Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure (24 page)

“The
AR-15 he was carrying belonged to a guy who died during the battle outside of
town.”

Caden
rubbed his forehead trying to absorb all the sheriff had told him. “Okay, it
doesn’t look good, but do you really think Zach killed Bo?”

“I
go where the evidence takes me and right now it’s taking me to Zach.”

“I
remember reading once that the first person to speak in court sounds right
until they get cross-examined.” Caden stood. “I want to clear up a few things—let’s
go see the boy.”

“I
need to phone his attorney.”

“He
has a lawyer?”

“Kent
Hollister, DeLynn’s father.”

Caden
tried to get his mind around the idea of the missing girl’s father representing
the possible kidnapper.

Hoover
watched and smiled. “I’ll let him explain it to you.”

After
the call, Hoover led the way. “Normally we would have transferred him to a
juvenile facility, but the nearest one isn’t taking anyone new, so I did some
rearranging and put him in a cell by himself.” He shook his head. “The whole
juvenile system and Child Protective Services is collapsing. Actually, a lot of
things are going to…hey, Douglas, let us in.”

The
man buzzed them into a part of the building Caden had never seen. He scanned
the austere cement and steel room and hoped such visits would remain a rarity.

Hoover
seemed not to notice the difference and continued his rant. “Where was I? Oh,
the county told me this morning that we might be late getting paid. That’s bad
enough, but the money is hardly worth anything. Most of my deputies are having
real trouble feeding their families. We’d need a huge pay raise just to keep up
with inflation, but do you think we’ll get it?” The sheriff looked a Caden.

He
shook his head. “I’m in the same boat. The state pays me with the same money
you get.”

On
their left was a line of green steel doors.

Hoover
took a deep breath. “I guess I needed to vent. The kid’s cell is just up here.”

When
the sheriff opened the cell door Zach jumped from the bunk. “Major Westmore,
I’m innocent, please believe me.”

Caden
started to ask a question, but Zach continued.

“We’ve
got to act fast if we’re going to save DeLynn.”

The
creak and slam of a steel door announced the arrival of attorney Kent
Hollister. The deputy escorted him to where Caden, the sheriff and Zach sat
around a simple table in a Spartan visiting room.

“My
client has maintained his innocence in the murder of Robert Hendricks and
wishes to cooperate in any way possible to prove that and facilitate the safe
return of DeLynn Hollister.”

Looking
at Zach, Caden frowned. “I think your attorney is too personally involved in
this case.”

Hoover
nodded. “I still think he’s guilty, but I’ve said the same thing. He didn’t
listen to me.” He turned to Zach. “Your lawyer wants his daughter back more
than your exoneration.”

“I
told my client I had serious reservations, but—.”

“No.
Stop.” Zach glanced at a clock on the wall. “We have less than twenty hours to
find a way to save DeLynn. Hearing what I have to say is the best way to get
her back
and
prove I’m innocent. Mr.
Hollister has agreed to help me do that. Listen and I’ll tell you everything.”
He took a deep breath. “I was on a rock outcrop across from Bo’s house.”

“My
client was watching an alleged criminal, nothing else.” Hollister added.

“One
of the MS-13 gang killed Bo’s bodyguard.” Zach closed his eyes.

“Did
you find that body?” Caden asked.

Hoover
nodded.

“I
heard Bo say to them that he was looking for me. They were going to kill him
right there, beside the bodyguard, because he wasn’t any use to them. Then Bo
told them about my sister, Vicki. Cruz wanted to find her and they all got in
his car and took off for my house. I ran the path over the ridge.”

Hoover
shook his head. “I said before that it is impossible to run from Hendricks’
home to yours and arrive just after they did.”

“It
was a hard run, but not impossible. I’ve offered to do it again to show you.”

“If
you could do it, I certainly couldn’t keep up with you,” the sheriff said with
a smirk.

Zach
glanced at the sheriff’s paunch and then continued. “I really did arrive just
after the gang. I hid in the forest, and saw them drag DeLynn from the house.
They think she is my sister. Since they had her, they shot Bo. I tried to aim
and—.”

 
“Let’s not go into things you didn’t do,”
Hollister said.

“So,
DeLynn knows who really killed Bo?” Caden asked.

“Yes!
If we rescue her she can tell you. Anyway, the gang drove off with her, that’s
when I….” Zach looked at his lawyer.

“Zach
borrowed my car to pursue the real criminals in this case.”

