The Archer [Book 13 of the Hawkman Series] (12 page)

"I've had several who have gone on and won many trophies, and a few who had the ability, but didn't pursue the sport. I've even had to kick out some because of rowdy behavior and failure to abide by the rules."

"Throw out a few names, and let me see if any of them ring a bell with me."

"Before I do that, could you tell me why you're so interested. I know you said you were working on a case. Where does archery fit into the scheme?"

"It's a mishmash of things. Someone is harassing my client. I've concluded they're archery enthusiasts because since I've taken on the case, they're shooting arrows at my office building and SUV."

"Have you ever seen them?” Roy asked.

Hawkman shook his head. “No. I can only guess they're driving a dark colored pickup."

"I hate to give out the names of those who misbehaved."

"You can trust me, they'll never know where I got the information."

Summers took in a deep breath. “The Wallace brothers were very disruptive. I finally had to ask them to leave during one of the sessions, and they never returned."

"I've heard of them. Had they received enough instructions to know how to handle the compound bow?” Hawkman asked.

"Yes, they'd attended my classes when their mother was still alive and were good kids. After she died, they went downhill. Their dad didn't discipline them at all. When they started back into the class, they were just too unruly. I couldn't tolerate their behavior."

"How about the Higgins brothers?"

Roy smiled. “Yes, I've taught all three of those boys, plus their father. Good family. They're all excellent bowmen. Joey is very shy, but can shoot a mean arrow. John, their dad, was always present, so those boys conducted themselves in an orderly manner."

"Have you ever had students from the college?"

"Yes. I even teach a class for the sports department."

"Any problem kids there?"

"They're usually on their best behavior, because they have to pay extra for the class. I've had a couple of boys and one girl who didn't have what you'd call discipline problems, but they were very careless. Believe me, I know the circumstances of harming someone by not being cautious. It happened to me years ago. I'll never forget it."

Having read the story on the internet, Hawkman didn't pursue it. “Do you remember the names of these students."

"Yes, because they're still attending classes. The boys are Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell; the girl is Cindy Brown. The boys are not real good, but Cindy Brown has developed into quite an archer, and they've all three settled down."

Hawkman jerked his head around. “When do the college classes meet?"

"I go to the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays at four. The classes last for an hour and a half."

"Do you know if these kids are local?"

"I believe they all live in Medford."

"I'm going to throw one more name at you; then I'll get out of here, as I see some of your students arriving now. Has Ed Fowler ever been in your class."

"Yes, but it's been years ago. Ed's an excellent bowman. In fact, I think he's one of the guys that talked Mr. Hicks into taking my classes."

Hawkman rose and extended his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Summers. You have been a great help."

"I wish you the best of luck with your case. Ever want to take archery classes, get in touch."

"Thank you, I will."

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Hawkman left Arrow Point and cut across town on the residential streets to get to the road which led to the Kings’ property. Darkness had fallen, so it was easy to see if any vehicles tailed him. Black clouds had gathered across the heavens, and the air smelled like rain.

He would speak to Laura about Cindy Brown and the two boys from college, after he instructed her on the GPS. As he turned up the long driveway, he noted how the living room lights glowed through the sheer curtained windows. Yet, he couldn't make out any more than the silhouette of a person walking around. He picked up the bag containing the small tracker and climbed out of the 4X4. Thunder rumbled in the distance and a flash of lightning arched in the sky. By the time he climbed the steps, Laura had the door open.

"Hi, Mr. Casey. What surprise do you have in store for us today?"

He smiled. “One I think you'll like."

The older Kings entered the room. Once they'd greeted each other, the pair, along with Laura, sat on the couch and Hawkman took the chair opposite them. He then explained the personal GPS.

Olly listened intently with his hands resting on his jeans clad knees. “Now, that one makes more sense. It worried me to think we couldn't keep track of Laura outside her car."

"I like it too,” Violet said. “It will ease my mind a little more."

