by L C Hayden
He bent down to grab the backpack, but with the self-made crutch he couldn’t pick it up, much less carry it. As best as he could, he pushed it with his good foot so that it remained half-hidden. Satisfied, he hobbled away.
He headed slowly in a straight path. He groaned as he put his weight on his injured foot, but he didn’t allow himself to slow down.
He turned his head a bit to the right. Whoever was following him remained hidden. He was good, Bronson had to admit. Grasping the opportunity, Bronson took a sharp left and plastered his body against an older tree that hid most of him.
He dropped to the ground and belly crawled to a new position. Bronson didn’t have to wait long.
Yee stepped out into the open space between the trees and the brush. He stood still, his eyes scanning the area. His glaze traveled down to the ground. He touched the broken twigs as his eyes followed the path Bronson had taken. He smiled, reached behind his waist band and retrieved a gun. He placed it at the ready position and proceeded to follow Bronson.
Bronson tackled him from behind. The two tumbled down. Bronson reacted first. He half stood, clasped his hands, and brought them down hard on Yee’s back.
Yee had just started to rise when the blow came. He tumbled back down, but quickly recovered. He rolled so that he faced Bronson. His hands held the gun that he pointed at Bronson.
He cocked it.
Chapter 35
“I don’t care what Bronson says. I don’t think we’re safe here.” Norma glanced at the white wolf that stood with its head high, staring at them.
“It’s the smoke that’s keeping him and his pack at bay. Remember what Bronson told us. If we run, we become the prey. Best to stay here.”
Norma wrapped her arms around herself. “I can’t sit here any longer. I have this horrible feeling that something has gone wrong. We’ve got to get to Bronson.”
Roger frowned. “I know about these feelings you get. We can’t ignore them, but we can’t leave either. Besides, we told Bronson we’d wait for him here.”
An uncomfortable silence followed. Norma watched the wolves narrow their perimeter. Slowly, they were moving in. “What do the wolves fear the most?”
Roger glanced at the fire. “If we take the fire with us . . .”
“We won’t give them our backs,” Norma said. “We can walk slowly backwards, waiving the fire in front of us.”
Roger nodded. “Somehow we’ve got to make sure we don’t run out of fire.”
“We can carry several torches with us. Soon as one starts to die, we start the other.”
Roger took a deep breath. “I don’t like it, Norma. I don’t like our plan one bit. It’s too risky.”
Norma lowered her head. “I know, but Bronson really needs us.”
From somewhere in the near distance, the sound of a gunshot filled the air.
The wolves turned and ran for safety.
Chapter 36
A wide smile spread across Yee’s face.
“Thought Swanson told me that guns weren’t allowed in the compound.”
“We’re not in the compound, as you call it.” Yee bounced to his feet, his hands steady as steel. He continued to point the gun at Bronson. “Besides, I’m an Elder, and Elders are allowed extra privileges.”
Bronson nodded. “So every Elder has his own gun.”
Yee shrugged. “What do you care? You’re about to die.”
“Not today.” Bronson dropped to the ground and swung his leg, hitting Yee’s arm.
Yee stumbled, but he didn’t fall.
Bronson threw his weight against Yee’s legs. This time, he dropped the gun. It discharged as it hit the ground.
Yee’s eyes widened. He grabbed his midriff and the blood seeped through his hands. He slowly dropped to his knees and bent forward.
Bronson moved toward him, kicking the gun aside, out of reach. He felt for a pulse. None.
The bushes behind him swayed.
Bronson grabbed the gun and his makeshift crutch. He straightened up and turned to face the bush.
The white wolf stepped away from the foliage, growled and sprang forward.
Bronson waved the branch in front of him.
The wolf hesitated long enough to glance at Yee’s body.
“He’s yours, buddy.” Bronson took several small steps back, giving the wolf a wide berth. “Just remember you owe me.” He took two more steps backwards.
The white wolf grabbed the back of Yee’s shirt and labored to drag him away.
Bronson let out a sigh of relief, but it was short lived.
Behind him, he heard the shuffling of feet.
Chapter 37
Bread had never tasted so good. It had been one slice, just one lousy slice, but oh, so heavenly. Should Ellen dare ask her captors for another piece? She gulped down the last of the small glass of tepid water. When they had first brought the water, she wanted to gulp it down. But she knew that wasn’t good for her. Instead, she forced herself to sip it.
She looked at the window. Its shatters remained closed. If only she could look out, she might be able to tell where she was. She could then somehow relay that information to Bronson.
Yeah, sure.
Even if she did succeed in finding her location, how could she let Bronson know where she was being held?
The door knob turned. Someone was coming in. Ellen braced herself.
Nate stuck his head in. “Got you more water.”
“Thanks, but my system got used to being dry. I really have to go to the bathroom.”
Nate frowned.
“Oh, for Pete’s sakes. You’re not an animal. Now take me to the bathroom.” She paused and half smiled. “Please.” Her voice was softer.
“Sheridan, get over here.” Nate glanced over his shoulder.
Sheridan hurried in. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. The lady needs to use the facilities.”
“And you called me for that?”
