Chapter Twenty-Nine
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
As Doug’s phone signaled a text, he picked up it and read the message. It made him catch his breath. Though he didn’t know what it meant he knew something was horribly wrong.
“I don’t understand,” he muttered abruptly jumping to his feet. “It’s from Katy. She must be in some kinda trouble. Listen to this. I’ve arrived, but I don’t see the sack of sand anywhere. Is Billy still coming to help me load it? He’s not here. What do you think, Jim? What am I supposed to make of that?”
“Sack of sand. That’s SOS. It’s a call for help! She’s asking you to send Billy!”
“Of course!” Doug exclaimed, hastily placing the call to the ranch hand. “Come on, Billy, answer the damn phone!”
“Hey, Doug, sorry, I was carryin’ a bag of—”
“It’s okay, but listen. Katy’s over at the cabin in the field and something’s wrong,” Doug said urgently, cutting him off. “Get over there and check it out. I’m callin’ the sheriff. Let me know as soon as you see or hear anything. But creep in, don’t charge.”
“Yeah, yeah. I understand. I’m leavin’ now.”
* * *
Sheriff Cooper was driving into the Moonshine Campground when his cell phone rang. He’d been at Lake View Point going through what appeared to be an abandoned car and had discovered it was owned by Beth Green. He knew her veterinary husband, and when he’d found a parking slip authorizing parking in front of Cabin 7, he’d immediately sped off to see if she was there. Now receiving a call and seeing Doug’s name on his cell phone, he debated whether or not to answer. But he knew the cowboy wouldn’t be calling unless it was serious.
“Hello, Doug. How can I help?”
“Katy just sent me an urgent message. She’s in trouble over at the cabin in the field next to the ranch.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“I have no idea. I’d go over myself but she took my truck and I’m at the campground.”
“I just drove in. Where are you?”
“The last cabin near the woods at the back.”
“I know it. I’ll be there in thirty-seconds.”
“There’s a whole lot more, Sheriff, but I’ll tell you on the way.”
Ending the call, the sheriff quickly ordered one of his deputies to the campground to check on Beth Green, and another to Lake View Point to start a search for her there.
* * *
Knowing he’d be in plain sight if he approached from the field, Billy was jogging along the road on the grass verge with Butch at his side. When he reached the gate and found it open, he ran directly to the thicket began and walking through the trees. It was perfectly positioned behind the cabin and offered excellent cover. As he neared the edge he could see Doug’s truck parked nearby, but there was no sign of Katy.
Butch suddenly growled.
“Shhh,” he said softly, touching the dog’s head. “I need to think about this. If I try to look through a window I could be seen. Ah, I know.” Crouching down, he picked up a small, solid branch. “Stay, Butch. Stay right here and don’t make a sound.”
Straightening up, he hurled the stick onto the roof.
* * *
Inside the cabin Katy had been trying to stay calm, but it hadn’t been easy. Craig’s demeanor kept changing. One minute he’d be making a joke, then he’d be furious. She knew all she could do was sit quietly and pray Doug would understand her message and show up. But with every minute that passed her fear became more difficult to control.
““Is there an emergency room around here?” Craig suddenly barked. “I have to have my leg taken care of.”
“Uh-huh. In Fairview. It’s about twenty-minutes north of here.”
“You’re taking me, but one stupid stunt and you won’t be the only one with broken bones. I’ll come back here and kill whoever happens to be around, then I’ll start on the horses. You understand me?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Shut the fuck up. I haven’t finished,” he snapped. “As I was saying, you’ll be sorry if you cause me any problems, but if you’re a good girl,” he continued, suddenly softening his voice and smiling at her, “I’ll find another vehicle and let you leave in the truck. You’ll walk away without a scratch and no-one will get hurt. You’ll never see or hear from me again. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes, I’ll do whatever you say.”
“Good. But there’s one more thing. I need money. Do you have an ATM card?”
“Yes, but not with me. It’s in my wallet back at the ranch.”
“Who’s there?”
“Billy, the ranch hand.”
“Text him and tell him to bring it over. When he—” But he was abruptly interrupted by a loud bang on the roof. “What the fuck was that?”
“I, uh, I don’t know,” she stammered, hoping it was Doug signaling her. “Maybe a branch off one of the trees?”
“There’s no fucking wind, and they’re at least twenty yards away. It didn’t just fall out of the sky,” he growled, marching to the window that looked over the thicket. “I can see you’re thinking,” he barked. “Tell me!”
“You’re right,” she replied hastily. “It seems unlikely a branch would hit the roof from the thicket.”
“So? What crossed your mind? And don’t fucking lie to me.”
“We have eagles here. Sometimes they drop things.”
“Things?”
“Yes, like, creatures they’ve scooped up. If they’re dropped from a height it can sound like that. It’s more of a bang than a thud.”
“No shit. Anything else?”
“Billy should be here by now and he didn’t answer my text. The truck is parked outside but I’m nowhere around. I don’t know what he’ll think if he does show up. Then again, maybe Doug’s back and they’re planning to come here together.”
“Shut the fuck up. I need to think.”