The Rebel of Copper Creek (25 page)

A
sh.” At the MacKenzie ranch, Mad was shouting orders to the entire household. “Get the plane ready.”

“Ready for what?”

As quickly as he could, Mad recounted what Griff had told him.

After their initial shock, the MacKenzie family did what they always did. They rallied around Mad as their leader.

“Ash and I will fly to Juliet's ranch. The rest of you should break up into teams and take the ranch trucks. We'll meet at Juliet's place to decide where to go from there. But on the way, be on the lookout for a big, flashy bus driven by one of the veterans in that group that calls itself the Romeos.”

Myrna was wringing her hands. “Why would anyone snatch Juliet's son?”

“A pervert. A sicko. A madman.” Mad's voice was low with fury. “Whatever he is, we're going to find him and bring that lad home to his mother.”

Willow wrapped an arm around Myrna's trembling shoulders. “Come on. You'll ride with Brenna and me.”

Whit and Brady were already on the phone to their wranglers in the hills, alerting them to the danger and asking them to report any sightings of the bus.

Rifles and ammunition were loaded into trucks, along with binoculars and phone chargers, jackets, and even cold weather gear, in the event the hunt dragged on into the hills.

Mad rolled his wheelchair along the ramp toward the distant barn that housed the Cessna. Once again he felt a wave of gratitude for Griff, who had made his mobility possible.

When he reached the plane, Ash nodded. “It's fueled. I did a preflight check. I'll help you up, Mad.” He lifted his grandfather to the passenger seat and stowed his wheelchair behind the seat.

Once in the pilot side he turned to the old man. “Okay, Mad. Buckle up. We're ready to roll.”

As soon as they were airborne, they looked down to see the convoy of trucks just leaving the ranch and fanning out, one taking the main highway, another following the back roads. As they flew up over the hills they saw the long line of wranglers on horseback, also fanning out to travel the little-known dips and ridges of the highlands.

Seeing the tight set of Mad's mouth, Ash reached over to touch a hand to his. “We'll find him, Mad.”

The old man's words were spoken in a halting voice, revealing the depth of emotion. “He's such a wee thing. And with his father dead at such a young age, he's already been given a heavy load to carry.”

The two men fell silent as they studied the desolate land below. There were so many places in this vast wilderness where a man desperate to hide could be swallowed up, never to be heard from again.

The truck bearing Willow, Myrna, and Brenna arrived at the Grayson Ranch first. The three women found Griff, Juliet, and Casey standing beside a helicopter, where a doctor and nurse were preparing Jackie Turner before takeoff. His head had been professionally swathed in dressings, and an intravenous drip already inserted into his arm.

While they watched, the copter began its ascent, its blades flattening the grass and sending the trees into a crazy dance.

Willow gathered Juliet into her arms. “How are you holding up?”

“Oh, Willow.” Juliet struggled against the tears that threatened, knowing if she started to cry, she might never stop. For Casey's sake she needed to be strong. “I'm terrified.”

“Of course you are. But for a little while longer you need to be strong, not only for yourself, but for your boys.”

Juliet pushed herself free of Willow's embrace and shook her head. “I can't stay here and do nothing. I just can't.” She hugged her arms about herself, pacing like a caged tiger. “Ethan's out there somewhere, in the clutches of a madman. I need to go after him.”

Griff gathered her close. His words were muffled against a tangle of hair at her temple. “I know how you feel. It's killing me to wait here. But the chief wanted us to stay. Not just for Casey, but for Ethan, as well. When they find him, the authorities need to know how to reach you.”

She was already shaking her head. “They can reach me by cell phone. I can't stay here.”

Little Casey latched onto his mother's leg. “Don't leave, Mama. If you go, I want to go wif you.”

Myrna stepped forward and gently picked him up. Against his temple she murmured, “I'd really like you to stay here with me. You can help me fix all of your brother's favorite foods, so that when he gets home, we'll have a lovely surprise for him. Will you help me?”

Casey sniffed, considering. “Can we make Grandpa Mad's waffles?”

“If you think Ethan would like them.”

“He loves them.”

“Then that's what we'll make.” She turned to Griff and Juliet. “Time for you to go.”

To Willow and Brenna she said the same. “Go now. Casey and I will be just fine here. But be sure you check in with us from time to time.”

Juliet kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Myrna. You'll never know—”

The old woman touched a finger to her lips to silence her. “I do know. Now go.”

As Griff and Juliet settled into one truck, and Brenna and Willow settled into another, Myrna carried Casey across the yard and climbed the steps to the porch. There she set him down. Still holding hands, they waved as the trucks circled around and headed toward the back country. Then the old woman and the little boy made their way inside. And though she continued murmuring words meant to soothe, Myrna's lips were trembling, and her hands were none too steady.