Hoover
frowned. “That’s not what you said during the 911 call.”

“It
was all just a misunderstanding.”

“Can
I go on?” Zach looked around the table and then continued
,
outlining the conversation he had with Cruz. “I only have until tomorrow at
9:00 in the morning to deliver twenty M4s to Cruz or he kills DeLynn.

“You
were caught with a stolen weapon.” Hoover said to Zach.

“He
was turning himself and the rifle in to you,” Hollister countered.

Ignoring
the attorney, the sheriff’s gaze remained fixed on Zach. “You were seen arguing
and threatening Bo Hendricks at Library Park.”

“We
don’t deny it. Mr. Hendricks threatened my client’s sister, but Zach did not
kill him.”

“He
was found dead in your driveway.”

Hollister
again jumped into answer. “According to your own investigation, Mr. Hendricks
was on his knees. The assailant stood behind him when he was shot—execution
style. How would my client manage that? Also, the bullet was a 9mm. My client
doesn’t own or possess such a weapon.”

Caden
held up his hand signaling for everyone to stop. Turning to the sheriff, he
said, “We need to talk.”

Together
they stepped from the room.

“Show
me on a map where Zach’s and Bo’s homes are.”

“We’ll
need to go to the office. There is a big map of the county on the far wall.”

Caden
had seen the map, but never taken much notice of it. Standing before it he saw
all the logging roads, dirt county roads and detailed topography.
 

Hoover
pointed with his index finger. “Bo’s house is here.” He pressed his thumb to
the map. “And Zach’s house is here.”

Caden
looked at the distance between the two points. “Zach said he ran as hard as he
could and arrived at his home right after the gang.” He rubbed his chin. “I
don’t see how. He’d either have to run around that ridge or over it.”

“He
claims he went over it.”

“Well
then that’s it isn’t it? If he can do it again, his story is believable, if he
can’t, it isn’t.”

Hoover
nodded. “What’s to keep him from just running off?”

“I
think I can find people to keep up with him.” He tapped at his phone. “First
Sergeant, get the six best runners we have and meet me at the sheriff’s office
ASAP.”

*
              
*
              
*

Caden
explained to everyone what he wanted and then, drove to Zach’s home. When he
arrived at the blue single-wide trailer, he realized he didn’t know if anyone
was there. He climbed the rickety wood porch and knocked on the door. There was
no answer. He wondered if the mother was alive or perhaps still in the
hospital. He tried the knob, found it locked, and retreated down the stairs.

Pacing
the driveway, he decided to text Maria. “Call me when you’re alone.”

A
minute later his phone rang. “Are you in Hansen?” Maria asked. “Why did you
want me to be alone when I called?”

“Yes,
I’m in Hansen. I’ll explain the secrecy in a minute. How’s Brooks?”

In
a somber tone she said, “He was awake and talking earlier. He should be okay in
a few weeks. Did you hear that Sue had her baby? Every day when I visit she
asks—.”

“Every
day? How long has she been in the hospital?”

“Sue
had a fever and the baby was jaundiced, but they’re both better. I’m supposed
to take them home later today. She’s been concerned about you, but I think she
wants to know if you learned anything about Peter.”
  

“That’s
why I wanted to make sure you were alone. I did get to their house.” He
explained that he found Peter’s body and a note, but left out most other
details.

Maria
was silent for a moment. “I wish you hadn’t told me. I’m going to be driving
her back to the farm in about an hour. How do I sit in the car and talk to her
knowing that? What if she asks about you?”

“Sorry.
I didn’t think of that.”
 

Hoover
pulled up and parked behind Caden’s car. “I’ve got to go.” he said. “We’ll talk
later.”

Stepping
out of the car the sheriff said, “The boy is with your people and is headed
over to Bo’s house.”

*
              
*
              
*

The
March sun was low on the horizon by the time everyone was in place. Fletcher
held the radio to his mouth. “We just arrived at the spot above Bo’s house.” He
looked from the rock outcropping across to home. “Good sniper position.”

Zach
stood tall and smiled. “I’ve done a lot of hunting.” Then hastily added, “But I
didn’t shoot Bo.”

“I
don’t think you did.” Fletcher turned to face Zach and the six soldiers with
them. “Just so everyone is clear, when the deputy waves his arm you guys run.
Follow the path over the ridge, but keep going after that. The finish line is
Zach’s house. Your job is to keep up with Zach. Don’t let him out of your
sight.” He pointed to the deputy below. “He will drive to the house as a kind
of pace car. Are you guys ready?”

