Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Deception (Siren Publishing Classic) (21 page)

As she turned around, she saw the sun coming through the upper windows and shining on the large, thick round rug in front of the fireplace. The rug’s center medallion, a design of blues and yellows, brightened and warmed the entire room. A spectacular vision of rainbow colors reflecting off the many windows.

Wyatt stood in the middle of the rug, his face highlighted, brightened and relaxed, as in the picture with his sister. She was flabbergasted by the wonder of him. She felt as if the rug revealed the feelings of her heart, which was filled with love.

By the time the fire started to die down, the sun had warmed up the air outside, and Wyatt suggested they take a walk. He needed to check on a couple things anyway. She pulled on her red fleece jacket and slipped into comfortable shoes. They opened the door and went outside. They walked and talked comfortably together with his fingers loosely laced through hers.

Occasionally Wyatt pointed out a particular bird or a certain flowering tree or bush that he, Amy, or Dave had planted. He showed her the place where they played football, being the grassiest area around, even though it still had a slight slope. Time flew by as they became lost in each other’s company. They hadn’t realized they had been gone so long until Isabella yawned. They decided it was time for a quick lunch and maybe a nap.

* * * *

Dave made sure there were no patrols around Wyatt’s property between two and four that morning, as they had agreed. In the meantime, he also received some disturbing information.

Matthew Miles, Wyatt’s recently hired sales manager, had a connection to Michael Terrell. They were brothers, believe it or not. Matthew had used the last name of Miles for many years, so the association or relationship didn’t show up on any background check. Now, digging deeper into his and Isabella’s relationship, he became curious about Matthew’s past and wanted more information.

He also received a report back from the local police department outside
Denver
. They had tried to contact Anna Donnelly, Isabella’s mother, by phone with no answer. When they visited her apartment, there was no response to the doorbell or knocking. Talking to some of her neighbors they found out that no one had seen her coming or going for the last couple of weeks or so and thought she had gone on a cruise or an extended trip somewhere. The neighbors admitted it was odd she had been gone so long without telling anyone, especially since she was extremely involved with her church and a number of charities.

The police department had proceeded to get a search warrant for her premises. When they forcibly entered her home, they found her alive and well. Extremely scared but alive and well.

Very upset and frightened about her daughter being missing, possibly killed, it took considerable convincing and many promises of Isabella’s well-being before Anna could be persuaded to talk. But once she got started...

She told them Michael Terrell had threatened to kill her
and
Isabella if she told anyone anything, saw anyone or even stepped outside her door. He brought her food and anything else she might need, usually in the middle of the night.

When asked by the investigating detective, Cleaver, why she hadn’t called the police, she had told him that Isabella was all she had left, that she
knew
Michael was serious about killing her, and that she thought he had killed before.

She hadn’t seen Michael for about three days, she never saw a car or anyone else during her time in ‘lock-down’.

“When was the last time you saw Michael?” Detective Cleaver asked Mrs. Richards.

About three days ago.”

When Detective Summers arrived he spoke with Mrs. Donnelly and told her that her daughter was safe for now.

Of course, Mrs. Donnelly wanted to go to be with Isabella right away. The police located her in Stoney Creek, Virginia. And of course the questions on everybody’s lips was how, when, where and why did she end up there.

They all agreed that Mrs. Donnelly needed to come with them into police custody to keep her safe until they could further investigate. And thanks to Dave giving Detective Cleaver the heads-up on what Mrs. Donnelly’s reaction would be, they were able to convince her it was for the sake of her daughter. Det. Summers talked to her again, explaining that once they got her into a safehouse she would be able to talk to her daughter. With a little more persuasion she acquiesced and went with them.

Dave felt good when he read the report indicating Isabella’s mother was safe in police custody. But the getting-something-accomplished good feeling had been short-lived, quickly replaced with a sick-to-his-stomach feeling. A countrywide BOLO—Be On Lookout—for Michael Terrell, alias “Mick the Man,” along with an arrest warrant for murder had been issued by the Denver State Police.

Now, not only did they have to contend with Joe, Amanda, Spike, and his dangerous cohorts in crime, but also now Michael, who may or may not be a part of Spike’s organization.
Let’s not forget about the not-cleared-from-suspicion Matthew Miles.

He received a location confirmation on Spike in the
Norfolk
area and notification that Amanda had been picked up along the interstate outside
Stoney Creek
and was in custody. Charges were pending because she was still being questioned.

He felt certain she would soon be spilling her guts especially since he considered her to be merely a pawn in the game. The district attorney’s willingness to make a deal for immunity would definitely help, and he was sure that could be arranged.

Work history verification on Isabella revealed a man introducing himself as Michael Terrell had called Lakes Elementary to inform them he and Isabella had eloped and that she would no longer be working there.

Boy, this guy had really tied up all his loose ends, hadn’t he?

But he hadn’t counted on Wyatt, who had received all the same reports via his BlackBerry.

Dave knew where to find Wyatt. He had been there many times and had even helped Wyatt and his dad with the building and design of the security system. He didn’t want anything going down within the compound, destroying the integrity of its safety. With all the precautions, the security systems set up and in place, he felt assured no one could get close to disturb let alone destroy.

Chapter 36

Joe woke before sunup and went outside to relieve himself. It was his first priority. His second priority was finding food. He was starving. He knew there wasn’t any food in the house. He had already looked last night. But after scavenging around in the cruiser, he found some cheese crackers. He woofed down the crackers for breakfast, got in the car, and proceeded to follow the road or path that the vehicle of interest had traveled just a few hours earlier. Up and down and around the mountain he drove, thinking, at least, it had to be the same road.

