Blue Moon Rising: A suspense thriller (10 page)

CHAPTER 18

Dan walked through the thick tree growth. It got denser and denser the further he walked in. Dan stopped and listened. A squirrel chattered in the branches above while birds fluttered about. The thick canopy of trees above barely let the sun shine through.

Dan’s shirt stuck to his back, the sweat and blood ran into his eyes. When Dan came to a fallen tree, he stopped. Brush and vines grew up all around the decaying trunk.

“Alan,” Dan yelled feebly.

Dan’s voice came out a hoarse whisper. He cleared his throat and got a firm grip on the billy club. Just as he rounded the trunk he heard a noise. Thirty feet away rutting in a patch of mud were six razorbacks. One of the boars had blood covering its right shoulder. Dan turned and made a quick retreat behind the trunk when something struck him hard on the back. Dan slid forward onto the ground.

“Why did you come?” Alan demanded.

Dan managed to look up. “Had to,” Dan said finally.

Dan felt around for the billy club. Alan walked toward him. Dan tried to wipe away the sweat and blood. He did not lift his head for fear the razorbacks would see him. The hogs pawed at the earth and rooted up the ground. It was then Alan saw them too.

“Jesus Christ!” was all he managed to say.

While Alan appeared momentarily distracted, Dan grabbed the billy club quickly and swung it at Alan’s shins and connected solidly. Alan yelled out in pain. He stumbled toward the razorbacks, yelling and hopping from one foot to the other. The razorbacks were puzzled at first. A few were frightened and ran off. The two old boars just looked up with a savage gleam in their tiny eyes. The sharp hooves pawed at the soft ground.

Dan tried to get up but had no luck. He got to his knees and saw Alan standing a few feet away. Dan made a turning, clumsy twist toward Alan, sticking out the billy club and managed to grab an ankle. Dan pulled and Alan tumbled down, dropping the pistol. Both men reached for it. Dan’s face was mashed into the forest floor while Alan kneeled on top of him. Dan tried to raise himself and throw Alan off, but he was hurting too bad. Alan’s weight had Dan pinned.

Alan straightened up and turned. Just then the boar with the wound charged, followed by the other boar. Dan’s eyes were filled with dirt, sweat, and blood but he still managed to see the charge coming.

The two razorbacks crashed into Alan’s back with a thunderous thump. All the air went out of Alan as the razorbacks thrashed him around like a rag doll.

Dan felt around for the gun while the hogs were grunting and slobbering, with no inclination of deserting their prey.

Dan finally had the gun in hand. He used the billy club to push himself into a sitting position. Dan quickly took aim and fired off one round. It hit the one boar in the right eye. The boar went down with a high-pitched squeal. The other boar looked up. All Dan could focus on was the tusk as the boar looked him straight in the eye and then quickly charged. Dan fired off a shot but the bullet struck the razorback in its side. The boar did not even slow down, just lowering his head and came straight on at Dan.

Dan did not have time for another shot. He twisted to the side to avoid the charge and yelled out in pain as the boar sideswiped him. Dan screamed as he was tossed two feet into the air. Quickly he managed to sit up and grip the gun with both hands. The razorback turned. It stopped for a moment before lowering its head again, and charged. When the boar came within four feet, Dan let the last two rounds go. The razorback struck Dan in the chest and then there was only darkness.

* * *

Dan finally regained consciousness and heard Alan moaning in pain. He struggled to shove the razorback off his chest and then crawled over to Alan.

Alan was covered in blood. His breathing was ragged and shallow. Dan twisted himself into a sitting position and slid himself over to Alan.

“Alan, Alan, you there?”

Alan’s eyelids flickered a moment. “I’m not going any place,” he whispered.

“I’ll get you out of here.”

Alan tried to laugh as he looked up at the condition Dan was in.

“I wouldn’t try it if I were you. I think my back is broken.” He hesitated while catching his breath. “Among other things.” He struggled a moment and then coughed up blood. “I didn’t do all those things. I may have stood by and done nothing. But it wasn’t me,” Alan stopped and breathed a deep ragged breath.

“What do you know about Kay’s accident?”

“I can’t,” Alan coughed while shaking his head.

“If you know something you have to tell me.”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why did you run?” Dan asked.

“I hate what I’ve become. And I’m not taking the fall.”

“It’s too late for that. Too late,” Dan said.

“Wasn’t me, honestly.”

Dan shook his head. “All this, and it wasn’t you? And now you’re telling me Kay was murdered too. Why?”

Alan tried to laugh. “I’m so sorry.” Alan coughed up more blood. “You were right about Jason. But it was his fault. Doing the things he did. Wasn’t right. He deserved what he got.”

“He didn’t deserve to die,” Dan snapped. “Kay didn’t deserve to die either.”

Alan started to cry. The pain was too much to endure. All these years he lived with the guilt and now it was all coming out into the open.

Dan turned to the razorback lying a few feet away and then glanced down at Alan.

