Under the Aspens (The Aspen Series) (7 page)

“What do you mean?  And he’s my
ex
-husband,” Why couldn’t people get the point? William was no longer her husband.

“He took care of some
clean-up
for the Boss. Everything would’ve been fine, if he didn’t take pictures, and record a very private conversation.  It’s his own bad luck he got drunk and spilled the beans. The Boss wants those pictures and the recording.  You may have caught me, but the boss has others who are not particular in what methods they use to get what they need,” And with that, the man stopped talking.

His words made Sher’s blood cold. The idea of someone worse than this guy, coming after her or Brad, or Glen, was beyond comprehension.  She took enough and couldn’t take much more.  Her nerves were shot now.  She always considered herself very strong, but after the past few days, she had little strength left. They had to find those pictures and recording.  This had to end soon.

Sher still had no word about Brad.  No one saw or heard from him in two days.  He was supposed to be home by now.  She imagined all sorts of things.  What if he’s hurt?  What if someone kidnapped him?  What if he wandered through the mountains hurt and bleeding?  They needed to find him. They had to find whoever this
Boss
person was.

She decided to give Todd a call again.  Todd was Brad’s business partner and best friend.  He knew where Brad camped. He’ll also have some idea where Brad could go if he needed help.  They both camped every year at the same spot.  And Todd knew the area well.  He could also tell Sher how to contact Alice, Brad’s girlfriend. 

The phone call went directly to voice mail.  Frustrated, Sher decided she and Glen needed to visit the B & T construction office.  B & T stood for Brad and Todd. 

Two officers Sher didn’t know arrived. Glen took charge, “He’s all yours, boys.  Charge him with breaking and entering, assault, and also breaking and entering Sher Mason’s residence, on more than three occasions.”

Sher heard Sam Bellows threats, as the officer took him away, “I’ll be back.  They won’t hold me for long. Watch your back, little lady.”

“Don’t let him get to you.  He won’t see the light of day for a long time. Besides, I’m here for you. I won’t let anything happen to you.  You have my promise,” He just hoped he could keep that promise.

“Can we go now?  I want to go to Brad’s office.  I need to speak to Todd, Brad’s partner and friend.  I am so worried about my brother.  We have to find him,” She was also afraid of what they would find.

Sure.  Let’s go. We’re not needed here anymore,” Leading Sher towards the door, he too was worried.

“Wait, I have to check Brad’s apartment, and attic.  He did take a couple of boxes from my garage.  Maybe in one of them, is the stuff those guys are looking for. It can tell us who the Boss is,” Sher’s voice sounded a bit hopeful now.

“This is a crime scene.  I’ll ask if we can look around, but there is no guarantee on that. Let me ask the officer in charge,” With those words, Glen headed toward the officer in charge.

A few minutes later, Glen returned to her side, “He says as long as we don’t take anything that can be evidence, we can look.  Let’s start with the attic.”

“The attic entrance is in the master bedroom close,” Sher led the way.

“Ok, let’s go,” He was amazed at how well she held up. His fingers were crossed again.

The master bedroom was a mess.  Clothes thrown all over, books torn and on the floor, Brad’s trophies from High School were knocked off the dresser.  Brad was so proud of the trophies he won for track.  He made a new record his senior year of high school.  Her brother’s mattresses were even sliced open.  How could this happening to them? 

Glen broke into her thoughts, “I’ll go up first.”

She realized Glen had the attic ladder down.  Stepping over shoes on the floor, she followed him up the ladder.  There were only four boxes in the attic, and two of those were Christmas decorations.  They sat about going through the first box.  Nothing unusual in the first box, just tree ornaments.  The second box was only Christmas lights.  In the third box were pictures and knickknacks from her parent’s home.

Sitting down, Sher picked up a picture of all four of them.  Her parents smiling faces brought tears to her eyes.  The was a picture of Brad and her, standing in front of her parents, each held a pole which had a fish dangled high above their heads.  She forgot how much they all enjoyed going fishing.  She set aside the picture, deciding she would ask the officer downstairs if she could take it.  Surely it was not part of the crime scene, as the man named Sam had not gone into the attic.

