Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) (24 page)

Desperation in his voice, Randal screamed, “Drop your weapons or I’ll kill him.”

Instead of doing as told, Grant and Josh ducked behind a long counter. “Let him go Collins. You’ll never get away.” Helping to prove his point they heard sirens in the distance. “The Calvary will be here any minute.”

In a panic to escape before the FBI arrived, Randal pulled Juan to his feet and used him as a human shield. He snaked an arm around his throat. “My daddy and I are going to walk out the door. If you come after us, I will not hesitate to kill the boy.”

The frantic look in Randal’s face caused Grant’s body to go cold with fear. Desperate men did stupid things. No one knew that better than him. The wild thud of his heart continued while he watched helplessly as Matthew Collins grabbed two boxes of marijuana and disappeared out the door with Randal following close behind with Juan, an arm wrapped around his neck as he dragged him at his side.

Grant was the first out the door to follow but had to quickly duck back inside when a bullet narrowly missed his head. The hopelessness of the situation descended upon him as he heard the sound of the back door slamming shut. With a loud war cry he jumped up and raced forward, his brother behind him. They busted through the back door in time to see Matthew Collins trying to stuff Juan into the backseat of the sheriff’s car. He was kicking and scratching for dear life. With a chop across the sheriff’s throat, the man fell to his knees gasping for breath. With all the speed he could muster, Juan dashed toward Grant. Unable to get a shot off because he feared shooting Juan, Grant watched Matthew crawl into the car still holding his throat. Randal Collins peeled out of the alley and right into the streets of Raleigh.

Juan fell into his arms as tears of joy wet the front of his shirt. “I’ll go after them.” Josh jumped into Grant’s car and backed out into the street. From where Grant sat still holding Juan, he saw deputy cars converge on Josh. Hemmed in, Josh had no other recourse but to get out of the vehicle with his hands raised in the air. Five deputies threw Josh to the ground and handcuffed him. Over all the chaos Grant could hear his Uncle Tate yelling not to shoot because Josh was working for him.

Arm draped over Juan’s shoulders, Grant pulled him along as he jogged to his uncle’s side. “Randal and Matthew Collins are getting away! He has his plane stashed somewhere close by. They’re in the sheriff’s car.”

Uncle Tate ordered his agents to give pursuit. As Grant watched the FBI and the deputies give chase, he wondered how many of the deputies were working for Randal. The man had deep pockets and there was no telling just how many men were on his payroll. He doubted they had even scraped the surface. Problem was some of the FBI agents could also be working for Collins.

Uncle Tate helped Josh to stand and removed the handcuffs. “Where have you been? I called you a hundred times.” The words burst out in anger.

“A few of my men and I were at the marijuana site looking for any evidence to lead us to Randal Collins. There’s no service there. How did you find out he was at the Five Points Lounge?”

Josh gave Grant a direct stare. “I persuaded one of Matthew Collins’ deputies to give me his location.” Thank goodness his brother didn’t mention he had shot Comer in the leg. His uncle would be livid when he found out and he didn’t want to deal with all the yelling at the moment.

Juan touched his hand. “I want to go home.”

Grant wrapped his arm around his neck and pulled him to his chest. “You did good, Juan. You stayed calm and used your head.”

He shivered before he replied in a low intense voice, “I was scared.”

“So was I. I’m sorry you were kidnapped. All this is my fault.” He handed his phone to the boy. “Call your mom and tell her you’re okay.” With a weak smile he took the phone and stepped to the curb where he could have some privacy.

Uncle Tate’s phone rung and he flipped it open. Minutes passed as he talked with the person on the other end. He slapped it against his thigh when he completed his conversation. “Randal and Matthew Collins evaded the authorities. No one knows where they are.” Josh, I could use your help. I need you to drive me back to my office so I can make some calls. We need to set up road blocks immediately. We can’t let them get out of Raleigh. I’ll get a chopper in the air.” Again he tapped in a number and placed the phone to his ear. He placed a finger in his other ear so he could hear on the busy street. Grant listened as he gave the directions of the road Collins’ was last seen on before he gave the authorities the slip. Shadows shrouded the streets and it would be hard to find the sheriff’s car in the dark cloudy night. Randal was probably sitting in his plane at that very moment headed to Mexico.

