26

 

“Is that blood?” The officer repeated the question.

Several large brown smudges decorated her shirt. “I...uh...I must have fallen when I was walking. Must be dirt. I guess.” She brushed at it.

“Looks like blood to me.”

“It’s probably dirt. I fell down. I told you I was in a ditch.”

“Actually, you didn’t mention that at all. Why were you in a ditch?”

Jamie said nothing.

Finally, the officer walked several feet away and whispered into her phone. She clicked the off button on the phone and walked back, a stern look on her face. “Where did you say you walked from?”

Jamie pointed down the road.

“I don’t understand. Did your car break down or did your boyfriend make you get out of the car? Or what? This isn’t making much sense to me. I need you to be clearer. And when exactly were you in a ditch?”

“I know it’s not, but—”

“How about we take a ride back that way to find your car?”

“Look—I just want to get a cab and get back to Jackson Hole. I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t need to go with you. I need to get back to my motel so I can rest. Can you call me a cab?”

The two women had a stare down.

“In the car. Now.” The officer grabbed Jamie’s arm and led her back to the cruiser.

Jamie slid into the back seat and allowed the officer to slam the door shut.

The officer had another brief conversation on her cell phone. When that was finished, she slid into the driver’s seat. A metal cage separated them. “OK, let’s take a ride. Now, where’s your car at?”

“I don’t have a car.”

“Then, how did you run out of gas?”

“I didn’t. I lied about that. The truth is my boyfriend and I had a fight, and I’m not sure what happened, but I ended up in a ditch. I don’t even know where I am. You’re the one who told me I was in Idaho. I had no idea until you told me.”

“Really? Your story seems to be changing all the time.” The officer drove down the road. “Let me know when we get to the ditch where you found yourself.”

The car crawled down the gravel road—more of a path than a road.

“How long have you been a state patrolman?”

“Why? What difference does that make?”

“It doesn’t. I was just trying to make conversation. That’s all.”

Silence for a moment. “Six months.”

Jamie’s plan was to take the ride, and then get to a phone. She had to call Enrique. Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of the man’s sweet smile. Oh, my, she really had been drugged.

Focus on the cabin. She’d been on the bed. Toys in the corner. Andrew’s? Then a knock on the door. Who had knocked? Was it Michael and Andrew? She was losing time. If she didn’t get after them soon the trail would go cold.

Jamie’s head throbbed.

“Mmm. There’s a cabin. Is that where you and your boyfriend are staying?”

“No, my motel’s in Jackson Hole. I already told you that.”

“So you say.” Gravel crunched as the cruiser turned into the drive.

As they neared the cabin, it was obvious no one was there. The door stood open.

Jamie’s gut twisted.

The car stopped. The officer turned back to her. “I don’t trust you out here alone. You’ll figure out a way to get out of that backseat, I know you will.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll sit right here.”

“I don’t think so. Let’s take a quick look inside.”

Jamie forced herself to stay quiet. No reason to make the officer distrust her any more than she already did. Truthfully, if Jamie were in her position, she’d probably be suspicious, as well.

The officer opened the door and motioned for Jamie to get out.

Jamie didn’t move. “Look, I’ve never seen this place before. Not even when I was walking.”

“If you say so. Are you going to get out?”

No use antagonizing her any further. Jamie scooted off the seat.

“I just want to take a quick peek, and then we can go. I can see you’re exhausted.” She called out. “Hello, anyone here?”

No answer.

The officer pushed the door open wider while she kept the other hand on Jamie’s arm.

There was a body face down on the bed.