Justice Overdue: A Private Investigator Mystery Series (20 page)

His route took him past the spot where they’d found the body. It still lay in the same spot, yet undisturbed by wild animals, but insects crawled over the decomposing remains, flies buzzed around, and the face was now barely recognizable. The undignified sight made him angry at whoever had done this, and more fearful for Annie. A distinct odor choked him and he held his breath and turned away in disgust.

He continued on, and in a few minutes, ended up back at the clearing. A pair of squirrels chased each other through the weeds, free and unaware of the torture in his soul.

He was getting nowhere, still unsure the cabin was what he should be searching for, but he had no other ideas, and no clues to guide him. He had only his gut instinct and sheer perseverance to drive him on.

He started through the trees again at a different angle, when a sudden movement to the right caught his eye. His heart slammed against his ribs when a clump of bushes shook, branches thrashing and snapping. Taking each step slowly, not daring to breathe, he skirted around the bush, being careful where he trod as he crept soundlessly closer. He stopped short, his breath left his body, and his jaw dropped at the sight of a black bear, ambling away, paying him no attention.

He didn’t know what he had expected to find and he sagged against a tree in disappointment, his face against the rough bark, the ridges biting into his skin. He leaned there a moment, breathing a soft prayer, unable to continue.

Finally, he raised his head, took a deep breath and went on, dragging himself through the wilderness, each step growing heavier, unsure whether those steps brought him closer to, or farther away, from the love of his life.

Chapter 43

Sunday, 6:29 AM

MATTY SAT IN THE cave with Kyle, staring out at Lake Wendigo. The lake shimmered in the sunlight, calm and undisturbed, the morning mist catching the rising sun and reflecting shades of blue and orange onto the waters below. Unlike the peaceful lake, he grew restless, his mind in turmoil. He tired of sitting in one spot, telling stories, and above all, he was deeply concerned about his parents.

He knew his father was worried, more than he’d seen before, and was attempting to cover it. Matty had tried not to let his father know how anxious he was as well, concerned about the whereabouts of his mother. His dad had enough on his mind, and Matty wanted to help out.

He thought long and hard about the cabin; the cabin his father so desperately tried to find the night before and was scouring the woods for even now. Dad likely assumed his mother was there, otherwise, why would he be so eager to find it?

He and Kyle had been there once before and why couldn’t they locate it again? There must be a way. He sat still, contemplating the idea, attempting to work out a solution. Then something popped into his mind—something that just might work.

He turned to Kyle, flat on his back, staring up at the low ceiling of the cave. “I’ve got an idea.”

Kyle turned his head and waited for Matty to continue.

“I think I know how to find the cabin.”

Kyle sat up. “Your dad told us to stay put.”

Matty nodded and looked at the floor of the cavern. “I know he did, but he’s been gone a long time and I’m getting worried about him.”

Kyle whispered, “But what if we get lost again?”

“We won’t. Even if we don’t find the cabin, the compass will guide us back safely.” He slapped a hand on his backpack sitting nearby. “It’s in here.”

“So, let’s go then,” Kyle said eagerly.

Matty sat still a moment, reconsidering the idea. He didn’t want to go against his father’s wishes and get them all into deeper trouble. His mother had often called him “responsible”. Matty wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but he thought it had something to do with doing the right thing.

He remembered his father had once told him, the best thing you can do is the right thing, but the worst thing you can do is nothing.

He found it hard to do nothing when he had an idea that might help his parents. He hoped he was doing the right thing now. He decided he was.

He grabbed his backpack and the boys scrambled to their feet and crept from the cave. Matty pointed down the beach. “We need to start this way, from the old camp. That’s the easiest way for me to remember where we’re going.”

They started across the sand and grass when Matty stopped. “Wait a minute,” he said, and turned back. He found a short stick, went to the mouth of the cave and carved a message in the dirt. “Back soon. Don’t worry.” He stuck the stick in the sand so his father would be sure to see it if he returned before them, and then stood back.

