A Shot at Redemption

by Liz Bradford

  She nodded and stepped back from him.

  He examined the zip ties digging into his wrists. They needed to go. He twisted them until the locking mechanism of both were lined up, then lifted his arms above his head. He thrust his hands downward and against his body. Both zip ties broke.

  “Why didn’t you do that earlier?”

  “I didn’t want Patrick to shoot you.”

  “Fair enough.” She gave him a sideways smile.

  He took out the knife he had in his coat pocket and cut Jocelyn’s ties. They embraced.

  She was shivering.

  “You’re so cold.”

  She stepped back and zipped up her coat. “I’m freezing. Gavin, my shirt is soaked. I need to feed David.”

  He pulled his gloves out of his pocket and handed them to her. “Then let’s go get him.”

  She slid her hands into the gloves. “But Gavin, I tried to make a mental note of how we came up here, but it all looks the same.”

  “I know.” His pulse pounded. He didn’t know if he could remember either. “We have to try.” He rubbed the back of her neck as they walked in the direction they had come. The snow started falling harder.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Jocelyn blinked back the tears brimming in her eyes. She was so cold, and the snow was falling faster and heavier. The large flakes covered the ground quickly, completely hiding the footprints they’d left on their way up the mountain.

  Her stomach turned on its side. And her mind played back the sound of Patrick falling. “Do you think we should have checked to see if he was alive?” Her voice cracked.

  Gavin turned back toward her. He took hold of her shoulders. “I’ve been asking myself the same, but he had a gun. And it didn’t sound like he could have survived that fall.” Sorrow filled Gavin’s eyes.

  She nodded and walked on. They continued in silence, carefully hiking down the mountain. But despite his effort to pay attention on the way up, things didn’t look familiar now. Maybe it was the change in emotion that distorted the way everything looked, or maybe it was the snow, or maybe they had made a wrong turn.

  “Gavin…”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are we going the right way?”

  “I was wondering the same thing.”

  Her lungs grew tight. Were they going to die in the woods anyway? Did escaping from Patrick not matter? But hadn’t God sent that bear to rescue them? Would He lead them out to die? The tears pushed their way out of her eyes.

  “If we do find our way back to the highway, what are we going to do then? We don’t have our cell phones. We don’t have the keys to that van. I saw Patrick put them in his pocket, so they’re down at the bottom of that ravine with him.”

  “One step at a time.” Gavin’s voice was tight.

  “Oh, Jesus, save us!” she called out.

  A few seconds later, Gavin said, “He will.”

  “That was a quick change. You didn’t sound convinced a moment ago.”

  “Busy praying over here.”

  She smiled at him, taking her eyes off her next step. Her foot slipped out from underneath her. She screamed. Went down. Her tailbone hit a rock.

  “Jocelyn!” He was down at her side in a second, drawing her into his arms.

  She buried her head in his chest and cried. She wanted to hold David again. She wanted to snuggle on the couch with Gavin and David and be warm. Everything hurt. Her fingers, her toes, her nose, her cheeks, her chest. It all stung from the cold, and now her backside not only hurt, but it was wet too.

  “We have to get up, Joc. We have to keep moving.”

  “I know.” She glanced around as Gavin pulled her to her feet. “Wait!” She pointed across to her right. “The trees are changing again. More oaks and maples, but look at that one. I remember it from earlier because of the way it’s growing around the rock. It reminds me of a soldier.”

  “A mighty warrior. God’s fighting for us, Jocelyn.”

  New resolved filled her. With God on their side, maybe they could get out of here. Jesus, lead us. And bring a rescue on the other side of the woods!

  Adam jumped out of the car as soon as it was at a full stop. He adjusted the bulletproof vest he wore under his coat. He took a deep breath of cold air as his feet crunched through the snow. Drawing his weapon, he approached the brown conversion van parked on the side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The narrow mountain road barely afforded enough space for a vehicle, but somehow Patrick had found a spot big enough.