They continued looking through the last two boxes and found nothing but her parent’s things. Nothing that indicated who was behind all the break-ins and attacks.

After some convincing, the office gave Sher permission to take the picture.  And she knew Brad wouldn’t mind.  She would hang it on her hallway wall.  That thought made her smile.  Looking at the picture everyday would make her smile more.  She needed something to smile about.

They talked little on the drive to the construction office. They both needed to wind down from the activity earlier.

As they pulled up to the office, Todd was coming out the door.  He looked distracted and hadn’t noticed them as they got out of the jeep.

“Todd, wait up, please,”Sher hollered as she ran to catch up to Todd.

Todd jumped, as if someone took a shot at him.  Glen saw Todd’s body relax when he saw Sher, “Hi. What brings you out here?  Brad’s not here today.”

Something wasn’t right.  Glen saw Todd’s eyes as they darted around the parking lot as he spoke.  He’s afraid of something, or someone.

“Why don’t we step back into the office?  We need to ask you some questions, Todd.  And we will have more privacy inside,” Glen knew they would get more answers, if Todd wasn’t out in the open, afraid of someone overhearing their conversation.

“Sure, but I don’t know what I can help you with.  Brad probably can answer anything you need to know.”

“That’s the problem.  Brad is missing.  We thought maybe you can help us find him,” Nothing like the direct approach, thought Sher.

“Brad’s missing?  I thought he just decided to take an extra few days off.  He has some things on his mind lately.  And I figure the break will do him good,” Now Todd sweated.

“Do you know what those things on his mind are?” Sher knew Brad liked being alone when he wanted to solve a problem, or come to some kind of decision.

Todd’s nervous and started twitching.  Sher never saw him act this way.  Todd was always so friendly and fun-loving.  Even after he got married, he always had laughter in his eyes. That was one of the reasons him and Brad made such good friends.  They complement each other.  Brad was more serious, and quite, while Todd was outgoing and fun.  This was not the Todd she had known for years. Something was very wrong, and they needed Todd to tell them what it was.

“Todd, please help us.  I am worried sick about Brad.  Some bad things have been happening.  He could be in serious trouble.  He’s your best friend.  Help us, please.” As desperate as Sher’s voice sounded, Todd’s voice sounded more desperate.

“I wish I could.  But I can’t.  I have to think of Carla, and the baby. They are my life.  If anything happens to them, I don’t know what I would do.”

“Has someone threatened you and your family?” Glen asked, although he knew what Todd would answer.

“Just a phone call and I know someone is following me sometimes. And while in the hospital, after my son was born two days ago, a strange man walked up to me while I am looking in the nursery window at Harper, and said “your son is healthy.  Let’s hope he stays that way.”

“Wait a minute.  You say a couple of days ago.  Were you at the hospital the last few days?  You didn’t go camping with Brad?” Confusion filled Sher’s brain.

“No, Carla’s water broke the night before we were supposed to leave. Brad went by himself. “

“Can you describe the man who spoke to you at the nursery?” Glen finally entered the conversation.  They needed to hurry this along.

“He’s big, with dark hair and a little scar on his check.  His eyes are the worst part though.  They are so cold and menacing,” Todd shivered as he remembered those eyes.

Glen knew that description.  It’s Sam Bellows.  That guy gets around, “Listen, Todd.  We can protect you and your family.  But you’ll have to tell us what’s going on.”

Todd hung his head.  He wasn’t sure what road he should take.  If he said nothing, something could still happen to this family. And if he told all he knew, he would lose his best friend when Brad found out.  He probably would lose the respect of Carla, and others.  But the guilt tore him apart.  He couldn’t go on knowing he played a part in Brad being missing, and Sher getting attacked.  If he spoke up and that ended all the bad things that were happening, then that was the right thing to do.

