Cold Heart (20 page)

“Okay,” Carter said.

He went over and found the car he had rented. The clerk had come out to do the walk around and noted a mark on the rear driver’s side fender. He marked that off on the rental agreement and then gave Carter his copy. Carter climbed in the car started it up and drove as quickly as he could back to the winery. He selected a spot where a tree provided a bit of cover if he pulled far off the road onto the shoulder but he could still see easily if anyone came out of the driveway. He prepared to watch and wait. At least the Sherriff believed him, that was a bonus but after an hour with nothing happening he started to grow impatient.

26

“You’re going to have to be careful,” Montgomery said. “They will be watching the main road,”

They were in Montgomery’s office with the door closed. He wasn’t taking any chances on Grace overhearing anything. She had looked at him oddly after his cousin had left.

“I have already got that covered,” Mitch said. “I’ve stashed a truck near the back road but on the Thomas property. I can drive one of the ATV’s out there and then take the truck to go to the hangar.

“Good. We may need that girl, if for no other reason than to call Carter and confirm that she is alive and starting a new life somewhere else,” Montgomery said.

“Yeah, we may need to do that but not right away, we don’t want to seem like we are reacting to their accusations,” Mitch said.

“Well get her some food and something to drink, she’s no good to us dead, not right now, anyway,” Montgomery said.

Mitch left. He went out to the garage and got an ATV and climbed in and headed up into the vineyards. After several miles he pulled up to a fence and got out. He pulled the fence back and went through with the ATV. Then he closed up the fence again. He was now on Thomas property. He went a little farther along until he came to a truck that was parked behind some trees and close to the road that ran behind both the Vineyard and the Thomas property. He left the ATV jumped in the truck and headed a short distance until he was able to pull onto the road that ran along the back of both properties. He headed for the airport. If they were watching the main entrance to the winery, they were none the wiser. He pulled into a fast food drive-thru and picked up a burger and a drink then continued on to the airport and over to the deserted hangar. He opened the door and drove the truck in and parked the vehicle inside next to Lexi’s SUV.

He waited and within about ten minutes there was a knock on the door. It was a woman She didn’t look much like Lexi but she was blonde and about the same age and height. He gave her an envelope with money in it, a handbag and some articles of clothing and the keys to Lexi’s SUV plus Lexi’s credit card. He instructed her about where she should drive to and to get fuel at least four times before leaving the vehicle at a prearranged destination. There, he told her she would get the balance of her fee.

Once she had left, Mitch went down the stairs to the basement and unlocked the door to the room where Lexi was being held. He flipped on the light.

“Hungry?” he said holding up the bag that contained the burger.

“Yes,” she said squinting against the light. “I need to go to the bathroom, so does Tucker.”

“Fuck,” he said. He threw the bag down on the table.

He came over to Lexi and cut the zap strap that held her hands together. He untied her from the pipe and then went to untie the dog. Tucker let out a low growl.

“You better control him or I will shoot him now,” Mitch said.

“Tucker, no,” Lexi said. “It’s okay boy.”

The dog stopped. Mitch moved forward again and untied the dog and shoved the end of the rope to Lexi, which she took. He pushed her ahead of him and across the basement to the stairway and up the stairs then pointed to a bathroom a few steps away.

“Take the dog with you,” he said.

Lexi took Tucker and went in to the bathroom. It was disgusting and she wondered if the toilet would even flush. Thankfully it did and she was able to run some water to wash her hands. She looked around for anything that she could use as a weapon but Mitch pounded on the door.

“Hurry up,” he said.

“Can we please take Tucker outside to pee?” she said when she came out.

“Okay, but it better be quick and anything smart and I will shoot him on the spot, you got it?” Mitch said. “Got it,” she said.

They went out a side door that Mitch unlocked and Lexi walked Tucker along the side of the warehouse. It was dark and she could barely see where she was walking. The dog relieved himself and she turned around and walked back. Lexi wished she could run or shout to someone but she was afraid that Mitch would follow through on his threat and kill the dog.

They went back inside and Lexi walked with Tucker back down the stone stairs and across into the room with Mitch behind her holding a gun on the two of them the whole time. When they got to the room he tied them both up again. Then he put the drink on the floor next to her and threw the bag in her lap and left turning out the light and locking the door.

Lexi fumbled in the dark, hands bound together to try to remove the burger from the bag. She took a few bites and then gave the rest to Tucker. Then she had some of the drink and then let him drink the rest. It wasn’t much but it would do for the time being. She found it impossible to get comfortable being tied up and on the cold damp floor. Her arms and shoulders ached and she was frightened of what creatures might come crawling by. She did her best to lie down and she rested her head against Tucker’s side, the soft fur making a pillow of sorts.

27

At ten pm Carter got a call from the Sherriff. It was dark and there had been nothing to see for hours but a couple of cars that had driven along this ostensibly deserted road. He was exhausted and a bundle of nerves all at the same time.

“Carter, I’m sending one of my deputies over to relieve you.”

“I’m okay, really,” Carter said. “I just can’t believe no one has left the place at all.”

