Chapter
Twenty

Warren’s car sat lodged between two trees. It was impossible to keep a vehicle on the road when the rain poured down like sheets of glass. He pulled on his all-weather coat, flipped up his hood, and checked his gun. Thankfully, he had extra ammunition with him, so he put two more loaded magazines into his pocket. Thirty rounds might be overkill, but he had to be prepared. This had to end today, and Warren was determined to see it through.

He got out of his car and began to trudge through the rain and the mud, his loaded gun in its holster. Today was a day of reckoning. Warren was acting as judge and jury—and that was fine with him.

Tony was beginning to wonder if they’d ever reach the cabin. He prayed for the rain to stop. Once the LEOs at the bottom of the mountain knew it was safe, they would come. But could they find his small group in time? Or would Kate’s abductor find them first?

As they walked, he began to think through everything that had happened. Someone was after Kate, and he couldn’t be certain who it was. Kate believed it was Alan Gerard, and Tony tended to think the same way. But what if they were wrong? What if it was someone else connected to B.E.K.? Maybe Gerard really was a copycat trying to keep the Blue-Eyed Killer alive. Did that mean he was after Kate now? One thing that really bothered him was Gerard’s knowledge of the song, something not released to the public until after he was arrested. How could he have found out about it? Could he have gotten inside information? If so, from whom? Gerard, a lowly janitor at the college, didn’t seem like some kind of mastermind with followers in the police department. It was clear they were missing something, but Tony had no idea what it was. He hated being in the dark. It made it harder to keep Kate safe.

Realizing his mind had wandered, Tony forced himself to concentrate on his surroundings, sweeping the area with his gun every few minutes, making sure no one was following them.

After they got to the cabin, he would have to figure out their next move. Would they be easy targets once they were inside? Or were they more at risk out in the open—like they were now? It was impossible to be sure.

“There it is!” Bobby called out, pointing toward a rustic structure up ahead.

Tony started to chastise him for being so loud, but it was too late. He quickly scanned the area around them but didn’t see anyone. As they neared the cabin, Tony stopped walking and quietly called Bobby’s name. When he turned around, Tony motioned for him to come to where he and Kate stood.

“Let me check things out first,” he said. “Wait here with Kate.”

Bobby nodded and reached into the pocket of his jeans. “Here’s the key.”

Tony took it from him and noticed Kate staring at him. He could see the fear in her eyes. “I’ll be right back,” he said, trying to sound confident. “I just need to make sure no one’s in there. We don’t want any surprises.” He took his extra gun out of his inside pocket and handed it to Bobby, who looked like Tony had just given him a rabid skunk.

“I . . . I don’t know anything about guns,” Bobby said, his voice higher than normal.

Tony quickly showed him how to take off the safety and fire the gun. “You probably won’t have to use it,” he said. “But it would help to know that we’re both armed.”

Bobby stood there holding the gun like he was afraid of catching a disease from it. Kate limped up next to him and reached out her hand.

“I’ll take it, Bobby,” she said softly.

Two pink spots appeared on Bobby’s cheeks. “No, I can do this. I won’t let you down.”

Tony felt sorry for the guy. Taking the gun was obviously a big stretch for him. “You just pretend you’re one of those guys in the books you like to read.”

The tightness in Bobby’s face relaxed a bit. “Okay. That actually helps a little.” He frowned. “Where do I put it?”

“For now, keep it in your hand. Once we know everything’s okay, just stick it in your waistband. Around the back. With the safety on, please. Just be aware of what’s around you. Be safe. And Bobby . . .”

Bobby, who had been staring at the gun, looked up.

“If you have to fire your weapon, make it count. Do you understand what I mean?”

Some of the color drained from the man’s face, but he nodded. “Yes. I understand.”

As Bobby and Kate waited, Tony approached the cabin. Actually, it was rather nice. Looked well-made and sturdy despite being small. Tony slid the key into the lock on the thick wooden door, unlocking it. Then he put the key in his pocket, gripped his gun with both hands, and pushed the door open with his foot. When he stepped across the threshold, he swept the gun around the room. It was dark inside, but it didn’t look like anyone was there. He reached behind him and flipped the light switch, praying the lights would come on. They didn’t. The cabin probably had a generator, but either it was off or it had been removed.

He moved a little deeper into the interior. There was one big room that made up the living room and the kitchen. He opened three doors and found a bathroom and two small bedrooms. He cleared them and then checked the kitchen. No one hiding there, either.

Tony went back to the front door and motioned to Bobby and Kate to come in. Bobby checked his gun and then carefully put it in his waistband. Then he supported Kate as they made their way toward the cabin. Once they were inside, Tony closed and locked the door while Bobby helped Kate over to a nearby chair.

“There should be some battery-powered lamps in the kitchen,” Bobby said. “I didn’t check the last time I was here, but I assume they’re where he left them.” He hurried over to the kitchen cabinets and opened one of the top doors, pulling out three lamps, which he turned on. Light blazed from them, dispelling the darkness caused by the clouds and rain that blocked the sun.

Now that he could see, Tony checked out their surroundings more closely. The small kitchen was at the front of the cabin, near the door. Although it was very basic, the wood cabinets were nice. Oak. Well made. There was a small fridge and a stove. Both newer models. A few feet away sat a kitchen table and four chairs. Again, made out of oak and with red pads on the chairs for comfort. The table seemed to separate the kitchen from the living room, which was decorated with furniture that looked new, as well. The patterned red and brown fabric of the couch matched two overstuffed chairs that sat across from it. A coffee table separated them. Over in the corner was a rocking chair and a smaller table near the window. The interior walls were painted a light beige. The cabin was attractive yet comfortable. Definitely furnished by a man. No touch of anything feminine.

