In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9] (14 page)

Going inside, he picked up the cat's bell toy and tied it to the end of the fishing line and let it drop to the wall. Immediately, Miss Marple came bounding to the area when she heard the jingle. Hawkman placed the toy high enough so she couldn't reach it. He watched in amusement as she stood on her hind legs trying to get to the plaything. “I'm only going to borrow it for a few nights, little girl, then I'll let you have it back."

He swooshed her up into his arms. “To help get your mind off this toy, let's go find your stuffed bunny."

Jack Hargrove stood on the top of a shaded knoll not far from Copco Lake. He didn't move a muscle as he gazed through the binoculars perched on the top of his nose. His field of vision focused on the first house after crossing the bridge. Soon, he dropped the glasses to his chest and plopped down on a large boulder. He reached down into the knapsack he'd placed on the ground, pulled out a sandwich and twisted off the cap of a bottle of beer. As he munched on the snack, his eyes narrowed as he stared toward Hawkman's place. He'd noticed the Sheriff's car parked near their house and wondered if they were staking out the place in hopes of catching him. He'd keep a wary eye when he made his runs to charge his cell or other mischief he might have in mind.

"You son-of-a-bitch,” he mumbled. “You're going to pay for what you did to my son. You ruined his life. Why should you live in the life of luxury, while Ray stumbles around, hardly able to keep his footing? He has no one but himself because of his horrible limp. No woman gave him a second look after he got so crippled."

He squashed a beetle with the heel of his boot. “That's what I'm going to do to you, but first, a little torture."

Removing his cell phone from his pocket, he flipped open the lid and pushed the button. “Ah, you're still not answering your phone. I don't know what to call you, Jim, Tom or
Hawk Man
. Heard you go by all three names. By the way, I know you're home. I saw you fiddling around on your back deck. Still healing, huh? Had any bad headaches? That's just a sample of what I've got planned for you. Tell your pretty little wife to be careful."

He slammed the phone shut and the echo of his laughter rang through the forest. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he slung the backpack over his shoulder and left the rock. Jack hiked back to his makeshift home. When he reached the front entry, he checked his little hidden traps to make sure no one had entered his new abode while he'd taken care of business. Finding everything secure, he unlocked the padlock and opened the flimsy door. He dropped the bag on an old rug, then sat down on a new stool he'd found in the ditch. A broken mirror lay on the table. He picked it up and studied his reflection. “I look like a damn mountain man with fierce green eyes,” he mumbled, patting his shaggy mustache and beard. Removing his hat, he ran his fingers through the tangled mess of uncombed hair, and winced in pain.

Hawkman and Jennifer hovered over the phone as the message came through.

"He obviously wasn't close enough to make out what I was doing on the deck. But he's out there.” He grasped her arm. “I don't want you out of this house."

She pulled away and slapped the palm of her hands on the counter. “You keep saying that. Peggy's watching. She's not going to let him get close. And I can't stop living just because some idiot makes threatening remarks. He's only saying those things to ruffle your feathers."

"Well, he's doing a damn good job of it."

Jennifer sighed. “And you're letting him push your buttons."

"He wouldn't, if I didn't think him deranged enough to do something hideous."

She rubbed her arms. “What do you mean by ‘hideous'?"

Hawkman exhaled loudly. “He's a jerk. No conscience, no feelings. My imagination can conjure up all sorts of nasty things."

Jennifer hugged herself. “You're scaring me."

"I mean to do just that.” He picked up a pencil and popped it in two pieces. “The man's a nut case. You don't know what he'll do. One can't be too careful."

He ambled across the room to the small table between the chairs and picked up his binoculars, then went outside on the deck. Studying the terrain in all directions, he wondered where Hargrove had set up his post. He removed the glasses from his face and stood staring into space. Not knowing what the man knew bothered him. How close did Hargrove dare to get and how much could he see? Hawkman went back inside and yanked a set of keys off the board above the calendar and headed toward the front door.

"Where are you going?” Jennifer asked.

"I'm moving the old truck to the other side of the house."

"Why?"

"You've made me nervous with your comment about Pretty Girl. I'm putting her in it for the night."