“That should do it,” he said. “Let’s go.” He led the way across the beach, and then stopped and held a hand up in his friend’s direction. “Keep quiet, in case anyone’s around.”

He turned and crept up the grade to their old campsite. He wasn’t going to take any chances. If his mother was in danger, and someone was responsible, he might be lurking around. They moved cautiously toward the site, staying behind trees and bushes.

The camp was deserted. He glanced around, and then pointed. “This way,” he said, and headed into the trees.

Kyle followed him awhile before asking, “What’s your idea? How’re we going to find the cabin?”

Matty kept on, picking his way around low branches, clumps of bushes, and fallen trees. “First we have to find the clearing where we saw the bear.”

“What if the bear is around?”

“He won’t likely be there.” Matty hoped he was correct on that point. The last thing he wanted right now was a run-in with a crazy bear. They were lucky the first time, but he decided to be cautious just in case.

He was certain he could find the clearing. He had been there twice before and he was pretty sure it was dead ahead.

“I’m hungry,” Kyle said.

Matty stopped and looked at his friend. “Yeah, me too. We should’ve had something before we left. We’ll just have to wait, that’s all.” He continued on and in a few minutes, pointed ahead. “There it is.”

He moved carefully through the trees, memories of their frightening encounter with the bear foremost in his mind. He stepped slowly into the clearing and looked around. The awful creature wasn’t there. “This is it, Matty,” Kyle said.” He pointed. “That’s where the bear was.”

They stood still a moment, Matty with his hand on the flap of his backpack, Kyle glaring toward the spot the bear had appeared, listening in case the fearsome animal lurked close by.

“I think it’s ok,” Matty whispered.

Kyle stood straight, cocked his head to one side, and squinted at Matty. “Now what?”

Matty pointed. “The bear was there.” He moved his hand. “And we were standing there.” He spun around, pointing again. “And then we ran like crazy that way.”

“So?”

“So, we do it again.”

“Run like crazy?”

“Yup.”

“How far?”

Matty thought a moment, doing some quick calculations in his head. “After we found the cabin last time, it took us about half an hour to get back to camp.” He looked up and frowned. “So it’s about a mile from here.”

Kyle shrugged. “I’m ready if you are.”

Matty adjusted his backpack and poked a finger to his left. “Watch out for the bear,” he shouted, and charged into the forest, Kyle right behind.

Matty tried not to pay much attention to the route they took, rather run by instinct like they’d done before. He was positive they would find the cabin soon.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” Kyle asked after a few minutes, panting out the words as he followed his friend.

“I’m sure,” Matty said, and waved a hand. “I recognize that fallen tree over there. We ran right past it before.” He was growing tired as well, but didn’t dare stop. He had to keep on; he had to find that cabin, and if possible, get back to the cave before his father returned.

Chapter 44

Sunday, 6:35 AM

VARICK LUCAS had been up early, polished off the rest of the rabbit meat, smoked a cigarette from the dwindling pack, and was now eager to get his plans for the day underway.

Annie had awakened a few minutes earlier. She lay on her side on the cot, watching him as he went about his morning business.

He flashed her a smile. “Did you sleep well?”

She rolled to her back and didn’t answer.

“Just trying to be friendly,” he said.

Silence.

“Do you want some breakfast?”

“No thanks.” She turned to face him. “I would like a glass of water.”

He brought her a drink and she swallowed it eagerly. “Thank you.”

“More?”

She shook her head.

“I have to go out,” he said. “The crux of the game has just begun.”

Annie didn’t comment.

He rummaged around in a box in the corner and came up with a length of nylon rope. He was going to lock her in the cabin when he left, but he wanted to be safe, and tying her up would make her doubly secure.

He carried the rope over to her and held it up. “This is for you.”

She turned her face to the wall.

“Just for a while,” he said. “I’ll take it off again when I get back.” Then in a stern voice, “Sit up.”

She rolled over, dropped her feet on the floor, and sat on the edge of the cot. She gave him a look of disdain and said, “You don’t have to tie me up. If you padlock the door, I can’t get away.”