“The lamps help,” Tony said. “But where’s the electricity?”

Bobby shrugged. “The guy who owns this place has a generator, but I didn’t see it outside. He’ll probably bring it when he comes next month.”

“So how could there be a phone?” Tony could feel his frustration rising. Why had Bobby allowed him to think they might be able to call for help?

“I . . . I wasn’t sure if the generator was here. Sometimes Mike comes up early and prepares the cabin. Brings the generator and other stuff he’ll need. I do have another idea, though. Come here. I’ll show you.”

Bobby pointed to one of the back bedrooms. After checking on Kate, who was slowly peeling off Tony’s socks, he followed Bobby to the rear of the cabin. In the bedroom, Bobby opened the closet and pulled out a ratty blanket covering something that sat on a small table. It was an old ham radio.

“Bobby, this is no use to us without electricity.”

“I may not be very technical,” Bobby said, “but I do know that much.” He leaned down and opened the door to a cabinet under the radio. “Mike keeps a battery pack here. Should be strong enough to power the radio and get us some help.”

Tony’s irritation with Bobby melted away. If he could reach someone on the radio, they could notify law enforcement to send help.

Bobby handed the pack to Tony, who grabbed a nearby chair and sat down in front of the radio. He started to plug the radio into the pack, but then he remembered Kate. He pushed down his excitement. First things first.

“Let me check around outside, make sure we’re secure. Then I want to make certain Kate’s okay. After that we can fiddle with the radio. It might take a while.” He nodded at Bobby. “Good job. You’ve saved the day in more ways than one.”

Bobby gave Tony a small smile. “I . . . I’m just glad I could help. Not much happens in Shelter Cove. This is the biggest adventure of my life. I should be thanking you.”

Tony patted Bobby on the shoulder and went back into the living room, where Kate still sat in the same chair Bobby had helped her to. She was staring at her feet. Tony’s heart dropped when he saw them. They were a mess. He couldn’t figure out how she’d been able to get as far as she had.

“There’s an old ham radio in the back room,” he told her. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to call for help. I’m not sure how long it will take, so I wanted to check on you first.”

“Getting someone here to rescue us is the only real way to help me,” she said. “Except . . . maybe you could get some hot water for my feet?”

Tony stared at her. Water? Did they have any?

“Under the sink in the kitchen,” Bobby said from behind him. “Mike had me bring water up here when the weather got warm enough.”

Tony walked over to the kitchen and opened the doors under the sink. Sure enough, there were several gallons of water, as well as some individual bottles. Even though he didn’t plan on being here long, he was grateful they had something to drink.

He found a large plastic bowl and filled it with the water from one of the jugs. Then he carried it over to Kate.

“Sorry, it’s not hot, but it’s not cold, either. Lukewarm.” He set down the bowl in front of her, and she gingerly lowered her feet into the water. The look on her face made it clear the water felt good.

“Thank you so much,” she said with a smile. “Never thought a bowl of water could be such a blessing.” She waved one of her hands at him. “Now get on that radio and get us out of here. I want to go home.”

He nodded at her and strode over to the window. He didn’t see anything that concerned him. He looked out the other windows but saw nothing that indicated anyone was in the vicinity. After he tried the radio, he’d take his gun and do a perimeter check. Of course, someone could hide in the trees and remain unseen. But all he could do was the best he could do. Advice Batterson frequently doled out to his deputies. He checked the door to make sure it was locked.

Satisfied as much as he could be for now, he went back to the radio, where Bobby waited.

“I . . . I’m not sure how this works,” he told Tony.

“I’ve got a pretty good idea. My grandfather had an old ham radio. He tried to teach me about it, but I wasn’t that interested. Wish I’d paid more attention, but I think I know enough to get it started.”

Tony put the battery pack near the radio, pulled out the plug, and stuck it into the radio. Then, after taking a deep breath and sending up a desperate, silent prayer, he turned it on. Immediately, the radio came to life.

“Hallelujah,” he said under his breath. Leaving it on the channel it was set to, Tony pressed the button on the microphone. “Hello? Is anyone out there? This is Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca. Can anyone hear me?”

He released the button and waited. Nothing. He pushed the button again, saying the same thing. This time a voice came over the radio.

“Hello? I hear you, Mr. DeLuca. Are you in need of assistance? Over.”

Tony breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, thank you. I’m up in the mountains, right outside of Shelter Cove, Arkansas. I need someone to contact my boss, Richard Batterson, in St. Louis. We . . .”

Without warning, the lights on the radio dimmed and then went out. Tony shook his head and checked the connection. Nothing.

“What happened?” he asked Bobby.

“I don’t know,” Bobby said slowly. “But don’t batteries need to be recharged? Mike always takes care of that. My guess is, the batteries are running low.”

Tony stared at the silent radio for a moment. “Okay,” he said finally, “let’s see if we can find any other batteries.” He slammed the microphone down on the small table that held the radio. “A lot of good that did us.”

“You told someone who you were, and you told them to contact your boss,” Bobby reminded him. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

Tony grunted. “Sure. But Batterson’s already aware that I’m on the mountain, and he knows he’s my boss. He still doesn’t know how to find us.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll start looking for more batteries. Maybe Mike has extras stored here somewhere.”

Bobby started to leave, but Tony caught his arm and pulled him back. “Hey, Bobby. This isn’t your fault. Forgive me, I’m just frustrated. Ignore my bad temper, okay?”

“Sure, Tony. I understand. It’s all right. We’re all under pressure.”

While Bobby went back into the living room, Tony stared at the dead radio. Whoever kidnapped Kate was out there somewhere. He had no idea when the rain would end, and their car was still stuck in the mud. Should he stay here? Or leave and try to find help?

At that moment, neither option seemed desirable.