Nate shrugged. “You’ll need to unshackle her leg. I’ll stand watch so she doesn’t bang you on the head while you’re doing that.” He focused his gaze on Ellen. “Somehow, I just don’t trust her.”
Ellen threw her arms up in the air. “I’m an elderly woman. There’s two of you, and you’re both strong, young men. How could I possibly overpower you?”
Nate threw his head back and laughed.
“Don’t fall for her cute antics. Point your gun at her and be ready to shoot her if she makes a false move.”
Nate did as told. Sheridan dug into his pocket and produced a single key. He approached Ellen, bent down, and released the chain from its lock. “Follow me.” He stood up.
Ellen rubbed her ankle and followed him. Once in the bathroom, she started to close the door.
Sheridan reached out to prevent it from being locked. “Door remains open.”
“No way! Are you a pervert on top of being a kidnapper? I want my privacy.”
“Nate and I will step to the side. But the door remains open.”
“Fine.” Ellen stepped all the way in.
The window above the commode was too small for her to climb out of, but at least it was there. She closed the lid, climbed on top of the toilet, and looked out the window. She saw trees, lots of trees, mostly pines. She squinted. Were those palm trees beyond the pines? She strained to find some land marks but failed to do so. The trees around the area prevented her from seeing anything that could help her.
Maybe if she couldn’t see, she could hear. She listened. In the far distance, she heard the crashing of waves. She tilted her head, straining to listen. A bird chirped. She smiled.
Carefully, she climbed back down. She flushed the toilet and took a long time washing her hands.
“You through in there?” Sheridan asked.
Ellen dried her hands. “Yeah.”
“Good. Back to the bedroom. Same procedure.”
Ellen took a deep breath and walked out, her eyes registering every detail in the ho
use. She was gaining all of this information, but what good would it do her if she couldn’t get it to Bronson?
Chapter 38
“I know you’re there.” Bronson wrapped his hand around the gun. He wished he had had a chance to check on how many bullets the gun had left. “Show yourselves, and let me warn you: I’m armed.”
Roger and Norma, with their hands up, stepped out from behind the trees.
Bronson lowered the gun. “Put your arms down.”
Roger, with his arms still up, said, “You got a gun.”
“Don’t let anyone accuse you of not being observant.”
“Ah, yeah.” Roger quickly lowered his arms.
Bronson smiled and shook his head. “Did either of you see what happened?”
Both shook their heads.
Bronson let out a sigh of relief, but he knew he had to give them some kind of explanation. “Yee was here.”
Roger took a small step forward. “Yee? Here? Where? How did he know where we were? Did he follow you? Are we in danger? Where is he?” He looked around.
Bronson raised his hands as though surrendering. “Whoa, too many questions. We’re safe for now, and yeah, he followed me.”
“Why?” Roger asked. “Swanson doesn’t trust you?”
“I knew it.” Norma stepped forward. “Something went wrong. What happened?”
Bronson took a deep breath. “We need to talk.” He began by downplaying Yee’s part and what had happened to his body. Instead he focused on the events at the compound.
When he finished, Roger and Norma sat on a log, their heads downcast.
Much to Bronson’s relief, neither Roger nor Norma asked about the whereabouts of the body.
“I’ll go back with you,” Roger said. “Norma, you’ll be okay out here by yourself?”
Norma bit her lip.
“The wolves would love that. One is easier to take on than three.” Bronson stood up. “You’re not splitting up. Both of you can head down the hill together. I’ll give you all of the supplies and the gun. That should give you some kind of an advantage.”
Norma continued to chew her lip. Roger wrapped his arm around her.
Now’s the time for good news, Bronson thought. “I learned something that will really help you.”
Both looked at Bronson, but neither said anything.
“At Swanson’s office, I managed to get a two second sneak at some maps that apparently I wasn’t supposed to see.”
“And?” Norma asked, her features wide with anticipation.
“If you keep heading down the hill in this direction . . .” Bronson pointed to his right. “You should come across a road.”
Roger’s eyebrows arched. “A road?”
Bronson nodded. “Yes, and it looked like this road leads to a structure. Maybe a house. If so, there may be a phone. Internet.”
“If Swanson owns this house, that would explain why there are no roads leading to and from the compound,” Roger said. “They drive to that house and walk up here.”
“Exactly.” Bronson handed Roger the gun. “Do you know how to use this?”
Roger shook his head.
Bronson removed the two remaining bullets from the magazine and placed them in his pocket along with the bullets already there. He shook his head. What were the chances? Those bullets were exactly the ones the automatic gun he had confiscated from Yee used. God must be with him. “Come on, son. Let’s give you a two second lesson.” He looked at Norma. “Wouldn’t hurt if you learn, too.”
Norma nodded. “I planned on doing that, even if I wasn’t invited.”
Bronson smiled and began his lecture. True to his word, he gave them a quick but complete lesson. He even threw in a couple of safety rules. When he finished, he asked, “All set?”
Roger looked at Norma. “We are.”
Bronson handed Norma the backpack. “I suggest you take a moment to get acquainted with your supplies. Then take off, the sooner the better.”
“What about you?” Norma asked. “Where are you going?”
