Three-Year Rule
Page 29
Elizabeth pulled up in front of the cabin. The lights were out. When she reached the door, she found a note saying, I had to leave early. I left jewelry box on the shelf in the garage.
Elizabeth stuffed the note in her pocket and headed across the drive to the garage. Kilo and Charlie raced across the drive ahead of her. They waited patiently while she struggled to push the door upward. As the door rose, Kilo froze and began to growl. Elizabeth released the door as it finished rising and glanced at Kilo.
“What is it, boy?” She asked.
Suddenly a flash of light appeared from within the garage as a shot rang out. Kilo yipped and fell still at Elizabeth’s feet. Charlie jumped backward in fear, and then began to bark and snarl. Elizabeth kneeled beside Kilo and laid a hand on his head. She stared blankly at the tall figure as it moved out from the shadows.
“Franklin?” She stammered.
Franklin was holding a handgun pointed at Charlie. He was dressed in a ghillie suit consisting of a long-sleeved camouflage colored hoodie pulled up over his head, camouflage pants, and boots. He threw a rope at Elizabeth’s feet next to Kilo and ordered, “Tie Charlie to the work bench, or I will shoot her.”
Elizabeth picked up the rope and rushed toward Charlie who continued to bark and growl. She pulled Charlie into the garage and tied the rope to Charlie’s collar then around the leg of the workbench. She knew it wouldn’t hold for long.
“Put the wolf in the garage.” Franklin’s voice rose in tone and urgency as he spoke.
“Franklin, what is going on?” Elizabeth asked as she rushed back to Kilo.
“Shut up!” Franklin spat.
Elizabeth placed her hand on Kilo’s chest; he was still breathing. She ripped the sleeve off her blouse and pressed it against the wound.
“Move, now!” Franklin stepped closer; his was voice loud and menacing.
Elizabeth struggled to pick up Kilo. She couldn’t move him far, just inside, past the door line. She stroked his head as tears filled her eyes. He was losing blood fast.
“Enough,” Franklin snapped. He glanced toward Elizabeth’s SUV and asked, “Where is Amy?”
“She’s not here,” Elizabeth stammered. “Franklin, you could have killed Kilo. We need to get him to the vet.”
“Shut up!” Franklin walked quickly toward her and pointed the gun at her chest.
“Franklin, I don’t know what you think you are doing, but you shot a dog. That’s serious.”
“Where is Amy?” Franklin screamed at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s heart froze in her chest. She looked at Franklin with new eyes, realizing she was in just as much danger of losing her life as Kilo. Elizabeth lowered her voice and responded calmly, “Amy is in Denver shopping with Molly.”
“You lying bitch!” Franklin reached out and grabbed Elizabeth by the throat. “She was at your house less than an hour ago. I saw her!”
“No … I …” Elizabeth tried to speak, but he tightened his grip.
“You will call her now!” Franklin growled and released her.
“My phone is in the truck,” Elizabeth said, rubbing her throat. She searched his eyes and her heart skipped a beat; they were wild and full of anger.
Chapter Ten