"I already have it programed into my home station.” He handed it to Laura. “All you have to do is put it on."

She immediately placed it on her wrist. “You don't think anyone will know what it is?"

"It looks like a watch, so I doubt anyone would pay much attention,” Hawkman said. “You could wear it with the face on the inside of your wrist. My wife wears her time piece like that, and it appears to an onlooker like a bracelet."

She scooted it around. “Yeah, it isn't as noticeable."

After displaying it to her folks, she glanced at Hawkman. “I bet this cost a bundle. Does it record anything other than my whereabouts?"

Hawkman grinned. “Yes, it's expensive, and, no, I won't be able to hear you at all. However, there are ones that you can communicate back and forth, but this one will just track you."

She laughed. “Good."

"Laura, I need to talk to you about one of your friends."

"Who?” she asked, looking up at him and frowning.

"Cindy Brown. How much do you know about her?"

She shrugged. “Not a whole lot. I've been to her house a couple of times, and met her parents. They seem like respectable people."

"Does Cindy have a boyfriend?"

"Probably. She's cute and fun to be around."

"But you don't know for sure?"

"No. A couple of the guys are always tagging along beside her."

"Do you know their names?"

"The two guys I told you about, Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell."

"Those are the ones who showed an interest in hunting with the compound bow. Is that right?"

"Yes."

"Did you know Cindy is also interested in archery?"

"I had no idea,” she said with wide eyes. “How did you find out?"

"It doesn't matter, it's a part of my job. The three of them are enrolled in a class together. I found this very interesting. It made me wonder if Cindy gave your cell phone number to one or both of the boys."

"I asked her if she'd given it out to anyone and she said, ‘no'. I don't know any reason why she'd lie to me."

"Does she know what's been happening."

Laura shook her head. “No. I haven't told anyone. It's too embarrassing."

"If she'd loaned her cell phone to one of them, even just to make a short call, they could have found your number listed in her directory and she'd have never known."

"That's true, and the kids at school are always borrowing each other's phones."

"Has anyone borrowed yours?"

"I always use the excuse my battery's low. I don't like people using it. They might make a long distance call, and Dad would end up paying for it."

Hawkman cocked his head and looked at her. “Do you not trust people?"

"I have confidence in my parents and you, but I have reservations about others, especially guys."

"Have you been hurt by someone?"

She blushed, and dropped her gaze to the floor.

Violet put her arm around her daughter. “A long time ago a young man broke her heart."

Feeling awkward, Hawkman raised a hand. “Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

Laura quickly regained her composure. “That's okay. I just don't like to talk about it."

"I understand. Tell me more about Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell."

"I don't have much to tell, except they're in one of my classes. They hang around Cindy like bees do flowers."

"Is she always present when you see them?"

She nodded.

"They never hunt for just you alone?"

"Only once, when Cindy had the flu. They wanted to know why she'd missed class."

"Do you have Cindy's address?"

"Yes, I'll get it."

She jumped up from the couch and disappeared through the doorway.

"Do you suspect her friends?” Olly asked.

"I suspect anyone until I prove them innocent. Just like your two hired hands. Why didn't you tell me Hicks is taking archery lessons?"

"What!” Olly exclaimed, his expression confused. “I didn't know. I can't be responsible for what my hired hands do in their spare time."

"True. Did you know Fowler is an expert bowman?"

Olly ran a hand over his mouth. “It's been years since Ed did any bow hunting. I'd completely forgotten he'd dabbled in it. Sophie didn't like the sport. It frightened her for some reason. So Ed stowed the bow in the garage. I've seen it hanging there."

"Have you noticed it lately?"

"Can't say I have. Just haven't paid much attention. You can bet I will now."

Laura entered the room and handed Hawkman a piece of paper with Cindy Brown's address. He put it in his coat pocket.

"Thanks.” Hawkman turned his attention to Laura. “I will probably go speak with her in the next couple of days. Don't let her know I'm coming."