“What bothers me is you did nothing all these years.”

“Like anyone would have believed me.”

“A jury will have a field day with you.”

“The way I feel, there won’t be a jury. I just wanted you to know.”

Dan glanced around for something to use as a cane. He slid over to the fallen tree and broke off a branch.

“I’ll get you out of here.”

Alan coughed again. “Too late. Time you get to town, too late.”

“Don’t tell me that, damn it.”

Alan did not answer as Dan struggled to get up and then, after getting his bearings he managed to hobble off.
 

CHAPTER 19

Dan limped out of the woods. In the distance, a caravan of cars raced toward the clearing. Dan collapsed to his knees. The cars came to a screeching halt near where Dan fell. Mac got out of the squad and ran up to Dan.

“You don’t look so good,” Mac said.

“Kelly, where’s Kelly?” Dan asked while trying to get up.

“She’s okay. On the way to the hospital by now, I expect.”

Dan looked up at Mac. “Alan’s in there,” Dan whispered as he turned to the tall pines and then everything went dark.

* * *

Dan was in and out of consciousness. He tried to wake a few times but then stopped trying and let the darkness consume him.

He saw Kay in happy times, laughing while playing with Kelly as an infant. He heard arguing but could not make out the words. Slowly the dreams fade and the hazy hue of the room appeared.

Martha Witherspoon was hovering over his bed like a vulture devouring its prey. She smelt like stale body odor. All Dan wanted was to be left alone.

“Nurse,” Martha screeched.

Dan looked up. “It’s cold,” he whispered.

“Do you want anything?” Martha asked, not hearing what Dan had said.

“What did he say?” The nurse asked turning to Dan.

“Cold. It’s cold in here,” he whispered.

“Get the doctor. He wants the doctor,” Martha yelled out orders.

The nurse turned to her and then Dan, but Dan just shut his eyes and went back into his self-imposed darkness.

* * *

Dan opened his eyes again. The blinds were closed. Nancy had his hand in hers. He felt the warmth it offered and managed a feeble grin. Nancy turned to Dan when she felt his fingers flex. She had a smile on her face as he shut his eyes again.

* * *

Dr. Owens walked into the hospital room. He strolled over to the window and opened the blinds, sending sunbeams streaking across the bed. Dan opened his eyes.

“Kelly?” Dan asked.

The doctor leaned over Dan. “Your daughter is fine. She has a slight concussion. She’ll be in to see you in a little while, if you’re up to it?”

“I’m up to it,” Dan whispered weakly.

Dan was not taking anyone’s word about Kelly. He had to see her for himself that his daughter was okay.

“You’re lucky to be alive,” the doctor added, and then hesitated. “But I wouldn’t give two nickels for what you’re about to face.”

“What?”

“You don’t know, do you?”

The doctor ran his hand over Dan’s heavily bandaged ribs. He pressed down. “Does that hurt?” he asked.

“No, not really.” Dan whispered.

“It will. Four ribs cracked, two of them pretty bad. But you’ll live,” he replied.

“What day is it?” Dan whispered.

“Monday. I’m Dr. Owens. If you need a nurse just push the button. But I’m sure one of your female admirers would be more than happy to get you anything you needed.”

The doctor turned abruptly and walked out. Kelly walked in. She stood looking down at her father. Her forehead was bandaged.

“I didn’t realize police work was so exciting.”

“Not always.”

Dan pressed the control to move the bed into a sitting position. “How’s Alan?” he finally managed to ask.

Kelly shook her head as sadness came over her face. “Took them a while to find him.”

“Figured as much.”

“He was dead when they got to him.”

“I expect there’s been a lot of talk around town.”

“That’s one way to put it. Senator Maxwell has been holding press conferences,” she said, and then paused. “He wants your head on a platter.”

“I’ll bet he does.”

“Why was Mr. Maxwell talking about Mom?”

“I think it had something to do with a story she was working on before the accident.”

“Did someone kill her?”

“I don’t know for sure. There was speculation that it wasn’t the brakes, that maybe she was forced off the road. But the investigation never went anywhere.”

Dan took hold of Kelly’s hand as tears streamed down her cheek. This was something he never shared with Kelly. It would have been hard for a young person to accept. It was bad enough she lost her mother. She didn’t need to know that it was not an accident.

“What did Dr. Owens mean about my ‘female admirers?’”

Kelly took a deep breath and retained control as a slight smile crossed her face.

“You do have quite a covey of fans,” she laughed. “Nancy Davie has been here four or five times, and so has Ms. Witherspoon.” Kelly frowned a moment. “Then there was this Ms. Wilcox. Who is she?”

“Not her, too. I can’t believe they made such a fuss.”

“Nancy has been just fine, but Martha has been driving everyone absolutely crazy. First she thought you were going to die. If that wasn’t bad enough, then she caught on why Nancy was here. Ms. Wilcox left as soon as she saw the other two. Frankly, I don’t know what any of them see in you.”