“I know, they must be waiting us out,” he said. “I’ve got men checking on every empty building starting at the south end of town and so far we have found nothing. It’s possible they have her stashed out of town somewhere.”

“I guess it is but wouldn’t it be easier for them to have her nearby?” Carter said. “Plus, I would bet they don’t want anyone else involved.”

Carter was reluctant to leave but he had to admit he had been nodding off in the last half hour. It was only about five minutes and an unmarked car pulled alongside and a deputy got out. Carter got out of the rental and climbed in the other vehicle.

When he got home he made himself a sandwich and opened a beer. It was nearly eleven p.m. Where was Lexi and would they find her in time? He should try to get some sleep he supposed but couldn’t imagine how he would sleep. He set his watch for six a.m. and he got in bed. Carter tossed and turned for a short time but then the exhaustion of the past few days hit him and he was out.

When he woke it was because of a bad dream and in it Lexi was crying. He was totally unnerved and felt sick to his stomach. It was just before six. He got up and he put some coffee on. Then he took a quick shower to revive himself and then grabbed some toast and a cup of the coffee.

He went out to the horses and did the morning routine with them. By the time he was finished with that it was nearly eight.

The cell phone was vibrating as he walked back in the house. It was the Sherriff. Carter’s stomach heaved as he pulled it from his pocket and answered.

“Have you found her?” Carter asked.

“Not yet, Carter,” the Sherriff said. “I need you to come down to the station. I want you to look at some surveillance video.”

“Of what?”Carter asked.

“Of someone driving what appears to be Lexi’s vehicle and buying gasoline,” he said.

“Where?” Carter asked.

“Her credit card was used at a gas station in Sacramento last night and then in Reno later in the wee hours,” the Sherriff said.

“It’s not her,” Carter said.

“Don’t get excited,” the Sherriff said. “I want you to have a look at the woman that was picked up on the camera.”

“I can tell you. It’s not her,” Carter repeated.

“I’ve seen the footage from the station and I’m pretty sure it’s not her, either. It’s someone that if you weren’t looking closely might be mistaken for her but it’s not her. It is her SUV though or one with her plates that is exactly the same. They are hoping that if we check we will buy into it.”

“Damn, I just wish I hadn’t left her yesterday,” Carter said.

“You would have sooner or later and they were just waiting for that moment.” the Sherriff said.

“Are you coming down now, Carter?” the Sherriff said. “I just want to be sure and you know her better than me.”

He was at the station in about ten minutes. The Sherriff came out of his office to greet Carter.

“Thanks for coming in Carter,” he said.

“Bring up that video from Sacramento, Dave,” the Sherriff said to one of the officers sitting at a computer.

He played the tape and Carter watched a woman come through the door of the gas station and go to the counter to pay. She used a card but didn’t look directly at the camera. She had blonde hair about the same length as Lexi but she was wearing a scarf. She was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and she had a handbag slung over her shoulder. Carter asked the officer to play it a second time.

“It’s not her,” he said.

“You’re sure,” the Sherriff said.

“Yes,” he said. “Positive.

“Do you recognize anything she’s wearing?” the Sherriff asked.

“Yes, the bag looks like Lexi’s and so does the sweatshirt,” Carter said. “But they have all her clothes.”

“I know, just asking is all,” Sherriff Montgomery said.

“Do you think there is someone involved besides Mitch that might be watching her somewhere? I don’t understand why neither of them has left the property. Are you sure there isn’t somewhere on the winery property that they might be keeping her?” Carter asked.

“Well given that this girl is not Lexi and is clearly involved, I think it’s possible there are more people involved,” the Sherriff said. “I’m going to have the State Police include this girl in our APB. If they can pick her up she might be able to tell us something about Lexi’s whereabouts.

“Dave, just for the heck of it, can you pull up the winery property on Google maps?” the Sherriff asked.

They looked at the satellite imagery of the property. They could see the winery, the house and the roads. There were no other buildings that would be suitable to hide someone in.

“This dirt road goes very close to the highway that runs along the property at the back. What if there is a gate there and they are going out that way? Carter asked. “It’s hard to tell but there might be tire ruts there.”

“I’ll get someone to check it out,” he said. “Now I suggest you go home and I’ll call you the minute we know anything.”

Carter had no intention of waiting around doing nothing. He got in his truck and drove over to Lexi’s. He looked around again in the house and outside and then drove to the end of her driveway and turned left and drove to the Winery property, this time continuing past the entry there. He could see the rental car with the officer in it. Carter kept going he turned left again at the next road and then left again at the next one. He should be on the road he and the Sherriff had seen on Google maps.

He couldn’t see any place on the winery property where a vehicle could come out to the main road. He retraced his route feeling absolutely useless. He was totally stumped now. The only hope seemed to be if the deputies that were searching found something that would help. He called the station to see if there was anything new. The Sherriff had gone home to change the dispatcher said. He had to give him credit he was taking this seriously and trying to follow every possible lead. Carter didn’t know what to do. He felt pretty helpless.

28

It was a long night and a long day and by the time Mitch showed up again with some water and food, Lexi was at her wits end. How long were they going to keep her locked up here in the dungeon? Her bladder was bursting and she was sure that Tucker’s was too.