  An hour ago, state patrol had received a report of an abandoned van matching the description of the one that had taken Jocelyn and Gavin along the scenic highway. This was definitely the van, but where were they? If he had brought them here, where would he have taken them? Did they leave in another vehicle or did he take them into the woods? Adam wasn’t sure which of those two options would be better.

  He wished they had gotten here sooner, but even without snow it’s an hour drive from where they were. They had made quick time until they reached the higher elevations. They were nearly four-thousand feet up now, and only about fifteen minutes away from Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain this side of the Mississippi. The snow was much heavier here. A few times he wasn’t sure if the sedan would make it up the slippery inclines. But, by the grace of God, they made it. They had to find Jocelyn and Gavin.

  If they were out in the woods, they could be in really bad shape. Hypothermia could kick in at any time. Though the temperature was still hovering just below freezing, they weren’t dressed for being out in this.

  He approached the van and, with his flashlight in his hand, he grabbed the handle of the side door. He pulled it open. Nothing. He climbed in. Broken zip ties littered the floor. His heart sank. He directed his flashlight’s beam around the van. Gavin’s Glock sat on the driver’s seat. They were out there, unarmed. His throat tightened.

  God, help me know how to find them. Please let them still be alive. Adam let out a long breath and climbed out of the van. All around him, his friends searched for additional clues. Jesus, we need direction. Give me something!

  “Over here!” Jared shouted from the other side of a wooden guardrail that kept drivers from driving into the rock face that edged the highway.

  Adam ran to the sergeant and hurdled the guardrail. “What is it?”

  Jared shined his flashlight on a tree. There, stuck between the branches, in the natural V of the tree, was a police badge. Gavin. Adam grabbed it. Sure enough, it was Gavin’s. They had gone into the woods.

  Adam turned and yelled for everyone. Becca, Amelia, Captain Baker, and a few state troopers rushed over. He held up Gavin’s badge. “They went into these woods. We need to start searching immediately, but we also need more manpower. We can’t waste any time. Based on my estimations, they could have been in these woods for three hours easy. We need to find them. And we need an ambulance up here, just in case.”

  One of the troopers shouted, “I’m on getting the manpower.”

  “I’ll call a bus,” another hollered.

  “Let’s find them!” the captain said. “Go in pairs, and do not get separated out there. Stay on the radios with constant updates. You see anything that indicates where they are, we’ll all move in that direction. Be careful. This is rough terrain.”

  They examined a map of the mountain and, within ten minutes, had all armed themselves with high-powered flashlights and a plan of attack.

  Jocelyn stumbled again trying to go down the slippery rocks. She took the hand Gavin offered. “I don’t know if I can make it any further. My toes hurt so bad.” Her gym shoes were soaked through.

  “You can. I know you can.”

  “How are you doing that?”

  “Doing what?”

  “Staying all positive and gung-ho?”

  “I have no idea. I’m struggling too. But I know God is on our side.”

  “I want to believe that, Gavin. I do. But I keep wondering if this is what we deserve.”

 
“Haven’t we gotten past that? Jocelyn, that’s a lie from the pit of hell. We’ve been redeemed and forgiven. Christ paid the penalty for our sin, and I know you know that. Aren’t you the one who’s helped me see that?”

  She smiled. It was an attack from the enemy. “We need to pray.”

  “Always.”

  She took his hand and bowed her head.

  “Jesus, Gavin’s right. You saved us from ourselves and sin. You’ve taken it and died in our place. Thank You. And even if we die on this mountain, I know You are good and faithful, our Savior and Redeemer. Thank You. Keep my mind focused on You. I’m scared right now. I want to see my baby. I’m cold. I’m hurting. But I know You care. You love me. So Jesus, we implore You for help. I have no idea how, but like that bear appeared out of nowhere, You can bring another miracle. Give us wisdom and direction. Lead us. And bring a rescue of some kind.”

  Warmth filled her body—or maybe it was her soul—but it was enough. They started walking again. Trudging down the mountain. One foot in front of the other. Sometimes slipping, sometimes sliding. The snow crunching underfoot and gathering in their hair. But as much as she hurt, as much as she wanted to give up, she kept pushing. She reached out and held Gavin’s hand. They could do this together with God on their side.