Dan shook his head. “Me neither.”

“People are really curious about what happened.”

“I’m still trying to sort it out,” Dan said, shaking his head.

“Why did he want to hurt you?” Kelly asked as her hand reached over and touched her father.

“It has to do with a twenty-year-old murder and I think what happened to Junior and the Ames Boy.”

“You mean he killed them all?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“I thought so at first.”

“But now?” Kelly asked.

“I don’t know. He claimed he had nothing to do with any of it.”

“Maybe he lied.”

“He didn’t have any reason to lie. Those razorbacks worked him over pretty good.”

Kelly shuddered a moment. “He wasn’t the only one they worked over.”

“Yeah, well, I had the gun.”

Kelly laughed mockingly. “A thirty-eight! I’d think you’d have more sense than to go chasing a man into the tall pines knowing those devils were there.”

Kelly looked ready to cry as Dan reached up, took her hand, and then squeezed it reassuringly.

“Everything is okay now,” Dan whispered.

“Nancy’s been coming over to the house. She’s nice.”

“I’m glad you’re getting along and you like her.”

Dan shut his eyes. Kelly reached over and hugged him. The last few days had been nerve-wracking, worrying if she was going to lose her father. She was just thankful he was on the mend now.

CHAPTER 20

Nancy parked her Outback outside Dan’s house. She quickly walked around to the passenger door, where Kelly was already helping her father out of the car.

“Here, let me help,” Nancy said, reaching for Dan.

Dan held up his hands. “I’m not an invalid,” he snapped.

“You’re also not a well man,” Kelly added.

Dan winced in pain. He swayed a moment and then grabbed hold of Nancy’s arm. At that moment he knew he would need their help and arguing about it would get him nowhere fast.

“My head hurts,” he said.

“See! You need us. There’s nothing wrong with letting people help you out until you are better,” Kelly argued.

“Just get me into the house.”

It was slow going and they managed to get him into the house and settled in bed. Although they’d released him from the hospital, there was still a long recuperation period ahead for Dan.

* * *

Dan sat on a chaise lounge while Nancy stood at the grill turning the chicken. He’d enjoyed the past week doing nothing but letting Nancy and Kelly care of him. It reminded him of another time in his life when things were right with the world. Nancy would not let him see the paper and the local news was never turned on. However, as nice as that was, Dan knew he had work to do and tomorrow it would be back to the salt mines for him. He would eventually have to face the Senator.

Kelly handed Dan the envelope marked “Confidential” that Mac had dropped off earlier.

Dan looked at it and laughed. “This must have killed Mac,” he commented as he glanced at the return address, “FBI.” Dan quickly opened it.

Nancy turned to him. “Is it from your friend?” she asked.

Dan held up his hand a moment as he read. “Oh, this is just great!”

Nancy walked over to Dan, she read over his shoulder. “Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Why are you checking murders that far north?” she asked with a puzzled look.

“Something Alan said,” Dan relayed and then looked up. “That friend I have in Little Rock. He did a little checking for me. This Jackson Hole murder was in ’89. That was the year Alan and the Senator were up there bear hunting.”

“And?” she asked as she quickly walked over to the grill to turn the chicken.

Dan flipped through the pages. His face turned white suddenly.

“Shit,” he snapped as he turned to Nancy. “There’s a list of unsolved murders that match our MO in Virginia, Maryland, and the Delaware area.”

“How many?”

“Looks like fifteen at least.”

The phone rang suddenly. Dan picked up the portable phone on the table.

“Yeah, what’s up?” Dan asked and then listened a moment while Nancy watched him intently. “If you can reach Billy Bob, send him out there for backup.”

Dan set the phone down and then struggled to get up off the lawn chair. He stood for a moment before taking a step forward.

“Where do you think you are going?” Kelly asked.

“I have to go to the Senator’s house,” Dan said.

Kelly tried to step in front of him. “The doctor only released you for desk duty. You aren’t well enough yet to go traipsing around the countryside.”

Dan looked down at Kelly. “It’s important. I have to go.”

Nancy quickly stepped closer to Dan. “Why?” she asked.

As much as he appreciated their concern for his well-being, right then he had a job to do.

“It’s Jeffrey Ames. He went out to confront the Senator last night and hasn’t been home since.”

Kelly stared at Dan and then turned to Nancy while shaking her head, wanting Nancy to convince her father not to go.

“Why would he do that?” Nancy asked finally.

“Seems he found a journal in Richie’s room, and wanted to confront the Senator about it.”

“Let someone else take care of it,” Kelly cried.

“Conroy’s wife is in labor,” Dan said as he reached for the envelope. “Besides, it’s my job and I have to finish what I started.”

Nancy quickly took the chicken off the grill and put the platter on the picnic table.

“I’ll drive you,” she said and then turned to Kelly. “He’ll be okay. I promise you.”

Dan walked slowly into the house while Nancy followed close behind.