Renewing Lost Love (11 page)

Eric approaches me and says, “Miss Jasmine,
you look really pretty without that scar. I’m really happy for
you.”

Smiling I say, “Why, thank you Eric.” Leaning
down and whispering in his ear I say, “You know you are still my
hero, don’t you? Thank you for sending these guys to rescue
me.”

Blushing Eric says, “You’re welcome. I’m
happy I was able to help. I’m glad that man can’t hurt you anymore.
He was as mean to you as my Dad was to my Mom.”

After a light afternoon snack of finger
sandwiches, chips, and dip prepared by the ladies, everyone heads
back to their respective homes and work. Pinky leaves me with a
warm kiss in Melanie’s company promising to see me for dinner and
heads back to the office over the barn with the rest of the guys.
When they get upstairs he says, “All right, Scoot, what was the
call about? Was it about Bixby?”

Scoot shakes his head, “If the call had been
about Bixby they would have called you. That was the FBI in
Tennessee. Do you remember the boy you rescued that fell off the
cliff, Timmy Thompson?”

Pinky nods and says, “Yeah, how is he doing
anyway?”

Scoot answers, “Well, he finally regained
consciousness two days ago and now he has disappeared again along
with that female park ranger, Samantha Wells. They were last seen
together at the hospital in Gatlinburg yesterday. They want to know
if any of us remember anything being said that would explain why
she would take him.”

Pinky’s heart is pounding with worry and he
says, “Yeah, I remember her wondering why the parents didn’t even
have a picture of the boy. She said she thought there was more to
the story than what the parents told the authorities. Maybe she was
right.”

Scoot replies, “I thought that was strange
too. Maybe she did find out something that made her concerned for
the boy’s safety. I’ll check with the FBI and see what they know
about the boy’s background.”

A little while later, Scoot comes back in the
office and tells the guys, “Well, the couple claiming to be the
boy’s parents, John and Adrian Fisher, told the FBI that the
biological parents, Perry and Lynn Thompson, didn’t want the boy
anymore and signed him over to them. They have filed papers to
officially adopt him in Tennessee. The FBI hasn’t been able to
locate the biological parents yet to corroborate the Fisher’s
story.”

Pinky asks, “Did they ask the boy any
questions after he woke up?”

Scoot answers, “Evidently not, that’s all
they told me.”

Pinky says, “Well, I’m very sure that is the
first thing Samantha did and if the boy tells a different story,
that would explain why she felt it was necessary to take him and
leave.”

Scoot asks, “Do you have any idea where she
would take him?”

Pinky shakes his head, “No, she didn’t say
anything like that. My gut tells me they are somewhere in the park.
That is the area she knows best and she may know a safe place for
them to hide for a while.”

“You’re probably right. They’ve asked us to
come to Tennessee and track her down if they don’t locate her
before morning. She’s going to be in some serious trouble if the
boy’s lying to her,” says Scoot.

Pinky shrugs, “Yeah, but what if he’s not
lying and he is in danger. Something had to have scared him pretty
badly for him to run away into the wilderness like he did.”

Scoot replies, “I agree it’s a definite
possibility. The FBI is supposed to call me back if anything new
develops, otherwise we’ll need to send a team to Tennessee in the
morning.”

Later that evening everyone is sitting at the
huge dining room table enjoying a delicious meal prepared in honor
of Jasmine’s return to the ranch when Pinky’s cell phone rings,
“Pinky.”

“Pinky, this is Samantha Wells. I need your
help.”

Pinky looks at Scoot and signals him with a
sweep of his head, “Sam, what’s up? Where are you? You’re in big
trouble, you know.”

Scoot and Pinky stand and walk out of the
dining room. Sam answers, “I can’t tell you where I am. I know how
much trouble I’m in, that’s why I need your help. The boy, Timmy,
told me the couple claiming to be his parents in fact killed his
real parents. They then sunk their bodies in their car in Norris
Lake somewhere near the dam. That happened the day before he fell
off the cliff. Please help me Pinky. I don’t have anyone else to
turn to.”

Pinky answers, “I’ll do what I can Sam, but I
can’t help you break the law. I’ll see if we can locate the dead
parents but that’s all I can promise you. Can I reach you at this
number?”