  Light flashed between the trees at least a hundred yards away. “Did you see that?” she said.

  “I did.” Gavin called out, “Hello? Someone out there?”

  “Gavin?” a faint voice hollered back.

  “Adam!?” Jocelyn moved faster toward the light.

  “Jocelyn!” Adam yelled.

  Gavin tugged on her hand. “Careful! Let’s get to him safely.”

  “For sure.” She chuckled in relief.

  Adam and Amelia appeared from around the corner of an exposed rock face. “We found them!” Amelia shouted into the radio before running to Jocelyn and hugging her. Jocelyn wrapped her arms around her friend.

  “Girl, you’re freezing.” Amelia rubbed her back with both arms for a moment before releasing her. Amelia brushed the snow out of Jocelyn’s hair, then put her own hat on Jocelyn’s head.

  “Thank you.” Tears filled Jocelyn’s eyes again as she turned to her cousin. “You found us. How on earth?” She wanted to ask about David but was afraid of the answer.

  Adam pulled her against his chest. “Because we found David.”

  Relief flooded her being. “You found him?! He’s okay?”

  “Perfectly fine. He’s with Ella.”

  “Oh, thank Jesus.” Grateful tears ran full stream down her eyes, and she turned to Gavin, who was also crying.

  Gavin tightened his arm around Jocelyn. She slumped against him and nodded off to sleep where they sat in the backseat of the unmarked sedan. They were finally warm an hour into the drive, but it was still at least that long before they would be home.

  “You can sleep too, Gavin.” Captain Baker looked at him in the rearview mirror. “We’ll get you home as soon as possible.”

  “Thanks, Captain.”

  Next thing Gavin knew they pulled into his and Jocelyn’s driveway. He tapped Jocelyn’s arm. “We’re home!”

  She bounced up. “David!” She barely waited for the captain to stop the car before she was out and racing toward the front door.

  Gavin, the captain, and Adam weren’t far behind. They all entered the house and were greeted by Ella.

  Jocelyn bolted around the couch to where David wiggled in his swing next to the Christmas tree.

  Jocelyn leaned over and scooped him up. “Oh, sweet baby!” He started crying. Jocelyn chuckled. “You missed Momma. I missed you too, baby.”

  “He’s only barely taken a bottle. He’s so hungry.”

  “I bet.” Jocelyn settled on the couch and started feeding him.

  Gavin sat next to them and kissed Jocelyn’s head. Relief flowed through him. “Do you need anything?”

  “Water and a couple of blankets.”

  He got what she needed and then joined the other men in the kitchen. Becca and Jared came in too.

  Becca put her arm around him. “I’m so glad you guys are okay.”

  He stretched his arm across her shoulders. “You just didn’t want to break in a new partner.” He winked at her.

  She laughed. “Yeah, that’s it.” Her smile faded. “What happened up there?”

  He told them all about hearing the Lord’s voice, the bear, and Patrick’s fall. “You don’t think he could have survived, do you?”

  Captain Baker rubbed his chin. “I can’t imagine. But there will be a team out at first light to confirm.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We all want to be sure this whole ordeal is over. Before we go, we’re”—the captain pointed at the other detectives—“going to sweep the house, inside and out, to make sure nothing’s amiss.”

  “Can’t argue with that.”

  Gavin walked around with them and, once the captain was convinced they were safe, he and the detectives said goodbye.

  Jared put his hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you all.” Gavin closed the door behind them and turned to Jocelyn. Her smile brightened his heart. He walked over and sank down on the couch beside her.

  “Gavin”—she leaned head against him—“God kept His promise. He redeemed our lives from the pit and never stopped fighting for us. He fought for our hearts and then our lives.”

  “Yes, He did. What was that verse you just memorized?”

  “Psalm 138. I’m still working on it, but the part I love most is: ‘…Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name. As soon as I pray, You answer me…’”

  “Amen.” Gavin wrapped his arm around Jocelyn and rubbed David’s back where he slept snuggled against his momma. His family was together and safe.