The fog began to dissipate with the rising sun, but with the grown bushes along the side of the road and the sharp switchbacks, he couldn’t see very far in front of him. The heavy foliage blocked his view so he couldn’t see any tracks on the road, not even his own. At one point, he thought he drove off the road and onto a foot path. He soon began doubting he was even on the same road.

Sometime later, Joe arrived at a dead end. He couldn’t get through the brush ahead. It appeared as if the road had only been cleared to this point. He parked the car and got out. He looked around but didn’t notice the spectacular view. He didn’t see any tracks of any kind, no sign of anyone having driven here recently, no bent grass, nada. He decided that he must have made a wrong turn somewhere.

Getting back in the car and backing up into the brush, he began driving in the opposite direction. He noticed a number of small roads cutting off from the “main” road. He could spend a lot of time on each one of the small roads looking for that particular Jeep but right now he didn’t have many options. He took the first side road he came to.

Chapter 37

Wyatt had taken all available weapons and ammunition he thought might be necessary to defend his property. He put his .22 revolver in his shoulder holster and pulled on his light jacket. He wanted to be prepared for any and all possibilities.

While he and Isabella had been out walking, he had checked the perimeter of the compound as well as the tree-mounted cameras. Everything appeared to be working properly. At one point, he thought he heard the rumbling of a car engine, but couldn’t be sure because of the branches and leaves rustling.

Isabella busied herself with lunch preparations while Wyatt checked on the security monitors. He read his e-mail and realized he needed to call Dave. He sat down in front of the monitors while he waited for Dave to pick up.

Dave and Wyatt talked, discussing and considering their options and alternatives. Dave received an e-mail from Sam, who had been working undercover as a member of Spike’s gang for the past few months.

“Spike sent Sam to
Stoney Creek
to find ‘the girl’ who Joe supposedly or allegedly ‘lost.’ Sam needs to bring the girl, aka Isabella, back to
Norfolk
by midnight Tuesday. Apparently, Spike is moving on again, so we need to make our move before then. Sam also got orders from Spike to off Joe in the process, so Sam has to find Joe and keep him under wraps until we can deliver Isabella.”

“Any word about the other missing girl, Megan, from
Denver
?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Hughes and his team located the house in town where Isabella and Megan were held. He and another team went there to fingerprint and collect evidence. Also, Sam has information for Hughes which could lead us to her. We’ll get Megan, too. I’m sure.”

“Good, I sent an e-mail to our good buddy Val at HQ requesting an investigation into Richard Donnelly’s death. I’m interested in hearing the results.”

“Me too.”

Wyatt had been watching the monitors while talking to Dave and noticed a movement outside the main entry gate. A police cruiser pulled to a stop and parked. A man dressed in a police uniform, got out, looked about, returned to the car, and left.

“Did you send someone here in a cruiser?” Wyatt asked Dave.

“No, I wouldn’t do that without you knowing about it. Why?”

“Well, a cruiser just pulled up and parked at the northeast gate, a white man, about five-eight, one hundred eighty pounds, white shirt, dark pants. What do you make of that?”

Dave put him on hold for a minute while he shuffled around a pile of papers on his desk until he located the one he needed. He quickly reviewed the report and went back to Wyatt on the phone.

“Uh, Wyatt, they haven’t located Richards’ car yet. What do you think the chances are that the car belongs to him? That would mean whoever has…”

Wyatt rubbed the back of his neck where his hair was standing on end. “I know what it means. They’re here already.” He drummed his fingers against his lips while he continued to watch the monitors, as the car drove away.

“Dave, uh, the car’s leaving now. I have the alarm system activated for any intruders into the compound and that’ll give me an hour or so before anyone gets to us.” His voice changed, taking on a stronger, harsh, affirmative tone. “And if or when they do, I’ll be ready.”

By then he’d have a more definitive plan. In the meantime, Wyatt reached for the handle of his gun in his shoulder harness under his arm. Just the touch of the cold metal made him feel much more secure.

Dave and Wyatt talked for a few minutes more before Isabella walked into the office. “Lunch is ready, whenever you are,” she whispered.

“Come in the back way, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Chapter 38

As Isabella and Wyatt sat down to eat, Isabella asked, “How do you feel about grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup?”

“That’s my favorite. How did you know?”

“It’s one of my favorites too, and that’s good ’cause it’s what I made for lunch.”

After Wyatt had taken a couple bites, he said, “Oh, by the way, I have some news. Dave’s coming tomorrow morning to give us updates on everything he’s learned.”

She studied Wyatt’s face as he ate, wondering what else Dave had found out, what Wyatt hadn’t told her. She quickly became angry. She stopped eating, staring at him while her anger increased. Her brows furrowed, her lips became tense, and her shoulders became rigid. She had to trust him, a stranger who made her more than aware of all her senses. She expected him to trust her as well. With everything.

The day they spent together had been beautiful, beginning with watching the sun rise over the mountaintop; exploring the stunning terrain; the bright blue skies against the panoramic vista of tall trees, some in bud and others leafed out, swaying in the cool spring breeze. Wyatt had talked about the different species during their walk, and she had been amazed at his substantial knowledge of the area.

Isabella began cleaning up the lunch dishes and the kitchen when she shivered, suddenly chilled. Wyatt started a warming fire. She had been quiet since their conversation.

“Do you mind if I make a cup of tea?” she asked quietly.

“Of course not, help yourself. The house is pretty well stocked, so you should be able to find some tea bags in the first door to the right of the microwave.”