“Back to the compound.” He waved and said as he slowly began to walk away, “Good luck to both of you. Go with God.”
“I’m afraid you have it all wrong,” Roger said.
Slowly, Bronson did a one hundred and eighty degree turn.
Roger stroked the gun, a big smile on his face.
Shiiit!
Chapter 39
Tony Clemens stepped into Swanson’s office.
Swanson looked up from the paperwork he had spread out on his desk. “What are you doing here so soon?” A worried frown formed on his forehead. “Did something go wrong with Virginia’s delivery to that drug lord?”
Clemens flopped down on the chair in front of Swanson’s desk. “Not really, but we thought you should know, so I came down from The House to tell you.”
“Miller is still there guarding Virginia? Does she suspect anything?”
Clemens nodded, and then shook his head. “Miller is there, keeping a close eye on her. Far as I know, she doesn’t suspect a thing. She’s still anxiously awaiting her parents’ arrival.”
Swanson smirked. “That poor fool.”
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. She’s a fool. But girls like her make us rich. That makes her a valuable asset.”
Swanson gathered the papers he had scattered on his desk and put them in the top drawer. He slammed the drawer shut. “So what brings you here? You’re supposed to be at The House protecting our valuable asset.”
“Like I said, I wanted you to know. We got a call from Argentina. Seems that El Jefe won’t be able to leave the country for a couple of days. Some kind of mess up with his business. Didn’t say exactly when he would be able to come to pick up his merchandise, but he’s still interested.”
Swanson rubbed his chin as his eyes narrowed. “Let’s give it a couple of days and see if we hear from him. You go back and keep Miller company and don’t take your eyes off her. Tell Virginia her parents’ flight has been cancelled due to mechanical problems. They’ll get here as soon as possible, and they’re very anxious to see her.”
“Will do.” Clemens stood up, but made no effort to leave.
“Is there something else?”
“Yee is the one who always closes these deals, and he hasn’t arrived.”
“Yee is currently busy on another mission. However, as soon as he completes that one, he knows to head directly to The House. He’ll be there soon.”
“Good to hear.” Clemens walked out.
Chapter 40
“Okay, I give up,” Bronson said. “What do I have wrong?”
“You were specifically told to bring us and the book back. Without us, your friend dies. We can’t be responsible for that.” Roger looked at Norma.
“Roger is right,” Norma said. “We’re going back with you.”
Bronson shook his head. “I can’t allow that. Soon as we hand them the book, we’re dead.”
Tear drops formed at the edges of Norma’s eyes. “We don’t have a choice, do we?”
“We always have choices,” Bronson said.
“And one of those,” Roger said, “is finding this house you were talking about. Once there, we can call for help. Once we’ve done that, the three of us can head back to the compound. With luck, we and the police arrive at the same time.”
“Good thinkin’,” Bronson said. “But Swanson gave me one hour to bring you back. We wouldn’t be able to do all of that and still meet the deadline. Best thing for you two is to go and find that house and get help. We’ll meet again, I’m sure.” He turned and headed back toward the compound.
The shuffling of feet behind him forced him to stop. Roger and Norma had followed him. Bronson took a deep breath. “I won’t be able to convince you to head for safety.”
Roger reached for Norma’s hand. “No, you won’t. We’re like the Musketeers: one for all and all for one, no matter what.”
Bronson threw his hands up in the air. “Okay.
I give up. If you’re going to be stubborn about this, at least hear what I have to say.”
Roger and Norma exchanged looks. “We’re listening.”
“Before I tell you what I’m thinkin’, I have a couple of questions, mainly for Roger.”
“I’ll do my best to answer them.” He took a step forward, showing his eagerness to help.
“If I looked only at the first part of the book, would I find all of the incriminating evidence that I need to land the Elders in jail?”
“Yeah, sure,” Roger answered.
“Good. What if I only looked at the back half of the book? Would I be able to do the same?”
Roger nodded.
“What about just the middle part?”
Roger stared at Bronson. “All parts of the book are incriminating if you know what you’re looking for. Why did you ask that?”
“Way I see it, once we reach the compound, the Elders will immediately apprehend us. Who knows? Maybe kill us. But what they want is not just us dead, they also want the book. They have it, and there’s no evidence of any wrong doings.”
Norma’s smile filled her face with sunshine. “So if we don’t give them the book, they won’t kill us.”
“You got it,” Bronson said. “But if I were them, I would grab one of us and put a knife to our throat. If the other one doesn’t reveal where the book is, the person being held dies.”
Norma gulped and rubbed her throat. “We’re doomed.”
“Not necessarily,” Bronson said. “We’ll tear the book into three parts. We scatter. Each one of us hides our part of the book, and we don’t tell the others where we hid it. That way, they have to keep all three of us alive if they want to see their book again.” Bronson didn’t tell them that with the book gone and all three dead, no one would know any better. Bronson hoped that Swanson and his elders didn’t think of that.
Roger’s face brightened. “I like that idea. It’s perfect.” He took the book out of his backpack and handed it to Bronson. “You do the honors.”
Bronson grabbed the book, opened it, and carefully tore out several pages. “Two simple rules.”