Her gaze followed him out the door.

Hawkman climbed into the pickup and drove it around near the master bedroom window. He contemplated parking the truck so the passenger door opened up toward the house, but figured it wouldn't matter. If Hargrove had intentions of hurting the falcon, he'd do it regardless of which way the truck faced. He decided when he put Pretty Girl inside, he wouldn't tether her to the perch. This way she might have a chance to escape or give Jack a hard time if he entered the cab. He rolled the windows down just enough so she couldn't wiggle out, but would have plenty of air. Throwing on the emergency brake, he left the vehicle and went back inside. Hanging up the keys, he turned to Jennifer. “I won't move Pretty Girl until almost dark. Then I'll put her back into the aviary at daybreak."

"What if Hargrove sees you? He's obviously spying on us."

"That's why I'll wait until later. He'll have trouble making out what I'm doing, unless he's using night binoculars. Pretty Girl usually squawks if a stranger comes around. This way I should be able to hear her."

Jennifer partially stood and glanced around the room. “Miss Marple, where are you?” When the cat didn't respond to her calling, she searched behind the chairs and under the computer desk. The cat seemed to have disappeared from this end of the house.

Hawkman headed toward the back of the house, where he met Miss Marple coming out of the bathroom. “Just needed a little privacy, didn't you, girl."

He picked her up and brought her to Jennifer.

"Where was she?"

"In the bathroom."

Jennifer blushed. “Oh."

The afternoon soon turned to evening, and Hawkman closed the drapes. His stomach churned and a weird feeling kept circling inside his gut. He felt like he was being watched and decided to go outside. When he strolled around the house, a cool breeze caressed his face and eased his tension. He swiped a hand across his mustache and studied the sky. No clouds were visible and it appeared the night would be clear. An almost full moon would give plenty of light to the grounds. He had a feeling, tonight sleep would evade him.

He heard Jennifer call his name from the front door.

"Yes."

"You have a call from Ray Skokie."

Hawkman hurried inside and picked up the phone. “Hello, Ray."

After jotting down a few items on a notepad, he hung up. Jennifer sat on one of the kitchen stools opposite him, her elbows perched on the counter and her chin resting on her fingers.

"When will he be here?” she asked.

"Early tomorrow afternoon. I'm to pick him up at the Medford airport."

She sighed. “Good. Maybe Jack will listen to his son, and leave us alone."

Hawkman focused on her face. “Don't get your hopes up. Ray's talked numerous times to his dad and it hasn't done a bit of good. This is his last chance, because Detective Williams will arrest Hargrove for auto theft along with the hit and run charge Rita filed."

She let out an exasperated sigh. “We'll at least get him out of our hair, one way or the other."

Hawkman rose and walked toward the sliding glass door in the dining room. “We still have tonight to face."

Hawkman tossed and turned most of the night. He arose several times and peeked out the window above his head. Nothing seemed amiss and he could see the silhouette of Pretty Girl through the pickup windshield. She apparently didn't mind sleeping in the cab, probably because the close quarters made her feel secure.

Miss Marple nestled as close to Hawkman as she could and every time he got up, she rose on her haunches and gave him a disgusted glare. After about the third time, the cat moved closer to Jennifer.

"About time; after all, she's your mistress,” he muttered,

When the morning's light filtered through the window, Hawkman decided to return the falcon to the cage. The truck would get too warm for her if he waited much longer. He slipped on a pair of jeans, pulled on his boots and snuck out of the room, closing the door behind him. When he stepped out the dining room sliding glass door onto the deck, he took notice of the fishing line positioned across the opening of the stairs and the outdoor electrical outlet. Nothing had been disturbed.

After returning Pretty Girl to her perch and securing the cage, he removed the trap from the post. The invisibility of the string would make it easy to stumble over, and he sure didn't want to find Jennifer at the bottom of the stairs with a broken ankle or leg. He left the rest attached to the post nearest the window. He'd probably tighten it back up tonight, even though Ray Skokie would be here.

Hawkman prepared to head for Medford Airport after breakfast.