"Okay,” she said. “I haven't mentioned your name to her. In fact, I haven't told anyone about you. They'd just ask questions and I don't care for people to know what's going on."

"That's just as well. I'm sure when I really start probing, people are going to talk, and eventually they'll connect us."

Suddenly, a clap of thunder made them all jump.

"Wow, that sounded right overhead,” Laura said, pulling the curtain back on the front window. “Oh my gosh, it's pouring."

The bleating of an animal caught their attention. She glanced toward the back of the house. “Oh, I bet the door to Wendy's shed has blown shut and she can't get in. I better run and take care of her."

"Can I help?” Hawkman asked.

"No, I can handle it."

"The raincoat is hanging near the door,” Violet said, getting up and following her daughter toward the kitchen.

Laura suddenly popped back into the room; a yellow slicker hat tied under her chin and a matching long coat covering the rest of her body. She held her arm toward Hawkman. “Is it okay to wear this tracker in the rain?"

"Yes, it's waterproof."

She disappeared and Hawkman heard the back door slam.

He turned toward Olly. “I better get on my way. I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention to your hired men about my knowing they're involved in archery. I'll approach them in time."

"Would you like for me to check and see if Ed's bow is still hanging in the garage?"

"Can you do it without him being suspicious?"

"Yes."

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Hawkman stepped onto the front porch, turned up his collar and held onto his hat as he raced through the pelting rain. Once inside the 4X4, he let out a breath of air. “Man this is some downpour; at least my vehicle will get a good rinsing,” he murmured, as he started the engine. Fiddling with the GPS receiver on the dashboard, he smiled to himself as he followed Laura's movements through her house. He flipped it off and concentrated on driving.

The dirt road hadn't turned into a quagmire yet, but the puddles were forming and it wouldn't be long before there were deep ruts. After a few minutes, he bounced onto the blacktop where he felt more comfortable. He punched on the radio and heard the cold front would speed through the area and drop approximately an inch of rain on the lower elevations while peppering a good foot of snow in the mountains, which would be good for the ski resorts.

He drove onto the freeway and headed toward Copco Lake. It had been a long day and he looked forward to getting home and relaxing. The rain subsided and he turned the wipers to intermittent. By the time he reached the bridge, he no longer needed them.

When he turned into the driveway it shocked him to see the sheriff's car parked in front of the house. “What the heck,” he said, out loud.

He pulled into the garage, then hurried inside. Ken, the deputy stood at the kitchen counter writing on a pad of paper. Jennifer looked on with her hand at her throat.

"What's happened?” Hawkman asked.

"Your wife got quite a scare about an hour ago,” the deputy said.

Hawkman glanced at Jennifer. “You okay?"

She nodded. “With two men in the house, I feel much better."

"What frightened you?"

"While working at the computer, I heard a loud thump, like something hit the front of the house. I didn't think too much about it as birds often times fly into the wall. Then two more loud bangs came, one right after the other. I quickly went to the kitchen window, but didn't see anything. I peeked out the front door and spotted three arrows laying on the ground. I didn't see a soul, ran back inside, looked out across the lake and saw a black pickup speeding toward town. I immediately called for help when I remembered what had happened at your office."

Ken held up the evidence bag where he'd placed the arrows. “I picked these up by the sharp end and placed them in here, just in case we can lift some prints. The shafts didn't pierce the metal siding, but they left some deep dents.” Then he frowned at Hawkman. “What's been happening to you?"

Hawkman explained the case and the incidents he'd encountered.

"Sounds like they've got a vendetta against you for helping Miss King, and are targeting your home. They're using fear tactics to steer you away from the case."

"Looks like it, and I'm not keen on the thought one bit."

Ken closed his notebook. “I'll keep a close watch on your place during the day, and if I'm called away, I'll have Peggy take over. We'll keep our eyes peeled for a black pickup."

"Thanks, Ken, appreciate it."