“Griff.” Ira Pettigrew's voice boomed over Griff's cell phone. Even without pressing the speaker, Juliet, seated in the passenger side, could hear every word. “Are you and Juliet still at her ranch?”

“We couldn't stay there and do nothing. We're on the road just south of the Grayson Ranch in the direction of Bald Mountain.”

“I understand. I guess if it were my boy, I'd do the same.” He cleared his throat. “Now listen. The state boys are going to monitor all our calls. Punch in the following number.” He enunciated each number clearly as Griff added it to his cell phone. “Each time any of us has information, it will be immediately transmitted to all of us, so that they know where we are and what we've found.”

“Thanks, chief. I'll pass this along to Brenna and Willow. They're following us.”

“Do it now, so I don't have to pass along information twice.”

He rang off while Griff called Brenna's cell phone.

A minute later the chief called back, and this time his voice was heard by everyone who had been included in the state monitoring program. “The state boys are sending me an electronic grid of the territory they'll be covering as they do the flyover. I suggest you concentrate on that stretch of hills leading to Bald Mountain. I'll get there as soon as I can. But keep an eye out. That's some pretty bleak landscape.”

Ira's voice rang with authority. “I know I don't have to tell you that we're dealing with a crazy here. And not only crazy, but desperate enough to snatch a kid. The state boys think he intends to use the boy as a bargaining chip, either with us or possibly with the mother. I'm inclined to agree with them. Does the boy's mother have a history with this guy?”

Griff handed his phone to Juliet. She spoke cautiously, knowing everyone was hearing her words. “I don't remember Heywood Sperry, but he claimed to have seen me almost daily at the VA hospital in Tampa, where I spent months with Buddy and Ethan. I had so many other things going on at that time. A critically wounded husband struggling to stay alive. A three-year-old who never left my side, and a difficult pregnancy that required what little strength I had left.” She paused. “But Sperry once boasted to the Romeos that he'd seen me every day. How is it that he remembers me, and I would have sworn I'd never laid eyes on him until he showed up here in Copper Creek?”

“For all the reasons you just mentioned. You had way too much going on.” The chief sighed. “This information is being passed along to the state boys. They're the ones who will piece it all together. But I know this: We need to find this guy as quickly as humanly possible, before he has a chance to slow down and think about hurting his next victim.”

As he rang off, Griff's hands tightened on the wheel. Juliet spoke not a word. But everyone knew the truth of what he'd said. They had to find Heywood Sperry. Had to. Before he had a chance to vent his fury on a helpless little boy.

As the silence settled around him, Griff's eyes behind the mirrored sunglasses narrowed with a sudden flash of fury. Ethan had to be safe. If Sperry hurt that fragile little boy, he would move heaven and earth to find him and make him pay.

“What's that?” Juliet pointed to the fire burning in a low ridge just off to their right.

“Could be a brush fire.” Griff hit the brake as he caught sight of just what was burning. He was out the door and sprinting down the ravine, tugging aside the mass of tree limbs and vines.

Cupping his hands to his mouth he shouted, “It's the bus.”

As the others rushed over he pressed the number he'd been given to the communications center, transmitting the news to everyone. “We've found the bus.”

“Where?” Chief Pettigrew demanded.

When Griff gave them the location, one of the state officers said, “We flew over that exact area.”

“You'd have never spotted it from the air without that fire.” Griff sounded out of breath. “It was hidden beneath a camouflage of tree branches and brush. The fire's fresh. He can't be too far from here.”

“Any sign of Sperry or the boy inside?”

Griff peered through the windows. “It's empty.” He studied the ground. “But there are tire tracks in the earth. Deep. They appear to be a heavy-duty truck. Sperry must have planned this ahead of time. Hold on. I'll have to put you on hold while I try to force open the bus door.”

He handed his cell phone to Juliet and gave a mighty kick of his booted foot against the jammed door. Then he and Juliet rushed inside while Willow and Brenna remained outside.

Griff gave a muttered exclamation and motioned for Juliet to retreat. “You'd better get a team here, Chief. I nearly stepped on a syringe and a small vial.” After a moment's silence he said, “Valium. That's how he's managing to control Ethan while he drives.”

The chief's voice came over his phone. “Any sign of blood, Griff?”

A very long silence before Griff said, “None that I can see. I guess we'll be grateful for small favors.” He watched as the flames began to spread. “I've got to get out of here before it blows. Whatever evidence is in here will be destroyed.” He leaped clear and climbed to the top of the ravine to rejoin the women.

