Chapter 22

22

D esperation echoed through Dean’s body with each pound of his fist against Jackie Thomas’ door. Every fiber of his being wanted to run through the property searching for Elsie, but needing permission to be on the land was one downfall of working alongside the sheriff’s department.

Boo sat on his haunches at Dean’s feet, gaze fixed straight ahead.

Sadie stood beside him while Tommy studied a map on the lawn with Mr. Sweet and Calvin.

The door flew open. “What the heck is going on?” Jackie asked.

“Mrs. Thomas, I’m Deputy Pennel,” Sadie said, taking the lead. “I’m here to ask permission to search your property.”

“I…I don’t understand,” Jackie said, eyes wide. “I spoke with Dean and his friend earlier. I told them everything I know about my son.”

“I don’t doubt that, but recent developments have led us to believe your son may be hiding on your land without your knowledge.”

Jackie shook her head. “No. That’s not right. He wouldn’t have anywhere to stay out there in the woods. Especially with all the rain and cold we’ve had.”

“Not even an old clubhouse?” Dean asked.

Jackie’s gaze snapped over to meet his. “How do you know about his clubhouse?”

“My business partner spoke with a friend of his, Travis Bidlack. Does that name ring a bell?”

A whisper of a smile broke through her confusion. “Of course. He and Justin have been friends forever. The two of them dragged boards and hammers and nails back to the forest for weeks until their clubhouse was exactly how they wanted it when they were kids.”

“Can you show us where the clubhouse is?” Sadie asked. “It’d be much easier if you cooperated instead of forcing us to get a warrant. By the time that came through, it may be too late.”

Jackie frowned. “Too late for what? None of this makes any sense.”

“Do you remember the woman with me yesterday?” Dean asked.

Jackie nodded.

“She’s missing. We think Justin took her. Please. Let us take a look at your property and see if she’s out there.” Emotion clogged his throat. Tears misted his eyes, but he didn’t dash them away. Let this woman see his pain and fear. Let her understand how serious this situation was. Hell, he’d drop to his knees and beg her if that’s what it took to gain her permission.

Paul appeared behind Jackie and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Let them look, babe.”

Jackie shifted to stare up at her husband’s face. “Excuse me?”

“Justin’s been in a bad place for a long time. You’ve tried to help him, we both have, and nothing we’ve done has gotten through to him.”

“You think they’re right?” Jackie flung out a hand to point toward Dean and Sadie. “You think my boy did what they said?”

“I sure as hell hope not, but there’s only one way to know for sure. Give them the permission they need to start their search. If they come up empty, that’s good. But if there’s even a chance we have two hurt, scared women out there, we owe it to them to look.” Paul pressed a kiss to the top of Jackie’s head. “I know this is hard.”

Jackie faced them, her expression tight and fearful. “Fine. Do whatever you need.”

Her approval caused a new rush of adrenaline to race through Dean’s veins. “Any chance you can give an idea of where the clubhouse is located?”

“I’ll take you.” Paul plucked a jacket off the hook by the door. “Whatever I can to help. Honey, I’ll be back soon.”

Jackie wrapped her arms around her waist and watched the commotion in her yard with wary eyes.

Dean leapt down the steps, Boo at his side, and stalked toward Tommy. “Jackie’s husband will show us where the clubhouse is. That should cut down on time wasted searching the woods.”

“Okay. You and Sadie go with Paul.” Tommy pointed to the map he had spread across the hood of his cruiser. “Me, Calvin, and Mr. Sweet will head to the abandoned mine at the back of the property. That’s the only other logical place to search.”

“You take Boo.” Dean handed the leash to Mr. Sweet. “He has Elsie’s scent and will alert you if he comes across anywhere she’s been.”

Paul stomped into the yard. “The clubhouse is a little less than a mile to the left of the house. Shouldn’t take long.”

Dean remembered his earlier visit to the old farmhouse. “Cell service is spotty here. Tommy, use your communicator if you find something.”

“Will do.” Tommy folded his map then hooked a bag on his back. “Let’s go.”

Dean peeled off with his group, following close behind Paul. Cold wind whipped through the trees, rustling the leaves. The sun dipped behind the mountains, cloaking the land in shadows. The temperature had dropped, but as he hiked deeper into the dark forest, sweat dotted his hairline. Weeds snaked up and brushed against his pantleg.

The crunch of Sadie’s footsteps sounded behind him. His mind spun, preparing him for every possible scenario they may encounter. Each one ended with Elsie safe in his arms because that was the only outcome he could handle.

Paul glanced over his shoulder and pointed ahead of him. “Just down this incline. Tucked behind the pine trees. They always said they liked to be camouflaged all year long. Those were much simpler times.”

Anticipation hurried Dean’s pace down the hill. They were so close to finding Justin’s hiding spot. Maybe he’d be there with Elsie and Mila. Then they could rescue the women and put this whole nightmare behind them.

Sadie came up to walk beside him. “I don’t know if it’s the setting sun or trees, but it’s damn good camouflage. I can’t see a thing besides pine needles.”

Paul stepped into the thicket, disappearing from view. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s inside,” he called out. “Justin’s friend must have been mistaken.”

Sadie approached the trees ahead of Dean and shoved aside a thick branch.

A gunshot rang out, the sound piercing against the stillness of the evening. A bullet slammed against Sadie’s chest, sending her flying backward.

