Chapter Twenty-Seven
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Though Heather had planned to sleep for a little while longer she was too excited about Henry. After taking a quick shower, she dressed and walked into the kitchen, only to find a bowl of granola and small jug of milk waiting on the table. Smiling, she sat down and quickly discovered just how hungry she was. As she continued to enjoy the simple breakfast, Joe and Courtney floated through her mind.
What was it that brought them back to Smoky Hill?
A horrifying thought suddenly flashed through her head.
Jumping to her feet, she grabbed her jacket and hurried outside. Grateful the air wasn’t as chilly as it had been the night before, she looked around and finally saw Blake leading a horse into a paddock.
“Blake!” she called, breaking into a run.
“What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“I was thinking about Joe and Courtney and wondering why they came back here, and it suddenly hit me. Maybe they want Henry back! Maybe they’re here to steal him.”
“I highly doubt that, and even if they do there’s no way a horse can be stolen from this ranch. The gates are on a timer. They automatically close and lock at seven, and if someone did get them open Butch would be out there in a heartbeat barkin’ up a storm. But besides that, what’s the point of following you if they’re here for Henry?”
“Oh, right, I hadn’t thought about that. Then why are they in Smoky Hill?”
“That’s anyone’s guess, though it’s possible Courtney has some buyers here—for her drugs I mean,” he added, lowering his voice. “She was at that show and probably made some contacts.”
“Now that makes sense, but that doesn’t explain why Joe followed me either.”
“No, it doesn’t, and that’s the very reason I wanted you to stay here. In fact, until this whole thing is resolved I think you should stick around. Please say you’ll think about it.”
“Blake, I don’t need to think about it. I love it here. Of course I will.”
* * *
Turning off the country road and entering the campgrounds, the sheriff slowed down and followed the gravel lane past the restaurant. It was still early and there were no cars in the guest parking lot, but as he approached Cabin Five he spied a silver Hyundai. Nodding knowingly, he rolled to a stop and called in the plate number of the car. It was no surprise when it came back registered to Joseph Meyer. Climbing from his squad car, he walked up to the door and knocked. It took a minute or two, but it was finally opened.
“Sheriff Cooper,” Joe Meyer exclaimed. “This is a surprise.”
“Hello, Mr. Meyer. May I come in?”
“Of course. What brings you here?”
“Have you heard from your client?”
“Uh, no, why?”
“She’s disappeared.”
“What do you mean, disappeared?” Joe asked anxiously. “How can she disappear? She’s in a hospital bed with a deputy sitting outside her door.”
“She was, but she escaped in the middle of the night. The thing is, last night was very cold. Even though she’d put on her clothes there’s no way she could have made it very far. Not without help. Where were you last night, Mr. Meyer?”
“Here! Where else would I be? And why are you questioning me and not out looking for her? This is terrible. We have to start a search immediately. Call in your deputies. I have resources in Dallas. I’ll get in touch with them right away.”
“Mr. Meyer, I need to check this cabin.”
“But what about--?”
“Mind if I have a look around?”
“Be my guest, but she’s not here! You should be out finding her, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“This won’t take long,” the sheriff replied, ignoring his comment and marching past him into the bedroom.
Studying the scene with his experienced eye, the sheriff immediately noticed the two pillows on the disheveled bed. They both had the telltale indentations of a person’s head.
“Did you spend the night alone, Mr, Meyer?”
“Yes, of course, but I didn’t sleep very well.”
“What happened to your hand?”
“That why I couldn’t sleep. I went for a walk around the grounds and slipped. The ground was frozen.”
“Mr. Meyer, don’t you know lyin’ to an officer is a crime?”
“I’m not lying.”
“I didn’t accuse you, I just asked if you knew.”
“Of course I know, I’m a lawyer.”
“So, I’ll ask you again. Where were you last night Mr. Meyer?”
“The only time I left the cabin was when I went for a walk. I thought it might help me sleep.”
“Where did you go?”
“Just through the trees. It was a bit creepy. I wasn’t out long.”
“I see. And that’s when you fell and hurt your hand.”
“Exactly.”
“Did you see anyone else?”
“No…it was cold. I didn’t see a soul.”
“Anything you’d like to add?”
“No…not that I can think of. “
“If you hear from Miss McCallum I’d advise you to contact me right away,” the sheriff continued, handing him a card.
“Sure. I’ll walk you out.”
They moved wordlessly into the living room with the sheriff leading the way, but when he opened the door, he stopped and stared down at Joe’s bandaged hand.
“You’re a very talented man, Mr. Meyer. I’ve been trained to help medics in emergencies, but I don’t think I could bandage my own hand as well as you have. Where did you learn to do that?”
“What do you mean?”
“You said you didn’t see anyone on your walk last night and that’s when you fell. If you didn’t see anyone, then you must have dressed that hand yourself.”
“Oh, yes, I see what you mean. I have a friend who’s a paramedic. He’s taught me a few things along the way.”
“Where did you find the wrapping?”
“I have a first aid kit in the car. It has everything.”
“Ah, I see. That’s handy,” the sheriff remarked with a chuckle, thinking it was a clever pun. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I have any news.”
Striding from the cabin, he returned to his car and rolled away. But as soon as he was out of sight he backed up into the trees, cut the engine, and radioed Deputy Tagg.
“I’m at the Moonshine Campgrounds. I have reason to believe Courtney McCallum is here. Park outside the entrance. When I see Joe Meyer leave I’ll let you know. Block him. I’ll come up from behind. He’ll be drivin’ a Silver Hyundai Sonata.”