Chapter 17

They asked again how she came to arrive at Wyatt's. She explained, with exasperation, for the third or fourth time, her final escape from Joe leading to her appearance here. She supplied them with the memorable details of her excursion through the woods, explaining how she fell a number of times but got up and continued running until she saw the light from the house. "Even after I got inside the house they came after me. They were relentless."

After the continual inquiries, an already-exhausted-but-not-ready-to-give-up Isabella had some questions for them.

"So now it's my turn to ask some questions and get some answers. Can you help me get back to Colorado or not? I don't have any money with me but I do have some money saved and I promise I'll pay you back," Isabella pleaded.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Wyatt answered.

"Why isn't it a good idea?" a confused Isabella asked. "I don't understand."

"I already explained to you how dangerous these people can be. They're trained, skilled professionals. They do this for a living and know how to search and destroy. Your home is probably the second place they'll look for you. Think about it. If they were able to transport you from Colorado to Virginia, hold you captive under the influence of drugs for over a week, you can bet your annual salary they will try to find you, no matter where you go. You're worth a lot of money to them, remember. They went to great lengths to get you and keep you. Chances are they'll try to get to you again. We need to consider these people very dangerous until we find out more about them," Dave answered.

Strumming his fingers on his lips while addressing Dave, Wyatt continued. "That's what they said when they were here looking for her, that she was worth too much to them to lose her and they had to find her.'"

"And right here is probably the first place they'll come looking for her," Dave said to no one in particular.

The nearby clock ticked away minutes one by one, the only sound in the room.

Wyatt rubbed his eyes and finally broke the silence. "What do you think?"

Dave thought a moment or two while rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, looking out the large window while Wyatt and Isabella waited with patience for his reply.

"I think we need to verify a few things first, but we should have some answers later today."

Isabella looked at both of them, then asked one more time, "Why can't I just go home to my mother's?"

Dave and Wyatt exchanged glances. Isabella thought for certain that she saw Dave nod to Wyatt.

"Trust me," Wyatt answered. "We both want nothing more than for you to go home. But it may not be safe there. Your mother may be in danger herself. We'll be checking that out, so don't worry."

"I think you'll be safe here with Wyatt. His house sits back away from the main street and we'll add some patrols going by the house. I can take care of that with a phone call to the local PD. But you need to stay in the house at all times, away from the windows. Keep all the doors and windows locked, of course, and don't let anyone in unless you know them. Wyatt knows the drill, so I don't really need to say anymore."

Isabella looked at him with her mouth wide open in awe. She covered her mouth with her hand. "You really think all those precautions are necessary?"

"Absolutely. We can't be too careful in a situation like this, especially not until we know more about exactly who we're dealing with," Wyatt answered with complete assuredness.

Dave gathered up the loose pages, closed his notebook, and got up from the table. He looked from Wyatt to Isabella, who also stood.

"Oh, I have one more thing, Isabella." He reached into his briefcase and took out the folder with Megan's picture in it. He pulled the picture out and showed it to her. "Have you ever seen this woman before?"

"Yes, yes, that's Megan. The girl I met in the bathroom. Joe took her and put her in the van and took her somewhere? You have to find her."

"We will, Isabella, and with our help, we'll be able to find her soon," Wyatt said.

"I'll be on my way now. Wyatt knows how serious this situation can be, I know it sounds drastic, but please listen to me, this is critical. I'll be in touch as soon as I have any new information. If you remember anything else, make sure you tell Wyatt. Talk to you soon."

****

Midmorning, Amanda walked somberly to the van. Since she hadn't figured out anything to do to get released from this job, she had acquiesced, decided to go along with Joe and finish the job. A no-brainer really, especially since Joe threatened her with a gun. She had to remain optimistic that they would find the girl, make the delivery, get paid, and get the hell out of there.

The van coughed, choked, and smoked all the way to the park as both she and Joe remained silent. Amanda wondered how the van had made it this far and if it would make it back to Colorado. They pulled in and parked in a spot located away from all the other parked cars. Joe turned off the van and looked around the park. There were only a couple of parents with kids on the gym equipment. Joe glanced at Amanda, then toward the surrounding three sides of wooded area.

"I think we should split up. I'll go to the left over to the middle and you take the right side over to the middle. Remember to walk real quiet an' try to sneak up on her. She musta spent the night in there, an' she's probably cryin' and lookin' for us since she don't know nobody here. When you find her, you tie her hands to yours, see. Then you drag her or pull her or do whatever you have to do to get her to the edge of the woods. Then wait till I get back to load her up in the van. Gag her if you have to. We don't want no one hearin' anything and nosin' around in our business."

They looked at each other and then at the woods. Without saying a word, they opened the doors, peered out, and walked their separate ways, each entering the woods at their designated areas.

* * * *

Wyatt followed Dave to the door, and after a lengthy conversation, they said their good-byes. He closed and locked the door, while watching Dave turn and drive out to the street. He used his cell phone to request passport and out-of-country employment information on Michael Terrell.

He closed the blinds in the living room to block out the light as well as the view. He did the same in all the rooms on the main floor. When he came back into the kitchen, he found Isabella sitting at the table staring into the woods. He sat down beside her.

"Is there anything I can get for you? More coffee?"

She shook her head.

After taking a few deep breaths, she said, "I don't know what to say. I'm so scared, for myself, for my mother, for you for taking this risk. I'm very grateful for everything you've done for me. How can I thank you for believing me?"

She shook, and her lips quivered. He put his arm around her shoulders, and she flinched.

"It's okay. You can relax," Wyatt whispered. "I think the worst is over."

Then she leaned toward him letting the tears run down her cheeks onto the front of his shirt.

Wyatt wondered why anyone would want to hurt such a beautiful, caring, and compassionate woman, but he already knew the answer. He became flooded with a range of emotions from anger and fear to hatred and pity-pity for the fools who had done this to her when he found them.

His chest filled with such hostility for the thugs who had done this to her, and his hands clenched, his jaw tensed, his Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to swallow the bad taste rising in his throat. And he looked forward to finding them and getting them off the street so they would never be able to do this to anyone else again.

His attraction to her and his overwhelming sense to protect her told him he was getting too involved. He didn't know if he could do his job and be as objective as necessary without a conflict of interest.

He would have to consider assigning the case to Dave. Even though he trusted Dave with his life, Wyatt didn't like the idea of someone else being responsible for her safety.

He knew there could still be a slight possibility of uncovering a farce, a fabrication from a psychopathic woman, but the information verification would definitely rule out any deception. Almost certain anyway.