Zach
nodded.

The
soldiers shouted, “Hooah” and slapped Zach on the back.
 

Feeling
a gentle hand on his shoulder, Zach turned.

“I’m
looking forward to seeing how fast we can do this.” John Tyler said.

“If
we’re going to find DeLynn, I’ve got to give it everything I’ve got.”

Tyler
grinned. “I’ll try to keep up.”

Zach
focused on the deputy’s vehicle, the pace car. He had been asked during his
first interrogation if the gang had sped off. Truthfully, he had told them no.
The car had driven away at a normal rate of speed. Now he was grateful that
fact had come out. The deputy had been told to go the speed limit.
 

Zach
focused on the deputy in front of Bo’s house. He was talking on the car radio
to someone, probably the people at his trailer. After a moment the deputy
stopped and looked in the direction of the rock outcrop.

Zach
tensed, ready to run.

The
radio crackled. “Go.”

The
deputy waved his arm.

Zach
shot into the forest.

*
   
           
*
              
*

The
pace car would be there any second. Caden looked down the driveway with
concern. Then from behind came the sound of snapping twigs and limbs.

Zach
burst from the forest into the driveway and fell to his knees breathing heavily.

Right
behind him was Tyler. “Geez Zach…Olympics…that’s what you should do.”

Caden
showed the sheriff the stopwatch. “It can be done.”

As
several more soldiers stumbled in, the pace car drove up.

“Okay,
the kid’s story
could
be true,” the
sheriff said.

“I
think he’s telling the truth.”

“I
am…telling the…truth,” a still breathless Zach said as he approached. “Let’s
find…DeLynn now…okay?”

Caden
rested a hand on his shoulder. “Transfer him to military custody while we
conduct our operation.”

Hoover
gave him a confused look. “What kind of operation are you going to do?”

“After
we do some planning, Zach is going to call Cruz.”

*
              
*
              
*

Looking
at the notes he had written and considering all the plans they had discussed,
Caden was frustrated. For over an hour, with the Sheriff and the First
Sergeant, he had been trying to plan an operation to rescue DeLynn and arrest
or kill the members of MS-13. They had sent Zach with Hollister to load M4s in
the car. The squads were ready, but without knowing the location of the
meeting, in-depth planning was impossible.

Dressed
in ACUs and with a bow and quiver on his back, Zach walked into the armory
office with Kent Hollister. “I’ve put the rifles in the trunk of the car.” He
looked at his watch. “We have less than fourteen hours. When do you want me to
make the call?”

“We’re
just about done here, but you can stow the bow. I’m not taking you on a dangerous
mission.”

Zach
took the seat at the table. “MS-13 is expecting me. I have to make the call.”

“Call
from here. We will handle the rest.”

Kent
sat beside Zach.

“She’s
my girlfriend. I thought I was part of the ‘we’ here at the armory and
besides—”
 

Caden
took a slow, deep, breath. “Emotions are a bad thing in this type of operation.
Even if you were married to her, I wouldn’t want you along. You are part of the
armory team, but you are also still a minor.”

“MS-13
will probably want to see me.”

 
“Let’s hope there is a way we can do this
without you standing in the line of fire. Here.” Caden handed Zach the phone
that Cruz had given him. “Make the call.”

Zach
frowned, but dialed.

“You
got the guns and stuff?” It was Cruz.

“Yes.
Put De…” He stopped, remembering that Cruz thought she was his sister. “Put
Vicki on the phone.”

“Well,
the kid is excited to see his sister.” Cruz laughed.

Zach
heard fumbling and shuffling and then DeLynn’s voice as she read, “Zach, go to
the ranger station and wait. You’ll be told.”

The
call ended.

“My
daughter—she’s okay?”

Zach
nodded. “I heard her voice.” Turning to the others he continued. “They want me
to go to the ranger station, but he said earlier that the meeting wouldn’t be
there. Didn’t you guys check it?”

“We
did. The place was deserted.” Hoover shook his head.

“They’re
probably sending someone there now.” Fletcher added. “They might even want him
to show the rifles so whoever is watching can see, and then they’ll say where
the meeting will be.”

Caden
gave a reluctant nod.

“Zach
needs to go there and find out where the meeting is,” Hollister said.

Zach is seventeen.
Private Conner was eighteen. Conner was my responsibility, but now he’s dead.
He stared at Zach.
I won’t have two kids die in this craziness
in a single week.