****

Four ambulances, lights flashing were pulling into her yard by the time Nina, Beth, and Lacy stepped out onto the porch of the house. The carnage in her barn left her feeling numb. Detective Harris’ brains were splattered across her wall and blood soaked into the wood floor that her father had painstakingly installed himself. Not only was the floor ruined but the couch was also covered in blood because Grant shot a man. The trauma of having a dead detective and one bleeding profusely on her property had her trembling and weak. By sheer grit and perseverance, she crossed the threshold into the house, Beth whispering everything would be okay over and over next to her ear.

Lacy disappeared into the powder room off from the living room and returned with a wet cloth. She washed the blood from Nina’s face. “Thank you.” In all the chaos she forgot Harris’ blood was splattered on her face.

Five minutes later Agent Marcy Daniels and two other FBI agents entered talking in hushed voices. Agent Daniels returned to her computer and began tapping away at the keys. The other two agents hovered close by as if they feared Nina might still be in danger. Ten more minutes passed before the sound of sirens broke the silence. Beth squeezed Nina’s hand as the sound of the sirens dwindled. Agent Daniels’ phone rang and she placed it to her ear. She bounded out of her chair and dashed to the TV. “Miss Reynolds, where is the remote?”

As if in a trance, Nina moved to the coffee table, picked up the remote, then pointed it at the TV and hit the power button with a hand that violently shook. Network programming had been interrupted. Lights glared making it difficult to see what was happening. Uniformed policemen and men in suits moved about in the background. Even over the pandemonium they heard the reporter say Randal Collins’ name and marijuana crop. Beth placed her hand over her heart. “Did you hear the reporter? That’s our land.”

Nina’s weak legs would not hold her any longer. She collapsed onto the sofa. Acres and acres of marijuana were seen from helicopter lights as it hovered overhead.

“Oh my gosh!” Lacy plopped onto the sofa beside Nina. “Randal Collins has been growing marijuana right under our noses.” She took Nina’s hand and clutched it in her lap.

The whole time Grant had been at her house he knew about the marijuana. By the look of the tall, healthy, green plants it had been there for months. The man she fell in love with didn’t exist. He was a total fraud. Only thing he had been interested in was finding out if she had been in cahoots with Randal. She fell hook, line and sinker for his lies.

What was worse she had dated Randal Collins, the man now responsible for all the turmoil in her life. He had wined and dined her while his men were tending to a marijuana crop on her family’s land. The reporter’s next words caused her to become nauseous.

A beautiful, perky brunette smiled into the camera and announced in a strong forceful voice. “Randal Collins is a suspect in the murder of Detective Timothy Shaw.”

A cold blooded murderer had kidnapped Juan. It was bad enough knowing he was a drug dealer, but the fact he was a murderer was even worse. The ugly truth unraveled on National TV. The on-the-scene reporter continued with even more tragic news. At least she had the common decency to look sad when she announced, “Randal Collins is a suspect in the disappearance of twelve year old Juan Rodriguez.”

Thankfully, Maria was in her room lying down. She had been so distraught she took something for the powerful headache plaguing her since learning of Juan’s abduction. The phone rang. Everyone stood staring at the phone too scared to move. What if it was bad news? What if Juan was dead?

Agent Marcy Daniels motioned for Nina to pick up the phone. Beth and Lacy both moved to her side. She took several deep breaths before she lifted the phone to her ear. When she heard Juan’s voice on the other end, she sat down hard in the chair. “Mama?”

“No, it’s Nina. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m with Grant.”

A tear slipped over her cheek. She wiped it away. “Hold on and I’ll get your mom.”

A huge smile split her face. “He’s okay.”

Both her sisters followed her to Maria’s room. She pushed open the door and sat on the edge of the bed. By her expression, Maria knew it was good news.

She took the phone, placed it to her ear and began to cry. “Oh, Juan, I’ve been so worried.”

