Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Courtney was determined to get the drone unstuck from the tree branches, but it wasn’t as easy as it looked. Both the drone and the hanging bag were trapped between two closely spaced trees. Since it now hovered above her head, she could only reach it with the hoe. What she found when yanking on the drone was that the trees seemed to be holding on even tighter. She was playing tug-of-war with foliage.
At the same time, she worried that she was visible to whoever was piloting the device. At any moment, someone could show up, angry at her interference. She had no idea what would happen then.
Also, the mosquitoes had found her and she was getting eaten up like nobody’s business. The least of it, but still annoying.
The whole experience was frustrating. If Dana’s life hadn’t been on the line, she would have given up and gone home to her cozy apartment above the garage, but obviously, that wasn’t an option.
After several unsuccessful attempts, she realized her chances were better when she moved the tree branches aside instead of pulling on the thing. As she was doing this, she heard a click and saw the glint of light through the trees from the backyard lights. Immediately after, she heard the footsteps of someone running toward her. She froze, the hoe still overhead, and only relaxed upon realizing it was Brayden.
“What are you doing?” he asked, stopping right next to her and looking up.
“This is Dana’s ransom. I can’t get the stupid thing unstuck!” She cried out in frustration, not even caring who heard or saw her.
“Give me that.” He took the hoe out of her hands and disentangled the drone and hanging bag with one swift movement.
“Thanks.”
The drone hovered like it wasn’t sure what to do. She felt like giving it a push in the right direction, but before she could, she heard loud voices coming their way.
“Brayden? Brayden, honey, what are you doing back there?” Kristy, calling her son honey , which was nothing Courtney had ever heard before.
“Brayden, get back here right now!” This, Courtney could tell, was one hundred percent Ian, both in words and attitude.
A commanding woman’s voice called out, “It’s the police! Freeze!” Worded just like in a movie. Or a crime novel. Courtney felt every muscle in her body tense up, knowing that the kidnappers had specified no police. And they’d been so close to getting Dana back.
When Ian, Kristy, and the two police officers caught up to Brayden and Courtney, they found them frozen in place with their hands raised. Before anyone had a chance to speak, the drone suddenly shut off and crashed to the ground, right at their feet. The bag with the cash landed on its side, one of the bands of money peeking out of the top.
Courtney hadn’t realized how loud the drone was until it stopped. It was then that she heard a commotion coming from the direction of the service drive.
The female officer held her palm up while they all listened. “Stay here.” Her hand covered her weapon. “I’m going to check this out.”
“Do you want me to come too?” her partner asked.
She nodded, and he followed right behind.