Sam replies, “No, this is a throw away phone
and I intend to throw it away as soon as we hang up. I don’t want
anyone to be able to trace me. I’ll call you back in a few days.
Thank you Pinky.”

After he disconnects the call he tells Scoot
everything Sam told him. Scoot says, “Well, if all that is true
then Sam did have a good reason to take the boy and run. I’ll let
the FBI know to search the lake. Are you still planning to take
Jasmine to Louisiana tomorrow?”

Pinky replies, “Well, I was but this has to
take first priority. If the boy is really in danger we need to make
sure he is safe as quickly as possible. I’m sure Jasmine will
understand. When do you want me to leave?”

Scoot thinks for a minute then says, “I think
dawn would be best. That should put you in the search area before
dark. Maybe the FBI will find the sunken car by then. I don’t want
to leave the ranch unguarded since Bixby is still around somewhere
so I’ll send Bear and Goose with you. Stump and I will stay here to
help Barry and Bud if Bixby shows up.”

When they return to the dining room everyone
is looking at them questioningly. Scoot addresses the group, “Guys,
Pinky, Bear, and Goose have to go to Tennessee at dawn. The boy we
rescued a few weeks ago has disappeared again along with the park
ranger. She told Pinky his real parents were killed by the couple
currently claiming to be his parents. You guys are going to help
locate his real parents’ bodies and if necessary, track down
Samantha Wells.”

I look over at Pinky. He pats my leg with his
hand and whispers, “I’ll explain it all to you later, I
promise.”

After everyone leaves for their own homes,
Pinky and I retire to the great room where we sit on the sofa
together. He takes my hand in his and places a warm kiss on my
palm. Then he says, “Look Jasmine, I know I promised to take you
home to Louisiana tomorrow but this is important, a little boy’s
life may be at stake. A few weeks ago, right after you went to the
hospital in Phoenix, we were sent on a search and rescue mission in
the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The boy fell off a cliff and I
was the one that repelled down that cliff and saved the six year
old and then further down, the park ranger, Samantha Wells. She was
the one that called earlier and asked me specifically for help and
I can’t refuse. Please understand.”

“Oh, Keith, I do understand. I know your job
is very important. You have to help the child if he’s in danger.
I’ll be all right until you get back. We can go to Louisiana any
time. I’m going to miss you though.”

He pulls me close and brushes his lips
against mine, “Mmmmm, that’s good to know. I’m going to miss you
too.” He nibbles at my lips until I open for his invasion then he
dives into the warm recesses of my mouth savoring every taste. He
says, “Oh Jasmine, I love you so much.” He kisses me deeply again.
When he next lifts his head he is breathing raggedly and he pulls
my head gently to his chest.

I ask, “When are you leaving?”

He answers, “At dawn, in the morning.”

I whisper, “Please be careful. I love
you.”

******

The following morning I am awakened by the
sound of the helicopter taking off at dawn and whisper a prayer for
Keith’s and the little boy’s safety. Then I get out of bed, take a
quick shower, and head to the kitchen for a hot cup of coffee and
some breakfast. I am surprised when I enter the kitchen to find
Melanie and Skye dressed in warm clothes ready to head out the
door. I ask, “Where are the two of you headed so early this
morning?”

Laughing Melanie says, “You’re not going to
believe me. We are going out to target shoot. Do you want to come
with us?”

“Are you serious, you target shoot? Why on
earth are you doing that?”

Skye explains, “I want to keep my skill up
and I am teaching Melanie. She doesn’t ever want to be caught in
another situation where she can’t protect herself. Think about how
many times you could have killed Bixby and escaped if you knew how
to use a gun.”

I think for a minute before replying, “That’s
a good point. Yes, I want to go, give me a couple of minutes to
change.”

As the three of us are driving across the
pasture to where the men have set up their target range, Skye tells
me about Bear teaching her how to shoot so she could kill her own
food when she was living in his cabin in Montana. Then she told me
about how her knowing how to shoot saved Dylan’s life when he was
attacked by a mountain lion and about how she was able to protect
herself from the hit man that killed her father. After Skye
finishes her story I am convinced I need to learn this skill and I
listen attentively as Skye explains the different parts of the
semi-automatic handgun we are using, how to clean it, how to load
the magazine, how to aim, and how to fire.