“Shit! Sadie!” Dean lunged for her side and dropped to the forest floor. Moisture from the damp mud seeped into his pantlegs. He searched the woods for Justin. “Paul! Watch out!”

“I’m sorry,” Paul said, suddenly towering over him and Sadie. “You left me no choice.”

Exhaustion closed in on Elsie like the narrowing walls of the cave. The throbbing in her calf had intensified to the point that each step was like walking through fire. Dust-filled air coated her throat and squeezed her lungs. The excruciating pain in her head made every movement more difficult than the last.

“I have to stop.” Mila let out a shaky break and leaned against the jagged rock.

Elsie unhooked her arm from around Mila’s neck and dropped to the ground. Chills raced up and down her body despite the heat burning her up from the inside out. Dryness coated her mouth, her thirst so overwhelming she almost licked the moist wall of the cave.

“We should go back.” Mila wiped her hand across her brow then let her arm drop to cover her eyes. “There’s no fresh air.”

“We tried to climb up the shaft. It didn’t work. We have to find a different way out.” Elsie’s chest heaved with the effort it took to take another breath.

“What if there’s not? What if we’re moving further and further from the only way to be found?” Hysteria increased the pitch of Mila’s voice. “We’re going to die here. I’ll never see my sweet boy again. Never hold him in my arms or tell him I love him. Oh God, I can’t do this anymore. Everything hurts.” Her shoulders shook as sobs wracked her frail body.

The agonizing sound of her friend’s misery twisted her heart. Scooting closer, she flattened her palms on either side of Mila’s face, and alarm made her pulse race.

Mila’s head drooped forward. Her eyes closed.

“Mila, honey, open your eyes.”

Mila’s eyes fluttered open for a second before closing again. “Too tired. So thirsty. Need to rest.”

Terror grabbed hold of Elsie’s neck and squeezed. She hadn’t gone through hell to find Mila just to watch her die.

“Okay,” she said. “You stay here. I’ll move ahead a little and see what I find. I won’t be long.” She removed her hands from Mila’s face and gently rested her against the rock wall. “I’ll be right back.”

With a forearm braced against the cool wall, Elsie hopped forward. The jagged edges of the ceiling lowered and forced her to duck. Stale air stung her nostrils, the sulfurous scent activated her gag reflex.

Seconds ticked into minutes until she lost track of time. The ceiling got lower, the walls closer together. She dropped to her knees. Pain ricocheted throughout her body, but she kept moving. She’d find a way out. She had to. Failure wasn’t an option.

Crawling through the dirt, her palms stung like she’d been attacked by a hundred bees. Anxiety tightened her chest. Heat snaked up her body, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She strained to see in the dark. Something skittered against her arm, and she fought the urge to scream.

The faint outline of wooden beams stood out against the rock at the top of the cave. Elsie hurried forward and brushed against a makeshift wall of packed dirt, preventing her from moving. Large rocks leaned against the makeshift wall.

Defeat crushed down on her as tears misted her eyes. She slammed her fists against the dirt over and over. Desperation stalled her breath and she clawed at the wall, willing it to come down. A scream built in the base of her throat. Opening her mouth wide, she unleashed all her pain and misery and hopelessness.

How could this be the end? How could she finally have her life exactly the way she wanted it only to be thrown into a literal pit of despair? Left to watch her best friend die before she took her own last breath. Leaving behind her family and the man she loved.

Oh God, she loved Dean, and she’d never get a chance to build a life with him. Never spend the night in his arms after making love. Hell, she’d never even tell him how she felt. Anger curled her hands tighter and she tore at the hard earth, striking the cold dirt again and again. Tears streamed over her face.

Exhausted, she fell to the ground. Her jacket snagged on a something sharp. She yanked at her arm, but the material wouldn’t break loose. She tore off her jacket and threw it on the floor. Something fell out of the pocket and bounced at her feet.

What the heck?

She plucked the red plastic off the ground.

Jimmy’s whistle!

A new wave of determination gritted her teeth, and she scooped the whistle off the ground. If she went back to the open shaft, she could blow the whistle and pray someone heard her. She ignored the intense ache in her leg and the beating against her skull and crawled. Dust and clay caked under her nails. Sweaty strands of hair fell in front of her face.

The tunnel widened and the ceiling rose inch by inch, but she stayed on her hands and knees. Clawing her way back to where she started. She stopped when she reached Mila, who was slumped over with her eyes closed and body lax.

“Mila!” She called out her friend’s name and scrambled to her side. She pressed her dirty fingers to Mila’s neck until she found a weak pulse. Time was running out. “I’ll get you help. I promise.”

Summoning all her courage, she moved forward. Tiny shafts of moonlight urged her on. The air became a little less toxic, a little less dusty and she struggled to fill her lungs with more oxygen.

Under the mineshaft, she fell to her butt and stared up at the darkness. Shadows and shapes shifted over the opening some ten feet up.

Please God. Please let someone be out there looking for us. Please let someone hear me.

She placed the whistle in her mouth and blew as hard as she could. The shrill noise echoed off the walls and pierced her ears. Energy leaked from her system, but she blew harder. Blew louder.

A shadow shifted above her until a face appeared in the hole.

Hope lifted her to her feet. She waved her arms above her head. “Help! Help me! My friend and I are stuck down here.”

The face disappeared, replaced by something shiny that glinted in the moonlight. The shape of a gun registered in her brain seconds before bullets flew down the opening like rain.