  Thank You, Jesus.

  EPILOGUE

  Christmas Day

  Gavin shifted David’s car seat on his arm, and Jocelyn knocked on Caleb and Amelia’s front door. How far they had come in the last year. Gavin almost wanted to laugh at the memory of last Christmas. He and Jocelyn had both slipped away from this party at the Johnson’s to spend time together, but he stopped short of laughter because the memory of the shame he had also felt was more powerful. Thank You, God. Forgiveness and redemption and blessing. I don’t deserve any of this goodness. Gavin put his arm around Jocelyn’s shoulder and drew her close.

  Amelia opened the door. “Merry Christmas! Come on in.”

  They went inside. Amelia took their coats.

  “Thanks for having us.” Jocelyn hugged Amelia.

  “Our pleasure. You know I love having people over. Head into the family room. Everyone is either in there or in the kitchen.”

  Gavin unstrapped David and lifted him out of the car seat. Any other dad might hand the baby off to his wife, but not Gavin. He was so grateful to have a son his heart might overflow.

  They went into the family room and exchanged Christmas greetings with the whole crowd. Jared, Becca, and the girls; Adam and Ella; Doug, Paige, and their girls; Amy and her children; and, of course, Caleb and Amelia and their three were all there. The kids all ran about as the adults mostly gathered near the kitchen.

  Gavin stood back and took it all in. The atmosphere was infused with festivity. Christmas music played in the background along with the hum of the model train that ran under the giant tree by the back door.

  Jared came up and clapped his hand on Gavin’s back. “Fatherhood looks good on you.”

  “You and Becca going to have any more? Not that I want a pregnant partner.”

  Jared laughed and leaned closer to the baby. “How are you doing, David? Letting your dad sleep at all?”

  Gavin couldn’t help but notice Jared’s avoidance of his question, but before Gavin could push it, the doorbell rang.

  A few moments later, Amelia came around the corner with Captain Baker and his two kids. Baker’s son wen
t to the couch and sat next to Amy’s son, and his teenage daughter went and sat on the floor with the little kids. The captain walked to them and shook Jared’s hand.

  “Merry Christmas, Captain.” Gavin also greeted him with a handshake.

  “We’re not at work. It’s Keith.”

  “Of course. Can I ask a job-related question even though we’re off-duty?”

  “I suppose. But let’s not linger on work stuff.”

  Gavin laughed before he let his mood match his question. “Did we get everyone on the list?” Two days after Patrick had fallen into the ravine, his body had been recovered. In his pocket, they had found a little black notebook filled with names, dates, and crimes. The man who had sabotaged Gavin’s truck had been on the list. It had taken him all of two minutes to make a full confession that Patrick had blackmailed him into it.

  “Almost. We have a few hold-outs, but it’s pretty incredible to watch the weight of guilt fall off some of those guys’ shoulders.”

  “I’m still amazed at how freeing it is to have sin exposed to the light. Doesn’t feel good initially.”

  Keith nodded. “We’ll get the rest of them in time. Without Patrick’s tentacles threatening their lives anymore, they’re fessing up. It makes me angry how many of the names on the list were on the job. However, I’m grateful to weed out bad cops.”

  Amy and Jocelyn joined them. Amy squeezed Keith’s elbow. “Are you guys talking about work?”

  Keith smiled at her. “Not anymore. How was everyone’s Christmas morning?”

  Gavin slipped his arm around Jocelyn’s shoulder and kissed her forehead.

  She answered, “David let us sleep in. It was beautiful.”

  Amy laughed. “Don’t count on that happening for another fifteen years. Grayson was up at five-thirty this morning.”

  Jocelyn’s eyes grew wide. “Isn’t he thirteen?”

  “Almost.”

  Keith rubbed his jaw. “Mikayla wouldn’t let Dustin get away with that. She kept him up late last night playing a game, hoping he’d sleep in.”

  David fussed, and Amy reached out. “May I? I can’t wait to start watching him.”