“Hold on, Griff. The team is mapping exactly where you are.” The chief swore. “Okay. They're on it. They'll be there in minutes.”

As he waited to hear more, Griff reached for Juliet, who stepped into his arms and clung to his strength.

“Oh, Griff. We were too late.”

Hearing the sound of tears in her voice he said softly, “I know what this is doing to you. And I wish we could have been here sooner. But know this—Ethan's a strong little boy.”

“Strong?” She pushed away to look into his eyes. “How can you say that?”

“Listen to me, Juliet. When Sperry grabbed Casey, Ethan had the presence of mind to pull his little brother away, leaving himself open to becoming the target instead. That makes him a hero in my mind. And I'm not going to let him do such a brave and wonderful thing in vain. He's going to survive this. I know it.”

“Oh, Griff. I pray you're right.” She could barely get the words out over the pain in her heart. “I couldn't bear it if anything happened to him.”

He turned to Willow and Brenna, hugging each one in turn. Then he led the way back to their trucks. Into his phone he said, “We're going to keep climbing, Chief. It's the only way he could be headed.”

Even as they started away they could hear the drone of a state police helicopter approaching the spot where the bus had been abandoned.

And though Griff had offered Juliet all the comfort he could muster, the fear continued to grow in his mind that a madman like Sperry could fly into one of his famous rages, and little Ethan would be the one to pay the price.

J
uliet scanned the road ahead of them in the fading light. “Do you think he's still ahead of us?”

“I'm sure of it.” Griff brought the truck to a halt and stepped down to study the ground.

Brenna brought her truck to a rolling stop behind him, and she and Willow joined Griff and Juliet, who were studying the clearly visible tracks.

Willow glanced at Griff. “He doesn't seem to care if we know where he's going.”

“He likes being in command. He's setting this up so we have no choice but to follow.”

Brenna held a hand to shade her eyes as she stared at the trail heading upward. “What happens when we get to wherever he wants us to be?”

Griff turned back toward his truck. “Then we pray.”

Chief Ira Pettigrew was highly agitated. Whenever that happened his words became a volley of staccato phrases aimed like bullets at the listener.

“Griff.” His voice boomed over the cell phone. “Put me on speaker so Juliet can hear.”

“She can hear you, Chief. I think all of Montana can.” Despite his attempt at levity to ease the tension, Griff pushed the speaker button on his phone.

“The state police have been searching the room Heywood Sperry was renting at Karen and Kevin Becket's bed-and-breakfast. They found an entire album filled with pictures of you.”

“Pictures of me?” The chief's words caught her by such surprise, she felt as if she'd just slammed into a brick wall and all the air had left her lungs. “I never posed for pictures. And especially for Heywood Sperry. I've told you, Chief, I didn't even remember the man when he came to my ranch with the offer of bringing a busload of veterans for therapy.”

“Well, ma'am, he knew you. There are images of you pushing Buddy and your little boy in a wheelchair, apparently while Buddy was in the hospital. Pictures of you sitting at Buddy's bedside and feeding him. Pictures of you cradling your boy in your arms in a hospital chair beside Buddy's bed. And pictures of you assisting the hospital therapists, massaging Buddy's arms and back. There are hundreds of them. What the state police experts are saying is that it proves one thing—this guy is obsessed with you.”

She pressed her hands to her temples, rubbing at the vicious pain that throbbed. “I didn't know. How could I? I never noticed him.”

“There's more. The state police have been running a background check. Heywood Sperry was a munitions specialist in the Army. Served in Afghanistan until he encountered an IED on the road to Kabul that tore him up real good. Lost both legs and suffered severe head trauma. That's when he became a patient at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Tampa, at the same time as Buddy. He was there not only because of his physical problems but his serious mental disabilities, as well. His room was directly across the hall from Buddy's. Which means he could have been observing you for months without your knowledge.”

“But why? There were hundreds of women there. Wives. Daughters. Mothers. Nurses. Doctors. I'm sure many of them were single. Why did he have to become fixated on me?”

“We may never know, ma'am. But this much we know—he had a reason for grabbing Ethan.”

Something in his tone had Griff and Juliet turning to stare at one another.

“What does that mean, Chief?” Griff was watching Juliet's composure beginning to slip with every word the police chief spoke.

“Juliet, Sperry left a note on his computer. In it he gives you the chance to save your son. Of course, at the time he thought he was stealing the younger one – Casey. At any rate, his note says that when he reaches his destination, wherever that may be, he'll let Casey go if you agree to take his place.”

There wasn't even a moment's hesitation in her response. “Of course I'll take Ethan's place, Chief. Oh, yes. I pray it's soon. I'll do that in a heartbeat.”