"I'll have the guest room ready for him by the time you two return,” Jennifer said, as she wiped off the counter. “Shouldn't you let the Bronsons know Ray is arriving today?"

"Why don't you give Peggy a call? Be sure you keep the place under secure lockup and your gun handy. Hopefully, there won't be any incidents. Oh, by the way, if Detective Williams calls, give him the scoop about Skokie."

"Okay, but hurry back. Even with Peggy out there, it makes me nervous knowing Hargrove is so close and watching the house."

"I'll return as soon as I can."

Hawkman had no trouble spotting Ray in front of the baggage area. He appeared shorter than what he remembered, probably due to the leg injury. His square jaw, sparkling blue eyes, and prominent nose, reminded Hawkman of a Greek god. Ray's dark hair had grayed at the temples, but even the slight sign of aging made him look distinguished.

He pulled to the curb, hopped out and opened the rear of the SUV. Ray swung his suitcase into the compartment behind the seat and closed the door. The two men shook hands, then climbed into the 4X4. Hawkman noticed Skokie had no trouble getting into the vehicle. Jennifer might be right. The man had acclimated to his disability after all these years.

As they drove toward Copco Lake, Hawkman told Ray about the incidents involving his father and how he'd discovered his hideout.

"Do you think Dad will still be in the same place?"

"I see no reason for him to move on, as he doesn't know I've found him. So unless an official ordered him off the property, he'll more than likely stay there as long as he can. He's in a little shack and protected from predators, and well hidden from the road."

"How come the police haven't arrested him yet?"

"I have a little clout with the authorities and have asked them to give you a chance to talk with him. But if he doesn't cooperate, they'll come and get him."

Ray exhaled loudly. “From what you've told me, it sounds like he's gone over the edge."

"He's definitely teetering."

Jennifer greeted the men at the door, and after introductions, she showed Ray the guest room and pointed out where he could freshen up from the trip. Hawkman noticed Miss Marple backed up and peeked around the edge of the chair as she watched Ray move across the room. Skokie's hard limp, and swaying body must have frightened her.

Coming from the back of the house, Jennifer went into the kitchen and removed a platter of hors d'oeuvres from the refrigerator. She placed them on the coffee table in the living room, along with napkins and small paper plates.

"Those look delicious,” Hawkman said.

"Thank you, kind sir, I whipped them up while you were gone. Figured it would suffice for a late lunch. Then we can have dinner whenever you guys are ready. I have no idea what your plans are. Are you taking Ray to see where his dad is staying tonight?"

"Not sure. I'll play it by ear. It depends on what he wants to do."

Their guest soon emerged from the bathroom with a smile on his lips. “Nice place you have. And thank you both for inviting me to share your home. I really appreciate it."

"You're more than welcome,” Hawkman said. “Have a seat and relax; I'm sure the long flight has worn you out."

Ray eased down on the leather couch and noticed the food on the table. “These sandwiches look wonderful."

"Help yourself,” Jennifer said. “I'm sure they didn't feed you much on the plane."

"Very true,” he chuckled. “A bag of nuts doesn't last long."

"What would you like to drink?"

His blue eyes twinkled. “I hope you're not teetotalers, because I'd love a Scotch and water."

Hawkman laughed. “No problem, I'll fix you up pronto."

As they conversed in the living room, Miss Marple crept around to the foot of Jennifer's chair and sat at her feet.

"What a beautiful animal,” Ray said.

Jennifer picked her up. “Meet Miss Marple. She's a fairly new addition to our family."

"I'm not much of a cat person, but I must say she's a fine looking specimen."

"She's from the ‘Ragdoll’ breed. Supposedly very gentle and cuddly."

"How'd you come up with the name, Miss Marple? Isn't that the handle of one of Agatha Christie's characters?"

Hawkman intervened. “Jennifer's a mystery writer. So the name fits."

"Ah, ha,” Ray laughed. “That explains it. So you're a writer?"

She blushed. “I love writing suspenseful novels and work very hard at it."

"I'd like to purchase one of your books before I leave. I've always enjoyed a good brain teaser."

"Sure. I'll give you a run down on them later. Right now, I'm sure you have more on your mind than reading."