He smiled. “One can never be too careful. Now please stand up and turn around.”

She stood, raised her nose in the air, and spun around. He tied her wrists together securely, pushed her onto her back on the cot, and then tied her ankles. “I guess I won’t have to gag you,” he said. “Only the birds and the squirrels will hear you, and they don’t care.” He laughed at his own joke and stood back.

“Do you need anything before I go?” he asked.

“A knife would be nice.”

He chuckled. “The knives are well out of your reach, unfortunately. So you’d best just stay put until I get back.”

“Don’t hurry back,” she said.

He crossed his arms and looked at her. “I’m glad you still have a sense of humor.”

She turned her head away and stared at the ceiling.

He opened the cupboard and found a pair of padlocks, the keys in them, then fastened the hunting knife to his leg, checked the pistol tucked behind his belt, and left the cabin.

He padlocked the front door, went to the side of the building, unhooked the shutters from the outside wall, swung them closed, and fastened them securely with one of the padlocks. The back window got the same treatment. The solid shutters would make it dark in there, but they would guarantee she stayed put.

He dropped the keys into his pocket, turned, and strode into the woods.

~~*~~

RCMP SERGEANT LANCE BREWER had been awake into the wee hours of the morning, waiting to hear whether or not his team had found the location of the cabin where Varick Lucas was holed up. He had hoped Padre would’ve been more precise, but even with the sketchy information they had, he expected his men to zero in on Lucas’s position before long.

Immediately after interviewing Padre, he’d spoken to the chief of intelligence and surveillance and was advised a pair of Air-1 service helicopters, each complete with sophisticated surveillance equipment and an expert team, was at his disposal.

By the time he had the operation assembled, their short window of opportunity had dwindled with the daylight and they were forced to put the bulk of their efforts on hold until daybreak.

A renewed push was now underway. Up in the air, RCMP officers were in the cockpits with the pilots, passing information to constables on the ground by radio. Meanwhile, RCMP commanders in the situation center watched images relayed by satellite.

Three thousand square miles was a lot of space to cover with just two units, so existing aerial photographs were consulted, poured over, and scrutinized.

Brewer was now on the phone with Special Constable Dunkirk. Brewer had remained in the Haddleburg region and sent Dunkirk to oversee the gathering of intelligence.

“I don’t have anything promising to report,” Dunkirk said. “As you know, it’s a large park, and we have narrowed the possibilities to fifty-six locations.”

“Fifty-six?” Brewer roared. “Is that the best you can do?”

“I believe it is, sir.”

Brewer paced the floor of his hotel room. “That’ll take weeks to cover with a ground approach. I don’t have that kind of time.”

“I can assemble three task forces and cover it in two weeks.”

“Not good enough.” Brewer bit the end off a cigar and spat it across the room. “Can you narrow the possibilities down more than that?”

“I’m afraid not, sir. With nothing else to go on, as far as location is concerned, that’s the best we can do.”

“What about thermal imaging?”

“Sure, but in a heavily forested area, the thick trees block video cameras as well as limit the capability of thermal imaging devices.” Dunkirk paused a moment before patiently continuing, “Thermal imaging picks up heat. There’re thousands of campfires at any given time and thousands of campers throughout the park. We can eliminate the ones in known camping spots, but thermal imaging is not the way to go, sir.”

“What else do we have?”

“Without a more precise location, all we can do is send in tactical troop members to investigate possible targets one at a time.”

Brewer swore. He didn’t have that kind of time to waste but he had no other choice at the moment. “Start the ground search. I’ll let you know if we come up with anything further here. And keep me posted.” He hung up, tossed his phone onto the bed, went to the window, and gazed over the small town spread out before him.

He chewed impatiently at his cigar. He wasn’t optimistic about the ground search. Lucas was volatile and could move his location at any time. He needed something else, and he needed it now.

His team had confirmed Lucas’s parents were dead, and the whereabouts of Otis, his one known friend, was undetermined. There was no other information forthcoming as to the location of the cabin where Lucas was allegedly hiding out.