as Benally and Carson lied. They had no ID on them, so it took a while to confirm. They’re not the two we’re looking for. They’re Whitehorse’s flunkies who gave the deputies those names to fool them and give Carson and Benally time to get away. They escaped in one of Whitehorse’s vehicles...a white single-cab truck. We got the call out to search and it was spotted almost immediately. They were passing through Durango but they lost the cruiser following them.”

  An icy certainty settled over Austin. “They’re headed up here. I’m going back to Dulcie.”

  “Be careful.” McGuire’s voice was taut with concern. “We just got notification to shut down the roads. We’ve had hourly bulletins and the storm has turned from bad to worse. Hopefully, we’ll stop Carson and Benally at the roadblock.”

  “Unless they got through already.”

  McGuire was silent for a long while. “I’ll repeat myself. Be careful. They know we’re onto them. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep the evidence out of our hands.”

  “I’ll stay in touch.”

  Austin waited for a truck to pass then turned around slowly. The road was slushy but starting to get slick. He’d made the right decision returning to Dulcie. It wouldn’t be long before this road would be impassable.

  He slowed as he hit a curve. Lights far behind him flashed as he turned the corner. He was a bit surprised someone was on the road. He would have thought the roadblocks McGuire and the deputies implemented would have stopped all traffic coming out of Durango. The vehicle made him nervous, but the snow increased and he needed to concentrate on the curves. Next time he looked up, the lights were closer. The vehicle was definitely white. He couldn’t tell the make. The snow was blinding and it was still too far away. He took the next curve faster than he wanted but he needed distance between him and the white car.