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Beverly had just decided to dial 9-1-1 to call in the cavalry when the loud echoing sound of a gunshot rang out in the air. A few moments later, a second shot rang out. No time to call the cavalry. She was the cavalry. She pulled the gun from her pocket and held it in front of her, trying to remember everything her instructor told her.
But then the door of the cabin swung open, and the masked stranger limped outside with a red stain forming on his upper left arm and shoulder. Confused, Beverly pointed the gun toward the stranger, ready to shoot, when a movement inside the cabin doorway made her glance over. It was Adam. They stared at each other for a moment, then looked over toward the stranger’s car at the sound of the motor being gunned. The car was soon out of sight.
Adam looked back at Beverly. “What the hell are you doing here?”
She smiled weakly. “Rescuing you. Guess you didn’t need me. You did it all by yourself.”
He walked toward her, his head cocked to one side. “How did you get here? Where’s your car?”
She pointed behind her. “Back there. I followed you after that man threw you in his trunk.”
“I’ve heard of being in the right place at the right time, but this is taking it to the extreme, don’t you think?”
Beverly couldn’t tell if he was joking or if he believed she was an accomplice to the kidnapping. Perhaps he didn’t trust her, after all. Then she noticed the white residue on his face and his bloodshot eyes. She took the sleeve of her sweater and gently dabbed at his skin. “What was that liquid he sprayed you with?”
“A form of pepper spray. From the strength of it, I’d guess First Defense MK-4. Burns like the devil. I take that back. Even the devil would react to this heat.”
She studied her handiwork. The residue was gone, but his eyes remained red. “I have some bottled water in my car. Would that help?”
He said, “Very much,” and she darted through the trees in the direction of the car, staying close by his side to make sure he followed her and didn’t trip over any roots. When they reached the SUV, he doused his entire face with the water, not an easy task with his handcuffs on his wrists.
“Better?” She asked.
“Better. Thanks.”
Her words came out in a rush. “Adam, I’m not part of your kidnapping, I swear. I drove by a parking lot where Forsythe and this goon were arguing, and I got curious. I overhead the goon say your name, which made me worry. I followed him and saw that fake crash maneuver he did to get you to stop. Might not be the smartest notion to follow him, but I’m not sorry I did.”
He grinned at her. “Oh, I’d say it was a good idea, myself. What were you going to with that gun, by the way?”
“Call me Annie Oakley. Shooting from the hip.”
“Do you even know how to use that thing?”
“My instructor told me I was a natural. But then, I think he was gunning for a tip.” She studied him as he leaned against the car. He seemed to be okay, and his breathing was normal. “Why did this guy kidnap you? What did he want?”
“He’s one of Forsythe’s gorillas. As psycho as his boss, if not as bright.”
She winced. “Mr. X warned me about this.”
“Who’s Mr. X?”
“He’s a former associate of the Forsythes. Left because he couldn’t stand Reggie.”
“Sounds like I should meet this Mr. X of yours.”
“Then you believe me about Reggie being an evil SOB?”
“If I didn’t before, I do now. And I did, by the way. I’ve done research on his associates, many of whom wound up murdered.” He opened the passenger door. “I think part of me has always believed you even when I probably shouldn’t.”
Once they’d slid inside the car, Beverly handed him a piece of paper. “That’s your kidnapper’s license number. And make and model.”
He thanked her and tucked the paper into his shirt pocket. “You don’t make a bad blonde.”
She touched her hand to her head and grimaced. “I’d forgotten I had this on.”
“What was it this time? Another Revere bowl?”
She gave him a slight smile. “A simple transaction where I needed to remain anonymous.”
“So that’s what they call cons these days. Transactions.”
Her improving mood dimmed a couple of notches. “I’m not a crook.”
“The chief called you a female Robin Hood. Or that’s what he dubbed the woman who stole the Revere bowl.”
“I like that. Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. Or returning items to people that were rightfully theirs to begin with.”
“How did you get into this line of work, anyway?”
“Can you think of something better to do with an art history degree?”
He laughed.
They came to the intersection where the narrow road joined up with the main highway. She asked, “Should I take you back to your car?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a tool that’ll help me unlock these.” He held up his cuffed hands. “Deciding what to do after that is a little harder.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll have to report this to the chief, but he’s in a rough place. And we’ve already talked about how thrilled he is at the idea of the planet-sized can of grubs that Forsythe’s investigation will open up. Plus, my only witness to the kidnapping is you. I’d like to keep you out of this, if possible.”
She glanced at him. “If it means nailing Forsythe, then you should tell your chief about me.”
“I’ll hold out as long as I can. I might bring Jinks in when she gets back. But first things first. Chief Quinn.”
Beverly drove Adam to his abandoned car, which was in the same place as when the goon kidnapped him. She told him she was going to follow him into town, and when he started to protest, she shushed him. “I’m going that way, anyhow. Plus, your eyes might not be back to normal.”
After a muttered comment from him that he was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, he relented. He grabbed the tool from his trunk and unlocked the cuffs. But before he got into the driver’s seat, he added, “Forsythe is going to spend the rest of his days in prison, Beverly. I promise you.” And with that, they headed back toward town.
