Chapter Fifteen
The following morning, Aylin woke early, and after looking through the window at the scenic picture below, she decided that she just had to take a short walk in the snow.
The Inn’s lakefront was coated with snow, the holiday lights already glowing on the trees even though it was early morning. There were greens and lights lining the roof of the gazebo that was built above the water near the lakefront as well as along the railing of the huge deck below. Apparently, the Inn hosted entertainment out there during the summer months. And then there was the waterfall, flowing freely, despite the ice lining the edges of the pond. She’d seen some fish peeking up at her the day they’d first arrived, and she’d taken a quick walk around the Inn with Dad, so the pondwater must have been heated.
The place had such a festive look, that she wanted to see everything close up. She couldn’t see the harm in taking a short walk as long as she stayed close to the Inn.
She bundled up in her new winter coat and boots, slipping on gloves before walking through the solarium exit.
And much to her surprise, she could see a lone figure jogging along a snow coated path near the lake. It was the boy she’d seen yesterday, she realized, so she lifted her hand to wave when he smiled once he saw her.
But as she started along the pathway that led to the lake, someone yanked her backwards, covering her face with a smelly coarse cloth.
She was out like a light.
* * *
Ben’s heart felt happy when he saw Aylin walk out from inside the Inn’s solarium. Lara had already promised to introduce him today since the family would be here for a few more days, but he couldn’t believe his luck.
Now, they could spend some time alone and maybe go for a walk.
But then Ben couldn’t believe his eyes when some strange guy walked briskly from around the side of the Inn, grabbing Aylin. Apparently, he did something that quickly made her pass out because she started to drop to the ground before the guy scooped her into his arms, rushing back along the path and then out of sight around the corner of the Inn.
“Hey,” Ben called out, running towards the Inn. Luckily, it had only snowed about an additional inch, because otherwise he wouldn’t have been out running this morning and wouldn’t have seen Aylin being snatched.
By the time he called Dad, there might not have been a way of finding her, he decided, running even faster along the side of the Inn and toward the parking lot.
He saw the same dark rental car that he’d seen the other day pulling out of the parking lot and onto Beach Road.
Luckily, he’d driven the truck over today, intending to run some errands in town once he’d showered after finishing his workout.
Rushing toward the truck which was thankfully parked in the main lot today since it wasn’t too busy, Ben revved up the engine, quickly putting the truck into gear and driving out of the parking lot with squealing tires to catch up with the car.
“The guy probably didn’t hear me yelling, which is a good thing,” Ben muttered, catching sight of the car right away. “They’re going the speed limit, trying not to draw attention since there’s already some traffic on the road.”
He should be able to keep up.
The truck was equipped with wireless, so it was relatively easy to call Dad, hands free.
“What’s up, Ben?” Dad asked, sounding distracted.
“Dad, someone just kidnapped that friend of Lara’s. Aylin’s her name. I think they’re the same guys that you’ve been looking into for me. I’m following the car.”
“Ben,” Dad yelled. “I want you to wait for help.”
“I will, Dad. But if I don’t follow them, you’re not going to know where they are.”
“Okay. We’ll track you and have someone join you right away. But no heroics. I repeat— no heroics. If they stop and you arrive at their location, stay out of sight and wait for help.”
“Agreed,” Ben replied, continuing to follow the car, which appeared to be headed toward town.
But after turning onto Main Street, the car continued north through town.
After he followed for a few more minutes, Ben was pretty sure that they were headed toward the Riverbend Lodge. There were several vacant cabins available at this time of year, and many were in isolated locations.
Sure enough, after driving across the stark steel bridge above the turbulent waterfall of the Crystal Rock River, the car turned left, traveling west along the riverfront access road.
He’d managed to tag behind, but Ben would definitely be noticed if he followed along the road. And then there would be the crunching gravel which would warn them that someone was behind.
There was no other road leading away from the cabins located in that area, so Ben decided to park in the Riverbend’s lot and approach on foot. He sent a text message to Dad, letting him know where he was.
Deciding to take cover amidst the pines, Ben quickly parked in the row nearest the woods, pulling his ski mask over his face and tugging on his gloves. He wasn’t sure why he decided to go in disguise. Sure, there were video cameras on the lodge property, although not very good ones. But after suddenly remembering that the one guy had been flagged by Homeland Security, Ben knew he should be cautious since the kidnappers were an unknown entity to him and Dad.
He had no idea about what to expect if they were holding Aylin in the cabin, so maybe he should take some kind of weapon along in case he was discovered. He’d promised Dad that he wouldn’t try and be a hero, but if he saw them hurting her, he wasn’t sure if he could stop himself from trying to protect her. There was a tool box inside the covered pickup bed, so he took out a hammer and supersize screwdriver from inside.
He strategically made his way along the river, switching off the volume of his phone and putting it back in his pocket.
The car that he’d followed was parked in front of the largest cabin at the end of the road. Since there was no sign that the place was being guarded from the outside, Ben approached the back of the cabin, where he knew that the bedrooms were situated. Most likely they would lock Aylin inside one of the rooms rather than rest her on the couch in the living room in case she woke and tried to escape.
Luckily, the windows had no curtains. Usually, the utilities were shut down because these cabins weren’t rented during the winter since they were harder to maintain through bad weather. The owners must have made an exception for some extra cash, Ben figured.
Although the first room was empty, there was luggage inside. When Ben crept around to the room on the corner, he could see a prone figure lying on the bed.
Thankfully, it was Aylin. He could see that she was starting to stir. But suddenly, the door sprang open, and two men walked inside.
Ben moved quickly from the window, pressing his back against the outer cabin siding.
Even though he only got a quick look, he was sure it was the same two men that he’d seen in the parking lot.
Surprisingly, he could hear the conversation going on inside pretty well, and when he heard what they were saying and understood why Aylin had been kidnapped, Ben’s jaw dropped open.
Dad was not going to get here on time. They were in the process of loading up their car.
So much for not being a hero, Ben decided, once the men left the room.