After I finish my turn firing at the target I
laugh, “Wow, now I know why you come down here and practice. It’s
harder than it looks to hit the center of that target! Skye you are
magnificent. I am very impressed.”

Skye says, “Don’t worry. It won’t take you
long to get good at this too. You actually did very well for the
first try. We’ll come again tomorrow if you want. Once you have
time to practice, we’ll set it up for you to take the test and get
your concealed carry license. Then you can carry a pistol in your
purse and never be afraid again. Melanie is taking her test next
week.”

About halfway to Tennessee, Scoot radios the
guys that the FBI located the car with the bodies of the boy’s
parents in Norris Lake just as the child said they would. He
advised them to fly straight to Gatlinburg and wait for Sam to call
Pinky again. He warns Pinky that the FBI may request that they
track Sam to her location and no matter what they feel about it,
they must follow the law. She did, after all, kidnap the boy from
the hospital.

When they land in Gatlinburg just before dark
they are greeted by an agent from the area FBI office. He explains
to them that the initial investigation of the parents’ deaths did
indicate foul play and the other couple that has been claiming to
be the boy’s parents have been taken into custody pending the
results of the autopsies and the results of a ballistics test on a
gun found in the man’s possession.

The couple is claiming they didn’t know the
parents were dead but they don’t have an explanation of how the boy
knew where to find the bodies. They have requested lawyers so it is
doubtful they will be offering any more information.

The agent asks Pinky if he has had any more
contact from Samantha Wells and Pinky honestly tells him no but
that he expects to hear from her in the next day or two. As they
are leaving the airport to head to a hotel for the night Pinky’s
cell phone rings. Glancing at the caller ID he sees Richard Dean’s
name and he answers, “Pinky.”

“Mr. Williams, this is Richard Dean. I wanted
to give you an update about Bixby. Evidently he and the man in the
pickup, Smitty, have split up. They may have made their tail.
Smitty and the truck are still headed east toward Illinois. Bixby
was spotted in Nebraska at a truck stop trying to hitch a ride
south. By the time the authorities arrived he was gone. From what
they were told, he got a ride with a truck driver headed to Texas.
They have issued an APB for the truck. If I find out anything else
I’ll let you know. Oh, we’re going to pick up Smitty and charge him
with murder for the massacre at the compound near Sandpoint.”

Pinky says, “Thank you Mr. Dean. Please keep
me posted.”

When he disconnects Bear asks, “Bixby?”

Pinky answers, “Yeah, he and Smitty have
split up. They spotted him in Nebraska. It looks to me like he may
be going to Louisiana. He still has relatives in the area and if he
needs money it is logical he would head there. I hope they catch
him again soon. I don’t like not knowing what he’s up to. He’s as
slippery as an eel.”

Bear laughs and says, “I think the guy has
nine lives. I can’t believe he’s slipped away from the FBI four
times now.”

Goose asks, “Pinky, what are you going to do
when Sam calls you again? Do you think you’ll be able to convince
her to give up? If the FBI doesn’t get to interview the boy soon,
they won’t be able to hold that couple for long. They are going to
have to have proof before they can file charges and the boy may be
their only witness.”

Pinky replies, “That’s a good point Goose.
I’ll use it to try to convince her to give up. If she brings him
back it will go a lot easier on her too. I just hope he’s all right
physically. She took him before the doctor’s had released him from
the hospital.”

Later that evening just as they are finishing
dinner Pinky’s cell phone rings again. Glancing at the caller ID he
sees an unknown number. He answers, “Pinky.”

“Pinky, Sam, did they find the car?”

“Yes, Sam they found it exactly where Timmy
said they would and they have arrested the couple. You need to turn
yourself in before you get in deeper. If the FBI isn’t able to
interview Timmy within the next couple of days they will have to
release the couple for lack of evidence.”

“I know but I can’t come in yet,” replies
Sam.

Pinky responds, “Sam, you are placing me in a
very difficult situation. If you don’t turn yourself in, we are
going to be forced to track you. Please Sam, don’t make us do that.
We want to help you but we can’t help you break the law.”