“Hold on now. It may not be that simple. There are conditions. He expects you to come alone. No police. And especially no Griff. He expresses an extreme hatred for Griff Warren.” The police chief paused. “Does he have good reason?”

Griff and Juliet spoke in unison.

“No.”

“Yes.”

Ira's voice sharpened. “Okay. You first, Juliet.”

“Obviously he's jealous that Griff has… come into my life. But I can reassure him that, if he promises to release Ethan, Griff will no longer be a threat to him.”

Ira said, “Now your take on this, Griff.”

“Juliet's right about the jealousy. I was too blind to notice how deeply he resented me, because he seemed to resent everybody. But there's no way I'm going to stand back and allow Juliet to become his hostage, even for the sake of Ethan. There has to be a way to keep both of them from him, Ira.”

The chief's voice softened somewhat, though he was still obviously agitated. “I agree, Griff. And believe me, we're all working on it. We have sharpshooters, but they have to be in position, and we don't yet know where this will end.”

“This road leads to just one thing—the top of Bald Mountain. If you climb high enough, and cross down on the other side, you'll find yourself in wilderness. So I think it's safe to say that he's planning on crossing the mountain range and disappearing into the back country with his hostage.”

“The state police agree. They have helicopters in the area. They're trying to stay behind the hills, to keep from spooking him. But we're tracking him every step of the way.”

“How about the rest of my family?” Griff asked.

“Mad and Ash are in the family plane. We've given them coordinates. But, like the police, they're trying to remain invisible. Whit and Brady circled around you and have been driving that area for the past hour, along with a convoy of police vehicles, hoping to spot Sperry's truck.”

Juliet's voice was eerily calm. “Now that I know where he's headed, I need to get there as quickly as possible, to spare poor Ethan any more agony.”

“I understand what you're going through, Juliet. But remember that this man has already committed a string of serious crimes. He no longer has anything to lose. A man like that is a powder keg just waiting to explode.”

“He has my son, Chief Pettigrew. I'll risk anything to save Ethan.”

Ira could be heard sighing before he said, “All right, everyone. Mrs. Grayson is heading up Bald Mountain. If and when we hear from Heywood Sperry, we coordinate our plans and let her know what we want her to do.” His tone softened a bit. “Keep your eyes and the lines of communication open. And hope that this madman stops soon. But when he does, no matter what he says, Juliet, you're not to allow yourself to become his hostage, even in exchange for your son's life. With this guy's hair-trigger temper, it could end up being a disaster for both of you.”

“Hurry, Griff.” Juliet was beyond listening. She had but one thought playing through her mind. Ethan was somewhere up ahead. She would do whatever it took to save him.

Mad was the first to spot the truck from the air. “There.”

He pointed, and Ash studied the dark, custom-fitted truck with the oversized tires and a hydraulic lift in the rear. His communication system was tuned to the state police frequency. “Sperry's near the top of Bald Mountain. Not off in the brush as expected, but following the road.”

A police expert's voice responded. “It all seems to fit. He torched the bus so we'd spot it. And now he's following the road up the mountain so we can follow. He didn't leave that note on his computer by accident. He knew we'd search his room and find it, along with the album. This is all part of a plan.”

Ira Pettigrew's voice came over the frequency. “And just what is the plan?”

“He wants Mrs. Grayson to meet up with him. He wants her to offer to take her son's place.”

“But why?” Ira sounded more puzzled than angry. “What's his endgame?”

“When I have the answer to that, Chief, I'll let you know,” came the police expert's voice from headquarters. “The truth is, he may have no plan other than to run away with the object of his obsession.”

Griff and Juliet had been following the conversation between the chief and the state police experts. Griff turned to Juliet. “You need to know that you're the one he wants, and you have been from the beginning. He's using Ethan to get to you.”

She nodded. “Nothing matters right now except getting Ethan away from him.”

“Listen to me, Juliet. You can't do that at the cost of your own life.”

She shot him a look of complete disbelief. “Aren't you listening? I don't care about my own safety. I care only about saving my son.”

“It's what we all want.” He reached over and found her hands, twisted together in her lap, as cold as ice. “But if we're careful, we can get Ethan back without risking your safety.”

“I won't listen to you, Griff.” She was shaking her head. “I refuse to take the chance that Ethan could be hurt while we're being ‘careful.'”

Griff spotted the truck on the side of the road up ahead. Into his phone he said, “Heywood Sperry is directly ahead of us. Can you see his truck?”