****

An hour later and Juan still wasn’t home. Of course Grant would protect him, but Nina couldn’t relax until he was back home where he belonged. He divulged to his mother that Randal and his father had escaped apprehension by the FBI and were still on the run.

It was all too much. Four FBI agents sat on the sofa eyes glued to the TV as the news reporters unraveled the story of the police chase now taking place. The blare of sirens could be heard in the background. Every available agent and police officer was searching for Randal and Matthew Collins.

Nina could listen no longer. She stepped out on the porch for some fresh air. Stars sprinkled the night sky. She took a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves. Shadow was lying on the welcome rug. He stretched and walked to her side. She rubbed his shiny coat. “Are you missing Juan?” His tail began to wag and he wiggled against her leg. “He’ll be here shortly. Grant is bringing him home.” What would she say to Grant? The man saved Juan, but still he had lied to her.

Shadow’s ears perked up and he peered toward the drive. In the distance she could see the blue lights flickering before the car came into view. Loud barks broke the silence of the night as Shadow bounded off the porch and ran toward the car pulling into the yard. Her heart began to pound thinking it was someone bringing Juan home. She trotted out to meet the occupants. A large dark figure crawled out of the car causing Nina to gasp out loud in shock. Randal Collins reached out and grabbed her by the arm. She watched in horror as he pulled her to his chest. In the twilight she saw the glint of anger in his eyes. “I’ve missed you, Nina.”

Slamming her palms into his chest with all her strength, she screamed, “Let me go!” He had a death grip on her arms and she didn’t even budge him.

Everything played out in slow, sick motion. “Shhh, Nina. You don’t want anyone to come out of the house and make me kill them. You wouldn’t want that on your conscience would you?”

She considered using some of the defensive moves Grant and Juan showed her but he had a firm grip on her arms. Should she try to kick him? Realizing she was in danger, Shadow bit into his leg. Deep growls vibrated from his throat as he shook his head as if trying to jerk it from Randal’s body.

Matthew bounded out of the car, drew his pistol, and pointed it at Shadow. “Call off your dog or I’ll shoot him.”

“Heel, Shadow, heel!” Immediately he let go of Randal’s leg and sat back on his haunches watching Nina. Blood dripped from his mouth. Teeth still bared, every hair stood up on his neck.

Randal gritted his teeth. “I should kill that crazy dog. Keep him off me or I will.”

“Okay, okay. Let me go and he’ll not attack you again.”

Matthew pointed the pistol at her chest. “Get in the car if you want to live.”

She placed her hand in front of Shadow. “Stay.” He inched forward sensing she was still in danger. At any moment he could attack Randal again. Fearing Matthew would shoot and kill her precious dog, she tried to relax and in a soft voice she stated, “It’s okay, Shadow.”

Randal propelled her toward the car and pushed her into the backseat, climbing in behind her. Instead of going toward the drive, Matthew steered the car toward the narrow road that led to the bottoms. The car bounced along causing her to bump her head on the top of the car. She grimaced in pain and tried to grip the seat to keep from banging her head again.

Randal lifted his pants leg and peered at the place where Shadow had attacked him. Blood dripped down his leg and turned the white of his sock black. “Damn dog.” He reached into the front seat and grabbed a shirt wrapping it around his leg to squelch the bleeding.

The radio squawked loudly, “I’m at the 10 20 you gave me, Sheriff Collins. Where are you?”

With one hand, Matthew reached for the radio transmitter as he tried to maneuver the car around the potholes and bumps in the dirt road. The trail was not meant for a car, only tractors and the four-wheelers. “On our way. Almost there.”

A sharp curve in the road had Matthew fighting for control of the car which was traveling much too fast. He veered to the left when the tail of the car started sliding to the right. He dropped the radio transmitter as he gripped the steering wheel with both hands. Nina was thrown to the floorboard when the car hit a tree head on. Seconds passed as she lay there trying to determine if she was injured. She placed her fingers to her forehead and felt warm, sticky blood. Suddenly she was jerked to a sitting position and snatched out of the car.