The light blinded her when Mitch opened the door.

“I know,” he said. “You have to pee.”

“You could at least leave me something to pee in if you aren’t going to show up more than once every twenty-four hours you asshole,” Lexi said.

He put the take out bag on the table and untied her and the dog from the pipe.

“Get up,” he said and grabbed her arm and pushed her ahead of him. She stumbled along her legs stiff from being in one position for so long.

They walked across the room to the stairway and then up to the disgusting bathroom. Lexi used it as quickly as she could because she was sure poor Tucker was desperate to go too. They went out the door to the outside and Lexi walked him along until he relieved himself all the while knowing that Mitch was holding a gun on her.

When Mitch turned to push Lexi back through the door she made her move. Lexi let go of the leash and yelled at the dog.

“Go Tucker, find Carter. Run,” the dog took off headed for the road and as soon as Mitch realized what had happened he turned and fired the gun at the dog. Tucker yelped but kept running.

“Fuck! You stupid bitch,” he said and punched Lexi in the face, leaving her stunned.

He grabbed her and yanked her by the arm and dragged her across the floor and down the stairs then he threw her in the room, didn’t bother to tie her up but just locked the door. He ran back up the stairs and across the building flung the door open then got in his truck and roared out of there. The dog was nowhere in sight when he hit the road.

“Shit shit shit,” he cursed. “I can’t wait to kill that stupid bitch.”

Mitch stopped at the intersection of the driveway to the warehouse and the road. He got out and looked around. Sure enough he saw some blood and there was a trail headed to the left and damn if the dog wasn’t going the right direction. He’d better not take any chances.

“That fucking dog might actually find its way home,” he said. It had a head start but it shouldn’t take him long to over take him, if it followed the road.

• *                           *                               *
  

Gladys and her husband, Remy were driving along the road on their way to their daughters. They were going to babysit their grandchildren so that their daughter and son-in-law could go to the movies.

“Remy,” Gladys said. “Look at that dog running along the road, its limping. It looks scared or lost.”

Remy slowed the vehicle and then pulled over. Gladys got out and called to the dog.

“Here boy, you okay,” she said.

The dog was slowing a bit, limping more.

“Here fella,” she said again. The dog slowed and limped towards her. He was panting and Gladys could see blood dripping on the ground.

“Remy,” she yelled this dog is hurt, it’s bleeding.

Remy got out of the car and came over to Gladys and the dog to take a look. The dog was lying on the ground now and looked to be in bad shape.

“Let’s get him in the car,” Remy said after taking a closer look.

He went to the back of the vehicle and opened the hatch and then the two of them lifted the now barely conscious dog into the vehicle. Remy closed the hatch and they both got in. A truck went by and slowed. They turned the vehicle around and started back to town. Gladys called her daughter to say that they had been delayed and would be a little late getting there.

• *                             *                           *
  

Mitch was following slowly not wanting to miss the dog if it collapsed in the ditch. Then he saw a vehicle stopped up ahead. A man and woman were getting back in their vehicle. Had they stopped to look at something? Was it the dog? They had been heading his way and now the driver was turning around and heading back to town. He was pretty sure the couple had picked up the dog. He kept driving and jumped out near the spot where he had seen them. Sure enough there was a lot of blood and the ground and then nothing, the trail stopped.

Now he was sure they had picked up the dog. Should he follow them? He could say it was his dog. The dog would probably die. He’d clearly lost a lot of blood. Mitch decided to continue back to the warehouse. He’d left Lexi untied and he didn’t want to take any chances. This time he left his truck outside and just used the side door. He went downstairs and unlocked the door to the room where Lexi was.

“Your dog is dead,” he announced, “You stupid bitch! I ought to kill you right now for causing me so much trouble.”

Lexi started to cry. He went over and tied her to the pipe again. Then he remembered the food and grabbed it off the table and handed it to her. Mitch flipped off the lights leaving her in the dark again. He locked the door and headed out of the building and back to the Thomas property where he repeated the process with the ATV.

• *                            *                               *
  

Lexi was devastated. She had killed her dog. Guilt and despair were her only company now in this pitch dark place. She didn’t know how much more she could take. Her jaw ached badly where Mitch had slugged her but it wasn’t nearly as painful as the unbearable heartache of thinking she had sent Tucker to his death. She had been so stupid to think that he could out run Mitch’s bullets. Of course, he would have been dead anyway if he’d stayed here, but still what if Carter figured things out and found her. If she lived, she would never forgive herself.

She had to figure out a way to get herself free. She forced herself to eat the food he had brought and to drink the soda, though it was going to make her have to pee again and if it took as long for him to come back the next time, as it had this time, she would just pee in the damn cup. She started to chew on the zap strap.

                     *                     *                     *                     

Gladys and Remy called their daughter and asked her to look up the address of a vet. They reached the clinic of Dr. Mitchell just as he was locking the door for the night. He shouted to his assistant who was just getting into her car and then unlocked the office and helped Remy carry the now unconscious dog into the surgery. He and his assistant went to work. He asked Remy and Gladys to find something to write on and to leave their number at the front desk.