Chapter Thirty-Two
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
They were barely out of the truck when they saw the sheriff marching towards them.
“Andy, Helen,” he grunted. “I tried callin’ but the signal’s bad out here tonight.”
“What’s happened?” Helen asked anxiously.
“Not good news, though I guess that depends on your point of view. Just one survivor, and he’s completely traumatized. Keeps talkin’ about lake and mountain spirits. And, uh, only two bodies.”
“So…who…?”
“Ken Lockhart, he’s gone. The lake took him,” the sherif replied with a sigh. “He’s not the first, and probably won’t be the last.”
“I’ve chills all through me,” she muttered with a shudder.
“Me too, it’s cold out here,” Andy said, moving his arms around her. “Is the water still up?”
“About half-way. The two victims were still beneath it and the boys had a helluva time gettin’ them out. They were wrapped up in soaked sleepin’ bags. Sorry, Helen, that was probably too much detail,” he added hastily.
“No, don’t apologize, I want to know everything. Will you be dragging the lake to find Ken?”
“Not a chance. We’d never find him. It’s real deep, and deceptively big. But if he has relatives who want to do that we’ll issue a permit.”
“Wow, this is just unbelievable. May I see what it looks like?”
“A tow truck is on its way for the bikes and car, but other than that the scene is cleared, so sure, I can walk you up and you can view it from the top of the bank.”
“Car?” Andy repeated.
“We think they hid the valuables they stole somewhere inside it and planned to drive it outta here.”
“So everyone will get their belongings back?”
“It looks that way, but come with me. There are lights up around the area so you’ll be able to see it clearly, and with the water still so high—well—it’s quite a sight.”
As they followed the sheriff through the vehicles, Helen clung to Andy’s arm, and though the shiver had passed she still felt oddly uneasy.
“Watch your step, it’s pretty rocky,” the sheriff warned.
As he led them through the entrance, he turned left and stood on the top of the bank.
“Wow, I can’t believe this,” she mumbled, gazing down at the water lapping softly on the shore. “When we were here it was way further back. Look at the car, Andy, it’s halfway up the tires.”
“Yep, sometimes it comes all the way to where we’re standin’. It’s never crossed onto the road, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it did one day. If we had an extra heavy snowfall at the end of winter and a heavy spring rain it could happen. There’s talk of closin’ this off completely, but how? We could erect a heavy-duty gate, but teenagers would just climb over it, and how would they get out if the worst happens?”
“Andy told me the sign gets stolen.”
“Yep, every year.”
“Perhaps you could wrap a hot wire around it.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said, perhaps you could wrap a hot wire around it, or that rolled barbed wire so they can’t reach it.”
“Damn, Helen, that’s brilliant. I’ll bring that up at the next council meetin’.”
“She has her moments,” Andy said, giving her a hug. “Have you seen enough?”
“I have. Thank you, Sheriff, thank you for everything.”
“No, thank you! Oh, before you leave there’s some other news you should know. Today George’s department carried out a series of raids on Ken’s dealers all over Dallas. He believes the entire operation has been shut down.”
“That’s fantastic,” Andy exclaimed.
“Yep. Ken had people in hair salons, auto repair shops, even a horse trainer.”
“Do you know the trainer’s name?” Helen asked, feeling her pulse tick up.
“Erin Leary. She had a fancy barn in a real nice area. Now I’d better get back to work. Drive safe!”
* * *
Walking back to the truck Helen didn’t speak, and Andy didn’t push, but as he opened the door for her, she stared up at him with tears in her eyes.
“Erin. I didn’t like her at the end, but even so…”
“She was probably usin’, but it’s over now, all of it,” he said softly. “No more Ken, no more Erin, no more worryin’.”
“I think he was going to blackmail me into working for him here in Smoky Hill.”
“You would’ve found a way out, but now you don’t have to. Like I said, it’s all over.”
“Um…Andy?”
“Yeah, darlin’?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, and it’s cold out here. Let’s get home.”
“I don’t think I can wait that long.”
“For what?”
“I need to ask you something. But first, it’s okay if you want to say no. Honestly, I’ll understand.”
“What in the world are you talkin’ about.”
“Andy, please can I live with you and Ranger?”
For a moment he was shocked, but seeing the earnest longing in her eyes he quickly recovered.
“Are you sure?” he asked, lowering his voice. “Things have been crazy lately, and tonight—”
“Tonight is what made me realize I don’t want to be without you. I want to wake up with you, and take care of the horses with you, and go to sleep with you, and eat and drink and—”
“Darlin’, I want all those things too.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Tomorrow you can pack your bags and bring them over.”
“Andy, thank you, I love you so much,” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
“Now can we get in the truck?”
“Yes, and when we get home I promise to warm you up.”
“Back at ya,” he quipped with a wink.