Kentucky Murders: A Small Town Murder Mystery (35 page)

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“Mr. Ray, there’s no place to go. This is over,” called Tina.

“I want you to bring me your car or I’ll kill the boy.”

“Let him go. We don’t want anyone else to get hurt here. Even if you escape we will find you again. Let’s just end this now. Lay down your gun and release the boy.”

Tina watched as Frank Ray slowly scanned the three law enforcement officers in front of him. When he looked at her, a slight grin crossed his face. “Tina. Right?” He recognized her from that day they’d met in the bar.

Why had she given him her real name?

Then his gaze turned toward Zack and Tina saw the hatred in his eyes.

Finally, he turned back to Tina. “I said bring me a car or the boy dies. You’ve got two minutes.”

“Calm down.” She lowered her weapon.

“And all of you put your guns on the ground,” said Ray, and he looked toward the agent holding the M16.

BOOOOOOOOM.

Tina, stunned, her ears ringing from the gunshot that had gone off a few feet away, saw the kidnapper’s left shoulder being thrown backwards, a spray of blood splattered behind him onto the siding next to the front door of the house. The impact had almost spun him completely around. It took a few seconds for him to regain his balance, but the other FBI agent was on top of him before he could react.

The boy leapt off the porch and ran to his dad.

Tina looked toward Zack and saw the cloud of blue smoke drifting away from his gun barrel. He quickly holstered his weapon, reached out, and scooped up his son who had jumped the last few feet into his father’s arms. Zack struggled and remove the tape from the boy’s hands while holding him.

Finally, Zack looked over at Tina, shrugged, and grinned. “I had a clear shot.”

Tina called over the radio, “Stand down. The child is safe and the suspect is in custody.”

Chapter 34

Jenny lay in her bed staring at the ceiling. A Little Mermaid nightlight dimly lit the room. She had been lying awake for hours thinking about her daddy and why he hadn’t shown up that day to take her away. Finally, she had given up waiting and went to school late. The teacher gave her a note to take home for her mom to sign. He mom was really mad and wanted to know why she was late since she had left for school on time. She didn’t know what to say so she kept quiet and that made mommy even madder. She’d been sent to bed early.

Where was her dad? Why hadn’t he come? She knew he would have come for her unless something had stopped him. She hoped someone had not
put him away
again. Maybe he would show up tomorrow.

---

Tommy finished his shitty lunch and went to the prison library where they could read the paper, magazines, or books. He picked up the local newspaper and began skimming through the first section.

As he looked toward the bottom of the front page an article caught his eye.

Kidnapper Captured by Police

Michaeltown, KY -- Local resident, Frank Ray, was arrested Friday by Sheriff Zack Taylor. A retired truck driver, Ray was confronted by FBI agents and Sheriff Taylor outside of an abandoned home where Ray was hiding after abducting Sheriff Taylor’s son earlier in the day. Sources say that Ray was seeking revenge against the sheriff who had been responsible six years ago for Ray’s son, Tommy Ray, being convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to a prison term of twenty years to life…”

Tommy threw the paper on the table. “That son of a----”

Epilogue

Zack and Kate listened to the preacher give Mrs. Jenkins her final blessing. Jimmy sat to Zack’s right and Sharnita sat to Kate’s left along with Sharnita’s aunt they had located a week earlier.

Looking over, Zack saw Kate lift a tissue to wipe a tear from her eye as she looked at her mother’s coffin.

Two weeks had passed since Jimmy’s rescue. Mrs. Jenkins’ health had continued to deteriorate until only the machines were keeping her alive. Finally, Kate had signed the paperwork to allow her mother’s body to join her soul, which she knew had already departed.

The service ended. Everyone stood and filed past Kate and Zack to pay their respects. There would be food and drink later at the house.

Kate bent and touched her mother’s coffin one last time.

As they walked back towards the limousine, Jimmy and Sharnita hurried ahead of them. Nina Stewart, Sharnita’s aunt, walked along with Zack and Kate. Then Sharnita called out, “Last one to the
limo
is a rotten egg,” and ran toward the car with Jimmy close behind. Both of the children had been fascinated with the word
limo
.

“We’re riding in a
limo
, Mom. A
limo
…”

The kids were in good spirits because Zack had explained they shouldn’t be sad for Grandma. She was now in heaven and could have ice cream every day if she wanted.

“So you and Sharnita will be leaving for Chicago tomorrow?” asked Kate.

Ms. Stewart seemed like a nice woman. She had come down five days earlier and had stayed in their spare bedroom. She had recently retired from a government job, and had never been married or had children. Kate felt relieved and could see that she would make a good mother for Sharnita.

“The train leaves at 7:00 AM.”

“We’ll miss Sharnita. She’s a good girl.”

She smiled and looked over at the children. “Yes, she is a blessing.”

“Maybe we’ll visit sometime,” said Kate.

“That would be nice.”

As they continued to walk Zack caught sight of Tina coming toward them.

“Zack, Kate” she called as she approached. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” She took Kate’s hand in hers.

“Thanks, Tina. We appreciate you coming. Can you stop by the house to eat? How’s your leg?”

“It’s fine. Got the stitches out the other day. Sorry, I’ve got to get back to work.” She looked over her shoulder at her car and the lean man standing next to it. “That’s my partner, Larry.” The guy by the car saw them look over and nodded slightly.

“It’s okay. Thanks for coming, Tina.” Zack shook her hand.

“Zack, Kate,” she said, nodding.

As she turned to walk away Zack called out, “Don’t be a stranger.”

She glanced back one last time and smiled, then walked away.

Kate reached out and held Zack’s hand as they walked. She had thinking about it long enough. Now that her mother had been put to rest, she came right out with it. “Zack, do you think we have room for one more?”

He stopped and turned to her. “You mean…? You’re pregnant?”

“No, not yet. But I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.”

Zack grabbed her and hugged her as the two children ran over, giggling. Then the kids joined in, forming a group hug lasting fifteen long seconds. Finally, they all let go and the children ran off again.

Kate looked back at her mother’s coffin.
I love you, Mom. 

Then she looked at her husband and son.  First, Tommy Ray had tried to destroy their lives.  Then, his father had almost succeeded.  Kate’s mother had paid the ultimate price for his evil attempt at retribution. Would Tommy ever be eligible for parole? Squaring her shoulders, Kate vowed never to let anyone hurt her family ever again.

The End

If you like horror, check out my horror serie
s
Manila Zombi
e
on Amazon and soon to Nook.