“Ok.  I’ll tell you all I know, but you have to protect my family.  They are innocent. Nothing can happen to them, please,” Todd said as tears overflowed from Todd’s eyes.

Before he answered, Glen gave Sher an encouraging look, “I promise. We can move you and your family to safety, till this whole mess is over.”

“Ok. But first let me call Carla.  I need to let her know, so she can pack.  I don’t want her any more upset then necessary,” Todd begged.

Glen agreed, and while Todd made his phone call, Glen made a couple of his own. 

The first call went to his partner, David.  He explained the situation and asked his partner to find a safe place for Todd and his family.  The second call went to his boss.  He needed more time off to finish what he started.  Finding out who was behind all of this. 

David agreed to get back with him as soon as he found a safe place.  And Glen’s boss agreed to his leave of absence.  Now if they got Todd to talk, maybe they’ll get closer to solving this mystery.

“Carla is packing up some things.  I told her we’re taking a vacation. It’s a surprise.  And we’re leaving tonight.”Then he took a deep breath and Todd gave them his story.

“Everything started last week.  It didn’t seem at first like any big deal, but I know now, it was a big deal.  Your ex husband paid me a visit. Brad was out on the site supervising the crew. William had some extra steel beams.  He wanted to deliver them to our site.  I thought he was doing us a favor.   The cost of the beams saved us thousands.  And, at first, I thought, what will it hurt?  I know William was a slug when he was married to you. But I thought maybe he’s trying in some small way to make up to you by helping Brad.  So I accepted the delivery.”

William, again.
  Why didn’t that man stay out of her life?  Sher cursed the day she ever met him.

“Go on.  Finish the story, Todd,” Glen was still confused as to how this fit into the picture.

“After the delivery, I inspected the beams.  They were not up to standard code.  We won’t be able to use them.  Brad is going to have a heart attack when I tell him.  The money I paid, thinking I’m saving us thousands, is going to bankrupt us.  I paid for useless material. But I didn’t get a chance to tell Brad.  Instead, I got a phone call, telling me to keep my mouth shut, if I know what’s good for me.  The voice on the phone also told me to use the beams on the housing project we’re getting ready to start, and that this was only the first delivery.”

“Did you recognize the voice?  Was it William?”

“No.  I don’t know who it was, but he also said he will be watching.  I didn’t get a chance to tell Brad, but I think he did find out.  I saw him checking the beams in the yard.  He could probably tell right away they were faulty. He didn’t say anything, but he left early that day.  And then that night Carla’s water broke, and Brad went camping alone.  I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”

Glen’s phone rang.  He stepped away to take the call, knowing it was David.

“It’s taken care of.  I remembered my sister’s cabin up towards Cripple Creek was empty.  She’s gone with her new husband to Oregon for three weeks. It’s the perfect place for Todd and his family to hide out.  No one will associate it to them, and it’s roomy enough.  It even has a hot tub, so they can pretend to be on a second honeymoon,” David said with a chuckle.

“It sounds right. Give me the address.  They will be driving there tonight. Can you meet at Todd’s home to make sure everything’s clear?  But don’t go in uniform.  We don’t want the wife to get upset, and know something is wrong,” Glen said.

“Sure, I’ll be there at seven.  I’ll say I’m a friend who works for Todd, and help them load up,” David replied.

David heard the relief in Glen’s voice as Glen thanked him, “Thanks.  And if I forget to mention it, thanks for all the other stuff you’ve helped with the past few days.”

“Hey, don’t mention it.  I might call you for help someday.  That’s what partners are for.  See you later,” David silently said a prayer as he hung the phone up. He finally had a partner he liked and respected. He hoped he still had him when this was over.

Glen explained the plan to Todd.  He saw the relief on Todd’s face immediately.  He wrote down the address to the cabin, and explained it was located a little past Woodland Park, on the way to Cripple Creek.  He would have no problem finding it, even in the dark.