“We have him,” came the reply from the command post. “Our helicopters are already dropping six sharpshooters up ahead. They should be within range in four to six minutes.” The voice lowered. “Mrs. Grayson, you need to do exactly as told from this point on. Understood?“

“I understand.”

“If he offers your son in exchange for you, insist that he release the boy, at least halfway, before you start forward. That will give our sharpshooters the opportunity for a clear shot, without danger to you or your son. Agreed?”

Juliet's voice was calm. “Yes.”

“We want to prevent bloodshed. I would ask that the rest of you remain far back and as invisible as possible, to minimize the chance of being hit by stray gunfire. I don't want any dead heroes. Is that understood?”

Griff couldn't dispel the sudden knowledge that this was all wrong. Everything had been too carefully choreographed. He'd been in enough military situations to know that in the heat of battle, nothing ever went as planned. Least of all the perceived strategy of the enemy.

In this case, Heywood Sperry was not only the enemy, but a fellow veteran who had faced the same wartime situations, and knew precisely what the other side was thinking and what they were planning.

Sperry had to know that the state police would bring in skilled marksmen. He had to know that Juliet would be willing to sacrifice herself for her son. He had to know…

Suddenly, it was all becoming clear to Griff.

“Chief—” Before Griff could state his feelings, there was a great, shuddering explosion beneath them and the truck in which they were riding was flying through the air. It tumbled end over end before coming to a sudden wrenching stop.

Even before the dust settled, the passenger door was yanked open and a knife flashed, cutting neatly through the seat belt holding Juliet. Through a shower of stars Griff reached out to steady her and found only air. She was no longer beside him.

He shook his head to clear it and could see, through the shattered windshield, Heywood Sperry on his scooter, dragging Juliet by the wrist. When he finally stopped, some distance away, she was kneeling in the grass, bleeding from the forehead, looking dazed and barely conscious. Beside her, clinging fiercely to her was Ethan.

Griff managed to force his door open and jumped out of the truck before racing across the distance that separated them.

“I told you not to come.” Sperry's voice was calm and collected. He actually smiled. “I knew, of course, that you'd be here.” He could have been talking about the weather as he continued in that same cool voice. “And that's exactly the way I planned it. Because now, marine, you get to watch the woman we both love die right in front of your eyes.”

“You don't have to do this, Heywood.” Griff's eyes were hot and fierce, studying the man as he looked for any way to free Juliet and Ethan. “I know how much you'd enjoy killing me. Let me take their place and I promise you I won't fight you.”

“Aw. Isn't that touching? Sorry. I don't have any use for you. Now Jules…” Sperry gave a mad, high-pitched laugh. “I can think of a lot of uses I could have made of you.”

“Jules?” She stared at him in horror. “No one but Buddy ever called me that.”

“Yeah. That's what he told me. Just before he died.” There was wild laughter as Sperry added, “Oh. Did I ever mention the fact that I was the one who pulled his plug? I figured he'd outlived his usefulness to me and to you, Jules.”

Out of the corner of his eye Griff saw Whit and Brady crawling in the grass from the opposite direction. Behind them were half a dozen sharpshooters beginning to fan out.

Thinking quickly to hold Sperry's attention, Griff said, “We're alone up here, Sperry.”

That had Sperry throwing back his head and roaring with laughter.

“You think that's funny?”

“Don't try to con a con, marine. I know the drill. While you keep me talking, all those rifles are getting into position. But they don't scare me.”

“All right. You're not afraid of the consequences. Why not tell me what this is about?”

“It's about a woman who was everything I'd ever wanted, wasting her time on a man who didn't appreciate her.”

Juliet sucked in a breath on the pain his words caused. “Don't you dare talk about Buddy like that in front of his son. My husband was a hero.”

“Some hero. Oh, sure. I heard his story from the medical people. He stayed with his plane rather than risk having it hit a playground full of kids.” He snorted his disapproval. “And then what happened? After all you did for that man, massaging his arms and back, spoon-feeding him, working with the therapists hour after hour, while you cared for his kid and even carried another inside you, what did he do?” His face contorted with rage. “The damned fool died without a fight. You wasted all that time and energy and love on a guy who died, and all that time, you never even once noticed the guy in the next room who was willing to live for you. The guy who really loved you.” He lifted her hand and stared at it. “And when I came to your ranch and offered to give you money to do for me what you did for him, you took my money, but you still never noticed me. And then, the lowest blow of all, you let this marine into your house. Into your bed. Into your heart.” He continued holding her hand so tightly she cried out. “Oh, does that hurt? I guess I finally figured out how to get your attention. I killed your husband. I killed your foreman. And I killed MacKenzie's best friend. And now I have your son. And guess what? You'll remember my name now, won't you?”